Bulma immediately began explaining what the Dragon Balls were to Upa and his father.
Just then, a system message flashed through Goku's mind.
[In your previous life, you were nearly killed by that B-king Tao Pai Pai.
His strength and his flair for showing off were terrifying.
The first time you met him, you thought he was untouchable—impossible to defeat.
Your life has now restarted.
As the saying goes: "Style flows like the wind, always by my side."
In this life, you finally have the capital to show off—and your own swagger must rise with it.
You decide killing Tao Pai Pai outright would be too cheap.
You want to crush him with sheer power, break his confidence, and shatter his pride.
Mission: Defeat Tao Pai Pai.
Reward: Grow 5 cm taller within three days.
Bonus Mission: Make Tao Pai Pai feel true fear and mentally collapse.
Bonus Reward: Charm +10.]
Goku stared at the message, stunned for three seconds.
To be honest, Tao Pai Pai wasn't that impressive by late-series standards—but back when Goku had first seen him in his previous life, the guy felt like an unstoppable god.
Killing General Blue with his tongue.
Flying on a stone pillar.
Those scenes had blown Goku's mind. Back then, he had genuinely felt despair for his own future.
Only after training on Korin Tower had he finally been able to defeat him.
Now Goku glanced at the reward and made a strange face.
Grow taller… again?
What would Commander Red think?
What about Frieza?
Korin Tower
Krillin had spent yet another exhausting day trying to snatch the Ultra Divine Water from Korin. He was drenched in sweat and completely worn out.
Korin casually yawned.
"That's enough for today. I'm going upstairs to sleep."
With that, the Cat Sage climbed the stairs.
Krillin lay flat on the floor, staring up at the ceiling.
"The Cat Sage is way too strong… It always feels like I'm so close, but in reality I'm miles away."
He sighed.
"Even Master Roshi needed three years. How long will it take me? Ten years…?"
After resting for a while, Krillin got up to drink some water.
When he lifted the lid of the basin, images appeared on the surface—Goku and Bulma.
"Goku's over there… Is he going to climb Korin Tower too?"
Memories of training together filled Krillin with warmth.
"If he comes up here, we can grab the Ultra Divine Water together. We'll succeed in no time!"
But then he saw Goku finish off Colonel Yellow—and instead of leaving or climbing the tower, Goku stayed below, apparently waiting for the Red Ribbon Army.
Krillin frowned.
"First he fought Masaruta's guards and monsters… now he's waiting for more Red Ribbon elites. Is he using real battles as training?"
The image suddenly shifted—to Red Ribbon Army Headquarters.
Krillin watched as Commander Red and Black hired the world's greatest assassin—Tao Pai Pai—to kill Goku.
Krillin froze.
"So the Red Ribbon Army finally realized how dangerous Goku is… and they're hiring outside experts now."
He frowned.
"Goku and I are both top fighters of the Tenkaichi Budokai. But can some random assassin really beat him?"
Then he saw Tao Pai Pai kick a pillar into the air.
Black pointed toward Korin Tower.
Tao Pai Pai hurled the pillar—and leapt onto it, riding it straight toward the tower.
Pillar-riding flight.
Even through the water basin, Krillin could see how insanely fast he was—faster than a plane.
Krillin's pupils shrank.
"He can move like that…?! This assassin is seriously strong!"
Then he remembered Goku and Bulma below the tower.
"Can Goku really handle this guy? No… I have to warn him!"
Krillin turned to run down the tower—
"Don't worry."
Korin suddenly spoke.
Krillin jumped.
"W-When did you come back, Master Korin?"
Korin smiled.
"Look at you—no awareness at all. You still need more training."
Krillin looked worried.
"But that Tao Pai Pai seems really strong…"
Korin nodded.
"He is. Stronger than you, in fact. But if you drink the Ultra Divine Water, you'll surpass him. As for Goku…"
Korin walked to the basin.
"My eyes don't lie. Just watch."
Krillin clenched his fists.
"Goku… please be okay…"
At the foot of Korin Tower
Upa's father handed roasted fish to Goku and Bulma.
Goku grinned.
"Thanks for the food, sir!"
"Eat as much as you want! If it's not enough, I'll catch more!"
Goku nodded happily and dug in.
Bulma smiled at him.
"Goku, remember? The first time I came to Mount Paozu, you treated me to roasted fish too."
"Yeah! How did it taste?"
"It was good… but after we left, you never roasted fish again."
Goku laughed.
"I actually got sick of it back then. With you around, I get to eat all kinds of food. But now, after so long, roasted fish tastes amazing again."
He stuffed more into his mouth.
Bulma nodded.
"Even good food gets boring if you eat it every day. You have to change things up to keep it fresh."
Hearing that, Goku suddenly looked at her seriously.
"Bulma… there's something I want to tell you."
"What is it?"
"Back when we passed Fire Mountain… the Ox-King said he wanted Chi-Chi to marry me when she grows up."
Bulma raised an eyebrow.
"Chi-Chi? The girl who killed a dinosaur?"
"Yeah."
"And you agreed?"
"No!"
"Then why tell me?"
"I didn't refuse either… My grandpa was close to the Ox-King…"
Goku watched her nervously.
Bulma smiled gently.
"Don't explain. That little girl is cute—I like her too."
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