Chapter 46: New Sensei
James's POV:
I left the hospital with stitches on my right arm.
"I wish I would've known how dangerous this place was before we moved here." My mom says.
"It's gonna be alright, mom." I say as we begin walking back to the car. I get a text on my phone and look at it. I frown.
"What's wrong?" My dad asks.
"It's my friend Demetri. He wants me to go to the dojo today for training. Don't worry, I'm not going." I say.
"Really? You were always so determined to train before." My mom says.
"I finally realized that karate was the problem. I don't need to fight back. If I just let Steve and the other Cobras bully me, then they won't escalate." I say.
"Well, maybe you need karate." My mom says. I'm shocked.
"But, I thought you were against karate." I point out.
"That was before you got your arm broken and got a knife pulled on you. What if you need a way to defend yourself?" My mom asks.
"But, I promised I would take a break from training after the tournament." I say.
"And you did! Your father and I couldn't bear it if something horrible happened to you." My mom says.
"But, what if fighting back just makes things worse?" I say.
"Then you have to train so hard that they can't do anything to you." My dad says. I think about it.
"Fine, I'll go to the dojo." I say.
Later…
I arrive at the Miyagi-Do dojo and see everyone there. Chase and Emma approach me.
"Good to have you back." Chase says.
"I don't know if I'll stay permanently yet. How's the leg?" I ask.
"You mean the one Steve injured or the one Aaron injured?" Chase asks.
"Both." I ask.
"My knee is healing pretty well. However, that gash on my other leg still hurts a little." Chase says.
"So, you're joining Miyagi-Fang?" I ask Emma.
"Well, I have no other choice since I got exposed at Cobra Kai. I'm not gonna stand by and let anyone get hurt." Emma says. That's when I notice a familiar face enter the dojo.
"Wait…Brian?" I ask.
"Yeah, it's me. Is this Miyagi-Do?" Brian asks.
"Yeah, what are you doing here?" I ask.
"I…I wanna help take down Cobra Kai. They still have my sister." Brian says. I approach him.
"Welcome to the club." I say while patting him on the back. That's when we hear someone whistle.
"Line up!" The new sensei says. As we begin walking over to the sparring deck, I walk over to Sam.
"Who exactly is this guy?" I ask.
"Sensei Toguchi is from Okinawa. My dad knew him when he traveled there a long time ago." Sam says.
"Wow." I say. Eventually, we all make it to the deck.
"So where are my dad and Johnny?" Sam asks. "Not here. Today, you train with me." Sensei Toguchi says. He calls us to attention and tells us to bow in Japanese. "Cobra Kai, gaining ground. We must prepare. Come." He says.
"This is gonna be badass. Check out that throwing knife." Mitch says.
"Now, we learn about Yanbaru Kuina." Sensei Toguchi says.
"What is that? Like, some top-secret karate move? Like a throat rip?" Chris asks.
"No. It is bird. In English called Okinawa rail. Endangered. Cannot fly." Sensei Toguchi says.
"Hence, endangered." Demetri says. Sensei Toguchi takes off a cover, revealing the eggs.
"So these are the real eggs?" Miguel asks.
"No. Trader Joe's. $3.29. Take egg." Sensei Toguchi says.
"So what do we do with them?" Sam asks.
"Yanbaru Kuina must protect egg from Kume Shima habu. Poison snake. You must do same. Begin your preparation." Sensei Toguchi says while flipping over an hourglass. "What are we protecting them from?" Robby asks.
"From me." Sensei Toguchi says before picking up his sais and screaming. We stand there, not knowing what to do. "Go! Go!" He shouts. I run away as fast as I can.
Third Person POV:
"The world is made of two kinds of people. Leaders and followers. Cobra Kai, like a military unit, needs both to function successfully. So... we're gonna divide you up into pairs. The goal of each pair is to score a point against an opponent who outmatches you. Only strong leadership will allow you to prevail." Terry says. That's when Tristan enters the dojo. "Mr. Owens, nice of you to join us." Terry says. Aaron, Kenny, and Kyler turn to stare at this new kid. He was already wearing a Cobra Kai gi. Tristan walks over and stands next to Aaron. "Sensei Kim will take the girls. Boys, you'll stay here and spar with Sensei Odell. All right, split up." Terry says.
