Bang, bang, bang, bang!!!!
Boom!!!
In the courtyard in front of the small hut, Yuujin and Son Gohan were sparring continuously, their movements as fast as lightning. Explosive sounds reverberated through the air as they clashed.
Yuujin and Goku had already been at Mount Paozu for more than a month. After acquiring the Dragon Ball from Son Gohan, Yuujin didn't leave immediately but chose to stay at Mount Paozu, engaging in daily sparring sessions with Gohan.
As Master Roshi's senior disciple, Son Gohan had inherited the true teachings of the Turtle School martial arts, mastering techniques from many schools, and his skills were nearly on par with Master Roshi himself.
Although with Yuujin's current strength, defeating Gohan would be easy, there was still much to learn from Gohan's decades of martial arts experience and deep understanding of the way of martial arts. He had many techniques that Yuujin found valuable to study.
Over this month at Mount Paozu, Yuujin sparred with Gohan every day and felt he had gained a lot.
"Ha!!!"
The two clashed again, their powerful energy tearing the ground apart, sending both of them flying backward.
"Kamehameha!"
Spinning rapidly in the air, Yuujin formed his hands into a circle, releasing a powerful energy wave that traced a long arc in the air toward Gohan.
"What?!!"
Gohan was startled to see the energy wave curve midair. But there was no time to be surprised. Focusing his energy in his hands, he quickly launched his own wave.
"Kamehameha!"
Boom!!!!!!!
The two energy waves collided in the air, exploding with a thunderous roar. The entire Mount Paozu shook violently, scaring countless animals and birds into fleeing.
"Senior Gohan, are you alright?"
Yuujin descended and reached out a hand to the groaning Gohan, who was lying on the ground.
"Cough, cough..."
"I'm getting old, not what I used to be."
Gohan grabbed Yuujin's hand and stood up, his appearance like that of a hero past his prime, which made Yuujin amused.
Gohan had lamented about his age many times over the past month, always making Yuujin feel like he was bullying an elderly person.
"Yuujin, Grandpa Gohan, I'm back!"
Goku's voice came from the distance as she rode on the Golden Nimbus, carrying a huge fish skewered on a red staff.
She jumped down from the Nimbus and threw the fish, which was several times her size, onto the ground before running toward Yuujin and Gohan.
"Oh, oh, oh... Goku is back."
Stroking his beard, Gohan chuckled.
If Gohan admired Yuujin, he was completely fond of Goku. While both Yuujin and Goku seemed like children to him, Yuujin was too mature in both skill and temperament, unlike an ordinary ten-year-old.
In contrast, Goku was much more innocent and carried a child's purity, which endeared her to Gohan. Over the past month, he had treated her as if she were his granddaughter.
Every day, while Yuujin and Gohan sparred, Goku would cheer them on. When she grew bored, she would venture out to explore or hunt. Given her abilities, there was no need to worry about her, though the mountains had been in a constant state of chaos because of her antics.
After working up a sweat from the sparring, Yuujin carried Goku to the river below the cliff for a bath, while Gohan prepared the large fish she had caught into a delicious meal.
Though it wasn't quite a feast, Gohan, being a martial artist with a large appetite, helped devour the fish effortlessly, and the three of them ate their fill with some fruit on the side.
"Senior Gohan, Goku and I plan to leave in two days to search for the other Dragon Balls," Yuujin said.
Gohan paused at the words.
"Indeed, staying here won't help you two much anymore," Gohan sighed, and the atmosphere became somber.
Being an elderly man living in seclusion, Gohan had inevitably grown lonely. Having Yuujin and Goku stay for over a month brought joy and fulfillment to his life. Now, with their departure imminent, he felt reluctant to see them go.
But Gohan also knew that both Yuujin and Goku had reached accomplishments in martial arts that many could not achieve in a lifetime. Staying here would only waste their potential and talents—they belonged to the wider world outside.
"Goku, today Grandpa will teach you the Monkey Fist technique," Gohan said, heading to the courtyard.
"Yes, yes!" Goku's face lit up, and she skipped over happily.
Two days later—
"Senior Gohan, thank you for having us," Yuujin said as he and Goku prepared to depart.
"Oh, oh, oh… It was no trouble at all. I should be the one thanking you."
Stroking his beard, Gohan smiled.
"Grandpa Gohan, here's the Ruyi Jingu Bang." Goku took out the red staff she had carried on her back.
The Ruyi Jingu Bang was a sturdy red stick that could change length at the user's will. It had hung on the wall in Gohan's house, and Goku had borrowed it for hunting.
"This Ruyi Jingu Bang was given to Master Roshi by the Immortal on Korin Tower, and later, he gave it to me. Now that I have no use for it, I will give it to you, Goku," Gohan said, gently patting Goku on the head.
Goku looked to Yuujin for approval, and he nodded.
"Since Brother Gohan is giving it to you, accept it."
The Ruyi Jingu Bang was a sacred artifact connecting Korin Tower to the Temple of the Gods. It could extend and contract and was indestructible, making it a suitable weapon and toy for Goku.
"Thank you, Grandpa Gohan!" Goku accepted the Ruyi Jingu Bang with a beaming smile.
Gohan then gave Yuujin and Goku some fruits and mountain goods as a parting gift.
"Brother Gohan, Master Roshi is living in Kame House in the southern sea now. It must be lonely for you here on the mountain. Why not join him?" Yuujin suggested.
Gohan paused and then nodded.
"It's true; I haven't seen Master Roshi in a long time. After you two leave, I will go visit him."
At his age, it seemed fitting to spend his final days with an old friend.
With no more to say, Yuujin and Goku mounted the Black Nimbus and the Flying Nimbus, soaring into the sky.
"Goodbye, Grandpa Gohan!"
"Oh, oh, oh… Farewell, Yuujin, Goku."
"Oh, by the way, Yuujin, I have to say something to you only."
Yuujin nodded and swiftly appeared in front of Gohan, signalling that Goku would stay on her Nimbus.
Gohan leaned toward Yuujin's ear and spoke in a low tone.
"Do you know that Goku is a name specific to the male species? A lovely and innocent girl like my granddaughter deserves a beautiful name, so make sure to change it."
Utterly bewildered, Yuujin rode his Black Nimbus while rubbing his head where he got smacked by Gohan and left Mount Paozu alongside Goku while waving goodbye.
Even though Goku did not go mute regarding why Yuujin got smacked, Yuujin was strangely silent for a long part of the journey...
To be continued...