บท 11: The lookout

The horizon was tinged with gold by the setting sun as two men prepared to receive an unexpected visitor.

One dark-skinned and the other green-skinned, both with an imposing presence, watched intently as the young man flew toward the Sacred Temple.

Their eyes, focused in the distance, followed the determined boy's journey.

When Kaelor finally landed on the temple's vast structure, the two men walked toward him with serene calm, ready to receive him.

The boy, still breathing heavily from the effort of his journey, bowed deeply in respect.

"Greetings, Kami-Sama... and Mr. Popo," he said, his voice laden with determination and a hint of anxiety.

The dark-skinned man, Mr. Popo, acknowledged the greeting with a tranquil look, his calmness seemingly natural and unshakable.

He assessed Kaelor with an almost enigmatic expression.

"You're a talented martial artist," he said softly, his voice full of mystery.

"I see no need to instruct you."

Kaelor blinked, surprised by the response. "What do you mean? You won't teach me any new skills? Or put me through rigorous training to improve my spirit and character?"

Mr. Popo shook his head slowly, accompanied by a faint smile. "I see no need," he repeated calmly.

"Your understanding of martial arts is excellent. What I could offer now would be some physical conditioning or a few pointers, but that's not essential. What you truly need lies beyond what I can directly teach."

Confused, Kaelor stepped forward, his expression of bewilderment now transforming into a growing yearning. "So... you can't help me become stronger?"

Mr. Popo's voice retained its almost impassive tranquility.

"We can, but what you lack is something only time can provide: experience. That is what you must focus on."

Kaelor's eyes lit up at the mention of experience.

"Combat experience? Perfect! Let's fight! Either with you or Kami-Sama!"

Kami-Sama, who had remained silent until then, raised a hand calmly, interrupting the young man's impulse. His deep voice resonated gently, filled with wisdom.

"No. You will not fight us."

Kaelor was perplexed. "But... who will I fight then?"

The Guardian of Earth looked at him intently with a serene yet penetrating gaze.

"You will fight warriors of the past. Those whose powers helped shape the world's destiny."

The young man was stunned, trying to process the words he had just heard.

"Warriors of the past? How is that possible...? Can you send me back in time?"

Kami-Sama stepped forward, his silhouette illuminated by the soft glow of the orange sky.

His voice grew even deeper, laden with mystery. "Do not dwell on that question. What matters is not the how, but the fact that you will face powerful beings from a forgotten era."

Kaelor smiled nervously, his deepest uncertainties now filled with the wonder of the unexpected. He had come seeking strength, but what he found was beyond his grandest expectations. "I'm ready... or at least, I hope I am."

Mr. Popo gave a subtle nod of his head, his eyes brimming with accumulated wisdom, while Kami-Sama added with tranquil intensity:

"Prepare yourself. What lies ahead is not mere training but an experience that will shape you in unforeseen ways."

Kaelor walked into the temple's interior, his footsteps echoing through the dark corridors brimming with pulsating, timeless energy.

With every step, he felt the very environment imbued with a greater power, a cosmic force that transcended his understanding.

He sensed that, as he ventured deeper into the heart of this sacred place, he was approaching not only his destiny but also a higher understanding of himself.

When he reached the Hall of Time, his eyes sparkled at the sight of the impressive oval chamber, its marble walls adorned with intricate symbols.

In every corner, Kaelor could hear the murmur of clocks whose hands spun incessantly, as if time itself was malleable here, shifting between the dimensions of space and time.

On the main wall, a clock glowed with an intense light.

As Mr. Popo approached, he touched the surface of the clock, causing the air around them to tremble slightly.

Kami-Sama, still unperturbed, spoke, his voice reverberating against the walls: "This room is where time ceases to be a continuous line. The barriers of time can be crossed here, but what you seek will not come without sacrifices. Are you ready, Kaelor?"

Kaelor felt a mixture of excitement and apprehension. He knew he needed this journey to grow stronger, but uncertainty gripped him. What if he couldn't return? What if something went wrong?

He took a deep breath, pushing the doubts aside with silent resolve. "I am ready," he said, his voice firm, an echo of courage in the room's emptiness.

Then, with a sharp sound, time seemed to twist.

The air around him warped as if pulling him to a place beyond the present.

His body was immersed in a dizzying whirlwind, the Room of Time transforming into a spiral of light.

When Kaelor opened his eyes again, the reality around him was entirely different.

A fresh breeze caressed his face, and in the distance, he saw a figure approaching—a presence filled with dignity and strength.

Kaelor knew, at that moment, that he was exactly where he needed to be: the past.

The world seemed strange yet familiar, and an odd sense of urgency filled his soul.

The old man fixed his gaze on Kaelor and, with a deep voice, asked, "Who are you, boy?"

Kaelor, still absorbing the intensity of the situation, regained his composure and decided to adopt a more provocative tone. "I am a being of infinite grace and virtue, here to prove myself on the path of martial arts..."

