The prospect of doing nothing for an entire day feels dangerously relaxing, tempting passivity to settle in. After sleeping through yesterday with company, today demands action. Though I feel a twinge of guilt for not bidding my master farewell, I know his nature; he despised goodbyes and would have vanished when his time came.
Outside, the day is radiant: bright skies, bustling streets, and fluffy clouds. In my lap lies Master Lao's journal, unopened and weighty. A sense of foreboding surrounds it, keeping it closed since I obtained it. Instead of dwelling, I gaze out the window, contemplating my next move. There’s much to do: visiting Kami, delving into the journal, and embarking on my parents' android project.
"You've been at the window for an hour," Bulma nudges me, settling beside me on the bed. Leaning against the windowsill, she offers a bowl of minced fruit. "What's on your mind?"
"I should go see Kami," I reply, reaching for a piece of watermelon. "Read the journal. Start building my parents' android."
These are crucial tasks, each demanding time and focus. The android project could span months or years, despite having a vital component already. The journal, typically a quick read for me, remains untouched due to lingering unease. As for Kami, uncertainty lingers. How will he receive me after my past actions? Regardless, I must honor my promise to Kakarot.
"What’s in the journal?" Bulma inquires, munching on a strawberry.
"Master Lao's knowledge—everything he knew is in there," I explain, a hint of reverence in my voice. "It's sure to be enlightening."
Bulma nods thoughtfully, eyes wandering back to the window scene.
"There's also an android to build," she remarks.
"Yes, the first my parents ever created," I reply proudly.
"Exciting."
"Very."
"There’s Kami to see," Bulma adds, holding a cherry delicately. "Lots on your plate."
"Indeed," I agree, my mind still undecided. "I suppose I'll start with Kami."
It's been at the top of my to-do list for a year now. Best to address it before moving on to anything else. I brace myself for potential rejection; I've wronged Kami, but Kakarot's plight justifies my persistence. If Kami refuses, I'll persevere until he relents. Should he accept, I welcome the chance to train under him. His age and wisdom promise invaluable teachings and techniques.
With resolve, I rise from the bed, grabbing my capsules almost in one motion. Bulma follows suit, and we head out together. First stop: Roshi's to collect Kakarot, if he's there. If not, we'll visit old man Gohan for the boy.
"You're coming?" I ask as Bulma follows me out of the house, and she hops onto my Nimbus without hesitation. She craves adventure and scientific discovery, despite recent perilous escapades alongside me.
"Of course," she replies, as if my question were absurd. "I wouldn't miss it."
Her grip tightens around me, a mix of excitement and fear evident. I suppress the urge to perform aerial acrobatics; her nerves wouldn't tolerate it.
"This is both terrifying and exhilarating," Bulma admits, taking refuge behind me from the occasional gusts of wind. "I don't know how you stay so calm."
I shrug, adjusting slightly to shield her better, relishing the cool breeze against my face. I've grown accustomed to Nimbus and its freedom; if Bulma joins my adventures regularly, she'll adjust quickly.
Our journey to Kame House is swift, bypassing the tediousness of conventional travel. Soon, we hover above Roshi's pink abode, where Yamcha waves energetically after a brief tumble with Krillin.
"Hey, Durian! Back already?" Krillin beams upon spotting me.
"Yeah, just got in yesterday," I confirm, scanning the tiny island below. "Where's Kakarot?"
"Back at Mount Paozu," Krillin reports, his voice carrying over the distance.
As suspected. I thank Krillin for the update, patting Nimbus to signal our departure.
"See you later!" Yamcha and Krillin call after us as we take off. I wave in acknowledgment, promising to return soon, especially after the Kami business.
"I didn't even get a hello," Bulma complains as we gain distance from the island.
Our journey to Mount Paozu is shorter, revealing rolling hills and verdant valleys, a refreshing change from the bustling cityscape. Master Lao would have appreciated this serene landscape.
Perched atop one of the mountains, a small house with an adjacent building stands against the backdrop of lush greenery. Kakarot sits by a crackling fire, playfully prodding a large creature with a stick. His usual armor is replaced by casual clothes, now drenched and pooling water at his feet. His hair, usually spiked, drapes over his face, obscuring his view. Nearby, old man Gohan disappears into their modest home, carrying a basket laden with herbs and wood.
As we draw nearer, Kakarot looks up, a wide grin breaking through his hair-obscured face. His tail wags excitedly before coiling tightly around his waist.
"He's thrilled," Bulma remarks, chin on my shoulder, her voice tinged with amusement.
His joy at seeing me remains as heartwarming as ever.
Nimbus gently descends, and before my feet touch the ground, a ki ball hurtles toward my face. Instinctively, I deflect it upward, ducking to evade his attack, slipping around to grab him by the tail and pull him down.
Despite everything, he laughs, springing to his feet to face me.
"You're back!" he exclaims, patting my back enthusiastically. "And just in time. Look what I caught today!" He gestures proudly to the wild boar roasting over the fire he's built.
