The young man's eyes flashed with recognition before he turned and walked to the center of the mat, assuming a fighting stance that was distinctly different from the style taught at Golden Dragon.
Thelma joined him on the mat, and for a moment, they simply regarded each other — two points in a constellation of fate that had been forming for decades.
The dojo had fallen completely silent. Even those who didn't understand the significance of the name Kojima could feel the tension crackling in the air.
Rick moved to intervene, but Kenji placed a restraining hand on his arm. "This was inevitable," the older man murmured. "Some stories must reach their conclusion."
Thelma and Hiroshi circled each other on the mat, neither rushing to engage. Their movements were measured, precise — two predators assessing each other's capabilities.
Hiroshi struck first, a lightning-fast combination that would have overwhelmed most opponents. But Thelma moved with equal speed, deflecting and redirecting his attacks with minimal movement.
No wasted energy, no flashy techniques, just perfect timing and positioning.
The exchange lasted less than ten seconds, yet contained dozens of techniques. When they separated, both remained untouched.
"You honor your father's teaching," Thelma said quietly.
Hiroshi's eyes narrowed. "Do not speak of him."
They engaged again, more intensely this time. Hiroshi's style was aggressive, modern — a blend of traditional karate with elements of kickboxing and jiu-jitsu. Thelma's approach was purely classical, yet she adapted seamlessly to his hybrid attacks.
Again, neither landed a decisive blow, though Hiroshi came close with a spinning back kick that Thelma evaded by a hair's breadth.
They separated, circling each other, both breathing hard now. Sweat glistened on Hiroshi's brow while Thelma's movements had slowed slightly. She was, after all, fifty years his senior.
Then, midway through an exchange, Thelma's shoulder suddenly gave way. A grimace of pain crossed her face as her right arm dropped momentarily.
Hiroshi, seeing the opening, launched a powerful combination aimed at her vulnerable side.
Instead of retreating, Thelma employed a breathing technique — a method taught by her father-in-law decades ago. Her focus narrowed, excluding the pain, and she redirected Hiroshi's attack with her left hand while stabilizing her injured shoulder.
The crowd watched in amazement as this elderly woman continued to face her younger, stronger opponent despite her injury. There was no surrender in her eyes, only determination and a deep-seated calm.
"My father said you brought shame to our family," Hiroshi called out during a brief pause in the action. "That you destroyed everything he built."
"Your father built an empire on deception," Thelma replied, her voice carrying across the now-silent venue. "He fixed fights, threatened dojos, corrupted the art we both love."