A Way to Put Out the Flames

"Damn it!"

Yamcha watched the battle before him, which was far beyond his level, and clenched his fists tighter and tighter.

"Puar! Can we really just give up like this?"

"I can't accept this outcome!"

"But, Young Master..."

Puar watched Ox King get sent flying once again, and felt a chill run down his spine.

"But he's really terrifying! And he's even younger than you, Young Master Yamcha. Even if you bide your time and spend years preparing for revenge, you won't stand a chance."

"Master, they've stopped fighting!"

Just as Yamcha was agonizing over what to do, Puar suddenly spoke up.

Yamcha poked his head out again, only to find that both sides had already calmed down.

There was also a woman there now.

"Mr. Ox King, I have to say, you're a worthy opponent. Why don't we call a truce? We may even be able to help put out the flames."

"Hm? How am I supposed to trust you?"

Truth be told, after their clash, he'd come to admire the little fellow. It had been a long time since anyone had withstood his three signature moves.

"Take a look at this."

Sun Wuneng patted Goku on the shoulder, signaling for him to take out the Ruyi Staff.

Only when Wuneng spoke did Ox King notice the red staff.

"Huh? It looks familiar. Is this... Senior Brother Gohan's Ruyi Staff?!"

"Brat, how did you get Senior Brother Gohan's Ruyi Staff?"

"Hello, Mr. Ox. Allow me to introduce myself properly. I'm Sun Wuneng, and this is my older brother, Son Goku."

Faced with Ox King's questions, Wuneng shrugged and introduced himself casually.

"As for Sun Gohan, obviously, he's our grandfather."

"!"

"Oh! So you're Senior Brother Gohan's family!"

"Well, this is awkward! It's like a flood washed away the Dragon King's temple—we didn't recognize our own family!"

The moment Ox King heard the name Sun Gohan, his earlier ferocity vanished, and he softened instantly.

He awkwardly scratched his head and joked,

"No wonder you're so strong, Wuneng! Back when I studied on Kame Island with Senior Brother Gohan, he was already incredibly powerful!"

"Sun Gohan?"

Yamcha, who'd been eavesdropping nearby, puzzled over the name.

"No wonder! They're the family of that great martial arts master!"

A bolt of realization flashed through Yamcha's mind. At last, he understood what the name meant.

"The greatest martial arts master, the owner of the Ruyi Staff—so he had a renowned master to teach him. No wonder, no wonder!"

"Young Master Yamcha, what are you talking about?"

Puar looked at Yamcha, who seemed to have lost his mind, and asked in confusion.

"Puar, do you think I should find a master too? Maybe then I could take my study of Martial Arts to the next level."

Who knew how deeply this scene had affected someone like him, who'd learned on his own? He'd always believed in himself.

Even without anyone to guide him, he'd been confident that his talent would let him make a name for himself in Martial Arts. He'd also always thought his self-created Wolf Fang Wind Fist was a peerless martial arts technique. With it, even if he couldn't match top masters like Sun Gohan, he could still be a master in his own right.

But his confidence and arrogance had crumbled after he met the brothers, Son Goku and Wuneng.

"Wuneng, was it true when you said you could help put out the fire on the mountain?"

"I haven't seen my precious treasures in days! If this goes on, they'll all burn to ashes!"

He hesitated as he spoke. As far as he knew, the only thing that could put out the flames was the Banana Fan in Master Mutaito's possession. But he didn't know whether Chichi would manage to find him.

"We can have Goku go to Kame Island and find Master Mutaito."

Wuneng spoke up.

"We ran into him before, and now we're considered disciples of Kame Style."

"Besides, Goku has the Flying Nimbus now. He can easily go ask Master Roshi to help you put out the fire."

Wuneng offered a suggestion at just the right moment. It was exactly what Ox King had in mind; it was what he'd wanted all along.

"I've already sent my daughter, Chichi, to find Master Mutaito. Since Goku has the Flying Nimbus, please have him go too. The sooner we take care of this, the better!"

"If the fire burns for a few more days, I'll lose my home!"

Ox King gazed anxiously at the great castle engulfed in flames on the mountain. His life's savings were all inside. If it burned down... Just thinking about it made his heart ache so much he could barely breathe!

"..."

Wuneng looked at Ox King, who was fretting, and tried again and again to hold back his comment.

"Honestly, burning down and getting blown up are pretty much the same thing."

But not wanting to upset Ox King, Wuneng kept every last complaint to himself and didn't let a word slip.

"So Goku needs to go find that lecherous old man?"

Bulma remembered the old pervert who'd taken the brothers on as his disciples just a few days ago.

"Leave it to me! My Flying Nimbus is way faster than Ribut!"

Son Goku eagerly cut in. Ribut rolled his eyes in annoyance, but after considering the difference in their physical abilities, he silently accepted it.

Son Goku summoned the Flying Nimbus and was just about to set off when Ox King made another request.

"Hey, Goku, I have a daughter named Chichi. She already left to find Master Mutaito. If you see her on the way, could you take her with you?"

"Sure, leave it to me!"

Son Goku hopped onto the Flying Nimbus and flew off.

This left the two eavesdroppers nearby in a real bind.

"We're doomed, Young Master! That girl's Ox King's daughter!"

Puar was so shocked he nearly jumped, looking like a cat on the verge of death.

Yamcha was sweating too. Who could've expected this kind of complication?

Master and servant immediately turned back, and Yamcha prayed with all his might that nothing had happened to the girl he'd knocked unconscious.

Otherwise, the two of them would be in serious trouble.

Wanting to race Son Goku and reach her before he did, Yamcha used every last bit of strength he had to find the girl again.

"Do you like me?"

The beautiful girl in the pink outfit gazed blankly at the person before her, lost in daydreams.

Yamcha's face flushed red. His fear of interacting with girls was his biggest flaw, and now that he'd suddenly found himself face-to-face with one, he was incredibly tense.

"What's wrong? Are you sick?"

Chichi looked at Yamcha curiously.

"Hehe, y-yeah, a little."

Yamcha answered awkwardly.

His mouth opened on its own, revealing a gap where half his teeth should have been.