Bab 9: The Crane School
The Crane School stood majestically atop an isolated mountain, surrounded by steep cliffs and enveloped in a light mist that seemed to shield it from the rest of the world.
Dense forests of pines and oaks dominated the landscape below, reinforcing the disciplined and introspective atmosphere of the place.
The path winding up to the summit was narrow, uneven, and challenging, a true test of determination.
Kaelor gazed at the trail with an expression of evident boredom and irritation.
"Why is it always on top of a mountain? Has no one ever heard of flat terrain?"
He sighed, rising lightly onto the tips of his toes as a white aura surrounded him, channeling his ki.
"I'm not wasting my time climbing this."
With a firm push, he lifted off the ground, ascending swiftly through the air. As he neared the summit, his attention was drawn to the imposing carved wooden gate that guarded the entrance.
He landed softly on the stone ground, eyeing the area with a mix of curiosity and disdain.
"Do all temples have to look the same? Always this retro vibe? Is it too much to ask for a touch of innovation?"
Grabbing the crane-shaped knocker, Kaelor knocked three times, the sound reverberating through the mountain.
On the third knock, the door creaked open, revealing a bald man who tilted his head to analyze him. The man wore a robe of yellow and green hues, contrasting with the misty background.
"What do you want, traveler?" said the man, his voice rigid and suspicious.
Kaelor straightened his posture, maintaining his composure.
"I'm here to seek guidance from Master Shen."
The man looked him up and down, his eyes narrowing in disdain before replying curtly:
"Come back in five years. Perhaps then you'll be worthy."
The man began to shut the door without ceremony, but Kaelor planted his hand firmly against the wood, halting the motion effortlessly. His icy gaze pierced the guardian's as he murmured with sarcasm:
"Why is it always like this? You disciples of masters act as if you own the world." He pushed the door back with ease and stepped forward.
"I'm seeing Master Shen. Either you escort me, or I invite myself in."
The man let out a disdainful chuckle and adjusted his stance, assuming a kicking pose. Without warning, he unleashed a ferocious strike, aiming to send Kaelor tumbling back down the mountain.
With almost lazy precision, Kaelor simply leaped, twisting in the air, and stepped down onto the man's leg. The impact forced the knee downward, bending it at a grotesque angle.
"ARRRGHHH! YOU BASTARD!" the man screamed, stumbling backward on one leg.
Unfazed, Kaelor kept his indifferent expression. He stepped forward and released a small but terrifying burst of ki.
The suffocating pressure filled the air, freezing the disciple in place. The man's eyes widened in horror, sweat pouring down his face as a pungent odor confirmed he had wet himself.
He scrambled away, nearly crawling, before disappearing into the temple.
Before Kaelor could take another step, he sensed a commanding presence emerging from the gate.
A calm yet razor-sharp energy filled the area.
"Finally," Kaelor muttered, turning to face the figure appearing before him.
The individual walked slowly, emanating an aura of natural authority. He wore a robe in shades of green and yellow, adorned with a large ideogram on the chest, while his feet glided gracefully over the stone ground.
Atop his head, a crane-shaped hat rested on an absurdly elaborate hairstyle, its sides flaring out like extended wings. His small yet piercing eyes locked onto Kaelor, and a cold smile curled across his lips.
"You dare invade my school with threats and violence? Very well…" He adjusted his sleeves with deliberate ease. "Allow me to teach you a few lessons, young one."
Kaelor smirked, crossing his arms.
"But, if you're as bad as your doorman, I might lose my desire to learn anything."
The atmosphere shifted instantly, the stones beneath their feet trembling with the exchange of energies.
Master Shen took his first step, and the battle was about to begin.
Both assumed their fighting stances, the tension in the air almost tangible as they prepared to clash.
Master Shen, with a cold and calculating gaze, remained motionless, assessing Kaelor. The young warrior, on the other hand, realized it would fall to him to make the first move.
Kaelor stepped back, firmly planting his feet shoulder-width apart. His posture was careful, balanced, with his knees slightly bent for stability. His body turned slightly sideways, one shoulder facing his opponent.
Cupping his hands together as though holding an invisible sphere, Kaelor brought them close to his waist, just below his chest, while tilting his torso slightly forward.
His concentration was evident, and the environment around him seemed to respond to the growing flow of energy.
Kaelor's ki began to converge, flowing from every part of his body toward the focal point between his hands. A vibrant aura started to envelop him, growing stronger as the young fighter gathered power.