An impressive catch indeed.
"Hey, Bulma," I'm greeted with the threat of a broken nose, but Bulma receives very gentle treatment. Kakarot envelops her in a tight hug, lifting her off the ground. She squeals in laughter, urging him to put her down.
"Kakarot, come on, I just saw you two days ago," she protests between giggles as he sets her back down gently, leaning into her hand on his head. "Geez."
"I don't see the problem," Kakarot says, returning to tend the roasting boar. "I've got friends, and I'm glad to see them."
I find myself sympathizing with his sentiment.
"What brings you here?" he asks, wrestling out of his soaked shirt and settling on a log by the fire, his tone turning serious. "Is it about Kami?"
"Yes, indeed."
He grunts, discarding his shirt and contemplating the boar over the fire.
"How do we approach this?" he wonders, turning the meat slowly. "We can't just march up there and demand training."
"You're right," I concede, knowing Kami's role as Earth's overseer grants him insight into our intentions. "But convincing him is our only option."
"I suppose."
Kakarot's method of cooking the boar is rudimentary, and he regales us with an amusing tale of its capture earlier that day. While he readies the meal, he produces two knives, handing me one, then sits to strip the cooked meat. Bulma observes with interest, content to watch rather than participate in culinary tasks, leaving Kakarot and me to prepare the feast. He fetches a basket of herbs gathered by Gohan, familiar to me, and eagerly assists in slicing the meat into smaller pieces. He scurries off to gather the vegetables I requested and tends the fire while I organize everything.
Meanwhile, Bulma has disappeared with old man Gohan, their heads together in earnest discussion or deliberation.
"The aroma is making me famished," Kakarot remarks, eyeing the pot suspended over the rekindled fire.
"Patience," I advise, having grilled some of the meat specifically for this moment. He nibbles on these snacks while awaiting the main course, his tail flicking behind him in anticipation.
"How long do you think it'll take?" he asks.
"A few more minutes."
"Not that"
"Kami situation?"
"Yeah" he nods, unsure. "He needs to be stronger for the dragon to be stronger but how much stronger does he need to be? How long will it take to reach that level of power? And will it even work in the end?"
Those are questions I cannot answer and he is aware of this fact, yet he asks, perhaps needing to voice his worries to someone. Those are all good questions and I have been mulling over them as well. How much stronger does he need to be for the dragon's abilities to increase? And how long will that even take? Not to mention he's a pretty old guy - I apologize if you hear me Kami - and his age would make growing stronger take quite a bit longer than it would have had he been a young thing again. The solution to that problem are the very orbs he has created, but how does one convince a god to regain his youth and train for who knows how long for a single person?
I don't know - it's terrible not knowing.
Kakarot had packed enough food to sustain a normal person for a month, though we both knew it would likely last only a week with him. Before we departed, Grandpa Gohan stretched with me, offering warm wishes for our journey. I made a mental note to ask Bulma later about their conversation. After Kakarot changed into his gi and bid farewell to his grandfather, he hopped onto his nimbus with Korin's tower in sight. I followed closely behind, with Bulma gripping onto me tightly, once again hanging on for dear life.
"You'll have to get used to this," I remarked. It seemed Bulma planned to follow me wherever I went, and if I voiced concerns, she'd surely find a way to convince me otherwise.
"I will," she replied, a promise to herself as much as to me.
"I have to ask," I began. "Why did you decide it was a good idea to come with me again?"
Considering the trouble we'd found ourselves in just days ago, I was surprised she didn't hesitate.
"Am I not allowed to?" Her tone was neutral, but her expression was harder to read.
"It's not that," I explained, "it's more about concern. We got into trouble last time on what should have been a simple adventure. You never know what might happen."
"But no harm came to me," she pointed out. "You protected me, didn't you?"
It would have been dishonorable not to, given that I was the one who led her into that situation to begin with.
It seemed Bulma trusted me with her life, and I was determined to ensure that trust wasn't misplaced.
"Could you teach me more about ki when you have the time?" Her sudden question caught me off guard, leaving me momentarily speechless.
"Is that what you were discussing with Grandpa Gohan?"
"Something like that," she replied with a shrug. "I just want to understand more, and you seem to know a lot about it."
"Okay," was all I managed to say.
As Korin's tower came into view, Kakarot descended towards the familiar village nearby, promising to meet us at Korin's place. Riding Nimbus was an enjoyable experience for me, but less so for Bulma, who feared she might fall off every time the cloud shifted or tipped.
"You again," Korin greeted me unenthusiastically as he laid eyes on me, though he refrained from hitting me this time when I entered his home. "Here to see the big guy, huh?"
Knowing he was aware, I nodded. Bulma made herself comfortable and greeted the cat like an old friend.
"I'm not sure if you're lucky or cursed," Korin continued, tapping the back of my knee with his cane, forcing me to bend down to his level. "But Kami will see you two."
