Cruel Summer Chapter 7: Not the Miyagi Way, a cobra kai fanfic

Chapter Seven: Not the Miyagi Way

…

Riding without Robby. Was actually not as fun as I thought it would be.

We hit the hill by the beach. We raced each other on the highway. Then we rode everywhere around town together.

We wore the right jackets, and howled the right way and as loudly as we needed to.

But with Mikey replacing Robby, it just wasn't the same despite how much fun I had with the guys.

…

Demetri managed to catch Chris' fist and trip his leg.

Chris fell onto the ground in Mr. Miyagi's backyard hard and Sam nodded in approval.

"Great application of the second kata. Abe, Frank. You next." said Sam.

"What?" asked Demetri with a pant. "Why are we training so hard?"

"To be ready to strike back against Cobra Kai. They've attacked us twice since the tournament. One of them attacked me in the park, and Hawk attacked you. They think we're all weak and helpless. They'll never expect us to get some revenge."

Chris muttered, brushing the grass off his shorts. "Look. Cobra Kai might always be on offense. But do you really think we have a shot of fighting those guys?"

"They're all twice our size," said Nate. "And they've all been training since last summer. And. Lucas can teach them four different ways to counter our style."

"Which is why we'll counter theirs too," said Sam. "We have Sensei Bobby. And if we can. I'll talk to the Eagles."

"What?" Demetri laughed. "You do know every single one of them were Cobra Kais right?"

"We need help against Cobra Kai. We need Cobra Kai to beat Cobra Kai, Miguel proved that when he almost won the tournament." Sam said as Miguel smiled next to her, hiding how much he liked that she complimented him so casually. "Steel Eagle Karate have numbers. They have training, plenty more than the rest of you. Trust me, they can help."

Nate scoffed. "But why would they? Their style is still all offense." he laughed as Demetri and Chris nodded in agreement.

"Enough talking. Abe. Frank. Go again." said Sam.

A Miyagi-Do with glasses and a short dark haired and equally quiet Miyagi-Do walked forward and bowed.

Before they could get into their fighting stances, Daniel spoke.

"What's going on here? I thought I said class was done after two thirty."

Sam spoke. "Hey dad. We were just practicing a little more."

"Why?" Daniel sighed. "Okay. The rest of you guys go home."

"Er. Yes Sensei," muttered Nate respectfully.

Daniel muttered back. "There's no real need for that here. Mr. LaRusso works fine."

Miguel spoke as quietly as he could to Sam. "He's not gonna like this."

"I don't care." said Sam.

Miguel gave Sam a weak smile as all the Miyagi-Do boys walked off.

"What's going on Sam?" asked Daniel calmly.

"Cobra Kai thinks we're doormats. And at this point, why shouldn't they? They've been on offense against us all summer. This awful girl, Tory, she tried to stomp my lungs out just for daring to tell her to back off from my friends. And Hawk just hit Demetri at the mall."

"And you're angry about that?"

"Of course I am! We're being targeted for choosing a different karate dojo! Why would any sane person hate us just for that?"

Daniel frowned. "You think being on offense now is the right answer."

"We have to fight fire with fire. We can't just spend all summer sitting around waiting for Cobra Kai to inevitably strike first. They don't wait for us to attack. But what if we can grow faster than them? Into better fighters."

Daniel's jaw shifted and he spoke quietly to his daughter. "That's not gonna happen."

"I thought you believed in Miyagi-Do. Of course we can improve."

"Let me rephrase. I can't let that happen. I believe in Miyagi-Do being taught. And used. The right way. Being on offense with Miyagi-Do. Is not the right way."

Sam scoffed. "I thought Miguel explained to you that maybe only defense doesn't work. No more than only offense."

"John Kreese is dangerous," said Daniel. "He's training his students to be dangerous. Escalating this any more. Will just result in more people being hurt. At this point even if you win. You hurt people. If you put passion in front of principle, even if you win. You lose."

