At the base of Korin Tower
Goku sat by the fire, happily munching on grilled fish. The aroma drifted through the air, and after a long journey, Bulma, Krillin, and Chi-Chi couldn't resist. Their stomachs growled as they approached.
Because Goku had saved Upa, and they were all polite guests, Upa's father was more than welcoming. He caught more fish, grilled it, and offered it without limit, chatting with them and learning about the world beyond the tower.
In return, the group asked him about Korin Tower.
"This towering pillar that stretches into the sky is Korin Tower," he said. "Legend has it that anyone who climbs to the top on their own strength will meet a hermit who offers Sacred Water. Drink it, and your strength multiplies. My family has protected this tower for generations."
Krillin looked at the man's towering frame and sturdy build. "Uncle, have you ever climbed it yourself?"
Chi-Chi leaned in with curiosity.
Goku kept eating without pause. He'd need the energy for the climb anyway.
Upa's father gazed up at the tower, eyes distant. "I tried once when I was younger… but I failed. No one's ever seen what's at the top."
Krillin stared at the clouds circling its peak. "Sacred Water that boosts your power… I can't imagine how strong I'd be if I drank it after climbing to the top."
Chi-Chi turned to Goku. "It's been centuries since anyone's reached the top. Goku, do you think we can do it?"
Goku nodded confidently, still chewing. "Definitely. We trained really hard under Master Roshi. We're way stronger than normal people now."
Chi-Chi nodded slowly. "Even so… it doesn't feel that simple. We're still not strong enough to win the World Martial Arts Tournament. And no one's conquered this tower in hundreds of years…"
Bulma chuckled. "Those things aren't directly related. You've all eaten and rested—start climbing. I think the tower's design naturally forces the body to train during the climb. The Sacred Water might just be symbolic."
Chi-Chi and Krillin stared at the tower.
"Climbing it to train, huh? Sounds good. But we already hit a plateau with mountain climbing. Will this really be any better?"
Goku looked at Bulma with surprise. She was smarter than he gave her credit for. She might not fight, but she understood the tower's purpose better than most.
Now full, he patted his stomach. "Alright, I'm ready. Let's start climbing and see who makes it the highest, or reaches the top first!"
Chi-Chi's eyes lit up. "Yes! Let's go!"
Krillin stretched. "Great, I need to work off all that food!"
Before climbing, Krillin and Chi-Chi adjusted their gravity wristbands to normal weight.
Goku kept his at 3x gravity. Though he was small—only about 30 kilograms—triple that still only came out to around 100. Manageable.
Soon, the three were scaling the tower like monkeys, vanishing quickly from sight.
Upa looked up and gasped. "Wow! They disappeared so fast!"
Bulma watched them go, a soft smile on her lips. Then she hopped onto the Flying Nimbus and soared toward the tower's peak.
From below, Krillin and Chi-Chi spotted her flying up.
"What?!"
"Bulma, that's cheating! You're using the Nimbus!"
Bulma slowed to match their level.
"Hey, you're climbing to get stronger, right? I'm not. I don't need Sacred Water, so why shouldn't I use the Nimbus?"
Krillin blinked. That… made sense.
Just then, Goku called down from above. "Krillin! Hurry up! You're falling behind!"
Krillin snapped out of it. "Coming!"
The trio kept climbing. The ground was already distant—Upa and his father looked like ants. But still, no end in sight.
That was expected. If it were easy, Korin Tower wouldn't be so mysterious or legendary.
Hours passed.
The golden glow of sunset bathed the ancient tower in light.
At the Top of the Tower
Bulma finally arrived, floating gently onto the summit. It was her first time seeing the top, and she looked around with curiosity. She didn't want to disturb the hermit—after all, she'd never met Korin before and didn't know his personality.
So she spoke softly. "Hello? Is anyone here? Master Korin?"
A white cat with a cane appeared before her.
"It's been a long time since someone came up here. But unfortunately, you used the Nimbus. Doesn't count."
Bulma smiled. "Ah, right. I'm not here to train. I came to see you."
Korin raised an eyebrow. "See me? Do I know you? Why seek me out if you're not here to train?"
Bulma pointed downward. "See those three? They're climbing to train. I came to help them."
Korin scratched his furry head. "How?"
