037, Improper Collecting in the Proper Dragon Ball World: One Dragon Ball Hunt Isn't Enough?

The next morning, after a wonderfully comfortable night's sleep, Son Wukong seemed to have forgotten what had happened in the bathroom the day before.

It had been such a filthy affair that Zhang Wutian had naturally decided to treat it as a dark chapter in his past. Now that Wukong had forgotten about it, he was more than happy not to bring it up.

After a breakfast that was almost too lavish, Zhang Wutian finally got down to business.

Since he'd promised the people on the other side that he would use the Dragon Balls to grant their wish, Zhang Wutian naturally didn't plan to dawdle. He decided to get it over with as quickly as possible.

Using the Dragon Radar, he discovered that, besides the Dragon Balls on his side, the other three were all gathered in one place. Clearly, with Wukong not getting involved in the story, the Red Ribbon Army had managed to find three Dragon Balls over the past three months.

So Zhang Wutian found a public phone booth and dialed the Red Ribbon Army headquarters.

As for how he got the phone number, it was simple: all he had to do was ask the Red Ribbon Army's higher-ups in the other world.

Now that he'd made up his mind to collect the Dragon Balls, Zhang Wutian had naturally planned ahead. He just hoped the phone numbers were the same in both worlds. If he'd dialed a number that was no longer in service, things would have been awkward.

Fortunately, the phone rang only twice before someone answered.

"Who is this?" An unfamiliar man's voice came from the other end.

"Is this the Red Ribbon Army headquarters?"

"Who are you?" It was the same question as before, but this time the voice was no longer casual. It sounded as cold and sharp as a blade.

"I'm a mysterious martial artist. I have a message for the leader of the Red Ribbon Army."

"A mysterious martial artist? If you managed to get this phone number, you're no ordinary nobody hiding in the shadows. Go on. I'm listening."

Being able to get straight through to the person in charge with a single phone call made Zhang Wutian smile faintly. Then he said, "I'll get straight to the point. I know you're collecting the Dragon Balls. Well, I'm collecting them too."

"And?" The man on the other end sounded more serious.

"I have three Dragon Balls. You can confirm that with your radar. You have three as well, so we're evenly matched. Why don't we make a wager?"

"You know quite a bit. You want to make a wager with me? The supreme commander of the world's number one Red Ribbon Army? Who do you think you are? What makes you think you're on equal footing with me?"

"I am, because I'm strong," Zhang Wutian said casually.

"Ha ha ha ha! You arrogant brat. Fine, I'll humor you and hear your joke."

"Next Monday, I'll come to your headquarters in person. Then we'll have a proper fight. You can spend the time preparing as many men, planes, tanks, and missiles as you like. If I break through your defenses and reach you, or force you to surrender, I win. If I can't, I lose. The winner gets the Dragon Balls in the loser's possession, and the loser can't complain..."

"Enough!" Commander Red, who had a stern villain's face but stood barely tall enough to reach the desk, roared furiously from the other end of the line. "Are you trying to make a fool of me, the supreme commander of the Red Ribbon Army? Don't think you can act high and mighty just because you got this number from somewhere. I'll make sure you die without a grave!"

"I'm not making fun of you, and I'm not telling a joke. I'm speaking to you in all seriousness," Zhang Wutian said.

"Then you're crazy!" Commander Red said icily. "You want to fight my Red Ribbon Army? Are you bringing an army?"

"No. There'll be just two of us."

"Heh... I see. I suppose the Red Ribbon Army hasn't done enough to make the world understand how terrifying we are. Young man, you've brought a lot of trouble on yourself. You're going to die young, and even if you apologize now, I won't forgive you."

"You still don't understand. I'm a martial artist, and I really am strong. I might not be able to destroy a city with one punch, but smashing your base to pieces is well within my abilities," Zhang Wutian tried to explain.

"Enough! I don't want to talk to you anymore. Just wait for the Red Ribbon Army's revenge!"

The call ended, but Zhang Wutian immediately called back.

"Who is this?" The voice was the same, but Commander Red sounded furious.

"It's me again, the mysterious martial artist."

"You really do want to die."

"Of course not. I studied martial arts to grow stronger and deal with all kinds of dangers," Zhang Wutian said.

"Your martial arts won't save you!" Commander Red said coldly. "I'll find you and kill you!"

"Whatever. Just don't forget about next Monday. I'll definitely visit your headquarters. Make sure your defenses are ready. If you take this lightly and lose, don't make excuses. I'll bring the three Dragon Balls I'm wagering. See you then."

"Very well. I'll remember what you said. I hope you're still as calm when I see you."

On the other end of the call, Commander Red gritted his teeth.

He slammed the receiver down on the phone and immediately summoned one of his subordinates.

"Find out where that call came from! Now!"

The subordinate left without daring to breathe too loudly. A short while later, he returned to Commander Red and reported, "Sir, the call came from a public phone booth somewhere in West City."

"West City?" Commander Red said viciously. "Those city kids don't even know how terrifying the Red Ribbon Army is, and yet one of them dares to speak so insolently to me, Commander Red. Have we not spread enough fear?"

Officer Black, who stood beside Commander Red, towering over him, spoke up. "But according to the radar, three Dragon Balls really are gathered in one place. If what he said is true, we can easily get his Dragon Balls."

"I don't need you to remind me, idiot! Why would he hand them over so easily? This must be a scheme!"

"Even if it is a scheme, it'll make him show his hand. As long as he shows himself, there's no problem our Red Ribbon Army can't solve!" Officer Black said confidently.

"Heh heh, that's true. No one can stand against the Red Ribbon Army!" Commander Red was just as confident. "Notify all the officers. Have them return to headquarters immediately. Next Monday, is it? Whoever comes, I'll give him a grand welcome!"

"Yes, sir!" Officer Black replied, then left to make the arrangements.

Alone in his room, Commander Red gazed greedily at the three Dragon Balls on his desk. He spoke feverishly: "Just a little longer. Soon I'll have all seven Dragon Balls. Kid, whatever your background, I'll find you soon enough. The Dragon Balls are mine! My wish, my ambitions—they're about to come true!"

"Ha ha ha ha ha!" His laughter echoed through the room.

Meanwhile, after the call was hung up once again, Zhang Wutian left the public phone booth.

"Next Monday, we'll go storm the Red Ribbon Army headquarters with Wukong."

"After we take down the Red Ribbon Army, how do we find the last Dragon Ball? Let me think. I think we have to find Master Roshi's older sister, Fortuneteller Baba, and have her divine its location. Where is Fortuneteller Baba? Do I have to ask Master Roshi? What a pain. It's just like an old RPG."

Without giving the Red Ribbon Army a second thought, Zhang Wutian was already considering what to do much further down the line...