Going Their Separate Ways

The time to part had finally come.

Master Roshi said, "I've taught you almost everything I can."

From now on, you'll each have to set out on your own paths and gain experience..."

Son Goku looked at Son Mirai. "Son Mirai, want to come with me to find Grandpa's Four-Star Ball?"

Son Mirai shook his head. "Go find it yourself. I have things of my own to do."

"All right, then I'll go by myself!" Goku replied.

As soon as Bulma heard that, she wrapped her arms around Son Mirai's and leaned against his shoulder like a sweet, devoted girlfriend.

"Son Mirai, you finally have time to spend with me..."

Son Mirai turned to look at Bulma. "I need to go away for a while. I'll come find you when I'm done..."

Bulma blinked, puzzled. "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to climb Korin Tower. It'll be very useful for my training."

Seeing Bulma's expression quickly turn gloomy, Son Mirai continued, "Don't worry. I won't keep you waiting long. I need to train in the Gravity Chamber, too.

"Once I get the Ultra Divine Water, I'll come find you in West City!"

Bulma nodded. "All right, but don't take too long..."

"I know, I know!"

Krillin immediately asked, "Son Mirai, what's this Korin Tower you mentioned?"

Son Mirai explained, "At Korin Sacred Land, there's a tower that rises high into the clouds. You can't even see the top.

"Legend has it that if you climb all the way up and drink the Ultra Divine Water, your power will multiply several times over!"

Krillin was startled. "What? It can multiply your power several times over?"

Son Mirai nodded. "That's right!"

Krillin said excitedly, "Then take me with you! I want to climb Korin Tower, too..."

Son Mirai shook his head. "Krillin, I suggest you train for a while longer first.

"That tower is too high. It'll be dangerous if you don't have enough stamina.

"If you can't make it to the top in one go, I'm afraid you'll fall and die..."

Krillin's mouth twitched. "All right, then. I'll hold off for now."

Then he looked at Goku. "Goku, since we don't have anything else to do, why don't I go with you to find the Dragon Balls?"

Goku scratched his head. "But you can't ride the Flying Nimbus..."

"Ah, I forgot. That's really frustrating..." Krillin said glumly.

"Looks like I'll have to head back to Kame House for now..."

Master Roshi immediately suggested, "Goku, I think you should use the Flying Nimbus less!

"Walking will help your training more and build up your stamina."

Hearing Master Roshi say that, Goku nodded at once.

"I understand. I won't use the Flying Nimbus, then. I'll treat the journey as training."

Then he looked at Krillin.

"Krillin, since Master says I should walk, come with me to find the Dragon Balls. We can train together along the way!"

Krillin said excitedly, "Sounds great!"

Goku turned to Son Mirai and asked, "Once I've found Grandpa's Dragon Ball, I want to climb Korin Tower, too. Do you think I can make it to the top?"

Son Mirai nodded. "You should be fine. Just make sure you eat and drink your fill beforehand..."

Goku nodded. "Mm, got it!"

Krillin curled his lip. "If Goku can climb it, then I can, too. Worst case, I'll carry a whole backpack of food..."

Son Mirai thought for a moment, then said, "I suggest you bring a parachute as well. Korin Tower is far, far taller than an airplane..."

Krillin: "..."

Soon, Krillin and Goku gathered together.

"We'll be off, then!"

Everyone waved goodbye to them.

"See you!"

Bulma reminded him, "Goku, do you know how to use the Dragon Radar? Want me to show you?"

Goku said, "No need. I know how to use it! And Krillin will be with me, so we'll be fine..."

"Then take care on the way!"

Son Mirai waved to them, too. "See you!"

And so, Krillin and Goku left side by side.

After saying goodbye to Master Roshi, Son Mirai said to Bulma, "I'll take you home first..."

"No need. I flew here, and I'm taking Amy back with me..."

Son Mirai thought about it. It was already dark, and he wouldn't be able to climb Korin Tower until tomorrow anyway.

The Log-Riding Flight would take only half an hour to travel thousands of miles, so it didn't matter where he went.

So he said directly, "Bulma, I'll go back to West City with you after all!"

Bulma thought he was worried about her, and her expression softened. She said quietly, "I knew you were worried about me..."

Amy got goosebumps watching them.

Soon, Bulma tossed out a Hoi-Poi Capsule and brought out the airplane.

"Let's go, darling..."

The next day.

At the foot of Korin Tower, Upa was sharpening a spear for his father.

The morning sunlight glinted strangely off the spearhead.

"Dad, I've sharpened the spear. Look!"

Bora took the spear and nodded in satisfaction.

"Good work, Upa. Today, Dad will teach you how to spear fish!"

Upa jumped with joy. "That's great! I'll be able to spear fish, too!"

Just then, an orange figure shot over from far away, standing on a pillar.

Bora was startled. He immediately picked Upa up and backed away.

"Boom!"

The pillar slammed into the ground, sending a great mass of dirt flying.

Son Mirai, who had been standing atop it, landed steadily on the ground.

He looked up at Korin Tower and couldn't help exclaiming, "I finally found Korin Tower. It's so tall..."

After seeing Son Mirai and sensing no hostility from him,

and noticing that Son Mirai's attention was fixed entirely on the tower, Bora let down his guard.

"Warrior, are you here to climb Korin Tower?"

Only then did Son Mirai turn his gaze away from the tower and look at Bora and Upa.

"Yes. You're the people guarding this tower, right?"

Bora nodded. "Yes. Our family has guarded Korin Sacred Land for generations."

Son Mirai glanced at the spear in his hand. "Looks like you're about to go hunting.

"I won't keep you, then. I'm going to start climbing!"

Upa peeked out from behind Bora's leg and said softly, "Hey, Korin Tower is really, really tall.

"You can't see the top, and it takes a long, long time to climb. You should be well prepared.

"Why don't you wait a bit? I'll spear some fish for you to eat. You can climb after you've had your fill..."

Son Mirai smiled. "Thanks, but I've already eaten breakfast!"

With that, Son Mirai aimed for the top of the tower. Without a running start or winding up, he simply sprang straight into the air with a mighty leap.

The ground beneath Son Mirai's feet immediately burst apart, sending a ring of wind and dust outward.

His body seemed to turn into a rocket, shooting straight toward the top of the tower.

As soon as Son Mirai's speed began to slow, he stepped onto Korin Tower and ran upward.

He kept going until he pierced the clouds and disappeared from sight.

Bora and Upa stared up at him, stunned.

Bora's ancestors had guarded the tower for generations, and he had seen countless challengers fail.

Yet this was the first time he had ever seen anyone "challenge" the tower this way.

Upa swallowed and lowered his gaze.

He said in amazement, "Dad, that big brother was incredible..."

Bora lowered his gaze, too. Son Mirai was already nowhere to be seen.

"After all these years, I've never seen a master like him. Maybe he really can climb to the top and meet the immortal."