There were only three weeks left until the summer break ended. That's only 21 days until the family, including Melissa, leaves for her schooling in L.A., not that I was counting or anything.
Anyway, for the past week, I had been receiving instructions from both Master Kaku and Master Shikai Bun in tandem, each one not caring about how beat up I was from the other's training. For the past week, I had spent my time learning all I could before I left for Japan in the coming month.
I had given myself a strict deadline of a month to finish my training in China before continuing it in Japan, as I couldn't wait any longer to learn from the plethora of experience from the masters there. 'God, I have so much to do when I get to Japan.'
I was currently walking down the stairs of the Temple to receive my training from Master Shikai Bun for the day when I was stopped by my Aunt and Uncle, who were on their way to a local beach in the city. At least I hoped so, judging by their swimsuits, especially the bikini that my Aunt was so spectacularly rocking.
'Thank God I chose to give them a guest room farther away from the Temple, otherwise I don't know how many monks would be led astray by my Aunt's image right now.' I thought hopelessly, praying that I wouldn't get kicked out of the Temple because of my Aunt's behavior.
"Oh, Kuzi! I didn't expect to see you there," my Aunt spoke, not even attempting to hide her sarcasm and annoyance, "not like you would expect to see your dear Aunt on a family vacation, would you?"
I could understand where she was coming from. After all, I had barely hung out with them since coming to the Temple. I was simply so busy with my training that I totally forgot why we were here in the first place.
Of course, my Aunt had long realized my true intentions behind the trip, but it's not like she was mad or was going to stop me from pursuing martial arts. From her point of view, I was just learning some self-defense techniques from the monks due to my newfound passion, similar to how Melissa was currently learning some 'ninja techniques' from Xiao Li and her grandfather for fun.
The reason for her annoyance was due to my disappearance during basically the entire vacation. I had not even spent a single day touring the city or going on a hike with them since coming here, and I wasn't planning to start now.
"Come on, Aunt Elizabeth, you know how I get when I find something fun. Can you blame me?" I asked my Aunt, while showing her my big beautiful puppy-dog eyes, a skill that I had picked up from Melissa.
"Fine, bean cake," replied my Aunt, forgiving me with her vocabulary that has obviously expanded since coming to China, "but you have to go out with us at least once before the trip ends. Melissa might have gotten distracted due to her new friend, but who am I supposed to hang out with during the trip?"
"Hey, cherry blossom, I'm here with you," interjected my Uncle, taking the opportunity to wrap his arms around my Aunt's waist. "Don't worry, I'll make sure you forget all about Kuzan ditching us for the vacation."
"Thanks, love bunny," replied my Aunt to my Uncle's flirting, leaning in for a kiss while I began getting ready to run off to Master Shikai Bun's dungeon in an attempt to avoid this emotionally torturous scene in front of me.
I was stopped, however, by my Aunt's words, "By the way Kuzan, I was thinking of hiring some new bodyguards for the house. Would you happen to know anyone of the masters who would be willing to do it?"
"Why now, is something the matter Aunt Elizabeth?" I asked, concerned by her out-of-the-blue question.
"Stop worrying Kuzi, and take that serious look off your face, it's nothing like that. It's just that with the recent influx of money we are earning from your business deals, I wanted to make sure the family is safe from any 'attention' we might face from those jealous of our success. You know what they say about prying eyes and all that," explained my Aunt.
I thought of everyone I had met till now since coming to the Temple, but no name came to mind when thinking of people who would be willing to do that kind of work.
"Sorry Aunt Elizabeth," I spoke to her while shaking my head, "I've got nothing, but I can help you look?"
"Oh, don't worry about it rice ball, I'll be able to find someone using my contacts. Really, don't worry, now go off, shoo, continue your training," my Aunt, not so politely, gestured for me to go away so that she could begin her alone time with her husband.
She didn't need to tell me twice, because before they could kiss for a second time, I was already long gone.
I entered the training room, awaiting Master Shikai Bun's instructions. Soon, he appeared, carrying the black ski mask that I asked him to procure for me.
"Is it time?" I asked the man with great excitement, my heart burning at the prospect.
"Yes, get changed and follow mye," replied the man, throwing the mask and some Chinese clothing at my face.
I did as I was told and followed him through a series of tunnels I had previously never explored. Eventually, I could see some natural light opening up at the end of the path, shining on my face.
I was pushed from the back by my master to enter and I walked into the light, finally being able to make out a fighting ring surrounded by cheering spectators. It was very similarly shaped to the one used in the Raitai tournament.
