The moment he sensed the ki!
"Thud! Boom!"
"Rumble!"
A series of violent explosions rang in his ears, instantly jolting Wuneng out of his meditative state.
In the next instant, he was already at Bulma's side.
"Open your mouth!"
With a sharp cry, Wuneng covered Bulma's ears with both hands. At the same time, he turned around and summoned an aura that enveloped them both!
Bulma had nearly lost her balance from the shock wave. Just as panic began to set in, she heard Wuneng's voice. She did as he said, then felt his hands cover her ears.
She lowered her head slightly and looked at the boy protecting her. Her face flushed a deep red.
"Son-kun~"
Perhaps even she didn't realize how sweet and soft her voice sounded as she called him "Son-kun." Or perhaps she knew and simply didn't care!
What Bulma did know was how safe this big boy made her feel!
Master Roshi had his back to everyone on the high platform. When he sensed the aura rising from Wuneng, the corner of his mouth curled discreetly in satisfaction. But he quickly hid the expression, once again seeming like a frail old man.
"Oh dear, the fire's out!"
Whether he sounded wistful or playful, the little old man clambered unsteadily down from the platform.
This time, though he still looked just as lecherous, no one present dared look down on him!
Just then, the thick smoke cleared. Everyone looked out and saw that the hundred-meter-high mountain had vanished, leaving nothing but ruins. The castle on top of it was gone, too!
"Oh dear, I'm terribly sorry. The fire's out, but I accidentally leveled your castle, too. It's been a long time since I went all out. I must've miscalculated my strength!"
Seeing the awkward scene, Master Roshi scratched his head.
The Ox King was heartbroken, but there was nothing he could do. He desperately reminded himself that this was his own teacher—and that he couldn't beat him anyway!
It took him a long while to finally get a grip on himself.
"N-no, it's all right, Master Mutaito. We can always rebuild the castle!"
"Now that the fire's out, this place is even more suitable to live in. Would you be willing to stay here with us?"
"It's been a long time since I graduated from your tutelage, and I've missed hearing your teachings!"
After hearing him out, Master Mutaito scratched his bald head and flatly refused. What would be the point of living with a big, burly roughneck?
"No, no. Stop right there!"
"I'm used to living alone. I'm not used to sharing a home with anyone!"
Patting the Ox King on the thigh, Master Roshi gave him some rare words of advice.
"Little Ox, now that the castle's gone, don't bother building anything grand. Just put up a small house and make yourself a place to stay. Your daughter's already grown up. You should focus on raising her."
"Remember, if you keep walking by the river, sooner or later you'll get your shoes wet. There's always someone stronger out there. If you keep picking fights and trying to prove you're the toughest, one day you'll run into a true master."
"Not everyone has Goku's good sense!"
He didn't need to know much more. Given how hotheaded the Ox King had been, there was no way he hadn't gotten into a fight with Wuneng.
As for how it had turned out? Just look at the boy, who had already grasped the essence of ki on his own and was about to master it. The answer was obvious.
Based on the strength Master Roshi had sensed from Wuneng last time, he could have beaten the Ox King to a pulp!
As the Ox King listened to Master Mutaito's teachings, he seemed to drift back to his childhood.
Overcome with emotion, he dropped to his knees as if a mountain had crumbled beneath him, then burst into tears.
Master Roshi felt a pang of emotion at the sight. He had lived for more than three hundred years, and had long since grown used to the partings of life and death. Still, every time he faced one, he couldn't help feeling a touch of sorrow.
"You silly boy, don't carry on like a little girl. If you miss your teacher, just come visit me on the island!"
Rubbing the Ox King's head, Master Roshi offered him one last bit of comfort.
After finishing with the Ox King, he flashed over to Wuneng and the others.
His face, which had been full of sorrow and reluctance, quickly squeezed out a smile. The sight made everyone shudder!
"My dear disciples, you've had enough fun, haven't you? When are you coming back with me to study Martial Arts?"
"How was my performance just now? Did I look incredibly cool?"
"Heh. I won't make any promises, but if you train with me for a while, you'll soon surpass me!"
He grinned like a sly old fox, and with his ridiculously flamboyant pose, he looked exactly like a child trafficker trying to lure children away.
Not only were Wuneng and the others stunned by the sight, but even the Ox King, still sniffling nearby, froze. He felt like his emotions had been thrown completely out of whack.
"Wait, Master? Didn't you say you wanted to live alone?"
"Ahem, Master Mutaito, we still haven't found one of the Dragon Balls. Once we've summoned Shenron and made our wish, I'll come find you to train as soon as I can!"
Seeing Bulma beside him go quiet, as if she might explode at any moment, Wuneng hurriedly explained his plan. Otherwise, he was genuinely afraid Bulma might pick a fight with Master Roshi the next second.
"Grandpa Turtle Hermit, that Kamehameha was amazing!"
Son Goku exclaimed in admiration.
"Want to learn it? I'll teach you!"
When he couldn't lure the older boy away, Master Roshi immediately switched targets!
"Without my lessons, it'll take you fifty years to reach that level!"
Son Goku stared at his ten fingers in bewilderment, seemingly trying to work out how many years fifty was.
After scratching his head for a long while, he decided to stop thinking about it. Seeing Bulma take out the Dragon Radar to search for the Dragon Balls, he ran off to the side and imitated Master Roshi's opening stance.
"Kamehameha!"
He thrust both palms forward. Without even charging up, a thin stream of energy shot from between them and struck the rocks ahead!
With a "Boom!", a man and a cat crawled out from between the shattered rocks, covered in dust.
Everyone stared at the sight in shock, their mouths hanging open.
"How is that possible?!"
Master Roshi even yanked out one of his whiskers.
Wuneng watched the scene, feeling a little moved. He had sensed the flow of ki himself just moments ago and instinctively learned how to gather it, but he wasn't sure he could unleash a Kamehameha as smoothly as Son Goku had!
That sort of talent really did seem to be inborn.
As for Yamcha and his companion, Wuneng didn't consider them a threat.
He thought for a moment, then spoke to Master Roshi.
"Master Mutaito, why not let Goku go back with you first? At the very least, you should help him build a solid foundation!"
"Hmm, now that you mention it, that's a great idea!" Master Roshi immediately agreed, his eyes lighting up.
Before you continue