Chapter 6: Master Roshi's training
Kaelor sat on the sand, exhausted after yet another day of seemingly trivial training. The tasks given by Master Roshi were baffling.
He had expected epic battles and techniques capable of destroying mountains, but instead, he had spent hours delivering milk, pulling weeds, and digging holes.
"Master," he finally broke the silence, "this isn't Kung Fu. This is manual labor!"
Master Roshi laughed, a calm chuckle that seemed to echo the sound of the waves in the background.
He turned to Kaelor, his gaze carrying a wisdom that seemed to transcend eras.
"Kung Fu isn't just about fighting, Kaelor. Kung Fu is about living."
Kaelor frowned. "Living? What does that mean?"
Master Roshi looked out at the horizon, where the sun was beginning to disappear into the sea.
"Everything can be Kung Fu if you do it with dedication."
"When you deliver milk while running, you're not just training your endurance. You're learning to serve, to understand the value of the little things. When you pull weeds, you're not just using your strength. You're clearing your mind, removing distractions. Even when you rest, if you do so with purpose, you're practicing Kung Fu."
Kaelor observed the horizon, absorbing the words. He wanted to argue, but something inside him recognized the truth.
It wasn't about the tasks. It was about how he faced them.
Master Roshi continued: "Kung Fu, in its purest sense, means hard and intentional effort. Cooking, writing, working, even resting—everything can be Kung Fu if you dedicate your body and soul to it. Kung Fu is about growing every day, surpassing yourself, no matter what you're doing."
Kaelor remained silent, contemplating. For the first time, he began to see the training in a new light.
The tasks stopped being annoying and became opportunities—each a small battlefield, not against enemies, but against his own limitations.
"So, what do I do now?" he finally asked.
Master Roshi smiled. "Now that you've begun to understand, do everything as if it matters. Because it does. Everything is Kung Fu."
Kaelor stood up, his muscles still sore from the rigorous training, but with a renewed spark in his eyes.
"He's mocking me," he thought, recalling Master Roshi's words.
"Even if he's right about my progress, I didn't come here to become a jack-of-all-trades. I want to learn real techniques, not become a farmer."
Determined to change his approach, Kaelor devised a new plan to get what he wanted.
Before dawn, he left for a nearby port town. After a brief search through the narrow, bustling streets, he found what he was looking for: a discreet shop with a worn-out sign.
Upon entering, he was greeted by shelves crammed with magazines that seemed to glow under the artificial light.
A mischievous smile appeared on his face as he carefully selected the "perfect gift."
"This should be enough," he thought to himself, satisfied. "He won't resist these 'souvenirs.'"
Back on the island, Kaelor discreetly set his trap, like a strategist in a battle of egos.
When everything was ready, he called for Master Roshi, finding him reclined on his old sofa, his sunglasses slipping down his nose.
"Master Roshi, one of your fans asked me to deliver a special gift to you."
The old master raised an eyebrow, visibly intrigued, and stood up slowly, as if each movement were part of a carefully choreographed ritual.
"A gift?" he asked, stepping outside, where Kaelor awaited him.
"I've got him," Kaelor thought, masking his satisfaction as he saw the master completely hooked.
"Yes, but there's a condition," Kaelor continued, feigning hesitation. "The man asked me to give it to you only if you agree to teach me your most powerful technique."
For a brief moment, Kaelor was sure he heard the sound of someone gulping.
The glint in Master Roshi's eyes was unmistakable. Without further ado, Kaelor revealed the magazines, displaying them like a trophy.
The reaction was immediate. Master Roshi's face turned red as a tomato, and before he could stop it, an unmistakable jet of blood burst from his nose, prompting Kaelor to hand him a pre-prepared handkerchief.
"Very well, Kaelor!" declared Master Roshi, wiping his face while holding the magazines as if they were sacred relics.
"I appreciate the generosity of the... uh... 'fan.' It's decided! I will teach you how to manipulate your Ki."
Kaelor grinned broadly. He had won this battle using a bit more brain and a bit less brawn.
The sky was tinged with golden hues at dawn as Master Roshi led Kaelor to a small clearing on the island.
The old master, usually laid-back in posture, now seemed more serious, almost reverent.
"Listen carefully, Kaelor. Before you learn any advanced techniques, you must understand what Ki is."
He placed his staff on the ground and crossed his arms. "Ki is the vital energy that flows through all living beings.
