I read the rules before I broke 'em I broke the chains before they choked me out (uh) Now I pay close attention (yeah) Really learn the code (ayy, yo, let's bounce) I learned to read the map before I hit the road Hey yo, I know you never heard this before But I'd rather lose a fight than miss the war And I ain't wishing competition or fishing for it I'm just living in the system, conditions are poor I've been lost in the rhythm and misinformed Too many late nights hitting the liquor store Too many bad decisions, half-assed attempts No sweat, no fear, no blood, no tears I go hard, and I ain't making up no excuse I'm overdue, I don't do what I'm supposed to do 'Cause you can think about it man, we're supposed to lose It ain't all picture perfect, ocean views No, I was a first class rookie Taking out bullies in my all black hoodie Man of mystery, you know the history Get it or forget it, 'cause poof, I'm outta here I read the rules before I broke 'em (uh, huh) (yeah) I broke the chains before they choked me out Now I pay close attention (c'mon) Really learn the code I learned to read the map before I hit the road (Who says?) Nobody's gonna see me coming Nobody's gonna hear a sound No matter how hard they trying No stopping me since I've found My inner ninja My inner ninja My inner ninja My inner ninja Hey yo, I've been high and I've been real low I've been beaten and broken, but I healed though So many ups and downs, roughed up and clowned We all got problems, but we deal though I'm trying to do better now, find my inner peace Learn my art form and find my inner Chi When my back's on the wall, I don't freeze up Nah, I find my inner strength and I re-up Here we go I know I've never been the smartest or wisest But I realize what it takes Never dwell in the dark 'cause the Sun always rises But gotta make it to the next day It's a feeling that you get in your lungs when you run Like you're running outta air and your breath won't come And you, uh, wheezing, gotta keep it moving Find that extra uh and push your way through it I've had bad habits, but I dropped 'em (d-d-d-rop 'em) I've had opponents, but I knocked them out I climbed the highest mountains I swum the coldest seas (woah) There ain't a thing I've faced that's been too much for me (Let me hear you say) Nobody's gonna see me coming Nobody's gonna hear a sound No matter how hard they trying Nobody's gonna bring me down (Say what?) Nobody's gonna see me coming Nobody's gonna hear a sound No matter how hard they trying No stoppin' me since I've found My inner ninja My inner ninja My inner ninja My inner ninja I've had bad habits, but I dropped 'em (I've dropped 'em) I've had opponents, but I knocked them out I climbed the highest mountains I swum the coldest seas There ain't a thing I've faced that's been too much for me My inner ninja