Ep. 26: Mario undergoes risky hand surgery after trainer's warning and honors Sakuragi before winning his match

26

American boxer Jeffrey invites Mario to an Army Camp, where a trainer notes his broken right hand prevents boxing. The trainer directs Mario to a doctor offering surgery with a 30% success rate, warning of permanent loss if it fails. Remembering Sakuragi’s advice on taking chances, Mario agrees. The procedure succeeds, restoring his hand. He then visits Sakuragi’s mother to pay respects and receives Sakuragi’s boxing boots. In his subsequent match, Mario defeats his opponent using his healed hand. Later, he stands at a tree where he and his friends carved their life dreams, speaking to the late Sakuragi. Following a spontaneous rainstorm, an image of Sakuragi asks about his dream, and Mario replies that he aims to help his friends achieve theirs.