Chapter 15: Naruto Stream Course
After that, Ye Lin and Yamcha returned to the hut, and Bulma was already waiting for them.
"You're finally back! Don't tell me those guys were kidnappers again?"
Bulma, now wearing a casual pink Capsule Corp. dress, had a mix of anxiety and curiosity in her eyes.
"Master, who were those people?"
"I forgot to tell you. They were operatives sent by the Red Ribbon Army. Also, do you recognize this?"
Ye Lin handed over a token engraved with the kanji '絶' (Zetsu: Absolute) to Yamcha. Upon seeing it, Yamcha's pupils shrank in shock.
"Master… this is the token of the Extinction Hall! That's the third-ranked assassin faction in the underground world. Everyone in that organization is a seasoned martial artist. They use brutal and clean methods few targets ever escape. The Red Ribbon Army, being one of the most dangerous criminal syndicates in the world, hiring them… Master, how did you end up on their radar?"
"What's wrong? Are you scared?"
Yamcha thumped his chest with pride.
"Master, why would I be afraid? If they dare come again, it'll be a perfect time for me to test my current power level. Especially that guy Li Xiaodao from Extinction Hall. I've heard of him he's a monster in close combat. I'm dying to fight him!"
Ye Lin raised an eyebrow, silently noting the name Li Xiaodao. As far as he was concerned, an assassin organization meant nothing if they dared provoke him they would be wiped out, just like the rest.
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Extinction Hall Headquarters – Underground Tokyo
Inside a quiet restaurant cloaked in shadows, Li Xiaodao, the infamous elite assassin of Extinction Hall, leaned back in a bamboo chair, feet propped up on the table. His usual serene smile held a hint of chilling intent. Kneeling before him, a trembling subordinate clung to life.
Those familiar with Li Xiaodao knew well: that smile meant fury.
"So, no return signal from the team, and you've brought back no intelligence?"
"B-Boss, w-we're still unsure. Those six just… vanished. Maybe they acted too rashly"
Thwack!
Before the man could finish, a razor-sharp throwing knife shot through the air, piercing the center of his forehead with surgical precision. Blood dripped down as the blade lodged deeply into the concrete floor.
This wasn't just accuracy it was overwhelming arm strength and control. Monster-level control.
"I hate hearing excuses from failures. One last chance: bring that woman back. If I don't see her in three days, my knives will decorate every inch of your worthless body."
"Y-Yes, boss! I swear I'll complete the mission this time!"
"Then get moving."
As the subordinate dashed out, only two remained at the table Li Xiaodao's trusted lieutenants: Tian Hu and Along.
"Boss, although those six acted without orders, one of them was a certified second-class assassin. Any normal bodyguard shouldn't be able to handle him. To be eliminated without a trace… maybe we're dealing with someone far stronger?" Tian Hu speculated cautiously.
"Hmph. Second-class? Trash. They likely underestimated the enemy and fell into a trap. It doesn't mean a real powerhouse was involved," Along countered, unimpressed.
Li Xiaodao turned the throwing knife in his fingers, his expression unreadable.
"Send in five first-class assassins."
"What?! Boss, we only have ten first-class assassins left across the globe. Sending half of them at once—isn't that too much for a mission like this? Many are mid-task—"
"Along, are you questioning my judgment?"
Faced with the deadly gleam in Li Xiaodao's eyes, Along gulped and bowed immediately.
"Not at all! I'll contact them and have them suspend current missions."
Li Xiaodao's gaze darkened.
"Shenjido the fourth-ranked killer syndicate was annihilated just days ago. If Extinction Hall botches a mere kidnapping, we'll be the next laughingstock of the underworld. I will not tolerate another setback."
He flicked his knife into the air. It spun once, traced a spiral, and returned seamlessly to its sheath.
"Prepare the team. I want results."
"Yes, boss. We understand."
---
The next morning, after a full night's rest, Ye Lin, Yamcha, and Bulma resumed their journey. As they walked, Ye Lin pulled up his current status in the system panel.
Name: Ye Lin
Combat Power: 77
Skills:
1. Dayu Rasengan (Intermediate 20/1000)
Skill Effect: Boosts combat power by 50% upon use. Inspired by advanced chakra control, combined with ki flow techniques.
2. Moon Step (Intermediate 25/1000)
Skill Effect: Grants the ability to jump and glide in mid-air using explosive footwork, akin to the Bukūjutsu (Flight Technique) from Crane School.
