Over the next few days, Ethan and the others stayed on Korin Tower. During this time, Ethan also improved Korin's meals.
As a former captain who had traveled across the multiverse, Ethan had long mastered basic skills like cooking. He changed the menu every day, preparing different dishes, and Korin now viewed him quite favorably.
Like now, as Korin ate the fish hotpot, his eyes gleamed. He asked Ethan why he had specifically come to him for Senzu Beans.
After the first successful transaction, Ethan had conveniently packed two more jars over the past two days. Now, the stock on Korin Tower was less than what Ethan had in his possession.
Korin had already realized that Ethan's claim of coming here for martial arts guidance was false. His real purpose was to take the Senzu Beans.
"You don't live in such an inconvenient place like I do, so do you still need to worry about food?"
For Korin, Senzu Beans were just food, nothing more.
"Senzu Beans can heal injuries, right?"
"Mm."
Senzu Beans could indeed heal injuries, and could even be called a holy medicine. As long as you were not dead, eating half a bean would instantly restore you to full health, healing both internal and external injuries in a second.
"Such a powerful medicine is like having an extra life."
"Ah."
Korin held his bowl and chopsticks, do not ask how a cat uses chopsticks, and finally realized the immense value of Senzu Beans. It seemed that was indeed the case. He had been living on Korin Tower without any chance of getting injured, so he had overlooked this important function.
Yamcha, who was nearby, also paused with his chopsticks. He had just realized the value of Senzu Beans as well.
"Uh... um, can I have some?"
Korin looked at Yamcha and felt awkward refusing, but this time he could not be as generous as he had been with Ethan. "I will give you a bag."
"Thank you, Korin!"
Yamcha was not greedy. In his opinion, a bag was already a lot. Such a life-saving medicine, even a single bean, could be treated as a family heirloom.
"Aren't you taking some?"
"I don't need to. When I need some, I can just ask him directly."
Yoruichi continued eating without looking up. She did not consider herself an outsider. When needed, she would just take from Ethan. He had packed so many, would he really be stingy about her eating a few?
"Oh." Korin nodded in understanding. He did not care about their relationship, as long as they stopped taking his Senzu Beans. "Ah, my fish head!"
First come, first served. While Korin was talking, more than half of the fish in the pot had already been eaten. Seeing this, the Cat Hermit stopped caring about appearances and quickly scooped the remaining fish into his bowl, then happily enjoyed it.
Just when everyone thought the next few days would continue like this, someone climbed up the tower during training.
"Huh? Someone else came up? Are young martial artists this outstanding now?"
In the past few hundred years, only Master Roshi had climbed up. But in the past few days, several people had managed it. He wondered if Korin Tower had become shorter. Why had it suddenly become so easy to climb?
When Korin mentioned someone was coming up, Ethan already knew who it was. After Korin called out to the person still on the lower levels, Goku soon appeared on the stairs.
"Ah, Goku!"
"Yamcha, Ethan, Yoruichi, long time no see!"
Since Goku had climbed up from below, he must have seen Puar. Even without Puar, he could have learned about their challenge from Bora and Upa. Since they had not fallen, they must have succeeded.
So he was not surprised to see them here. He was only curious about Korin's appearance. But that was all. He did not find it strange. After all, the king of Earth was a Schnauzer, and during the previous World Martial Arts Tournament, the announcer had barked like a dog.
Seeing Goku again, they briefly caught up and learned about his experiences.
His journey mostly followed the original course, but he did not break the Dragon Radar while fighting the Red Ribbon Army in the north, so he did not return to Bulma for repairs.
His battle with General Blue was extremely fierce. Although he drove Blue away, the wristband containing the Dragon Radar was stolen.
With no other choice, Goku went to West City to find Bulma, got a new wristband, and used the Dragon Balls to locate Korin Tower.
After obtaining the Dragon Radar and receiving information from Ethan's group, the Red Ribbon Army learned of Goku's location and hired the world's greatest assassin, Mercenary Tao.
At this point, things returned to their original course. Goku could not defeat Tao and was knocked unconscious by the Dodon Ray. The Four-Star Dragon Ball in his chest saved his life.
Tao, thinking he was dead, took his belongings and left. He was likely in a nearby town making new clothes.
"Mercenary Tao killed Bora. I need to collect the Dragon Balls to revive him."
Originally, Goku only wanted to retrieve the Four-Star Dragon Ball. Now, because Bora had been killed, his goal changed.
"We'll help you. Mercenary Tao, right? This is a good chance to test my training!"
After training with weights, climbing Korin Tower, and sparring with Korin, Yamcha could feel his strength increasing rapidly. He was eager to fight a strong opponent.
"No, I want to defeat him myself."
At this point, Goku was already showing a Saiyan's love for battle. He climbed the tower to grow stronger, not just to reunite with them.
"I see. The Ultra Divine Water is right here."
Korin pointed his cane at a kettle that had long been ignored.
"If you want to drink it, you have to take it from me."
Hanging the kettle on his staff, Korin began the snatching game again. Goku quickly collapsed, lying on the ground like a dead fish.
"This looks familiar."
"How would it look familiar? You could not see yourself back then."
Ethan's comment earned him an elbow from Yoruichi. She had wanted to say Yamcha was the same before, but Ethan reminded her that she had been just as bad.
"Alright, eat something first. You cannot train like this."
To satisfy Goku's bottomless appetite, Ethan's food was not enough. Fortunately, there were Senzu Beans. Even Goku would feel full after eating one. In that sense, Yajirobe, who could eat many without getting full, was even more terrifying.
Since Goku was eager to grow stronger, Ethan and the others did not compete with him for sparring with Korin. They could spar with each other instead.
Even so, Goku's speed in grabbing the kettle surprised everyone.
Yoruichi marveled at his talent. His growth reminded her of Ichigo. No wonder Ethan compared them.
"What are you going to do next? Mercenary Tao and the Red Ribbon Army are not easy opponents."
"I'm going to defeat them all."
Having faced the Red Ribbon Army multiple times and witnessed their crimes, Goku was ready to fight back.
"I'll go with you."
Despite his flaws, Yamcha never backed down when his friends were in trouble. In that sense, he was reliable.
"We'll go too."
Tao was Goku's target, and the Red Ribbon Army was no match for them. Ethan had been training nonstop and felt bored, so he treated it as real combat practice.
"It seems we must say goodbye, Korin."
"There's nothing more for me to teach you."
Their strength was already enough to take the kettle. For Korin, there was nothing left to teach. He also felt Ethan did not need guidance.
He noticed Ethan's strength was growing rapidly, as if he already understood how to use it. His control and adaptability far surpassed anyone Korin had seen.
Yoruichi was similar, though slightly behind. Yamcha, in comparison, was the most normal.
"I wonder where these two really come from."
Korin was curious, but he would not ask. Everyone had their own secrets.
As long as Ethan was not a villain, that was enough.
"Let's go."
Watching them jump down, Korin suddenly ran to the railing and shouted, "Ethan, remember to bring more good stuff next time!"
Hearing this, Ethan felt something was off. Korin was supposed to be a hermit-like figure, but now he was starting to resemble Master Roshi.
Of course, for a Cat Hermit, liking seafood was not a bad trait.
Except for Goku, who used the Flying Nimbus, the others used the tower's structure to cushion their descent and quickly returned to the ground.
As soon as they landed, they saw Tao, who had finished making his clothes and returned to retrieve the Dragon Ball.
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)