Mount Paozu

Vroom, vroom, vroom...

Yellow sand billowed, trailing a long plume of dust as a motorcycle sped along.

The driver was a blonde girl wearing a helmet. Her fine hair fluttered in the wind, and behind her, a four- or five-year-old boy held her around the waist, calmly watching the road ahead.

"Hey, Roland, we're almost at Mount Paozu. I heard there are lots of ferocious beasts there, and even hunters don't dare go near. What'll we do if we run into trouble?"

"With me around, all the beasts will become food."

"That's true. You're so good at martial arts."

It was early morning. The motorcycle's driver was Bulma's older sister, Tights—the blonde girl who had stayed over at Roland's place.

This was the second day of Tights traveling with Roland on her motorcycle.

After finding out how capable Roland was yesterday morning, Tights seemed to see the world in a whole new way. She'd shamelessly insisted on joining him for an adventure, saying she wanted to broaden her horizons so she could write a novel people would love.

Roland hadn't planned on bringing along dead weight. But then he remembered she was Bulma's older sister and Dr. Brief's eldest daughter. He would need Dr. Brief's help making the Dragon Radar in the future, so he agreed to let her come along.

People in Bulma's family were especially brave—and exceptionally thick-skinned.

Tights wasn't very old, but she was curious about everything. Like her younger sister, Bulma, she especially loved adventure. Otherwise, she wouldn't have left home to experience ordinary life just so she could write a better novel.

After learning about the Scouter, Tights had peppered Roland with questions. He'd explained plenty of basic facts about battle power along the way, but the silly woman still didn't know that battle power was an extraterrestrial standard. She thought it was a popular way to measure strength in some mysterious martial arts world!

What an idiot!

"You Saiyans can really eat. You polished off that giant bear in just a few bites. Good thing you live in some remote little place, or you'd scare everyone to death." As she spoke, inspiration struck Tights. "A glutton with incredible strength—hmm, I could use that in a novel."

Roland yawned and leaned against Tights's back. He took out the Scouter and checked it. They were getting closer and closer to the energy source at Mount Paozu.

"Roland, tell me more about Saiyans. Do all of you have tails? Is it inconvenient to live with one? You know, I have a younger sister who's a little younger than you, but she's really smart!"

"It's so hot, and I'm covered in sweat. We'll have to find somewhere to bathe later. Ugh, having only one change of clothes is such a pain. I'll definitely buy a few more sets on the way back."

Tights chattered nonstop while Roland kept rolling his eyes.

If only this woman could be quiet for a little while.

Mount Paozu.

As the motorcycle continued onward, the road grew rougher and more difficult to traverse. The landscape on either side became increasingly wild. At last, when they reached a quiet, remote spot surrounded by mountains, Roland grew alert.

"Stop!" Roland shouted.

Tights slammed on the brakes. The wheels skidded over the gravel before the bike came to a halt. She turned around and asked, "Are we here? The person you're looking for sure lives in a remote place."

Roland jumped off the motorcycle and looked ahead. "Somewhere around here."

Tights pressed a button on the motorcycle, turning it back into a Hoi-Poi Capsule, which she picked up. As she took in the deep, quiet surroundings, she suddenly felt a chill. The temperature in the mountains was a few degrees lower than outside.

"Does anyone really live out here?" Tights wrapped her arms around herself.

"You saw it on the Scouter, didn't you? Look, a signal reading of 142 battle power." Roland started along the mountain path.

Tights sneezed and huddled in on herself. "But this place is so remote. Couldn't there be lots of wild animals...?"

As soon as she finished speaking, rustling came from not far away. Wolves, jackals, tigers, and leopards lurked among the trees, staring at them with menacing eyes. "Roar..." The beasts let out low growls. Their frightening cries sent a dark flock of birds flying into the sky and terrified Tights.

"Fools!" Roland glared, releasing a terrifying aura.

In an instant, the aura spread in every direction. The nearby wolves and beasts were frightened, whimpering as they fled in terror.

Tights's eyes lit up. "Amazing. The beasts are all afraid of you."

Roland shook his head dismissively. "That made quite a commotion. The person we're looking for has probably already noticed us."

"Can powerful martial artists really sense each other from far away...? That's incredible! But do you think someone who lives in a place like this would be a loner?" Tights hurried after him, her steps small. Though she was puzzled, she was also thrilled. She felt as though she were exploring the unknown, just like in the novels. She was getting a glimpse of one of Earth's secret, mysterious circles, hidden from ordinary people.

Before long, they emerged from the woods into a relatively open area. Beneath the shade of the trees stood a small, square house built of bricks and stone.

"We finally found it." Roland breathed a sigh of relief. This was where Son Gohan lived in seclusion.

"Someone really does live here. He must be a reclusive master."

Tights smiled, curiously taking in the quiet, elegant surroundings. The scenery was beautiful and peaceful, and even the air was filled with a refreshing fragrance. She couldn't help praising it. "This really is the perfect place for a master to live in seclusion. By the way, why are you looking for him? To challenge him?"

Roland glanced at her. "You've read too many novels."

"I write novels myself."

"No wonder they don't sell well."

Tights glared at him. "You're really not very likable, little boy. I'm just getting started. I'll definitely write a hugely popular book someday."

Roland ignored Tights's complaints and took out the Scouter to check it. The screen showed that a powerful energy source was nearby. He looked in that direction and, sure enough, saw an old man with a ruddy complexion and a beard, wearing an orange robe and carrying firewood as he walked toward them. When he saw Roland and Tights, a glint flashed in his eyes.

Found you, Son Gohan!

Son Gohan wore a hat and a robe over his black martial arts uniform.

"Children, what brings you to Mount Paozu?" Son Gohan's gaze fell on Roland and Tights. When he looked at Roland, a trace of puzzlement crossed his eyes. A martial artist's keen instincts told him there was something unusual about the boy.

"We're looking for an orange-red ball with several stars embedded in it. If you know where it is, please tell me," Roland said bluntly.

I thought we came here to spar?

Tights looked at Roland, confused, but in the end, she kept the question to herself.

"Oh, you're looking for something!" Son Gohan felt around his clothes and took out a Dragon Ball. It was about the size of a fist, clear and sparkling, and very beautiful. "Is this what you mean?"

The crystal-clear ball was orange-red, with four blood-red stars inside. The Four-Star Ball, one of the Dragon Balls. Roland's eyes lit up, and his breathing quickened.

Although Roland had never seen a Dragon Ball before and this was his first time seeing one, its features were so distinctive that he recognized it at a glance.