9 Resurgence

Its early October right now, and I am proud to admit that I have made massive improvements. There is nothing like freedom as being able to walk and run through your own power and feel the wind run through your hair. I realize that I haven't been crippled for the longest just a few days really, but to me honestly that situation was just completely un-tolerable.

While I have gained my ability to maneuver myself without much difficulty, I realize that I just don't have the same explosiveness, power and flexibility that I once had in accordance to my memories. I have begun lifting weights and doing flexibility exercises under the approval of my therapist and I can already feel the difference. I have been eating correctly and can visibly notice an increase in vascularity. I come to the realization that people are a lot more durable as compared to my old world. That would explain my quick recovery and the fact that people are able to take punches and kicks like nothing. I initially believed it due to plot armor, but I was quickly disproven by my own recovery speed.

This revelation has made me realize the top fighters of this world will be ridiculously durable as well and would also explain why I should be careful not provoke guys like Silver, Kreese and especially Chozen considering that he would be my enemy.

I think all of this to myself as I am laying on the mat and looking up at the white ceiling after being judo flipped for what seems to be the 10th time by my freak of a doctor. I swear this doctor of mine has to be some kind of cheat like existence. I had spoken to Dr. Oliver (his name) often during regular checkups and then he casually mentions to me one day that he has some experience when it comes to Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Okay, one: you do not bring that out of nowhere, two: why the hell does one of the best spinal surgeons in the United States know martial arts that could potentially kill a man? And three: Please teach me!!!

He was a bit hesitant at the start but then agreed eventually due to my persistence, he also did mention that he liked the fire in me for some bizarre reason. What was an initial casual mention of having some experience turned out to be complete bullshit. The man is a master practitioner of the arts. This man doesn't make any sense. I mean how does a man who looks about 35 become one the best surgeons in the country while at the same become a master of two different martial arts??

'Haaxxx!!!! Please nerf.' I think to myself in amusement while I start getting back to my feet.

I notice him dash towards me for another takedown. He tries grabbing me by my shirt but I manage to respond by grabbing him first and then quickly dropping to my knee I then trip him over my other foot which then leads to flipping him over my back and drop him into the mat for a standard tai otoshi. I let go of him, step back and then watch him get back up.

He looks at me in approval and then says "Good job, you are picking things up at a terrifying pace. Keep that up and you'll be mastering all my techniques in no time. Well, that's enough for today. I have another surgery scheduled later and I need to be prepared for it." I hear him say in a tone that indirectly states that it isn't a big deal. By this point, I am used to his antics and just nod in agreement. I watch him as he leaves towards his office.

The man is really my kind of teacher. He quickly realized that I learn by actual fighting. He performs the actual take down or submission hold on me and he would command me to try and perform these moves on him during a proper spar. I have been dropped on my ass many a time but I am capable of performing his moves close to perfection by the 5th or 6th attempt. Just because I was able to use the move doesn't mean I was capable of performing it on him, he never made it easy for me and that's good as there will be fighters who be capable of countering me if tey know about it.

I was really lucky finding Oliver here. Thanks to him I have gotten a head start in Mixed Martial Arts. Without him I would have to depend on half assed Youtube lessons or be required to get lessons in another dojo. That would require me to get a job for those lessons. School, then karate and another dojo and then a job as well? It would drive me into exhaustion. If I manage to get closer to him, I could possibly get some online lessons as well. I know that I will learn them slowly but at least it would be free lessons from a man who clearly knows what he is doing. Maybe I could get into some underground fights to use what I learn and then devour my opponent's skills and add them to my arsenal. That would be one way of getting good hard cash as well. Two birds with one stone. Pretty sure Kreese or Silver would have an idea of where to go for this illegal stuff.

Or I could just get a regular part-time job? But that would be chump change and quite the time waster. Maybe I could be a website tester? The original was quite good in regards to computer related shit. I don't know. I worked in a shitty biomedical lab in my past life. I could possibly work as a lab assistant but right now I am still a high school student. Nobody in the scientific community would hire a 17 year-old kid, unless if it was for a paid internship. My grades in biology are fine for now, but it could be better. I would have to work on that for my next tests and my senior year as well. The extra research would also teach me the best locations to hurt a man. I guess the school would have a soft spot for kid who was crippled and could possibly help me out to get an internship. I guess that is one avenue as well. Options…options. 'I'll decide when the time is right I guess.' I think to myself

I proceed towards the nearby mirror and practice the Miyagi-do blocks. This is good. I can already feel myself becoming a well-rounded fighter. Strong striking ability with the help of Tan Soo Do from Cobra Kai, solid defense and counter attacking ability from Miyagi-Do, and finally strong takedown, groundwork maneuvers and submission holds from Judo and Jiu Jitsu. I could eventually branch into Boxing or even Muay Thai. But that can be done after possibly the Sekai Taikai.

