"Still holding out with strength like that?"
"Destroy them! Destroy everything in the way!"
Inside the special space, Tien Shinhan rampaged unchecked with Chiaotzu tagging along.
The strange birds that occupied this special space, along with the various monsters that appeared afterward, might have been troublesome opponents for Master Roshi and Master Shen back in their day.
But before Tien Shinhan, whose power level exceeded a thousand, they were all utterly worthless, unable to withstand a single blow!
Who could contend with his iron fist?
Who dared block a sweep of his iron palm?
Whether strange birds!
Or monsters!
Even the hallucinogenic mist that appeared at the end of the special space to stop Tien Shinhan was easily broken through as he walked out of the illusion.
Once he had effortlessly swept aside every trial and obstacle, the mysterious Fountain of Youth finally appeared before Tien Shinhan without anything concealing it, like a lamb awaiting slaughter.
Looking at the clear spring before him, so utterly different from the foul atmosphere of the special space, Tien Shinhan knew this was the Fountain of Youth he had been searching for.
Even just approaching the Fountain of Youth, Tien Shinhan could feel a powerful vitality that refreshed both body and mind.
No wonder Master Roshi and the others had been able to live so much longer than ordinary people after drinking it.
Even if the Fountain of Youth could not truly grant eternal youth and immortality, its life-extending effects were certainly considerable.
The powerful vitality contained in the spring water was impossible to counterfeit.
Unfortunately, Master Roshi and Master Shen had already been old men when they drank the spring water. Otherwise, they might have retained their youthful appearances for a long time.
With such a miraculous Fountain of Youth before him, Tien Shinhan hesitated no longer!
He called out to Chiaotzu, and then only one thing remained!
"Drink!"
Gulp! Gulp! Gulp!
Ahh-
Refreshing!
Fantastic!
After a thoroughly satisfying bout of guzzling, Tien Shinhan discovered that the Fountain of Youth not only contained powerful vitality, but was also clear, icy, refreshing, and quite pleasant to drink.
However, after drinking a full two large bowls' worth, Tien Shinhan also discovered something.
Under normal circumstances, one large bowl per person was enough to achieve the maximum effect.
Drinking any more would simply be a waste.
Moreover, this spring accumulated water very slowly, and its pool was small. After he and Chiaotzu drank two large bowls' worth, the pool was already more than halfway drained.
Rather than a pool, it was more like a small puddle formed on a stone platform.
Fortunately, the source of the Fountain of Youth had not dried up, so it could replenish itself after they finished drinking.
"Let's stop here. Drinking any more won't do much good. Let's leave the rest and let it build up again."
After seeing that Chiaotzu had also drunk his fill, Tien Shinhan took out a cup to test whether he could take some of the Fountain of Youth's water away.
However, he discovered that the water quickly lost its special vitality once it left the small pool on the stone platform, so he did not insist.
He had already achieved the purpose of this trip. He would leave this opportunity for whoever was fated to find it in the future.
They retraced their steps, with some strange birds and monsters still prowling farther away.
But after witnessing how terrifying Tien Shinhan had been while searching for the Fountain of Youth, not a single one dared stop him from leaving.
In just half a day, Tien Shinhan had entered the special space and come back out again.
Looking at the still-familiar Mount Paozu not far from the exit, Tien Shinhan nodded.
Korin Tower was relatively close from here.
After drinking from the Fountain of Youth, Tien Shinhan felt the vitality within him surge. It was even far stronger than before he had halved his lifespan by making a wish with the Dragon Balls.
Now I have powerful stamina, mental strength, and even vitality.
I'll also obtain the full potential-unlocking effects of the Ultra Divine Water!
Brimming with confidence, Tien Shinhan soon returned to Korin Tower with Chiaotzu.
When he returned to Korin Tower, Goku, who had likewise been away for a day, also happened to return.
But although he had left alone, he returned in a group of three.
