1 - Starting Point

Two weeks had passed since the Sekai Taikai Board evaluated the Cobra Kai and Miyagi-Do dojos and the recent arrest of Terry Silver. The atmosphere was still tense, and everyone knew that the upcoming international competition was a unique opportunity, but also an extreme challenge. Daniel LaRusso, Johnny Lawrence and Chozen Toguchi accompanied the Miyagi-Do students, discussing strategies for the upcoming training sessions.

In the dojo parking lot, the students chatted among themselves, while the three senseis watched. Johnny, as always, was the most agitated.

– "Look, LaRusso, I'm telling you, we need to get these brats ready for war! None of this 'take a deep breath' or 'listen to the wind' talk. This isn't a yoga class!"

Daniel sighed, already tired of the discussion.

– "Johnny, you need to understand that it's not just about brute force. Technique is what wins fights."

Johnny rolled his eyes, making an exaggerated gesture.

– "Oh, sure, technique. Because if someone comes at you with a punch, the best defense is to recite a haiku, right?"

Daniel looked at him, with a half smile.

– "It was with technique that I defeated you... in the last one. Remember?"

Johnny mentioned to him, indignant.

– "Oh, seriously? Are you going to keep throwing that in my face forever? Great, LaRusso, congratulations. Do you want a medal? Better yet, do you want a cake with the inscription: 'I beat Johnny Lawrence 30 years ago with a bad kick and I didn't get over it'?"

As the discussion continued, Chozen, who had been silent until then, felt his cell phone vibrate in his pocket. He looked at the screen with a slight frown and, without saying anything, took a few steps, answering the call.

Johnny watched Chozen walk away and turned to Daniel, with a sarcastic smile.

– "Look at that mysterious ninja. I bet he's planning to save the world... or buy sushi for delivery. Who knows."

Daniel shook his head.

– "Johnny, he's not like that."

– "Oh, no? So what's the deal? Are you solving a war in Japan while we're here arguing? That face gives me the creeps. And not in a nice, Chuck Norris way."

Daniel ignored it, trying to get back to the subject, while Chozen answered the phone with a serious expression.

– "So? Did everything go as planned with the Board?"

On the other end of the line, a young male voice answered:

– "Yes, Sensei. Everything is ready and going as planned."

Chozen let out a slight smile.

– "Wonderful. Now gather the team. I want everyone to be at the main headquarters in 1 week."

– "Are you sure we need the whole team, isn't it just a tournament?" – the voice asked hesitantly. – "Wouldn't that be overkill?"

Chozen took a deep breath, his voice firmer now.

– "It's not overkill, Shisa. Terry Silver is a man without honor and very dangerous. Although he's in prison, he won't be here for long, any plan he has could involve the Sekai Taikai. If we want to protect the karate we hold dear, we have to nip it in the bud."

The voice on the other end hesitated before asking:

– "Sensei, what about... my mother? Have you talked to her about this?"

Chozen smiled sideways, almost amused.

– "No. I want to surprise you."

There was an uncomfortable silence on the other end.

– "With all due respect, Sensei, this is not going to end well. You know how she is..."

Chozen chuckled softly, clearly unconcerned.

– "I know exactly how she is. But trust me, everything will be fine. If your mother comes, trust your father. I will protect you from her wrath."

After a long sigh, the caller answered:

– "Okay, Father. I'll gather the team and we'll be waiting."

Chozen hung up and returned to the group. Daniel watched him out of the corner of his eye, suspicious.

– "Everything okay there?" – he said, trying to sound casual.

Chozen made a calm gesture with his hand, although there was an enigmatic glint in his eyes.

– "Yes. Just a little personal matter."

Johnny immediately joined the conversation, with that provocative tone that was characteristic of him.

– "Personal business, huh? What is it? Some secret samurai club? Or maybe you're plotting something to break into the prison where Silver and his Sais are hiding."

Chozen looked at him calmly, but with a slight smile.

– "Maybe. You'll see when the time is right."

