"So it was you who saved my daughter—thank you!"
Totally unlike the rumors, the Ox-King didn't seem like a bloodthirsty tyrant at all—just an enormous giant with a fierce-looking face.
Uh…if you ignored the massive axe in his hand and his intimidating aura, that is…
"Huh? How'd you get the Flying Nimbus? Tell me, who gave it to you?" Ox-King's tone immediately changed upon spotting the cloud beneath Goku's feet.
Goku answered honestly, "Master Roshi gave it to me."
"Master Roshi? Master Mutaito's disciple! You know where he is?"
"Yeah, I think he's living by the sea."
"Fantastic! Now I can finally return to my castle!" Ox-King danced happily, then suddenly noticed Goku's Power Pole. Realizing Goku was the grandson of his fellow disciple, Gohan, he immediately warmed up even more.
After some discussion, Ox-King learned that Bulma's group was searching for something called the Dragon Balls. Unfortunately, the one he owned was in his castle atop the mountain, now completely engulfed in flames. Only Master Roshi's Bansho Fan could extinguish it.
Goku volunteered to fetch Master Roshi, leaving the others bored and waiting. Suddenly, Ray Chu's ears twitched. In a flash, he appeared before the duo hiding behind a large rock.
"Waaah!" Yamcha and Puar jumped in shock, quickly adopting defensive stances.
"Are these two also friends of yours?" Ox-King's enormous shadow loomed over Yamcha and Puar, his massive axe making them tremble uncontrollably.
Yamcha and Puar exchanged a glance, then immediately dropped to their knees. "Boss, please accept us as your followers!"
What the heck are these two up to? Bulma and Oolong stared blankly at each other.
Yamcha burst into tears, sniveling pathetically. "Ever since that day you defeated us, we've admired your strength, your charisma, your magnanimity—we've decided to follow you forever!"
Puar nodded furiously. "That's right, follow Boss and achieve greatness!"
Ray Chu's gaze swept coldly over them, making them sweat nervously. After a long pause, he held up a sign:
[Alright, you two can follow me for now.]
Yamcha and Puar were ecstatic, instantly standing behind Ray Chu like loyal minions.
Oolong muttered quietly to Bulma, "I don't trust these two at all." Receiving no response, he looked up to see Bulma once again starry-eyed over Yamcha, causing him to roll his eyes in disgust.
Soon, Goku returned atop his Nimbus, with Master Roshi following close behind.
"Oh ho! Your group's grown quite a bit in just a few days!"
Master Roshi glanced casually at Ray Chu and Yamcha, instantly pressuring them both. He truly deserved his title as the God of Martial Arts—despite his elderly appearance, incredible strength lay hidden within.
"Master Roshi, you came personally!" Ox-King hurried forward respectfully.
Master Roshi nodded solemnly. "Cough, cough… actually, I lost the Bansho Fan. So, I came to handle this personally."
"Oh! Thank you so much, Master!" Ox-King was deeply moved, clearly holding immense respect for Roshi.
Master Roshi shed his clothes, revealing his scrawny frame. He glanced sneakily at Goku, whispering, "You haven't forgotten the promise you made me, have you?"
Goku nodded firmly. "Yeah!"
Master Roshi grinned gleefully, radiating absolute lecherousness. Yet in the next moment, his expression hardened, and an incredible aura surged around him.
"That aura…"
"HAAAA!"
With a powerful shout, Master Roshi's thin body suddenly expanded massively, his muscles bulging tremendously like a demonic statue. Lowering himself into stance, he cupped his hands at his side.
"There it is! Master Roshi's—" Ox-King shouted excitedly.
"—[KAMEEE! HAMEEE! HAAAA!]"
A dazzling beam erupted from Roshi's hands, tearing through the entire mountain in an instant.
"Phew! Fire's extinguished!" Master Roshi hopped down casually, as if he'd done nothing special.
"Uh… Master, the fire's gone, but the castle and mountain… are reduced to rubble."
"Hahaha! Guess I overdid it a little…"
Although Roshi successfully extinguished the flames, Ox-King's home was thoroughly demolished. Thankfully, Dragon Balls were incredibly tough, and the group eventually found the ball amidst the rubble.
"It's the Seven-Star Ball! Hooray!" Bulma cheered joyfully.
"Ah, youth…" Master Roshi sighed wistfully. Ignoring his nearly-bulging eyes, he turned to Goku. "Hey kid, wanna learn martial arts from me? You might even surpass me someday!"
Goku nodded enthusiastically. "Sounds great! After we collect all the Dragon Balls, I'll definitely come find you!"
Ray Chu tugged Master Roshi's clothes, raising another sign: [Can I also become your disciple?]
Master Roshi tried to appear dignified. "Hehe, becoming my disciple isn't that easy!"
[Come with me for a second]. Ray Chu dragged Roshi off to the side, and after a brief yet persuasive "negotiation," Master Roshi seemed thoroughly satisfied.
"You might look a bit strange, but you definitely know how to 'respect your elders.' Alright, I'll teach you too!"
Everyone else was curious about what made Master Roshi's attitude flip 180 degrees, but nobody dared ask. Soon after bidding farewell to Roshi and the enthusiastic Ox-King, the group headed toward their next destination.
"I feel like I forgot something important… wait, that kid promised me a date!" Master Roshi suddenly remembered his condition for helping them, screaming in despair, throwing Ox-King into a panic.
"Dammit! Next time, I'll make sure they compensate me properly!" Master Roshi fell to the ground, sulking bitterly.
"Achoo!" Goku sneezed heavily, pointing at Yamcha and Puar. "Wait, why are those two here again?"
Ray Chu held up another sign, glancing pointedly at Yamcha: [They're our new drivers].
Yamcha understood instantly, sighing inwardly as he obediently moved to the driver's seat. Dammit, just wait until I get my chance—huh?!
The next moment, Yamcha watched in horror as Ray Chu opened his mouth wide, unleashing a terrifying beam of energy that blasted a massive hole into a distant sand dune.
"Whoa…so awesome!" Goku gasped in amazement. He'd just learned how to use the Kamehameha himself, but his version paled significantly next to Ray Chu's attack.
[Hyper Beam]. Ray Chu wrote neatly on his sign. He'd unexpectedly learned it after watching Roshi's Kamehameha. Though the two techniques were different, they clearly shared similar principles.
W-where the heck did this monster come from…?! Yamcha suddenly had a terrible feeling—he might never get his revenge now.
...
[OBSERVED MASTER ROSHI'S KAMEHAMEHA]
[LEARNED THE SKILL: "HYPER BEAM".]