Chapter 05

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I have been nonstop climbing the Tower for two days, and I'm telling you, it's really hard to climb Korin Tower, hats off to those who did it before me.

The ones who built this tower were really smart. Challengers may think that it isn't that hard to climb the tower, but the way this tower is designed can easily shatter that misconception. As you go higher, you face the real challenge of Korin tower.

People need some hardcore endurance and determination to continuously climb this tower because as the height increases, it becomes difficult to climb the tower.

Well in my case, endurance is the last thing that I need to worry about, and about my determination, well... I just don't want to end up as a punching bag, so yeah, I'm brimming with it.

Smart people present here should know that as the altitude increases, two things are directly affected by it, which are wind and air. As you go higher, the wind becomes faster and the air becomes thinner, which can cause a person to fall, either due to slipping or passing out. But the most difficult challenge starts from the middle section of the Tower, which is cold temperature.

Now back to myself, I'm currently about 100 feet away from the top of the tower.

'Such an amazing piece of structure,' I thought as I breathed out mist while looking at my destination, the spherical top of the tower.

During these two days of climbing, I found out another one of my abilities, I have temperature resistance. Maybe, It can be considered as an extension of my almost indestructible body, but yeah I have it, and it's quite helpful.

'Alright, just a little more,' I said and increased my pace.

I was still shocked at the fact that I was able to climb a Tower with a height of 25000 feet in mere two days. I mean, running 10 km in a day can't be compared to climbing a magical tower of approx 8 km.

I was now just a couple of feet away from the entrance to Korin's home. The entrance is... or more specifically, are four holes under the spherical structure around the pillar that it is connected to. I decided to enter the one straight above me. After reaching the last ledge of the pillar, I carefully reached out to grab the holding on the circular entrance, then started climbing up the entrance.

'Okay, let's get into character', I thought as I pulled myself out of the hole.

"Yes, I did it, Hurrah, I did it," I said while jumping around childishly.

"Be careful kid, or you'll fall, I don't want my new student to go through an accident on his first day", a voice said to me.

'That must be Korin', I thought and stopped jumping, then raised my head and started looking around.

"I'm down here Kid", Korin said with an annoyed tone.

"Huh, down," I repeated and turned my face toward the voice, "A cat,"

Staying in character, I made a surprised expression and then walked near Korin and started petting his head.

"Hey, little cat, do you know where the immortal Korin is? I have completed the challenge, he should be here to receive me," I said and then started scratching his chin.

"Ooh Yesss, a little to the rig..., Cough…, Ahem, kid, I'm Korin," Korin hopped backwards and said with an embarrassed tone.

"Huh, you can talk," I quickly retracted my hand and exclaimed in surprise.

"Of course I can talk, you're not dealing with any average cat, kid, I'm Immortal Korin," Korin said with a chuckle.

"But how can a cat be the Great Master, Immortal Korin," I asked with an uncertain tone.

"Appearances can be deceiving, kid, and they nearly always are, it is a harsh truth of this world," Korin replied then continued, "Never judge someone according to their appearance, even an injured tiger can kill you if given a chance".

I got serious and bowed, "I understand, Master,"

"Good, now come with me", Korin said and turned around.

Korin then started walking towards the open door at the end of the room. I walked behind him while looking around the room. The room had multiple pots, a bed, tub, three cabinets, and a wooden container with some shrubs growing in it.

As I followed Korin out of the room, I saw the stairs connected on the side of the spherical structure to go to the upper floor. Climbing the stairs we reached the top floor, at the centre of the floor there was one small cylindrical structure similar to a pillar I just climbed, and on top of the structure a blue bottle was placed.

After we walked a little within the top floor, Korin stopped and turned towards me, seeing him stop, I stopped too.

"Tell me, kid, why did you climb the Korin Tower," Korin asked with a serious tone.

"Because I want to learn Martial Arts from you, Master Korin", I replied politely.

"Hmm, and what is your purpose for learning Martial Arts," Korin asked again, narrowing his already closed eyes.

"I want to become the strongest, so no one can bully me again," I replied with determination.

"Pfft… hahaha", Korin dropped to the ground and started rolling around while laughing loudly.

After a good laugh, Korin stood up and cleaned the tear coming out of his eye.

"Kid, that was the best intention I have ever heard in my entire life," Korin said and looked at me.

When Korin saw me, he let out an awkward chuckle, as because of him laughing at me, I had started sulking and tears started forming in my eyes.

"Hey Kid, I was just joking, don't sulk, you wanted to learn from me right I'll teach you, just don't cry". Korin said while rubbing the back of his head.

'Hah, gotcha,' I laughed internally at the simplicity of such a powerful god.

"You will," I asked with my expressions getting brighter.

"Yes, I will," Korin said and chuckled, "Tell me, kid, did no one tell you about the sacred water,"

"Oh, yes, I know about the sacred water, the village chief told me about it," I replied, and then shook my head, "But I don't want to drink it now,"

"Hmm, why," Korin asked in amusement.

"Because, I know, if I first train under you, I'll become strong, and then if I drink sacred water after my training is finished I'll become even stronger," I explained my reasoning.

I knew that sacred water doesn't increase the drinker's power, the training Korin gives does. So instead of wasting my time on sacred water, I should just focus on getting his training.