I couldn't hide my excitement; this was great news, but Korin quickly dampened my spirits.
"He doesn't favor humans," Korin remarked, noticing my smile. "Not sure he's too fond of your kind either, with your tails and penchant for destruction."
His words stung a bit.
"But you're not entirely human, are you?" Korin continued. "And your reasons for collecting the dragon balls aren't selfish. You're a tricky one, and I'm sure you give him quite the headache."
"In what way?" I asked.
"You don't hesitate to kill," he pointed out.
I said nothing; my silence was answer enough.
"Yet, you also show a kindness not often found," he poked my chest with his cane, gentler this time. "You're not malicious. You're kind, compassionate, caring, and selfless."
He spoke kindly of me, though I awaited the inevitable "but." It never came. Korin simply observed me for a moment longer before nodding and turning away.
Just then, Kakarot arrived, smiling warmly and greeting the old cat creature, who returned his hello with a nod.
"He's ready to see you now," Korin pointed upwards. "But only you two; the girl stays here."
"Not even surprised," Bulma mumbled through a mouthful of food. "I'm not the special one here, and apparently, this guy doesn't like us humans."
"Don't worry," I assured her. "We won't be gone long."
"You better not," she retorted, her mouth curling into a playful smirk.
Kami appeared unlike any creature I had encountered on Earth, and I had seen my share of peculiar beings. His green skin adorned with yellow patches and twin antennae atop his head gave him an otherworldly appearance. Could he be from beyond Earth, akin to Kakarot and my father? Given recent events, that notion seemed more plausible than ever before.
Next to Kami stood someone equally enigmatic. I couldn't quite place his origins, and Master Lao's teachings about Kami always being accompanied by an assistant deity added to the intrigue. How old was this mysterious being, and would he even entertain such questions? What unsettled me most was my inability to sense his power, coupled with his unnerving scrutiny of us.
Kami's expression upon seeing us conveyed clear displeasure, despite summoning us here. I bowed respectfully upon meeting him, a customary gesture regardless of his reception. Kakarot followed suit without hesitation, bowing as he would to Grandpa Gohan or Master Roshi.
"Thank you for receiving us," I began, acknowledging his apparent reluctance. "I understand if you do not deem us worthy."
Kami remained silent, his unreadable eyes fixed upon us.
"How respectful," remarked a voice from beside Kami. "I am Mister Popo. It's a pleasure to meet you."
His introduction offered a brief respite before Kami finally spoke. His voice carried the weight of age and wisdom.
"You seek my assistance," Kami observed, his gaze piercing yet inscrutable.
"Yes," Kakarot replied firmly, standing tall. "I attempted to use Shenron to revive my parents, but he has limitations. To lift these limits, you must become stronger. It is audacious to ask a god to grow stronger for my own selfish desire, but it means everything to me. Please consider it."
Kami's surprise was fleeting, replaced by contemplation. Kakarot bowed deeply in reverence, a display of sincerity that didn't surprise me. He may act wild and carefree, but his upbringing under Grandpa Gohan had instilled wisdom. I couldn't help but feel proud of him in this moment.
Then, Kami turned his gaze to me, and I braced myself for his scrutiny.
"And why are you here?" Kami inquired, his tone measured.
"I promised to bring him here," I explained. "I planted the idea and am here to fulfill that promise. While I would be honored to train under your guidance, I understand if you decline. But I cannot leave until you agree to Kakarot's request."
Kami's stare was unnerving, akin to Mister Popo's unsettling gaze. I wished I could discern his thoughts, but my knowledge of magic was insufficient for such intrusion, especially against a god.
"Oddly enough, you have a pure heart," Kami remarked, turning back to Kakarot. He tilted his head thoughtfully. "Despite your species and the inherent violence."
"And you," Kami's focus shifted to me again, and I instinctively straightened. "Would kill without hesitation."
If it meant preventing future harm, I held firm to my beliefs. Tao and the Red Ribbon Army were stark reminders of that necessity.
"You do not have the right to decide who lives or dies," Kami's voice held a warning, almost a threat.
"I am aware," I replied evenly.
"You do not care."
"No, I do not," I admitted, unapologetic.
Unexpectedly, Kami's face softened into a faint smile, a chuckle escaping him.
"You will be useful," he declared, tapping his cane decisively. "You are permitted to train here, both of you. I will entertain this pure-hearted Saiyan's request."
Kami's quick acceptance surprised me, and Mister Popo's smile when I glanced at him made me wonder if I had inadvertently entered into something questionable.
Kakarot's joy at Kami's agreement was palpable, though he managed to contain his exuberance.
"Would it be terrible if I suggested you regain your youth?" He asks.
Kami seems offended, as does Popo and they settle their heavy gazes on poor little Kakarot who stands his ground.
"No disrespect, but you are very old and that would make this a bit harder, wouldn't it?" He says, questions?
"You have quite the nerve"
