A Solution

"What are you doing?" a stern voice called from the cockpit doorway. "Get back to your stations."

He didn't use any particularly harsh words, but his icy tone, as cold as the north wind, was enough to send anyone who liked to watch the excitement scurrying away. That was especially true when the speaker was General Tien Shinhan, the Red Ribbon Army's notoriously cold, expressionless man.

The onlookers obediently returned to their stations. At the very least, they no longer dared openly gawk at Zhang Wutian and Son Wukong, the two outsiders. Then Tien approached Zhang Wutian with a stony expression.

"I don't know what you're planning, but bringing her into our world was obviously a reckless decision. It can only cause panic and chaos. Are you planning to use that familiar face to negotiate with the monster? Foolish!"

"If you don't know what I'm planning, then keep your mouth shut," Zhang Wutian replied bluntly. Then he turned to Son Wukong. "Wukong, take out the Dragon Balls."

"Okay." Son Wukong took the Dragon Balls from the pocket at her side.

Two translucent, golden-orange orbs rolled out and came to a stop on the table.

Even in a different world, the Dragon Balls had lost none of their power. Some strange connection kept their strength intact.

"Th-these are..." Krillin seemed to realize something, and could barely get the words out.

"These are the Dragon Balls. Collect all seven, and they can grant any wish. How about we wish for everyone that guy killed to come back to life?"

"They can grant any wish..." Krillin drew a deep breath. "Really... any wish?"

"Your world has Dragon Balls like these, too. You were just unlucky. The person who made them was killed, so they lost their power and turned into ordinary stones."

"The person who made the Dragon Balls... could it have been King Piccolo?" Krillin quickly put two and two together.

"Half right." Zhang Wutian couldn't be bothered to explain the passionate, love-hate history between God and the Great Demon King. He glanced at Tien, then continued, "The problem is that even if we bring everyone in this world back to life, that guy could just kill them again. So before we use the Dragon Balls, I think our top priority should be taking him down."

"Wait. If the Dragon Balls can grant any wish, why don't we just wish for the monster to be destroyed?" Krillin asked.

"There are two reasons." Zhang Wutian held up two fingers. "First, Shenron can't kill anyone stronger than its creator." As he spoke, he lowered one finger. "Second, as a martial artist, I'm not going to do something so spineless. I've come all this way to a world like this. How could I not meet the guy?"

"You have no idea how terrifying that monster is!" Tien spoke as if forcing the words through clenched teeth.

"You're wrong again." Zhang Wutian glanced at Tien. "I understand. I have someone almost exactly like him right beside me."

As he spoke, Zhang Wutian looked at Son Wukong, who wore a bewildered expression.

"Her?" Tien paused, then continued, "She's no match for that monster!"

"Maybe not now. But what about after she trains?"

"Do you know how many people will die while she's training?!"

"Everything can be brought back with the Dragon Balls." Zhang Wutian was an old hand at this sort of thing. Although he had never actually used the Dragon Balls, he'd clearly developed the Dragon Ball World's peculiar dependence on them—and he was already in the late stages.

Tien had never encountered the Dragon Balls and had no idea how recklessly people would abuse them later on. Of course he couldn't understand Zhang Wutian's way of thinking. But Zhang Wutian's next words left him speechless.

"Have you got something wrong here, Tien? We're from another world. We're willing to help this world, but we're not obligated to. Have I been so eager to help that you've mistaken our goodwill for a duty?"

"..." Tien clenched his teeth and glared at Zhang Wutian.

"I'm sorry. Tien lost too many comrades fighting that monster, so he's been a bit on edge. Please don't take it personally," Krillin said, trying to smooth things over.

But Krillin had lost no fewer comrades than Tien. Zhang Wutian admired this world's Krillin even more than Tien, so he smiled and said, "Come on. I'll take you to a great place to train. I hope it hasn't been destroyed yet."

Though it was another world, its structure was almost exactly the same. Following Zhang Wutian's directions, the airship arrived at Karin Sacred Land.

The place seemed untouched by any destruction, and the Native American tribe that guarded the sacred land was still living there peacefully.

The airship's arrival disturbed the quiet. Bora and Upa, who had now grown into a teenager, looked up at the enormous craft blotting out the sky.

Zhang Wutian, Son Wukong, and Krillin leaped down and landed on the ground. Tien used the Flight Technique to fly down from the sky.

"So that's the Crane School's Flight Technique? Teach me that move sometime."

"If you can save the world," Tien replied coldly.

"Who are you?" Bora asked calmly, looking at the people who had suddenly appeared in the sacred land.

"Two martial artists from another world and two from this one. We'd like to climb this tower and meet Master Korin, who lives at the top."

"Another world?" Bora didn't really understand Zhang Wutian's introduction, but as guardian of the sacred land, his job was simply to drive away anyone who caused trouble or damage. He wouldn't stop anyone from climbing Korin Tower.

"We could have taken the airship straight to the top to visit Master Korin, but that immortal doesn't like shortcuts. Besides, climbing all the way up from the bottom is a form of training. It'll be good for you to do it once, especially you, Wukong."

"You said an immortal lives at the top?" Krillin asked.

"Master Roshi in your world really hasn't told you anything. Master Korin, who lives at the top of this tower, was once known as the God of Martial Arts. In our world, I trained under him for a while."

"I've heard a similar legend..." Tien murmured.

"The God of Martial Arts?" Son Wukong hadn't been following the conversation very closely, but she wasn't stupid; she could understand what was being said. "Does someone really powerful live at the top? More powerful than Granny Master Roshi?"

"He's not exactly powerful, but he's very good at training students. He's a great teacher."

Without saying anything more, they made their decision. Tien took the lead and began climbing, followed by Krillin, then Son Wukong. Zhang Wutian brought up the rear, climbing onto the tower last.

The four quickly vanished from Bora's sight.