𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧'𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐲, 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦.

Kim Sun-Yung had seen Tory training, so he called his granddaughter, who told him:

—That's the girl Kreese has been talking about, —the man indicated.

—Yes, grandfather. She has been in Cobra Kai, but before her retirement, she managed to break a solid stone when she was with Silver, —she commented, folding her arms.

—You know, it would be interesting to see how she works as a team, —her grandfather inquired.

—I've seen it. She sacrificed herself for her partner, —the sensei replied firmly.

—That was the mistake. She already knew her partner; fighting with someone you know is predictable. But with someone new, it would be a challenge.

Observing their synchronicities and how they handle the unknown will reveal their strength and ability to work as a unit.

—I want to see her teamed up with Kwon or Yoon. When push comes to shove, they must demonstrate what they are capable of to achieve their true ambitions, —said Kim Sun-Yung, with determination.

At that moment, Kreese approached Tory, who was sitting and resting after an intense training session.

—You lost the fight with LaRusso, didn't you? —Kreese asked, his tone a mix of curiosity and defiance.

—How do you know? —Tory replied, confused.

—What other reason would you have for coming back here? Something broke you. Tell me, it was your mother, wasn't it? —Kreese commented, with an air of understanding.

Tory looked down in affirmation. She couldn't deny the truth to Kreese; she knew him quite well, and he was a father figure to her.

Kreese's words struck a chord in her heart, causing her to clench her fist, digging her nails into her skin before slowly releasing.

—It was, —Tory admitted, her voice trembling slightly. —And I also want to prove that I can overcome my weaknesses. Not just to myself, but to everyone who ever doubted me.

Kreese smiled slightly, seeing a spark of determination in Tory's eyes.

—Now you understand. You have always belonged to Cobra Kai. By bringing out your true power, you must show the world, including the LaRussos, what you are made of. You are a warrior, just as your mother would have wanted.

Tory nodded firmly, saying:

—Yes, sensei. I will go for what is mine. No mercy, no pain, no champion, as you said.

Kwon watched in intrigue as the two of them seemed so close. He thought they might have some sort of relationship beyond just being a student and teacher. She was displaying vulnerability to him, and he was showing "affection." This triggered jealousy and curiosity in him, wondering why a man who was firm and tough would be soft with her, being the one who motivated him.

Miguel and Robby were asking Sam where Tory's house was. Sam was trying to remember, even though it had been a year.

—I'm sorry, guys, but I don't recall. I drove there once, and it was night, —said Sam.

—You, Miguel, were her boyfriend. You don't remember her home?

—It was a long time ago, and we only saw each other in places like parks or on her breaks, —Miguel said, frustrated that he couldn't remember. He turned to Robby to see if he knew anything else, but Robby just avoided his gaze.

—Well, I promised not to tell, —Robby sighed. —Tory told me something that I promised to keep to myself, but—

At that moment, Johnny appeared, distracted and visibly worried. This did not go unnoticed by his students. Hawk and Demetri were the ones who noticed the concern the most, as Johnny didn't seem to see them as he headed inside to talk to Daniel. Johnny walked into the dojo with his gi on and began to close the door so no one could overhear.

—Johnny, sorry, but I'll be giving the lesson today. I hope you don't mind, —Daniel commented.

—Not at all, —Johnny replied, not paying much attention.

—Are you all right? Hey, what happened? —Daniel asked, noticing Johnny's troubled expression.

—I was thinking about Tory. She lost her mom, and she didn't even take time to mourn. She just came and fought, —Johnny said, frustration creeping into his voice.

—Amanda tried to contact the doctor but got no answers. I think she was her mother's caregiver or something, —Daniel added.

—Tory had her mother; she was everything to her. We didn't even do anything, —Johnny continued, showing his concern.

—We can't do anything if she won't accept help. You can't assist someone who refuses, —Daniel replied.

—How can she refuse if we never offered to help her? —Johnny shot back, his tone filled with indignation.

—Are you saying it was my fault? —Daniel asked, incredulously.

