Parting

Goku rode the Somersault Cloud toward Kame House.

On Kame House, Yamcha was earnestly begging Master Roshi to take him as a disciple.

Master Roshi pretended to ponder the matter, stroking his beard as he said slowly, "Taking on a disciple isn't something I can decide so casually right now... Hmm, perhaps if there were some special 'gift to mark our meeting,' I might make up my mind sooner."

He wore a meaningful smile as certain "wonderful" images flashed through his mind.

Yamcha did not quite understand, but Krillin quietly leaned close to his ear and whispered something.

Yamcha understood instantly and took several hundred Japanese-style "cartoons" out of a capsule.

Master Roshi sneaked a glance at them, and his eyes immediately lit up. "Good, good, good! You've got talent. I've decided to accept you as my disciple!"

Sitting on the Somersault Cloud, Goku looked at his Gravity Bracelets. The current twofold gravity felt as light as a feather to him, so he gradually raised it—three times, four times... Only when he reached ten times gravity did he feel a hint of pressure. He could not help but rejoice. "Looks like I really have gotten stronger." In the end, he adjusted the Gravity Bracelets to twelve times gravity, feeling that this level of pressure was suitable for training.

Before long, he spotted Kame House.

Goku brought the Somersault Cloud down and saw Bulma, Master Roshi, Krillin, and Yamcha all waiting for him on the island.

Bulma immediately waved excitedly and shouted, "Goku, you're back!"

Everyone gathered around him, curious about the wish he had made.

With a smile, Goku honestly told them about his wish, saying that he had asked Shenron to awaken his potential.

Master Roshi, Krillin, and Yamcha each focused their attention on Goku. The longer they observed him, the more shocked they became. Goku's aura seemed unfathomably deep.

Master Roshi exclaimed, "Goku, it's like you've become a completely different person! This training has been truly incredible."

Yamcha smiled at Goku. "Goku, I'm Master Mutai's disciple now too!"

There was a hint of pride in his voice. He was greatly looking forward to training under Master Roshi.

"Oh, right," Yamcha continued, "Goku, I heard the next World Martial Arts Tournament is coming up soon. Are you going to enter? We can have another match then."

Goku nodded seriously. "Of course I'll enter!"

Master Roshi stroked his beard and smiled at them all. "The next World Martial Arts Tournament will be held in three years. You all need to train hard during that time!"

Then he turned to Goku and said earnestly, "Goku, this time you'll need to find a new path to break through on your own. Your master can no longer teach you anything."

Goku nodded seriously. He had been thinking of making a trip to Karin Tower to learn more ways of training.

Hearing this, Yamcha clenched his fist and declared confidently, "Goku, when we meet again in three years, I'll definitely be stronger. Just you wait!"

Krillin also leaned in with a grin. "Hehe, by then I'll definitely be taller than you, Goku!"

Goku laughed and patted Krillin on the shoulder. Then he looked at Bulma and teased, "Bulma, you won't still be this feisty the next time we meet, will you?"

Bulma immediately put her hands on her hips and pretended to be angry.

Goku waved goodbye to everyone, leaped onto the Somersault Cloud, and instantly transformed into a streak of golden light flying toward Karin Tower.

Everyone watched Goku's figure gradually vanish into the horizon.

The moment Goku left, Master Roshi immediately turned around with a serious expression and looked at Yamcha and Krillin. His usual kindly demeanor was gone, replaced by a touch of sternness and resolve.

He tapped his staff and said solemnly, "All right! Goku has already set out on his own path of training, and we can't fall behind! Starting today, your training will be doubled!"

Yamcha nodded. "No problem! I'll definitely catch up to Goku. In three years, I'll show him how much I've improved!"

Krillin clenched his fist with an equally serious look. "I'll train hard and become stronger!"

Master Roshi smiled faintly. "Good. This training won't be limited to physical fitness. It will also train your temperament and judgment. Don't think you can achieve everything in one step. There are no shortcuts in training. Goku's strength was forged through constant tempering, and you must work even harder as well."

Thus, the training on Kame House began in full swing.

Goku jumped down from the Somersault Cloud and saw Bora and Upa again after so long. He warmly greeted them.

Bora and his son were also delighted to see Goku. They led him over to a campfire, where they were grilling delicious wild game.

The three sat around the fire, their laughter never ceasing as the firelight illuminated their faces with warmth and familiarity.

Goku took a bite of the fragrant grilled meat, his eyes shining as he looked at Karin Tower soaring into the clouds. He said to Bora, "This time, I'm going to climb to the top of the tower and meet Master Korin. I'll ask him to help me train."

Bora nodded and said with feeling, "Goku, I hope you gain something from your time on the tower."

Little Upa blinked his big eyes and clenched his tiny fists. "Big Brother Goku, go for it! I hope you become even stronger after reaching the top!"

Full of confidence, Goku patted Upa on the shoulder and stood up.

He remembered that Korin liked fish most of all, so he decided to bring some delicious fish up the tower to win Korin over while he learned from him.

Goku came to the riverbank and watched the schools of fish darting nimbly through the water. With swift eyes and hands, he caught large fish and tossed them onto the shore, storing them in capsules. In no time, he had gathered a whole batch.

The fish bounced about inside the capsules, gently jostling them. Looking at the capsule full of large fish, Goku smiled in satisfaction.

"This should make Korin happy!" Goku muttered to himself.

He raised his head once more toward the top of Karin Tower, his heart surging with excitement. This time, he would rely on Korin's guidance to master more advanced combat techniques instead of relying solely on brute strength.

Standing at the foot of Karin Tower, Goku gazed at the massive tower pillar that rose into the clouds, and a sense of awe welled up within him.

The lower part of the tower was shrouded in clouds and mist, and its end was utterly invisible.

"So this is Karin Tower, where Korin lives..." Goku thought, tightening his grip on the capsule in his hand, which was filled with the big fish he had caught himself.

With his current strength, climbing Karin Tower would have taken no effort at all, but Goku had no intention of reaching the top so quickly.

He deliberately suppressed his aura and slowed his ascent, intending to climb this Karin Tower—a symbol of strength and wisdom—with humility.

His steps were steady, and the scenery around him filled his view. With every step he climbed, his state of mind grew calmer.

Second by second, Goku gradually approached the top of the tower.