Dragon Ball Roshi

"Well, that makes sense… But still, for even that formidable-looking old man to be so absorbed in it, needing to keep reading even while walking—this book must be incredible! Muten Roshi is truly worthy of the title… No, I have to go back and read it again carefully. Maybe I'll gain some new insight!"

"Oh, come on…"

Tsuru heard all the murmuring voices around him, but they passed through his ears without lingering in his heart. His mind was immersed in the book.

As he read the words of "the greatest grandmaster under heaven," Mutaito, it was as if his master from years past was again before him, earnestly teaching him and his fellow disciple. In his youth, he had been even more extreme than now. Thinking back, he knew he had failed to live up to his master's teachings many times. Every time he recalled it, he felt regret. But the weight of the years could not be undone—his temperament had long been set. He feared he could no longer fulfill his master's hopes.

Tsuru kept reading and slowly walked farther and farther away.

---

West City, World Martial Arts Tournament arena.

"Hey… hey! Isn't that kid someone we know?"

"That's… Son Goku? It's Son Goku?!"

"Yeah, that's him, no mistake!"

"It's been five years! The new World Martial Arts Tournament, and Son Goku really did show up again!"

"He stopped at the top four last time. Do you think he'll make it to the world finals this time and head to Sayuan City?"

"Wait, who's that bald kid next to him?"

"He's wearing the same martial arts uniform as Son Goku… It looks a lot like the Muten School's gi, but it's not exactly the same. Could it be…?!"

Krillin was following Son Goku to register for the tournament, but he was gradually sensing something odd from the people around them… He was getting uneasy and nudged Goku with his elbow, asking in a low voice, "Goku, what's going on? Why are they all… staring at us?"

"No idea!" Goku replied with a carefree laugh—but the smile quickly vanished, because the crowd began to close in around them. Men and women alike had shining eyes, and the flashes of reporters' cameras were dazzling and uncomfortable.

"What do you want? Don't block the way! We still need to sign up!" Goku tried to push back, but he was being jostled around and didn't want to hurt anyone by striking ordinary people.

Krillin was having an even harder time, especially when the soft pressure of a girl behind him pressed against the back of his head. His face flushed bright red and he froze up completely, unable to speak… Goku frowned as the reporters shouted questions he couldn't make out over the flashes. He muttered, "If only Piccolo were here…"

Krillin swallowed hard and awkwardly said, "Yeah… If he were here, just his face alone would scare everyone off. They wouldn't dare come close… But he left Muten Island a month ago, and we still don't know where he went…"

[So damn noisy. Can't even sleep in peace? Idiot, let me handle this!]

Goku blinked—then a red gleam flashed across his pupils.

Krillin was very familiar with his fellow disciple, not just in closeness but also in sensing his ki. So the instant Goku's aura shifted, Krillin instinctively stepped back—only to bump again into the girl behind him…

"If you wanna die, keep standing in my way…"

Kakarot grinned wickedly, his fingers curling into claws as a red light gathered in his palm. A wave of brutality and bloodlust burst from him, terrifying the surrounding crowd into a panicked stampede.

"Help!"

"What's going on?!"

"Run!"

Reporters ran as they frantically recorded: "Son Goku's personality has dramatically changed! Has the once pure-hearted child turned into a bloodthirsty little demon?!"

"You kinda ruined Goku's image just now…" Krillin sighed, now surrounded by empty space. He addressed not Goku, but Kakarot.

Kakarot sneered. "Tch, like that's my problem! I'm going back to sleep. You deal with it!" With that, the sinister light vanished from his eyes, and in a blink, his gaze turned innocent again.

Krillin muttered weakly, "If I couldn't sense ki now, I'd never be able to tell if you were Goku or that Kakarot guy…"

"But you can tell now, right?" Goku chuckled, completely unbothered.

Just then, a group of upright and imposing men approached. They were all strong, with practiced strides that showed their martial prowess. As they reached Goku and Krillin, one of them questioned directly:

"What was that disturbance just now? We heard you were about to cause a major incident. Son Goku, even if you are Son Gohan's—"

"Stand down. I'm watching him."

Just as the martial arts association members were about to confront Goku, a calm voice echoed in their minds. Startled, they instinctively turned toward the entrance area, where the spectators were streaming in. Amidst the crowd stood a fashionable, beautiful woman with a small red bird perched on her shoulder, helping a silver-haired man beside her pick out a pair of sunglasses.

The moment before the silver-haired man put on the sunglasses, he cast them a single glance.

That one glance was enough—the members of the martial arts association instantly understood everything.

Muten Roshi!

A chill ran through their hearts. They realized that Goku's sudden behavior had not taken Muten Roshi by surprise. Everything was already within his grasp. As long as Muten Roshi was watching, no matter how great Goku's power or how overwhelming his demonic nature, he would never be allowed to truly lose control. That was certain.

So, without hesitation, they bowed respectfully in that direction and walked off without another word.

Goku and Krillin exchanged puzzled looks. They hadn't heard Muten Roshi's projected voice in the minds of the association members. From their point of view, those men had shown up full of righteous fury, then suddenly left without explanation—it was baffling.

"What was that all about?" Goku muttered.

"Yeah, seriously, what was that…" Krillin nodded in agreement—then paused. That voice hadn't come from Goku. It had come from behind them… and it sounded familiar. Both he and Goku turned around and saw a cheerful girl with long purple hair tied in a braid, wearing a baseball cap and looking stylish and lively. Her beauty and clear, youthful features were unmistakable.

"Bulma!"

"You're here too!"

Goku and Krillin lit up with joy. It was always great to see an old friend.

"I figured you two would definitely show up for this year's World Martial Arts Tournament… Hehe, and guess what—look who else came along?" Bulma grinned, her friendly laughter as bright as ever despite not having seen the two in nearly a year. As she spoke, a blue, furry creature popped up behind her head like a cat.

"Puar?"

"Hi, guys!" Yamcha stepped out from behind Bulma, smiling as he greeted Goku and Krillin. He looked more mature than a year ago.

"Yamcha!" Goku and Krillin beamed. "You're entering the World Martial Arts Tournament too?"