Cobra Kai - Okinawa's Honor

After leaving Daniel's home in Los Angeles, Chozen returned to Okinawa with a clear purpose. Despite having lied to Daniel about talking to Kumiko about his feelings, he knew he had a mission to accomplish. Now, he stood in the main room of his home, where six young men were gathered before him, their postures firm and their gazes intent.

He gently bowed his head in greeting, his voice firm and respectful.

"Hai."

The six young men immediately responded in unison:

"Hai, Sensei!"

They were an impressive team:

Shisa Kim Toguchi, a leader, proficient in the martial arts, disciplined, and heir to the Toguchi legacy.

Sabrina Cavendish, a fighter with quick reflexes and admirable mental strength.

Jack Brewer, a versatile combat specialist and creative improviser.

Kim Crawford, known for her precision and elegance in combat.

Milton David, an expert strategist, controlled combat

Nils "BooBoo" Aukai, an agile Hawaiian with a fluid style inspired by nature.

Chozen began the meeting with a firm look and a voice shared with purpose.

"If you are here today, it is because you were chosen. Each of you carries something unique, something that makes this time special. You have been called to represent Okinawa and the legacy of our dojo in the greatest tournament in the world: the Sekai Taikai."

There was a murmur of motivation among the young people, but they soon fell silent to listen to more.

Chozen continued:

"The Sekai Taikai is not a simple tournament. This year, the rules have been updated: each team will have six members, with a male captain and a female captain. The events will not be just fights. There will be team challenges, double battles, individual competitions and tests of physical and mental skills that will not be easy."

He paused, looking each of them over, as if trying to gauge the determination in their eyes.

"Besides, the tournament could be dangerous. There is a dojo that was being led by someone without honor—Terry Silver. He has resources, influence, and is willing to do anything to win. Our role is not only to compete, but to ensure that his corruption does not tarnish the Sekai Taikai."

Chozen crossed his arms, his posture rigid.

"You will also have an additional mission: to help our brothers from Miyagi-Do in America. They have the perseverance and will, but they lack the experience that you have. Teamwork will be essential."

The young men exchanged glances among themselves, processing the weight of the responsibility that had been given to them. Shisa, who was in the center of the group, stepped forward and looked at his colleagues.

"We are ready," he said truthfully. "Everyone here has a love for the art. We are not here just to fight, but to honor the teachings we have received. We will show the world what we are capable of."

Chozen allowed himself a slight smile, pleased with Shisa's attitude.

"Right here. This tournament will be more than interesting."

He gestured for everyone to sit around a table he had prepared. In the center were papers with schedules, training diagrams, and even some preliminary information about other participating dojos.

"Each of you has mastered at least two martial arts. One of them is Miyagi-Do karate, taught by myself and Master Sato. Over the next two months, we will train both styles: Miyagi-Do and the one each of you brings as a specialty. I want to see how you combine. Remember: the diversity of skills will be our strength."

He paused, letting his words resonate for a moment.

"And before anyone asks, no one is confirmed as captain yet. In two months, we will decide that. Until then, everyone will have the chance to prove themselves, both in fighting and in leadership."

The young men nodded, agreeing with the plan. There was an air of respect and determination in the air.

"Now, let's define our training plan," he said, pointing to the papers. "For the next hundred days, we will work to the best of our abilities. There will be individual training to perfect your techniques, pair training to develop strategies, and group exercises to strengthen unity. I want each of you here to know the other's strengths and weaknesses. We will be a team, not six individuals."

The young men nodded, diving into the discussion with enthusiasm. The ideas began to flow, each suggesting ways to train and improve. Shisa proposed team training to simulate challenges with the other students of the Dojo, while Sabrina suggested physical and mental endurance training. Milton emphasized the importance of strategy, and Kim brought up ideas to improve the group's synchrony.

As the plans were drawn up, Chozen watched silently, proud. He knew this was just the beginning, but something told him that this group of young people would be able to face any challenge that came their way.

After they had outlined their initial training plan and organized the schedule for the hundred days leading up to the Sekai Taikai, Chozen decided to end the day with something special.

Later, by the light of the campfire...

The atmosphere was now relaxed. The embers glowed as the group laughed and relaxed. Chozen, sitting with a cup of tea in his hands, began to share stories from his recent stay in Los Angeles.