Aside from Krillin, who had just completed his intensive training under Master Roshi and was ready to challenge Korin Tower.
The other person came as something of a surprise to Tien Shinhan.
"Sorry for intruding, Tien Shinhan. It must have been my blonde self causing trouble, insisting on coming to see you.
"But since I'm already here, I'll help take care of your everyday needs.
"I've brought all the tea-making tools and cooking utensils, so please don't send me away."
Before Tien Shinhan could speak, the gentle, ladylike Blue-haired Launch, wearing a pink ribbon, had already apologized.
She asked Tien Shinhan to forgive the unreasonable behavior she had displayed after sneezing and turning blonde.
Such a good attitude cut off Tien Shinhan's avenue for asking her to leave.
You could hardly lash out at someone who approached you with a smile, and Launch's attitude was far more sincere and respectful than an ordinary smile.
"Tien Shinhan, why don't you let him stay?
"I'm not trying to bad-mouth Grandpa Roshi, but can you really feel comfortable leaving a girl who likes you living with a dirty old man like that?"
Compared with the innocent Kid Goku, Krillin had quite high emotional intelligence among the martial artists, and had long since noticed Blonde Launch's feelings for Tien Shinhan.
Now, seeing Blue-haired Launch's shy expression, he guessed that she was also rather fond of Tien Shinhan, so he spoke up to persuade him.
The original Tien Shinhan might have been a little too much of a romantically oblivious straight guy.
But now that he had merged with a transmigrator, Tien Shinhan retained his single-minded dedication to martial arts while gaining some of a modern person's romance and flexibility.
Even a tiger's heart could pause to smell a rose; martial arts and romance did not conflict.
Besides, Krillin did have a point. Master Roshi's bad habit, which had persisted for centuries, really did make it impossible to feel at ease.
"All right, then. Sorry for the trouble from now on, Launch."
Tien Shinhan thanked Launch, also signaling that she could remain here.
Of course, even as Tien Shinhan agreed, he did not forget to glance at Master Korin.
"Master Korin, there shouldn't be any problem with Launch staying at Korin Tower or Kami's Lookout, should there?"
After all, these were Master Korin's and Kami's domains, so Tien Shinhan still had to ask the hosts.
"There's certainly no problem on my end. If she wants to learn martial arts, I can even teach her as a favor to you.
"But you'll have to ask Kami yourself. Still, considering how highly Kami regards you and Goku, I don't think he should object."
Master Korin nodded, showing no intention of refusing.
In the original story, he could even tolerate someone like Yajirobe hanging around Korin Tower, freeloading off him, so how could he possibly have no room for Launch?
But because of Tien Shinhan's intervention, all the Senzu Beans stocked at Korin Tower had been taken away. Yajirobe had long since descended to the ground to wander, train, and hunt, so this time he had no opportunity to stay at Korin Tower and freeload.
"Wonderful! Thank you for letting me stay, Tien Shinhan, and thank you for letting me stay too, Master Korin. I'll make you some tea!
"Oh, and dried fish! I brought some little dried fish. Goku told me your appearance far surpasses that of ordinary people, Master Korin, so I thought you might like these."
With this outcome, Blue-haired Launch immediately thanked Tien Shinhan and Master Korin.
As she spoke, Launch took a packet of little dried fish from her luggage and handed it to Master Korin.
Master Korin was very pleased to hear her words. Besides, dried fish from the ground below-he even missed it.
Standing nearby, Goku scratched his head in confusion at Launch's words.
Master Korin's appearance far surpassed that of ordinary people?
Was that what I said?
Goku remembered clearly telling Launch that Master Korin looked like a big, fat white cat and was even shorter than he was.
Krillin, standing to one side, was also feeling a little disgruntled.
"Shouldn't you be thanking me too? I helped persuade Tien Shinhan to let you stay."
Fortunately, although Launch had not thanked him verbally, when she finished brewing the tea a little later, she had not forgotten his cup either.