Sam was shocked. "Oh my god," she said, stunned.

"What?"

"Lucas was actually right. I mean. He's a lying and manipulative scumbag. But he was right. You're so obsessed with Mr. Miyagi and honoring his legacy. That you can't see that when facing psychotic bullies like the Cobra Kais, sometimes fighting uniquely, but fair. Is what it should take."

Daniel muttered calmly. "That's not the Miyagi way Sam. That's not how I've trained you."

"You really think that just because I'm fine learning any offense. And wanting to put Cobra Kai in their place. That I'll end up training with Kreese!?"

"Sam. Regardless of Mr. Miyagi or his teachings. Being on offense and getting revenge on Cobra Kai for what they've done. Will just lead to more violence perpetually. That's not just a Miyagi dojo kun. That is fact." said Daniel firmly.

"Maybe!" Sam said. "But maybe you should realize that we're facing almost sixteen. Hyper competent bullies who are smarter, stronger, and more skilled fighters and people than anyone we know. I wish kata was enough to stand up for ourselves. But it's not."

"Sam!"

Daniel's daughter began to walk past him.

"Sam. Sam wait-"

She had already used the side door to leave Mr. Miyagi's house.

Miguel waited by Daniel's car.

"Mr. LaRusso I tried explaining to her. Mr. LaRusso. Are you alright?'

Daniel wasn't crying but Miguel was shocked to see how upset Daniel looked.

"What happened?"

Daniel spoke. "Tomorrow at midday. Mr. Miyagi's garage. All of you have to be there. You have to."

"Yes Mr. LaRusso. We will." Miguel said.

Daniel frowned. "I'll explain better tomorrow. But don't worry. We'll get everything on the right track. Including the situation with Cobra Kai."

…

Robby was at the top of the half pipe speaking to another person in the skate park.

"Eh yo. Your skills man. So strong. So clean. Respect."

Robby tapped on his phone before putting it away. "Thanks."

"What happened to that guy who used to hang with you all the time 'round here? You know. He used to do those crazy hand stands with one arm?"

Robby frowned. "He doesn't skate anymore."

"Shame dog. He was cool. Hey check this pipe man."

The skater went on a long and fast swing through the half pipe on his skateboard and Robby smiled about to take his own loop through.

"Robby." Robby heard Sam say.

He turned and saw her standing next to the half pipe.

Robby raised a finger to the other skater now on the other end of the half pipe and he nodded back.

Robby spoke to Sam. "Yeah?"

"I need your help. We. Everyone at Miyagi-Do. We need your help."

"With what?"

"What do you think? Cobra Kai. They're worse than bullies. They will beat you down if you make a funny face at them. I can't handle a whole summer of this. Let alone when school starts in a few months."

Robby sighed. "You want Steel Eagle to partner with you," he said flatly.

"We can train secretly together without your dad and my dad knowing about it. Anything."

"So Miguel. Aisha. Everyone we know is gonna be completely cool with it?"

Sam crossed her arms and frowned. "I wouldn't go that far."

"See it would never work. And assuming it would. What makes you think I want to help you?"

"Aren't you having the same issues with Kreese and his club of crazies?"

Robby chuckled. "No, I'm really not. We have our problems sure. But unlike you guys. We actually know when to poke a bear with a stick. We need to watch our own backs. Besides. I'm not the one who started all of this."

"What are you talking about?"

"You set Hawk off. I get he was an asshole. But you could've just told him to calm down or talk it out with him or something. Instead, no. Miguel had to go Miyagi-Do. He had to train to fight us. He had to fight us at the tournament. And now. I'm the one who has to come running to save him."

"You sound jealous."

Robby nodded. "Yeah! Of course I'm jealous! I met you. And asked you out. The second month we met. Way before you even knew Miguel. And while I'm over it-"

"Doesn't sound like you are-"

"And while I'm over it!" Robby said louder. "You literally made every wrong decision for apparently the right guy. What in the world makes Miguel Diaz so impossibly special?"

