Everyone turned toward the rumbling.
The Ox-King came charging toward them, full of killing intent.
"Damn it! Who are you people?! Let go of my daughter!"
"Dad, don't!" Chi-Chi shouted. "They're not bad guys!"
"What?"
The Ox-King skidded to a halt and looked at Goku and Bulma, carefully sizing them up.
His gaze was instantly drawn to the staff on Goku's back.
"Hmm? That staff… could it be the Power Pole?"
"Yes," Goku replied. "It's the Power Pole."
Chi-Chi hurriedly chimed in, "Dad, I was just about to surprise you!
His name is Goku, and his grandpa is your martial brother, Son Gohan!"
The Ox-King's eyes went wide.
"What?! You're Son Gohan's grandson?! What a coincidence!"
Goku bowed politely. "Hello, Uncle Ox-King."
"Hahaha! Time really flies.
It's been over ten years since I last saw your grandpa.
How is he doing these days?"
"He's doing great," Goku nodded.
The Ox-King asked, "But Bun Mountain is thousands of miles from here.
What brings you all the way out here?
Did my senior brother send you to visit me?"
Goku glanced at Bulma before explaining, "Grandpa told me to accompany her while she searches for Dragon Balls. We just happened to pass by."
"Dragon Balls? What are those?"
Bulma took out the Dragon Balls and explained.
The Ox-King suddenly understood.
"Oh, so that's what those are. I have seen one in my castle.
Giving it to you isn't a problem—but the mountain is on fire right now.
We have to put it out before we can retrieve it.
I sent Chi-Chi to borrow the Fan, but she hasn't even made it out of Fire Mountain.
And honestly… I don't even know where Master Roshi lives."
Bulma's mouth twitched.
Was this guy crazy?
Chi-Chi was just a kid who didn't even know directions, and he sent her thousands of miles to borrow a treasure?
But then she remembered seeing Chi-Chi casually kill a Tyrannosaurus earlier.
Small as she was, her combat power was terrifying—on par with Goku's.
If she actually knew the way, maybe she really could make it.
Compared to Chi-Chi, Bulma herself—who couldn't even tie up a chicken—had dared to roam the world searching for Dragon Balls.
That was way crazier.
"I know where Master Roshi lives," Goku said. "We met him a few days ago."
"What?! You met Master Roshi?" the Ox-King exclaimed.
"Yes," Goku nodded.
The Ox-King started dancing with joy.
"Fantastic! Hahaha! My castle is saved!"
Bulma quickly cut in. "Don't celebrate yet.
Master Roshi lives by the sea—thousands of kilometers away.
A round trip would take at least half a month."
The Ox-King froze.
"Thousands of kilometers… he really does live far away…
If only I had his Flying Nimbus…"
Hearing that, Bulma turned to Goku.
"Goku, I think we should stop collecting Dragon Balls here.
I don't even want to make a wish anymore.
School starts in less than half a month—why don't you come back to West City with me?"
Stop here?
No way.
All he had to do was put out the fire and his battle power would double.
That was insane value.
Goku shook his head. "Don't worry, Bulma.
We don't need to find Master Roshi. I have a way to extinguish the fire."
The Ox-King and Chi-Chi both stared at him.
"What way?"
"Kamehameha."
…
A short while later, they arrived at the foot of Fire Mountain.
The heat here was even more intense, waves of scorching air making them all sweat.
Goku had to put out the flames without destroying the Ox-King's castle.
Standing on the wall, he carefully searched for the right angle.
Everyone else watched him intently.
"Please, Goku!" Chi-Chi pleaded.
"Are you really sure you can use that move?" the Ox-King asked nervously.
"Even I can't perform the Kamehameha!"
Bulma watched as well, half skeptical.
"To be honest, Goku has handled every danger we've met…
I know he's strong, but I still don't believe he can just blow out that fire with his hands."
Then—
Goku found his angle.
He placed his hands at his waist.
Energy surged through his body and gathered into his palms.
In an instant, a blinding sphere of light formed.
The Ox-King's eyes widened.
"It—it's the Kamehameha!"
Chi-Chi stared in awe. "So this is ki projection…"
Bulma held her breath, staring.
"Ka…!"
"Me…!"
"Ha…!"
"Me… HAAAA!!!"
The glowing sphere flared to its limit.
As Goku thrust his hands forward, the energy erupted into a roaring beam.
White light tore across the sky, drowning out even the red glow of Fire Mountain.
The next moment, a raging gale swept across the mountain.
Under the terrifying shockwave, every flame was snuffed out.
When the beam faded, Goku felt completely drained.
His current power was still far below Master Roshi's, and his stamina was limited.
But that was exactly why the castle had been preserved—the fire was gone, yet nothing had been destroyed.
"Wow! Incredible!" the Ox-King shouted. "Just like Senior Brother's grandson!"
"The fire's out! It's really out!" Chi-Chi cried in delight.
Bulma swallowed hard.
"That was… terrifying.
So this is the Kamehameha…"
[Mission: Help Chi-Chi extinguish the flames of Fire Mountain — Completed.
Reward: Battle power doubled.
Current balanced battle power: 34.
Reward applied…
Current battle power: 68.]
Power surged through Goku's body once more, leaving him feeling stronger than ever.
He clenched his fists.
Doubling his battle power felt amazing—
though even now, he was still far from strong enough.
If only this kind of reward could be saved for later…
In the distance, hidden in the shadows, Yamcha collapsed to the ground in shock.
"That kid… he really is Son Gohan's grandson. His power is terrifying!"
Puar nodded. "Yeah. He's not even human anymore.
Master, let's not think about revenge."
Yamcha clenched his fists. "But I can't accept it!"
Puar said quickly, "His martial arts come from his grandpa, Son Gohan.
Why don't you try becoming Master Roshi's disciple too?"
"Me? Apprenticed? Don't be ridiculous.
I'll beat him with my own strength!"
"What are you going to do, Master?"
"Go home and train