Korin wasn't surprised when Su Ming dodged his strike. After all, he hadn't used much strength just now.
"Don't worry about my safety. Even if I get hurt, as long as it's not fatal, I can recover with a Senzu Bean. Holding back will only waste more time," Su Ming reminded him.
He wasn't looking for mercy. He wanted to face real danger, to force his body and senses to adapt so he could truly awaken Observation Haki.
Between life and death lies great fear, but also great opportunity.
Hearing this, Korin didn't expect Su Ming to be so ruthless toward himself, so he no longer held back either.
Just as Su Ming had said, Senzu Beans could heal any injury so long as he didn't die.
"Alright. Then let's begin again."
Whoosh!
As soon as Korin's words landed, the sound of something tearing through the air rang out.
Just as Su Ming started to move...smack! the cane landed squarely on him.
Ssss—
He sucked in a sharp breath. His arm instantly went numb from the impact, and the pain twisted his face.
It hurt. A lot.
His body hadn't been forged through years of harsh training. Without the Super Soldier Serum, he wouldn't even have the strength he had now. Despite months of intense training, it had only ever been controlled drills. He'd never endured pain like this.
This one hit felt like his hand had been crushed by a truck.
Korin didn't stop. His attacks came relentlessly.
This time, Su Ming managed to dodge, though a bit clumsily.
Korin's attack speed was ridiculously fast, far surpassing even custom-made bullets.
Whoosh… whoosh… whoosh…
Su Ming scrambled to avoid the blows, but after dodging a few, a cane would always find its mark, sending searing pain up his spine. It felt like his soul was about to leave his body.
Fortunately, he gradually adapted. The pain didn't affect him as much as it had at the start. His mind slowly steadied.
After taking a dozen or so hits, Su Ming couldn't help but call for a break. His body had gone numb from the pain any more, and there wouldn't be a single unbruised spot left on him.
"You've got sharp ears. Even with your ki sense turned off, you can still dodge my attacks. Looks like you've trained in this area before," Korin commented.
Su Ming nodded. "I've practiced with firearms before, but they never truly posed a threat. Nothing like this unpredictable and fast."
He popped a Senzu Bean into his mouth.
"But what's the point of training like this? Even with your eyes closed, you could just sense ki to locate your enemy. Why strain your ears for that?"
"I want to sharpen all five of my senses. If I ever face an opponent who's extremely good at hiding their ki, I'll need my body's intuition to react."
After explaining, Su Ming tied the blindfold back on and continued his efforts to awaken Observation Haki.
And so, Su Ming remained here for an entire month. His strength grew steadily. His senses became more acute.
Each time Korin struck, Su Ming's evasive movements became smaller and smoother—no longer the clumsy dodging of that first day.
He even wore bells on his body now, yet during all his movements and evasions, the bells never once made a sound.
After another fifteen minutes, Korin suddenly stopped his attacks.
Su Ming, no longer sensing any danger, removed the blindfold in confusion.
"What's wrong?"
"You need to go. I can't push you any further," Korin said, his voice tinged with defeat. "Compared to a month ago, your reaction speed has improved drastically. Your senses are razor-sharp. Whether your eyes are open or closed no longer matters."
Perhaps this was what it meant to be a genius. In just a single month, Su Ming had achieved what others might never reach in a lifetime.
He recalled how it took Goku three full years to grab the Ultra Holy Water from his hands while wearing bells. That had been considered extraordinary.
But now, that brilliance looked like candlelight next to the midday sun.
There was no comparison.
Still, Su Ming was a tough kid. Who knows how many times he'd been beaten up this past month—how many Senzu Beans he'd eaten.
Most people wouldn't be able to endure that kind of pain.
Su Ming felt it too. He always believed he was just one final step away from awakening his Observation Haki.
But no matter what he tried, that last step remained out of reach.
"Thank you for everything these past weeks."
Su Ming knew it was time to go. He needed a new, greater source of pressure.
Maybe… it was time to consider the Gravity Room.
"If you ever get the Power Pole, come find me again. I'll show you a better place to train. Maybe there, you'll be able to perfect the technique you're after."
Su Ming's heart stirred.
He immediately understood what Korin meant by a "better place."
The Lookout.
Above the Korin Tower.
Up there lived Kami and his assistant Mr. Popo.
Su Ming wasn't particularly interested in Kami, but Mr. Popo… now that was someone who intrigued him.
Despite being Kami's servant, Mr. Popo's strength was unknown. He had taught the young Goku, and even sparred with Super Saiyan Trunks and Goten.
He had the uncanny ability to match the strength of those around him.
More importantly, he had a mastery of a deeper kind of awareness a state of mind like the quiet sky or the sudden strike of lightning.
It was this mindset that formed the vast gulf between Goku and Vegeta.
A difference not of strength, but of spirit.
"I got it. I'll keep that in mind."
After bidding farewell to Korin, Su Ming soared joyfully through the sky. It hadn't even been a full month since he left, yet his growth had been tremendous.
Not in raw power, but in combat insight.
Fighting wasn't just about comparing energy levels it was about reaction, movement, technique… and more.
He'd gained a lot these past weeks.
But he wasn't in a rush to find Goku and ask for the Power Pole. After being gone for half a month, if he didn't return soon, the heiress back home might just fly a plane out to drag him back.
And if he couldn't smooth things over, he'd be the one suffering.
Not to mention… he still needed Bulma's help.
The Gravity Room would require her expertise.
On his way back to West City, Su Ming didn't go home immediately. He stopped by a jewelry store and carefully picked out a star-shaped necklace.
Only after having it gift-wrapped did he return home.
The moment he got back, he went straight to find Bulma, who was busy with her research.
"Bulma, I'm back."
Bulma glanced at him, confirming he was unharmed. She let out a subtle breath of relief, her lips curling into a faint smile before she resumed her experiment.
"You're back. So what?"
Su Ming's heart sank.
She was mad. He knew it.
Ever since he'd come to this house, they'd never been apart for so long. Of course she had some resentment.
Good thing he'd bought a gift ahead of time.
"Oh? Then maybe I should give this necklace to your mom instead."
He pulled out the necklace box and pretended to leave.
"YOU TRY AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS!" Bulma shouted.
Her big eyes glared at him, voice full of threat. In one hand, she gripped a metal rod, looking every bit ready to strike.
"Finally, you're acknowledging me again."
Su Ming stepped closer. The space between them was now barely an arm's length. Smiling, he lifted the necklace box and opened it.
"Wow! So pretty!"
Bulma's eyes lit up at the sight of the beautiful necklace.
But it wasn't just the necklace she liked—it was the person giving it to her.
If someone else had offered it, she wouldn't even bother to glance at it.
As the daughter of the richest family, she could have a hundred of these if she wanted.