Ethan had no idea that Gohan and Videl were wondering what planet and race he belonged to. Not long after, he ran into another familiar face.
"Oh? Tien?"
"Hmm?" Tien was stunned. Like Gohan, he did not recognize Ethan right away. "Ethan?"
"That's right!"
"You're back!"
"Yeah, I just got back. I was about to go say hello to everyone."
Actually, he wanted to find Yoruichi, but he would not deliberately avoid someone he happened to meet along the way.
It was not surprising to run into Tien here. Compared to Yamcha and Krillin, who often showed up at the dojo, Tien preferred to hide away in quiet places and train to improve his strength.
Aside from Chiaotzu, probably few people could endure his constantly austere lifestyle. Although Tien had settled in West City due to Ethan's influence, he spent most of his time training alone in his courtyard. If no one called him, he could stay inside forever without going out.
He wondered if Launch had managed to successfully pursue this guy.
"You've been gone for several years this time. Bulma and Yoruichi have mentioned you from time to time."
"Ahaha, looks like I'm in trouble."
Tien was only used to this kind of lifestyle. It did not mean he was so foolish that he could not understand what that implied. However, he could not offer any advice on this matter and could only let Ethan figure it out himself.
"How have the others been these past few years?"
Since he had run into Tien, Ethan could conveniently ask about what had happened over the past few years. Now that he was already in this world, he would have plenty of time to spend with Bulma and Yoruichi later, so there was no rush.
Through Tien's explanation, Ethan learned that Earth had been very peaceful these past few years. Furthermore, because all the participants who advanced to the elimination rounds of the World Martial Arts Tournament held a few years ago were students from Goku's dojo, Goku's name once again resounded across the world.
Now, Goku was respectfully referred to as the "God of Martial Arts" by Earthlings. Even Master Roshi, the original holder of this title, felt that Goku was worthy of inheriting it.
Goku not only had a high level of personal training, but had also protected Earth multiple times. More importantly, he had greatly promoted martial arts on Earth, making more people realize the immense potential of the human body. The overall martial arts atmosphere on Earth was now vastly different from when Ethan had first arrived.
Because more and more students came to apprentice under him, the requirements for acceptance continued to rise. However, Goku did not object to his graduated students opening new dojos under his name, so young people who lacked a foundation or had slightly poorer conditions still had other options.
"With more disciples, everyone needs to show up often and teach the students some things. Today just happens to be my day off."
Only then did Ethan realize that Tien was not hiding here for peace and quiet. It was simply his day off.
He noticed that Tien, who originally preferred training alone, now understood the joy of "imparting knowledge" and seemed very dedicated to teaching his disciples.
This was good. At least it allowed him to interact with people more often.
"By the way, how are things between you and Launch?"
"Ah, that..."
What kind of expression was that? That shy look was more suited to a youngster like Gohan, wasn't it?
As Ethan complained wildly in his heart, he noticed Chiaotzu smirking beside them. It seemed that Tien and Launch's relationship had not completely broken off. Perhaps the two of them still had a chance?
Ethan could not help with such matters. It was up to them to decide.
While chatting with Tien, Ethan had slowly arrived outside Bulma's personal laboratory. Tien did not go any farther and simply waved to Ethan.
"I'll go tell Goku and the others that you're back!"
"Alright, I'll come find them later!"
After Tien walked away, Ethan approached Bulma's laboratory.
Of course, one could not just barge into a laboratory, but even if Bulma had designed countless defense programs, they could not stop a god skilled in spatial magic.
He directly ignored the door in front of him, passing through it as if it were only an illusion.
As for the various alarms and monitoring equipment inside the lab?
Ethan had countless ways to deal with them. To every detection device, no one was present, even if a person looked up and saw a living person standing there.
Walking quietly inside, Ethan made no sound. He planned to scare the two of them. Maybe a good scare would make them overlook the fact that he had been gone for several years.
Following his senses, Ethan approached the two women's location while calculating his little scheme in his mind.
Soon, he arrived at a separate room inside the laboratory.
"Hmm?"
As Ethan entered, he found that it was actually a gym. Bulma, wearing a tight sports vest and shorts, was doing yoga-like poses with Yoruichi's help.
If he had not seen what the two of them were doing with his own eyes, he definitely would have misunderstood just from listening to their conversation.
"Ah, ah, ah! I'm dying, I'm dying, I'm dying!"
"Hang in there. Almost there!"
