The sliding door to Kame House creaked open, and in stepped a tall, bald man in flowing orange-and-black monk robes, his posture straight as a temple pillar. A string of prayer beads hung from his neck, and his face bore the serene, almost smug calm that Krillin remembered all too well from his days at Orin Temple.
"Krillin," the monk said, voice smooth and measured, bowing slightly. "It has been many years. I am Brother Shen, sent by the Elders. We heard of your many… accomplishments. The defeat of Cell, the battles against Majin Buu, even your role in the Tournament of Power. Your strength has brought honor to the name of martial arts, and thus, to the temple that first taught you discipline."
Krillin crossed his arms, already feeling the old irritation bubbling up. Eighteen was in the kitchen, probably listening with that signature smirk of hers. Marron was still napping in the next room, blissfully unaware.
"Yeah, well, thanks," Krillin said flatly. "But I'm kinda busy these days. Family stuff. You know how it is."
Brother Shen's eyes flicked briefly toward the interior of the house, lingering for just a second too long on the hallway where Eighteen's silhouette could be faintly seen moving. The monk's serene expression didn't crack, but Krillin caught the subtle shift—same old judgmental curiosity mixed with poorly hidden envy.
"The Elders wish to extend a formal invitation," Shen continued, undeterred. "The rebuilt Orin Temple stands stronger than before. We have new training halls, ancient scrolls recovered from the ruins, and a renewed focus on spiritual harmony. A warrior of your caliber could guide the next generation. You could achieve true oneness with the universe, free from worldly attachments…"
Krillin let out a short, bitter laugh.
"Worldly attachments?" He jerked a thumb over his shoulder toward the kitchen. "You mean my wife and kid? The ones who actually give my life meaning?"
Shen's smile tightened, ever so slightly. "The path of the monk requires sacrifice. The flesh is temporary. The spirit—"
"Yeah, yeah, I remember the script," Krillin interrupted, stepping forward. His voice dropped, low and serious. "Look, I left the temple for a reason. I found something better than chanting and sweeping floors and pretending women are distractions from enlightenment. I've fought gods, aliens, and literal monsters. I've died—twice. And you know what? Coming home to Eighteen and Marron beats any 'oneness with the universe' you're selling."
From the kitchen came the soft clink of a dish and a quiet, amused chuckle—Eighteen, definitely eavesdropping.
Brother Shen's gaze flicked again, this time with a hint of disapproval. "Your… companion. She is artificial, is she not? A creation of Dr. Gero. Surely even you must see that such a union—"
Krillin's ki flared, just enough to make the air around him shimmer and the monk take an involuntary half-step back.
"Say one more word about my wife," Krillin said quietly, eyes hard as steel, "and I'll show you exactly how 'worldly' I can get."
The monk swallowed, composure cracking for the first time. "I… meant no offense. Only that the Elders believe—"
"I don't care what the Elders believe." Krillin jabbed a finger toward the door. "Tell them thanks, but no thanks. I've got everything I need right here. Now get out."
Brother Shen hesitated, mouth opening as if to deliver one last platitude, but the look on Krillin's face—bald head gleaming, small body radiating the power of someone who'd stared down perfect beings and won—made him think better of it.
With a stiff bow, the monk retreated. "As you wish. May your path find peace, Krillin."
"Yeah, whatever," Krillin muttered, slamming the door behind him hard enough to rattle the frame.
He stood there a moment, breathing out the tension, then turned toward the kitchen.
Eighteen leaned against the counter, arms crossed under her chest, blonde hair catching the light. That familiar half-smirk played on her lips.
"'Artificial companion,' huh?" she said, voice dripping with mock sweetness. "You gonna let me blast him into orbit next time, or are you handling all the ex-boyfriend drama yourself?"
Krillin rubbed the back of his head, grinning sheepishly despite himself. "Sorry about that. Old temple idiots never change."
She pushed off the counter and walked over, sliding her arms around his neck. "You handled it fine, monk-boy. Though I have to admit… watching you get all protective is kind of hot."