"In the left corner, we have the newest disciple of the legendary master of Iai Kenpo, Master Shikai Bun. As you know folks, Master Shikai Bun has also taught the current undefeated champion of the ring, also known as 'Shobun the Badman', Master Shobun Ron!"
The crowd went crazy from the introduction of the announcer, thoroughly impressed at least by the identities of my master and fellow disciple. However, his next statements even shocked me...
"Today, Master Shikai Bun has again challenged the entirety of the underworld by declaring the victory of his disciple, 'The Thieving Dragon' Master Hiden Bun!!!" the announcer screamed out my introduction, with the crowd cheering my supposed nickname.
I turned my head and narrowed my eyes to look at my Master's smiling face in the spectator's lounge. He was obviously very happy with the trick he played on his own dear disciple.
I couldn't even blame him, with my getup that consisted of a traditional red changshan while wearing a black ski mask, I certainly fit the part of a 'The Thieving Dragon'.
Regardless, a little teasing wasn't going to shake me, after all, I had lived with someone like Melissa for the past year for God's sake. Master Shikai Bun was a hundred years too short to reach her level of skill.
"And in the right corner, we have the renowned, the strong, the mighty, 'The Raging Bull' Master Sholin Buu!!!" the announcer gave a comparatively short introduction to my competitor, however, receiving much more engagement and louder screams from the crowd.
My opponent was a tall and buff Chinese man. Judging by the way he carried himself, I was unable to determine his fighting style by his mannerism alone.
'Kung-Fu? No, Karate? No, it's something else, but what?'
I continued thinking to myself while walking to the center of the ring and getting into my fighting stance. I was currently most comfortable with Chinese Kenpo, so it looked oddly similar to Kaiou Retsu's fighting style.
I got ready, preparing myself, pushing my body to its limit for its first real battle. I fully let out my killing intent, utilizing [Warrior's Dominion] to the fullest, my senses becoming sharper by the second, ready to pick up any attacks.
"Start!"
I chose to be cautious, letting my opponent make the first move, ready to counter any attack.
I was confused, however, at my opponent's speed.
'Slow'
I couldn't even begin to fathom how slow he was moving while getting ready to launch a punch.
'Is it some kind of technique or martial art?' I asked myself, choosing to receive the blow to experience it for myself.
Nothing.
It felt like nothing. It was as if Melissa was playfully punching my chest when annoyed with me.
I couldn't believe it, the lack of strength of my opponent. The power behind his punch didn't even match up to 1/1000th of Master Ryuu's.
'No, please no.' I cried out in my head. My eyes started to tear up, like a child whose candy had been stolen by my sister.
A few tears began to flow underneath my mask, something that my opponent noticed it seemed.
"What's wrong kid, crying from my punch? Did I hurt you too much? HAHAHA!" laughed my opponent while continuing to dish out blows to my body.
I didn't even register them, neither his provocation nor his punches. Instead, I quickly cycled through the five stages of grief in my head.
Stage One: Denial
'Maybe I'm hypnotized right now, this isn't real? I'll use Master Ryuu's techniques to break out of it, I'm sure of it.'
Stage Two: Anger
'No, I'm not hypnotized right now, is this a joke? Is this man, using no technique while punching me, really supposed to be my opponent?!' my rage and aura both elevating to a new degree.
Stage Three: Bargaining
'Maybe if I just use Karate techniques I can have some fun in this battle?' I tried to question myself while dodging the man's attack, not like it would have mattered if they would have hit.
Stage Four: Depression
I put my head down and stopped moving, too depressed to even pretend like I was having fun while fighting him anymore.
Stage Five: Acceptance
I delivered a light blow to the man's abdomen, causing him to fly to the other side of the arena before getting impaled into the wall, followed by headplanting into the ground, not moving any longer.
"WE HAVE A WINNER" The announcer screamed at the victory of my supposed 'match'. He came up to me to raise my arm to declare my victory. Instead of enabling the crowd any longer, my patience finally reached its limit and I grabbed the microphone from the announcer's hands.
"SHUT UP ALL OF YOU!" I screamed at the cheering spectators.
"You call that a match?! You call that a fight?! Is the underground arena a joke?!" my heart screamed out its sentiments.
"If my next opponent is as strong as this guy, I'll kill both him and the spectators." I growled out my threat to the now silent and unmoving crowd.
I left the arena the same way I came in, with pin-drop silence in my wake, as I walked back home to nurse my aching heart.