"Lord Karin, goodbye!"
Saying farewell to Master Karin, Bulma and Tights rode the Dark Nimbus and Golden Nimbus, while Yuujin and Goku jumped directly down from Korin Tower.
Standing at the edge of the temple, watching Yuujin and the others disappear into the sea of clouds, Master Karin had a complicated expression on his face.
Just now, Yuujin had really told him something incredible…
"Yuujin, where are we headed now?"
Flying alongside Yuujin on the Dark Nimbus, Bulma asked.
"There are two friends of mine and Goku's below Karin Tower. Let's go visit them."
Enjoying the feeling of free fall, Yuujin replied.
Although Bulma didn't know who these friends were, she didn't ask further. Wherever Yuujin and Goku were going, she and her sister would simply follow.
Just as their journey with Yuujin began, they met a legendary sage. Though that sage was a big, lazy cat with little use, Bulma still eagerly anticipated the adventure ahead.
Traveling with Yuujin and the others was definitely more fun than school or home!
Once they landed, they met Bora, the guardian of Karin Tower.
Over the years, Bora had gained a slightly weathered look. His son, Upa, had grown from a small bean sprout to an adorable young boy.
Seeing Yuujin and Goku, Bora was delighted, though Upa didn't recognize them.
For a child, forgetting things is normal; he was a little shy around strangers at first. However, after Goku ran around with him in the grass for a while, they quickly became friends again.
Yuujin gave Bora some gifts he brought back from an alien planet. In return, Bora caught a few large fish and wild animals and prepared a hearty meal for everyone.
As they enjoyed the all-natural delicacies, Yuujin and Bora caught up, and Bulma and Tights were also intrigued by Bora and his son.
A family that had guarded Karin Tower for generations seemed like something out of a legend to them.
Bulma was fascinated, but Tights was even more thrilled. She took out her notebook to jot down notes, probably planning to use Bora and his son as material for her next novel.
"Bora, with your current strength, you could probably challenge Karin Tower again," said Yuujin after they were well-fed and content.
Yuujin noticed that Bora's aura had grown considerably stronger over the years. With his current strength, he should be able to make it up the tower if he tried hard enough.
"I think I'll wait a few more years."
"I'll teach Upa the responsibilities and skills needed for guarding the tower, and once he's grown, then I'll take on the challenge."
Scratching his head, Bora replied.
Yuujin nodded, understanding Bora's thoughts.
Once he passed down the skills and duties of a guardian to his son, Bora could challenge Korin Tower with peace of mind. If he failed and fell, Upa would still be there to carry on their legacy.
After a while, Yuujin and the others decided it was time to leave.
"Goodbye, Bora, Upa."
"Goodbye, Yuujin, Son Goku."
"Goku, come and play sometime!"
After exchanging farewells, the Dark Nimbus and Golden Nimbus carried Yuujin and the others away, disappearing into the horizon.
"It feels so noble of Bora, Upa, and their ancestors to have protected that divine tower for generations," Tights mused as she rested in Yuujin's embrace.
"Generations dedicating their lives to that holy ground truly is something remarkable."
"So, did you collect enough material?" Yuujin chuckled, playfully tapping Tights's nose.
"Yes, plenty of precious material. But that Mr. Bora is pretty quiet; it was hard to get information out of him!"
"Bora's spent his life under Karin Tower with little interaction outside of it. He's already spoken more than usual. Didn't you see how flustered he got earlier?"
"Yes, I noticed!"
"It's so amusing! Even though Mr. Bora is grown, he's as innocent as a child."
"So that's why you teased him, huh? Tights, turns out you're a bit of a trickster!"
"Uh, was I?"
"Haha…hahaha…"
Laughing and chatting along the way, they crossed through dense forests and oceans until the familiar Turtle Hermit House finally came into view.
"Ah… it's Grandpa Turtle Hermit's little island!"
Spotting the Turtle Hermit House from a distance, Goku happily bounced up and down on the Golden Nimbus.
"Hey, Yuujin, what's Master Roshi like?"
"He must be an impressive person to have trained disciples like you and Goku!"
Knowing that they were on their way to visit the teacher who taught Yuujin and Goku martial arts, Bulma and Tights grew curious.
"Master Roshi is also known as the Turtle Hermit, the founder of the Turtle School of martial arts, honored as the 'God of Martial Arts.' He was once the disciple of Master Mutaito, the martial arts master who saved the world centuries ago. He truly is a remarkable elder."
Upon hearing this, Bulma and Tights were amazed.
"Ce…centuries ago?! Just how old is your teacher?"
"Around three hundred years, give or take."
"Th-three hundred years!!!"
Learning that Master Roshi was so old shocked Bulma and Tights.
Humans could live that long? They wouldn't believe it if Yuujin hadn't said so himself.
No wonder he's called the Turtle Hermit; he's as long-lived as a turtle!
"Master Roshi once mentioned taking some kind of immortality medicine, so living a few more centuries probably won't be an issue. Nothing to be surprised about. Master Karin, whom we just met, is over eight hundred years old."
"Ei-eight hundred years, that fat cat?!"
Yuujin spoke casually, while Bulma and Tights felt dizzy from the revelation.
No wonder they're called "sages" — they live too long!
"Master Roshi must be a kind elder. Is it alright to meet him like this? I don't want to be disrespectful…"
Growing a bit nervous, Bulma and Tights asked.
"Kind? Not quite. He used to be a wise and righteous old man, but now… he's just a perverted old geezer."
Thinking about Master Roshi's current antics, Yuujin's mouth twitched.
"P-perverted old man?"
"You'll see soon enough."
"Master Roshi claims that old age should come with enjoyment, having discarded his integrity and changed from the Turtle Hermit to the 'Perverted Hermit.' So be careful not to let him take advantage of you."
Since Bulma and Tights were dear to him, Yuujin didn't want anyone, even Master Roshi, crossing a line with them, so he gave them a fair warning.
Stunned, the two were about to ask more when the Dark Nimbus and Golden Nimbus slowed, bringing them to Turtle Hermit House Island…
To be continued...