"That's none of your business."

"But listen. Asking me to help you. Is my business." Robby spoke quieter but firmer to Sam. "I will never. Abandon my dad and his dojo. As well as what he's taught me to learn kata all day, unless he wants me to. Don't ask me again Sam. In the very unlikely occasion, I want to help Miyagi-Do. I'll come to you first."

Sam nodded without a word and turned around.

She nearly walked right into Hawk when he was leaving his car in the parking lot of the skate park.

"What?" Hawk asked, seeing the look on Sam's face.

"Did it feel good? Beating up your best friend?"

"He's not my best friend anymore."

"Sure he's not. Eli."

Hawk frowned. "Okay, you really don't think I know what you're here for? You're probably asking Robby and his buds to join your side."

"You're not here to do the same?"

"Unlike Demetri. Robby actually was a loyal friend."

"You're pathetic Eli. We go out for two weeks. And you get so jealous of Miguel you bully him like a child." Hawk looked away from how embarrassed he felt as Sam continued. "Then he wrecks you at the tournament. And he goes a single point away from taking the championship. When are you going to realize using Cobra Kai as a tool to stay angry and petty at everything doesn't help anyone?"

"I'm not as weak as I was at the tournament anymore." Hawk squinted with one eye slightly open at Sam and raised an eyebrow.

"Congrats. You can prove how much you hate yourself and project it onto everything at the next fight too. Eli."

Hawk turned around with a scowl, walking towards Robby again.

"What do you want?"

"We haven't talked since the tournament," said Hawk.

"Why should we talk now."

Hawk shrugged. "Last night was our first Ride in weeks. You weren't there."

Robby frowned. "I never liked it."

"Bullshit," said Hawk. "You were right there as Luke's wing every Ride we went on. You probably still have your jacket. Think it was blue like Bobby Brown's right?"

Hawk could already envision the jacket still hanging in Robby's closet in his apartment he shared with his father in Reseda across the hall from Miguel's.

Robby scowled. "Last time. What do you want?"

"Dude. We were brothers."

Robby stayed quiet.

"We won the tournament together. We kicked ass. Together! We trained for a whole year together. The squad man. It's still incredible, but it ain't the same without you."

"Aren't you supposed to be my enemy?"

Hawk shook his head. "No. At least not yet. That's what I wanted to talk to you about. It's not too late Rob."

"My dad might not be the best dad. But he tries his best for sure. I'm not gonna ditch him."

"Dude, Sensei Kreese is right," said Hawk. "We can all find our own paths. In karate, or life. We don't have to do what our parents or anyone else tell us."

"But my dad is actually right," Robby said. "You're turning into a group of assholes. Beating up. Sam, Demetri. Just for no reason."

"First off it wasn't no reason. Second off, we didn't beat them up. Tory knocked Sam on her ass and reminded her not to push it. And I just swept and scored on Demetri. You know what it's like."

"I really don't." said Robby. "Just. Leave me alone man. You stick with Kreese. And turn into him. Be my guest. Just don't think I'll be fine with doing the same."

Robby put his skateboard on the ground and rolled away.

Hawk frowned, turning around and shaking his head.

…

Sweaty after an entire class of fundamentals and cardio, Robby entered Johnny's office as he sat in his office chair wearing his Steel Eagle Sensei's uniform.

"Hey dad?"

"Yeah?"

Robby looked at the picture on Johnny's desk. Someone had taken a picture on the same sandy slopes above the coves where Ali's beach party in the 80s were thrown.

Johnny, Bobby, Tommy, Dutch, and Jimmy were all laughing and clapping their gloved hands together.

"What was it like? Riding. Back in the day?"

Johnny smiled.

"The absolute best. Babes were one thing." Johnny smiled at the picture on his desk. "Nothing really beats a Ride."

"Do you miss it? Miss them I mean? This karate stuff. Isn't that how you met them?"