From the other room came Marron's sleepy voice: "Daddy? Who was that?"
Krillin sighed happily, pulling Eighteen closer. "Just some guy selling bad life choices, sweetie. Go back to sleep."
He looked up at his wife, the woman who'd once been his enemy, then his rival, then his everything.
"Best decision I ever made," he murmured.
Eighteen's smirk softened into something warmer. "Damn right."
Outside, Brother Shen walked down the beach, shaking his head. Some souls, it seemed, were simply too attached to the material world to ever truly ascend.
Krillin wouldn't have it any other way.
The room suddenly felt a lot smaller.
Krillin's stomach dropped the second he saw the way Naruto's bright blue eyes locked onto Eighteen like she was the only person in existence. That slow, appreciative sweep—from her face, down to the generous swell of her chest straining against the denim jacket, then lingering on the way her long legs stretched out across the sofa—made Krillin's blood pressure spike.
He knew that look. He'd seen it on way too many guys over the years.
"Eyes up here, Uzumaki," Krillin said, voice tight, stepping slightly in front of his wife even though he barely reached her shoulder. His small hand clenched into a fist at his side, ki flickering just beneath the surface.
Eighteen, for her part, didn't move from her relaxed position on the sofa. She simply tilted her head, cool blue eyes narrowing as she studied the tall blond stranger with the golden star pinned to his shirt. A faint, dangerous smirk tugged at the corner of her lips.
"Terminus, huh?" she said, voice silky and edged with amusement. "Sounds important. So why exactly is some golden-age errand boy showing up at our doorstep looking at me like I'm lunch?"
Naruto blinked, finally dragging his gaze back to Krillin, though the appreciative grin didn't fully leave his face. "Whoa, easy there. No disrespect intended. Just… appreciating the view. Your wife's a knockout, Krillin. You've got good taste, short stuff."
Roshi, who had been quietly sipping tea in the corner, nearly choked. "Kid's got balls, I'll give him that."
Krillin's face flushed red—not from embarrassment, but from the rising anger. "You've got about five seconds to tell me why the Orin Temple sent a Terminus agent to my house before I introduce you to the business end of a Destructo Disc."
Naruto raised both hands in a placating gesture, though his eyes still flicked back to Eighteen for a split second. "Alright, alright. Straight to business then. The temple elders are… concerned. They heard about your refusal to rejoin earlier today. They figured a more 'persuasive' messenger might help. Someone who's handled bigger threats than a few rogue monks."
He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossing over his broad chest, the golden star glinting. "They want you back, Krillin. Not just as a trainer. They're offering you the position of Head Guardian. Full access to the restored archives, a seat on the council, and—get this—a personal stipend that could keep your family comfortable for life. No more scraping by on tournament winnings and odd jobs."
Eighteen let out a low, mocking laugh. She swung her legs off the sofa and stood up in one fluid motion, towering over her husband in both height and presence. The way her denim jacket hugged her curves didn't go unnoticed by anyone in the room.
"Head Guardian?" she echoed, stepping up beside Krillin and resting a hand possessively on his bald head. "Sounds like they're desperate. What's the catch, blondie? Because my husband already turned them down once. And trust me—he's not leaving this 'worldly attachment' anytime soon."
Naruto's grin widened, clearly enjoying the tension. "No catch. Just an opportunity. Though I gotta say…" His eyes dipped again, just for a moment. "If I had a woman like you waiting at home, I might hesitate too. Those hips don't lie, and that ass—"
That was as far as he got.
Krillin's fist shot forward faster than most eyes could track— a sharp, ki-infused punch aimed straight at Naruto's gut. It wasn't full power, but it was enough to make the air whistle.
Naruto's hand snapped up at the last second, catching Krillin's fist in his palm with casual ease. The impact still sent a visible shockwave through the room, rattling the windows.
"Whoa, easy, cueball!" Naruto laughed, though there was a new respect in his eyes. "Didn't mean to offend the missus. Just calling it like I see it. She's built like a goddess."
