Krillin vs. Piccolo

Krillin had walked across freezing mountain ridges, crossed the Death Desert, and dived into a thousand-meter-deep sea to battle colossal beasts of the deep.

Krillin was currently walking through a valley that wound like a snake. It was likely formed when a river changed course and carved into the land ten thousand years ago. From time to time, thunder rumbled through the valley.

Wiping away his sweat, Krillin said, "An ordinary person would probably be scared out of their wits by now. This thunder is really just a physical phenomenon, but I only know a little about physics, so I have no idea what causes it."

Watching the system deduct 1,000 Energy at once, Krillin felt like crying without tears. Good steel had been used on the blade's edge.

"Can the system go back on its word? Why does activating Light Speed Training only increase my Battle Power by 50 a day? Didn't we agree on 100?"

"Your aptitude is poor. Who can you blame? Go back on my word? Not in this lifetime."

He had merely wanted to satisfy his curiosity and experience what Light Speed Training felt like. Who would have thought the Battle Power increase would be cut in half?

"Light Speed Training does not merely improve your Training Speed. More importantly, it deepens your understanding of the Martial Way. Though cultivation is directly tied to effort, the most important thing comes down to one word: comprehension."

Krillin nodded in agreement.

Sometimes, a month's worth of confusion could be understood in a single instant. Other times, one might spend an entire lifetime without understanding it. That was where the benefits of light speed lay. One day of enlightenment at light speed might be equivalent to thirty years of ordinary enlightenment.

The more Krillin considered it, the more powerful he found the system to be.

Potential: 860

Energy: 78

Training Speed: Light Speed

Usable Energy: 9778

He could not waste any time. Krillin found a secluded cave, sat down, and began to meditate.

Krillin recalled his cultivation experiences since childhood, examining the shortcomings at every stage of his training, every movement in each battle, where his enemies' weaknesses lay, and how he could improve enough to defeat them... Time trickled by, and earth-shaking changes were taking place within Krillin.

If Master Mutian had been here, he would surely have been astonished. Krillin's Martial Way had already taken tangible form, like a thin garment lightly draped over his body.

A day passed, yet Krillin showed no signs of waking. Another day passed, and still nothing. On the third day, Krillin slowly opened his eyes. His gaze was unlike before—deep and weathered, as though a single glance could see all the flaws in an opponent.

Letting out a long breath, Krillin laughed. "What a harvest. Absolutely overflowing." He checked his attributes through the system.

Ding. The results were as follows.

Time: Era 756

Name: Krillin

Age: 20

Race: Earthling

Battle Power: 700

"So I've quietly become the strongest person on Earth already. Hahaha," Krillin said with a smug grin.

Though he was only temporarily the strongest on Earth, the feeling of accomplishment was still overwhelming.

He had stayed in this valley for about a week, nearly driving the giant carnivores here to extinction. Krillin stood up and brushed the dust from his body. It was time to leave for his next destination.

"The Energy I have left is enough for me to reach my limit, so there's no need to rush for now. I'll take things as they come. I just don't know where Piccolo is. Otherwise, giving him a beating would be rather fun."

Wait, it seemed that after Piccolo was defeated by Goku, he returned to Cloud Sea Highland. That was right, that was the place. Krillin grew excited. Fine, Cloud Sea Highland would be his next stop.

Cloud Sea Highland was at the edge of the world, though, and Krillin could not help but feel a headache coming on. He would have to fly at full speed.

Krillin headed toward Cloud Sea Highland. Along the way, he passed great rivers, mountains, and basins, while the scenery before him gradually became more desolate.

After flying for five days, the terrain before Krillin looked remarkably like the Yardang Landform from his previous life. The Wind Erosion had carved all kinds of bizarre shapes into the rocks. Desolation and bleakness filled his vision. No birds flew overhead, and there was no trace of animal life.

"To be able to keep training in such an environment, Piccolo's perseverance is truly admirable," Krillin could not help praising.

"Cloud Sea Highland is so vast. Where am I supposed to find Piccolo? I never went to the Sacred Temple to receive Korin's systematic training in Ki. Right now, I can only use it crudely. After challenging Piccolo, I definitely need to go to the Sacred Temple and properly learn how to use Ki." Krillin spoke with some regret.

Krillin flew aimlessly over Cloud Sea Highland as fierce winds carried sand against his face like slicing blades. Even an expert like Krillin found the prolonged drain difficult to bear. There was no helping it. If he could not find Piccolo, he would have to return another time. There was no food here to replenish himself, and Krillin's supplies were nearly exhausted. He had no choice but to leave Cloud Sea Highland.

As Krillin passed a tall stone pillar, joy appeared on his face. He saw a familiar yet unfamiliar figure. In this godforsaken place, anyone he found had to be Piccolo. Krillin burst into laughter.

Krillin flew over, suppressing his Ki as he slowly approached the stone pillar. Only when he got close did he clearly see Piccolo's figure, and he began examining him.

"Piccolo was sitting cross-legged in midair with his eyes shut tight. He had green skin and wore a dark light-blue martial arts uniform marked with the character 'Demon,' tied with a bright purplish-blue sash. He also wore a white cape, while the antennae on his head were hidden beneath his hood."

