If You Don't Think You Can Handle It, Give Up

The moon hung high overhead, and the wind and waves had gradually died down. Lying on her side in bed, Bulma stared at Son Wuneng, who was sitting cross-legged in meditation.

"You were so mean this afternoon! You actually let Goku go fight a girl. What if he gets the wrong idea and can't find a wife later?"

For some reason, although Son Goku was technically her boyfriend's older brother, Bulma always unconsciously treated him as her little brother or a junior.

Meanwhile, her nominal little brother, Son Wuneng, always seemed so mature. Not only did he guide the relationship between the brothers, but most of the time he was the one guiding the relationship between himself and Bulma, too.

"I swear, you're getting more and more charming, Wuneng."

A sparkle flickered in her eyes as Bulma murmured dreamily. She was now more grateful than ever for the spur-of-the-moment journey she'd taken in search of the Dragon Balls.

Perhaps even the heavens had been guiding her eastward, across the wilderness, to meet the man destined for her.

Son Wuneng keenly sensed the shift in Bulma's thoughts. After a moment's consideration, he said calmly,

"Though I can't change Master Mutaito's way of thinking, keeping you safe has to come first. To me, you're just as important as Goku! You're both the people dearest to me!"

Being there for someone might be the most heartfelt declaration of love, but sometimes sweet words were even more intoxicating than silent companionship.

Bulma fell into a deep sleep with a satisfied smile, continuing her date with her Wuneng in her dreams.

Son Wuneng, meanwhile, quietly sat cross-legged in meditation, hoping to bring his body, energy, and spirit into an even more perfect state before formal training began the next day...

Time slipped by like sand, and a faint red glow gradually appeared on the horizon.

After Son Wuneng keenly heard a click, he silently got up and went outside.

There, he ran into the three masters and disciples, who had already gathered.

"Good morning, Master Mutaito! Good morning, everyone!"

He raised a hand in greeting, walked over to Son Goku and the others, then naturally turned to face Master Roshi.

Seeing how energetic Son Wuneng looked, Master Roshi nodded with satisfaction. This disciple was a rough-cut gem, no matter how you looked at him—a natural at martial arts!

"Since everyone's here, it's time to begin our training!"

His expression turned solemn, and he seemed like a completely different person from usual.

"Before we start, I want to make one thing clear: martial arts aren't simply about fighting and proving your strength. The purpose of learning martial arts is to keep surpassing yourself."

"Your enemy isn't anyone else. It's yourself!"

"Don't become fixated on your current level of skill, and don't put too much emphasis on techniques."

"Build a solid foundation. When the flower of martial arts blooms, you'll meet a different version of yourself!"

"Yes!"

Everyone answered in unison, waiting for Master Roshi's instructions.

"As the saying goes, a snake can't move without a head, and a school needs rules to take shape!"

"From now on, Wuneng, you'll be the senior disciple. If I'm not around, you're in charge of leading their training."

"If anyone tries to slack off, don't bother asking me. Just put them through the wringer!"

Before Son Wuneng could respond, he continued,

"Your foundations are completely different, so from now on, Wuneng, you'll carry this forty-kilogram Turtle Shell. Goku and Yamcha, you'll carry the twenty-kilogram ones!"

"We'll start with a warm-up. Jog five kilometers to loosen up!"

Son Wuneng silently took the Turtle Shell without showing any objection.

"Then let's go!"

"One, two, one, two, bounce along!"

"One, two, one, two, bounce along!"

Shouting the strange chant, Master Roshi set off first, leading his disciples toward the rising sun. He didn't teach them any advanced training methods. Instead, he had them start with the most basic goal of strengthening their bodies.

The method seemed ordinary, even a little comical with each of them carrying a Turtle Shell.

But Son Wuneng, the only one who had begun to sense his ki, could feel that as they breathed to the strange rhythm, a warm current stirred within their bodies with every movement and steadily grew stronger!

"So this is the secret of training!"

A flash of insight lit his eyes, and he threw himself into it even more wholeheartedly.

Once they'd finished their five-kilometer warm-up, the group arrived at the first stop on their training route: the Milk Station!

When the station workers saw the strange line of turtle people behind him, they were clearly startled.

"Hello, we're here to deliver the milk, as arranged!"

Master Roshi tapped his cane, prompting the workers to snap out of it.

After awkwardly completing the handoff with Master Roshi, the "turtle people" set out once more.

Only now, each of them had a tray of milk in hand.

"Next, we'll deliver this fresh milk to the island's residents. Make sure you move quickly, but keep the milk steady, or you'll have money docked from your pay!"

After giving the brief instruction, Master Roshi led the way again, taking the group with him.

After they passed through a forest, he raised the difficulty, telling them to switch from running to jumping and weave around the trees. The first three were all carrying Turtle Shells, but they were in good enough shape to keep going. Krillin, who had only just started training, was clearly beginning to struggle.

As sweat dripped down and his breathing grew ragged, he found himself wanting to slack off.

Krillin kept shouting, "Jump, jump!"

But he'd already straightened up and was heading straight down the main road.

Without waiting for Master Roshi to say a word, Son Wuneng reached out and took the milk tray Krillin was carrying, then immediately kicked out.

Thud!

Caught off guard, Krillin was sent sprawling to the ground.

"If you're going to cut corners even in training, I suggest you leave now. If you fool around with martial arts, martial arts will fool around with you!"

"Rather than complain and blame everyone else when you fall behind later, you might as well stop training from the start."

With that, he carried both trays of milk and walked off ahead of them.

Yamcha and Son Goku stared at him blankly, then looked at Wuneng as he walked away. In the end, they pursed their lips and didn't dare speak up for Krillin.

Son Wuneng's authority hadn't been established in a day. The two of them clearly didn't dare provoke him just then.

Krillin, sprawled face-down on the ground, stared blankly at the three walking away, looking lost. Tears gradually welled in his eyes.

"If you don't think you can handle it, give up. No one will say anything."

Master Roshi stood nearby, looking unconcerned. Clearly, he didn't care much either way.

"Please give me one more chance. I can do it this time!"

After a long inner struggle, Krillin thought of the miserable life he'd had before, wiped his eyes, and bowed deeply.

"If that's the case, hurry up and catch up!"

Master Roshi casually handed his own tray to Krillin and gestured for him to return to his starting point and begin the training again.