"I can't do it. Stop already!"
"Almost there. Just a little more!"
"..."
"Time's up."
As Yoruichi let go, Bulma, who had been holding a difficult pose, collapsed onto the mat like a puddle of mud. Then the two women saw Ethan standing nearby, watching the show.
"It's over. I must be hallucinating from the pain. I told you to let go sooner."
Yoruichi looked helplessly at Bulma, who looked like she was "already dead." She was truly speechless toward this pampered young lady. Bulma genuinely could not endure hardship, yet she insisted on having Yoruichi help her exercise.
Her excuse was that she was getting older, and if she did not exercise and maintain herself, she would become an old woman by the time Ethan returned.
If she was so afraid of pain and fatigue, why did she not just ask Shenron to restore her youth?
But Bulma simply did not want to use Shenron's power. She seemed determined to show Ethan, "My youth was wasted because of you!"
Thinking about it, it seemed rather amusing, so Yoruichi had never complained about Bulma's behavior and was even willing to help.
Anyway, she was idle, so she treated it as entertainment. She could also take advantage of Bulma in the process. Yoruichi thought it was not bad at all.
As for Ethan being gone for a few years? For an existence like her, whose true age exceeded three digits, a few years was truly nothing. It was just the blink of an eye.
"Oh, you're back? I thought I'd have to wait a few more years!"
In that case, Bulma really would have become an old woman. She wondered if Bulma could still insist on not using the Dragon Balls then.
"There was a small error during the operation, causing a deviation of a few years."
Ethan spread his hands and then opened his arms.
"No enthusiastic hug?"
"No!"
"..."
Yoruichi remained unmoved, and Bulma was still sprawled on the ground, unable to move. She had already realized that the Ethan in front of her was not an illusion. This guy had really come back.
"Damn it, why did you have to come back at this exact moment? You did this on purpose, didn't you?"
She had worked hard to exercise and maintain a good figure. Even as she grew older, she wanted to present her best side, not let Ethan see her in such a disheveled state.
"How did you avoid all the surveillance?"
"I have many methods. These surveillance devices are basically nonexistent to me." Ethan looked at Bulma, who refused to get up. "Want a Senzu Bean?"
"No need. I've already recovered."
She immediately got up from the ground and grabbed a towel to wipe the sweat from her face and forehead. She suddenly remembered that she had already been far more embarrassed in front of Ethan before, so this was really nothing in comparison.
"I'm going to take a shower first."
"No need!"
Ethan raised his hand and lightly tapped. A small spell that even wizards from the Harry Potter world could use solved the problem. Bulma felt a refreshing sensation all over her body. Not only did the sweat disappear, but she felt as if she had just taken a thorough bath. Even her clothes and the towel she had just used to wipe her sweat became spotless.
"You actually have such a convenient ability? Can you teach me?"
"Of course you can learn it."
He was not worried that Bulma would be unable to learn. Bulma was already a genius, and typically, people like her naturally had stronger spiritual power than ordinary people. As long as she spent some time on it, learning this level of magic would not be difficult.
Moreover, Ethan had various enhancement potions, so even if Bulma's talent was terrible, it could be improved.
"Has your power fully recovered?"
Compared to Bulma, Yoruichi knew a little more. Ethan's strength had always been suppressed back then. Judging from his current state, this must be his optimal condition.
"It hasn't just recovered. I even advanced further due to a blessing in disguise."
"Oh? Tell us more!"
"Alright!"
The three of them sat directly on the ground. This time, Ethan not only recounted his experiences after leaving this world, but also explained his origins in great detail.
It was only then that Bulma gained a more intuitive understanding of what Ethan meant by "otherworldly god."
He was not the kind of god she knew, like Piccolo, but a higher realm of existence, closer to the gods in many myths and legends.
"You're that powerful? You're not just bragging, are you?"
"Whether I'm bragging or not, you'll find out very soon."
Yoruichi, however, picked up something more from Ethan's words. Ethan would not stay long this time. He had come specifically to pick them up.
"So you're taking us to your God Country?"
"Yes."
"Then what about this place and my world?"
"Don't worry about that. I'll bring both worlds over to my side, then establish a permanent connection with the God Country so it will be convenient for you to travel back and forth at any time."
Ethan then explained the current living situations of his many companions to the two of them, helping them understand that this was normal for him.
"Oh..." Yoruichi suddenly narrowed her eyes. "How many women are among your companions?"
"..."
(To be continued.)