"You're amazing, Tien Shinhan. I still lost to you!"
Tien Shinhan and Son Goku had both climbed to the top of Korin Tower in just half a day.
Tien Shinhan in particular had climbed faster the farther he went, as the training from their tower-climbing race increased his power level.
In the end, he had reached the top of Korin Tower first, with a lead of several hundred meters.
The moment Goku climbed onto the tower, rather than regretting his defeat, he immediately came over to marvel at Tien Shinhan's strength.
That was how Goku was. He wasn't afraid of losing; instead, the appearance of someone stronger only excited him more.
Always keeping that pure heart that feared no defeat and pursued greater strength was the very foundation of Goku's continued growth!
Sure enough, after expressing his admiration for Tien Shinhan, Goku immediately declared that he wouldn't give up and would definitely catch up to him, or even surpass him.
Competition like this made Tien Shinhan's blood surge with excitement too.
With the two competing and trying to outdo each other, their training would be more thorough, and his own strength would rise even faster!
Just like this climb, which they had completed in only half a day.
Even Master Korin had never seen anything like it.
"This is truly astonishing. You climbed all the way up in half a day. No one has ever done that before!
Is this how martial artists spur each other on through competition?"
Master Korin had originally thought very highly of Goku's talent. After all, he had performed far better than Master Roshi, who had climbed Korin Tower back in the day.
But now it seemed that this generation of Earth's martial artists had another astonishing talent in Tien Shinhan.
If the two stayed to train together, perhaps they could create an unprecedented miracle!
"Hehe, Master Korin, I was so focused on racing Tien Shinhan that, as we competed, I even forgot I was climbing the tower.
When I reached Korin Tower, I never expected that it had only taken half a day this time."
Goku was also a little surprised by Master Korin's words.
The first time he had climbed the tower, it had taken him an entire day. He hadn't expected to cut that time in half this time.
"You've both gotten quite a bit stronger. To think you even defeated King Piccolo.
After hearing about it, Kami at Kami's Lookout specifically asked to see you.
But do you still want to try the Ultra Divine Water I mentioned before?
Although its effects only exist in legend, I think you two might have a chance of making that legend a reality.
Of course, it's still your decision. After all, if you fail, the Ultra Divine Water is lethally poisonous."
Master Korin voiced his admiration, then brought up Kami's Lookout and once again mentioned the Ultra Divine Water he had spoken of earlier.
By the time Cymbal arrived, Master Korin had already told the two about the Ultra Divine Water.
Since the battle had begun right afterward, neither had made a decision at the time.
Now that the battle was over, he wouldn't simply deprive them of their right to choose.
The Ultra Divine Water was dangerous, but it could also be an opportunity.
Master Korin held nothing back from the two, who had displayed such extraordinary talent.
"Kami's Lookout? What's that place?"
Goku's attention was drawn to Kami's Lookout and Kami, whom Master Korin had mentioned for the first time.
Tien Shinhan already knew about Kami's Lookout, so he naturally focused on considering whether to use the Ultra Divine Water right away.
Tien Shinhan had already included the Ultra Divine Water among the opportunities in his plan to grow stronger.
He would definitely use it. The question was whether to use it immediately!
According to Tien Shinhan's memories of the Dragon Ball plot, Kid Goku was the only one who had successfully gained strength after using the Ultra Divine Water.
And the increase it provided was considerable, allowing Kid Goku, who had been no match even for the aged King Piccolo, to grow strong enough to ultimately defeat the youthful King Piccolo.
That increase had practically doubled his power level!
Some people, however, said that Goku had survived and gained considerable strength.
Not because the Ultra Divine Water itself could increase strength, but because its lethal poison had left Kid Goku near death, triggering his Saiyan trait of growing stronger after recovering from the brink of death.
In Tien Shinhan's view, though, both the Ultra Divine Water and Goku's Saiyan physique had contributed to his increase in strength.
Tien Shinhan hadn't reached this conclusion from Goku's later performance, but from another person who had drunk the Ultra Divine Water and survived.
That person was none other than Yajirobe.
Although Goku had drunk an entire cup of Ultra Divine Water, Yajirobe had only drunk a single drop.
But he was still one of only two Earth martial artists to survive drinking the Ultra Divine Water.
More importantly, after climbing Korin Tower, Yajirobe had stayed there and refused to leave.
Afterward, he had lived a lazy life on the tower, wasting Senzu Beans, eating and sleeping, sleeping and eating, without doing much training at all.
Yet even though he had neglected his training like this, nine years later, when Vegeta and Nappa arrived, he had possessed the strength to sever Vegeta's Great Ape tail!
Although he had cut off the tail with a sneak attack, Vegeta's power level in his Great Ape form at the time had been over a hundred thousand.
If Yajirobe's own power level hadn't exceeded a thousand, he wouldn't even have been able to break through the Great Ape tail's defenses.
Tien Shinhan had also met the present-day Yajirobe. He was slightly weaker than Tien Shinhan had originally been, with a power level probably around 150.
Staying on Korin Tower without training, doing nothing but eating and drinking, his power level had risen from 150 to over a thousand in nine years.
Compared with warriors who truly trained hard, that rate of improvement was certainly a little slow.
But considering how lazy he was, his improvement was already fast enough.
And what had allowed him to grow stronger over those nine years without doing much training?
It was very likely the single drop of Ultra Divine Water he had drunk!
Therefore, Tien Shinhan absolutely would not miss the opportunity to unlock his potential with the Ultra Divine Water.
Even if it ultimately proved useless, he had to at least give it a try!
Of course, seizing an opportunity also required thorough preparation, rather than charging in recklessly.
There was no question that the Ultra Divine Water was lethally poisonous. Enduring its poison required powerful stamina, mental strength, and life force.
Tien Shinhan had no shortage of stamina, and with two souls fused into one, his mental strength was even greater than Goku's.
Only his life force was lacking. Tien Shinhan had just lost half his lifespan through his wish, roughly equivalent to losing half his life force.
Under these circumstances, using the Ultra Divine Water immediately was not the best choice for Tien Shinhan.
Thus, while Goku was learning about Kami's Lookout from Master Korin, Tien Shinhan reached a decision after some consideration.
"Since Kami wants to see us, let's go to Kami's Lookout first.
As for the Ultra Divine Water, we'll come back to you to try it after we've met Kami, Master Korin."
Tien Shinhan's plan was clear: first, seek out Kami to further improve his current strength, then find a way to replenish his life force, and afterward return to try the Ultra Divine Water.
Only with such thorough preparation could he maximize the benefits of the Ultra Divine Water opportunity!
"That works too. After receiving Kami's guidance, your bodies should have greater potential when you try the Ultra Divine Water."
Master Korin nodded.
The Ultra Divine Water's legendary effect was to draw out the body's potential, so it was a good idea to have Tien Shinhan and Goku receive Kami's guidance first and build up their reserves of physical potential a little more.