Goku Grew Taller

Time passed quietly. On Earth, registration for the World Martial Arts Tournament was in full swing, and the entire city was buzzing with excitement over the grand event. However, the weather that day was far from ideal. The sky was dark and overcast, thick clouds blanketing the heavens as rain poured down in sheets. People hurried through the streets, their umbrellas swaying unsteadily in the wind.

At a street corner near the registration area, Launch stood beside Master Roshi beneath a large umbrella. The two stood by the roadside, their gazes occasionally sweeping toward the distance. Master Roshi wore a sharp suit, his eyes narrowed slightly behind his old-fashioned sunglasses, looking somewhat anxious.

"Why aren't they here yet?" Master Roshi complained as he wiped the rain from his face. "How could they forget such an important day?"

Launch looked up at the sky. The rain was growing heavier, and the streets were becoming increasingly blurred. "Maybe something held them up. Don't worry, they'll be here soon."

Just as she finished speaking, a taxi suddenly pulled up. The door opened, and Bulma stepped out gracefully beneath a large umbrella. She wore a tight short dress that showed off her perfect figure, along with a pair of high heels that made her steps light yet steady. Her short hair looked even sharper in the rain, and her brightly painted lips curved into a confident smile. Even amid the downpour, she seemed to radiate a dazzling presence.

"Bulma!" Launch called out, waving to her with a smile.

When Bulma saw Launch and Master Roshi, she walked over and said with a smile, "Sorry, there was a bit of traffic, so I got delayed. You've been waiting here a long time, haven't you?"

Master Roshi smiled and waved a hand. "It's fine, it's fine. We haven't been waiting that long." He glanced at Bulma's outfit, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes. "You look especially lively today."

Bulma smiled faintly, pride shining in her eyes. "Of course. Today is registration day for the martial arts tournament. How could I not dress up properly?"

Then Master Roshi's tone turned somewhat wistful. "Krillin, Yamcha, and the others saw how strong Goku was three years ago, and then they vanished without a trace. Everyone said they were going off to train, and they all ran off to who knows where."

Bulma sighed. "Yeah, everyone ran off."

"Ah," Master Roshi sighed, "training is just like that sometimes. It can't be rushed. If they could settle down early like Goku did, their training progress would definitely be different."

Bulma smiled helplessly. "Still, Goku really does improve faster than anyone else. I honestly don't know how he does it."

She paused, her gaze softening slightly. "But when he comes back this time, he'll definitely be amazing."

As Bulma and Master Roshi talked, a child's balloon suddenly slipped free and drifted onto the branch of a nearby tree. Seeing it get stuck, the child began to cry with tears in their eyes. "Waaah, can someone help me get my balloon down?"

Hearing this, Bulma immediately turned around. The sight of the crying child softened her heart. She walked over, gently patted the child's head, and comforted them, "Don't cry. Big sis will get it down for you."

Bulma stood on tiptoe and stretched out her arm, but she was still just a little short. Feeling slightly embarrassed, she turned to Master Roshi. "Master Roshi, could you help me get it? I can't reach."

Master Roshi narrowed his eyes and smiled slyly. "Oh, no problem. Leave it to me."

He stepped forward and reached for the balloon, but then a lecherous expression appeared on his face as he mischievously said, "Bulma, since I'm helping you get the balloon, how about letting me touch you there too?"

The moment he finished speaking, Bulma reacted. Her eyes turned cold, and without hesitation, she gave Master Roshi a loud slap. "Don't push it too far, Master Roshi!"

Master Roshi froze from the slap. His smile vanished as he quickly stood properly, rubbing his cheek and putting on an innocent expression. "Ah! I didn't mean it. I was only joking!"

Just as Bulma and Master Roshi were about to continue talking, a hand suddenly reached over, gently took the balloon from the branch, and handed it to the child. Bulma, Master Roshi, and Launch turned to look, only to see a tall figure standing before them. He held an umbrella and wore a strange outfit that clearly did not match the style of the current era.

The man stood straight and calm, his face hidden behind the umbrella as though he had no hurry to draw attention to himself. He smiled at Bulma and Master Roshi, his voice clear and peaceful. "Bulma, old man, Launch, have you all been doing well?"

Bulma, Master Roshi, and Launch stared at him in total confusion. Who was this person? They did not seem to remember knowing him. Bulma frowned slightly, confusion flashing through her eyes as she could not help asking, "You are...?"

The man did not hurry to explain. Instead, he asked, "Where are Krillin, Tien Shinhan, and Yamcha?"

At those words, Bulma and the others' expressions instantly shifted from confusion to shock. Bulma spoke instinctively, her voice trembling slightly. "Could it be... Goku?"

Goku smiled and raised his umbrella. "Sorry, Bulma. Sorry, everyone. It's been a long time."

A sudden gust of wind swept through, and the rain finally stopped. Everything around them seemed especially quiet.

Goku looked at Bulma, Master Roshi, and Launch, who were still completely stunned, and could not help laughing.

"Hehe, why are you all frozen?" Goku said with a smile. He folded up his umbrella and stood before Bulma, a trace of pride in his eyes. "Bulma, I'm finally taller than you!"

Bulma continued staring at him blankly, as though she had yet to fully recover from Goku's transformation.

Seeing this, Goku raised an eyebrow and spoke again in a playful tone. "Did I really grow so much over these three years that you can't recognize me anymore?"

Launch suddenly chimed in from beside them. "More than just 'a little'! Goku, you've grown so much. You practically look like a completely different person!"

Goku scratched his head, revealing a shy smile as he lowered his gaze toward Bulma.

Bulma's eyes gradually recovered from their dazed state, becoming clearer and clearer.

As she carefully examined the Goku standing before her, she suddenly realized that he had not merely grown taller. His entire demeanor had become more mature and composed as well.

Bulma froze for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said softly, "Goku... you've become so handsome."

Hearing that, Goku immediately felt a little embarrassed and scratched his head. "Really? I haven't changed that much. I've just trained more these past few years, so my body got stronger."

"I really didn't recognize you at all," Bulma murmured softly, an inexplicable ripple of emotion stirring within her heart.

While everyone was still talking, a loud shout suddenly came from the distance. "Contestants, please come register as soon as possible!"

Goku turned toward the source of the voice and saw a tournament staff member holding a large megaphone and loudly calling for participants.

"Goku, hurry up and register. Don't waste time," Master Roshi said when he saw Goku still standing there.

Goku nodded and turned to head toward the registration area, but then he stopped and asked, "By the way, have Krillin and the others already registered?"

Master Roshi pursed his lips and said with a helpless smile, "They're not here yet. They're probably still on the way. I didn't expect you to arrive first."

As Goku walked toward the registration area, Master Roshi, Bulma, and Launch remained where they were, watching his retreating figure.

Master Roshi narrowed his eyes and muttered, "That kid has changed way too much. He's even taller than me! He used to be such a Little Dot. How did he become..."

Launch watched Goku's back and could not help smiling. "You always say you're the strongest martial artist in the world. Looking at things now, it seems Goku might surpass you."

Master Roshi looked utterly unconvinced. "Hmph! Not necessarily. Goku may be taller than me, but he still has a lot to learn! I only reached my current level after years of training. Right now, he's just benefiting from being young!"

Bulma kept staring at Goku, complex emotions in her eyes. She said softly, "He used to be nothing more than a little brat, always acting mischievous. But now, he really does look like... he's grown up."

Launch nodded. "Yeah, he hardly seems like the same person. Especially that aura of his. It's completely different from before."

Bulma narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. "Maybe all these years of training made Goku more steady. I'll admit it, it really is a little surprising."