– "When I first got there, I stayed at Daniel-san's house. But..." – he invited, putting down his cup. – "I thought it would be a good idea to swim naked in the house's pool. Without any clothes on."

Jack laughed so loudly that he almost spilled his drink.

– "You're telling me you got naked in Daniel-san's backyard?!"

Chozen shook his head, trying to contain his laughter.

– "Yes. And when they saw me, I just said, 'It's Okinawan culture. Different.' Afterwards, I apologized to Daniel-san and Amanda-san... They didn't find it that funny."

Kim Crawford couldn't help but laugh.

"Sensei, I think you ended up traumatizing their neighbors too."

Chozen laughed along, his expression light, but soon changed to a more nostalgic tone.

"I also got into a fight. It was with workers from a furniture store and the owner... Mike Barnes, we thought he was conspiring with Silver."

Shisa frowned.

"Barnes? That name sounds so familiar to me."

Chozen explained:

"Daniel-san's old enemy. They fought in the All Valley Tournament. I ended up misunderstanding everything and started fighting him, in the end it was cleared up that it was just a mistake, when I went to rest on the couch, I found it quite comfortable and ended up buying it."

Jack raised an eyebrow.

- "For a much higher price, I bet."

Chozen gestured with his hands.

– "Maybe. But I still bought the couch. And it's very comfortable."

The group burst into laughter again. Jack and Milton were crying with laughter, while Kim shook her head, imagining the scene.

After a sip of tea, Chozen continued:

– "So... about Terry Silver."

The laughter died down, and the young men's faces became more serious. They all knew about Silver's commission.

– "I had several encounters with him. One of them was when I infiltrated his dojo as sensei. He believed I was only there for money. But... I was looking for clues about his next move, when he found me trustworthy enough, I was invited to dinner at his house to talk about business."

Sabrina raised an eyebrow in surprise.

– "You went to dinner at his house?!"

Chozen nodded.

– "Yes. It was the only way to get more information. During the conversation, I was careful, but I made a slip of the tongue. When we were toasting, I said "Karii", at that moment he realized that I was not who I had said. After that, things got... tense."

Milton smiled, trying to lighten the mood.

– "I guess he didn't invite you for dessert, did he?"

Chozen laughed.

– "Not exactly. But I managed to get out without fighting that night. Still, it was risky."

BooBoo looked at the fire, thoughtful.

– "Sensei, your stories are incredible. They show how important it is to be prepared, in case something goes wrong."

Chozen nodded, pleased with the comment.

– "That's why we're here, Boo. We'll train body, mind and spirit. But never forget to laugh and relax, like we're doing now. That balance is part of karate."

The young men agreed with Chozen's words.

The conversation around the campfire was full of laughter and stories, but the tone changed when Chozen mentioned Terry Silver again. He took a sip of tea, took a deep breath, and began to tell an anecdote that his students were unfamiliar with.

– "I'm going to tell you something that happened the same day Terry Silver was arrested. It was a night I'll never forget."

The students immediately became attentive, curious about what would come next.

– "Earlier that day, Daniel-san, Johnny-san, and I... ended up going out for drinks together."

Sabrina blinked, confused.

– "Going out for drinks?!"

Chozen nodded, with a restrained smile.

– "Yes. It was an unusual situation. We were with two other friends of Daniel-san, and somehow the occasion led to a moment of temporary tranquility. But of course, it didn't last."

He paused, looking at the campfire as if he were reliving the moment.

– "While we were driving away in the limousine, something happened. We found out that Barnes was driving. He was furious. Very furious. We found out that Silver had burned down his furniture store. In his anger, Barnes decided to get revenge. And I...well, I was drunk and agreed."

Milton whistled.

– "You were really after him like that?"

Chozen nodded seriously.

– "Yes. We went straight to Silver's house. When we arrived, he was already surrounded by his henchmen, as usual. It wasn't a friendly encounter. I went straight to face him. Daniel-san, who didn't agree with the idea, left on the way, but at that moment, I was determined. Barnes and Johnny were in charge of the other karatekas, while I dealt with Silver."

Kim Crawford leaned forward, intrigued.

– "How was the fight, Sensei?"

