The next day, just as dawn was breaking, Goku and Son Mirai got up for their morning workout.
It was nothing complicated, just a morning jog and some push-ups.
When they returned to the Capsule House after their workout, a Sea Turtle blocked their way.
The Sea Turtle pleaded, "S-sorry, I'm dying of thirst. Could you give me a glass of water?"
Goku scratched his head and looked at Son Mirai. "Why is there a turtle here?"
"That's a Sea Turtle," Son Mirai said.
The Sea Turtle immediately explained, "Yes, I'm a Sea Turtle. I used to live in the ocean.
"One time, I came out to look for matsutake mushrooms and got lost. Then I tried to find the ocean, but I couldn't. I've been wandering around for a whole year..."
Son Mirai thought for a moment. Master Roshi had a Dragon Ball, so they might as well pay him a visit. It wasn't out of their way.
"This place is over a hundred kilometers from the ocean. Let's take him back," he said.
Goku nodded. "Sure! I've been wanting to see that ocean you told me about!"
The Sea Turtle looked delighted. "You're such good people! Um, I'm really thirsty. Could I have some water first?"
Son Mirai nodded. "Of course!"
Just as Son Mirai was about to open the door, the Capsule House door opened from the inside.
Bulma poked her head out, still in her pajamas.
"Huh? Where did you catch that Sea Turtle?"
She glanced at the ashes left over from Goku's barbecue the night before, and the bones beside them. She couldn't help thinking of the wolf and centipede from last night.
"You're not planning to have this turtle for breakfast, are you?"
The Sea Turtle was terrified.
"I-I'm actually not very tasty!"
"Of course not, Bulma," Son Mirai quickly explained.
"This Sea Turtle got lost, so we're planning to take him back to the ocean."
"You're going to take him back to the ocean?"
"Mm." Son Mirai nodded.
Bulma immediately pulled out a map and began searching for the ocean.
Meanwhile, Son Mirai filled a bucket with water and brought it over to the Sea Turtle.
The Sea Turtle gulped it down.
A moment later, Bulma found the ocean on the map.
"Got it. The ocean is 120 kilometers from here. Isn't that too far?"
She looked at Son Mirai and said seriously, "Taking him back will waste a lot of our time."
"You don't need to gather the Dragon Balls to wish for a boyfriend anymore, so there's no rush," Son Mirai said. "We can take our time!
"And even if we don't find them all, we can look for the rest during winter break!"
Bulma's face stiffened, and then she said, "But I've spent so long getting ready to go out. I really want to see Shenron!"
While Son Mirai and Bulma were still discussing it, Goku had already picked up the Sea Turtle and put him on his back.
"Mr. Sea Turtle, let them argue. I'll take you home."
With that, he set off toward the ocean with the Sea Turtle on his back.
After taking a few steps, Goku suddenly asked, "You really aren't tasty?"
The Sea Turtle explained, doing his best to sound convincing, "Of course not! I'm over a hundred years old. My meat wouldn't taste good."
Watching Goku carry the Sea Turtle away, Son Mirai said, "He's already gone to take him home. Should we pack up the Capsule House and follow?"
"Maybe not?"
Bulma rarely got up early and was still a little sleepy.
"Take a look at the Dragon Radar," Son Mirai said. "Maybe there's a Dragon Ball in the direction he's heading."
"How could we get that lucky? You just want to..."
Bulma stopped mid-sentence when she saw a new marker on the Dragon Radar.
"Huh? What's going on?"
"There's a Dragon Ball 120 kilometers in the direction Goku went."
Son Mirai smiled. "Looks like it's fate that we take the Sea Turtle home."
Bulma nodded. "Good thing you noticed. Then let's go too.
"I'll change, and then we can set off."
Son Mirai suddenly thought of the lecherous Master Roshi and quickly said, "By the way, Bulma,
"change into something more modest. Long sleeves and pants would be best..."
A faint blush spread across Bulma's face.
"Mm, I know. I'll put on a tracksuit."
By the time Bulma had changed and packed away the Capsule House, an hour had passed.
Goku had gone a long way and was already out of sight.
She drove toward the coast, flooring the accelerator.
Unfortunately, the road was in terrible shape, full of potholes, and she couldn't get up to speed.
Bulma yawned.
"It's exhausting driving on roads like this!"
She glanced at Son Mirai, who was dozing in the passenger seat, and said, somewhat unhappily, "If you knew how to drive, it'd be great if you could take over."
Son Mirai opened his eyes. "I can't drive, but I'm really strong.
"I could carry the car and you while we travel..."
Bulma's mouth twitched.
"A-are you kidding?"
Just then, a Bear-faced Scarred Bandit blocked their path, and Bulma slammed on the brakes.
The man carried a broadsword wider than the car and grinned menacingly.
"This tree is mine, this road is mine... If you want to pass, pay the toll!"
Seeing the burly bandit and the sword that looked big enough to cleave the car in two, Bulma couldn't help panicking.
"Oh no, Son Mirai, we've run into a robber!
"What do we do? I hope he only wants our money and not... me."
As she spoke, Bulma began rummaging through her capsule bag, ready to hand over anything valuable.
Son Mirai put a hand on Bulma's fidgeting one.
"Don't worry, Bulma.
"Have you forgotten how strong I am? I'll go deal with him."
As he spoke, Son Mirai opened the door and got out of the car.
Seeing his back, Bulma looked surprised.
"D-don't try to be a hero! It's fine if he just takes some money..."
Son Mirai didn't reply. He glanced around, then looked at the bandit.
"Can I ask you something? Did you just see a guy carrying a Sea Turtle?"
At the mention of Sea Turtle, the bandit couldn't stop himself from drooling.
"A Sea Turtle? That's my favorite thing to eat! Where is it? I didn't see one!"
The bandit looked around.
Hearing that, Son Mirai frowned.
"Did that guy Goku go the wrong way?"
The bandit glanced at the car behind Son Mirai. "Never mind. With money, you can buy anything!"
He brandished his gleaming broadsword threateningly. "If you don't want to die, hand over everything valuable, including that car..."
Son Mirai looked at his own fist, then at the bandit, and grinned. "You're lucky. You get to see me fight for the first time!"
"What did you say?"
Son Mirai's expression made the bandit feel mocked. He swung his sharp broadsword at him.
Unhurried, Son Mirai said, "I'll use only one-tenth of my strength in this punch. Whether you can take it is up to fate..."
As he finished speaking, the sword came down.
Son Mirai's figure flashed, and he easily dodged the blade,
then drove a fist into the bandit at a speed invisible to the naked eye.
Bang!
The bandit was blasted backward as if he'd been hit by a cannonball. He didn't even manage to scream.
Boom!
His massive body smashed through a small mountain before disappearing into a rolling cloud of dust. It was impossible to tell whether he was alive or dead.
Bulma watched from the car, so shocked her jaw nearly hit the floor.
"He-He's that strong..."
Thinking of how she'd be able to brag to her classmates about her boyfriend—he was tall and handsome, and incredibly powerful, too—
she couldn't help exclaiming, "I'm so happy!"
"If I take him to school, all the girls will be jealous!"
Just then, Son Mirai got back in the car.
"Bulma, turn around. Goku might be lost and hasn't made it this far yet. Let's go find him first..."
Before you continue