Tarble's Reminder

Just as Son Goku finished speaking, Tarble walked in through the door.

After hearing Vegeta's words and remembering how Tarble had suddenly asked him to hand over the box earlier, Son Goku finally realized that something must be wrong.

Otherwise, Tarble wouldn't have called them all here for no reason.

"Tarble, did you call us here because you found something?"

After sensing that the Demon Cultivator He Yi hadn't moved, Tarble nodded. "There's something a little off."

"That old guy didn't seem like a good person to me. I can't shake the feeling that he's hiding something."

"But I don't know whether my instincts are right."

"When you try to force the box open in a bit, don't use your full strength. Just make a show of it."

"If I'm not mistaken, Gohan already tried. If even he couldn't open it, then brute force won't work."

"If we want to know what that old guy is really up to, everything will become clear after the Dragon God helps us open the box."

As soon as he finished speaking,

Son Goku looked at him doubtfully. "Really?"

"That old man seemed perfectly normal to me!"

As soon as he said that, Vegeta gave him a scornful look and seized the chance to insult him. "Do you think everyone's as stupid as you?"

Son Goku ignored the insult and tilted his head, thinking it over carefully, but he still couldn't think of anything unusual.

"But I didn't sense anything wrong?"

Vegeta couldn't even be bothered to insult him again. He shared his own impression instead. "That old guy made me feel uncomfortable for a moment."

"I thought it was just my imagination. I didn't expect you to dislike him too, Tarble!"

"Hmph!"

"Looks like that old guy really is up to something!"

"He dares come to my house and pull some sinister stunt? He's asking to die!"

What do you mean, "dislike him"!

You really know how to put it, Vegeta.

Tarble gave him a long look.

Then Vegeta asked, "Tarble, how much of what that old guy said do you believe?"

"That Cosmic Cataclysm thing—do you believe in it?"

"And is that so-called Hero really sealed inside the box?"

At that, Tarble shook his head without giving a definite answer. "Who knows?"

"But that Hero named Tapion probably really is sealed inside the box."

"As for the Cosmic Cataclysm, maybe it's something that old guy is plotting. Maybe."

"Your Highness, should I go kill that old man right now?" Rix suggested.

The Cosmic Cataclysm sounded like a disaster with the potential to cause immense damage.

It seemed likely they'd be caught up in it too.

If so, it would be better to strike first.

That was what he thought.

Before Tarble or Vegeta could reject his suggestion, Son Goku hurriedly waved his hands and tried to stop him. "No, no!"

"I think we should see what's going on first before we decide?"

"What do you think, Vegeta, Tarble?"

To Son Goku, that was a living being.

If the old man wasn't confirmed to be an enemy, killing him just like that would be too cruel.

For someone as kindhearted and simple as him, that was unacceptable.

"Hmph!"

Seeing Son Goku act like that made Vegeta feel sick.

Seeing this, Tarble realized Vegeta might not cooperate, so he made his own position clear in advance.

"It's fine. We just got back from training, so we might as well play around if we're bored!"

"Let's see what that old guy is really up to."

"Hopefully, things get a little interesting."

"For now, everyone should use only part of their normal strength to see if they can open the box. If we scare the old guy off, we won't get to see what happens."

"Come on, let's go shower first."

"I'm drenched in sweat, and it feels awful."

With that, he didn't wait to see how Vegeta or Son Goku would react. He turned, opened the door, and walked out.

He'd made himself clear. If Vegeta still wouldn't cooperate, there was nothing he could do.

Still, he was fairly confident Vegeta would play along.

After all, in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, Vegeta had used him to mock Son Goku more than once.

He often told Son Goku things like, "Tarble is the strongest Saiyan," and seemed proud and happy that Tarble had surpassed him.

Given that, Vegeta would probably cooperate with the act to some extent.

Just how far he'd go along with it, though, Tarble couldn't guess.

As he walked down the corridor, he could still hear Rix speaking to Son Goku.

"Son Goku, you can rinse off quickly in my room."

"Sure, thanks, Rix."

Fifteen minutes later.

After washing up, Tarble and the others were all dressed in the Battle Suits Bulma had made.

When they reached the living room, Bulma came to call them to dinner. The food was ready.

The four of them were starving and rushed eagerly toward the dining room.

Without saying a word or waiting for Bulma to bring the Demon Cultivator He Yi to the table, they started wolfing down the food on their own.

When Bulma arrived with He Yi and saw them,

good grief!

They were all stuffing their faces, barely chewing, and displaying no table manners whatsoever.

She couldn't help complaining. "Honestly!"

"Couldn't you at least wait for our guest?"

However,

the four Saiyans were too focused on eating to pay her any attention.

She was already used to it.

With a helpless look, she apologized and invited He Yi to sit down.

"Please have a seat, sir. Don't mind them."

It was the first time the Demon Cultivator He Yi had seen humans eat so much. His eyes widened, and he chuckled. "Madam Bulma, your husband and the other three gentlemen certainly have healthy appetites!"

He wasn't exaggerating in the slightest.

In all his years, he'd never seen humans with such enormous appetites.

Bulma gave an awkward smile. "It can't be helped. Saiyans just eat this much."

"All right, sir, please go ahead."

"Otherwise, I'm afraid they'll finish all the food in a moment. Hehe~"

"Very well, thank you for the meal. Seeing how much they're enjoying it has certainly whetted my appetite too. In that case, I'll get started!"

He Yi replied with a chuckle, then gently picked up his utensils, his movements smooth and unhurried.

As he served himself, his right hand deftly picked up the food he wanted while his left hand held his bowl in just the right place to catch it, making sure not a drop of grease fell onto the table.

Then he brought the bowl close, slowly lifted the food to his mouth, and savored each bite, chewing slowly and carefully. His manners were quite elegant.

Watching him, Bulma found it oddly delightful to see the old man eat.

Then she looked at the four of them, eating so crudely that she could barely stand to watch.

What was more, after tasting each dish, the Demon Cultivator He Yi offered a thoughtful review and praised Bulma as well.

As a result, the smile hardly ever left Bulma's face.