In the process of being a wrestler for New Japan Pro Wrestling, I had to start at the bottom, the way bottom, the lowest of the low, Young Lions. That's what we're called when we're new to New Japan and we want to be a wrestler for the company. When I got to the New Japan dojo, I thought I was going to see athletic guys that were hungry and wanting to be the best, but they were just regular people that you would see everyday.

I thought it was a ripoff because I was expecting athletes that want to learn. Now, whereas me, I am a regular person, but I want to learn the business, both in and out of the ring.

Then, I was expecting it, Tanahashi had come up into the ring and started giving out instructions. He then asked us what were our ring names. One by one he would ask us until he got to me. Hiroshi must've known that I was a bit afraid, but he warmed up to me and said to take my time. I then said, "Ren Hosako".

"Why would you name yourself 'Ren Hosako', son?", he asked. I then replied, "All my life, I've been bullied due to my learning disability. Whenever I watch pro wrestling, I see myself battling those bullies and winning. It's just an escape for me while I want to call myself a warrior in the ring." After I gave him the explanation of the ring name I came up with, he smiled and nodded.

"I like it. You know, 'Ren' is a samurai name, right?", Tanahashi said. "And giving your real last name really makes it even better. I really like that name, kid." Then, he asked everyone what style of wrestling they want to work on. Everyone said powerhouse, high-flying, or brawler, but I was the only one who said technical. Everyone laughed because they thought I was crazy. I mean, here's a 17 year old, who's autistic, wanting to learn technical wrestling, and the trainees are laughing at me. I wasn't fazed by that at all because Tanahashi gestured them to be quiet as he spoke to me.

"In order to learn the technical side of wrestling", said Hiroshi. "You have to know the basics. I admire your aspirations, son, but you have to start with that. Work on the basics, and then we'll see where we go from there." I mean, Tanahashi seems to take a liking to me for some reason. Is it because of my disability? I think it is, but later on, I'd find out the real reason.

Then, we had to pair up and we'll see who made the cut on day one of training. I was then paired with this average Joe who was skinny but had a fish belly gut. Once he and I were in the ring, Tanahashi rang the bell and we grappled.

We then had to do our headlocks, fall flat on our backs, they were the worst, and we did our leap frog moves. When Fishbelly tried to punch me, I grabbed his hand and cranked his arm. He was begging me to let go as I didn't want to. I flipped him on his back and covered him, but not for a pinfall. It was to set him up for a head scissors.

I wrapped my legs around his head and cranked them while I had my head on the mat to get a better position. Once I cranked the guy's head in a different way, he tapped and the match was over as I released and got up.

I thought I was imitating Suzuki as Tanahashi and the trainees were in shock and they were looking at me as if I invented fire. "How did you do that?", Hiroshi asked. "I don't know, it just came to me."

I'm being honest here, I really didn't know how I did that move and ended the sparring session early, but what I did know was that it caught the attention of someone who was watching in the distance, who made his presence known by clapping his hands and smiling with evil.

"Bravo, kid. You managed to beat a fellow Young Lion by copying me." It was him, The King, Minoru Suzuki. I looked at him as he seemed pissed at me! "Where's my gear? I'd like to try him out." That told me he was going to torture me, but I was like a little girl inside because I was going to be in the ring with him for the first time.

After a while, his music played, and Suzuki came out with his white wrist tape, boots, trunks, and his evil grin. When he stepped through the middle rope, everyone yelled, "Kaze ni nare", which means, "Be the wind" or "Become the wind" like a raging storm or a hurricane.

When he took off the towel from his head, Minoru glared at me as Tanahashi was concerned for me. "Are you sure you want to do this, Ren?", he asked. "I'm sure. Let me at him." I was feeling confident enough that I could take on my idol, but when Hiroshi rang the bell, I waited for Minoru to come at me. He did as we locked hands until he started going behind me in a waist lock as I flipped him over in a headlock takedown, he then wrapped his legs around me, looking to choke me out, but I got out of it by taking his one of his legs and performing an ankle lock that looked poorly done, but it was working as he grabbed the bottom rope and I released.

