An aspiring pro wrestler, Mano Mahusay, from Quezon City, Philippines, moved to Okinawa, Japan, to join the Kakimoto Dojo, whose members compete in the High Japan Wrestling League (HJWL). There, he was trained by the legendary Master Shinzuki Kakimoto himself. However, it was not easy for Mano.

On the first day of training, Master Kakimoto ordered Senpai Tenjitsei Mitsuharu to attack trainee Mano viciously in the ring for wearing a Philippine flag jumpsuit. Tenjitsei did just that, bloodying Mano's face, fracturing one of his ribs, and dislocating one of his shoulders, and told him to never come back to his dojo again. However, Mano returned after recovering, not even 100%, wearing the same attire.

Tenjitsei yelled at Mano and asked why he returned. Mano expressed his desire to become a pro wrestler, but Tenjitsei told Mano that if someone like him wanted to be a pro wrestler, he would go to a Western circus and perform there, as he was not worthy of learning the true art of professional wrestling. Mano refused, angering Tenjitsei, who called upon two Japanese trainees to attack Mano, but Mano did not back down. Mano failed to defend himself, as the trainees beat him up, leaving blood dripping on the mat. Tenjitsei yelled at Mano for the mess he had made in the ring and ordered him to clean it up before leaving the building.

Three days later... Mano returned to the dojo as five Japanese male trainees were warming up in the ring without Tenjitsei. Mano approached the ring wearing the same attire, wiped his feet on the apron, and got in line to do warm-up drills. Tenjitsei approached the ring with Master Kakimoto. An angry Tenjitsei yelled at Mano, then climbed onto the apron and stepped through the middle rope. Tenjitsei yelled at Mano once more and grabbed his shirt. Mano gave Tenjitsei a forearm strike to the side of the head, staggering Tenjitsei. Two trainees went to check on Tenjitsei as the others attacked Mano. Master Kakimoto yelled as everyone stopped. Master Kakimoto climbed the ring steps. As he walked to the center of the ring apron, a trainee held the ropes open as he stepped through...

Master Kakimoto approached Mano and asked to see that strike again, demonstrating it on him. Mano hesitated as Master Kakimoto yelled for him to demonstrate it. Mano hit Master Kakimoto with a forearm strike to the side of the head, but Master Kakimoto asked him to repeat it again, and again and again. Finally, Master Kakimoto grabbed Mano and hit him with the same strike, knocking him to the ground.  A few moments later, an angry Mano rolled out of the ring, leaving the building, but Master Kakimoto stopped him, informing him that his training was not over.

APPW RECRUITMENT

New APPW promoter Waldo Wagner was scouting for talent when he watched HJWL's last event with ARPW before the buyout. He watched as a Filipino pro wrestler became the first foreigner to win the HJWL Survivor Cup, a 25-man battle royal match. The match lasted 1:55:09, with Mano eliminating his senpai, Tenjitsei, earning the respect of his dojo. Wagner contacted Kakimoto and offered his dojo a chance to wrestle in APPW. Master Kakimoto learned of Fisherman Fukajina's presence in Calico Aster, North Carolina, to assist the new APPW. Master Kakimoto wanted his dojo to have representation in the United States. As a favor, he asked Mano to go to Calico Aster and represent his dojo, and the favor was granted with Mano departing to APPW, where he was welcomed by Waldo Wagner.