"Who hired you to kill us, Tao Pai Pai?"
Yuujin questioned, placing Bulma and Tights behind him for protection.
Although Tao Pai Pai was a cold-blooded killer, he generally didn't kill without being paid. Exceptions, of course, were when he was in a foul mood or when some fool dared to provoke him.
But Yuujin couldn't recall any recent incidents that would have offended Tao Pai Pai, so it had to be someone else who had hired him!
"The Red Ribbon Army's Supreme Commander hired me to find you."
"But don't worry, he paid me double to hold off on killing you. They want something from you first."
"But let me be clear, I am a killer— the world's best assassin, not some kidnapper. So, once they've obtained what they want, I'll still kill you."
Confident in his strength and without concern about any attempts to resist or escape, Tao Pai Pai stated coldly.
Hearing this, Yuujin chuckled. This guy was oddly professional— strictly an assassin, refusing to double as a kidnapper. If he accepted a job, it always ended in death!
"Tao Pai Pai, you should know where the Red Ribbon Army's headquarters is, right?"
With a wry smile, Yuujin asked.
"Commander Red of the Red Ribbon Army has been my client for 20 years, an old business associate of mine. Of course, I know where their headquarters is."
Tao Pai Pai frowned, suspicious of Yuujin's motives, but he still answered.
"Good to know."
"Tao Pai Pai, tell me the location of their headquarters, and work for me from now on. In return, I'll forgive your recent disrespect and spare your life."
Yuujin replied, nodding. But Tao Pai Pai exploded in anger at the suggestion.
"Insolence!"
With a swish of his robe, a cold, menacing aura radiated from Tao Pai Pai.
He was Tao Pai Pai, the world's top assassin, with countless souls sent to the afterlife. Yet this kid dared ask him to reveal the Red Ribbon Army's location and then have him work under him—
Ignorant! Arrogant!! Reckless!!!
"Tao Pai Pai, it seems your title as the world's number one assassin has made you overconfident. In that case—"
"I'll give you a demonstration!"
Yuujin's gaze sharpened as an immense, towering energy erupted from him.
"What?!"
Startled, Tao Pai Pai instinctively leaped back to create distance.
As an assassin and a skilled martial artist, Tao Pai Pai was highly attuned to energy fluctuations. The power radiating from Yuujin gave him a long-forgotten sense of danger.
"Are you a martial artist?"
Expression serious, Tao Pai Pai's eyes no longer held any trace of scorn.
"A disciple of Master Roshi, representing the Turtle School."
Yuujin replied, assuming the standard Turtle School stance.
Tao Pai Pai's eyes widened briefly, then he burst into laughter.
"Hahaha… So, you're a disciple of that Turtle Hermit!"
"Good! Good!"
Now he understood the source of this powerful energy. Tao Pai Pai also knew of the animosity between his brother, Master Shen, and the Turtle Hermit.
What a coincidence! This time, he would take care of this kid as a favor to his brother and collect some early interest against the Turtle Hermit.
Positioning himself for battle, Tao Pai Pai took his stance.
But—
"Hold on."
Yuujin retracted his energy and called out.
"What is it now, kid? Begging won't help you."
Tao Pai Pai scowled but refrained from attacking.
"Beg you? Never."
"It's just that this space is too small for a proper fight. Let's find somewhere else."
Yuujin explained, chuckling at the thought. The place was his office, and a battle here might bring the entire building down.
But Tao Pai Pai mistook his pause for cowardice. Yuujin could barely contain his laughter.
"Hmph. Just don't try to escape."
Tao Pai Pai snorted, though he didn't argue, as the office was indeed unsuitable for a serious fight.
"Bulma, Tights—handle things here. We'll be right back."
"Got it."
The girls nodded, confident in Yuujin's abilities. Though Tao Pai Pai seemed formidable, they didn't believe he could defeat Yuujin.
"Yuujin, we're coming too!"
Using Flight, Yuujin exited through the gap by the office wall, with Goku, Chi-Chi, and Princess Snake following suit.
Watching them fly off, Tao Pai Pai looked puzzled.
Since when could a Turtle School student use the Crane School's Flight technique?
Not that it mattered; whether they could fly or not, it wouldn't change their fate today. Tao Pai Pai snorted, pulling a tree trunk out of the ground.
Then, he glanced over at Bulma and Tights.
"Once I finish with that kid, I'll come back for you two. Don't think you can escape."
"We're not going anywhere, you skinny stick man!"
"Laa! Laa!"
Bulma stuck her tongue out at him, and Tao Pai Pai's eye twitched.
"Skinny… stick man?!"
Face darkening, he resisted the urge to strike her down, mindful of his professional code.
Choosing not to argue with the feisty girl, Tao Pai Pai flung the tree trunk forward and ran a few steps before launching himself into the air…
…
In the skies over West City, a few figures cut through the air.
Yuujin, Goku, Chi-Chi, and Princess Snake flew using Flight, while Tao Pai Pai floated alongside them, balanced on his tree trunk.
Despite being a ruthless assassin, Tao Pai Pai appeared quite dashing, riding the wind on his improvised platform.
Most likely, he could also use Flight, though perhaps he felt balancing on a tree was more impressive, even if it baffled Newton's laws of physics.
"Hey, hey, old man, that looks fun. Let us sit with you too!"
Apparently curious, Goku and Chi-Chi perched themselves on the tree trunk, poking and examining it.
"Brats, get down!"
Tao Pai Pai barked, but Goku and Chi-Chi were unfazed.
"Let us sit! You stingy old man!"
"We're not getting off, so deal with it!"
Ignoring him, they made faces at Tao Pai Pai, who was visibly shaking with anger.
He was the world's number one assassin, but these brats showed no respect!
Yuujin smirked to himself as Tao Pai Pai grudgingly tolerated their antics.
"Fine, you little brats. I'll let you laugh for now, but soon enough, you'll learn the true cruelty of the world. Let's see if you'll still be so bold."
To be continued…
Vegeta is forced to obey Yuujin after getting neg-diffed by him?!
Goku, Yuujin, Vegeta, and Chi-Chi train in a hyperbolic time chamber for a year?!
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