Goro

Without the gold. The Jesuit Crosses fighters have the same conviction but carry it lighter — the weight is in the belief, not the metal.

Bright but not loud. The Teal Daytime fighters are the ones you underestimate because they don't announce their arrival.

Every cracked card. White is the beginner's belt, and torn is how the crack left it, border and all: a White card is never printed. A repair earns Blue.

'Goro' — fifth son, who learns early the world won't wait, so he'd better learn to wait for it. Patience was his whole art: the one who held position long after holding stopped making sense.

A flying squirrel, riding along. The Little Momonga Friend fighters lost their lords and their honor, but kept one small companion who never asks about either.

Still functional. Functionally broken. The Broken Glasses fighters see a cracked version of reality and have found it more honest than the uncracked one.

Named for the legendary fighter. The Red Heihachi fighters carry that name's weight in every match and find it light.

The turned. 419 fighters who crossed into the demon form — hungrier, harder, and unmistakable on sight. The Dojo's second race, and its darker half.

Snapped, but still swung. The Broken Naginata fighters lost half the reach and none of the conviction — they simply stand closer now.