"Otosan, you can't do this."

It was rare that Takeshi ever disagreed with his father but when Sensei Yazuko told him of their sudden relocation to America, he was stunned.

He knew what Cobra Kai was. He knew that they were dangerous.

"What do they want with you? With us?"

Sensei Yazuko sighed. "She was not clear musuko. She just told me that they requested the best Senseis to come to the Valley."

"But what do they want with us?"

"He will want to use you, use you both to push his students. He knows the quality is better here."

Takeshi protested. "We are not his test subjects! I am not Cobra Kai!"

"You need to understand," Sensei Yazuko urged, "I do not agree with them at all. I don't want this. But this is a matter of honour and respect. I have to do this."

Takeshi sighed as his father continued.

"You will not stray on the wrong path, just treat it as extra practice. I assure you we won't be there for long. I just need to do this, for me."

Takeshi understood that his father was an honourable man and there was definitely a good reason why he had to do this, so he gave up arguing and accepted his fate.

Meanwhile Kai was intrigued, perhaps going back to America would allow him to regain some of the memories that had escaped him. Perhaps it would act as a trigger.

The flight was long, the three had to take a flight to South Korea meeting Sensei Kim and the others before getting on the private jet that they had been offered.

Kai sat by a window, staring out at the clouds, his thoughts a jumble of questions and anticipation. Across the aisle, Takeshi was silent, his expression tight as he looked around at the people surrounding them. Their sensei, Yazuko, sat opposite the two boys, his posture as straight as ever, his hands folded in quiet contemplation. Across from him was Sensei Kim Da-Eun, silent and composed.

Kai turned his gaze away from the window and whispered to Takeshi, "Do you think this is a good idea?"

Takeshi glanced at him, his jaw tightening. "It doesn't matter what I think. We're here because otosan decided it was necessary."

Kai frowned but said nothing. He respected Takeshi's loyalty to his father, but even he could feel the uncertainty hanging in the air. Why had Sensei Yazuko agreed to this? What exactly were they walking into?

When the jet touched down, it was mid-afternoon in California. As they disembarked, they were greeted by a sleek black limousine waiting on the tarmac and stood in front was none other than Terry Silver himself.

"How was your flight?" he asked.

"Last minute." Sensei Kim replied. "Is Sensei Kreese not with you?"

"I'm afraid John Kreese is no longer with Cobra Kai. He had some legal troubles."

There was a flicker of disappointment in Sensei Kim's eyes. "That is disappointing to hear."

She paused before continuing. "You asked me to bring the best Senseis I knew. I have also brought Sensei Yazuko upon your request."

Yazuko was momentarily confused. How did Terry Silver know him? How did he know of the connection between himself and Sensei Kim?

"Welcome," Terry said, his voice smooth and confident, "it's an honour to finally meet the renowned Sensei Yazuko and his talented students."

Yazuko inclined his head, his expression neutral. "You seem to know much about us."

Silver's smile widened. "How could I not? The Tiger Claw dojo is legendary, not just in Okinawa but across the world. Your reputation precedes you."

He turned his gaze to Kai and Takeshi. "And of course, your students. I've heard a great deal about their skills."

Kai felt a flicker of unease under Silver's scrutiny, but he kept his expression composed. Takeshi, however, met Silver's gaze with a determined look, his hands curling into fists at his sides.

Silver gestured toward the entrance. "Please, let's get inside the limo. I have much to discuss with you."

As they got into the limo, Terry nodded to the driver who started driving to the designated location. They had arrived at Cobra Kai's main dojo - the interior was lavish. Marble floors, towering ceilings, and walls adorned with art that probably cost more than everything in Tiger Claw dojo combined. Silver led them into a spacious meeting room, where refreshments were already laid out.

As they sat, Silver leaned back in his chair, his demeanour casual but calculated. He turned to Kim. "I'm grateful you could join me, Sensei Kim. Your grandfather's legacy deserves to be honoured, and I believe we're on the brink of something extraordinary."

