Tarble's Admonition

Just as Son Goku finished speaking, Tarble walked in from outside the door.

Having heard Vegeta's words, combined with Tarble's sudden demand earlier that he hand over the box, Son Goku finally sensed that something was definitely amiss.

Otherwise, Tarble wouldn't have called them here for no reason.

"Tarble, did you discover something that made you call us here?"

After sensing that the ki of the wizard Hoi hadn't moved, Tarble nodded. "There is a situation."

"That old guy from earlier didn't give me the feeling of a good person; I keep feeling like he's hiding something."

"However, I don't know if my gut feeling is accurate."

"In a moment, when you try to force the box open, don't use your full strength. Just go through the motions."

"If I'm not mistaken, Gohan has already tried. If even someone with his strength couldn't open it, that means brute force won't work on that box."

"If you want to know what that old guy is really planning, everything will come to light once Shenron helps us open the box."

The words had barely left his lips.

Son Goku looked suspicious. "You think so?"

"I felt that old grandpa was perfectly normal!"

No sooner had he finished than Vegeta shot him a look of contempt, seizing the chance to snap, "Do you think everyone is as stupid as you?"

Ignoring the scolding, Son Goku tilted his head and carefully recalled the encounter, but still couldn't find anything unusual.

"But I really don't feel like there's a problem, do you?"

Vegeta couldn't even be bothered to curse him further and shared his own impression: "That old guy gave me a moment of discomfort earlier."

"I thought it was just my imagination, but I didn't expect you to find him unpleasant too, Tarble!"

"Hmph!"

"It seems that old guy really is trouble!"

"Daring to come to my house and play these tricks—he's practically asking for death!"

Unpleasant, my foot!

You sure know how to pick your words, Vegeta.

Tarble looked at him languidly.

At this moment, Vegeta asked again, "Tarble, how much of what that old guy said can we believe?"

"Do you believe in this so-called 'great cosmic disaster'?"

"And is that bullsh*t hero really sealed inside that box?"

Hearing this, Tarble shook his head slightly, not giving a direct answer. "Who knows?"

"However, the hero named 'Tapion' is likely truly sealed inside that box."

"As for the great cosmic disaster, it might just be something that old guy is plotting himself, for all we know."

"Your Highness, should I go and finish that old man off right now?" Licks suggested.

A great cosmic disaster sounded like the kind of catastrophe that would cause immense harm.

It seemed very likely that it would end up affecting them.

Since that was the case, it would be better to strike first.

That was his line of thinking.

Before Tarble or Vegeta could even reject the proposal, Son Goku hurriedly waved his hands to dissuade him. "No, no, no!"

"I think it's better to see what the situation is before we make a decision, don't you?"

"What do you think, Vegeta, Tarble?"

In Son Goku's eyes, that was a living, breathing life.

If they killed him without being certain he was an enemy, it would be far too cruel.

For someone as kind-hearted and simple as him, that was unacceptable.

"Hmph!"

Seeing Son Goku act this way, Vegeta felt disgusted.

Observing the situation, Tarble knew Vegeta might not cooperate, so he had to state his stance in advance.

"It doesn't matter. We just got back from training anyway, so we might as well play along out of boredom."

"Let's see what that old guy is really up to."

"I hope things get a little interesting."

"In a moment, everyone just use a fraction of your base strength to try and open the box. If we scare the old guy off, the fun will be over."

"Let's go. Time to take a shower first."

"Being covered in sweat is quite uncomfortable."

Having said that, he turned and walked out the door, not caring how Vegeta or Son Goku might react.

If Vegeta still refused to cooperate after he had put it that way, there was nothing more to be done.

However, he had some confidence that Vegeta would cooperate.

After all, back in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, the man had used him to mock Son Goku more than once.

He would often say things to Son Goku like, "Tarble is the strongest Saiyan," and that proud expression of his made it seem as though he were genuinely happy and proud that Tarble had surpassed Son Goku.

Since that was the case, he should, to some extent, be willing to play along with the act.

As for how far he would go with it, that was anyone's guess.

As he walked down the hallway, he could still hear Licks speaking to Son Goku.

"Son Goku, why don't you go to my room and have a quick wash?"

"Oh, sure, thanks, Licks."

Fifteen minutes later.

Tarble and the others had finished cleaning up, all four of them now wearing the battle suits Bulma had created.

By the time they reached the living room, Bulma had just arrived to call them for dinner, the meal already prepared.

Tarble and the other three were already starving, their stomachs pressed against their spines, and they scrambled toward the dining area.

They didn't say a word, and without waiting for Bulma to bring the wizard Hoi to the table, they began to feast on their own.

When Bulma arrived with Hoi, she took one look and gasped.

Good grief!

They were wolfing down their food, swallowing it whole, with absolutely no manners to speak of.

Seeing this, she couldn't help but complain, "Honestly!"

"Couldn't you have waited for our guest?"

However, the four Saiyans, focused entirely on their meal, had no time to pay her any mind.

She was already used to this, so she simply sighed.

With a helpless, apologetic look, she invited Hoi to take his seat.

"Old gentleman, please sit down. Don't mind them."

Seeing humans who could eat so much for the first time, the wizard Hoi widened his eyes and chuckled, "Ms. Bulma, your husband and the other three gentlemen certainly have healthy appetites!"

There was not a hint of falsehood in his words.

In all his long years, this was the first time he had ever seen humans with such massive appetites.

Hearing this, Bulma gave an awkward smile. "There's no helping it; that's just how Saiyans are."

"Anyway, old gentleman, please go ahead and eat."

"Otherwise, I'm afraid they'll finish all the food before you get a chance, oh ho ho~"

"Very well, thank you for your hospitality. Seeing them eat with such gusto has really whetted my own appetite. Then, I shall begin!"

After Hoi chuckled and responded, he picked up his cutlery, his movements gentle and unhurried.

When picking up food, his right hand would precisely grasp the delicacy of his choice, while his left hand held his rice bowl in place, ready to catch any stray bits so that not a single drop of oil would fall onto the table.

He would then bring the bowl to his lips, slowly place the food into his mouth, and chew carefully, savoring every bite with quite elegant manners.

Watching him, Bulma felt that observing this old man eat was a unique pleasure.

Then she looked back at the crude eating habits of Vegeta and the others, and it was simply too much to bear.

What was more, every time the wizard Hoi finished tasting a dish, he would offer a sincere compliment, often throwing in a word of praise for Bulma as well.

Because of this, the smile on Bulma's face barely faded for a moment.