Master Roshi turned to Gohan and Piccolo, who were already exhausted, and gave them a slight nod. "Don't be afraid. I'm here." Then he turned his gaze back to the Mysterious Person, a trace of resolve in his eyes.
When Master Roshi came up beside them, Gohan cried out in surprise, "Master Roshi! How could it be you?" His voice brimmed with disbelief. After a brief pause, he spoke urgently. "Weren't you living peacefully on your island? It's too dangerous here. There are powerful, evil forces everywhere. You have to leave!" His eyes were full of worry. He knew Master Roshi might not be a match for the Mysterious Person before them, and he didn't want the old master to be caught up in such danger.
Master Roshi merely shook his head, a calm smile on his face. "My boy, how could I stand by and watch you fall into trouble without doing anything? These old bones of mine might not be much help, but another person means another bit of strength. Even if it costs me my life, I'll fight alongside you today."
With that, Master Roshi gripped the cane in his hand and fixed his gaze on the Mysterious Person. His weathered eyes held no trace of retreat, only the resolve to press forward.
Watching Master Roshi from the side, Piccolo couldn't help feeling a hint of warmth and respect.
A sharp glint flashed in Master Roshi's eyes, and he shouted, "You dare look down on me? I'll show you what I can do!" He then swung the turtle shell off his back. Lines of green light flashed across it, its patterns interweaving like a mysterious compass.
At the same time, Master Roshi's muscles tensed and swelled in an instant. Each one brimmed with explosive power. His once slightly hunched frame seemed infused with boundless vitality, radiating a powerful aura.
The cane in his hand cracked with a sharp snap as this force burst forth, revealing ancient, mysterious patterns. The three characters "Immortal Forest Spear" were deeply engraved upon it, glowing faintly as if telling of the power that had lain dormant for ages.
Master Roshi gripped the Immortal Forest Spear with both hands and pointed its tip at the Mysterious Person. Powerful waves of energy spread outward from him.
The mysterious black-clad man couldn't help wondering to himself, I don't remember this happening in the original story. Has Master Roshi been hiding his strength all along? Is he some powerful expert who's been keeping a low profile? His brows furrowed slightly, and suspicion and wariness flickered in his eyes. Could he have fooled everyone all these years? Hmph, whatever. Let's see what he can do. Though he thought this, he no longer dared underestimate Master Roshi as he had at first. He silently gathered the dark power within him.
Feeling the sudden surge in Master Roshi's aura, the Mysterious Person finally looked serious. But he wasn't about to show weakness. With a cold snort, he decided to test the old man first. He gathered energy in both hands, dark aura churning around him, and instantly formed several black blades that shot toward Master Roshi with a howl.
Master Roshi's gaze sharpened. He flicked the Immortal Forest Spear and shouted, "Bring it on!" Then he spun rapidly around the spear, his body becoming a green whirlwind. He deflected the black blades one by one. Sparks flew where they clashed, accompanied by the shrill screech of metal scraping against metal.
While the Mysterious Person was between attacks, Master Roshi kicked off hard and shot toward him like an arrow loosed from a bow. The Immortal Forest Spear glowed green as he thrust it at the Mysterious Person's chest with unstoppable force.
The Mysterious Person sidestepped the fierce attack, then swung a fist back at Master Roshi's face, trailing a wave of black energy.
Master Roshi didn't panic. He held the Immortal Forest Spear crosswise and blocked the punch. The force sent him stumbling back several steps, but he quickly steadied himself. "Hmph, you've got some skill!" he growled. Then he swung the spear again, unleashing a dazzling technique. Spear shadows filled the air, surrounding the Mysterious Person.
The Mysterious Person dodged left and right among the spear shadows, looking somewhat battered for a moment. But he was powerful, and he soon regained his footing. He pressed his palms together, then abruptly pulled them apart. A huge black rift in space appeared before him, and a powerful suction force surged from within, trying to drag Master Roshi inside.
Master Roshi's expression grew resolute. He drove the Immortal Forest Spear into the ground to keep his balance, though both of them were in midair, and quickly formed hand seals. The green light around him grew brighter, pushing back against the pull of the black rift. The ground cracked beneath the force of their power, stones flew in every direction, and the space around them began to warp.
The spear then returned to Master Roshi's hand.
Holding the mysterious, glowing "Immortal Spear," Master Roshi kicked off the air and shot toward the Mysterious Person like an arrow loosed from a bow.
He moved so fast that the wind howled around him. The spear tip cut through the air with a sharp hiss.
Seeing this, the Mysterious Person didn't dare let his guard down. He quickly formed hand seals before his chest, and a black energy shield appeared in front of him. An evil aura churned across its surface, burning and flickering like black flames.
Master Roshi reached him in an instant and shouted as he thrust the Immortal Forest Spear at the shield with unstoppable force. The moment the spear tip struck, a blinding flash and a powerful wave of energy erupted. It seemed to warp the space around them.
Master Roshi gripped the shaft tightly, muscles taut, and pushed the Immortal Forest Spear forward with all his might, trying to break through the shield.
The Mysterious Person gritted his teeth and poured more dark power into the shield to withstand Master Roshi's fierce attack. He was shocked. He hadn't expected the seemingly elderly Master Roshi to possess such immense strength and explosive power.
After they struggled against each other for a moment, Master Roshi's eyes suddenly narrowed. He circulated his energy to its limit, and his muscles swelled even further. Then he let out a mighty shout, sending a powerful stream of white energy surging from his body toward the Mysterious Person like a raging tide. The blast cracked the Mysterious Person's shield, and his expression changed as he realized something was wrong.
Master Roshi seized the fleeting opening and pressed his attack. At last, the tip of the Immortal Forest Spear pierced through the shield and shot straight toward the Mysterious Person's chest.
The Mysterious Person hurriedly dodged to the side, but the spear tip still grazed his arm, sending a trickle of blood flying.
Furious at being wounded, the Mysterious Person leaped back several steps. His hands swept rapidly through the air as he began gathering a huge black energy sphere, preparing to unleash an even more powerful attack.
Before you continue