Chapter Text
Ever since Kojiro was young, he had learned to do one thing: lay low. Don’t bring any attention to himself from strangers. Don’t tell people about his family.
He wasn’t sure why he had to live with few friends, and it was difficult doing so because he was a naturally outgoing person. Kojiro asked his parents again and again why he couldn’t go to school with the other kids or make friends outside of his cousins.
“We’ll tell you when you’re older,” is what they would say.
After finishing the equivalent to high school, Kojiro left to go to a cooking school. However, returning back home, Kojiro was finally told why the family had to be secretive.
“You’re mother is the direct descendant of the master of earth. We didn’t want you to live a life of danger, but after a lot of discussion, we decided it would be safer if you were to go back to your mother’s homeland. We don’t know when your powers will show, but it’ll be best to live in a place where your powers are seen as normal.”
After much more talking and tears, Kojiro agreed to go to the island where his mother was from.
“Ninjago,” Kojiro said. “Kind of a lame name for this place.”
He was at the capital of the country, Ninjago City. It was different from Okinawa where there was hardly any people in a rush. Everyone in the city had places to be, speed walking past Kojiro and some bumping into him without looking back to apologize. How is this place safer than Okinawa?
Kojiro pulled out his phone to find where he was supposed to be picked up. His mother had contacted someone that would take him in, someone who knew his great great great great grandpa, which Kojiro found absurd as to how someone could live that long.
He followed the directions on his phone until he was in front of a worn down statue. It looked like it could easily be knocked down by the wind. Seeing the date on the statue, it’s been a couple of centuries since the statue was put up.
“I remember when this statue was built in my friend’s honor after he sacrificed himself to save Ninjago.”
Kojiro turned around, surprised that someone had come up behind him. It was a man who looked to be in his 50s. Silver strands of hair mixed in with the blonde locks. Wrinkles at the corner of his eyes, his pupils a vivid green.
“But it turned out he was alive,” The middle aged man smiled. “That started another adventure in my young life all those years ago.”
Kojiro was baffled by the information. The man in front of him couldn‘t possibly be older than fifty-five, but he claims that he’s extremely older.
“Your mother talked to me, Kojiro,” The man said. “I suppose we can discuss more about your background and Ninjago itself while we head on to the base.”
Kojiro learned a brief history about Ninjago. Though whether some of them he should call history or Sensei Lloyd’s experiences, it was hard to tell. He also learned about his great times four grandpa and how he was friends with Lloyd. It was strange to hear firsthand words of his ancestor, but interesting nonetheless.
“Looks like we’re here.” Lloyd said. They both walked into a a monastery, where there wasn’t a soul to be seen. It felt different from the busy city, despite being at the heart of it.
“It looks nice here,” Kojiro said. “Not as hectic as out there.”
Sensei Lloyd chuckled at Kojiro’s reaction.
“You haven’t seen anything yet.”
Sensei Lloyd pushed back a dragon statue to reveal a red button. After pushing it, the wall next to it opened up to a secret room. Sensei Lloyd stepped in as Kojiro stared in shock.
“We can’t be standing around gawking all day now. Come.”
Kojiro nodded and followed in, in awe of the technology. As he followed Lloyd, Kojiro saw a room with two people sparring. One of them had fire in their hands while the other had wind swirling around them.
“I thought you said the master of wind died without passing on his powers.” Kojiro pointed out.
“That’s what we all thought until about eighty years ago when a girl had unlocked the element herself. We thought Morro might have passed his powers down before his death, letting the wind choose who the next master will be. Now Tadashi has his grandmother’s powers.”
“Who’s the one with fire?”
“Ainosuke. Very passionate like the second master of fire, though not as hot-headed. I’ll introduce you to them later when they’re done sparring.”
They continued walking down the vast hallway until they came to a large cave-like hideout. One side was lined with vehicles while the other had a set of training equipment. There was someone with long pink hair going through the course with ease.
“Kaoru, we have a new member to the team.”
Kaoru finished the final part of the course and walked over to meet Sensei Lloyd and Kojiro. He sized Kojiro up after looking at him for a few seconds. He had muscles and had an attractive face, but according to Sensei Lloyd, he lacked any fighting experience, let alone know anything about his powers.
“Kojiro, this is Kaoru, the descendant of the master of speed.”
Kojiro put his hand out.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Kojiro, from Okinawa. Though you didn’t look quite fast back there, pinky.” Kojiro joked.
Kaoru glared at Kojiro, a little touchy about his powers.
“Like you can do better, you untrained gorilla.” Kaoru shook Kojiro’s hand to have some civility since Sensei Lloyd was next to him.
“Settle down with the insults. You two will have to get along since you’re on the same team,” Lloyd said. “Kojiro is the descendant of the master of earth, meaning we have all four elements of creation back in this group.”
Kaoru’s eyes went wide at the news. He wasn’t told that Kojiro will be the master of earth. Someone with such important powers incompetent in every single way.
“He still hasn’t unlocked his powers, so I want you to teach him the basics in order to master Spinjitsu.” Sensei Lloyd said. “And no buts.”
“That isn’t fair! I’m working on unlocking my powers, so why do I have to train him?” Kaoru was pissed. “Have Tadashi train him.”
“Tadashi is capable of working with other people like a team,” Lloyd said. “Ainosuke as well, which is why you’re the best person for this task. You teach Kojiro and gain more experience with working with others.”
Kaoru groaned in response and walked back to the training course.
“Though he will be the master of speed, sometimes I wonder if he’s also related to the second master of fire with that temper.” Lloyd said. “Start training with Kaoru. I have to meet up with Zane to discuss some matters at hand.”
Great. Kojiro was stuck with the hotheaded guy. But there was something about Kaoru that made Kojiro want to get closer to him. He jogged over to the training course, waiting for a step-by-step on how to do Spin-what’s it, but that is far from what the training Kaoru puts him through.