Krillin flew above Piccolo, then slowly descended. With a thud, Krillin landed in front of him.

"Are you here to die?" Piccolo said blandly without opening his eyes.

In truth, Piccolo had noticed Krillin the moment Krillin spotted him. After all, Piccolo and Kami had once been one, and Piccolo was highly proficient in Ki training. But upon discovering that it was merely Krillin, that little runt, he paid him no mind.

"Whether I'm here to die or not, you'll find out soon enough!" Krillin chuckled. He had already checked Piccolo's attributes as soon as he arrived.

Time: Era 756

Name: Piccolo

Age: 6 (newborn Piccolo age calculation)

Race: Namekian

Battle Power: 260

"Little runt? Heh, I'll show you who the little runt is." An Energy Blast immediately shot forth, reducing the stone pillar where Piccolo had been to level ground.

Piccolo sensed the terror of that Ki Blast and had to use all his strength just to barely dodge it. The contempt was gone from his face. Sweat dripped from his forehead as he muttered, "Damn it!"

Krillin flashed behind Piccolo, the corners of his mouth curling up. "Heh, you fell for it." He sent a flying kick into Piccolo's waist.

Piccolo had not even noticed him. Hearing the voice behind him, he tried to turn around, but his body was already sent flying, smashing through several mountains.

Krillin flashed again and chased after him. Teleporting beneath Piccolo, he kicked upward with both feet together, launching Piccolo into the sky. Krillin immediately followed, flew above Piccolo's head, clenched both hands together, and smashed down fiercely.

Like a meteor, Piccolo hurtled toward the ground at high speed. With a thunderous boom, dust flew everywhere, lingering in the area for a long time. Krillin slowly descended.

Piccolo had smashed out a five-meter-deep crater. He lay motionless at the bottom, as if he had lost all signs of life.

"Get up, stop pretending, Piccolo. Goku has already used this trick. Attacks at my level haven't caused you any real damage."

Piccolo slowly flew out. His clothes were damaged, and green fluid was leaking from somewhere on his body. He had clearly suffered a minor injury.

"Damn it! Why has your strength improved so much?" Piccolo snarled.

"There's plenty you don't know. Piccolo, take off your Weighted Clothing and use all your strength. Otherwise, you might actually die." Of course, Krillin was only trying to scare Piccolo.

Piccolo was somewhat surprised that Krillin knew, but he did not think too much about it and immediately removed his weighted clothes. Piccolo appeared relaxed as he said, "Runt, receive the wrath of King Piccolo!"

Krillin smiled faintly. "Looks like it's time to let you know what a beating from the real world feels like."

The two sides immediately clashed again.

"Why are your punches so soft and powerless?" Krillin mocked.

"Yah, yah, yah, yah!" Piccolo was enraged, and his attacks became even fiercer. Countless fists rained down on Krillin, followed by a Makensho that sent Krillin flying. He crashed through countless rocks, and the entire impact site was engulfed in dust.

Panting heavily, Piccolo waited for a while. When Krillin did not emerge, he broke into a smile and jumped up in joy. "The world will ultimately belong to me, King Piccolo!"

"You're celebrating too soon," a calm voice drifted over.

Piccolo's smile froze. He stared at Krillin in shock. "You... you..." He could not speak.

"The warm-up ends here. I'm attacking at full strength now."

With a flying kick, Krillin struck hard, sending Piccolo flying again. Piccolo's body shot upward one moment and downward the next. He had already lost the ability to resist, his entire body drifting in whichever direction Krillin's fists sent him.

"Ha... heh... Ka... me... ha... me... ha!" It came. A blue light enveloped Piccolo's entire body, and a crater nearly thirty meters in diameter formed on the ground.

Krillin slowly flew over and looked at Piccolo, who was lying in the very center of the impact crater.

Piccolo was using all his strength to stand, but he had already exhausted his energy. After struggling for a long time, he could only remain half-kneeling. He looked utterly miserable, veins bulging all over his body. One of his arms was broken and still dripping green fluid. When he saw Krillin, Piccolo could not stop his entire body from trembling.

Seeing this, Krillin smiled. "I won't kill you. Don't worry."

Piccolo clearly did not believe him and remained on guard.

"I only came to spar with you. I have no ill intent. Piccolo is a worthy opponent—he gave his life to save Gohan and later practically became the Son Family's babysitter." Krillin could not help but smile.

"Alright, the fight is over. I'm leaving now. Piccolo, heal up properly." Krillin rose into the air. "Oh, right, Piccolo. Look further ahead. Don't make surpassing Goku your only goal." With that, Krillin shot away in a blur.

Piccolo still could not believe it. He actually didn't kill me? Piccolo thought, He must still be nearby, waiting to give me a fatal blow when I let my guard down.

Piccolo never relaxed his vigilance and secretly recovered his strength. One minute... five minutes... thirty minutes later, Piccolo sensed Krillin's Ki moving far away. He immediately collapsed onto the ground.

Piccolo fell into thought, seemingly carefully considering the meaning behind Krillin's final words.

After a long while, he gritted his teeth. "Damn it! There's another powerful enemy in my way to conquering the world! Krillin!"