The Fight for Truth
After the intense battle with Koji, the tension around us continued to rise. Students gathered, some seemingly waiting to see who would be the next opponent. Hanma’s voice reached me, full of mockery. "I've seen your moves, Jayden. But you’re not ready for the next stage."
The eyes of his followers reflected their resolve, but I felt no fear. “Why don’t we show them what a real fight looks like?” I replied. “I won’t back down until I can stand up for what is right!”
Ryo stepped up next. A skilled Judo fighter, I knew this battle wouldn’t be easy. In one swift motion, he charged at me. But instead of being afraid, I chose to unleash everything I had learned.
"This fight isn’t just about strength; it’s about strategy," I reminded myself. I quickly dodged his attack and struck him with a sidekick. Bham!! The sound of my boot slicing through the air hit his side, but he quickly got back on his feet.
Yet each of his attacks was faster than I expected. At times, I struggled to keep up. I twisted my body, continually searching for the right angle and timing. “Jayden, think about every move!” Ashe shouted from the back, her voice empowering me.
As we battled, I recalled the lessons Ashe had taught me. "I need to use my opponent’s moves against him," I told myself. My focus sharpened, and I gradually began to find his rhythm. I chose a wider stance and waited for my chance.
Finally, when he went for an overhead throw, I sensed my moment. Before he could secure his position, I quickly spun around and used my momentum to turn the situation around. He hit the ground, and at that moment, I found my voice. “Get up, Ryo! You can’t give up here!” 
He stood, but his eyes were filled with anger and admiration. “You’re incredible, Jayden!” he shouted as he thought of a new strategy.
But I knew I didn’t have to defeat him alone. Behind me, I could hear my friends cheering. “Show him your true strength, Jayden!” Ashe shouted. Those words gave me strength. With their support, I regained my confidence.
After a few quick exchanges, I found myself facing a new threat. Jin, the Muay Thai fighter, was my next opponent. “You might find it easier to get hurt by me,” he said with a smile on his face.
Memories of past battles flooded back to me. But despite the fears, I showed my strength. “You won’t defeat me, Jin!” I replied, filled with determination.
We exchanged punches and kicks, each move charged with power and speed. With each blow that landed on my defenses, I knew I had to stay calm. At one point, he delivered a brutal knee strike. Bham!! It hit my stomach, but I didn’t give in. I had to show that my friends were there for me.
I saw my chance. I delivered a solid elbow strike to his jaw. “Great job, Jayden!” Ashe shouted, and in her words, I found strength. With every punch, with every move, my purpose became clearer.
"If you want to defeat my friends, you’ll have to fight better!" I told Jin as I struck him with a straight punch.
The fight was filled with sounds of bham!! from punches and kicks, resonating in the air. As the battle wore on, I thought about all the conversations and training sessions I had with Ashe. It highlighted the dreams I had to fight for what mattered—the students who needed protection.
When the time came, Takeshi, the Taekwondo fighter, stepped forward. “Jayden, it’s time for the final round,” he said confidently. “Do you want to test your strength against me?”
With each step I took towards him, I thought about my strategies. He threw a powerful kick, but I carefully dodged and countered with a strong strike. “You won’t defeat me!” he shouted as our battle continued.
In my mind, I felt my confidence growing. The cheers from the crowd around me, the support of my friends, and the determination to fight for what was right all came together to propel me in the right direction.
"Jayden, show your true strength!" Ashe shouted, and her words pushed me to elevate my resolve. As the fight continued, I drew strength from her encouragement.
And despite the challenges, I learned that this fight wasn’t just against myself but for everyone. I kept demonstrating my determination and capability. With every punch, with every kick, this battle emphasized my purpose.
When the fight ended, I stood tall, filled with confidence. Around me, students cheered and offered their support. This was the beginning of change, the start of fighting for everyone who suffered under Hanma's rule.
With renewed strength, I turned to face the students, who were now filled with hope. I realized that every fight I had endured was for a cause greater than myself. It was about all of us coming together to stand against oppression.
As I prepared for the next opponent, I felt my spirit rise. This wasn’t just about martial arts; it was about creating a safer environment for everyone. I could sense that our battles were laying the groundwork for a new culture at our school, one built on respect and unity.
“Let’s keep going!” I shouted to my friends. We were united, and together, we could overcome any challenge that lay ahead. I had faced my fears, and now I was ready to lead the charge for all who felt powerless.
As the dust settled from our confrontation, I reflected on everything that had transpired. The lessons I learned, the bonds I formed, and the resilience we showcased were all essential. This was only the beginning, and I was excited to see where our journey would take us next.
Together, we would fight against Hanma and his gang, determined to change the narrative of fear that had plagued our school for far too long.