Eighteen's smirk turned icy. "Flattery's not going to get you anywhere. Especially when you're eye-fucking me in front of my husband and my daughter's in the next room."
Marron's voice suddenly called from down the hall, sleepy and curious. "Mommy? Daddy? Who's the loud man?"
Krillin yanked his hand back, breathing hard. "You've said your piece, Uzumaki. Now get out. Tell the elders I'm not interested. And if you ever look at my wife like that again, Terminus or not, I'll make sure you regret it."
Naruto straightened up, rubbing his palm with a grin that didn't quite reach his eyes this time. "Feisty. I like that. Alright, message received. But just so you know… the temple isn't gonna drop this easily. They really want you back."
He gave Eighteen one last lingering look—respectful this time, but still appreciative—before turning toward the door.
"Nice meeting you both. Especially you, Eighteen. Take care of that midget. He's luckier than he knows."
The door clicked shut behind him.
For a long moment, the room was silent except for Roshi's low whistle.
"Kid's got some serious guts," the old master muttered. "Or a death wish."
Eighteen turned to Krillin, one eyebrow raised. "You okay, shorty?"
Krillin exhaled slowly, forcing his ki back down. "Yeah. Just… hate when guys do that. Especially in front of you."
She chuckled softly and pulled him into a hug, her chin resting on top of his head. "Jealous?"
"A little," he admitted, voice muffled against her chest.
"Good." She kissed the top of his bald head. "Means you still care. Now go check on Marron before she comes out here wondering why Daddy almost started a fight with the tall blond pervert."
Krillin nodded, but as he headed down the hall, he couldn't shake the uneasy feeling in his gut.
Terminus didn't get called in for small things.
Whatever the Orin Temple wanted… it clearly wasn't over.
And the way Naruto had looked at Eighteen made him wonder if the "persuasion" was going to get a lot more personal.
Krillin's bedroom was modest—small bed, a single dresser, a window overlooking the ocean, and a faint smell of salt air mixed with whatever cheap cologne he still used out of habit. The moment the door clicked shut behind the three of them, the tension thickened like bad ki.
Eighteen stood near the foot of the bed with her arms crossed under her chest, pushing her already impressive bust even higher. She didn't sit. She didn't relax. She just stared at Naruto like he was one wrong word away from getting turned into spare parts.
Krillin fidgeted, rubbing the back of his bald head. "So… spiritual cleansing? That's really all this is? No weird chants, no blood oaths, no trying to convince me to shave my head again and move back to the temple?"
Naruto's whiskered face split into an easy, disarming grin, but his cerulean eyes kept drifting—first to Eighteen's chest, then lower, openly tracking the sway of her wide hips and the way her tight white pants hugged the generous curve of her ass when she shifted her weight.
"Relax, cueball. It's simple. I just need to channel a bit of natural energy—Sage Mode stuff—through both of you. Clears out any lingering 'worldly attachments' that might be messing with your spiritual balance. The elders think it'll help you two stay… harmonious. And yeah, after this, they'll leave you alone. My word on it."
Eighteen's eyes narrowed dangerously. "And you expect me to believe that? Some random ninja from another dimension shows up, stares at my tits and ass the entire time, and suddenly he's here to 'bless' our marriage? Sounds like bullshit."
Naruto chuckled, low and unashamed. "Can you blame me? You're stunning. Your husband's a lucky man." His gaze dropped again, lingering on the way her denim jacket barely contained her breasts. "Real lucky. Those curves… that ass… damn."
Krillin stepped between them, small but radiating heat. "Hey. Knock it off. That's my wife you're talking about."
"Easy, shorty," Naruto said, holding up his hands, though the smirk never left. "Just being honest. Back where I'm from, we appreciate beauty when we see it. No harm meant."
Eighteen let out a sharp, humorless laugh. "Appreciate it quieter, blondie. Or I'll appreciate turning you into a crater."
The air grew heavy. Krillin could feel both their kis—Eighteen's cold and precise, Naruto's vast and swirling with something ancient and wild.
