Son Goku thought it over.
It was true. Bulma was the daughter of Brief, the richest man in the world.
No matter how much he ate, he couldn't eat her out of house and home.
So Son Goku didn't hesitate. He leaped onto the Flying Nimbus.
"Goodbye, Master Roshi!"
"Goodbye! Come visit whenever you're free!"
After saying their farewells, the two of them turned into a streak of golden light and sped into the distance.
"Bulma, I think we could go a little faster..."
Bulma said, "There's no windshield on the Flying Nimbus, and I'm a little scared of going too fast.
"If we're going to speed up, keep an eye on me, okay? Don't let me fall off."
Son Goku said dismissively, "How could that happen...
"I can sense that the Flying Nimbus is alive.
"If you fall off, it'll catch you."
Bulma blinked curiously.
"Really?"
As they spoke, the Flying Nimbus did a backflip.
In a panic, Bulma clung tightly to Son Goku as the two of them fell.
But the Flying Nimbus showed off a maneuver of its own.
After they'd dropped dozens of meters, it caught them securely.
It seemed to be proving to her that, even though it was only a cloud, it really could think.
But Bulma, sitting on the Flying Nimbus, had already gone deathly pale, and her legs were beginning to tremble.
Without realizing it, droplets of clear liquid fell through the clouds and scattered across the sky...
Master Roshi watched them leave until the golden light vanished into the distance.
Only then did he turn around, looking a little dejected.
"Let's go, Old Turtle!"
"Master Roshi's been missing me lately, hasn't he?"
Old Turtle asked hopefully.
Master Roshi didn't even look up. "Not at all."
Old Turtle: "..."
Just then, a loud voice rang out.
"Master!"
"Master Roshi!"
"Wait!"
Master Roshi froze, then turned to look toward the voice.
His disciple, Son Gohan, was running toward him with a pack on his back.
Chapter 11: Gohan's Request
Master Roshi was surprised and said curiously, "Oh, it's Gohan!
"It's been a long time!"
Son Gohan greeted him. "How have you been feeling lately, Master?"
Master Roshi said proudly, "Oh, naturally, I'm doing just fine.
"Ever since I started taking care of my health, I've been watching beautiful women do yoga every day. Living another three hundred years won't be a problem.
"By the way, what brings you here?
"Don't you need to look after the child on Mount Paozu?"
Son Gohan smiled. "Master, people grow up.
"That child I found all those years ago is already twelve. I don't need to take care of him anymore.
"A little girl came up to the mountain. She seemed like a good person, so I let him go down the mountain with her to gain experience."
Master Roshi suddenly understood.
"I see. So many years have passed in the blink of an eye. I can't believe that child has grown up.
"Oh, right. What did you come to see me about?"
Son Gohan immediately stood up straight and said, "Master Roshi, I'd like to ask you a favor."
Seeing how serious Son Gohan looked, Master Roshi asked curiously, "What is it?"
"I'd like you to take that child on as your disciple."
Master Roshi froze.
"Why?
"Is the child misbehaving?"
Son Gohan sighed.
"That child is just too obedient and well-behaved.
"I used to urge him to train hard, and I never imagined he'd become more and more diligent, to the point of going overboard."
Master Roshi scratched his head.
"Going overboard?
"What do you mean?"
Son Gohan explained, "Ever since he was little, that child has loved training. That should be a good thing.
"But I may have been too strict with him.
"Ever since he was young, he's trained too hard, even sacrificing time for rest and fun to practice.
"And that's exactly why I'm so worried.
"It'd be terrible if he went down the wrong path."
Master Roshi thought of Master Shen, and his eyebrows rose.
"How talented is the child?"
"His talent is truly extraordinary.
"He's only twelve, but his power is already about the same as mine."
Master Roshi sucked in a sharp breath.
"Whew. From the sound of it, this child really is a genius!"
Son Gohan nodded. "That's right. He's a martial arts genius, which is why I'm especially afraid he'll go down the wrong path!"
Master Roshi asked seriously, "If that's the case, then I agree.
"What's his name? I'll keep an eye out for him."
"Son Goku. He's quite distinctive, with a tail growing out of his back, so he should be easy to recognize."
Master Roshi's pupils suddenly shrank.
Little Goku's image returned to his mind.
That was right. Little Goku had an extra tail.
He'd thought it was an ornament.
Because Goku had come with a pretty young girl named Bulma, Master Roshi's attention had been fixed on Bulma.
He hadn't paid much attention to Son Goku.
Now that he thought about it, Son Goku had been carrying a staff on his back.
Wasn't that the Power Pole he'd brought down from Korin Tower and passed on to Son Gohan?
He hadn't even recognized him!
It really was a small world!
Besides, any child who could ride the Flying Nimbus had to be a good kid with impeccable character.
Master Roshi immediately replied, "All right, I understand.
"If I run into your grandson, I'll help teach him."
Son Gohan immediately bowed to Master Roshi.
"Thank you, Master!"
"We've been master and disciple for so many years. There's no need to be so polite. Why not stay and have a meal?"
Son Gohan shook his head. "No, Master. I still have to get going.
"I promised Fortuneteller Baba I'd work as her bodyguard.
"I have to get there before dark."
Master Roshi nodded.
"Ah, I was just being polite. Off you go, then!"
Son Gohan wasn't embarrassed. He bowed to Master Roshi in a formal, earnest manner. "Then I'll leave Goku in your hands, Master.
"I won't keep you any longer. Goodbye, Master!"
"Goodbye!"
With that, Son Gohan left.
Master Roshi watched Son Gohan race off in a cloud of dust.
Then he turned and headed back to Kame House.
Although Bulma had wet her panties, it was summer, and the air was warm.
The Flying Nimbus provided excellent ventilation, so her panties had dried naturally before long.
Embarrassed at the thought of Goku finding out, Bulma didn't waste time changing clothes. She continued on her way with Goku aboard the Flying Nimbus.
Bulma wasn't especially determined to find the Dragon Balls as quickly as possible at that moment.
So she changed their course slightly and deliberately headed toward East City.
Around sunset, the two of them arrived above the big city of East City.
East City wasn't as prosperous as West City, but it wasn't far behind.