Chozen looked at her, the intensity in his eyes growing.

– "At first, we exchanged basic blows, tests of skill. But then, Silver showed who he really was. He picked up a katana."

The young men exchanged looks of astonishment. Jack exclaimed:

– "A katana? He really fights?"

Chozen gave a slight smile before continuing:

– "Yes. But I didn't stay behind. I grabbed my sais, the same ones I always carry. The fight stopped being a karate duel and became a battle of life or death."

He paused, his eyes fixed on the flame of the fire.

– "I defeated him. I had the chance to kill him. He was down, vulnerable. But at that moment, I did something he didn't deserve."

He chose to look at his students.

– "I showed mercy."

Silver asked, almost in a suggestion:

– "And what happened next?"

Chozen tilted his head slightly, his expression growing darker.

– "Silver took advantage of my compassion. Before I could retreat, he cut me with his katana. A deep blow. I fell into the water, losing blood quickly."

Without saying anything else, Chozen declared. He untied the top of his shirt and removed it, revealing a long, deep scar on his abdomen.

The students' eyes widened in shock. It was clear that the mark was the result of something serious.

- "This scar," he said firmly, "is a reminder. A reminder that mercy is a virtue, but that we should never let our guard down in the face of an honorless enemy."

The young men fell silent, absorbing Chozen's words and the gravity of the story. Shisa was the first to speak, his voice serious.

- "Dad, what happened next? How did you survive?"

Chozen put his shirt back on and left.

- "After Johnny and Barnes managed to control the goons, they pulled me out of the water and called for ambulance help. It was a difficult night, but in the end, Silver was arrested. Still, the lesson remains."

Milton tried to lighten the mood.

– "Man, if I had a story like that, I'd be showing that scar at every party I went to!"

The group laughed, breaking the tension, but Chozen's message was clear. The Sekai Taikai would not be just a tournament.

The night around the campfire ended in an atmosphere of camaraderie. Intense, incredible and funny stories filled the air until exhaustion took over everyone. One by one, the young people dispersed to their rooms.

Jack followed Kim, both chatting excitedly about the training that remained the next day. Milton and BooBoo, in turn, each went their own way, apparently already offering individual strategies to surprise the group in training.

Shisa and Sabrina walked together down the path to their rooms, which were side by side. They walked in silence for a few moments, until Sabrina stopped and looked at Shisa with a smile.

– "It was an interesting night, don't you think?" – she said, leaning against the wall of the hallway.

Shisa smiled, crossing her arms.

– "Without a doubt. My father always knows how to keep us on our toes, whether with serious stories or unexpected... situations."

The two laughed, remembering the story of Chozen swimming naked. Sabrina stepped forward and kissed him lightly, taking Shisa by surprise. He kissed her back, smiling as they walked away.

– "And the compositions? How are they going?" – he said, as he accompanied her to the door of her room.

Sabrina smiled excitedly.

– "They're going well! I think I'm finally managing to convey what I feel in each note. Some are more introspective, but others... Well, I think you'll like them when you hear them."

Shisa nodded, satisfied.

– "I'm sure they'll be amazing. You have talent."

She tilted her head, watching him curiously before changing the subject.

– "And you? How are things at the company? As heir to such a great legacy, it can't be easy to juggle everything."

Shisa sighed, looking at the floor for a moment before answering.

"It's all going well. We're expanding outside of Asia, which has been challenging but rewarding. Still..." he paused, his tone growing more melancholic.

"I wish Uncle Sato was here to see all of this. He dedicated his life to the dojo and its teachings. In just over 100 days, we will be representing the honor he valued so much. It would be incredible if he could see what we are doing."

Sabrina put her hand on his shoulder, offering support.

"He may not be here physically, but I know he'd be proud. We'll be carrying on everything he taught us, both in karate and in life. That's something he always valued, isn't it?"

Shisa looked at her, his eyes shining with determination.

"You're right. We'll do our best, not just for me, but for him and everything he represented."

They shared one more kiss before saying goodbye. As Sabrina entered the room, Shisa stood for a moment in the hallway, reflecting on her words and the responsibility he carried. He knew the next hundred days would be intense, but with such a close-knit team and Sato's spirit in his memory, he felt ready for the challenge.