Johnny nodded. "Yeah. Yeah, it is. But. It's all done. It's ancient history. Why do you ask?"

"No reason."

Johnny saw the look on Robby's face. "Are you missing those little shitbags or something? You do realize they train with Kreese right?"

"I don't have a squad here dad. Everyone here is, either way, younger than me like Bert. Or a girl. Like Aisha and Char."

"You got Dirk."

"Yeah just one guy," said Robby. "I'm just wondering how you expect me to turn into ultimate rivals with people who were really good friends with me for an entire year."

"Look kid. They made their choice. I walked. They stayed over there."

"These guys," Robby said pointing to the picture on Johnny's desk. "Imagine leaving Cobra Kai back in the day. And then being told you have to possibly fight them at one point. How'd you feel?"

Johnny cleared his throat. "I actually did fight Bobby. Accidentally injured him. That's how this all started."

"Really?''

"Wow."

Robby blinked. "I'm sorry then."

…

Bobby walked between the lines of Steel Eagle students as Johnny watched from his office, mostly doing paperwork.

"The way of the fist is flawed. But that doesn't mean it can't be improved. Showing mercy is one step." said Bobby, fixing his black belt. "Finding forgiveness is the next."

Robby frowned, looking into the mirror in ready stance in the rows of other karatekas in light red GIs with a collection of mostly blue and orange belts, Robby's belt was brown.

"Your friends have sought a dangerous and merciless path. One both your Sensei and I have sought and have seen for what it was. But you are all clear on the danger these friends of yours may pose. Is that understood?"

"Yes Sensei!"

"Steel Eagle is a new name. A clean slate. A chance to do things right. You must forgive Cobra Kai. Forgive yourselves. Otherwise. Violence will just repeat itself endlessly. Okay guys let's end class."

Bobby walked to the front of the class and bowed. "Ai…."

"Oss!" the entire class bowed to Bobby.

"Mr. Keene. The dojo rules."

"Follow all lessons or do knuckle pushups!" called out Robby.

"Follow all lessons or do knuckle pushups!" The class shouted in return.

"Don't be a pussy! Ever!"

"Don't be an asshole!"

"Be tough and aggressive when necessary!"

Bobby bowed to the class. "Oss!"

"Oss!"

The class bowed in return.

…

Johnny shared a beer with Bobby in his office. "So." Johnny sipped his Coors Banquet. "Eagles of Steel. Pretty badass name right?"

"I will never understand your obsession with Iron Eagle man." Bobby smiled.

"Robby felt conflicted about all this. He left his friends back at Cobra Kai."

"You left your Sensei."

Johnny clenched his jaw. "He was a piece of shit."

"Still your Sensei."

"What?"

Bobby sighed. "I had to leave behind Sam and Miguel. Both of whom were my students. In order to commit to helping you. I helped Dan for a year. Now I have to help you. But honestly. It's time for me to help both of you."

Johnny nodded. "How?"

"By helping you and Daniel put your differences aside and let me retire from karate in peace."

"Retire?'

Bobby sighed. "I'm getting too old for this Johnny. I'm not a Sensei. I'm good at teaching sure. But I'm a pastor. My place is with my church. I have a community to take care of. These kids are part of that community. But I can't be a co-Sensei here forever."

Johnny nodded. "But Bobby-"

"The only reason Kreese is as old as he is and is still teaching. Is because he's actually unhinged. This is not a job I can see myself doing for the next twenty years. It's time for you and Daniel to do what you were meant to do."

"What?"

"To put an end to Kreese's dojo. He proved it on the mat Kreese was wrong. And you quit for yourself the same night that happened. He's come back. You need to put him in his place."

Johnny muttered. "I really wish you didn't have to just retire though."

"There's no such thing as a bad student Johnny. Only a bad teacher. I was Miguel's teacher for over a year and he lost. Maybe it's time you teach him too."

"He trains with Daniel."

