Master Roshi

"Delicious, delicious!"

The Sea Turtle devoured the huge bucket of salted seaweed Ziye had prepared for him.

"How long has this guy gone without eating?" Bulma couldn't help rolling her eyes.

"I'm full. Thank you for the meal!"

The Sea Turtle burped and thanked them.

"Don't mention it!"

"Could you do me one more favor and take me back to the sea? I'll be sure to repay you!"

The Sea Turtle asked the three of them earnestly.

"The sea? How can we do that?"

"It's more than 120 kilometers from here!"

"Don't forget, our main goal is to find the Dragon Balls!"

Bulma immediately refused.

"But it wouldn't be right to leave him here all alone."

"Grandpa always said that when something like this happens, you should help others and not be selfish."

"What do you think, Ziye?"

Goku made a face at Bulma, then turned to look at Ziye.

"Let's take him back, then. We can relax by the seaside while we're at it!"

Ziye replied with a smile.

"Great!"

Goku jumped up excitedly.

"If you want to go, go ahead. I don't have time!"

Bulma pursed her lips, unwilling to humor them any longer.

Goku hoisted the Sea Turtle onto his back. Ziye glanced at Bulma and asked with a smile, "Are you really not coming, Bulma?"

"I'm not!"

Bulma crossed her arms and said firmly.

"Fine. Just be careful. Wild animals show up around here from time to time!"

"Goku, let's go!"

With that, Ziye and Goku started running toward the sea.

"Wait! You annoying brats! Fine, I'll go!"

Bulma gritted her teeth and said angrily, then packed away the house, got in her car, and caught up with them.

One day later

At last, the three of them reached the seaside. They gazed at the beautiful scenery before them, marveling at it again and again.

"Thank you. If I get the chance, I'll repay you!"

After thanking Goku, the Sea Turtle headed toward the sea.

"Now we can set off and keep looking for the Dragon Balls!" Goku said with a smile.

"Wait. There seems to be a Dragon Ball nearby!"

At Bulma's words, the three crowded around the Dragon Ball Radar. A yellow dot was moving toward them.

"Hello, everyone!"

"Are you the ones who rescued my turtle?"

Suddenly, an elderly voice called out, and all three turned toward it!

"Old-timer, who are you?" Goku asked innocently.

"Cough, cough. You can call me Master Roshi!"

"By the way, which one of you rescued my turtle?"

After introducing himself, Master Roshi looked at the three and asked.

"These two boys carried me back," the Sea Turtle said, pointing at Ziye and Goku.

"Thank you so much! In that case, I'll give each of you a gift to show my gratitude."

With that, Master Roshi turned toward the shore and called out loudly, "Come on out, Phoenix!"

"Phoenix? You mean that legendary bird that never dies?" Bulma exclaimed in astonishment.

"Master Roshi, don't you remember? Phoenix was poisoned and died last year!"

"Oh, that's right!"

Master Roshi slapped his forehead, suddenly remembering.

"Why would a Phoenix die?" Bulma asked in confusion.

"I named him Phoenix because I hoped he'd never die!"

"Never mind. I'll give you this instead!"

"Come on out, Flying Nimbus!"

Master Roshi shouted up at the sky.

The next moment, a golden cloud streaked across the sky and appeared before Ziye and Goku!

"Is this the Flying Nimbus? It looks like cotton candy!" Bulma said, puzzled.

"Don't underestimate it. You can ride it and fly wherever you like, but only those with pure hearts can ride this cloud," Master Roshi explained calmly.

"Let me show you."

With that, Master Roshi cracked his neck, then plopped down on the cloud. But things didn't go as he'd hoped: his body passed right through it, and he fell straight to the ground.

"Ow, ow!"

"Hahaha! Looks like you can't ride it either!" Bulma teased.

"Cough, cough... Which of you two wants to try first?" Master Roshi asked Ziye and Goku with a dry cough.

"Goku, you go first!"

Ziye offered without hesitation.

He didn't think he could ride the Flying Nimbus. The requirements were just too strict. Perhaps only someone as innocent as Goku and his family could ride it.

"Sure, I won't hold back!"

Goku nodded with a smile, then sprang up and landed steadily on the Flying Nimbus.

Master Roshi and the others were stunned. People in this world had too many desires, and it had been a long time since anyone had been able to ride the Flying Nimbus!

"Whoa!"

"I'm flying!"

Goku was thrilled as he rode the Flying Nimbus, soaring freely through the sky.

"Ziye, your turn!"

Then Goku hopped off the Flying Nimbus and turned to Ziye.

"No need. You've already mastered it, so it's yours!"

Ziye shook his head and smiled.

"Really? Thank you so much, Ziye!" Goku laughed innocently.

"What a shame. There's only one Flying Nimbus, and Phoenix is dead. Is there anything else you'd like?" Master Roshi walked over to Ziye and asked earnestly.

"Old-timer, why don't you give me the ball around your neck? To be honest, we're looking for those," Ziye said sincerely.

"This glass ball? I found it in the sea a hundred years ago. I thought it looked nice, so I wore it around my neck. If you like it, you can have it!"

Master Roshi nodded, took the Dragon Ball off his neck, and handed it to Ziye.

"Great! We've collected another Dragon Ball!" Bulma said excitedly.

Bulma put the Dragon Ball away. After saying goodbye to Master Roshi, the three set off again. Now that Goku had the Flying Nimbus, he no longer needed a ride, so Bulma switched to a motorcycle and took Ziye along.

Three days later

They arrived in a village. The moment they stepped inside, all three felt something was off about it, because it was far too quiet.

"Goku, watch out!"

Suddenly, a farmer wielding an axe appeared behind them and swung it hard at Goku.

Smack!

Ziye reached out, caught the man by the hand, and asked coldly, "What are you trying to do?"

Thud!

To their surprise, the farmer dropped to his knees and begged,

"Please, spare my daughter!"

"I'll pay you anything!"