Dragon Ball Roshi

"During these three years, you and Krillin can climb the Muten Tower in the Virtual Earth Network. I'll have Jarvis grant you unlimited access to the tower. Every week, in the morning, I'll be in the Virtual Earth Network... if you encounter any difficulties in your training, you can come ask me then," said Taro.

"Four people?" Goku tilted his head, sitting on the Flying Nimbus. "Who else?"

"Tienshinhan and Chiaotzu. You've met them before."

"Oh, them..." Goku grinned, his tail swaying restlessly. "That Tienshinhan guy—he's really strong!"

"On the journey, push each other to grow stronger," Taro said calmly.

Beside him, Gohan chuckled and asked, "Master, are you really going to guide those two disciples of Uncle Tsuru?"

Taro replied, "What do you think?"

Stroking his beard, Gohan laughed, "I don't think Master has that kind of spare time... Hmm, if I may guess, Tienshinhan and Chiaotzu already laid their foundation under Uncle Tsuru. They can probably explore their own martial paths now. This three-year journey is to give them the chance to learn from Goku and Krillin, picking up a bit of your martial philosophy. Then... once they return to Muten Island, you'll give them a few days of instruction and afterward arrange a different place for their training?"

"I've heard before that the third eye of the Three-Eyed People has many mystical abilities... their potential is actually quite remarkable," Taro suddenly said, then shifted the topic, "Gohan, it seems like it's been a while since you last visited King Kai."

"Oh, I see now," Gohan immediately understood.

Tienshinhan and Chiaotzu caught up from behind. The group had already become acquainted during the feast the night before. After brief introductions, they all flew together from Sayuan City toward West City... Along the way, Gohan asked a few questions on behalf of his master. Tienshinhan answered respectfully and honestly. Chiaotzu stayed at his side, looking slightly nervous.

When they arrived at Bulma's house, Dr. and Mrs. Briefs came out to greet them. They had already seen the news online about Goku winning the championship and congratulated him warmly.

"Bulma, I'm hungry!" Goku, acting like nothing had happened after winning the tournament, jumped off the Nimbus and immediately shouted at Bulma.

"Didn't you eat after the tournament?" Bulma snapped back, pulling the championship medal out of the aircraft. Once Krillin, Hathaway, and the Phoenix came out, she stored the flying machine back into its capsule.

Krillin chuckled, "Saiyan appetites really are terrifying..."

Tienshinhan looked puzzled. "Saiyan?"

"Stuff your face!" Bulma glared at Goku but still instructed the robotic servant to notify the kitchen and prepare a feast.

"Bulma," Hathaway walked up, linking arms with the girl and smiling, "prepare a Dragon Radar, will you?"

"Radar?" Bulma blinked in confusion.

Hathaway explained that Goku would be setting off tomorrow to resume his training. This time, Taro's assignment was a journey—walking around the entire planet on foot, a grueling pilgrimage meant to forge both body and spirit. It was a rare opportunity.

And along the way, they could gather the Dragon Balls too—it gave them a goal during their journey.

Bulma looked at Goku and Krillin's backs, along with Tienshinhan and Chiaotzu walking behind them. She frowned and sighed. "He finally won the championship... and now he's off to train again without even taking a break?"

She didn't really understand.

"Child, you must learn to understand..." Hathaway stroked Bulma's hair, leaned in close, pressing her cheek to Bulma's forehead, and kissed her gently. In a soft voice, she said, "Goku is very pure. He needs someone who understands him completely, who supports him quietly..."

"I do understand..." Bulma mumbled, then suddenly realized what was being said. Her face flushed red, and she gripped Hathaway's hand tightly, whispering, "Hey, Grandma... what are you saying?!"

"Hehe..." Hathaway chuckled, making Bulma even more embarrassed.

Usually carefree and bold, Bulma now looked a little shy. She leaned in and whispered in Hathaway's ear, "Grandma Hathaway... am I that obvious?"

"Didn't you notice that Gohan's been looking at you like a future granddaughter-in-law this whole time?" Hathaway tapped Bulma's forehead with a finger.

"Ah..." Bulma froze. She honestly hadn't noticed at all.

"Heh heh…" Gohan stepped past Bulma and Hathaway with a meaningful chuckle. As a grandmaster of martial arts, his keen senses easily picked up Bulma's whispered words. Bulma instantly blushed, clinging tightly to Hathaway's hand and not daring to lift her head.

Taro pointed at Hathaway from a distance. Hathaway only smiled, clearly feeling no guilt for her actions. She silently mouthed: Isn't this what you wanted? She blinked with amusement—ever since her husband had hidden the Dragon Brocade Scroll in Bulma's family warehouse, she had more or less understood his matchmaking intentions.

That day was filled with joyful celebration.

Goku, as energetic as ever, devoured food like a bottomless pit. The Phoenix vied with him for bites, the monkey boy and the divine bird locked in a ferocious eating contest. The newcomers, Tien and Chiaotzu, though they had already witnessed this once at the restaurant the day before, were still completely dumbfounded.

Fortunately, the feast at Bulma's home was grand enough that Krillin didn't need to compete with Goku for food. He ate at his leisure, slowly savoring each bite, completely satisfied.

Hathaway went to help Bulma prepare a new Dragon Radar. This time, they planned to integrate a detailed world map into the device. The older versions of the Dragon Radar could only show direction and approximate distance, which was quite inconvenient.

Meanwhile, Gohan was walking with his master in the backyard garden. The two strolled and chatted casually, occasionally exchanging single-handed sparring moves, their strikes precise and calm, yet profound.

The next day, Goku, Krillin, Tien, and Chiaotzu were ready to set off.

"Here, this is your radar," Bulma said, handing Goku the device she and Hathaway had built together. She had originally wanted to go with them, but Hathaway had gently stopped her. Now that her feelings had been exposed, Bulma felt too embarrassed to insist. She could only reluctantly bid farewell to Goku and the others.

Goku accepted the radar and switched it on. The screen lit up with a 3D map, centered precisely on the front gate of the "Capsule Corporation CEO Residence." The signal source, naturally, was the Four-Star Ball Goku carried with him.

"Wow, that's a big upgrade!" Krillin said, leaning over with his pack on his back, looking impressed.

"Of course! This was crafted by yours truly and Granny Hathaway!" Bulma said with zero humility.

Dragon Balls? What are those? Tien, carrying his own bag slung over one shoulder, listened silently. The others spoke of things he didn't understand with a casual familiarity. He simply waited quietly.

Finally, the four of them took their leave and set out.

"Three years… and they're just walking around the Earth once. Feels like such a long time…" Bulma waved until they vanished from sight, feeling a little melancholic.

"It's not about circling the Earth," said Dr. Briefs, puffing on a cigarette. "It's about what they learn along the way."

"That young man, Tien, is really quite handsome…" Mrs. Briefs said, sighing dreamily with her hands on her cheeks.

And so, Goku and his companions set off on their journey toward the rising sun—racing ahead, never looking back.