Chapter 49: Farewell to Master Roshi
Master Roshi stopped, hovering far out over the sea, gazing at Franklin from a distance. His solemn expression fell into Franklin's eyes, and in response, Franklin could only smile faintly to release goodwill, showing that he bore no ill intent.
Sensing Franklin's unrestrained, ever-present, overwhelming aura, Master Roshi originally wanted to turn and leave.
But when his eyes fell on Son Goku and the red staff strapped across his back, Master Roshi exhaled deeply and directed the sea turtle to head toward the three standing on the shore.
As they drew nearer, Bulma immediately spotted the pendant on Master Roshi's chest—inside it was the Three-Star Dragon Ball.
"Franklin, did you see that? It's a Dragon Ball! Talk to him, okay?"
"Don't say anything. Leave it to me." As he spoke, Franklin pulled Bulma behind him.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. Who would've thought fate would bring us together in this way?"
Being stared at by an old man he had just met, who then said such strange words, left Goku rather puzzled.
"Grandpa, who are you? Why do you keep staring at me?"
"Forgive me, that was rude of me. My name is Master Roshi."
Saying this, Roshi jumped down from the turtle's back and looked at the sea turtle beneath his feet. "Who was it that saved you?"
"It was that young master over there. Thanks to him, I managed to reach the shore."
Seeing that the turtle pointed to Goku, Roshi nodded approvingly.
"You've done me a favor. As thanks, I'll give you a gift."
"A gift? What gift?"
At Goku's curious look, Roshi wasted no time. He turned around and shouted to the sky: "Flying Nimbus!"
His voice pierced the heavens, and a pale golden cloud appeared from nowhere, racing swiftly to hover before the group.
"This is the Flying Nimbus. Only those pure of heart can ride it. Try it. If it doesn't work, I'll give you something else instead."
"Flying Nimbus? Only pure-hearted people can ride it?"
As he spoke, Goku leapt onto the cloud. Seeing him stand firm on it, Roshi smiled and nodded, finally breathing a sigh of relief.
"You can try controlling it. If it works, then I'll give it to you."
Watching Goku ride the Flying Nimbus with fluid ease into the distance, Roshi turned back to Franklin.
"You must be the Franklin little brother that Gohan mentioned. As I thought, you still sought out Goku. Can you tell me your real purpose?"
"My purpose? Looks like old man Gohan still suspects my motives aren't pure, keeping his guard up against me."
Franklin's expression turned serious as he looked at Roshi. "Don't worry. I only brought Goku out to see the world. If possible, we'll also gather the seven Dragon Balls and summon the dragon to make a wish. I have no other intentions. And if you think I'm lying, the Nimbus's judgment should be proof enough."
His thoughts laid bare, Roshi didn't grow angry. Watching Goku's skillful handling of the Nimbus, Roshi directly plucked the Dragon Ball from his chest pendant and handed it to Franklin.
"I believe you. Consider this Dragon Ball a reward for looking after Goku. I just hope he always remains a good boy. What do you think?"
Passing the Dragon Ball to Bulma, Franklin nodded in agreement. "Of course I think the same. If he were to change, Earth would be finished. I'll teach him well, rest assured. When we finish gathering the Dragon Balls, I'll have him visit you on Kame House. I hope you'll teach him seriously. If there's nothing more you can teach, then send him to that cat. I believe he'll grow there too."
Roshi's expression shifted slightly at Franklin's words. He studied Franklin carefully, hoping to read something from his face—but he found nothing.
In response to this scrutiny, Franklin only smiled faintly before channeling spiritual energy into his eyes, activating the Eye of True Sight.
Name: Muten (Master Roshi)
Age: 319/500
Race: Human
Bloodline: Human
Body Cultivation: Body Tempering Stage, Level 50 (quantitative change produces qualitative change; lifespan extended 200 years)
Spirit Qi Cultivation: Qi Refining, Level 50 (quantitative change produces qualitative change; lifespan extended 200 years)
Mind Cultivation: Realm of Selflessness (also called No-Self Realm, the stage after the Realm of Ego; perceives the essence of the world, returns to one's true nature, desires follow the heart, unaffected by external things; combat strength increases 20–30%)
Cultivation Method: Turtle School
Martial Skills: Kamehameha (max power, doubles combat strength), Afterimage Fist, Multi-Afterimage Fist, Evil Containment Wave, Thunder Shock Surprise, Drunken Fist, Turtle Light Blast, Energy Concealment, Ki Sensing…
Innate Gift: Telepathy
Overall Combat Power: 499–800
His spiritual energy drained rapidly, and in the blink of an eye his reserves were nearly empty. Fortunately, he still managed to obtain all the data.
Looking at Roshi's details and his innate gift, Franklin felt his scalp tingle. He instinctively took two steps back, a hollow weakness rushing up from the depths of his mind—he nearly collapsed.
"So this is that strange feeling Gohan spoke of. It truly feels like being seen through. Looks like you discovered quite a lot. Can you tell me what you saw?"
Exhaling deeply, Franklin bent at the waist in a deep bow. "I sincerely apologize, Master Muten. That was truly rude of me just now."
"No, no need to apologize. I'm just an old man—why apologize to me? I'll leave Goku in your care for now. I wasn't at ease before, but now I'm completely reassured. I'll return to retirement. The future belongs to your younger generation."
As Goku rode the Nimbus back from afar, Roshi didn't linger. With a brief farewell, he mounted the old turtle and disappeared beyond sight.
Franklin's memories grew hazy. He had thought Roshi would be just some lecherous old man, but as he came to understand his abilities, Franklin realized much. Roshi truly lived up to the title of teacher—he deserved respect.
At his side, one person studied the Three-Star Ball intently, while the other clung lovingly to the Nimbus. Franklin could only rub his forehead helplessly.
"Enough playing. Let's go. We've already gathered four Dragon Balls. Just three left. Check the direction of the next one—we need to move."
Jolted by Franklin's voice, the two turned to look at him.
"What are you looking at me for? Let's go."
"Mm, we should go."
Following the Dragon Ball radar's signal, Goku rode the Nimbus while Franklin drove the motorcycle with Bulma, setting off once more to find the fifth Dragon Ball.
As Franklin rode, earth-element qi constantly smoothed the ground beneath them. Even at a blistering 350 km/h, he barely managed to keep pace with the Nimbus above.
Through valleys and cliffs, Franklin carved tunnels through mountains and built bridges over chasms. Except for meals and rest, the three sped westward from the coasts of Southeast Asia all the way to West Asia, the Middle East. At last, they entered the allied nations' territory.
According to the radar, the next Dragon Ball lay in a small village ahead.
Franklin narrowed his eyes—Yamcha's ambush should be coming soon. Besides this Dragon Ball, there were still two more. No matter what, he was bound to appear.
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