"Is it a baby?" The excitement faded from Master Roshi's face, replaced by a flicker of surprise and then pity. He let out a soft sigh, his white-and-gray beard trembling slightly with it. "Sigh... Looks like this poor child's had a hard life. Maybe his parents abandoned him and put him in this strange baseball to drift wherever the current took him."
"What a poor little thing." Sea Turtle leaned over to take a look, then voiced his sympathy.
"We can't just leave him floating in the sea forever." Master Roshi muttered as he made up his mind. "First, we'll get him ashore. Then we'll figure out if we can find a kind family to take him in."
"Or... why don't you take him in yourself, Master Roshi?" Sea Turtle suggested half-jokingly. "Your house is so big. It might be livelier with another person around."
"Are you kidding me?" Master Roshi reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, almost jumping off Sea Turtle's back. He glared at Sea Turtle. "I don't like children! They're noisy and a huge hassle! Besides..."
He trailed off.
Lowering his voice, Master Roshi wore a lecherous grin. "If some pretty young ladies come by to discuss martial arts or the meaning of life with me, having a little brat around would be such a nuisance! I wouldn't be able to enjoy myself!"
Sea Turtle rolled his eyes in exasperation and decided not to pursue the subject.
The old man and the turtle struggled for a while, but eventually managed to drag the spherical spaceship up onto the beach.
Master Roshi circled the metal sphere several times, tapping here and feeling there. Its smooth shell fit together seamlessly, and he couldn't find any obvious switches or latches.
Should I punch this thing open?
Master Roshi clenched his fist, his muscles bulging slightly.
But soon, he shook his head and dismissed the dangerous idea.
No, no. I can't control my strength. What if I hit it too hard and hurt the little one inside?
Seeing the baby still sleeping in the cabin, with his innocent little face, Master Roshi couldn't bring himself to do it.
Since he couldn't open it, Master Roshi decided to leave it alone for now and let the baby stay inside.
"Master Roshi," Sea Turtle said, tapping the spaceship's shell with a claw. It gave a dull thud. "Look at the material this baseball's made of. It feels cold and smooth, and the structure is so unusual. The technology seems really advanced... Could it be from outer space?"
"What, are you worried this little guy was sent by aliens to conquer Earth?" Master Roshi scoffed, as if he'd heard the biggest joke in the world. He planted his hands on his hips and let out his signature thunderous, unrestrained laugh. "Hahaha! I'm Master Roshi, the God of Martial Arts! Conquer Earth? Even if alien invaders really showed up, they'd have to get past my fists first! I'd beat them so badly they'd go running back home with their tails between their legs!"
Master Roshi's bold laughter echoed across the beach, brimming with absolute confidence in his own strength.
But just then—
"Click—!"
A clear sound of metal unlocking and air pressure releasing rang out abruptly, cutting off Master Roshi's laughter.
A circular hatch suddenly slid open near the bottom of the seamless spherical spaceship!
The next moment, as Master Roshi and Sea Turtle stared in astonishment, a tiny figure tottered out through the hatch, staggering like a toddler just learning to walk.
Broly stood on the beach, seemingly unaccustomed to Earth's gravity and environment. His little body swayed, then he raised a hand and scratched his thick black hair in bewilderment.
Master Roshi and Sea Turtle immediately fixed their gazes on the little stranger.
Broly wore a strangely styled Battle Suit, and a furry tail swayed unconsciously behind him.
"Master Roshi, look at his clothes... and that tail!" Sea Turtle whispered in astonishment.
"Indeed... His clothes are a little strange." Master Roshi recovered from his initial surprise and cautiously stepped forward, doing his best to look kind. He put on what he considered his most benevolent smile, crouched down, and asked gently, "What's your name, little guy? Where are you from? Can you talk?"
Broly raised his clear eyes, filled with pure bewilderment, and looked at the old man before him: a bald head, a white beard, and a pair of strange sunglasses. His little face was full of confusion.
Broly tilted his head, seemingly trying hard to understand the unfamiliar sounds. In the end, he simply shook his head and made a few meaningless baby noises.
It was lucky for Master Roshi that he was being kind.
Otherwise, Broly would have beaten him to death.
"Sigh... Looks like he can't talk or understand me." Master Roshi felt sorry for him. "What a poor child... Maybe his parents abandoned him as a monster because of that strange tail?"
Broly obviously couldn't understand Master Roshi's complicated thoughts. He just sensed that the old man meant him no harm, so he continued scratching his head and gazing curiously at his unfamiliar surroundings and the old man and turtle before him.
"Well, since we've met, it must be fate." Master Roshi sighed and made up his mind. He continued speaking to Broly in a gentle voice. "Little guy, stay with me for a couple of days. I'll ask around and find a good family to adopt you, so you can have a safe, stable home. How does that sound?"
Broly still didn't respond.
Just then—
"Grrrr..."
A rumbling sound suddenly came clearly from Broly's little belly.
It rang especially loudly across the quiet beach.
Broly immediately lowered his head and patted his protesting stomach, looking confused.
"Hahaha!" Master Roshi laughed at his innocent reaction. "Are you hungry? Your stomach's growling!"
Broly understood. He immediately looked up at Master Roshi with wide, pleading eyes and nodded vigorously.
"You understand when I talk about food? You're a straightforward little guy!" Master Roshi laughed as he stood up. "Come on, come home with me. I'll get you something to fill your stomach."
Broly's eyes brightened, and he set off after Master Roshi with his short legs. His steps were a little unsteady, but determined.
Master Roshi took Broly back to Master Roshi's House, which had just been battered by the waves.
The inside of the house was still a little damp and messy, but at least its structure was sturdy, and the old refrigerator was still standing stubbornly in the corner.
Master Roshi opened the refrigerator and was relieved to see that although the food had been knocked around, most of it was still in its packaging and hadn't been soaked in seawater.
Then Master Roshi took out a packet of milk and waved it in front of Broly. "At your age, you should still be drinking milk, right? Where's your mother? Sigh... You probably wouldn't know, even if I asked."
Talking to himself, Master Roshi skillfully put the packet of milk into the microwave to warm it up.
Before you continue