When Takamura ended up in the ocean, drowning, Wanpo went to find help. When Takamura was then caught groping Tomiko when fireworks bloomed, Wanpo ran away with Takamura. That night, Wanpo followed Takamura, Kimura, and Itagaki on the beach where they partook in voyeurism. Later, Wanpo spotted Ippo with Kumi, Tomiko, and Aoki, and even ran into his father, Hachi, along with Nekota. Ippo was soon brought to the same beach by coincidence when he was invited by Aoki Masaru, Tomiko, and Kumi. When Takamura, Kimura, and Itagaki Manabu were going to the beach for training camp, Takamura forcefully took Wanpo in Ippo's place since Ippo was told to have three weeks off after fighting Yamada, and he wanted to put Wanpo in weight management. Wanpo being taken to the beach by Takamura. Wanpo ran to Ippo one night while he was talking to Īmura Mari about Yamada Naomichi, putting his paw on his owner to comfort him after learning about Yamada. He then barked when he noticed Kumi approaching. Later, after Ippo won against Sanada Kazuki, Ippo fished two days later with Wanpo at his side. Wanpo helped relieved tension between the two, however, the date turned sour toward the end. Wanpo also followed Ippo to the Kahuna Pasta House when he went on his date with Kumi. Prior to the match, Wanpo began following Ippo on his training and roadwork. Thanks to Wanpo, Kimura decided to come back by changing his given name to Katakana on the gym's entry list. (Where 'Ippo' means 'First Step', 'Wan' is how the Japanese say the English word 'One'.) When Kimura came back to the gym, Wanpo started barking at him, causing Kimura to get an idea after overhearing the earlier conversation. When they ask Ippo if he decided on the puppy's name yet, Ippo mentioned that Makunouchi Hiroko named him " Wanpo" written in Katakana as a play on Ippo's name. After Kimura Tatsuya retired due to losing his title match, Ippo visited the Kamogawa gym with his puppy. When Kumi hugged the puppy, Ippo grabbed the puppy out of her arms when he made a face that he makes when he is about the defecate. The puppy then followed Ippo when he went to see Mashiba Kumi. When Ippo went to do roadwork, the puppy followed him, however, he could not keep up with Ippo's speed and gets worn out. The event caused the puppy's new owner being nicknamed Poop Champion (ウンコ チャンピオン, Unko Chanpion) by Takamura Mamoru. The puppy proceeded to defecate on Ippo's championship belt.
During the party, Nekota Ginpachi gifted Ippo one of Hachi's puppies. 1.3.5 Importance of the Support Role ArcĪfter Makunouchi Ippo defeated Sendō Takeshi and gained the JBC featherweight belt, a victory celebration part was held at the Sugar Ray on his birthday.