|
This article, Jodenku Meets Dende & Mr. Popo, is the property of Angeloading. |
Jodenku, aged 13.
Jodenku Meets Dende & Mr. Popo
- Dragon Ball Keisho 継承
- Majin Clan Saga, Episode 27
- Date | November 27th, Age 991
- Written on August 13, 2024
Context | Fresh off of a loss in the final of the 97th Tenkaichi Budokai against his new rival Kenju Zu, Jodenku begins searching for new ways to increase his strength and battle prowess. He asks his new friend Sei-Sen for advice and she tells him about Dende's Lookout, which has been used several times by the Z-Fighters for training. With only a bag of food and supplies, he sets off to the West District near the Sacred Land of Korin.
Characters | Jodenku, Dende, Mr. Popo, Sei-Sen (flashback)
Chapter I - Arrival[]
Jodenku flew through the skies of the West District of Earth, allowing his thick hair to flow in the wind.
Jodenku: "If it's 7:30 AM, then the sun should be in that position compared to where Dende's Lookout is. That means it should be... right over here!"
Jodenku stopped and looked with a confident expression, which slowly went away as he realized there was nothing there.
Jodenku: "Uhh..."
He turned around and saw Dende's Lookout in the sky.
Jodenku: "Jeez, I was completely off... Wait, that's the Lookout?! All the way up there?! I'm already at least a thousand feet above the surface and I can barely see it! Well... here goes nothing..."
Jodenku began to fly upwards towards the Lookout. Once he arrived, he looked down and was shocked that he could barely see the surface from how high he was.
Jodenku: "Wow... You're telling me the martial arts of ancient times got here before they even knew how to fly? I'm not afraid of heights or anything, but hell no..."
Jodenku landed on the Lookout and began to walk towards the center, where he saw a temple in the distance. It clicked in his brain that this was most likely where Dende the Guardian of Earth and his attendant Mr. Popo would be. He continued walking while looking around, astonished at how spotless the Lookout was.
Jodenku: "It almost feels like I'm in the heavens... So the Guardian of Earth can see and sense everything happening beneath from this point? That's amazing... Sei-Sen told me that Dende informs her of threats on every part of Earth for her and the others to take care of... Pretty cool, but I couldn't imagine being trapped here in the sky all my life."
Jodenku continued walking, thinking about what Sei-Sen told him.
(FLASHBACK)
Sei-Sen: "Yeah, it's over in the Sacred Land of Korin! Master Renji brought me there when I was nine, and it was a pretty surreal experience! Apparently those fighters from the battles against Cell and the Androids a few centuries ago even trained in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber... Dende and Mr. Popo are really nice and they'll do their best for you, but their training might be a... bit overwhelming at first."
(FLASHBACK OVER)
Jodenku continued looking forward with a determined expression until he saw two figures walk out of the temple. One of them was a Namekian, which Jodenku had never seen before, and the other was a shorter man that resembled a genie or a deity of some sort. Jodenku hesitated a bit, but continued to walk towards them while analyzing their appearances.
Jodenku (in his mind): "The hell is that on the right?! He looks like Jynx." He said, referring to Mr. Popo.
Dende with a much older appearance in Age 991.
Chapter II - The Meeting[]
Jodenku: "H-hi, are you two Dende and Mr. Popo?"
Dende: "That's right, young warrior. I am Dende, Guardian of Earth, and this is my attendant Mr. Popo."
Mr. Popo: "Waddup."
Jodenku: "Y-yeah. Anyways, I was told by my friend that you two could train me? I'm kinda hitting a plateau and need guidance of any kind..."
Dende: "That's right, you're who we suspected. We've been sensing an Earthling martial artist of immense potential for several years now, and it appears he is standing in front of us now. You're young, but you have an insane amount of ki within you. You must be what, 12 or 13?"
Jodenku: "I'm 13, sir. And... you've been sensing me for several years...?"
Mr. Popo: "Oh yes, Jodenku. You've been causing a lot of trouble with that assassin mentor of yours, Tachizo the Broken, was it? Word spreads quickly, but we sensed good within you. You were simply misguided, which is evident by the fact that you have come to us for training and guidance."
Jodenku sighed and sat down as he looked at the sky.
Jodenku: "I never knew right from good, but I changed for the better! I'm not a bad person anymore, I just want a second chance. I know that the path of martial arts can redeem even the worst people and show them a new meaning to life... so I thought that I could be redeemed as well.
Dende walked up to stand next to Jodenku.
Dende: "Standing on this Lookout, I've seen the people of Earth fight amongst each other constantly. I've been the Guardian for over two hundred years and have seen incredible warriors on both sides rise and fall... and I can say that you are one of the most impressive that has stepped foot on my Lookout. You have a warrior within you, Jodenku. It's up to you to let it out, and begin using your power for good."
Jodenku sighed.
Jodenku: "I always associate fighting with killing, or retaliation, because it's what I'm used to. I have the strength, but it's like I can't fight without losing control of myself. I don't have the composure that I need to pass this plateau I'm hitting."
Mr. Popo: "A warrior's ultimate foe is their own mind, Jodenku. You're young, and you have much to learn, but we can see that you are eager to learn. The physical prowess is there in the flesh, but your mind is what's holding you back. Meditation and mental endurance is what you need. Endure our training, and you will be unstoppable. I hope you've prepared for your training."
Jodenku stood up.
