Kofi felt something cold settle in his stomach. Another piece of their carefully constructed world was shifting.
"What about the team here?" he asked.
"You'll be captain."
"Me? I'm not ready for that."
"You are. You've been ready for months. The team respects you. You understand strategy. Most importantly, you understand people."
Ren walked to a storage closet and returned with a long, wrapped bundle.
"This is for you," he said, offering it to Kofi.
Inside was a katana - not a practice sword, but a real blade. The scabbard was simple black lacquer, the handle wrapped in traditional cord.
"Ren, I can't accept this."
"It belonged to my grandfather. He would have wanted it to go to someone who understands what it means to protect others."
Kofi drew the blade partway from its scabbard. The steel caught the dojo's fluorescent lights, throwing back a perfect reflection.
"Why are you really leaving?" Nina asked suddenly.
