A Hasty Departure

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, two years had passed.

Two years was neither especially long nor especially short. But for Kashius, it was undoubtedly a chance to prove himself.

Because the World Martial Arts Tournament, held once every three years, was about to begin.

Today, he planned to say goodbye to the Guardian of Earth and Popo, then head to the World Martial Arts Tournament grounds to compete.

"Have you decided, Kashius...?"

"That's right. I've decided. This time will test the results of my training over the past two years." Kashius glanced at the Guardian of Earth, his face filled with seriousness.

This World Martial Arts Tournament was not only an important way for Kashius to win prize money, but also a promise with Goku.

Three years. Let's see who's stronger!!!

When he thought back to the tournament three years ago, when he had given everything he had and victory had originally been within reach, he never expected that in the end, Goku's burst of power would completely crush him.

Was this the so-called natural protagonist halo? Kashius did not believe that for a second. He was a transmigrator, at least. Fine, so he was not some arrogant, heaven-defying badass.

But how could he lose to Kid Goku while he was still in his child phase? If it were Goku after he grew up, Kashius would naturally have nothing to say about it.

But since you're still little, then while you're little, I'll be taking all that glory and prize money.

If similar battle power can't beat you, then I'll crush you with twice, three times your battle power! No matter what, he had to win the championship and claim the prize money in this World Martial Arts Tournament!

Though Kashius had that thought, there was still some fear in his heart.

And so, a certain black-haired guy shamelessly began to pray. "God, please make sure I can win the championship this time. Especially that guy Goku. You'd better send him a sandstorm or a tornado or something, so he can't compete at all.

"You have to help me. This concerns my happiness.

"Fine, you didn't give me a cheat ability when I transmigrated, but you can't let me have no happiness after I get married!!!"

The Guardian of Earth looked at Kashius, who had suddenly started muttering to himself, and his forehead was covered in black lines. Especially since, from what the brat was saying, it seemed to have something to do with him.

So the Guardian of Earth coughed softly a few times as a reminder.

"Kashius, over these two years, you have already successfully mastered all the martial arts knowledge Popo and I understand. I think the current you is already the strongest on Earth.

"I believe a mere World Martial Arts Tournament is no longer a threat to you.

"Why must you worry so much? You should prepare yourself and head to the tournament grounds."

Fuck, what do you know? Do you have any idea that when a certain ahoge idiot explodes, even I have to stay far, far away? No threat? Wake up. Not happening.

Though Kashius thought that in his heart, on the surface he still looked completely confident.

In his own words, this was called not losing the formation even if you lost the fight! In short, that was how it was. No matter what, he had to keep up appearances.

"Heh heh, Guardian of Earth, how about you come join the tournament with me? With your current strength, you could definitely place in the top three."

Kashius suddenly looked at the Guardian of Earth with a sly expression, his face full of ill intent.

Indeed, the Guardian of Earth's current strength was far, far greater than in the original work.

Normally, whenever the Guardian of Earth and Popo taught Kashius martial arts knowledge, they did it inside the Gravity Chamber.

Over time, the Guardian of Earth and Popo gradually became able to adapt to the twenty-times gravity inside the Gravity Chamber.

Because of that, their strength naturally kept rising.

By a conservative estimate, the Guardian of Earth's current battle power was probably around one thousand. As for Popo, Kashius had no idea.

Aside from teaching Kashius combat techniques and martial arts experience, Popo rarely fought with him.

Even when he did, he never used his full strength and always held something back.

Because of this, Kashius had once begged a certain pitch-black guy several times to fight him at full strength, but that certain pitch-black guy simply refused to buy it.

Every time, he either brushed it off perfunctorily or just left outright, paying him no attention at all.

This had once made Kashius so angry his teeth itched, and he wished he could rush up and bite that certain pitch-black guy to death. Uh... sorry, wrong move. That method seemed to be the patent of a certain girl...

Ahem... It should have been like this: Kashius wanted nothing more than to fire a Tri-Beam straight at him and send that certain pitch-black guy off to say goodbye to the mortal world.

But as a good Chinese person who respected his teachers and honored the Way, Kashius naturally could not do that.

All he could do was grumble in his heart, or casually fire a few Tri-Beams at the white clouds to vent a little.

Kashius looked at that expression of Popo's, still unchanged after ten thousand years, and felt truly irritated.

However, after noticing the latter's somewhat chubby black cheeks, a trace of wicked amusement suddenly formed in Kashius's mind.

Then, under the Guardian of Earth's surprised gaze and Popo's aggrieved expression, a certain black-haired guy rushed over, stretched out both hands, and desperately kneaded that certain pitch-black guy's cheeks.

(Author: Kid, this twisted hobby of yours is kind of brutal.

Kashius: What about it? Got a problem? Believe it or not, I'll blast you to death with a Tri-Beam.

Author: ...)

Originally, Popo planned to struggle, but when he saw a certain black-haired guy's ki growing stronger and stronger, he immediately gave up on the idea.

At the same time, he kept cursing inwardly, This bastard is kneading my face and still raising his battle power. Once I get stronger, I'll beat you until you can't take care of yourself in minutes.

But ideals were beautiful, while reality was painfully harsh. In the end, a certain pitch-black guy still could not escape a certain black-haired guy's little hands.

Finally, the Guardian of Earth at the side really could not keep watching and could not help speaking up. "Ahem... Kashius, before you go to the World Martial Arts Tournament, Korin wants you to pay him a visit."

"Oh? That white cat wants me for something?" At that moment, Kashius finally stopped kneading Popo's chubby cheeks.

Kami's face was covered in dark lines, and he thought to himself, This brat really has no respect for immortals.

But when he thought of a certain black-haired person's personality, he could only sigh.

"Mm, yes. It seems there's something she wants to ask of you," Kami said with a nod.

"Uh~! Fine. Since that white cat gave me so many Senzu Beans, I'll go over to her place. I'll see what she wants to ask me for." After thinking it over briefly, Kashius agreed.

After all, he had taken so many Senzu Beans from her, even if he had exchanged—bribed her—with fish.

But how could fish possibly compare to Senzu Beans? Senzu Beans were divine items, a miracle medicine from Dragon Ball.

Keeping a few on hand never hurt. If you were injured, they could heal you; if you were hungry, they could fill your stomach. They were an essential remedy for home and travel.

"Then, Kashius, I wish you a smooth journey."

"Mm, okay. Thank you, Kami. In that case, I'll be going." As he spoke, Kashius rose into the air and shot downward.

Seeing this, Popo instantly teared up with emotion, secretly thinking that the heavens had eyes and had finally sent this plague god away.

At that, Kami could only smile awkwardly.

However, just then, Kashius's voice suddenly came from below. It scared Popo so badly he foamed at the mouth and fainted on the spot.

"Popo, don't miss me too much. Whenever I've got nothing better to do, I'll still come play with you."

"Whenever he's got nothing better to do? Popo, you're on your own." Hearing this, Kami looked at Popo with sympathy, then decisively walked into Kami's Lookout.

He did not want any more accidents to happen. So it was better to hide first.