c4: The Perverted Old Man, Master Roshi
"Gollum... gollum..."
Though Bulma was clearly annoyed having been woken up at the crack of dawn by Son Goku's loud training routine she still carried over a large capsule bucket of salt water for the stranded sea turtle.
"Could you possibly take me back to the sea? I'd be very grateful," the turtle said, looking pitiful as he finished gulping the last of the salt water.
Given his own speed, he knew it would take days to return on foot.
"No way!" Bulma shot back immediately, crossing her arms with a frown.
"Bulma," Li Xu interjected calmly, "I checked the Dragon Radar. There's a Dragon Ball somewhere out in the sea. We might as well drop him off on the way."
"Drip!" Bulma pulled out the radar and saw a pulsing dot right over the ocean. Sure enough, there was a Dragon Ball out there.
"Fine, we'll take him. But only because it's convenient."
"Thank you so much!" the turtle beamed, throwing a grateful glance at Li Xu.
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"Let's go!"
...
They were about 100 kilometers from the ocean, but thanks to the Capsule Corp car's incredible speed, it took less than two hours to reach the coastline.
"It's so big!" Son Goku exclaimed, eyes wide with awe at the sight of the endless blue sea stretching into the horizon.
"Wait here, I'll be back shortly!" the turtle said before paddling his way into the surf with surprisingly efficient strokes.
"So salty!" Goku bent down, scooped up a handful of seawater, and took a sip only to immediately spit it out with a grimace.
"Ugh, how long is this going to take?!" Bulma complained, tapping her foot impatiently.
"Hey, Bulma," Li Xu asked curiously, "what kind of wish do you want to make once we collect all the Dragon Balls?"
"I-I don't know yet..." Bulma stammered, her cheeks flushing slightly. Her original plan had been to wish for a perfect boyfriend, but ever since Li Xu joined them, she wasn't quite sure anymore.
"Well, there's no need to rush. Let's just treat this Dragon Ball hunt as an adventure. Who knows what kind of stories we'll bring back?" Li Xu smiled.
"Yeah..." Bulma nodded softly, then glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.
About two hours later, the turtle returned from the sea, but this time he wasn't alone. Riding on his back was an old man with a long white beard, sunglasses, a bald head, and a heavy turtle shell strapped to his back.
"Sorry to keep you waiting!"
"Old man, who are you?" Son Goku asked, cocking his head.
"I'm Master Roshi, the Turtle Hermit," he said proudly, then turned to the turtle. "So, which of these fine folks helped you?"
"It was this little guy who gave me the salt water," the turtle gestured to Goku, "and this young man here—he agreed to carry me back to the ocean."
"That's quite noble of you!" Master Roshi nodded, then turned to Li Xu and Goku. "I must reward you both. I'll give you something special."
"If you really want to show your gratitude," Li Xu said calmly, his eyes locked on the object hanging around Roshi's neck, "how about you hand over that orange orb?"
"Dragon Ball!" Bulma gasped when she saw the four-star ball hanging on a necklace. It was unmistakable.
"Hmm... judging by that girl's reaction, this thing must be pretty important," Master Roshi muttered under his breath, then turned to Bulma with a lecherous smile. "I'll give you the ball, but only if you let me see your"
BOOM!
Before he could finish his sentence, Bulma smashed her capsule case over his head with full force, sending the old man tumbling into the sand.
Before Master Roshi could finish his indecent suggestion, Li Xu stepped forward and delivered a sharp kick to his face.
"Old man, don't even think about taking advantage of Bulma," Li Xu said, clearly irritated. He might not have known Bulma for long, but he wasn't about to let her get harassed.
"Hoho! Young man, you've got quite the kick!" Master Roshi said, rubbing his cheek in surprise. Despite the impact, he stood firm his resilience was far beyond average. Though Li Xu's strength had improved, Master Roshi was still the legendary Turtle Hermit. A mere kick wouldn't faze him.
From the side, Bulma looked at Li Xu with admiration sparkling in her eyes. Her cheeks were slightly flushed as her imagination ran wild. So cool!
"Old man, if you don't want to give us the Dragon Ball, forget it." Li Xu shrugged. He knew Roshi wasn't someone he could just fight and rob. It wasn't worth making enemies out of powerful people like him.
"Ahem… This bead is your reward for returning Turtle safely." Master Roshi said, taking the Four-Star Ball from around his neck and handing it over.
"Bulma, here's another one." Li Xu passed the Dragon Ball to Bulma.
"Mm-hmm." Bulma smiled as she placed it inside the case with the others, the Dragon Radar already showing them getting closer to their goal.
"And you, little one, I have something for you too," Master Roshi turned to Goku, stroking his beard thoughtfully.
"A gift?" Goku asked, tilting his head.
"Come forth, Phoenix!" Roshi dramatically raised his staff toward the sky.
...Nothing happened.
"The Phoenix died of food poisoning last year," the Turtle reminded him blandly.
"Phoenixes can die?" Bulma blinked, skeptical.
"Well… I named him Phoenix because I wanted him to live forever," Master Roshi said sheepishly. "Guess that didn't work out."
He cleared his throat, quickly changing the subject.
"Come forth—Flying Nimbus!"
Da-da-da-daaa...
With a humming noise like a motorbike, a small golden cloud zoomed in through the sky and stopped right in front of them.
"How do you eat this?" Goku asked, poking it curiously.
"You don't eat the Nimbus!" Master Roshi shouted. "It's for flying! The Flying Nimbus can only be ridden by those who are pure of heart!"
"I'll demonstrate!" he added proudly.
WHUMP!
Master Roshi jumped... and fell straight through the cloud, crashing into the sand.
"Grandpa, are you okay?" Goku asked, scratching his head.
"I'm fine!" Roshi groaned from the ground, clearly not fine at all.
"Let me try!" Goku leaped onto the cloud and amazingly didn't fall through.
"What a pure-hearted kid," Master Roshi muttered in disbelief. "Truly simple-minded."
"YAHOO!" Goku shouted as he soared and spiraled through the air on the Flying Nimbus, clearly having the time of his life.
After a few minutes of aerial fun, Goku flew down again, beaming. "Thanks, Grandpa!"
"Wait... that wishbone-shaped item on your back... where did you get that?" Roshi suddenly asked, his gaze narrowing.
"Grandpa gave it to me," Goku answered honestly.
"Your grandfather wouldn't happen to be Son Gohan, would he?"
"Yep! Do you know Grandpa?"
Master Roshi's eyes softened as he nodded. "I do. He told me once that he found a strange little boy in the mountains. That must've been you."
"He was the best! Grandpa always said one day I should come learn from his master, someone named Master Roshi..."
"That would be me," Roshi said with a proud grin. "I'm your Grandpa's master Muten Roshi, the Turtle Hermit!"
Goku's face lit up. "He said you were really strong!"
"Son Gohan was a good man... a shame he passed." Master Roshi's expression turned solemn. "You've got talent, boy. Strong body, kind heart... and a pure soul. Just like your grandfather."
He glanced toward the horizon, already contemplating taking Goku as his next student.
"Such a promising kid," Roshi murmured to himself, "Maybe it's time to train a new disciple…"
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