Johnny mentioned to him, with a suspicious expression.

– "See, Larusso? I knew it. It's always that 'I'm dangerous' vibe. I'm telling you, this guy looks like a character from a cheap action movie from the 80s."

Daniel laughed softly, but decided not to feed Johnny's sarcasm any further.

– "Let's focus here, Johnny. We still have a lot of work to do."

Chozen crossed his arms and looked at the horizon. He knew that the next challenges would be important for the children. It wasn't just the Sekai Taikai at stake; he needed to protect the ideals of Miyagi-Do, his students and, above all, his family.

Johnny, for his part, couldn't resist one more comment as he walked behind them.

– "I'm just saying... If he shows up with a ninja rock band in the middle of training, I won't even be surprised."

Meanwhile, in Okinawa

On the other side of the continent, under the peaceful sky of Okinawa, an athletic-looking young man, about 17 years old, walked with firm steps towards a cemetery. He stopped in front of a tombstone marked with the name Sato Toguchi (1925-2015). The young man knelt down, showing respect, and closed his eyes for a few moments in silence.

Then he changed position, sitting next to the grave as if he were having a casual conversation. Beside him was a worn diary, the pages

yellowed by time. He opened it carefully, but before he began to read, he spoke softly:

– "Uncle Sato... It's a shame that you left before seeing me bring the Toguchi name to the world. When I win the Sekai Taikai with honor, your memory will be alive in every move I make."

The young man beamed, but soon lowered his gaze to the diary. Turning the pages reverently, he continued:

– "I will take your teachings with me. But..." – He paused, holding the diary with both hands and looking up at the sky as if seeking inspiration. – "I also cannot ignore Master Miyagi's teachings. Strength should only be used for defense, but... I will also bring honor by competing in tournaments. Even if Master Miyagi doesn't like that idea very much."

He laughed lightly, imagining what Miyagi would say about the Sekai Taikai. He spent some time reviewing the journal entries, absorbing each lesson as if they were words spoken directly by his teachers. But his concentration was interrupted by the ringing of his cell phone. He closed the journal and put it away carefully before answering the call.

– "Hi, Jack," – he said with a smile. – "I guess you saw my message."

On the other end of the line, Jack answered cheerfully:

– "Yes. And Kim told me too. Are you serious?"

The young man laughed, with a tone of confidence.

– "Yes. We're going to the Sekai Taikai. Both to win and to thwart the plans of an dishonorable old man... with a ponytail."

Jack laughed.

– "I'm in. And with Kim, that makes three of us. But... who else are you going to call?"

He adjusted his posture, a gleam in his eyes.

– "I called BooBoo. He's leaving Hawaii in three days. Milton is arriving practically on the agreed day, and Sabrina... Well, I'll be picking her up tomorrow."

– "That's great!" – Jack said excitedly. – "It'll be good to see everyone again. But hey... what about you? How's your relationship going?"

The young man gave a calm smile, leaning against the grave as if Sato was also listening to a conversation.

– "We're fine. Sabrina and I see each other all the time. Our relationship is going well."

Jack let out a theatrical sigh of separation.

– "That's great! Because if it wasn't, Kim would give you a bigger lecture than Uncle Sato did."

The two laughed together, but the young man looked at the grave and spoke in a more serious tone:

– "I still have a lot to do, Jack. I want to honor both Uncle Sato and Master Miyagi. It won't be easy, but with everyone together and with our teamwork, I know we can do it."

– "You're right," Jack said. "With the full time, no one will stop us. See you tomorrow, then?"

– "See you tomorrow," he replied before ending the call.

The young man stood there for another moment, looking at the horizon with determination. He placed his hand on Sato's grave and whispered:

– "I promise I won't disappoint."

He stood up, picking up the diary and putting it away carefully. He knew that the Sekai Taikai would not be just a competition, but an opportunity for what really mattered: the honor of his family and the legacy of the masters who inspired him.

This would be the story of Shisa Kim Toguchi