"Combine your dojos. Reach an agreement. Find peace. Johnny I can't do this forever. I choose to train with you. Miyagi-Do suffers because I can't train them. I choose to train with Dan, you suffer. Stop suffering. End this nonsense between you two."

Johnny shrugged. "Don't think I can yet."

"Then this will never end. You don't have the numbers. Or the right students. Or the technique to defeat this new version of Cobra Kai."

"How good can their fighters ever be?" asked Johnny.

…

"The very best."

Daniel stood in Mr. Miyagi's old garage where he stored fish hooks and other old things of his.

Everyone in Miyagi-Do sat cross legged and listened.

…

Cobra Kai OST: We Are All Miyagi-Do

…

"That is all Cobra Kai wants you to be," said Daniel. "You don't train in Cobra Kai to become a better person. You don't seek perfection of character. You don't seek morals."

"You seek power, and perfection in fighting at Cobra Kai. Nothing else."

Daniel sighed. "And I'm ashamed to admit. When I was only a little older than all of you. I sought Cobra Kai."

Shocked, Miguel and Sam looked at each other.

The Miyagi-Dos were blown away, none of them said a word.

"John Kreese. Cobra Kai's founder wanted revenge after I beat him at the All Valley in '84. And he still wants revenge. He came up with a plan to torment me and try to make me admit Mr. Miyagi wasn't the best teacher. That he couldn't help me."

Daniel continued to explain. "For a time. It worked."

A young Daniel LaRusso split apart boards with a tall man with a ponytail in a black uniform cheering and applauding after he did so.

"I felt stronger. Tougher. But what got me to that point is the same thing happening to you all right now. Cobra Kai bullied me for the second time in my life. They felt invincible. They overwhelmed me, threatened me, knocked me around."

Daniel sighed. "But I betrayed Mr. Miyagi. I betrayed myself. I betrayed the number one rule of what I learned. Karate. Is for defense only."

"John Kreese wants nothing but victory. Victory for his dojo. Victory by winning every tournament he can. By letting his students run roughshod over this entire Valley. And he'll do anything to get what he wants. Even threatening me to release Miguel from my mentorship, and become Cobra Kai."

Nate and several other Miyagi-Dos, including Little Red looked back at Miguel for a moment.

"Because Kreese wants strength. And Miguel is strong. We all saw him compete against the Valley's very best. But. All of you are strong."

Demetri listened, as did Sam and every other Miyagi-Do there.

"None of you were ever corrupted by Cobra Kai. Just like that man."

Daniel pointed to a picture of Mr. Miyagi in his garage.

"You sought real strength. Not in muscles. Or in trophies. Or in points. In character. To build your character. That's what it takes. That's true strength."

Miguel muttered. "But. I thought you were always Miyagi-Do."

"None of us are perfect. Not even Mr. Miyagi. But he proved you don't need muscles, or power to truly learn karate. If you strike first, strike to hurt, strike to get revenge. The only person you're hurting is yourself. Which is why as much as it hurts to say."

Daniel sighed.

"We don't need Sensei Bobby Brown for the time being." he directly made eye contact with his daughter. "And we certainly do not need Johnny or his Eagles."

Sam knew she was caught and looked away as Daniel continued speaking.

"Johnny Lawrence is not our enemy. Neither is John Kreese. There are no enemies here. The biggest battle is always the one within. You can only find your balance by being the better person. Turning the other cheek. Walking away from a fight."

"Your greatest courage. Is avoiding danger. Not walking right into it. We cannot destroy Cobra Kai. We don't need to. Let them laugh in your face. Call you names. You escalate the situation. You're giving them what they want. A fight."

Daniel raised his hands and squinted at the class of Miyagi-Dos all listening and sitting cross legged. "Mercy is for the weak. Strike First, Strike Hard, No Mercy. Do these sound like the words of a truly sane individual? Anyone who lives by these words can be physically strong sure. But they lack what truly matters."