Jodenku: "I'm more than prepared. Let's do this."
Chapter III - The Training[]
Jodenku followed Dende and Mr. Popo to a wide open area on the Lookout, a bit nervous at what to expect. Almost all of his training had been on a physical level; muscle work, ki control, speed, defense, things of that nature... but what would mental training consist of? He has meditated before, but it didn't give him any mental duress or anything... so what is he about to go through? Jodenku stood in front of Dende and Mr. Popo and noticed a mysterious aura surrounding them both.
Jodenku: "Huh? What's going on...?"
Dende: "Just remember... to focus, and stay strong."
Suddenly, everything slowly went black.
...
Jodenku: "Hello...? Where did you two go? I can't see anything!"
Jodenku walked around in a black void, hearing whispers behind him.
Jodenku: "Huh?! Who's there?!" Jodenku turned around and saw his new mentor Master Renji and Sei-Sen standing side-by-side, not moving a muscle.
Jodenku: "Master Renji? Sei-Sen? What are you two doing here...?" Jodenku began to walk towards them until he noticed the assassins that his master once hired to hunt him down during training approaching them from behind. Jodenku began to panic and run towards them, but it was too late. Master Renji and Sei-Sen were slain by the assassins, causing Jodenku to freeze in shock. He clutched his fists and his ki began to skyrocket.
Jodenku: "YOU.... BASTAAAAAARDS!!!"
Jodenku let out a war cry as he dashed at the assassins, ready to throw a ki laced punch.....----
....
...but he suddenly returned to reality, where he had the wind knocked out of him and laid on the ground of the Lookout.
Jodenku: "CAAAAAAAGH---"
Jodenku struggled to catch his breath as Dende and Mr. Popo approached him.
Dende: "Yeah, it's pretty intense the first time. You got knocked out of the image training we gave you because you weren't focused. You couldn't control your emotions. No worries, Jodenku. You're going to learn fast. Rest and recover, and we'll try this again."
Jodenku: "Rcgh....gh... ow... How do you know that I'm just not built for this?"
Dende: "Every single warrior of legendary status that has walked this Earth in the last two centuries has trained under our guidance, Jodenku. Master Renji, Sei-Sen, and all warriors of the past. We watched the Tenkaichi Budokai from up here, and that battle you had against Kenju Zu was rather impressive. What if I told you that even he came here one day to train with us and was able to withstand the mental training we gave him within just a few sessions?"
Jodenku: "Rgh... hm..." He stood up. "Kenju Zu was able to endure the training?"
Mr. Popo: "With little to no struggle."
Jodenku thought to himself and had a brief flashback of losing the final of the Tenkaichi Budokai to Kenju Zu. He clutched his fists and looked at Dende and Mr. Popo with a determined look.
Jodenku: "...then I'm not stopping until I can do this with no sweat. I'm going to beat Kenju Zu one day, I promised it to myself!"
Dende and Mr. Popo were surprised at his sudden burst of determination and smiled, pleased to hear the words come from him.
Dende: "You certainly have the courage of a warrior, young Jodenku. You're going to make it far. I can tell."
Chapter IV - The Aftermath[]
Jodenku visited Dende's Lookout several times over the next few months and was now able to endure the image training easily, even laughing after it was over at times. The last image training session consisted of him sparring twenty demonic clones of Kenju Zu all while being hunted down by assassins, which nearly traumatized him in the first session, but was now a cinch. Once the training was over, he sat on the Lookout and was handed a cup of orange juice by Mr. Popo.
Mr. Popo: "You handled that very well, Jodenku! The progress you've made these last few months is astounding!"
Jodenku: "Hah, you think so?" He took a sip of his orange juice and sighed. "How long does it take other people on average to get over that mental hurdle?"
Mr. Popo: "Most do not even make it past the first three training sessions. You've proved to be a quick learner and in no time, you'll be able to handle the Hyperbolic Time Chamber."
Jodenku: "The Hyperbolic Time Chamber?! Really?! Awesome! Getting a years worth of training in a day sounds like exactly what I need! Although it would suck aging a year in a day..."
Dende: "You're eager to learn. This is good, just be sure you train for the right reasons. Everyone wants to be as powerful as they can be, but power can only take you so far if you don't know how to handle it."
Jodenku: "Yeah, I know. Martial arts is basically my whole life, and I want to prove to myself and others that I can do this!" He grabbed his stuff and prepared to leave. "Well, I guess I'm off now. I kinda told Sei-Sen that I'd attend her training with Master Renji and a few other new students. Ciao!"
Jodenku waved as he flew off. Dende and Mr. Popo waved back and once Jodenku disappeared into the horizon, the two faced each other.
Mr. Popo: "You know, he reminds me a lot of that Goku fella when he was young. He has that same determination to get stronger and is willing to work through any obstacle put in front of him. It's rather impressive."
Dende: "Is that so? I never saw a young Goku, so I wouldn't really know, hah. I can sense Kenju Zu's power increasing gradually as well ever since he completed our training. The next time the two clash, it'll be a fight for the centuries."
Mr. Popo: "You're right about that. I just hope it's a friendly fight far away from society... You know, Earth's evolution over the last two centuries ever since Goku's departure has been rather impressive. Back then, most people of Earth weren't even aware of the concept of ki... and now we're seeing martial artists like Jodenku rise up from an early age. Earth will be in good hands for a very long time..."
END