The next day.
After bidding farewell to the villagers, Bulma piloted the aircraft, flying them out of the snowy land.
"Finally, out of that freezing region!"
"Time to change into lighter clothes!"
"Hey Goku, where are we heading next?" Chi-Chi asked.
Goku leaned back with his legs crossed. "Ask Bulma. She's the one deciding."
Chi-Chi looked to Bulma.
As she steered the plane, Bulma asked, "You guys ever heard of Korin Tower?"
Chi-Chi scratched her head. "Korin Tower? Doesn't ring a bell."
Krillin chimed in, "Is it some kind of famous structure?"
Bulma nodded. "Yup. But more than that, it's useful—especially for you guys. There's a hermit who lives at the top. He guards something called the Sacred Water. If you climb the tower and drink it, you gain incredible strength."
Krillin and Chi-Chi gasped.
"What?!"
"A place like that exists?"
Goku tilted his head. "Bulma, how come you know all this stuff?"
Bulma grinned. "Because I don't train martial arts like you guys—I read books instead. I know lots of places like this."
"Ohh, makes sense," Goku nodded.
Bulma continued, "Master Roshi climbed Korin Tower when he was young. Took him three whole years to get the Sacred Water."
"What?!"
"Even Master Roshi?!"
"He needed three years?"
Krillin muttered, "So it's even harder than training…"
Bulma shrugged. "Not necessarily. It depends on talent. Master Roshi's always exaggerating, remember? He also said Kamehameha takes fifty years to master—yet the three of you brats picked it up in a week."
The trio stayed silent for a moment… but she wasn't wrong.
Krillin asked hesitantly, "Bulma… are we actually going to Korin Tower next?"
Bulma smiled. "That's what I'm thinking. To help you with your training, we can slow down on the Dragon Ball hunt. You three climb Korin Tower—it'll take some time, sure, but with your potential, I'd say a month should do it."
"After that, you'll be strong enough to take on the Red Ribbon Army without fear. Then we resume the search."
Krillin stroked his chin. "One month, huh? That's doable."
Chi-Chi peered at him. "Hmm? Krillin, you seem kinda… pressed for time."
Krillin flinched. "Do I? Nah, not really."
Even Goku turned to him. "Yes you do. Even I noticed. You're definitely in a rush. Need help or something?"
Krillin flushed red, nervously fidgeting with his fingers, but said nothing.
"Well, spit it out!" Chi-Chi prodded.
Bulma glanced over her shoulder at him, then looked between Goku and Chi-Chi. Suddenly, she smirked.
"I've got it."
Chi-Chi blinked. "Got what?"
With one hand on the controls and the other lighting a cigarette, Bulma exhaled coolly.
"I'm guessing Krillin's fallen for that red-haired girl in the village near Muscle Tower. He wants to gather the Dragon Balls fast… so he can bring her family back."
"What?!"
"He likes that girl?!"
Goku and Chi-Chi both turned to Krillin in shock.
Chi-Chi snapped her fingers. "Ah! Her name was Snow!"
Krillin's face burned scarlet—he looked like a roasted pork skewer.
"N-No! Bulma, stop making things up!"
Chi-Chi grinned mischievously, lashes fluttering. "Aw~ Is that true, Krillin? Didn't expect you to be the first to fall for someone! Congrats!"
Bulma was about to tease again, but Krillin looked so flustered she held back.
Then Chi-Chi patted his back.
"Krillin, if you like her, why hide it? Look at me—I like Goku, and I never hide it!"
Krillin ducked his head even lower.
Chi-Chi continued, "Besides, you're super strong. If she marries you, she'd be lucky. But it's a shame you didn't say anything. Now we've left, and she doesn't even know."
She leaned in. "Here's my advice: once her parents are revived, go back and confess. She'll be so touched, she might marry you on the spot!"
"Don't bottle it up—what if she marries someone else while you're still daydreaming?"
Bulma nodded firmly. "Exactly. Chi-Chi's right. Don't let the moment pass. Back in the village, I did notice something—Snow seemed to like you too. She even touched your arm at one point."
"Maybe all you had to do was flirt a little, and she'd be head over heels."
Krillin turned defensive. "I just… felt sorry for her, that's all! Quit twisting it!"
Bulma grinned. "Oh ho~ Little Krillin, acting all bashful now? You're usually as pervy as Master Roshi, but when it's serious, you freeze up."
"You'll regret it when she marries someone else."
Chi-Chi giggled and added cheerfully, "Yup! If you like someone, say it! I like Goku, and when I grow up, I'm totally marrying him!"
Goku stared stoically out the window.
Krillin, grateful the spotlight had shifted, immediately copied him and stared outside too.
Bulma took another puff and looked at Chi-Chi. "Chi-Chi, since we're close now, I'll be honest. I like Goku too. I may be older, but I'm still in the game."
"Let's settle it like your dad said—when Goku grows up, let him choose between us."
Chi-Chi nodded. "Sure! It's a deal!"
Hearing that bold exchange, Goku stayed silent… as if he could disappear into the horizon.
Krillin wasn't about to be the center of attention again either—he tactically mirrored Goku's posture and stared harder out the window.
A few moments passed.
Bulma suddenly said, "Good news. While we've been gathering Dragon Balls, the Red Ribbon Army hasn't been sitting still. They've already collected three."
"The closest one right now is near Korin Tower. If we add the two we have, and the one near Korin, that's three on our side too."
"They'll definitely come for it."
"So I say—let's head straight to Korin Tower, grab the Dragon Ball first, then train while lying in wait."
Goku agreed instantly. "Yeah! Let's do it!"
Chi-Chi raised a concern. "Maybe I should stay behind and guard it? If you guys are halfway up the tower and the enemy attacks, you might be too exhausted to fight."
Krillin nodded. "Chi-Chi makes a good point."
Bulma smiled. "Don't worry. Korin Tower has a treasure called Senzu Beans.
One bean can heal injuries and restore all your stamina.
It's basically a strategic-level recovery item."
"I'll try flying up on the Flying Nimbus to meet Korin and get some for you guys."
Goku blinked. "Wait—Bulma, you know Korin?"
She grinned. "Not yet. But I figure… Senzu Beans are just food to him, right?
Useful, sure—but probably not tasty.
So I'll bring a truckload of gourmet dishes and trade for a bag of them. Sound like a fair deal?"