Later…
Multiple students have tried to score a point on Sensei Odell, but failed. Even Kenny and Kyler couldn't do it.
"Okay, who hasn't gone yet? Mr. Vasquez, Mr. Owens." Terry says. Aaron and Tristan stand up. The two bow to Sensei Odell and get in a fighting stance.
"Okay, so I'm thinking we go for his legs. Nobody has done that yet." Aaron says.
"Who said you were the leader?" Tristan asks.
"Um, you just got here today. And not to brag, but I've been in several street fights before." Aaron says.
"I wasn't trying to be rude. I'm just saying that I know what I'm doing. I've been taking martial arts for a while. Trust me, I can get us the point." Tristan says.
"Yeah, right. Watch this." Aaron says. Aaron attempts to sweep Sensei Odell's legs but he steps back and then kicks Aaron in the face.
"You done?" Tristan asks.
"Shut up." Aaron says before trying to punch Sensei Odell in the face. He catches it and elbows his arm. Aaron yelps in pain before Sensei Odell kicks him in the chest.
"You two, off the mat." Terry says. Aaron glares at Tristan before sitting down.
Later…
The timer had run out and Chozen was hunting for eggs. Chase and Emma were together.
"I don't know if that's a smart idea." Emma says.
"Putting my egg in my shoe will work!" Chase says.
"Where's your shoe then?" Emma asks.
"I put it on the other side of the fence. I know you must be in awe of my intelligence." Chase says. Emma rolls her eyes.
"Well, I'm gonna keep a hold of my egg." Emma says while showing off her egg. Suddenly, Chozen appears and sweeps Emma's legs. Her egg goes flying but Chase manages to catch it.
"Ha!" Chase exclaims in excitement. However, Chozen kicks Chase in the chest, sending him flying through the fence. Chase drops Emma's egg and also falls on his shoe, crushing his own egg.
Later…
Brian was hiding behind the giant stone. He looked around frantically. It was as if he was playing hide and seek. Suddenly, Chozen appears next to him.
"Ah!" Brian shouts before chucking his egg at Chozen's face. The egg breaks, covering Chozen's face with yolk. He glares at Brian.
"Sorry, I panicked." Brian says. Chozen shakes his head before walking away.
James's POV:
I was hiding behind the sparring deck. I had managed to sneak there when Sensei Toguchi went inside. Eventually, Miguel and Sam return to the sparring deck, meaning their eggs broke.
"James? Is that you?" Miguel asks.
"Dude! Keep your voice down!" I say.
"Oh! So that's where you went!" Demetri says.
"Guys! Shut up!" I say. However, it's too late. Sensei Toguchi appears next to me. He tries to kick me but I roll away. My egg breaks in the process.
Later…
You are not good Yanbaru Kuina. Snakes will take you down one by one. I have tried to tell you what you must do. But you do not listen. You must learn to adapt. Or soon, you will be extinct. Take new eggs. Try again." Sensei Toguchi says.
"Sensei Toguchi's real cryptic, like Mr. LaRusso, but aggressive like Sensei Lawrence." Demetri says.
"It's like the hardest part of both styles." Chris says.
"Can't wait to get our asses kicked again." Mitch says. We begin walking away until someone speaks up.
"Uh, no. No, um... G-Guys, uh, wait. He said that the snakes will take us down one by one. Right? Just like he took us down one by one, but...but what if we weren't a bunch of ones? Like, what if we were…" Anthony says.
"Together." Sam finishes.
"Yeah, exactly. Like, um, a raiding party in Dungeon Lords." Anthony says.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah! Even if you're a level 85, you can't mount an attack on the grand realm alone." Demetri says.
"You need a team. Everybody has a special role." Eli says.
"The only way we win is if we work together. As one." Anthony says.
