The boy was dreaming. The same dream would come to him each and every night.
He would dutifully march along an endless, empty corridor.....
Usually, the passage would go on without end. But that night, something changed.
He could see something in the distance... He strained his eyes, trying to catch a glimpse....
And what he saw was..... Himself?
Terrified, the boy woke up.
MUSIC: Masamichi Yamazaki Yukie Sugawara
ART DIRECTION: Toshiaki Tamura ART: Yoshinori Asakura
SUPERVISION: Fumihiko Saito
STARRING: Morio Sumisu
Reiko Saeba Ittetsu Wakamoto
Akira Saeba
DIRECTOR: Goichi Suda
ITTETSU WAKAMOTO
The sunshine was almost blinding. The whole world seemed to be at peace, crowned by such a beautiful blue sky...
It was perfectly clear, much like the boy's pure heart.
However, that stunning blue sky stood as contrast to the turbulent life that awaited him.
He was walking through the noisy streets of Setagaya. His name was Morio Sumisu, an innocent boy of 15. But his stern face, a mirror to his tumultuous inner life, was not that of a boy of 15.
It was a face that let everyone know he was fully confident in his capabilities, both in body and in spirit. He was a... terrifying boy.
His eyes shone as he stared at the crossroad in front of him. The crossroad of his life.
Sumisu's heart was torn between hope and fear.
However, at that moment, hope was winning out. His eyes, radiating with conviction, were aimed at a specific point....
His gaze was pointed at the words 'Wakamoto Dojo.'
It was read from right to left, as it was in olden times. That sign, with its ancient characters, bore witness to the dojo's rich history.
The building itself hearkened back to the tradition that Japan had abandoned since the economic boom.
Sumisu confidently approached the gate....
ITTETSU: "What are you doing here, kid!? This isn't a nursery home. Go away!"
SUMISU: "But you haven't even seen what I can do! Is that really how you run your dojo? That's so outdated."
ITTETSU: "Say what you will. I only need a glance to tell if you have what it takes."
SUMISU: "The hell did you just say? Don't make fun of me, baldy!!"
ITTETSU: "Did you just call me baldy!? Aren't you a smartass. Well, come and fight then."
ITTETSU: "So you wanna be a pro wrestler."
SUMISU: "......"
ITTETSU: "Being a pro wrestler is not just about training your body, It's about honing your spirit as well. Looking at the meatheads who call themselves wrestlers nowadays breaks my heart."
ITTETSU: "What you need is some real backbone. You can't make it if you're stupid, but you have to be stupid to make it."
ITTETSU: "Picture your life in a 6m50cm square ring. It's a sport and it's not a sport. It's a martial art and it's not a martial art."
ITTETSU: "What is it then? Tell me!"
SUMISU: "P.ro.. wres...tling......"
ITTETSU: "That's right, that's pro wrestling. But what exactly is pro wrestling? I still don't know. Even the great Musashi has to live with the mystery."
ITTETSU: "'I still don't know what pro wrestling is.' Those are his words."
ITTETSU: "For those who choose to walk the path, it may very well be an eternal question."
ITTETSU: "Tell me, kid! Can you challenge the ultimate mistery? Can you devote your life to it?"
ITTETSU: "If that's what you want, my doors are always open! If you're looking to get famous, I won't judge you, but get lost!"
ITTETSU: "Make your choice! And consider it carefully."
Sumisu's heart was strong, powerful and resolute. Unable to contain his excitement, it burst out of his mouth.
SUMISU: "Wooooooooooooooooooah!"
One year later.
After a year of rigorous training at Wakamoto's dojo, Sumisu's body and spirit had doubled in size. He came to embody the aura of a Wrestler, if not its heart.
Sumisu's speedy growth was a nice change of pace for Wakamoto.
Wakamoto's stern expression, as he watched over his training, hid feelings of joy.
ITTETSU: "Sumisu! You've trained hard this past year. Including you, only four of my students have made it this far. Today you have a test match. Consider it your gateway to graduation."
ITTETSU: "I'll let you pick your opponent, Sumisu!"
ITTETSU: "Now, choose!"
ROAD: "What's wrong, Sumisu? You scared? Wanna run home to mama? Come on, let's fight!"
ROAD: "Oh, so you do have balls! You're gonna regret this!"
ROAD: "You won't get away with this. Next time we meet, I'll take you down."
ROAD: "So, Sumisu... You better not lose to anyone else."
SUMISU: "Road.. You son of a bitch."
WAKAMOTO: "Sumisu, you have now mastered the art of pro wrestling. I have nothing left to teach you."
WAKAMOTO: "I have one last gift for you before you leave the nest. I'll take you on!"
SUMISU: "Ittetsu...."
WAKAMOTO: "You dumbass! This is no time to get sentimental. It's a jungle out there, and you'll have to fight like a beast."
WAKAMOTO: "This is only your first step. You can't afford to stumble now!"
SUMISU: "I.... must surpass my Master."
SUMISU: "...... Spike, Under, Road. Lend me your strength. I will fight for you."
SUMISU: "Ittetsu! Here I come!"
WAKAMOTO: "It's time to surpass your Master, Sumisu! Don't look away. ...... Come at me, kid!"
WAKAMOTO: "You've grown strong, Sumisu. The 'Wakamoto Special '78' is now yours to use as you will...."
WAKAMOTO: "You are the last disciple of Ittetsu Wakamoto, young man. You can walk the battlefield... With your head held high...."
SUMISU: "Ittetsu? A-are you alright?"
WAKAMOTO: "Don't worry about me, I know how to take a hit. ... I haven't felt like this since I trained Saeba."
WAKAMOTO: "Phew... I may have finally repaid my debt to the world of the mat. Now I can live the rest of my life as I wish."
WAKAMOTO: "It's time, Sumisu. The next age of pro wrestling rests upon your shoulders."
WAKAMOTO: "Now go!"
SUMISU: "Yes, Master!"
Ittetsu Wakamoto. The man who fought in Big Japan Pro Wrestling during the Rikiozan era as part of the Honda Brothers.
Akira Saeba would tremble in fear just by hearing the engine of Wakamoto's Cadillac. That was Ittetsu Wakamoto.
Known as the fearsome Demon Sergeant, he was both hated and loved by his pupils.
Ittetsu Wakamoto set off for his third life.
And he was never heard from again...
Sumisu was not affiliated to any existing promotion, so he was free to chose one to enlist in as a freelancer.
At the time, the world of the mat was split between three major promotions:
View Japan Pro Wrestling, led by Victory Musashi.
Olive Japan Pro Wrestling, led by Great Shiba.
UWH, led by Akira Saeba.
Which style did Sumisu pursue?
ITTETSU: "You're still not readyyyyyyyyyyy!"