Days continue as normal following the conclusion of Crane School's battle against the invading space pirates. Except for a select few, the vast majority of the population is ignorant of the events that transpired. It is as if nothing happened.
On the other hand, at the hideout, Shen is in a dilemma. 'What now? How can I improve my strength?... What I've been doing until now won't do... 10x gravity has become useless for me. I could ask Dr. Flappe to upgrade it to 50x or 100x, but is that really the problem?'
He ponders this question that's been chipping away at his mind while inside the gravity chamber.
'No that's really not the problem... so what do I do? My other skills aren't improving. I need a greater teacher to increase my knowledge and teach me… who? Maybe North King Kai, or the aliens from Planet Yardrat where Goku trained after getting lost in space following his fight with Frieza. Yet, how do I get to those places? To go to another planet, I need a spacecraft and that planet's coordinates. I don't have that… To meet North King Kai, I need to go to the Other World… but for that, I need to die.'
'Each of these options are complicated… Think, Shen. What are the other options… right! Didn't Goku once go to the Other World during the original Dragon Ball, or was it just the entrance to the Other World? Either way, I will find my answer there. Was it called Grilled Fry Mountain?'
A new adventure awaits, but before that, Shen has other concerns to attend to.
Mainly, his disciples.
Right now, they are standing on the stone-paved floor adjacent to the Hideout's underground harbor.
Marriage... a topic Shen doesn't like to discuss. He has his reasons.
Someone has brought along a bride to get his blessing… that someone turns out to be his disciple Bora. "A wife? Bora, now you have a wife, and this is her?"
"Yes, master!" Beside Bora is a shy girl, clinging to his arm. She is beautiful, with a brownish complexion. Her palms are visibly rough, but that only adds to her charm, showcasing her tough and resilient nature.
"She is from the same tribe as me. We are childhood friends."
The girl worries if the teacher of her love will reject their marriage. Such a thing would devastate her, as every time Bora talks about his teacher, he seems to hold the Crane Hermit in high regard.
"... Hmm! She does look pretty enough… haha, as expected of my eldest disciple, but aren't you only 20?"
"Master, we marry at 16 in our tribe. By the way, Master, you haven't introduced us to your wife."
"Wife? Me? Of course, I don't—" he suddenly stops.
'Did he just say marriage at 16? I haven't married even after reaching 30... and 300... what should I say? And why is everyone looking at me expectantly?'
'No girl ever gave me any interest, certainly not in my past life, and not in this one either… at least, there's none that I remember from all my memories as Shen, which now are essentially my own. The only girl I had a crush on in this life, Fanfan, died because of Demon King Piccolo… thinking about it, it'd be a miracle if I ever settle down with even a female monkey.'
"My wife was named Fanfan. unfortunately she died by the hands of a demon."
Gasp!! Bora's to be wife feels pity for Shen.
Everyone tears up a little. The place becomes silent.
After that the topics regarding his marriage duly drops. internally wished by a certain man to never be talked about again. 'hope this lie never come to bite me.' the man hopes in his head.
Leaving the awkward topic behind, the conversation resumes
"Unfortunately, our tribal chief has recently passed away, so now it is my responsibility to lead the tribe. After returning, I will fulfill our tribe's long desire to climb the Korin Tower, in front of everyone to see. Master, I truly thank you for everything you've done for me."
"Haha! You'll make me cry… it was also my pleasure training you. Now go fulfill your destiny and have a happy family."
"Once again, thank you, Master!"
"Hmmm!" Shen nods slightly.
.
.
.
Night has fallen... Inside one of the disciples' rooms...
[ I am in my bed, trying to sleep, but I can't… I haven't been able to fall asleep for a while. Even this big bed, made especially to accommodate my size and long tail, doesn't provide me good rest.
Elder Brother Bora has left the school to create a family... Master has reassured us, however, that he will always remain a member of the school, even though he will now live far from us...
Before leaving, Brother said he would send his children to the school in the future.
Truthfully, I am a little sad, but more than that, I am happy.
Unlike Brother Bora, I will probably always stay at the school… Recently, we got new disciples. There were already the three we recruited from among the children of the Red Ribbon Army. Now we have a new younger brother; his name is Tien Shinhan.
He looks odd, having three eyes… but he's a good kid. He does the chores and makes his bed himself, very different from those three other brats... Violet, Silver, and Blue; the Colors Trio, or more fittingly, three little troublemakers.
Back in my days, we were so disciplined. In contrast, this trio is such a headache, always fighting amongst themselves. They never even make their beds. Tch! Tch!... they're trouble for the caretaker robots and us seniors.
Where was I?... Yes! Tien Shinhan!... why can't they be like him.
That reminds me, a few days ago I heard surprising news from Master Shen.
Tien Shinhan is actually the descendant of an alien race known as the Triclops. So he's indeed part alien… those of this race have a third eye in their forehead. That explains his abnormal appearance, and apparently, it's also the source of their extraordinary abilities.
Who would have thought we'd recruit an alien in our school? What's next, a Saiyan, like the pirate who attacked our planet… no way, right?...]
The next day…
While roaming around the hideout after his not-so-effective gravity training, Shen notices Namu and Giran guiding the younger disciples. Giran is handling Blue, Silver, and Violet, while Namu is taking care of only Tien.
Giran is personally instructing the three disciples on how to feel their ki.
Namu's training of Tien, however, is very normal; the boy is just doing basic pushups. This makes sense as, currently, for the inexperienced Tien, fundamentals and basics are more important than flashy techniques.
It seems both the older disciples are passionate about their teaching roles.
Upon Shen's arrival, everyone stops to greet their master. Unlike the others, the Colors Trio don't usually show much enthusiasm when interacting with others, and it's the same when greeting Shen. The red-haired Silver might be a little better at showing his emotions, but a "little better" isn't saying much.
Shen doesn't mind it.
He thinks their stoic nature will likely persist till their last breath—not that it's inherently a bad outlook on life.
Shen takes one last glance at the newest disciple, Tien, before leaving. he didn't wish to interfere in their training.
While returning to his room, which also acts as his personal office, Shen contemplates in his mind.
'Tien, that boy is a prime example of wasted potential and neglect. According to Toriyama himself, Tien Shinhan's state of mind and disposition directly correlate to his strength. Because of his harsh upbringing and all the evil teachings he receives from the original Master Shen, his inherent mystical powers disappeared.'
'Maybe this time, if he is successfully raised in a proper environment, he can become a stronger fighter than his anime counterpart.'