The plaza outside the mall was alive with noise. A large crowd had formed, cheering, shouting gathering around the spectacle of a heavily built dark skinned man facing off against a pale-skinned elderly man with a crooked back.
"Is that Master Roshi!?"
"That's the founder of the Turtle School!"
"Who's the other guy?"
"I don't know but he looks strong!"
Although to be fair, some people knew who he was. A few parents pulled their kids closer, but the excitement in their faces was clear as they watched.
Launch stood off to the side, hands on her hips, smiling brightly. "Don't hold back too much, Kaza! Show him what you've got!"
Krillin stood near her, looking half impressed and half terrified. "I… I hope Master Roshi knows what he's doing. He doesn't usually pick fights so openly"
Master Roshi, on the other hand, was completely at ease. He removed his jacket and turtle shell, stretching dramatically. His movements were deliberate, almost playful, but I could see the precision hidden in each motion. He cracked his knuckles and grinned at me.
"You sure you're ready for this, kid?" he said, dropping into a low, balanced stance. His hands hovered just in front of him, loose but steady. "I've got a few tricks left."
I smiled back, rolling my shoulders. "Let's find out"
Roshi moved first. He surged forward with surprising speed, closing the distance between with a Ki powered leap, a white aura faintly radiating. His first strike was a sharp an open-palm thrust aimed at my chest. I leaned back just enough to let it pass, then sidestepped the low sweep that followed.
He didn't stop. As I dodged, he spun into a quick backhand strike, aiming for my ribs. I twisted my torso, letting his hand graze me, then stepped back to avoid his next move—a double-fist overhead smash aimed at my shoulders.
'He looks way weaker than he actually is'
The crowd gasped, they knew that he was a Martial Arts Master in theory but seeing him in practice was another thing entirely, his deep white beard making every motion unbelievable.
"Whoa!"
"He's so fast!"
Krillin's voice carried over the murmurs. "That's Master Roshi's signature style. He's unpredictable. That's what makes him so dangerous"
Roshi grinned, clearly enjoying himself. "You're good at dodging, kid. But how's your defense?"
He pivoted and launched a flying knee at my midsection. I caught his leg with one hand, stopping it mid-air, then gently pushed him back.
"Pretty good, I'd say," I replied humbly.
The crowd burst into cheers as Roshi landed gracefully, quickly adjusting his stance. His movements were light but deliberate, mixing strikes with feints to throw me off balance.
If it wasn't objectively faster than him, it might've been a problem.
He darted in with a quick series of palm strikes and spinning kicks, his feet barely touching the ground between attacks, ethereal white energy pouring off his body as he upped the tempo.
I kept up with him, dodging and parrying each strike patiently. My movements were small and efficient, following the principles of Ultra Instinct. I didn't need to do too much to get out of his way.
Roshi stepped back, breathing harder but smiling. "Not bad! Not bad at all! You're not wasting any energy. I like that," he discerned.
"Wooooo! Way to go Kaza!" Launch cheered energetically.
"His level of control is incredible! Even with Master Roshi's erratic style, he's still setting the pace!" Krillin observed, his eyes peeled as he followed the action.
"Who the hell is this guy!?"
"He's totally keeping up with Master Roshi!"
"Is he a student of the Turtle School? His defense is nuts!"
I smiled slightly as the crowd showered me with praise, Master Roshi huffing and puffing opposite me.
It was clear that he was running out of steam. His strikes were still precise, but his breathing was heavier now, and his speed had dropped a little. The crowd didn't seem to notice, still cheering him on, but I could see it.
I back-dashed, my right hand illuminating with dark red energy as I soaked it with Ki.
"Let me help you out a little"
Roshi frowned, confused. "What are you talking about?"
I speed-blitzed him, accelerating forward and slamming my palm into his chest. I angled my strike upward so that he flew back above the ground, my Ki shimmering as it passed through his body, sinking into his muscles, his bones, his very being.
"Oh! Oh MY!" Master Roshi bellowed out, his voice suddenly deepening.
The impact of my strike was immediate. Roshi's chest expanded, his shoulders broadening as his muscles swelled with power. His arms thickened, veins bulging as his biceps and triceps grew larger. His legs became solid pillars, rippling with strength. Even his neck and jawline seemed sharper, his skin tight over the sudden mass.