After I am done practicing some self-made kata, I proceed towards the weight room and focus on my back and legs with some light weight. I know it may sound ridiculous but a week ago I was struggling with a simple body weight squat. An hour of hard work later, I proceed to the washroom and then take a well-deserved shower. I go back to my room and text Tory.

It seems like her discipline hearing was quite the grand success. The hired lawyer made it seem like Sam was a drunken craven who initially instigated the fight my kissing another girl's boyfriend. There were even clips of her drinking heavily during that fateful night. Nobody knows, where they got that clip. They made it out that Sam was this mean rich girl who could do whatever she wanted and daddy Larusso would do anything to make things right for her. Considering that it was Larruso's karate that nearly killed a boy (me), things further went south them, the jury were even more lenient on Tory once the knowledge of her being the sole provider to her home came out. In the end it was judged that Tory was just being overly emotional and did not expect to start a school wide riot when she confronted Sam and was punished with a slap on the wrist in the form of some community service, her expulsion was revoked and was just recommended to take counselling paid by the state.

This decision caused outrage amongst the Larusso camp, which led to some scathing words being used out loud by the Larusso matriarch. They were understandingly escorted out of the premises. It is quite clear to me that even the judge and jury may have been paid off, but I don't really care about that as Tory seems to be in quite the cheerful mood these days. I can see why, I mean she managed to get one over Sam with that girl's reputation in tatters, Tory's landlord doesn't bother her anymore, she got her boyfriend back and she gets to go back to school like nothing ever happened. It is a massive difference as compared to the show. The counselling should also help in preventing her in doing something stupid…hopefully.

I then speak to Kreese and give him the report of my well being and he makes it a point to show approval of the fact that I am using any opportunity to get stronger. I assumed he would have been annoyed of me learning other styles and asked him so,

"Son…when you are in a fight for your life, it doesn't matter what you use. As long as you win; you live." That's all he said. No rebuff, no disproval nor was there any jealousy.

When I heard that all I could think about was I made the right choice in making a deal with this man. Unlike Johnny who would get jealous like a little child when he witnessed the original learning Miyagi-Do.

He also dropped the hint that, his dear friend has been getting curious about what was going on and may drop a visit to the dojo soon.

After all this, I had a healthy but nutritious meal packed with protein and then went off to bed.

.................................................

It's the middle of October now and I can feel the weather cool down. The medical center cannot hold me here any longer as I have made a complete recovery as far as they are concerned. Oliver was shocked that I healed up so quickly as he expected I would only make a complete recovery by the next month. He calls me a medical marvel. I believe I have a similar level of flexibility and speed in my natural movements as in my prime. I do however, believe that I am far stronger, explosive and skilled as compared to before.

'I guess I am in a new prime now. Nah..I have only just begun.' I think to myself in confidence.

I have become quite competent in performing the various holds, takedowns and submission holds. I know that I have just scratched the surface. There is a lot that can still be learned. After all, there are people out there that spend their entire life being a student of a martial arts, and I will remain a student till the day I die.

As expected, I managed to get a promise for continued online lessons from Oliver, who was quite excited to continue teaching. He did mention that he never taught anyone before, so I guess he has become quite attached to me, his first student. Also, it seems like I was mistaken regarding this man's age. The dude is 50, the man doesn't look a day above 35. Fucking genetics.

I ignore those distracting thoughts and look at myself in the mirror. My hair has grown out a bit, I figure I'll let it grow out some more. In my old life, I had the type of hair that looked terrible in awkward phase so I was never allowed to grow further than that. Now this body I am in possession of has some damn good hair. I think I would look really nice once it reaches my shoulders. I look at my face and realize that I have lost that last remaining bit of baby fat. My jaw has become a lot more angular and I have a bit of facial hair as well. It's not much to be honest, I kind of miss my old beard. I guess I'll leave it on and see how it progresses. I need my beard, it is of utmost importance. I just have too much of a baby face currently.

I shake my head and then continue dressing up. I pack up any remaining items. I walk towards the door of my room. I stop and look back at the room I spent the past month in. I smile as I then turn back ahead and walk out the door.

I say my goodbyes to all those that matter. I proceed out of the building and walk towards the gate where the taxi is waiting for me, to take me to the airport. I see Oliver standing there waiting for me. I go up to him. We hug. We wish each other well and say our last goodbyes. I look at the medical center one last time and reminisce all the work I put in to get to this point. I give one last smile to Oliver and get into the car.

It is time to go back home.