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Hi folks!

This is the last of the Jump Start series from the current batch at Shonen Jump. I've delayed posting it so long the next batch is about to begin!

For this one, the creator has decided to go old-school with a straight-up fighting story.

18 pages of 55 for the first chapter; the first page is a man under a spotlight claiming that gold attracts the strong. This is a universal thing, applying even to combat. Get rich quick by participating in no-rules street fights broadcast live.

The crowd clearly favors Hayakawa, who is a gentleman and looks forward to a good clean match, while Matsuriya jokes about beating his opponent to death. Matsuriya's only friendly spectator (if you don't count the empty-faced girls he brought with) reminds Matsuriya that he is owed money, and the five hundred thousand yen prize would be a good start on that.

As the fight begins, we see what appears to be a schoolgirl (from the back, anyway) entering the stands. Cut to the next day at Teihen High School.

Porky points out that tournaments that have open entry are rare, and Jin's cheating ways means he's not going to be issued invitations to any of the closed ones. He should probably just get a straight job. Jin retorts that that would be "giving up." He complains that winning this tournament should have been his first step on the road to world champion and a life of plenty.

Jin blames Hayakawa for provoking him with the "good match" comment; besides Hayakawa's from a rich family so he didn't actually need the money like Jin does. Jin gets so ticked that he crushes the stress ball he's holding until it breaks. (Yes, that's supposed to be impossible.) He skips school with a transparent excuse and goes off to some shrine steps to work off some steam. He again asserts that in a real fight, he would have won.

Momocchi promises Jin a path of true strength and enormous wealth. Then she decides not to give more spoilers and leaps off. Jin admits to himself that she's doll-like, but one of those creepy voodoo dolls.

Jin is worried because she's already drunk this early, but Rin points out that drinking is her job, and as soon as he becomes world champion she can quit because he'll be supporting her. The apartment is a pigsty and she hasn't made dinner, but left money on the table to buy some. Ten yen (about a dime, American money.) We begin to see why Jin is looking for fast cash. He spots a delivery box, and hopes it contains groceries.

Jin remembers Momocchi's promise/warning, but while he's denying the reality, the apartment's landline phone rings. It's Porky, who has a message from Hayakawa. Seems Hayakawa's heard about a street fight with a good prize, and wanted to cut Jin in on the action ("I don't think he can get a part-time job with that temper.") So Hayakawa wants to meet them downtown, and Porky's willing to put up money for the bus and a snack at his usual high interest rate.

Down by the Hachiko statue, Jin shows Porky the mysterious phone, so apparently Hayakawa wasn't kidding around. But it's weird that Hayakawa isn't here--he's the type to show up a half hour early to an appointment, and he isn't picking up his phone.

Jin spots Momocchi in the crowd and decides to follow her, as she obviously knows something. Momocchi starts running as soon as she sees she's caught his attention, and stays just enough ahead as she leads the duo through some back alleys--then rounds a corner and disappears.

Jin and Porky demand to know what's going on. Hosuto assumes they're Hayakawa's friends and assures them that this was a legit match. Hayakawa turns out to not be dead and affirms that it was a match, and that he's way too naive for his own good.

Hosuto points out that "no rules" means no rules, so the strong can do whatever they want to the weak. He gloats about how Hayakawa was nothing and thus easy to torment.

Porky reacts with anger, but Jin holds him back. This means that if he signs the contract and wins, he can walk away scot-free too, right? We see the scene from above, revealing that Momocchi has perched herself on a roof runoff pipe.

As Jin hits the button to complete the contract, Hosuto is already in motion, kicking broken glass from the gournd at his eyes and following up with a hair grab and knee combo. It doesn't work out the way Hosuto was planning.

Momocchi is impressed. Fingerbreaking was the right move in that situation, but most beginning fighters panic when they're blinded.

Jin feels that Hosuto should stop whining, a broken finger is nothing compared to what happened to Hayakawa--or what Jin plans to do next. Hosuto decides to get serious. Doesn't help much, and soon--

While that's a reasonable assumption on Jin's part, it appears Hosuto didn't think of bringing along backup fighters. (or alternatively has no buddies) Hosuto realizes that the noob hunter is now the hunted, and runs for a bit until he can find a shovel to use as a weapon. That doesn't help either, and Jin shows what a big softy he is by finishing his opponent without any further torment.

The expression on his face isn't exactly merciful, though, and he dedicates the victory to Hayakawa. He wins $7000 (apparently Hosuto's habit of only attacking newbies means his bounty is less than you'd expect from his time in the system.)

In later chapters we learn more about just how UBS works, and that Momocchi isn't just a scout but a combatant herself. (Later chapters also have more underwear service.)

Black Clover was chosen as the series to get a full run in the online edition. School Judgement went downfill fast and is already on its final story arc.

Your thoughts and comments?
SKJAM!
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