Tienshinhan took the device. It was false to say he wasn't excited, but he hesitated and asked, "But I heard… only members of the Martial Arts Association can access the martial arts in the Virtual Earth Network?"
"Haha, the Virtual Earth Network belongs to Master Taro, and since you two are Uncle Tsuru's disciples, how could you not have privileges?" Krillin chuckled. Then his expression turned serious as he said, "You should accept it."
"Alright, I'll take it." Tienshinhan wasn't stubborn. As a martial artist who had worked as a professional assassin, he nodded and put the device away.
"Let's keep moving!" Goku rubbed his head with one hand and pressed the Dragon Radar twice with the other. "It's been a while since we looked for Dragon Balls. Next, let's find one!"
"Yes, if we haven't gathered all the Dragon Balls in three years, Master will probably punish us… better to gather them all first, just to be safe!" Krillin smiled and leaned closer, looking at the Dragon Radar screen in Goku's hand. He compared it with the map, glanced in a direction, and said thoughtfully, "That direction… I think I've heard of it somewhere?"
Tienshinhan had composed himself and walked over. "Where's the closest Dragon Ball—huh?" He also noticed the radar's map in Goku's hand and exclaimed in surprise.
Goku reached out and swiped his finger over the radar screen, zooming in. Instantly, a tall tower appeared on the map, deep in a large forest—
"Korin Tower?" The four of them gathered closer.
"Goku, didn't Master mention this place?" Krillin scratched his bald head and asked.
"My grandfather might've mentioned it too…" Goku scratched his cheek.
Tienshinhan said, "That was once called a sacred place of martial arts… My master also said that when he was young, he climbed this tower, where a sage live."
"Are the Dragon Balls in the hands of the sage in Korin Tower? Great, let's go!" Goku cheered, feeling this might help improve his martial arts.
Could it be as strong as Master? Krillin didn't believe it, but since they were gathering Dragon Balls anyway, when Goku put the Dragon Radar into his pocket, Krillin caught a glimpse of something… He poked Goku's arm and asked, "Hey, Goku…"
"What's up?" Goku patted his chest and asked back.
"Your necklace looks like it's working…" Krillin squinted suspiciously, guessing something.
"Yeah, Kakarot is using it!" Goku laughed it off and tightened the bundle on his back, also securing his Power Pole crosswise. "Let's go! Time to collect Dragon Balls!"
Krillin broke into a sweat and muttered, "Kakarot, huh… whatever, that guy should be comfortable now—finally a 'free' world." Shaking his head, he hurried to catch up with Goku.
Kakarot? Who's that? Tienshinhan and Chiaotzu exchanged confused looks.
Virtual Earth Network, Main City, Krillin and company's private sky residence.
Kakarot appeared here, expression cold. He clenched his fists and patted himself all over…
"There's not much difference from reality. At your current level, you can't tell," Jarvis's voice sounded behind him, startling Kakarot. The young Saiyan spun around sharply and saw a middle-aged man with gold-rimmed glasses. His face darkened. "You?"
He knew this steward well from many visits to Muten Island.
"How does it feel to gain freedom?" Jarvis smiled.
"Freedom? Are you kidding?" Kakarot sneered, pointing to his body, "This?"
"Usually, I identify people logging into the Virtual Earth Network by the DNA info linked to their login device… but that doesn't mean I can't more precisely distinguish by their mental waves," Jarvis pushed up his glasses, voice cold and almost indifferent. "I understand your words as a request to separate your mental signature from Goku's and blacklist you, right?"
"Cut the jokes!" Kakarot's face darkened. That old man's steward wasn't a good guy! Not wanting to discuss it but still happy to have some freedom in this virtual world, he asked, "Can I learn Muken here like Goku?"
Jarvis calmly said, "I said, 'Usually, I identify those who log into the Virtual Earth Network by the DNA info of the login device.'"
Kakarot clenched his fist, smiling. "So that means I have all the privileges Goku has here, right?"
"Not just privileges…" Jarvis waved his hand, and a glowing screen appeared in front of Kakarot. The display switched to the "Instruction" section. The personal mailbox had over 99 requests for guidance. Jarvis said, "You share these as well."
"These are for him, not me!" Kakarot's face darkened.
Jarvis pushed up his glasses again.
Kakarot quickly said, "Alright, alright, I'll fight for him!" Then he gave a wicked grin and clenched his fists, "I'll show these guys the real 'Goku'! Heh heh heh…"
"I warn you, most who requested guidance have already learned the first two levels of Muken, some even the third…"
"So what? This body is modeled after Goku's power, right? Even if I know nothing about Muken, beating those losers will be easy! Hmph, Goku may be a softie, but his blood is that of a proud Saiyan warrior! Just some Earthlings…" Kakarot waved dismissively. "Let's go, take me to Muten Tower!"
Thus, a new anonymous star appeared in Muten Tower.
Monday again, the day Krillin and Goku enter the Virtual Earth Network to see Master Taro.
Early morning, Krillin and Goku logged into the Virtual Earth Network.
Because Tienshinhan and Chiaotzu had also gotten login devices from Krillin, the two joined in. It wasn't their first time entering; together with Goku and Krillin, they all appeared in the private residence floating in Muten Main City.
A figure formed from green data streams appeared before them—it was Master Taro.
"Master!" Goku and Krillin greeted.
"Muten Roshi…" Tienshinhan and Chiaotzu were a bit reserved. When Master Taro looked at them, they changed their address to "Senior Uncle."
Master Taro nodded and looked at Goku. He immediately noticed something was off. Goku's mental state seemed a bit listless. Ordinary people might not notice, but Master Taro could. After thinking, he said to the air beside him, "Jarvis, bring Kakarot in."