Later…
"So we're sure we want to put all our eggs in one basket? You're specifically not supposed to do that." Demetri says.
"This is gonna work." Anthony says. That's when we hear the whistle.
"Oh no, oh no. Oh God." Mitch says.
"Get it together, penis breath." Eli says.
"Has anyone seen him yet?" Sam asks. That's when we notice Sensei Toguchi charging at as with a bo staff.
"Oh shit." Miguel says. Sensei Toguchi gets to the deck. "Ready?" Miguel shouts. We all try to fight Sensei Toguchi. Chase tries to kick him but Sensei Toguchi catches his leg. However, Emma tries to sweep his legs, forcing him to step back and drop Chase's leg. Emma runs up and tries to punch him, but he blocks. He then ducks under Chase's roundhouse kick. Brian runs up and attempts to punch him. Sensei Toguchi blocks and then blocks Brian's attempted knee. He throws Brian back and it was now my turn. I grab Sensei Toguchi's arm and attempt the pressure point technique. He seems to recognize it and manages to block my arm and escape my grasp. I can see a hint of surprise on his face. Eventually, we're all standing in front of the eggs. Sensei Toguchi tries to get around us but he can't.
"Snake concede." Sensei Toguchi says.
"Dude, it worked!" Eli shouts. We all pay Anthony on the back.
"This is what we have that Cobra Kai does not. Their movement mile wide, but only inch deep. But our movement, inch wide, but mile deep. Now that you have learned to work together, I will teach you how to master your defense. Yoshi! Kiotsuke! Hai." Sensei Toguchi says as we all bow.
Third Person POV:
Kenny had managed to score a point on Sensei Odell. Tristan spoke up before the exercise could conclude.
"Sensei, let us try again." Tristan says. Terry smiles.
"Alright. Mr. Vasquez, Mr. Owens. Take the mat." Terry says. The two bow and get into a fighting stance.
"You ready to listen to me now?" Tristan asks.
"Like you can do better." Aaron says.
"I will. Let me prove it." Tristan says.
"Fine. Go ahead." Aaron says.
"I can't do this alone." Tristan says.
"Okay, 'leader', what do you want me to do?" Aaron asks. Tristan whispers.
"Try and attack him. When he hits you, land on your back and don't move. Just put your hands up." Tristan says.
"Okay, whatever." Aaron says. Aaron charges at Sensei Odell and attempts to kick him in the face. He dodges and punches Aaron in the chest. Aaron falls to the ground and puts his hands up. This prompts Sensei Odell to bend down and punch Aaron again. That's when Tristan strikes. He runs up to Sensei Odell, jumps, and wraps his legs around his neck. Tristan then spins, causing Sensei Odell to hit the ground. Tristan lets go and punches him in the chest.
"Point! Winner!" Terry says.
"Holy shit!" Aaron says.
"Believe me now?" Tristan says.
"Yeah! That was amazing!" Aaron says. Tristan couldn't help but crack a slight smile.
"Thanks." Tristan says.
James's POV:
Training had finished for the day.
"You. Come." Sensei Toguchi says while pointing to me.
"Uh, okay." I say before walking over to him.
"Where did you learn technique?" Sensei Toguchi asks.
"Which one?" I ask.
"Pressure point." He says.
"Oh. Mr. LaRusso taught me. You know about it?" I question.
"I teach him that technique." Sensei Toguchi says.
"Wow, really?" I ask. He nods.
"He must trust you if he taught you that." Sensei Toguchi says.
"I guess you can say that." I say.
"Why did he teach you?" He asks.
"It was to help deal with my bully. This kid named Steve has been harassing me since the first day of school. He's still messing with me to this day." I say.
"We talk during next lesson." Sensei Toguchi says.
Author's Note: What does Chozen want to talk about with James? Tristan seems to be pretty powerful. What will he do in the future? This is the first time that James, Chase, Emma, and Brian have all trained together. It's nice that they're finally united. Will they be able to stand up to Steve, Aaron, and Violet?