Learning to sense and control it is the first step for any respectable martial artist."
Kaelor nodded with determination, sitting on the grass as instructed.
"Close your eyes and take a deep breath," Master Roshi's voice was firm. "Empty your mind. Focus on your breathing and imagine your energy flowing like a calm river."
Kaelor followed the instructions, feeling the tension in his muscles dissipate. Slowly, a warm, pulsing sensation began to manifest at his core, spreading through his body like a wave of heat.
"I can feel it, Master!" Kaelor exclaimed, opening his eyes, surprised by how quickly he had grasped the concept.
Master Roshi raised an eyebrow, impressed, but masked it with a cough.
"Hmm. Don't get too excited, boy. Sensing Ki is only the beginning. Now, you must learn to control it."
The master stepped forward and extended a hand, concentrating. Within seconds, a glowing blue sphere of energy appeared, spinning gently.
"This is controlling Ki. Focus it into a single point, as if you were holding the essence of your own strength."
Kaelor mimicked the movement, extending his hands. Within seconds, a sphere similar to the master's appeared, radiating brightly.
"Already?" Master Roshi's eyes widened. "That's... unexpected."
Kaelor, smiling, extinguished the sphere and looked at the master expectantly.
"What's the next step?"
Master Roshi took a deep breath and adjusted his sunglasses.
"Very well. Now I'll show you a legendary technique of the Turtle School."
He stepped back a few paces, assuming a firm stance.
Kaelor watched closely as the master brought his hands together, channeling his energy.
"KAAAA… MEEE… HAAA… MEEE… HAAAA!"
With a shout, a powerful wave of blue energy shot forward, tearing through the air and striking a distant rock, reducing it to dust.
Kaelor was left speechless.
"That's incredible!"
Master Roshi turned with a proud smile but quickly adopted a serious expression.
"This is the technique called Kamehameha. To master it completely, you would need..." He paused dramatically.
"Fifty years of rigorous training!"
Kaelor didn't respond. He simply imitated the master's stance, gathering his energy.
"KAAAA… MEEE… HAAA… MEEE… HAAAA!"
In seconds, an identical wave of energy was unleashed, destroying another rock with even greater intensity.
Master Roshi stood frozen, mouth agape.
"What?! How did you...?"
Kaelor smiled, scratching his head.
"I guess I'm a natural talent."
Master Roshi sighed deeply, still astonished by Kaelor's performance.
However, a proud smile lit up his face as he crossed his arms.
"Congratulations, Kaelor. You successfully performed the secret technique of the Turtle School."
Kaelor beamed as the master paused dramatically before continuing:
"Therefore, I want to reward you."
Kaelor's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Could it be the iconic outfit of the Z Fighters?"
Master Roshi entered his house, and Kaelor waited eagerly. When the old man returned, he carried three curious items: an old map, a gleaming sphere, and a pair of sunglasses.
"Here you go." The master handed the items over, one by one. "First, these sunglasses. I noticed you like glasses, but the ones you wore were broken and only had one side. These will replace them nicely."
Kaelor held the sunglasses awkwardly. "It was a Scouter, not broken glasses..." he thought, but kept smiling as the master continued.
"Secondly, this sphere." The master raised the golden object with three bright red stars in its center. "It's a mystical sphere. If you gather a total of seven like this one, you can make any wish."
Kaelor's eyes lit up upon hearing this. He held the sphere carefully, admiring its beauty.
"Great, I already have one. Only six more to go," he murmured with satisfaction.
Master Roshi grabbed the last item, a map with markings spread across various points.
"And finally, this map. It contains locations I find interesting."
"You are now the strongest boy in the world, but there's always room for improvement. These places can help you evolve even more."
Kaelor studied the map for a moment, feeling his excitement grow.
"Thank you, Master. I promise I'll use this to become even stronger."
Master Roshi shook his head, a tired smile on his face.
"Now, goodbye, Kaelor. Leave my island."
Kaelor laughed, adjusting the sunglasses and carefully placing the sphere and map into his bag.
He turned, looking out at the horizon.
As Kaelor took off, using his newly mastered skills, a sense of satisfaction filled his heart.
His training with Master Roshi had only lasted four months, but it felt like he had spent an entire year on this island.
And now, with new knowledge, a Kamehameha in his arsenal, and a Dragon Ball in his possession, he was ready to face the challenges that awaited him.