The remaining journey is for you to walk together.
These were the last words left by their deceased master.
Yamiru and Tights followed this, hand in hand.
They walked slowly, tightly holding each other's hands, all the way to the foot of Mount Paozu.
Before this, Yamiru and Tights, as a couple, had already walked through many journeys together, but this was the first time as husband and wife, after exchanging tokens, walking a new path.
They passed the small paths that Yamiru had walked countless times over the years through the mountain wilderness.
Tights didn't have Yamiru's stamina. After climbing a short distance, she jumped onto her husband's back, like a little girl, cheering as he carried her forward.
Yamiru carried her slowly on his back.
Along the way, he shared stories from this mountain, telling some light-hearted jokes.
Tights noticed that every story Yamiru mentioned had a shadow of his master, Gohan, behind it. Beneath his light tone was the longing for his beloved mentor.
"Master Gohan was such a good person, he must have ascended to heaven," the girl whispered as she hugged his neck from behind. "Otherwise, it's definitely Lord Yama's fault."
Ascended to heaven? Yamiru thought for a moment. Actually, that might not be the case.
However, since he wasn't sure, he didn't say anything.
As they approached the mountain villa, Yamiru suddenly looked up at the sky.
Two figures, large and small, flew from the front, heading swiftly toward Yamiru and Tights' destination, the villa up ahead.
Tights, sitting on his back, turned her head to look. "It's Uncle Bardock, and that's Raditz."
Soon, they saw a figure rise from the ground to join Bardock and Raditz in the sky. It was Gine, who lived at Mount Paozu.
"Raditz's energy feels much less evil now..." Yamiru whispered to himself, smiling slightly. "Well done, Uncle Bardock."
Up in the sky, the family of three quickly noticed Yamiru and Tights on the ground.
Bardock glanced at them, while Raditz just scowled, not having a good impression of Yamiru.
Gine waved at them and called out from afar.
Tights was also very happy. Her relationship with her mother and Gine had always been good, as it was she and her mother who helped Gine adjust to life on Earth.
Yamiru gently placed his wife on the ground, and she happily ran toward Gine, who was descending slowly.
"It's been so long, Aunt Gine!" Tights hugged Gine, rubbing her cheek against hers.
Gine smiled warmly.
Bardock nodded at Yamiru in greeting, acknowledging him.
Raditz just rolled his eyes and wore a sour expression, saying nothing.
"Master, ah, Brother Yamiru, Sister Tights..." At that moment, a girl's voice came from behind Gine.
Yamiru and Tights turned to look, and it was Chi Chi, walking over from the house. She had apparently been staying at Mount Paozu for some time.
"Chi Chi? You really came!" Tights smiled. "So that's what it was. Grandpa Gohan said Mount Paozu would be suitable for your master, and he was talking about Aunt Gine."
"Yes." Chi Chi nodded timidly. She hadn't met Bardock or Raditz before, and both of them looked so fierce that she was afraid to approach.
Gine smiled and introduced, "She arrived here riding on the Nimbus, which startled me at first. But since I heard she was introduced by Gohan, I accepted her as my disciple. Chi Chi, this is Bardock, and over there is Raditz. They are my lover and son."
Chi Chi politely greeted them, "Hello, Uncle Bardock, Brother Raditz."
Bardock acknowledged her with a nod, while Raditz didn't seem interested in the shy little girl. He was about to ignore her, but Bardock gave him a side glance, so he reluctantly offered Chi Chi a slight smile.
"Umm... Raditz, is he Goku's brother?" Chi Chi asked in a low voice.
"Goku?" Raditz raised an eyebrow. "His name is Kakarot, you idiot."
The group returned to the Capsule Corporation villa on Mount Paozu.
Bardock asked Yamiru and the others where Gohan was, now that he had left Mount Paozu. Yamiru and Tights fell silent for a moment before informing them of Gohan's passing.
"What about Goku?" Yamiru asked.
"Unclear," Bardock replied. "His energy is too weak. Even I can't track him anywhere on Earth."
Weak? Yamiru thought. Well, that's just relative to you.
Tights sighed regretfully. "Goku didn't get to see his grandfather one last time."
Her tone was still a bit sad, but the three Saiyans sitting opposite them didn't show any obvious emotions, appearing indifferent to life and death.
Or perhaps, because of the Saiyan's unique cultural customs, their perspective on emotions and ethics was quite different from people raised in Earth's culture. In some ways, if you disregard the brutal cultures of Planet Vegeta and the Freeza Force, the Saiyans' mindset could even be considered a form of spiritual advantage.
Yamiru said, "The World Martial Arts Tournament is about to begin. We can tell him then."
As for seeing Gohan one last time, perhaps there would still be an opportunity to make up for it.
The World Martial Arts Tournament?
Raditz's competitive spirit was triggered when he heard about it. After inquiring further, he scoffed disdainfully, "A bunch of weaklings with power levels of 5 are fighting for the title of world's strongest? Hilarious."
It seemed this guy might not be as detestable as before, but his foul mouth was still as bad as ever.
However, Yamiru hadn't expected Raditz to still spout this well-known line. It seemed the little brat had been deeply influenced by Freeza Force's obsession with power levels.
"Are you joining?" Yamiru asked Raditz.
Raditz gave him a sideways glance. "Is Kakarot joining?"
"I've agreed to join with him."
"Just you?" Raditz was about to make a snarky remark, but after remembering his father's recent teachings, he held back. "Fine, I'll join. I want to see what kind of person Kakarot has become."
Had he already forgotten about getting beaten by Goku in West City? Tights was confused.
Gine smiled. "That kid has been training alone around the world. He must be having a great time."
What kind of logic is that? Tights was a bit puzzled, but considering the simple nature of the Saiyans, she gradually began to understand.
''Mother…'' Tights thought. ''I wonder what it's like to become a mother.''
"What about Chi Chi?" Yamiru asked, smiling at the little girl sitting next to Gine. "Do you want to try joining? The tournament rules allow you to forfeit, so it's okay if you can't win."
Chi Chi blinked and then looked at Gine.
Gine patted her back. "Be confident, little girl. You're better than a lot of people." She silently added, Well, better than many Earthlings...
Chi Chi, feeling encouraged, nodded vigorously.
Raditz rolled his eyes.
After informing them of the tournament's opening date, Yamiru and Tights said their goodbyes and prepared to head toward Papaya Island.
"Ah, I forgot to ask," Gine said, watching them leave. She tapped her head and muttered, "I wonder where I put that gravity chamber capsule... I hope Chi Chi didn't accidentally lose it." She shook her head and turned to walk away. Meanwhile, Bardock, looking like a strict instructor, was scolding Raditz, and the little girl, Chi Chi, was holding in her laughter.
---
Time passed, and on May 7th, 750, the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament officially began.
Experts from all over the world stepped onto the land of Papaya Island.