Mutaito

One day, on a beautiful island, a majestic green mountain rose from the center, surrounded by numerous low, rolling hills.

This island was a modern city, with sea breezes carrying the ocean's distinctive moist air to nourish it.

The clear blue sea merged with the sky, creating a shimmering expanse where water and heaven became one. Here, one could see blue seas and skies and hear the waves crashing against the shore.

Along a bluestone path lined with blooming peach blossoms, crimson petals resembled the smiles of lovely young girls, carrying a faint, tranquil fragrance.

As she walked down this peaceful, beautiful path, Selyne's face filled with delighted smiles. She called to the person beside her, "Look how beautiful the scenery is here. Should we make a home here? After we finish missions in the future, we can come stay here for a while!"

The reason she liked this place so much was probably because she had been drawn in by Earth's food and the scenery before her.

"Heh, then let's make a home here."

Chaya spread his hands. He might as well let her do as she pleased. Ever since Selyne had grown up, she had become increasingly unwilling to listen to him. After coming out of the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, she had even stopped calling him brother and simply called him by name.

Ah, once children grew up, they became more and more independent. Chaya sighed inwardly.

Standing atop the mountain and looking down over the entire island, he suddenly realized that it looked strangely familiar, as though he had seen it somewhere before.

But this was his first time coming to Earth. If it seemed familiar, then he must have seen it in the original work. Chaya found a bookstore, bought an illustrated guide to the island city, and finally found information about it.

"Isn't this the island where Son Goku trained under Master Roshi?" Chaya looked astonished.

Though it was called an island, it was actually only a peninsula, with part of it connected to the mainland.

There were not many famous islands in the original work. The first was Kame House, where Master Roshi lived. The second was the island where Son Goku and Krillin trained by plowing fields and delivering milk every day after becoming Master Roshi's disciples. The third and fourth were Papaya Island, where the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament was held, and Southeast Island, where the 23rd tournament was held. Then there was Southern City Island, which appeared later during the Androids arc.

"If this is the island where Son Goku and the others will train in the future, doesn't that mean Kame House is nearby? What a coincidence!"

A smile slipped onto Chaya's lips. He had not expected that a casual stroll would bring him near the island where Master Roshi lived, but he had no intention of disturbing him.

For one thing, his purpose in coming to Earth had basically been fulfilled. He had obtained both Senzu Beans and training methods, so there was no need to meet Master Roshi. For another, even if he met him, Master Roshi's frail strength would not bring him any benefit. He decided to simply leave him alone.

Thus, to satisfy Selyne's request, Chaya marked out a plot of land on a hillside and used wood to build a simple little cabin.

The rising sun shone brightly.

Gentle sunlight spread warmly across the bluestone ground. Mist churned among the blades of grass, refracting a riot of colors beneath the sunlight. Crimson peach blossoms, like the smiling faces of young girls, gave the entire island a captivating radiance.

On a low, emerald-green hill, a bluestone path rose and fell along the slope, winding downward. A stream seeped from the rocks between the peaks, moistening the water plants along both banks before gathering into a clear spring that babbled onward.

"Heh, I hadn't come to Earth for so many years. I never expected its technology to have developed this far."

In a shaded spot halfway up the hill, beside a stone bench, an elderly man with silver hair and a white beard wore a white martial arts uniform. He smiled as he watched the vibrant life below the mountain.

A red character for "Martial" was written on the upper left of his white martial arts uniform.

Yet what was strange was that a golden halo floated above the old white-haired man's head. It was the halo of the dead, showing that the old man was actually a soul from Other World.

Other World was a most wondrous place.

It connected Other World Heaven and Hell, while a miraculous Snake Way led to the higher-dimensional King Kai's Planet.

No matter how powerful or illustrious a soul had been in life, upon arriving in Other World, it had to undergo King Yemma's judgment. After King Yemma's judgment, the good might ascend to Other World Heaven, the evil would be sent to Hell, and those who were neither good nor evil would immediately be reincarnated.

Only those who had performed great deeds or possessed noble character in life could have a halo. It indicated that they were qualified to ascend to Other World Heaven.

This white-haired elder was no ordinary person. He was Mutaito, the great martial arts master who had defeated King Piccolo three hundred years ago and saved the entire world. He was also the master of Master Roshi and Master Shen.

Three hundred years ago, Mutaito had exhausted himself to death after sealing King Piccolo away. By his merits, he could have ascended directly to Other World Heaven, but he had chosen to remain in Other World instead. Today was the day Mutaito returned to the human world. Afterward, he would be reincarnated.

After returning to the human world, Mutaito did not visit his two disciples, Master Roshi and Master Shen. Instead, he wandered silently through various cities alone, eventually arriving at this coastal island city without realizing it.

Seeing the prosperous and peaceful state of the human world three hundred years later filled Mutaito with joy. Especially after learning that both of his disciples had founded their own schools and become great martial arts masters, he felt even more gratified.

At that moment, two figures on the other side of the mountain path caught his attention. They were a young boy and girl.

From them, Mutaito sensed an aura that made his blood boil.

"Young friends, may I ask which school you belong to? To possess such skill at such a young age is truly remarkable."

Following the voice, Chaya turned around in surprise and saw an elderly man with silver hair and a white beard smiling at them.

"Who is this old man? The Ki within him is far stronger than even Kami's!"

Sensing the immense power emanating from the other man's body, Chaya froze. This aura was already close to 6,000 battle power. He had never imagined that Earth still had such an expert. Then, seeing the large character for "Martial" on the man's uniform and the ethereal golden halo above his head, Chaya's expression changed as he seemed to have guessed the elder's identity.

"Could he be Master Roshi's teacher, Mutaito? That must be it. On Earth, only Mutaito could possess such strength. It seemed that he had not abandoned his training even in Other World." Chaya looked certain.

Those who had performed great deeds in life had a chance to train with their physical bodies after death, though such people were few. Judging from Mutaito's current state, Chaya concluded that he possessed a physical body.

"Are you Mutaito, sir?"

Now it was Mutaito's turn to be surprised. He had not expected anyone to still know his name. He asked in astonishment, "Young friend, you know my name?"