"Honor. Character. Wisdom. Sure. The new version of Cobra Kai might seem strange. Smarter. Tougher. Better fighters. More based in counter attacks. More like." Daniel sighed, sounding like he knew why exactly why it was the case. "More like Miyagi-Do."

"But a man living with no forgiveness in his heart. Is living a fate worse than death. You live with any hatred in you. You lose. You basically become a walking shell of a person."

Sam appeared to be thinking of her conversation with Robby and Hawk still but still listened to her father.

"I promise you. Despite Cobra Kai growing. In numbers. In skill, in strength. They will never take away what we have. And again, I promise it will be enough. You trust in Mr. Miyagi's ways. Only what he taught."

Daniel smiled at Miguel and he smiled back, seeing his old lotus headband always worn proudly on his head. "You might find yourself actually putting Cobra Kai on the backfoot for once."

"Never hate the people around you. Whether they've insulted you and tried to harm you. You go after them. You will only hurt yourself. I'm sure Johnny and Bobby genuinely mean well. But with things escalating week after week. Now is not the time to attack."

"Again. Cobra Kai might be improving. Our kata. Our basics. Our karate. Will be enough to stop anyone who tries to attack us. Mr. Miyagi always knew how to redirect and return someone's energy. Never release his anger against someone. It's time for us to continue learning."

Nate raised his hand and Daniel nodded. "So. You think we've been lucky in a way. To never try Cobra Kai?"

"Exactly. You try to perfect Miyagi-Do. The core of who you are. Your morals. It'll all improve. Your perspective. Your balance. It'll all be better. Cobra Kai can't give you much else besides strength. Miyagi-Do teaches you what matters. Character. You won't find that anywhere near John Kreese or his school. Let's continue."

The rest of the day, the class all did kata, basics, and breathing techniques.

Daniel was starting to feel pride in his work, looking out over his class.

Little Red, Nate, Abe, Frank, Miguel, Sam, and Demetri were all doing his moves. His kata, his techniques.

But most importantly to him as the day went on, they were learning the life lessons Mr. Miyagi taught him.

…

I think my routine this summer worked wonders.

I ate well. I slept well. I trained well.

Every Saturday I Rode with the guys. Improving my top speed with my bike, having fun, and drinking a few beers with them.

And every day I improved my technique training on my own. Training with the guys. Training at Cobra Kai.

But the highlight of my day was training with Sensei Kreese from four to six and then driving back to my place. Putting my bike helmet on and riding towards Moon's house.

Her smile. Her eyes. Her hair.

Today we mostly just snuggled, watched movies, and only fooled around once.

On her couch I listened to her breathing change, drawing in air sharply through her nose as we made out.

I kissed Moon deeply, laying on my back as we kissed and kissed and kissed.

I wrapped my hand around her back, holding her tightly and we rolled around on her couch.

Now I was atop her and kissing her, moving my tongue into her mouth.

Both of us stayed quiet despite the changes in breath and the panting.

That was mostly all we did and then we just cuddled and took a nap together in each other's arms. Any sleep I missed for any reason the previous day, I mostly caught up on it with Moon.

…

I muttered after my lips parted from Moon's.

"Has anyone ever told you your smile is basically. Perfect?" I asked.

"Yours is great too." Moon said.

We shared another quick kiss and I left after saying goodbye.

On the bike ride back as the sun went down, I saw a familiar car.

When it pulled over, I tried to keep riding as Daniel LaRusso got out.

"Hey."

I wanted to slap myself for stopping.

I walked towards him. "What?"

"Haven't used that thing for a while." Daniel nodded towards my bicycle.

"It's good for cardio. So?"

"Nothing I just. I wanted to talk to you."

"Driving around looking for me?"

Daniel shook his head. "I went to talk to your grandparents. They said you weren't home."

"Okay then. Talk to me."

Daniel frowned. "What you said at the tournament. About me wondering why you would ever seek Cobra Kai after what I taught you. I never really got an answer."

"You did."

"You know I didn't."

