Chapter 54: Searching for the Banana Fan
"The Dragon Ball is inside Fire Mountain. With temperatures this high, there's no way to get in. Unless we put out the flames, it'll be almost impossible to retrieve it."
As she said that, Bulma turned to Franklin with a face full of expectation.
"You can get it, right? You definitely can."
Under her hopeful gaze, Franklin thought for a moment, then nodded—only to shake his head again.
"I can get it, but I won't. As for why… I'll tell you after we've found the sixth Dragon Ball."
Bulma pouted. "You're always so secretive. Can't say this, can't say that. What's the big deal if you tell me? What, you'll die or something?"
Franklin thought for a moment, then nodded slightly, amusement flickering in his eyes. Smiling, he said, "Bulma, let's play a game. You can ask me anything right now, and I'll answer truthfully. But—some of your questions might end up being the cause of my death. So… what will you ask me?"
Franklin's expression was calm and playful, but Bulma's face grew serious. She looked him in the eye and asked solemnly, "Are you joking with me?"
Franklin shook his head lightly. "I'm being serious. Whatever you ask now, I'll answer honestly."
Bulma's expression shifted slightly. Remembering what he'd just said about the possible consequences, she hesitated before asking softly, "If I ask certain questions and you answer them… could it really lead to your death?"
Franklin nodded, then shook his head. "I don't know. It's just a guess. After all, who can truly control the future?"
Hearing that, Bulma quickly shook her head. "Then I won't ask. When you think the time's right—when you're ready to tell me—then you can. I won't pester you anymore."
Franklin hadn't expected Bulma to be so understanding, even considerate of him. It almost made her old spoiled-rich-girl act seem like just that—an act.
Smiling faintly, Franklin gave a small bow of thanks. "Then, thank you, Miss Bulma, for sparing my life. As repayment, I hope that when you gather all seven Dragon Balls, your wish will be to return to your fifteen-year-old self—body and age—when you're twenty-six."
Bulma looked at him suspiciously. "Franklin, you're acting weird today. I don't get it—why would I make such a strange wish?"
"Why indeed?"
Franklin hesitated, unsure how to explain—it was his own selfish wish, and he couldn't bring himself to say it.
Only when Bulma looked about ready to snap did he finally speak. "Once you make that wish, I'll tell you who I really am. I think… that will be the right time."
Before Bulma could press him further, the ground began to tremble. In the distance, a giant nearly four or five meters tall with a massive, muscular build was walking toward them.
Before he could even get close, a huge axe spun through the air toward them. Goku leapt forward, drawing his Power Pole and knocking the axe away with a single strike.
"Franklin, Bulma, you two keep talking! Leave this big guy to me. Nimbus!"
The Flying Nimbus zoomed in at once. Goku jumped onto it, gripping his Power Pole, and charged straight at the giant. Franklin didn't stop him—he just watched as Bulma's attention shifted to the battle, secretly sighing in relief.
"You there with the Nimbus and Power Pole—who are you? What's your relationship to Master Roshi and Son Gohan?"
Just as Goku was about to attack, he froze midair. "Master Roshi? Big guy, are you talking about Grandpa Turtle Hermit? I'm Son Goku!
The Nimbus was a gift from Grandpa Turtle Hermit, and the Power Pole was left to me by my grandpa. Who are you, and how do you know all that?"
The big man's hearty laughter echoed through the mountains. "Son Gohan was my senior brother, and Master Roshi was our teacher. I'm the Ox Demon King! Since you have the Nimbus, you must know where Master Roshi is, right? Can you help me borrow the Banana Fan from him? With it, I can finally put out the flames on Fire Mountain!"
Hearing his introduction, Goku looked puzzled. "You're the Ox Demon King? Franklin, is he really the Ox Demon King?"
Seeing Goku's uncertain gaze, Franklin nodded.
"He is. Since he wants to borrow the Banana Fan, you should go. With your Nimbus, you can make the trip in just a few hours."
Goku scratched his head in frustration. "But, Franklin, I don't know exactly where Grandpa Turtle Hermit lives…"
Seeing his troubled face, Franklin waved a hand dismissively. "Never mind then. I'll go myself. You guys wait here—I'll be right back."
He had already anticipated this possibility long ago and had left a Flying Thunder God mark on that old turtle. After separating a phantom clone, Franklin activated the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Far across the vast ocean, a lone island stood quietly.
"Eh…? Why can't I move?"
As the old sea turtle stretched its neck to look back, it met Franklin's eyes.
"You're that young master's companion from before, aren't you? How did you end up here?"
Franklin smiled harmlessly. "I came to ask Master Roshi for help—so I came straight here."
Moments later, Master Roshi emerged from the island's only small house. "Such a powerful aura… it really is you. What do you need this time?"
Franklin jumped down from the turtle's back and bowed respectfully. "Sorry for intruding."
Seeing Roshi wave his hand to show it was fine, Franklin continued, "This isn't exactly my business—it's your disciple, the Ox Demon King. His castle on Fire Mountain is surrounded by eternal flames. He wants to borrow the Banana Fan to put them out. I was wondering if you still have it?"
"The Banana Fan? You're there yourself, aren't you? With your strength, you still can't put out a mountain fire?"
Franklin could only shrug helplessly. "For… certain reasons, I can't intervene. So I have to trouble you, Master Roshi."
Roshi shook his head and turned toward his hut. "We no longer owe each other anything. If you want my help, you'll have to pay the proper price."
That made Franklin frown in confusion. "Pay a price? What kind of price? If it's something I can give, I don't mind."
Hearing no refusal, Roshi circled Franklin several times, examining him. "It's simple. I want to know how you broke through that barrier."
The question left Franklin even more puzzled. "What barrier? Some kind of limiter? I don't know what you mean."
Seeing the genuine confusion on Franklin's face, Roshi's interest waned. After a long silence, he finally said with a sigh,
"I want to know how you broke past the Qi Refining stage. I've touched the threshold many times, but I can never step over it—and I've been stuck there ever since."
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