The old man interrupted him, his voice firm and impatient: "Enough nonsense, boy. State your intentions clearly."

Kaelor's arrogance vanished in an instant, and now more serious and sincere, he responded: "I've come to fight powerful people and grow stronger."

The man observed Kaelor closely, assessing his stance and deciding that the young man's words held sincerity. After a brief silence, he spoke calmly:

"Very well. I'll introduce myself first. I am known as Master Mutaito."

Kaelor, once again, gave a slight bow. "I am Kaelor. I am on a journey of martial refinement."

Mutaito looked at the young man with an expression that blended respect and concern.

"In the future, you will certainly become a brilliant figure. However, in these chaotic times, I hope you will return to your remote village and allow my disciples and me to defend the world from the cruel Piccolo Daimaoh."

Kaelor frowned, confused. "Piccolo Daimaoh? Wasn't he defeated a long time ago?"

The old master stared at him with a serious, almost stern expression.

"Are you insane, young man? Piccolo Daimaoh has not been defeated. He is alive and seeks to dominate and enslave the world. He is an evil being who embodies absolute malice."

Mutaito's words clarified the circumstances Kaelor found himself in, and the young man pondered how to act in this situation.

Suddenly, a green man with wings on his back appeared with terrifying ferocity, rushing toward Mutaito.

His appearance was monstrous, and with an expression full of cruelty, he tried to pierce the master's chest with his sharp claws.

Mutaito, however, sensed the opponent's Ki before the strike landed. With impressive agility, he dodged the attack and, without hesitation, countered relentlessly.

His palm struck through the green man's chest, and the monstrous being, so full of malice, watched as his expression slowly changed, silently losing his life.

The master turned, focusing his eyes on Kaelor, who observed the scene calmly.

"I hope that by eliminating this monster, you now understand the situation we are in. Leave the task of defending the world to us martial artists, child."

Kaelor respected elders and, in circumstances like these, would usually do as he was told. However, he was no child and had a clear purpose: he wanted to fight and evolve in the martial arts.

"Master Mutaito, please take my words seriously and not as mere arrogance," Kaelor said firmly.

Kaelor once again gave a slight bow. "I am Kaelor. I am on a journey of martial refinement."

Mutaito looked at the young man with an expression that blended respect and concern.

Kaelor respected elders and, in circumstances like these, would usually do as he was told. However, he was no child and had a clear purpose: he wanted to fight and grow in the martial arts.

"Master Mutaito, please take my words seriously, and not as mere arrogance," said Kaelor firmly.

He then raised his Ki, the energy radiating with such intensity that the ground beneath his feet trembled as if gravity had been temporarily altered.

Mutaito observed in silence, his eyes betraying a sense of respect and surprise as he realized the extent of Kaelor's mastery over his power.

Impressed but cautious, he finally spoke, "I understand... but, young man, I cannot protect you. Your defense is something you must pay attention to. If your desire to fight powerful opponents is genuine, then follow me."

Kaelor, without hesitation, accepted the challenge.

Mutaito was gathering his disciples and other martial artists to form a united front against Piccolo Daimaoh.

After a long walk through a dense forest, a clearing opened before them, revealing a group of martial artists. At the center of the area, two individuals stood out among the crowd.

One man wore sunglasses, a ridiculously large crane hat, and his hairstyle resembled wings.

Beside him was another man, wearing a turtle shell and also donning sunglasses. Kaelor quickly recognized these two—they were none other than Master Shen and Master Roshi, albeit in their younger forms.

Kaelor kept his thoughts to himself but knew it was the right time to activate his disguise.

He subtly adjusted his appearance, adding a few additional features to alter his look further. With confidence, he turned back to face the two masters and approached them.

"Are you disciples of Master Mutaito?" Kaelor asked.

Master Shen, with his usual air of arrogance, responded with a slight sneer. "Yes, child."

On the other hand, Master Roshi, maintaining his typical calm despite the chaotic situation, remarked, "So even children are being brought to fight? Master Ryuji truly knows no bounds."

Shen muttered something under his breath, making a comment about the situation.

Kaelor, overhearing the conversation, simply smiled and chose not to respond. He knew his participation was no mere game and had already prepared himself for what lay ahead.

Soon, Mutaito stepped forward from the crowd, his presence commanding attention. Using his Ki, he amplified his voice to ensure everyone could hear him clearly.

"I have gathered all of you here with a clear purpose. We must form a coalition to defeat Piccolo Daimaoh. The Eastern Capital has already fallen, and the time for inaction has passed. As martial artists, it is our duty to use our power and virtue to end the chaos and terror he has brought to the world."

Mutaito's words echoed through the clearing, with many present nodding in agreement.

However, an older man with a cruel appearance stepped forward from the crowd. His posture was rigid, and his expression challenging.

"Piccolo Daimaoh," he said in a deep voice, "has declared that all who wish to join him are welcome. Serving him is an option he offers to anyone who desires to align with his power."