Testing Resolve
I returned to my room after the unforgettable fight. I lay on my bed, my body exhausted but my mind full of questions. Every attack from Hanma’s men had taught me valuable lessons. But more than that, it gave me a glimpse of just how deep Hanma’s control over the school ran.
I thought about their styles Koji with his Karate, Ryo with Judo, Jin with Muay Thai, Takeshi with Taekwondo, and Sota with Capoeira. Each of them had unique strengths and weaknesses. I replayed each of their moves in my head, trying to find the mistakes and the opportunities I missed.
I got up and went to the mirror. I looked at myself, examining the bruises and soreness from the fight. I was tired, but this was the world I had chosen. I had to be ready, not just for myself but for all the students who hoped I would be the answer to Hanma’s cruelty.
As I thought about it, Ashe suddenly crossed my mind. I felt I needed to talk to her. I quickly dressed and left the house, walking toward the gym where Ashe usually trained.
When I arrived, I saw her warming up, dressed in her Taekwondo gi. Her movements were graceful and full of determination. She noticed me and smiled. "Hey, Jayden! You did great in the fight earlier! But it looks like you could use some help."
I sat down beside her while she continued to exercise. "Ashe, do you think I stand a chance against Hanma? His men are on another level."
"I think you need to understand more about him and his tactics," she replied. "Hanma isn’t just strong. He has a plan, and he targets opponents with weak resolve."
"Why don’t you tell me more about him?" I asked. "I want to know what I’m really up against."
"You know, many have witnessed his fights," she said. "But no one can give you the full picture. You’ll also need to learn how to think like him. I believe he’s not your typical opponent. He has a deeper agenda."
I took this moment to express my feelings. "I know the fight’s tough, but I’m not afraid. I just want to know how I can beat him. Are there strategies we should consider?"
“Not every battle needs punches,” she replied. “Sometimes, the right strategy is knowing the right timing. You need to find a way to break his confidence. Use his men’s styles against him.”
After our conversation, we decided to train together. With her knowledge of Taekwondo, we thought about how to combine our styles. My approach to Jeet Kune Do could complement her kicks and strikes.
We trained for hours, merging our moves and sharing ideas. As time went on, I felt myself getting stronger. Ashe showed me some of her combinations and successive attacks. I began to feel confident, not because of sheer strength but because of our growing understanding of martial arts.
A few moments later, we heard loud noises coming from outside the gym. It sounded like shouting and commotion. We quickly ran outside to see what was going on. Outside, we saw a group of students fighting. A deep voice rose above the noise Hanma.
"Step aside!" he shouted, his eyes blazing with fury. “I can’t tolerate weaklings in this school. You all need to learn a lesson!”
With those words, my heart raced. The people around him were scared and backing away. It was as if he was the true ruler of the school, and everyone was hiding from his wrath.
Ashe grabbed my shoulder. “Jayden, this isn’t right. We need to face him,” she said.
“We’re not ready,” I replied, doubt creeping in. "We need to plan our next moves carefully."
“We can’t avoid this any longer. If we don’t act, Hanma will continue to oppress everyone. We need to show him we can fight,” she responded, her determination fierce.
We decided to join the group, prepared for whatever might happen. I felt this was the beginning of a much deeper struggle. This fight wasn’t just for me, but for everyone who couldn’t stand up for themselves.
As we approached where Hanma stood, I resolved to show everything I had learned. I needed to continue this fight, not just for myself but for everyone who needed change. This was my chance to prove I that wasn’t afraid and that I was ready to stand up against Hanma’s reign and the others.