"Did I ever come across as the person to do something out of revenge?"

Daniel shook his head.

"I do things out of pride. Out of passion." Moon had started to teach me to not be ashamed in who I was at all. "You could've taught me how to be a champion. But Miyagi-Do. Is not me at my center. It's just not."

"The thing Lucas. Is that it is. Johnny's karate might be for you too. You're not a cruel person at heart."

I squinted at him. "Then you've missed my point. You don't have to be cruel to be a Cobra. You strike, and strike hard. When someone's confronted you. That's the first requirement to be an enemy."

"And your friends? Were they confronted?"

I nodded. "Yes. Yes they were! Tory went a bit overboard. But Sam pushed her, they just started fighting. Demetri was going off on Hawk. No man should take that. We became the champs. And we were labeled as hateful, petty, bad people just for doing so. When you challenged us!"

"It's not honorable to follow John Kreese at this point. In the eighties it was different, no one knew who he was."

"And now?" I asked. "Look. How is it honorable trying to get me to join Miyagi-Do. Poaching students."

"That's what Kreese was trying to do with Miguel."

"So? We already made it clear to you I'm never going back. I want him at Cobra Kai too."

Daniel was surprised. "What?"

"Same way Miguel wanted me to go to Miyagi-Do. I want him to train with me. We'd. We'd dominate tournaments together, regardless if we faced Robby or not. He'd be a titan on the mat. He'd be the missing piece in my squad."

"How can you not see that Kreese telling you all to fight conveniently within the ruleset at the tournament doesn't mean he's changed. You don't know the history here."

I was fed up with him following me at this point. "I think I do."

I wanted to tell him something so he would leave me alone for good.

"You lost your father right? You mentioned it one time. How Mr. Miyagi was all you had for a bit. And that's fine. But it's time for you to wake up to the truth."

"I don't blame you for this. But you're the only one with a problem with this." I spoke to him. "You will never be Mr. Miyagi. And no one's mad at you for not being so except yourself. You can't lead an underdog to take down the champs. You can't turn wimps into champions without help from Bobby Brown. A pastor out of practice for years."

I kept speaking. "You're terrified. Because the first person who ever truly sought you and your karate. Found out that they weren't meant for it. That's the truth! I. Am not. A Miyagi-Do! I was made, to strike. That's who I am! To score points. To be a champion." I said laughing in disbelief that he couldn't understand this.

"I chose John Kreese first. Not because I didn't know who he was. But because I did know who he was. Being ashamed of your strength, your power. Of who you are. That's not just weak. That's insulting, to yourself to karate. To everyone."

"Alright." Daniel nodded. "But leave Miguel out of it. Please."

"Fine. But you're scared of something else. Aren't you?"

He looked at me up and down as I pointed at him with both fingers. "You're scared. That Miguel might leave. Maybe you don't have what it takes to truly make loyal top students. Don't worry. I think he likes your daughter. He has more than a reason to stay. I've been loyal to Cobra Kai for over two years of my life at this point. I won't fault Miguel for following you and being loyal as well."

"Just please. Take a hint. Know I never reached Miyagi-Do one hundred percent at my core."

"Then stop teaching your friends Miyagi-Do."

"Excuse me?"

Daniel repeated himself. "Stop stealing our techniques and giving it to Cobra Kai. It's a bit hypocritical for you to say you only respect Cobra Kai. But use Miyagi-Do to enhance your fighting."

"I'm not. I came up with every single move and combo I know. Every sweep. Every counter. When I competed for the first time. I developed a system of attacks built purely on my own, combining everything both you and Sensei Kreese taught me. That's what I teach my friends."

Besides the first katas I taught Tory. Everything else everyone else at Cobra Kai knew. Was purely my own invention.

"And you know everything I've said is the truth. The only lie I told you. Was that I felt Miyagi-Do reached me and it became who I was. See you around."

He didn't say a word I put my helmet back on, lifted my bike up, and rode off towards my house.