Naruto exhaled, finally trying to sound professional. "Alright, alright. Let's do this quick. You two sit on the bed, facing each other. I'll stand behind and place my hands on your shoulders. Just a few minutes of energy transfer. You might feel a warm tingle, maybe some old memories surfacing, but it's harmless. Promise."
Krillin hesitated, glancing at his wife. Eighteen's glare could have frozen lava, but after a long second she huffed and sat down on the edge of the bed, legs crossed. Krillin sat across from her, knees almost touching.
Naruto moved behind Krillin first, large hands settling on the smaller man's shoulders. His palms glowed faintly with sage-green energy.
"Deep breaths, both of you."
The energy flowed—gentle at first, like warm sunlight. Krillin felt it seep in, loosening knots he didn't know he had. Old temple memories flickered: chanting at dawn, the sting of training bruises, the awkward shame of sneaking out to chase girls.
Then the energy shifted toward Eighteen.
Naruto stepped around and placed his hands on her shoulders. His fingers pressed a little firmer than necessary, thumbs brushing the bare skin at the edge of her sleeveless jacket. The sage energy poured into her, and for a moment her eyes widened slightly.
A soft, involuntary shiver ran through her body.
Naruto's voice dropped, almost a murmur. "There we go… feel that? Nice and deep. Let it wash through you. All those tight little stresses… melting away."
His eyes were locked on the back of her neck, then drifted lower again, drinking in the way her back arched just slightly from the sensation, the way her thick ass pressed into the mattress.
Krillin noticed. His fists clenched on his knees.
"Uzumaki…" he warned.
"Just doing the job, cueball," Naruto replied smoothly, but his hands lingered. "Your wife's got a lot of power in her. Strong spirit. Very… fertile energy, if you know what I mean."
Eighteen's head snapped around, eyes flashing with cold fury. "Get your hands off me. Now."
Naruto lifted his palms immediately, stepping back with that same cocky grin. "Done. Cleansing complete. You two should feel more balanced already."
Krillin stood up fast, stepping protectively in front of Eighteen. "Great. Thanks. Door's that way. Don't let it hit you on the way out."
Naruto didn't move right away. His blue eyes flicked between them, lingering once more on Eighteen's heaving chest and the way her thighs pressed together in those tight white pants.
"You know," he said casually, "if the temple ever changes its mind… or if you ever want a real demonstration of what 'oneness' feels like, Eighteen…" He winked. "I'm not hard to find. Terminus keeps good records."
The temperature in the room plummeted.
Eighteen rose slowly, ki flaring bright and deadly. "Touch me again and I'll rip your balls off and feed them to you."
Naruto laughed, backing toward the door with his hands raised. "Feisty. I like it. You two have a good night."
He slipped out, closing the door behind him.
The second he was gone, Krillin turned to his wife, face pale. "Eighteen, I—"
"Save it," she snapped, voice like ice. "You said 'sure thing' without even asking me. And now some whiskered pervert just spent five minutes eye-fucking me while pumping energy into my body. I'm sleeping alone tonight. You can take the couch."
She brushed past him, shoulder checking him lightly on the way to the door.
Krillin stood there, groaning as he heard her footsteps head toward Marron's room instead.
Downstairs, Naruto paused at the front door, still grinning as Roshi eyed him suspiciously.
"Tell the elders the blessing is done," Naruto said cheerfully. "But between you and me, old man… that wife of his? Way too much woman for a guy that size. If she ever gets tired of the midget life…"
Roshi adjusted his sunglasses, smirking. "Kid, you've got guts. But you also might have a death wish."
Naruto just laughed and stepped out into the evening air, the golden star on his chest catching the last light.
He had a feeling this wasn't the last time he'd be seeing the Kame House residents.
Especially the blonde with the killer body.
Upstairs, Krillin flopped onto the couch with a heavy sigh, already dreading the cold shoulder he'd be getting for the next week.
"Best decision I ever made," he muttered sarcastically to himself.
Yeah… right.