Cobra Kai: The Dragon Warrior

In the following days, Dash's lifestyle was limited to maintaining a regular training routine to keep his mind focused on the upcoming tournament. During the day, he trained alongside Devon and his other companions in simulated combat exercises. Once he was unable to continue training, he swam in the school's pool, which was incredibly amazing.

After swimming for half an hour, he relaxed in a bathtub for some time to recover his energy. Later at night, he practiced memory exercises for punches, kicks, and defense, which were his strongest points in combat.

Among the youngest competitors in the tournament, there was probably no one who could keep up with this training pace that Dash was just renewing for this tournament, which would be the last one in which he would give his all.

At night, Dash would recall his training style and adapt it to imaginary fights while trying repeatedly to improve his battle sense.

Since this was his way of resting his mind, his combat experience and reaction speed had greatly improved until Dash believed he could react to a confrontation where he would have to think quickly.

But he probably also thought it would be ironic to believe he was extremely talented when doing something that many others could also do. He was about to face the best fighters of his generation, and any type of martial art could be used, which kept him even more focused.

So, right now, the Dash he had become was the closest to perfection, having the right mindset to be a winner from his modest experience.

...

In the blink of an eye, the remaining days of the tournament had come to an end.

During this week, Dash also lightly trained with Cheng and Dre to remain even more specialized in different fighting styles. However, during this period, Dash did not push himself to the maximum, as he wanted to be in perfect condition, and no one wanted to get injured before the tournament.

The situation continued this way until the day of the tournament.

Mr. Han, dressed in a black uniform with the Sakura Bushido symbol, looked at his students. "I see you all well. Before we start, I want you to remember one thing: give it your all only on the stage. Let everything die once the tournament is over. Win or lose, all of you are already winners."

"Yes, master!"

There were around three hundred students in a huge open space; more than half of all the students were here now just to see off their companions who would represent them in the Sekai Takai, which was, in their opinion, the best tournament in the world.

"From a foreign country, the student who ignited the flames of Sakura Bushido has been the oldest dragon warrior since the school's inauguration, with more world titles than I can name. Let's welcome you once again, Dash Hale." Mr. Han pointed to the student with long hair tied in braids.

Dash bowed to Mr. Han and then stepped onto the stage to stand by his side without saying or doing anything else.

"Once again, we will have the help of the talented Dre Parker, who returns to competitions."

Dre stepped up with a huge smile in his eyes and bowed to his master, then walked to Dash's side to stand. "This is embarrassing. What time is it?"

"Silence."

"Cheng Lu."

The students were named one by one, each talented enough to defeat the great fighters Dash had fought against.

There was no doubt that Sakura Bushido was the best they could ever hope to be, given the participants this year.

"Wu Ping!"

"Devon Lee!"

"Liang!"

Mr. Han finished naming twenty students, ten of whom were female, to send to the tournament in ten pairs. The pairs would earn points, and the combined scores would make the difference.

"Here we have the best fighters of Sakura Bushido, the dragon warriors."

"Salute!"

"Now!"

About three hundred students gave a salute with the utmost respect they could offer to Dash and his companions.

They were confident they would win the most important martial arts championship.

But this would not be an easy fight.

"Break ranks!"

Everyone bowed to their companions who would support them from this place. Wearing their black uniforms embroidered with golden colors, they made quite an impressive sight with the large shield of the Sakura tree on their backs and on their left chest.

They all headed to the bus owned by this martial arts school and went to the tournament venue. The place was perhaps two hundred times larger than the places Dash had participated in before; there were even at least a thousand people outside and many journalists with cameras.

"Don't do anything out of the ordinary. They will be broadcasting this event on private television, so take advantage of this moment." Mr. Han advised his students mainly to avoid embarrassment.

"World-scale television?" Devon immediately put down her game console and started fixing her hair.

Dash, who was half asleep, managed to hear this, so he wiped the drool and looked out the window, where there were huge cameras pointing at their bus.

"There are so many people; this is incredible!" Dre felt much more confident knowing that his best friends were by his side and were also incredible fighters.

"Don't look at your opponents if you are not going to face them; stick to that." Since Cheng had more tournament experience than the others and also spoke Mandarin, he shared many of his mistakes and things they needed to learn so they would never lose their way in a fight, no matter what.

Mr. Han nodded, and then the door was opened. The cameras pointed at them, making Sakura Bushido the center of attention.

"And here we have them, Sakura Bushido, one of the most powerful participants their opponents will face tonight. Here we have their captain, Dash Hale, from the United States, known for his numerous fields around the world."

Dash was intercepted by the cameras and pulled Devon, who wanted to escape.

"Tell me, Mr. Hale, what are your stats for this tournament?"

Remaining calm at all times, Dash replied, "I think we have many skilled rivals, some recognized martial arts schools, so it will be a spectacle everyone should watch. We, of course, aim to win, but we prefer to reserve our aspirations and demonstrate them in our battles."

The reporter nodded, pleased, and said, "Surely Miss Lee will be your partner in this tournament. We haven't seen her on the scene since her defeat in Japan, so I wonder, Has she improved and is she ready to win?"

"I'm someone who doesn't like making the same mistakes twice, so this time I'm going to defeat all my rivals with complete certainty." Devon showed a fierce expression when she heard about her defeat.

At that moment, Dash did not want to answer more questions and, along with Devon, ran towards the entrance, where numerous cameras were pointing at them.

"This is crazy."

"Don't mention it. We'll be stars after this."