"Ka..." The first syllable came out firm, laden with intent. A pulsating, bluish sphere appeared between his palms, gaining intensity as he gritted his teeth and continued: "Mee..."
When the energy reached a critical, almost explosive level, Kaelor shouted with all his might: "HAAAA!"
A dazzling wave of energy was unleashed, slicing through the air with ferocity. Master Shen, upon seeing the technique, narrowed his eyes behind his glasses, recognizing it immediately.
"So you're a disciple of the old Kame..." he murmured, his cold voice dripping with disdain.
Without hesitation, Shen raised his index finger to the height of his head, energy condensing at its tip. In a swift motion, he unleashed his own technique.
"Dodon..." His voice echoed as a golden beam of energy shot forward. "RAY!"
The two forces met in the center of the battlefield, colliding with a deafening explosion that illuminated the sky.
The ground trembled under the pressure, and the gates of the Crane School groaned against the devastation.
Shen appeared confident, his Dodon Ray was gaining ground, pushing back Kaelor's Kamehameha. But the young warrior, his expression resolute, resisted, holding the clash with all his might.
The energy struggle seemed endless, but Kaelor, realizing the balance was tipping against him, made a daring decision.
With a quick and controlled maneuver, he angled his Kamehameha to the side. Shen's beam lost its target, crashing into the temple gates and detonating in a thunderous explosion, leaving a large, smoking hole.
"You're impressive, boy." Shen adjusted his glasses, looking at Kaelor with renewed interest. "Kame was very lucky to find you and make you his disciple."
Kaelor stepped forward, still enveloped in the aura of energy that was beginning to dissipate.
"You are a master of deadly techniques, Master Shen. I wish to learn under your guidance." His voice carried respect but also a hint of challenge.
Shen raised an eyebrow, a slight sneer forming on his lips.
"I can teach you, boy. But I don't do charity. I want... compensation."
Confused, Kaelor tilted his head. "Compensation?" he thought. "Does he expect money? A martial artist as powerful as him could easily acquire fortune."
Reading Kaelor's thoughts with uncanny precision, Shen let out a devilish grin before clarifying:
"No, I don't want money. What I want is much more valuable... I want you to betray Kame and become just my disciple!"
His eyes gleamed with malice, the thought of dealing such a blow to his old rival filling his voice with satisfaction.
Kaelor narrowed his eyes, silently studying Shen for a moment as the master's words echoed in his mind.
As if unaffected by the circumstances, Kaelor firmly agreed, though deep in his heart, he hadn't truly consented.
"Very well. I now sever my ties with Kame. I am no longer his disciple. Please, become my master."
Shen was startled, somewhat puzzled.
"Wasn't he supposed to hesitate while I manipulated him? Well... Never mind... I got what I wanted."
In the months that followed, Shen devoted himself to training Kaelor, shaping him into a ruthless assassin.
He attended not only to the physical aspect but delved deeply into the young man's psyche, teaching him how to conduct himself and the principles that guide a professional killer.
"Your intent must be like void. Do not let your killing intent show. Always be empty, imperceptible."
One day, amidst their training, Kaelor shouted:
"Dodon Ray!"
Kaelor fired at a massive boulder, pulverizing it into countless fragments.
"Very good," Shen commented with a touch of satisfaction. "Your ki has increased exponentially, and you've mastered my techniques. Congratulations.
Now there's only one final step to complete your transformation into an assassin: putting your skills into practice."
With a sinister smile, Shen added:
"If there's someone you wish to kill, tell me. Otherwise, I have two options for you: either take on an assassination contract or sever your ties with your former master, Kame, once and for all."
Before Shen could continue, Kaelor interrupted with a determined tone:
"I already have a target. He's a man who has caused me great suffering. I won't go into details, but I know I currently stand no chance of defeating him. He is thousands of times stronger than I am."
Shen's eyes widened, incredulous at Kaelor's words. It was as if he had heard something from another world.
"Stronger than you? Someone thousands of times stronger? Don't make me laugh! No one in this world is that superior—not even the most powerful men on Earth!"
Without further explanation, Kaelor focused his ki and took off into the sky, setting out on his next journey.
Now, as one of the strongest men in the world, Kaelor had mastered the techniques of the Crane School and honed his combat abilities.
Following a map, he still had locations to investigate—clues that might lead him to further improvement.
His goal extended beyond Earth's boundaries. He yearned to explore space.
He wanted vengeance against Vegeta and to crush Frieza, enemies whose actions haunted him deeply.
For that, he would need to train relentlessly with ferocity and determination.
He looked at the map and smiled at his destiny.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone