Popura

At The Dojo, they say the best lessons are paid for in bruises, not coin. Popura seems determined to buy a lifetime of wisdom. Every day, they spar with their partner, Monzaburou, and every day, the result is the same: Popura on the mat, one eye swollen shut, grinning up at the rafters. Other students see a tenacious but outmatched brawler, a spirit too stubborn for their own good. They watch Monzaburou's flawless technique and wonder why they continue to entertain such a one-sided partnership. They never notice the quiet nod Monzaburou gives after every bout, or the way Popura adjusts their crimson cap and whispers corrections. After all, it is hard to recognize the master when they spend so much time on the floor.