—Hey, she wasn't well and almost hurt Sam. That's not the way to fight. Mr. Miyagi couldn't finish, —Johnny raised his voice.

—I'm sick of hearing about Mr. Miyagi. He saved me from Kreese, even though I wasn't his student, and you couldn't do the same for Tory because her mother died, —Johnny shouted, revealing his frustration.

—Hey, that sounds like anything but a training talk, —Demetri said uneasily.

—We should call Chozen sensei, —Hawk suggested.

—You guys go ahead. Miguel and I will handle this, —Sam commented, turning to her senseis with determination.

Robby couldn't bear the situation. He felt guilty for not noticing that Tory was struggling and for not offering to help her. The weight of it all pressed down on him, and he realized he had focused more on his captaincy than on Tory's well-being. Gathering his resolve, he headed for the exit and crossed paths with Devon along the way.

—Hey, Nichols, —Yoon called out to her. —If it's our turn, we could beat Kwon.

At that moment, Kwon arrived and said, —Oh yeah, as if I could. The sensei's doggy already beat you once; it wouldn't be hard to do it again.

—We'll see, Chinese. You'd better go train; you've got a long way to go, —Tory replied, approaching him.

—Ha! I heard you lost the captaincy to another girl who beat you. Better shut up, blondie, —Kwon retorted, touching a lock of Tory's hair.

Tory shot him a dirty look. —Take your rough hands off me, —she warned, pulling away, annoyed. Yoon had already walked away; he knew a third world war was brewing between the two.

Tory was heading to the bus stop when she noticed Kwon was following her.

—Don't you have something better to do? Go home, —she said.

—Oh, blondie, I didn't know you enjoyed me following you. I know you like me, even if you show otherwise, —Kwon teased, grinning as he approached her.

—I don't like you, and I wouldn't go out with someone as self-centered as you, —she pushed him slightly away.

—I know what you want. I can tell, Tory, —Kwon said, inching closer again. But just then, the bus arrived, and they both boarded without exchanging another word.

The trip was thick with tension. Tory got off at what used to be her old dojo, near a store. Unfortunately, Kwon also got off at the same stop.

—Seriously, I'm losing my patience here. Why don't you just get lost and stop following me? —the blonde exclaimed.

—It's funny to see you getting annoyed because I know I'm provoking you, —Kwon replied, grinning.

—You're really getting on my nerves, —Tory shot back before entering the store to go shopping.

Kwon realized that by following Tory, he had strayed far from home, but it was getting dark, and he wasn't about to leave. He wandered around the area instead.

Robby, his mind blank, set out to buy some candy for Carmen, who was craving sweets due to her pregnancy. It would keep him occupied and away from thoughts of his ex. When he spotted Tory shopping, he thought he was imagining things, but it was really her. Without hesitation, he approached.

—Tory, how have you been? —Robby asked.

—Fine, —Tory replied, her expression serious.

—Tory, I'm sorry for everything that happened. I know I should have reached out, —Robby tried to say, but he was interrupted.

—Robby, let it go. I don't want to talk, —Tory said, preoccupied with paying for her groceries so she could leave.

Robby dropped everything and followed her. At one point, Tory was getting tired of carrying the bag, and then Robby grabbed her arm, cornering her against the wall.

—Tory, just listen to me. That's all I ask, —he pleaded.

—Robby, let me go. I need to see my brother, —Tory insisted.

—I won't leave you until we talk; that's all I'm asking, —Robby replied firmly.

She repeated her request to let go, but Kwon intervened, grabbing Robby by the shoulders to pull him away.

—You can't make me, —Robby said, glaring at Kwon as he held Tory.

—Who are you? —Kwon asked defiantly.

—I'm her boyfriend, so let go of my girlfriend now, —Kwon asserted.

—Is that true, Nichols? —Robby asked, looking at her with pain in his eyes.

—Yes, it is, —Tory confirmed.

That was more than enough for Kwon to seize Tory, pulling her away from Robby and walking off, leaving Robby shocked and heartbroken.