Kim nodded, her expression cool. "It is an opportunity to expand his teachings, yes."

Silver then shifted his attention to Yazuko. "And you, Sensei Yazuko. I've long admired your discipline and the philosophy you've instilled in your students. I understand Tiger Claw has already had a taste of America."

Takeshi looked at his father confused. How was his father so well known? Was there a chapter of his dad's life he was missing out on?

Yazuko's gaze darkened slightly, but he remained composed. "We left under difficult circumstances."

Silver nodded sympathetically. "I've heard about the accident. Kai, wasn't it?" He glanced at Kai, who stiffened at the mention of the event he could barely remember. "A tragic situation, to be sure. But look at you now, stronger than ever."

Kai said nothing, unsure of how to respond. The way Silver spoke felt genuine, but there was an undertone of something else, something he couldn't quite place.

Silver spread his hands. "What I'm offering here is a partnership. Sensei Kim is bringing her best Senseis to help elevate Cobra Kai to a new level, and I want you to be part of that. Not to change who you are, but to motivate my students to become the best version of themselves."

Takeshi couldn't stay silent any longer. "And what do you gain from this?"

Silver chuckled softly, his eyes glinting. "I gain the chance to work with the best. To create something that will dominate not just locally, but globally. This isn't about one dojo; this is about a movement. A legacy."

Takeshi's frown deepened, but Yazuko raised a hand, silencing him. "And my students?"

Silver leaned forward, his smile unwavering. "They remain yours, Sensei Yazuko. I wouldn't dream of overstepping. Your students are already a testament to your discipline and skill. All I ask is that they train alongside mine, push my students to greater heights, and in turn, grow stronger themselves. Everyone wins."

Yazuko studied Silver for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he said, "I will watch. And if I see anything that goes against my principles, we leave. Immediately."

Silver inclined his head, his expression gracious. "Of course. I wouldn't have it any other way."

As they left, Kai couldn't shake the strange feeling that had settled over him. Silver's words had seemed genuine, his offer fair, but there was something about the man that felt...off. He glanced at Takeshi, who was clearly thinking the same thing.

"I don't trust him," Takeshi muttered, "this is more than just about training. He's up to something."

Kai nodded slowly. "Sensei Yazuko wouldn't have agreed if he thought it was dangerous."

Takeshi sighed, running a hand through his hair. "He agreed because of Sensei Kim. He has to repay a debt. That doesn't mean he trusts Silver."

The offer did sound too good to be true. All it sounded was that Silver wanted him and Takeshi to train alongside his Cobra Kai students to push them to be better. But whatever they had just walked into, it was clear that it was bigger than just a training opportunity. And while Kai respected his Sensei and his decision, he couldn't shake the nagging feeling that they had stepped into the cobra's pit.

Kai stood at the doorway of the house, and his mother opened the door to greet the three of them.

"Kai," she said softly, "welcome home."

Kai didn't respond immediately. The word 'home' felt alien to him. Instead, he nodded curtly, stepping inside with Takeshi and Yazuko trailing behind him.

"This is where you'll stay while you're here," Rebecca continued, leading them through the house. "Kai, your room is just the way you left it. We...we thought it might make you feel more comfortable."

His room was almost unnervingly pristine, but it looked updated since the last time he remembered. It felt like he had been here before, but he just couldn't remember it. It felt so familiar to be back in this room despite Kai believing he hadn't been here since he was a little boy.

Once Takeshi and Sensei Yazuko were shown to their own rooms, Kai pulled out his phone, his fingers searching for Rae's contact.

She picked up after the second ring. "Kai?"

"Yeah, it's me," he said, "how are you doing?"

"I'm alright, how's America treating you?"

Kai paused. "Good so far. Something seems off about Silver. And I think I'm starting to remember some stuff...I think I've been here recently."

"Maybe something is triggering your memories?" Rae suggested. "You said yourself there's a blank before your accident, maybe you're just remembering what happened."

"But I'm pretty sure I was in Japan...the accident happened in Japan, I haven't left the country in years."

