Cultivation and Trading

Korin watched Raditz head toward the lower level of the palace, feeling somewhat puzzled, but he realized the man's intent the moment he saw him climb down the stone slab onto the pillar.

"Raditz, do you intend to give up?"

"Not at all, Korin." Raditz's voice drifted up from below, clear and firm. "I intend to climb Korin Tower again."

"You are quite clever; climbing such a tall tower will indeed allow your body to be tempered." Korin nodded in understanding.

Just as Korin had said, Raditz also felt his strength growing.

Both the climbing of the stone tower and the training with Korin had taken effect.

However, Raditz felt that the Senzu Bean had also played an indispensable role.

The ability for his combat power to surge after recovering from the brink of death must have been triggered.

He intended to challenge the long climb once more to further hone his body.

Although compared to Sun Wukong, I lack a bit of talent and strength, I didn't take shortcuts to pass the test like Master Roshi.

"Very resilient; he is a good seed."

Korin watched the figure descend rapidly and vanish into the clouds in the blink of an eye, sighing with emotion.

Raditz slid downward at a high speed, reaching the ground before long.

He did not immediately begin the climb back up, but instead found Upa and asked him to help measure his strength with the Scouter.

Although the Scouter's data was not entirely accurate, it could still illustrate a few things.

"95." Upa announced the value displayed on the lens.

"Not bad, an increase of nearly ten points." Raditz clenched his fists, feeling the power within his body.

This visible increase in strength made him incredibly invigorated.

When every bit of effort could receive clear feedback, the motivation to move forward would naturally be endless.

After staying at Upa's house for one night to rest and recover his energy, Raditz packed his gear and set off again.

Just like last time, Raditz chose to play it safe.

As long as he didn't fall, it would be fine.

It took another two days and two nights; when he reached the top of the tower, although he was exhausted to the point of collapse, he did not pass out directly as he had the first time.

"Korin, I have returned."

Korin looked at the youth before him, who was disheveled but had bright eyes, and offered a word of encouragement: "Your perseverance is commendable."

Following that, he tossed him a bean.

Raditz did not waste words; after eating the Senzu Bean, he instantly returned to his peak state, and immediately began the second round of the battle to snatch the Ultra Sacred Water from Korin.

This time, his speed, reaction, and stamina had all improved, yet when facing Korin, he still found his heart willing but his strength insufficient.

The gap remained vast; Korin moved with leisurely ease, clearly not having used his full strength.

Such training continued for six days, after which Raditz descended to the ground once more.

For the third climb, Raditz ascended with as much speed as possible; this time, he significantly shortened the duration, successfully reaching the summit in just one day and one night.

In the same battle for the water, Raditz no longer cared about the Ultra Sacred Water itself, but instead fought against Korin with all his might.

Korin sensed his change and understood that the other party had already seen through the truth of the Ultra Sacred Water, so he stopped putting on an act and began to trade blows with Raditz move for move.

Four months later.

"Big Brother Raditz, why do you climb Korin Tower over and over again? And you're carrying such a heavy pack, too."

"Is the immortal up there dissatisfied, making you climb it again?" Upa looked at Raditz and asked the question he had been harboring in his heart.

"No, Upa."

"It is something I chose to do myself; naturally, it is to become stronger." Raditz explained with a wry smile.

"Then... what is it this time?"

"Hmm, it increased a little bit from last time, reaching 134." Upa reported the number displayed on the Scouter.

"Alright."

Raditz took a deep breath, already quite calm about this number.

This was the result of his hard training over these four months.

It wasn't particularly dazzling, but for Raditz, it was no small feat.

After all, the Saiyan's innate ability could not be triggered every single time.

In reality, Korin's test had ended long ago; it was he himself who had stubbornly dragged Korin into training for an extra month.

Before he came down this time, the cat had already indicated that there was nothing left to teach him.

And this time, returning to the top of the tower, Raditz was not there for cultivation.

"Pardon the intrusion, Korin."

"Raditz, you really are persistent." Korin leaned on his staff, his tone helpless, though more than anything, it held admiration.

"Haha, Korin, I didn't come for training this time." Raditz got straight to the point. "I wanted to ask if I could trade for some Senzu Beans?"

After four months of spending time together, Raditz had grown familiar with Korin, and it was time to prepare for his future plans.

"Senzu Beans?"

"I do have quite a few. Although only a few are produced each year, after hundreds of years of accumulation, I have a decent stockpile."

"Since you're asking to trade, it seems you know their value."

Korin turned and brought out a clay pot filled with beans.

"How about this? I can give you a jar, but you must agree to one condition."

"What condition?" Raditz's eyes lit up, and he asked quickly.

A whole jar! Looking at the volume, there were at least a thousand Senzu Beans.

"In the future, when the Earth falls into crisis, you must step forward and do something about it," Korin said slowly.

Seeing Raditz remain silent, he added, "Don't be in such a hurry to refuse. You only need to do what is within your power."

"If it exceeds your capabilities, you may choose to preserve yourself."

Although they had spent less than half a year together, Korin had gained a general understanding of Raditz.

He was meticulous, had vision, clear goals, an extreme pursuit of power, and the tenacity to never give up until he reached his objective.

More importantly, there seemed to be infinite potential hidden within him.

Whenever Korin thought he had reached his limit and could no longer improve, Raditz would always display even greater strength, surpassing his previous self.

Such progress was small, but it was consistent.

He had perseverance and potential.

A person like this was destined not to be ordinary in the future.

Korin could never quite see into his heart, so he thought it better to use this condition as a form of guidance, hoping he might walk the right path.

Raditz did not know of Korin's considerations; he was currently immersed in joy.

"Of course, after all, I am a part of this Earth."

If he lacked the ability, he would look out for himself.

If he had the ability, he would do what he could.

The future of Earth was fraught with disasters, but wasn't Goku there, anyway?

Taking the jar from Korin, Raditz pulled out a Hoi-Poi Capsule containing an item.

This was originally intended for the trade, but now it was surplus.

"A small token of my appreciation." Raditz opened the capsule.

With a "poof," a massive refrigerator appeared in the sanctuary.

Korin looked at the giant refrigerator that had suddenly appeared before him, his nose twitching slightly.

"Well then, Korin, thank you for your guidance over these past few months. I will come to pay my respects again next time."

"I'm off."

Korin watched as Raditz disappeared from his field of vision before slowly walking over to open the refrigerator.

A wave of fresh, fishy scent hit him.

"Fish from the mortal realm... It has indeed been a while since I've tasted this." A hint of a smile flashed in his eyes. "He is thoughtful."

Upon reaching the ground, Raditz bid farewell to Upa and his father, then piloted his aircraft, preparing to head toward West City.

Four months had passed, and Raditz intended to see if the doctor's gravity room was finished.

There was about a year and a half left until the opening of the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament. Raditz planned to use this period to improve his strength to the fullest.

It wasn't for the sake of the tournament, but to deal with the crisis that would follow its conclusion—the emergence of King Piccolo.

"However... I feel like I've forgotten something?" Raditz muttered to himself, feeling a bit puzzled.