Suzuki was in awe of what just happened. He didn't think that I did my homework on him. I grew up watching him and studying his every move and hold. We then started trading holds again until I locked him in a poor version of the Fujiwara Armbar, and, would you believe it? He flipped over, reversed it, and locked it in on me!

I was screaming in agony and Tanahashi was telling me if I wanted to tap and there was no shame in that. I didn't as I managed to get my right foot on the bottom rope, making Minoru release me.

I then stood up and I had no fear. I was really looking to fight him as I got in his face, shaking off the hold he put me in. "You're a tough one, you know that?", commented Suzuki. "I've been fighting all my life, sir. I'm not gonna lose to my idol."

We traded chops but when I felt his, they stun like fucking hell! They were so hard that I did feel them, but I started absorbing them. So, to show my respect, I put my hands behind my back and nodded at him, letting him know that he can chop me all he wants, but I'm not backing down. Suzuki did chop me two times before, I couldn't believe he did this, he put HIS hands behind his back with a smirk, shocking everyone including me.

Did I earn his respect?

Minoru was nodding at me and telling me to bring it to him. So I did as I rubbed my hands as fast as I can, and then I chopped his chest as hard as I can. Believe it or not, and I wish I was kidding, he flinched! He was hurt by my chops! I then did it again and he did flinch again, but he stood back up.

I looked to clothesline him but he balanced himself as I ran to the ropes, but Suzuki did the same and locked me in his signature sleeper hold!

I was fading fast as I had to get out of it, but it was too late. Minoru put my head between his legs and gave me his Gotch Style Piledriver! He covered me but on instinct, I don't know what made me do this, but I kicked out at two and a half.

From what I know, Suzuki was pissed and locked me in the Fujiwara again as I was close to passing out and I did.

This is Minoru so I'll be taking over this chapter for a bit. I thought for sure Kai was tapping out after Hiroshi told the guy to ring the bell. When I looked back, he didn't! He passed out instead of submitting! This kid had heart and he didn't have the thought of giving up! That made me have a whole another level of respect for him.

When he came to, he was trying to figure out where he was. I smiled at him and said, "You alright there, kid?" He nodded as I helped him up. He was smiling at me, just happy that he got to fight me, his "idol". Listen, I don't consider myself an idol. I'd prefer to be a pro wrestler who fights for a living, but this young man had earned my respect!

I was still smirking at Kai as I extended my hand and he shook it. I said to him, "If it's okay, I'd like to buy you some lunch." He seemed appreciative about it as I did promise to do that.

Kai again and let me tell you the rest of this chapter.

After the training, I showered and I saw Minoru in regular clothes his signature fedora hat. "Ready?", he asked. "Yes sir", I replied. "Don't call me, sir," said Suzuki. "It makes me feel old." We both laughed before bringing me over to a sushi restaurant, where we got to know each other and actually talk like normal people.

"I learned from Tanahashi that you have a learning disability, am I right?", said Minoru. "It's true," I said. "When I was young, I had to learn at a level that suited me. I would get picked on, bullied, even girls wouldn't want to be around me because they saw me as some sort of freak." "What got you into professional wrestling, Kai?", Minoru asked. I replied, "I saw it as an escape from the bad days I've had over the years. It really helped me keep my sanity in check."

"I'm sorry to hear that, Kai. I can't imagine how hard it was", Minoru apologized. "It's okay. I've moved on, though", I said. "Well, you have heart, Kai", said Minoru. "And I'm starting to like you. How would you like to be trained by me?"

He said it. Suzuki actually said it. I mentally screamed like a little girl and I wanted to smile and shake his hand while repeatedly saying thank you to him, but I didn't. Instead, I did smile, but I nodded and said, "I'd be honored, Minoru."

This was the start of me honing my craft by training with a living legend in the form of Minoru Suzuki and the start of the career of Ren Hosako.