My Ki flow was very fast because I was circulating the Kaioken technique and as soon as my rapid energy entered his body, assimilating with his own Ki, a mighty storm burst forth out of him. His clear white aura had changed, hints of my Ki making it a clear white red.
Master Roshi smoothly landed on the ground, getting his breath back.
The crowd erupted into cheers, the sheer sight of the sequence enough to electrify them.
"Look at him!" someone shouted. "He's huge!"
Krillin's jaw dropped. "What did Kaza just do?! He usually can't sustain that state!"
"That's my hubby! He's so strong he even makes his opponents stronger! Woooooo!" Launch shouted.
Roshi looked down at his hands, clenching them experimentally. "What… what the heck?!" he muttered, his voice deeper now.
"Don't get distracted," I warned, accelerating again. This time Roshi weaved the overhand strike, his defensive senses tingled as he dodged a series of point-blank, heavy punches, the wind echoing with each strike.
I used both my left and my right, bombarding him with blows, forcing him to concentrate and get back into the groove of fighting.
"This is a completely different level! I can barely keep up!" Krillin exclaimed excitedly, only his eyes able to track all the afterimages.
Roshi didn't waste any time. He lunged forward, regaining the offensive. His newfound speed combined with his unpredictably nearly caught me off guard. His strikes came way faster now, sharper than ever, and each one carried more weight, equal to a heavy strike before.
His next move was a jumping roundhouse kick, aimed straight at my head. I ducked under it, trying to counter but he recovered with Ki, transitioning into a mid-air spinning axe kick, forcing me to step back to avoid the impact.
He landed smoothly and followed up with a series of rapid palm strikes, each glowing faintly with Ki. I parried the first few, but his speed made forced me to up the antsy, begging a higher level of power.
But I guess that was his plan.
BOOOOOOOOOM! A loud reverberation sounded out as he threw both fists into my chest, my feet dragging back against the ground.
"He hit him!" Krillin shouted. "He actually hit Kaza!"
Roshi grinned, clearly enjoying the momentum. He stepped in with a low leg sweep, then immediately followed with an upward elbow strike aimed at my jaw. I leaned back to avoid the elbow, but his movements flowed into a spinning back kick that clipped my side.
"Not bad," I admitted, stepping back.
He laughed. "Not bad? I haven't felt this good in ages! Kid, I'm just getting started!"
He planted his feet and charged a full fledged Kamehameha, taking me by surprise. The energy swirling brighter and faster than before. The crowd roared as he fired it toward me, the beam cutting through the air like a blade.
I raised my hand, summoning a portal in front of me. The beam disappeared into it, only to reappear behind Roshi.
"What in the world!" he shouted in confusion. He masterfully pivoted, shifting his arms and firing the Kamehameha directly at the beam that jumped out of the portal, neutralizing it completely.
"Woah! What kind of crazy technique is that!?" Krillin exclaimed, unable to believe his eyes.
"He opened up an actual portal!?"
"That's not even Martial Arts anymore! He's a straight up wizard!"
"That's my Kaza! He's just full surprises," Launch cheered.
Master Roshi exhaled sharply, quickly getting his breath back.
"Y-You! You're a real Martial Arts Master, aren't you?" he asked in an accusing tone.
"Something like that," I responded humbly.
Roshi puffed. "Well if we keep going this atmosphere will be completely destroyed, what d'you say we call it a draw?" he suggested, shrinking down to a muscular but more moderate form.
I blinked. "What about the 100,000 Zeni?"
Roshi didn't respond, clapping me on the back. "I hope you all enjoyed the show! This is just a free taster! Make sure to stay tuned for even more battles!" he announced, speaking to the crowd.
"That was awesome!"
"You guys are crazy strong!"
"That was amazing!"
The crowd erupted into cheers and laughter, praising the both of us and making plenty of noise. Launch burst into laughter, and Krillin buried his face in his hands, red with embarrassment.
I shrugged as Master Roshi left my side, continuing to promote future events in the crowd, even taking the contact information of some people.
"What a guy," I muttered quietly.
Krillin quickly approached. "Uh… about that donation you mentioned earlier…"
I smiled softly, pulling out my phone. "Sure, Let's keep it between us"
Launch grabbed my arm, staring straight into my eyes.
"You were incredible back there, I-"
Her sentence was cut short but a surprisingly loud stomach rumble.
"Sorry for making you wait so long, let's get you some ice cream," I said with a chuckle.