Master Roshi's Choice

The sea breeze blew past, stirring up a few scraps of newspaper.

Master Roshi sat beneath the one sun umbrella that hadn't been blown away, holding a copy of Playboy. But behind his sunglasses, his eyes weren't focused on the bikini-clad beauties.

Everyone had left.

For the past three years, everyone had gathered at Kame House for the Martial Arts Tournament. It had been the liveliest time of his life.

Every day, he'd listened to Goku complain about being hungry and watched Krillin and Yamcha bicker. It was noisy, but full of life.

Now Goku was married, Yamcha had left, and Tien Shinhan had found his own path.

Even Krillin, who had always stayed by his side, had become the world champion and gotten together with Bulma.

"Ah..."

Master Roshi let out a long sigh, feeling that he really was getting old.

His turtle shell suddenly seemed much heavier.

"What's wrong, old man? Why the sigh?"

A teasing voice suddenly boomed beside him.

Master Roshi jerked in fright, and the magazine slipped from his hand onto the sand.

He looked up sharply and found Krillin crouching in front of him, grinning.

"Whoa! You little brat! Can't you make any noise when you walk?!"

Master Roshi picked up the magazine, trying to cover up his embarrassment.

"Weren't you going on your honeymoon with Bulma? Why haven't you left yet?"

"We did leave, but then I remembered there was a lonely old man with no one to look after him, so I came back to check on him."

Krillin sat down beside Master Roshi without asking and snatched the sunglasses from his hand, putting them on.

"Who's a lonely old man?! I've got Sea Turtle and a TV!"

Master Roshi glared, his beard bristling.

"Go on, get lost. Don't bother me while I'm reading."

Krillin didn't move. He simply gazed out at the sea.

"Master Roshi."

"What?"

"Come with me to West City."

Master Roshi paused, then waved a hand.

"What would I go to West City for? That's a place for young people. It's full of cars and buildings, and the air's terrible."

"I've lived on this little island for over a hundred years. I can't leave the sea."

"Really? You don't want to go?" Krillin's lips curled into a mischievous smile.

"I heard from Bulma that West City just opened the biggest Water Park on Earth."

Master Roshi's ears twitched, but he forced himself to stay calm.

"What's so special about a Water Park? There's water everywhere here."

"That's not the same."

Krillin leaned close to Master Roshi's ear and whispered like a devil.

"That Water Park is full of young girls wearing the latest swimsuits."

"And Bulma, as the heiress of Capsule Corporation, has a Supreme VIP Card for the place. Which means..."

Krillin deliberately drew out his words.

"We can go to the exclusive Private Pool Area. There won't be any outsiders, just countless beautiful attendants, plus unlimited chilled drinks and magazines."

"Most importantly..."

Krillin pulled a photo from his pocket. He'd just had the system generate it: a "realistic photo of West City Beach," though it had been heavily enhanced.

"The girls there really admire martial artists. Especially respected old masters like you, with your sage-like bearing. They love that sort of thing."

Master Roshi's eyes widened behind his sunglasses. Two streams of blood flowed from his nose despite his best efforts.

He snatched the photo, his hands trembling.

"T-those long legs... That fair skin..."

"So? Are you coming?"

Krillin pressed his advantage.

"I've set aside a villa with a pool for you next to Bulma's house. You can bring Sea Turtle along, too. The water there's much cleaner than in this lousy bay."

Master Roshi swallowed, his sense of propriety and instincts locked in fierce battle.

"Ahem!"

After a long moment, Master Roshi cleared his throat twice with exaggerated seriousness. He tucked the photo into his pocket and adjusted the sunglasses that weren't there—they were still on Krillin's face.

"Since you're being so filial, I can hardly refuse."

"After all, I've taught you all for so many years. My health really does need... well, a little rest and recuperation."

"But!"

Master Roshi changed his tone.

"I can't live there all the time. Kame House is the foundation of our school, and someone has to keep an eye on it."

"How about staying there for a week every month?"

Krillin suggested.

"Think of it as a consultant's fee for guiding our training."

"A week?"

Master Roshi stroked his chin, seemingly calculating how many beauties he could see in a week.

"Deal! But you're covering my travel expenses!"

"Don't worry. With me around, the trip's free."

Krillin stood up, returned the sunglasses to Master Roshi, and held out a hand.

"Come on, Master. Bulma's waiting for us over there. There's a Swimsuit Fashion Show in West City tonight. If we're late, we'll miss it."

"What?! A Swimsuit Fashion Show?!"

Master Roshi sprang from his lounge chair, moving with a vigor that belied his three hundred years.

In a flash, he dashed into the house, strapped on the shell with the character for "turtle" written on it, and grabbed a walking stick.

"Hurry, hurry! Krillin! Use that whatever-you-call-it of yours! Don't dawdle!"

Watching the old man hop around in a panic, Krillin couldn't help laughing.

That was his master: lecherous and shameless, but more dependable than anyone when it mattered.

"Hold on tight, old man."

Krillin put one hand on Master Roshi's shoulder and wrapped the other around Bulma, who was chuckling beside him.