3. Finger Beam (Elementary 50/100)
Skill Effect: Fires light-based piercing beams from fingertips, a move adapted from the Dodōnpa increased effectiveness by 10% with each level.
Items:
Senzu Beans ×4 (Heals full health and stamina; rare item created by Korin.)
Dragon Radar ×1 (Can locate the position of any Dragon Ball on Earth an invention by Bulma.)
Dragon Balls ×6 (Six of the seven mystical orbs that summon Shenron when united.)
Because of completing the task of guiding Yamcha, Ye Lin received a reward in the form of a system lottery draw. Since it was only a standard-mode task, Ye Lin earned a 20-point increase in combat effectiveness.
His original combat power of 57 had now risen to 77.
However, more than improving his own stats, Ye Lin was curious to see how much this Yamcha could grow under guidance.
In the Dragon Ball manga, Ye Lin distinctly remembered that although Yamcha never quite reached the level of Goku or Vegeta, his late-stage growth surpassed the capabilities of an average Earthling. By the time of the Android Saga, Yamcha had shown enough power to contend with low-tier threats like Saibamen and even survive a skirmish with Android 20. His speed, ki control, and reaction time were no longer in the realm of mere human limitations. Ye Lin hoped that, through his own hands, he could accelerate Yamcha's growth even earlier.
"Master, are you thirsty? I prepared a bottle of cold soda for you! On a hot day like this, nothing beats a cold drink."
"Master, are you tired? You should really get some rest. Leave the driving to me—I've got it covered."
"Master…"
From the side, Bulma raised a curious eyebrow at the odd dynamic playing out.
Ye Lin was reclining in a lounge chair, a stylish sun-visor pushed up over his forehead, sipping an icy cola, while Yamcha handled all the driving duties.
Their current ride had been upgraded to a Capsule Corp. luxury RV, at Bulma's insistence.
After the previous day's attack by the Red Ribbon agents and Extinction Hall assassins, Bulma had grown anxious about being separated. In her view, if anyone faced a surprise ambush while alone, they might not have time to react. Staying together was safest.
The mobile home was more than spacious, and Ye Lin was making full use of it to relax.
"What did you do to him?" Bulma asked, side-eyeing Yamcha. "Why is he suddenly so obedient to you?"
"The apprentice honoring his master—isn't that how things should be? Isn't that right, apprentice?"
Ye Lin raised his voice toward the driver's seat. Yamcha turned around with a proud smile on his face.
"Of course, Master! It's my greatest honor to serve and learn from you."
Watching the master and disciple sing praises of each other, Bulma simply rolled her eyes and focused back on tinkering with the Dragon Radar.
By noon, they decided to pull over and make lunch.
"Master Yamcha, leave the cooking to me!"
Puar immediately volunteered. With a puff of smoke, Puar transformed into a chef complete with a tall white hat, and began expertly preparing the ingredients with cartoonishly swift skill, flipping pans and slicing vegetables with flair.
"Yamcha, come over here."
"You called, Master?"
Yamcha stood respectfully in front of Ye Lin, no longer resembling the skeptical rogue from yesterday.
"Now that you've officially become my disciple, I'm obligated to teach you properly. Today, we're covering an advanced lesson on ki."
Yamcha's eyes lit up. After feeling the existence of ki for the first time last night, he'd felt as though a brand-new world had opened before him. The sensation had awakened a deep thirst for knowledge.
Ye Lin pondered the best approach, then came up with a plan.
With a flick of his wrist, Ye Lin tossed something toward Yamcha. Yamcha caught it reflexively, only to stare at it in confusion—a round, shimmering water balloon.
"Master… what is this?"
"Today, you'll be learning a training method I call the Naruto Stream Course."
"'Naruto Course'...? What a bold, powerful name! Only someone like Master could come up with that."
Yamcha was briefly stunned, overwhelmed by the authority in the naming.
"Your lesson is simple," Ye Lin explained. "Use the ki you've started to sense—concentrate it, and destroy the water balloon."
As Yamcha examined the balloon, Ye Lin decided to demonstrate. He extended his hand and gathered his breath into his palm. The air around his fingers began to pulse with visible pressure. A gentle but swirling breeze enveloped the balloon, causing the water within to rotate rapidly.
Pop!
In an instant, the balloon twisted into an irregular shape and exploded in a splash of water.
Yamcha's eyes widened, stunned by the display. There was no flashy light, no loud boom—just refined control. It was the difference between raw force and mastered precision.
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