Ox-King

"Bulma, are you okay?"

Ziye glanced at Bulma in his arms, who was still shaken, and asked worriedly.

"I'm... I'm fine!"

"Thank you for saving me, Ziye."

Bulma's face instantly flushed, and she kept stealing glances at his handsome face!

"Kid, not bad! You actually dodged that!"

A rough voice rang out, and the group finally came to their senses. A burly man stood before them. Strangely, a set of bull horns sprouted from his head.

"Ox-King?"

When Oolong saw him, he cried out in terror.

"Oh?"

"You know who I am?"

"What are you doing sneaking around near my castle?"

"Did you come to steal my treasure?"

The Ox-King roared as he demanded an answer from them.

"N-no... no... We didn't, Lord Ox-King! We were just passing by!"

Oolong stammered, trembling.

"So you're the Ox-King? We came here because we wanted to borrow something from you..."

Before Ziye could finish, Oolong ran straight over and clamped a hand over his mouth. Then he bowed to the Ox-King and said,

"I'm sorry, Lord Ox-King! My friend's a little crazy. I'll take him away right now!"

"Hmph."

"You think you can come and go as you please? What do you take this place for?"

The Ox-King snorted and shouted at them.

"Take this!"

Then, without giving them a chance to react, the Ox-King swung his axe down at them.

"Watch out!"

Ziye's expression tightened. He shoved Oolong aside, then moved swiftly to dodge the Ox-King's lethal blow.

"Kid, you've got quick reflexes. Let's see how many hits you can take!"

As he spoke, the Ox-King swung his axe at Ziye again. Not daring to let his guard down, Ziye leaped onto the enormous blade.

Then he darted toward the Ox-King with quick steps. The next moment, Ziye put all his strength into a kick to the Ox-King's face. But to his surprise, the Ox-King didn't budge at all.

"Strong!"

Ziye murmured the word.

"Kid, your attack barely tickles!"

"Hahaha!"

With that, the Ox-King charged at Ziye again!

Boom!

Ziye dodged the axe, but the Ox-King's enormous fist caught him off guard and sent him flying.

"Ow... That hurts!"

Ziye clutched his chest and cried out. Ever since he'd surpassed Goku in strength, he hadn't met anyone who could challenge him, let alone been injured. The Ox-King really was a tough opponent!

"What do we do? Ziye doesn't seem to be a match for that big guy," Bulma said worriedly.

"I told you the Ox-King was terrifying, but you wouldn't believe me!"

Oolong's words only made Bulma angrier. She immediately shouted,

"What good does it do to say that now? Hurry up and think of something!"

Oolong spread his hands and replied helplessly, "What can I do?"

"I don't care! If anything happens to Ziye, I won't let you get away with it!" Bulma yelled angrily.

"Hey, what does this have to do with me?"

Oolong pursed his lips and said, sounding a little aggrieved.

"Ziye, I'm coming to help!"

Just as the Ox-King had Ziye on the ropes, Goku came flying over on the Flying Nimbus!

Seeing Ziye hurt, Goku flew into a rage. He grabbed the Golden Cudgel and charged forward, but the Ox-King casually blocked it with his axe, then swung the weapon and sent Goku flying, too!

"Th-this is... the Flying Nimbus?"

When the Ox-King saw Goku's Flying Nimbus, he quickly stopped and demanded, "Kid, tell me where you got that Flying Nimbus."

"Grandpa Master Roshi gave it to me," Goku answered truthfully.

"Master Roshi! Master Mutten?"

"Do you know where Master Mutten is now?" the Ox-King asked excitedly.

"Ziye, do you remember Grandpa Master Roshi?"

"Hm?"

Ziye nodded, then said calmly, "I remember he lives on an island by the sea."

"That's wonderful! We finally have news of Master Mutten. Now I can finally return to my castle!" the Ox-King shouted excitedly.

"Hey?"

"Kid, were you just using the Ruyi Golden Cudgel?"

The Ox-King's eyes lit up as he asked Goku.

"Mm-hmm."

"My late grandpa left it to me."

Goku scratched his head and answered with a smile.

"Was your grandpa's name Son Gohan?"

The Ox-King asked in surprise.

"Uncle, how did you know?"

Hearing Goku's answer, the Ox-King burst out laughing. "So you're Gohan's grandson! Today, we've got family fighting family!"

"Uncle, you knew my grandpa?"

Goku asked, puzzled.

"Of course. Son Gohan was Master Mutten's top disciple, and I was his second disciple."

The Ox-King explained earnestly.

"Is that true?"

Hearing their conversation, Bulma couldn't help thinking of the lecherous old man by the sea. She said in surprise, "I had no idea that old man was such an important figure!"

Oolong nodded and said calmly, "Now I finally understand why Ziye and Goku are so strong."

"Damn it! No wonder I couldn't beat them. They're Son Gohan's grandsons! Losing to them doesn't feel so bad now."

Yamcha had overheard their conversation while hiding nearby. He clenched his fists and spoke bitterly.

"Master Yamcha, you know his grandpa?"

"Mm. He was a legendary figure, someone we absolutely couldn't afford to offend. I had no idea such a powerful man was dead. No wonder I never heard anything about him!"

Yamcha nodded, his face betraying both fear and admiration.

"If Master Yamcha says he was strong, he must have been strong!"

"By the way, Goku, could I ask you for a favor?" the Ox-King asked pleadingly.

"What is it?"

The Ox-King rubbed his palms together, looking a little embarrassed. "Could you borrow Master Mutten's Banana Leaf Fan for me, so I can put out the fire near my castle?"

"Well, I can, but once it's done, you have to give me the Dragon Ball!" Goku said after rubbing his chin and thinking it over.

"The Dragon Ball? What's that?"

The Ox-King scratched his head, confused.

"This is one. If you collect all seven Dragon Balls, you can have any wish granted!"

Goku took a Dragon Ball from his pocket and held it out to the Ox-King, speaking earnestly.

"This ball? I think I've seen one before. No problem—I agree!"