KARATE KING.

it’s karate. old-school karate.

you got a death wish, kid?

here, hold this ice on your ribs.

karate isn’t only about self-defense. it’s about protecting others.

you may get hurt, but nobody wins by doing nothing.

i’ll get the hell out of here when i’m goddamn good and ready.

because sometimes the scars you can’t see are the ones that hurt the most.

see you, kid.

you’ve learned to channel your anger, but you’re afraid.

my shoulder’s killing me.

well, always remember our first lesson, you. this is for self-defense only.

if you’re not strong on the inside, you can’t be strong on the outside.

i’m gonna pretend you didn’t say that.

i can’t believe i’m saying this, but you’re grounded.

you know those little red stickers that say “further reduced”? that means “spoiled”.

real nice friend you’ve made.

i’ve been having a real rough night.

well, i just feel like i’m coming down with a fever.

you’re saying that in life, i can’t do everything by myself and i have to rely on other people?

you can’t let that bad blood change who you are.

the more help, the better. but first, you need a gi.

i’m asking you to become more than just a soldier, son. you understand that?

also, this is really gonna sting.

look, i know you’re pissed at me. you have a right to be.

hey, rambo. kids are getting hurt.

karate is not a phase. it’s a way of life. you can leave it for a while, but it never really leaves you.

the biggest battle is always the one within.

i broke a kid’s nose. who knew these things were lethal weapons?

you don’t have to worry about me. i can handle myself.

this next part is gonna be really, really hard, okay? but this is the best way forward.

and i kept it under wraps. i didn’t want you to lose focus. needed you at your best.

just don’t forget. being a badass doesn’t mean being an asshole.

hey, wanna get some food? i know a good burger joint.

trust me, sweetheart, you don’t know the half of it.

i was in a bad place. there’s no question about that.

look, i know you’re not 100%, but you got the heart of a champion.

they kicked the fucking shit out of me.

i don’t know how i’m gonna keep going. i don’t feel safe.

and it turned me into an angry and violent kid.

you can get through anything. you know why? ‘cause you got me.

everyone’s got a sob story. that doesn’t give you the right to be a bully.

i did what you taught me. i showed mercy. why did this happen to me?

some people have it good, but the rest of us, we have to fight for every inch of what’s ours.

don’t blame yourself. blame me.

i warned you, but you just had to push it and make it personal.

instead of burying your heads in the sand, and pretending that bullying doesn’t exist, or that you could just get rid of it, what you need to do is teach kids how to defend themselves.

i’m still kind of freaked out about it.

you see what i just did there? that’s called de-escalation.

when something bad happens, you have two choices. you let it tear you down or you let it build you up.

you get back up, and you try it again.

it’s been a little rough lately. it’s nice to have people look out for you.

maybe my right way is different from yours.

the world shows no mercy. so, why should we?

problem is, my “self” is too weak.