Tarble's Plan

Hoi's voice had barely faded when Son Goku flashed in front of him.

Without a hint of ceremony, he snatched the small Silver Box and began to examine it intently.

However, he couldn't see anything particularly special about the box.

"Hey, old man, it wouldn't matter if I accidentally broke this box, would it?"

Hearing this, Hoi's face lit up with anticipation. "It wouldn't matter at all. If the box breaks, that would mean the hero Tapion has been rescued! I would be too busy thanking you to ever blame you."

Upon hearing this, Son Goku felt immediately reassured.

"That's good then."

"If I broke it and had to pay for it, I wouldn't be able to find another box this nice to give back to you."

"Hehe, then I'll see if I can open it!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he prepared to force the lid of the Silver Box open.

He was very curious to know if the hero Tapion was truly sealed inside. Since he could be called a hero, his strength must be quite formidable, right?

Just then, Tarble called out, "Wait a second, Goku."

By now, he was one hundred percent certain that the old man before them was the Mage from the Hildegarn arc. He couldn't quite recall the Mage's name, but when the terms "hero" and "Tapion" were put together, it sparked a memory.

This was the man who gave Trunks his sword, a tough individual who had sealed half of the Hildegarn's body within himself; naturally, he had some impression of him. Since he had confirmed the other party's identity, he certainly couldn't let Son Goku and the others reveal their strength so early.

Hearing the call, Son Goku stopped his movements and asked in confusion, "Is there another problem, Tarble?"

Tarble pointed to the Silver Box in his hand. "Let me see the box first."

"Tarble, let me try first, okay?" Son Goku wanted to give it a go. "If I can't open it, I'll give it to you, alright?"

Hearing this, Tarble shook his head, his tone brooking no argument as he repeated, "I said, let me see it first."

It was the first time Son Goku had seen such an expression and tone from Tarble. Though reluctant, he tossed the box over.

Vegeta, standing to the side, felt a surge of satisfaction watching Son Goku obediently hand over the box.

After taking the box, Tarble made no move to open it. Instead, he looked at Bulma and rubbed his stomach with his other hand.

"Sister-in-law, we are starving. Could you have someone prepare some food quickly?"

"Even if there's some earth-shattering matter at hand, it'll have to wait until we've eaten!"

As soon as these words were spoken, they immediately won Son Goku's approval.

"Ah!"

"If Tarble hadn't mentioned it, I would have completely forgotten."

With a startled cry, he rubbed his stomach and looked at Bulma with a pitiful expression.

"Bulma, is there any food left?"

"I'm about to starve to death."

His casual demeanor made it seem as if he were in his own home.

Seeing that the two weren't joking, Bulma couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "What?"

"It's almost two in the afternoon, and you two haven't eaten yet?"

"My goodness, do you Saiyans forget everything once you start training?"

By the end, Bulma was speechless and somewhat helpless.

"Fine, I'll have someone prepare food for you right away. Honestly..."

"Sigh, I don't even know what to say to you two anymore!"

Before leaving, she didn't forget to comfort Hoi. "Old man, once they've eaten and have some energy, they'll try to help you open that box and rescue the hero Tapion."

Hearing this, Hoi looked grateful. "Thank you, beautiful and kind Ms. Bulma."

His pink face trembled with excitement several times.

Hearing this praise, Bulma beamed with delight. "Old man, just sit here for a moment. I'm going to help my husband and the others get some food."

"Hey, Vegeta, you help me host the old man for a bit."

With that, she walked away in high spirits.

The moment Bulma left, Hoi glanced unobtrusively at the Silver Box in Tarble's hand, but he didn't speak up to ask for it back.

Instead, he sighed with a sorrowful expression and sat back down.

Seeing this, Tarble sneered in his heart:

Hmph!

This old thing, he's putting on quite the act!

He cast a casual glance before withdrawing his gaze, then signaled to Vegeta and the other two, saying, "We just finished training and are covered in sweat."

"Everyone go take a shower; by the time we're done, dinner should be ready."

Licks and Vegeta both caught that subtle look, a flash of confusion crossing their eyes, but neither spoke up.

Son Goku, simple-minded as he was, couldn't read any signals, his eyes fixed firmly on the box in Tarble's hands.

"Hey, Tarble, if you guys are going to shower, can you let me try to open the box first?"

What an idiot!

Seeing that he couldn't take a hint, Tarble couldn't help but curse inwardly.

Just as he was about to speak, Vegeta cut him off with a scolding: "Kakarot, if you don't take a shower, then get lost and go eat at your own house!"

"Hmph!"

"You stink, you're ruining my appetite!"

With that, he turned around with a dark face and headed into the house first.

Bulma's house was massive, with bathrooms on every floor, and more than one at that.

When Son Goku heard he wouldn't be allowed to eat if he didn't shower, that simply wouldn't do!

He let out a strange yelp and followed immediately: "Hey! Vegeta, wait for me!"

Vegeta sure has a way with things!

Watching their retreating backs, Tarble couldn't help but sigh to himself.

He then turned his head toward the Mage Hoi, who was sitting on the sofa putting on a show, and wore a smile worthy of a top-tier actor.

"Old sir, please excuse us for a moment."

"Oh, right, let me return this box to you first."

As he spoke, he didn't wait for a reply, tossing the box casually so that it landed steadily right in front of the man.

Mage Hoi was startled by this display, but he didn't show it on his face, responding politely: "Mr. Tarble, go ahead and attend to your business; this old man will just sit here and enjoy some tea."

Heh!

The old geezer is still putting on a good act!

Tarble secretly looked down on him, then instructed the servants nearby to "take good care of him" before leaving with Licks.

Watching Tarble's back, Mage Hoi couldn't help but frown, his eyes surging with murderous intent.

Once I successfully rescue my precious treasure, that will be the day you all die!

I'll let you live a little longer for now!

On the other side.

After following Vegeta through several twists and turns, Son Goku finally stepped into a room.

"Huh?"

"Vegeta, aren't we supposed to be taking a shower?"

As soon as Son Goku stepped through the door and saw the room was empty, he asked in confusion.

Hearing this, Vegeta really wanted to punch him.

He had never seen anyone so dense!

Yet, this kind of fool was an absolute genius when it came to training!

At that moment, he couldn't help but wonder: that genius talent for training must have been traded for his brain.

"Hmph!"

"If you want to know why, you can ask Tarble in a moment."

In truth, he was just as eager to know what Tarble had discovered that required such secrecy.