31 The Entrance

"Ladies and gentlemen, you've been waiting a long time, but finally, we're here... Dojos from all over the valley have trained for over a year to reach glory in this legendary tournament. Do you want to know who will participate?"

"Very well, for someone like this Sensei, the Dojo needs no introduction. He burst into the All Valley in 1984 and 1985 and quickly became one of the great surprises of this sport. This year, due to magical and surprising changes in the tournament, ow we have him back to participate as Sensei, and although he has only one fighter those who know will know that this same Sensei fought alone and took glory with his Sensei, so they are ready to show that they can achieve glory like they did... Many years ago."

The presenter pointed to the entrance and said, "A round of applause for Miyagi-do Karate, led by the two-time champion Daniel LaRusso!"

At that moment, Daniel LaRusso came out with his ten-year-old daughter, who had been learning Karate from her father to protect herself from bullies at school and who wanted to participate after a division for women was opened.

"The next Dojo won the title last year, their story is as big as the history of this tournament, and they were among those who, with their old and legendary Senseis, managed to spread Karate throughout the valley. Let's welcome Kruske Karate!"

Compared to other Dojos, they had more students, enough to be potential winners again and take the glory of this tournament. The age of the participants ranged from ten to eighteen years, which, for Dash, who was only twelve years old, would make victories challenging.

Dojos like Topanga Karate, who were among the participants, had much more chance of winning due to their large numbers, but this was indifferent to Dash.

"Are you nervous?" Devon, who saw his turn approaching, looked at Dash nervously.

"Me? Not at all. I'll crush any opponent they put in front of me... I just need to get used to the audience; that does make me nervous." Dash said while looking at both male and female students.

"And finally, where Sakura leaves bloom like new life in nature, this Dojo makes its debut in the All Valley, but as you know, every year new Dojos are favorites to win, and we'll see if this Dojo has what it takes to win this year."

"Let's welcome the new Dojo Sakura Bushido, led by Sensei Kim, who has been training his students for no more than half a year."

At the moment their Dojo was named, Mr. Kim as their master nodded and walked slowly in the direction he had been indicated.

"This place gives a much stronger impression as a participant..." Devon murmured while looking at all the people cheering not for them but because the competition was about to begin.

Being only two students and still children, many didn't have them on their radar. Some others thought the competition was filled with children, something that happened every day, but none knew what they were about to see from these children they considered indifferent.

For Dash, this tournament would serve because in China, the pressure would be greater due to the students who should have more capabilities. Facing opponents in Karate here didn't seem like a big deal to him, as he remembered how Daniel's matches were. What worried him were those Chinese kids who threw kicks so high they could send those who received them flying.

When all the Dojos entered, they were assigned places to warm up, and as Sakura Bushido and Miyagi-do were small Dojos in terms of numbers, both were in the same designated area to give more space to those who needed it.

"Is there anything we need to know before we start beating all the Dojos?" Devon touched Dash's slightly long hair and looked at Mr. Kim, who was dressed in a karate uniform like his students.

"Don't hit too hard, by all means, avoid attacking in a way that penalizes you, and remember not to combine techniques that are not allowed in this tournament." This was Mr. Kim's greatest fear, so he reminded his students many times.

"We'll have it clear!"

Dash looked at the combat arena and the leaderboard right in front.

"Men go first, so I'll support you from the side." Devon said while hitting Dash on the shoulder.

"Will you be my pillow if I lose?"

Devon smiled and said, "I'll kick your ass if you lose to those guys. If that happens, there would be no need to visit China..."

Dash smiled upon hearing this, and his gaze began to assess all the people who could be a possible obstacle to his triumph in this place.