A Dojo in the Mountains

"Is that Dojo on this mountain?"

Having some free time to explore different places in the area, Dash had decided to find a place to clear his mind, which had been filled with very distressing thoughts.

When he realized that Mrs. Lee has very few chances of overcoming that operation despite the great doctors attending to his, Dash realized that life is sometimes absurd. He was happy to live and wanted to continue doing so, but when he knows that people he loves and holds in high esteem feel terribly bad, there is no punch that can avoid those feelings, no technique or training that can drown out his emotions.

"Dash, is there really a need to climb all the way up that mountain just to visit a Dojo right before an important fight?" Elliot, who had accompanied Dash, complained after learning that they might have to climb those stairs.

"Don't be dramatic; if we go up now, it will get dark, and we'll be back by nightfall..." Dash shifted his gaze away from the ascending stairs, and just as he was about to withdraw, a voice was heard in the distance.

"How dare you come back!"

"Sensei, please forgive me!"

"You know perfectly well that I denied you participating in that tournament. Have you looked at your face? Tell me, what will your family think when they find out you've been beaten in that way?"

Approaching the source of the argument in Japanese, Dash was surprised because the person he saw was none other than Takashi, whom he had defeated a few days ago.

"Go back home, make sure to heal your wounds, and reflect on your mistakes..."

"Can I go back to Miyagi-Do?"

The old man looked intimidatingly at one of his many students and said, "Go back now; don't come back until you're ready to admit your mistakes."

Dash looked at the old man and murmured, "Miyagi-Do?"

That name was by no means a mystery; Dash remembers perfectly that they are in Okinawa and that Miyagi-Do is the Dojo representing Mr. Miyagi, so hearing that name particularly in Japan and also in this place is more than a coincidence.

"Do you teach Karate in Miyagi-Do?" Dash looked at the old man in front of him and pointed, "My name is Dash Hale; I had the opportunity to learn a bit about Mr. Miyagi's Karate in a tournament."

The old man, who had calmed down after seeing Takashi safe and sound, averted his gaze, looked Dash up and down, and seeing those wounds, it was obvious that he was also involved in the tournament being held here.

"Whose Karate have you seen from Mr. Miyagi?"

"Daniel LaRusso..."

The old man fell silent for a few seconds and nodded afterward, walked toward Dash, and said, "My name is Chozen Toguchi... Tell me, what are you doing so far from home?"

"So it's you..." Dash thought a little surprised to have met Chozen Toguchi after investigating a lot about Dojos in Okinawa. He didn't know exactly if he had a chance to meet this man, but now that he had, he was surprised.

There is no doubt that with the opening of Cobra Kai, many things would change, at least around Daniel LaRusso's life, but he didn't think the change would be so radical many years later.

"You seem to be a good guy, so you shouldn't be getting into trouble. Are you coming from far away to participate in that tournament?" Chozen changed his question upon hearing Dash's silence, which seemed to be in a trance.

"I heard about that tournament just by chance, and after sending my application, I was accepted. It's not a place like I had in mind, so it's suitable for finding strong opponents..."

Chozen nodded calmly and said, "I can see confusion in your eyes. You must be going through a tough time, so just find a way out of all this and face reality."

A man like Chozen, who had overcome his past with Daniel thanks to the help his uncle offered him, was very observant of people's emotions.

Dash at the moment was an open book of emotions he couldn't control, so it was easy for him to see it.

"How was Daniel?" Chozen asked after some time in silence.

Dash, who was unaware of Chozen's feelings about Daniel LaRusso, asked, "Do you know him? I suppose both of you had the same master; you should be good friends, right?"

"Not exactly, we were enemies a long time ago, but I got over it..." Chozen said after a pause.

"I don't know Daniel LaRusso very well, but years ago, his daughter participated in a Karate tournament. He didn't have a chance to win, but I did learn about Mr. Miyagi's Karate."

Chozen nodded, and just as he was about to continue the conversation, he said, "You should go back as it's about to get dark. Come look for me earlier, and we can talk about more things."

It was already late, Dash had been looking for a way to distract himself, and coincidentally, he had come to this place, but it was too late. Therefore, after exchanging some words, Dash said goodbye.

"Daniel..." Chozen murmured as he climbed the mountain towards his Dojo.