The Cut That Always Bleeds | Cobra Kai

Chapter 36

Isabelle watched as Kenny punched the dummy with mounting frustration. She could feel his anger, especially after hearing how his bullies had taken things too far.

"So, they stole all your clothes?" Robby asked, seething.

Kenny scoffed, fists clenched. "I can't take any more of their crap. I'm ready to use my training!"

Isabelle furrowed her brow, placing a hand on his shoulder, halting his punches. "What exactly do you think you're going to do?"

"What I need to," Kenny replied firmly as if it was obvious. "I'll kick their assess."

"Violence is going to get you nowhere but in trouble," Isabelle lectured.

Kenny softened, looking down at his feet, "You don't get it. You're perfect. Everyone likes you."

Isabelle shook her head, "I'm far from perfect, Kenny. And I'm not saying violence isn't justified sometimes. But you need to be able to control your anger and be smart about it."

Robby nodded in agreement, "I didn't control my anger and I got kicked out of school and landed in juvie. Come on. You gotta be smarter than me and your brother."

"Well, I gotta do something," Kenny muttered just as Kreese and Silver walked into the room.

"Class, fall in!" Kreese's sharp command snapped them all back to attention. The three quickly took their spots on the mat, waiting for instruction. Kreese's gaze swept over them as he continued, "Today, we focus on weakness. Your opponent's weakness must be exploited whenever possible."

Isabelle made eye contact with her father as he stepped forward, he smirked as his eyes never left hers, "Yes we do."

Kreese continued, oblivious to Silver's subtle threats to his daughter, "Weakness. Your opponent's weakness must be exploited whenever possible."

Silver stepped forward, eyes locking with Isabelle's. "At the tournament, you'll need to recognize those weaknesses. And make no mistake...we all have one."

Tory smirked. "Sensei Kreese doesn't."

Silver shook his head, "Of course he does. We all do." He turned to the class. "Today's goal is to find your opponent's weakness and use it. No points. You hit the mat, you lose. Understood?"

Everyone nodded as they sat around the mat, eager to start the exercise.

"Elswith!" Silver called, and Piper eagerly jumped to her feet. Kreese smirked before adding, "Nichols." Tory rolled her eyes and got up, giving Isabelle a confident wink as she stepped onto the mat.

The fight began with Piper showing off a cartwheel to throw Tory off, following up with a series of kicks, which Tory dodged with ease.

Tory scoffed, unimpressed. "You just gonna dance, or are you gonna throw something?"

Piper shrugged, grinning. "Why not both?" She launched herself at Tory, managing to grab her arms, but Tory quickly regained control, landing a knee to Piper's stomach and sending her to the ground with a well-placed kick.

Silver nodded, "Good one Sensei Kreese. Who's next?"

The next fight saw Kyler take on Red. Isabelle couldn't stand Kyler, but she begrudgingly admitted he was a decent fighter. When he emerged victorious, Kreese shot Silver a smug look.

"Another one for me," Kreese said smugky to Silver.

Silver just smirked, "Double or nothing?"

Kreese raised an eyebrow. "Fine. Mr. Keene."