Rae's voice was filled with concern. "Maybe that's not what happened."

Silence.

Rae spoke again. "Kai, I've been thinking about coming to America."

He sat up straight. "What? Why?"

"I want to find my father," she admitted, "he's somewhere out there, and I can't keep pretending I don't care. Maybe I'll get answers. And...I guess I want to see you."

Kai's heart warmed at her words. "Rae, you know how your brother is. Masahiko would never let you leave."

"He doesn't own me." she said.

Kai sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "I don't want to come between you and your family."

"You're not. This is my decision," Rae said firmly, "but I won't do anything rash. I'll figure it out."

There was a long silence between them before Kai spoke again, his voice quiet. "Just...be careful. I don't want you to get hurt."

"You too Kai."

The next day, Kai was requested to be at a local dojo. Supposedly Terry Silver had struck a deal with the Sensei of Topanga Karate to take over. After Silver had made his speech, he opened the door to welcome Kai - along with Sensei Yazuko, Takeshi and Sensei Kim.

Tory Nichols was also there and was stunned when she first saw Kai. He didn't remember her so they didn't have much of a conversation.

Kai could feel the eyes on him as the students muttered his name. How did they all know him? What was going on? He listened carefully and overheard what some of the other students were saying.

"Isn't he... from here?"

"Didn't he get into that accident?"

"He was with Daniel LaRusso's daughter, I heard she was the reason he got into the car crash."

"He won the All Valley a couple years back..."

What was going on? Kai couldn't remember all of this? Did he have the wrong recollection of his own accident?

Silver ordered Sensei Kim to lead the class as Kai watched alongside Takeshi and Sensei Yazuko. At one point, Sensei Kim went off with Tory leaving Kai with the rest of the class.

Silver gestured toward Kai. "Why don't you see if you can take down Kai."

Three students were called forward - some of the dojo's most advanced pupils. They were strong, confident, and ready to defend their place in the pecking order. But they had no idea what they were up against.

The first opponent lunged at Kai, aiming a fast punch toward his chest. Kai sidestepped effortlessly, sweeping the attacker's leg and sending him sprawling to the mat.

The second came in with a flurry of kicks, but Kai intercepted each one with precision, countering with a spin kick that landed squarely in the opponent's stomach. The boy doubled over, gasping for breath.

The third tried to feint, attempting to catch Kai off-guard. But Kai read him like a book, using the boy's own momentum to flip him onto the mat. The room erupted in a stunned silence, the other students standing frozen as their classmates groaned on the ground.

Silver clapped, his face lit with delight. "That, my friends, is what happens when you train with Cobra Kai."

Kai's eyesbrow raised. He didn't train with Cobra Kai, he trained with Tiger Claw. Why was Silver lying and using him as a walking advertisement for Cobra Kai?

Just then, a camera crew entered the dojo, Silver waved them over, his expression full of calculated charm. The crew began recording as Silver addressed the camera. "I'm here at our new dojo, Cobra Kai has taken over Topanga Karate."

"To everyone in the Valley, I have a message for you. Cobra Kai is taking over. Our expansion isn't just about numbers - it's about quality. And here's proof."

The camera panned to Kai taking down three other students that had challenged him with ease.

He gestured toward Kai, who stepped forward. "Kai Hilton - one of the most talented fighters I've ever seen. He's here to show you that Cobra Kai creates champions. If you want to be the best, there's only one place to go. Cobra Kai is the future."

The video spread like wildfire. Kai Hilton's return was announced to the public and everyone was talking about it.

Sam was sat in the living room with her parents, Johnny and Chozen when she saw it. Her breath hitched as she saw the familiar face on the screen. Kai's calm, confident demeanour and the way he dispatched the students with ease sent a chill through her.

Her hands shook as she paused the video and stared at his face.

Kai was back.

But he was standing with Terry Silver. With Cobra Kai.

Sam could do nothing but stare at her phone, her heart pounding.

Kai Hilton was with the enemy.