Mr. Kim looked at his more than thirty students with less than a year of experience in a circle and nodded as he saw that everyone had made it this far.
"Now that Dash isn't here, do you want to say a few words?" Mr. Kim looked at Devon, who was standing beside him, seeking a response from his star student.
Devon stood in front of everyone, briefly closed her eyes, thought about what Dash would say in this situation, and said, "We've come a long way; everyone should know that we don't always get the same opportunity in life twice. Today is a special day; each one will prove everything they have been learning at Sakura Bushido to the public. Don't be disappointed by a bad result in the tournament."
"Remember that Sakura Bushido is not a place where you learn to be punching machines; here, we learn a purpose, and that is to train the body and reach levels we have never dreamed of."
She looked at everyone now wearing the Karate uniform with the Sakura Bushido logo and nodded with admiration. After a brief pause, she said, "Although our school is not the oldest, we boast more wins than any other, and that puts us in a special position."
Everyone felt excited; they were ready to give it their all in this competition and wouldn't stop until they did. Many of them didn't believe they could ever feel this excitement, so participating in this tournament made all their training worthwhile.
Devon walked back and forth and said, "We've won the last two championships, but now with the growth of our reputation, we've decided that only the champions and students with less than a year of experience will participate this year to generate more competitive spirit."
"Remember, we fight for ourselves and not for a championship; you're all still starting, so give your best and, above all, have fun." Devon said as she bowed to her peers.
"Let's go!!!"
"Let's show them our Karate!!!"
Devon smiled while also feeling the excitement of camaraderie. Despite feeling mentally unstable for this tournament, she would ensure to stay calm and focused to take home the prize in the women's division.
Mr. Kim looked towards where the Cobra Kai students were gathering and asked, "Is that the Dojo Dash wanted to have to train Sakura Bushido members in Karate?"
Devon smiled slightly and nodded. "More than a good teacher, Dash wanted its history; he wanted Cobra Kai to be the Karate division for Sakura Bushido, a good idea but it was rejected."
Mr. Kim nodded, and after taking attendance, he led his students to the male locker rooms, while Devon went to the female locker rooms to accompany the girls studying at Sakura Bushido.
"Aren't you nervous?" A young girl asked, looking at the older girls around her.
"You shouldn't be; Devon won a tournament when she was eleven, beating a girl many years older than her. Trust yourself, and you'll win; that's for sure." Sophia, who was a friend of Devon, was more aware of the martial arts school's history, so she encouraged the other scared girls.
Devon smiled slightly at these words and said, "The important thing is not to win but to know that you've done your best."
At that moment, Aisha, who had changed into a black suit, passed by Devon. Before leaving the locker rooms, she stopped, turned around, and said, "Do you know if Dash will be here to watch the competition?"
Devon furrowed her eyebrows upon hearing someone mention Dash. When she turned her gaze, she saw the only woman from Cobra Kai, so she relaxed, softened her look, and said, "He should be back in the next few days, but he won't be present."
"Many from Cobra Kai would have liked to face him. Well, good luck in the competition." Aisha had no issues with Devon, so knowing she was a good girl and Dash's girlfriend, she wanted to wish her good luck.
Devon nodded and thought, "If Dash participates, no one in this place would have a chance to beat him."
"Alright, let's go to our meeting point to get ready to go out!"
"Yes!"
At that moment, all that was on Devon's mind was winning.