Shredding Bear' has been the only one who lasted more than 30 seconds against me and that was purely due to the fact that its user was one of those -what I'm hereby dubbing as'Huge-Humans' like Aphelandra of Amazon Lily or the three idiots who work for Franky.
My companion notices my sour mood and nudges his head against me shoulder. "Kee-Wee?'
I try to put on a smile and give him a light scratch. "Everything's fine buddy. I just...I think coming here may have been a waste of time. We may just end up flying back to Kivuruk tonight."
"Wee. Kee-Wee Kee?"
The small smile inverts into a tiny frown. "Well yeah I know we just got here but if there's nothing really to be gained…?"
"Wee. Wee. Kee-Wee Wee." My hand comes up to start raking through my hair. "I guess you're right." I concede. "We may stick around at least a couple of nights. If nothing else I'll at least get the [Quest] done."
Quest: Welcome to 'Karate Island'! Your one stop shop for any and every martial arts under the sun in South Blue. Explore the island, challenge some Masters, and find out if any of their unique styles strike your fancy. Just be wary of any schemes to buy real estate! Progress: (6/20)
Reward: 800 Exp and Lv.1 [Skill Disk].
That [Skill Disk] is basically the only reason I'm willing to continue putting up with this farce. I've still got another one sitting unused in the [Inventory] that I've been saving for the right moment but if I can get two of them then it's worlds better. [Bullet Time] reached Lv.4 back against Eustass, and though I lost it when time reset itself, the fact that it leveled up at all showed that it was close. In a perfect world I could just challenge someone to a spar indefinitely and level the [Skill] that way but unfortunately the [Game] clearly doesn't want to operate like that. As best I can tell it only builds experience when I'm either actually being 'pushed' in a fight or my opponents are coming at me with lethal intent.
I'm hoping there's at least one person on this rock who can actually help me push it back over that line to Lv. 4 so I can then use the [Skill Disk]'s to their maximum effect. 'But after the performance I just got from Mr. 'Flying Crane' I'm not exactly gonna hold my breath.'
Although there's a plethora of dojos and other small residences spotted across the island there's only one place that I would say qualifies for the term 'settlement'. Not quite big enough to be called a town, it mostly consists of a few pathways spreading out from the docks where people have set up all the usual businesses an island needs to function.
I make my way towards a small café to grab a spot of lunch and dismiss Kiwi so he can go out hunting and do the same. It's a simple enough joint where the only seating available is a few wooden tables outside. Internally I recognize that I should be trying to 'penny-pinch' since I'm not finished lifting Kivuruk up yet but I'm just not in the mood to cook my own food right now.
The waiter brings me a glass of water and -upon his recommendation- I order the takoyaki combo since apparently 'his wife makes it best' and she's the one who's running the kitchen. There's a decently sized trade ship in the harbor and a steady flow of sailors are wandering up and down the streets, enjoying the time on dry land allowed to them.
"Behold the legendary 'Sticky Chameleon' style of my dojo!" A high-pitched voice shrills. "The ultimate mixture of cunning and skill! Join as my student and you too can learn how to defeat your enemies through guile and ingenuity!"
Oh. And there's also that going on.
Four podiums. Four more so-called 'masters'. Apparently it's a tradition for each school to..proselytize.. their merits a few hours a week to any who will stop to listen. There was a different group taking their turn when I first arrived this morning but I didn't pay them much mind because...I mean would you?...I thought it was some silly street show. And to be fair I'm not exactly wrong..
"Nonsense! Ignore the ramblings of this charlatan!" The voice at the second podium asserts. "My 'Art Of The Roaring Lion' can rend a mans bones into dust! Come to my dojo and I will prove that a powerful enough offense will overtake any foe!" "Fools! All of you!" A third hisses angrily. "What does raw power matter if you're too paralyzed to use it? My schools 'Biting Snake Fist' can disable any opponent! Render them immobile! All with a single strike!"
"Impossible! Impossible! Impossible!" A fourth sounds off, this one much more gruff. "Do you hear me? I say impossible! Your puny arts will never surpass my schools 'Iron Body' technique! My family has been perfecting it for generations! Behold! Tekkai!"
Water jettisons from my mouth as I choke on my drink. My hand bangs on the table as I fall into a coughing fit from it going down the wrong pipe and many onlookers pause to look if I'm alright. A small gap forms in the crowd who was listening and I get the opportunity to read the titles of the four men who were preaching.
Yongliang the Crafty, Lv. 11 'Striking Serpent' Kazuo, Lv.14
Tenzin, Master of Iron, Lv. 50
Ibrahim the Lionhearted, Lv. 17
I've found it.
I've found him.
My Diamond in the Rough.
Tenzin stands across from me, a triumphant grin on his face and his arms proudly on his hips. "So you too see the value of my families 'Iron Body' technique! Excellent! Your training begins immediately! Behold student, and do as I do! Tekkai!"
"Um..what?"
"Hmm? Is something wrong student?" Tenzin booms. "Perhaps you missed it! Allow me to perform it slower! Tek-kai!"
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