"You want to become a god?" Dr. Brief adjusted his glasses and looked at Ken in surprise.
"A god?" Panchy also looked intrigued.
Only Broly continued happily stuffing his face, completely ignoring what Ken had just said.
"That's right. I want to become the greatest god in the entire universe," Ken explained with a calm smile.
"Wow… that's quite the ambition…" Dr. Brief chuckled.
After dinner, Bulma's parents went off to handle their own things.
Ken and Bulma stayed out in the yard.
Broly lay sprawled across the grass, patting his round belly and gazing up at the starry sky with a blissful expression.
Broly suddenly felt that this kind of life was amazing.
If only he could eat like this every day.
"Hey, Ken, where are we going to play next?" Bulma asked excitedly, tugging on his hand.
"Want me to take you flying through the sky?" Ken offered.
"Yes, yes!" Bulma lit up with joy.
"Alright, hold on." Ken wrapped one arm around her waist and gently lifted her into the air.
"Waaaah! This is so much fun!" Bulma cheered loudly.
"Having fun?" Ken grinned.
"Faster! Let's go even faster!" she shouted.
"Okay, then let's speed up." With that, Ken increased their flying speed.
"Wow, this is almost as fast as my dad's planes!" Bulma grew more and more excited.
As they flew, Bulma suddenly spotted a towering structure ahead. The enormous tower pierced the clouds, standing out starkly against the night sky.
"Whoa! That tower's huge!" Bulma blinked in amazement, her curiosity piqued.
"Let's go take a look," Ken suggested, flying upward with her still in his arms.
As they climbed higher, the top of the tower came into view.
At the summit sat a dome-shaped building with a rustic, old-fashioned appearance.
"Is that a house? Does someone actually live up here?" Bulma asked nervously, gripping Ken's arm.
"Let's go find out," Ken said calmly.
"Be careful… Anyone who lives in a place like this might be a monster," Bulma said, her face turning pale.
"It's fine. If it's a monster, I'll just smack it to death," Ken smiled and carried her inside.
The moment they stepped in, Bulma saw a gray-and-white feline humanoid inside the tower.
The cat-like figure was leaning on a staff.
The cat man: "…"
He stared back at Ken and Bulma, equally surprised.
"I knew it! It's a monster! A cat demon!" Bulma shrieked, face drained of color. "Ken, quick! Kill the monster!"
"Monster! Reveal your true form or I'll destroy you!" Ken shouted at the feline.
The cat man silently wiped some sweat from his brow.
"Ahem… I'm not a cat demon…" the feline replied, speaking human language.
"He… He can talk… That is a monster!" Bulma panicked and hid behind Ken.
The feline sighed again and gave a bitter smile. "To be precise, I'm a Cat Hermit—also known as Korin."
"Cat Hermit?" Bulma blinked.
"That's right. There's nothing I don't know… You must be Miss Bulma, the second daughter of Capsule Corporation, correct?" Korin smiled knowingly.
"Huh? How do you know that?" Bulma gawked at him, then pointed at Ken. "Then… do you know who he is?"
"He's a visitor from another planet, right?" Korin said confidently, still smiling.
"Wow, you really do know everything! You really are a hermit!" Bulma looked at him with reverence.
"Then do you know which planet I come from?" Ken asked.
Korin: "…"
His smile froze.
"Yeah! Do you know which planet he's from?" Bulma pressed excitedly.
"Ahem… Well, to be honest, I only know about what happens on Earth. When it comes to things outside of this planet… my knowledge is limited," Korin said with some embarrassment.
"Oh, I see," Bulma nodded thoughtfully.
"Well, since you're such a wise hermit, there's something I'd really like to ask you," Ken said seriously.
"Of course, my alien friend. Please go ahead," Korin replied politely.
"I've been searching for a miraculous item. Something that, once consumed, can instantly restore stamina and heal injuries. Do you know where I can find such a thing?" Ken asked.
Korin: "…"
You mean Senzu Beans, don't you?
"You came to the right place. I just so happen to have exactly what you're looking for," Korin said as he headed downstairs and brought up a large jar.
He placed the container in front of Ken.
Ken glanced inside—there had to be thousands of Senzu Beans in there at least.
With this many beans, where the heck did they all go later in the series?
Did that fat guy Yajirobe eat them all as snacks?
"This is what you're looking for, right?" Korin said. "These are called Senzu Beans. Eating just one keeps you full for ten days, completely restores stamina, and instantly heals any serious injury."
"Huh? These beans are that amazing?" Bulma picked up a handful and looked at them closely. "They look just like regular beans… Can I try one?"
"Sure," Korin didn't mind.
"Actually… never mind. If I eat one and don't get hungry for ten days, then I won't be able to enjoy any delicious food. No thanks." Bulma quickly put them back.
Korin: "…"
What kind of logic is that?
Ken calmly stepped forward and released a faint, invisible wave of Divine ki from his hand, enveloping the jar of Senzu Beans.
Korin blinked in surprise.
What's this kid doing?
Then Ken turned to Korin with a smile. "Korin, how many beans are in this jar?"
"Uh… I've never counted," Korin admitted, wiping his brow. "Probably several thousand?"
"Aren't you supposed to be a hermit? Can't you just glance at it and know how many there are?" Bulma asked curiously.
Korin fell silent.
I am a hermit, sure… but why the heck would I bother counting how many beans are in this jar?
"Korin, would you be willing to give all these Senzu Beans to me?" Ken asked with a warm smile.
Korin: "…"
Korin silently wiped his brow again.
Wow… That's bold.
You seriously want the whole jar?!
(End of Chapter)
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]