The Jabari arrived later than all the other tribes; they always did. "Jabari time" had become a common expression in the months following their reintroduction into Wakandan society.

A lot had changed since Prince T'challa had become King T'challa. The young king brought a new philosophy regarding Wakandan tradition. His first order of business was making peace with the young chieftain M'baku, of the Jabari tribe. T'challa saw no logic in holding M'baku and his people responsible for the sins of their ancestors. This had gone over better than some of his other new policies, but seeing as the Jabari had aided the young king in his battle against his cousin, King Njadaka (Killmonger), it was only the honorable thing to do.

"The child who is not embraced by the village, will burn it down to feel its warmth."

That was how the King had begun his speech when he announced the new repatriation policy. Our traditions had been clear for centuries; If you did not have Wakandan blood, and only Wakandan blood, coursing through your veins, you were not Wakandan. Our goddess Bast had given us Wakanda as a gift and only Wakandans could live in it.

This tradition had lead to many a Wakandan war dog hiding half blooded Wakandan children from their kingdom. These children would grow up in a world that was not truly their own, only hearing stories about a glorious kingdom they could never visit. However, to the ire of the elders, King T'challa had changed all of this. Half blooded Wakadans were now allowed to return home. However, like all Wakandans these half bloods would need to complete our initiations before they could truly be called men and women of Wakanda.

"Take your seats, we don't have all day," snapped a severe looking woman with a bald head, covered in red and black tattoos.

The Jabari children took their seats behind all the others, sitting cross legged with their knobkerries across their laps.

"My name is mistress Zola of the Dora Milaje and I will be conducting this year's initiation," continued the stern woman. "I see a lot of new faces I've never seen before. I see the Jabari have come down from those frozen rocks they call home. Furthermore I see some that could hardly be called Wakandan at all," said Zola as she snapped her eyes towards a fare skinned child sitting in the front row.

Murmurs and snickers rippled through the crowd. Zola tapped her spear against the ground, sending a sharp metallic ring into the air which silenced all the commotion.

"Now I'm not here to be your friend or your mommy. I am an elite guard for the Black Panther himself and I am here to report back to him everything I see. I will not help you if you get injured or start crying. I will not save you if you are seconds away from death. That is not my job here. My job is to instruct you, nothing more, nothing less."

"Then get on with the instruction," said a thin ebony skinned boy sitting in the second row.

The entire crowd blinked their eyes from the young boy to Zola and back again.

"Well well well, it seems like I have a volunteer who wants to go first," said Zola as she sauntered over to the boy. She noticed the blue river stones around the boy's neck and immediately knew he must be the son of some minor chieftain. "What's your name child?"

"Duzi, river tribe" said the boy; his eyes hidden behind a strong brow line.

"Ah yes, Msunduzi. Last time I saw you, you had your mother's nipple in your mouth."

Another wave of laughter rippled through the group.

"I guess times change," continued Zola. "Your sister Nakia... is she still a war dog?"

Duzi nodded in response.

"Good. When she failed her Dora Milaje training I worried she would be aimless, but I'm glad she finally landed on her feet. Now lets see if the only thing you share with her is your inability to hold your tongue, or if failure runs in the family too."

With that, the entire crowd of children fell silent. From over the rolling hills they could see a hovercraft approaching. Flanked on both sides by Dora riding hover bikes. As they came to a stop directly behind Zola, the left side of the hover craft peeled open. What lay inside was an extensive cache of Wakandan weapons, gadgets and equipment. Some of it looked ancient, while others were state of the art.

"You will be divided into teams of four. The Mute Forrest has been cleared and will serve as your arena. Each team can select four pieces of equipment from the cache behind me. No outside weapons or technology can be used in the initiation, and that includes your sacred Jabari wood."

"But what's the test?" asked Duzi as the Jabari laid their knobkerries on the grass beside them.

"You all came here from your respective tribes for one reason; you are children. Boys, girls and everything in between. But if you wish to leave here men and women of Wakanda, you will need to hunt!"