"Okay, so let's do as you say," Korin said while nodding, "But let me tell you something, kid"

"I won't be training you in Martial Arts," Korin said

"What," I yelled out in shock, "But I came all the way here, climbed the Tower, just to learn Martial Arts from you"

"Calm down, kid," Korin tried to ease me, "I don't teach Martial Arts, I help my students get strong and improve their flaws,"

And before I could yell again Korin continued, "But, I will send you to someone who will teach you, Martial Arts,"

"But, Martial Arts training costs money and I don't have any," I replied with a sad tone, "That's why I came to you,"

"Ahh, don't worry kid, Roshi doesn't ask for money, he asks for something else," Korin said and almost murmured his last words, "But don't worry, with my recommendation he'll teach you for free,"

"Roshi, who is he? Is he stronger than you?" I asked with uncertainty.

"Kid, Roshi is my best student, and he's also the strongest mortal," Korin said with a chuckle, "He even won the 13th World Martial Arts Tournament,"

"Woah, he's so strong," I said with excitement, "Tell me, Master, when should I leave for Master Roshi's,"

"After your training here finishes, you can go train under Roshi," Korin replied.

"I see," I said with a nod, then asked, "Master, what is this World Tournament you just mentioned,"

"Oh, the World Martial Arts Tournament," he asked, and I nodded, "It's a Martial Arts competition that occurs every five years,"

"Martial Artists from all over Earth come to participate in it," Korin said and started scratching his head, trying to remember something, "The 19th Tournament happened three years ago,"

"There's another in two," Korin said while showing me 2 fingers, "I'm pretty sure with your strength you can easily win it,"

"You know how strong I'm? Master," I asked him, trying to get more out of him.

"Yes, kid, I can feel your Ki, which is quite higher than what an average earthling have," Korin replied.

"Master, what is Ki," I inquired, "Is it some kind of technique to measure power,"

"No, kid, Ki is something that flows inside every living being, but we Martial Artists know how to manipulate and control it, and with practice, you can too easily feel yours and others Ki," Korin explained, "The more Ki one has the stronger one is, so we Martial Artists practice to increase one's Ki and grow stronger,"

"I see, when do I get to learn that," I inquired.

"You can learn that from Roshi," Korin replied, "Okay, enough talking, now it's time we talk about your training,"

"Yes, Master, I'm ready," I replied

"Okay, first wear these," Korin said then waved his hands and a set of white clothes appeared magically, "You won't be able to train properly in those clothes,"

"Woah, Master, how did you do that," I asked with stars in my eyes.

Korin chuckled and said, "Magic"

"Kid, now just stop wasting time and wear them," Korin yelled.

I then hurriedly wore the clothes, and they were kinda like the Gi Goku wore in Super's beginning.

"Hey, kid, catch," Korin said and threw something towards me.

I caught the thing and then checked it, "A bean?"

I was super excited inside, as I was holding the most wanted item by any Dragon Ball fan, but staying in the character I suppressed my excitement.

"This is not a common bean, kid, it's a Senzu bean, it can heal any injury, recover energy and make you full for 10 days," Korin explained, "You must be hungry right, you haven't eaten anything for two days,"

"Master, I'm not hungry, I never felt hunger since I was little," I said and returned the bean to Korin, "Although, I do love eating delicious food,"

"So, you don't need food to survive," Korin inquired.

"Yes, in the orphanage, we often didn't have enough food, I always gave away my food to those who required it more than me," I replied with a smile.

"Sigh," Korin let out a heavy sigh.

"What is it, Master, is there some problem," I asked in worry that I made some mistake.

"No, kid, there's none," Korin said.

"Okay, kid, you might not be hungry, but I'm really in a mood to eat a delicious juicy fish," Korin said while licking his lips, "Why don't you go down the tower and catch some for me,"

"But master, don't you have those beans to eat? They can easily fill your stomach for 10 days," I replied nervously.

"Kid, I have been eating those beans for decades, now I finally got myself a student who can fetch fish for me, and you're denying your Master's yearning," Korin said with a sad tone, "To think, Kids, these days don't respect their elders,"

Korin then turned around with his back to me, and dropped his head low, "Now, I have to eat those tasteless beans again,"

"Okay, okay, don't sulk, Master, I'll go catch some fish for you," I said while shaking my head in defeat.

"Make sure to bring big and juicy fishes," Korin said in a happy tone.

"Big Juicy Fishes," I repeated, to which Korin nodded.

"Okay," I said and was just about to turn when I remembered something, "Master, these Senzu beans, can I have some of them,"

"You can have as many as you want," Korin said as he turned around.

I returned to the bottom floor with Korin. Korin then went and brought a cloth pouch out from one of the drawers, and then filled it with Senzu beans from one of the pot.

"Here," Korin handed me the pouch.

"Thanks, Master," I thanked him and then suggested, "Master, I think you should keep these beans in a safe place, what if one day we lose them in some accident, these magical beans are important,"

"Hmm, I'll think about it," Korin replied while rubbing his chin.

"Oh, and before you leave take this," Korin said and handed me a big rope, "You can use this rope to bring those fish up here,"

I nodded and began my descent down the Tower.

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{Current Power Level - 95}

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