Bulma pulled out a capsule. "They might get injured or exhausted. In emergencies, they'll need Senzu Beans to recover quickly. So, I'd like to make a deal—trade you some gourmet food for some beans."
Korin was taken aback. "You're not a martial artist, but you know about Senzu Beans? How?"
Bulma smirked. "That's not important. Now move aside—I'm throwing it."
She tossed the capsule. A cloud of smoke puffed, revealing a spread of meat: hams, canned stews, beef jerky, dried fish—and even fancy cat food.
Korin's eyes lit up. A gourmet buffet fit for a feline.
"Well? Will you trade these for some beans?"
Korin responded, "Anyone who can ride the Nimbus is a good person. If you need them, I'll just give you a whole jar. No trade needed."
He pointed to two large ceramic jars.
They were packed with Senzu Beans.
Bulma stared, jaw dropping.
She'd imagined many things—but this? She had not expected pickling jars full of Senzu Beans.
A treasure so rare… just stored like this?
If the world had access to even half of these, they could've stopped the Androids in the previous timeline.
But that pig—Yajirobe—ate them like snacks and hoarded the rest.
She remembered him hoarding supplies, begging for sweets, and wasting the beans while the world burned.
She shook the image away.
"Master Korin, you really mean it? A whole jar?"
Korin nodded. "Sure. I don't eat much. I've got another jar, and I keep growing them. You can have that one."
"Thank you so much!"
Bulma rushed over and tried to lift the jar—it weighed at least 60 or 70 pounds. Heavy, but more precious than diamonds.
She eventually packed the beans into her aircraft's storage.
Then, she separated four pouches for emergencies and returned the rest.
Korin looked puzzled. "Why put them back?"
Bulma smiled sheepishly. "Just thinking ahead. If my plane crashes, I don't want to lose all of them. Better to leave them here and come get them when I need them."
Korin nodded. "Makes sense. That jar's yours now."
"Thanks again! Oh—and one more favor?"
"Hm?"
"If some fat guy ever shows up here trying to live off your beans… don't let him stay."
Korin chuckled. "Who would do that? These beans are for martial artists who make it to the top. But… fine. Even if someone did, I've got enough for decades, and I'm always planting more."
Bulma forced a smile.
'If only you knew…'
Korin walked over to the pile of food, cracked open a can of ham, and took a bite.
"…Whoa. Not bad."
Bulma brightened. "You like it? Great! I'll bring more next time."
Korin grinned. "These'll last me three months. If you spoil me, I'll expect more."
Bulma laughed. "Then I'll come every two months."
Korin wasn't greedy, but he sensed Bulma's heart. She was using this for good.
So he made the exchange easy—almost ceremonial.
Just as Bulma was preparing to leave, she noticed movement in the water basin beside her.
A vision formed—Goku, Krillin, and Chi-Chi climbing. They were exhausted, not even halfway up.
So the tower really is pushing them, she thought.
Then—another basin shimmered.
She saw him.
A Red Ribbon operative approaching on a pillar.
Tao Pai Pai.
Her eyes narrowed.
"That's him… Crane Hermit's brother. Tao Pai Pai."
Her heart pounded. "I need to get them Senzu Beans—fast!"
She jumped on the Flying Nimbus, but just then, a third basin rippled.
Armed men in West City.
They were monitoring… Capsule Corporation.
No... not my parents!
She glanced at the three Dragon Balls in her bag—and understood.
If they can't win through force, they'll use my family as leverage.
Bulma clenched her fists. "Nimbus!"
She flew straight to the tower's midpoint.
"Goku! Take the Nimbus—go to my house! Protect my parents! Krillin, Chi-Chi—eat a Senzu Bean. We're getting out of here!"
The three blinked in confusion.
"Huh?"
Bulma explained, "Red Ribbon hired Tao Pai Pai—the world's top assassin. I don't think you're ready. We have to pull back."
Goku said, "Tao Pai Pai? I think I can beat him."
Chi-Chi added, "Yeah! Believe in us!"
But Bulma shook her head.
"Even if you can beat him, they've sent people to watch Capsule Corp. If we don't act now, my parents are in danger!"
Krillin clenched his fists. "Those scumbags… using family?!"
Goku frowned. "If I had to guess, they're probably planning to hit Kame House too… but they'll never get past Master Roshi."