Born into the legacy of the most illustrious dojo, she was destined to embody the strength of a leader. She strove, tirelessly, to fulfill the expectations placed upon her, shaping herself into a figure of unparalleled power.
Expectation, unfortunately, was heavier than any weapon.
Yet, it was not a lack of ability that held her back, but the rigid perception of her very being, a subtle yet insidious barrier of gender. An obstacle no amount of training could strike down.
She realized it was reserved not for merit, but for conformity to a world that measured worth by arbitrary lines.
Lines she had never agreed to but was forced to stand behind.
Over time, this injustice became a shadow within her, a consuming darkness that eroded her sense of self.
Quiet at first, then impossible to ignore.
