The sea breeze drifted across the shore, lifting a few scattered, tattered newspapers.
Master Roshi sat under the sun umbrella that had somehow survived all the chaos, a copy of Playboy in hand. Yet behind his sunglasses, his eyes weren't on the bikini-clad models in the magazine.
Everyone else was gone.
For the past three years, the Kame House had been the hub of the World Martial Arts Tournament. Those had been the liveliest days of his long life.
He remembered Goku shouting about being hungry, watching Krillin and Yamcha bicker, the constant noise filling the house with life.
Now, Goku was married, Yamcha had moved on, and Tien had found his own path.
Even Krillin, who had always been by his side, had become the world champion and had Bulma.
"Ah…"
Roshi let out a long sigh, feeling the weight of years pressing down on him.
The turtle shell on his back seemed suddenly heavier than ever.
"What's wrong, old man? Why the long face?"
A teasing voice exploded near his ear.
Roshi flinched, dropping the magazine onto the sand.
He looked up sharply and saw Krillin squatting in front of him, grinning from ear to ear.
"Hey! You little rascal! Can't you make a sound when you walk?!"
Roshi picked up the magazine, trying to hide his flustered expression.
"Weren't you supposed to be on your honeymoon with Bulma? Why are you back already?"
"I was going, but then I remembered there's an old, lonely man who has no one to look after him. Thought I'd check in."
Without a word, Krillin plopped down beside Roshi, snatched the sunglasses from his hand, and put them on himself.
"Lonely old man? I've got my turtle and a TV!"
Roshi puffed out his cheeks and glared.
"Shoo! Get out of here! Don't disturb me while I'm reading."
Krillin didn't move. He just stared quietly at the ocean.
"Master Roshi."
"Yes?"
"Come with me to West City."
Roshi froze for a moment, then waved his hand dismissively.
"West City? That's a place for young people. Cars, buildings, polluted air. I've lived on this island for over a hundred years. I can't leave this sea."
"Really not interested?" Krillin's lips curled into a mischievous smile.
"I heard from Bulma that West City recently opened the largest water park on the entire planet."
Roshi's ears twitched, but he tried to maintain his calm.
"What's so special about a water park? There's water everywhere here."
"That's where you're wrong," Krillin whispered into Roshi's ear like a mischievous demon.
"That water park is full of young women in the latest swimsuits. And Bulma, as the heiress of Capsule Corporation, has the ultimate VIP card. That means…"
Krillin deliberately drew out the pause.
"We can go to a private pool area. No outsiders, just endless beautiful attendants, unlimited cold drinks, and adult magazines."
"Most importantly…"
Krillin pulled out a photo from his pocket. It was a specially enhanced "West City Beach view" image he had generated earlier.
"The women there really admire martial artists. Especially someone like you, a respected elder with wisdom and a masterful aura they adore you."
Roshi's eyes widened behind his sunglasses, and two streams of nosebleed betrayed him.
He snatched the photo, trembling.
"Th-these… long legs… pale skin…"
"So… do we go or not?"
Krillin pressed his advantage.
"I even left a villa with a pool next to Bulma's house for you. You can bring your turtle; the water there is far better than this bay."
Roshi swallowed hard, his pride and instincts waging a fierce internal battle.
"Cough, cough!"
After a moment, he coughed seriously, tucked the photo into his robes, and pushed back on the non-existent sunglasses that were still on Krillin's face.
"Since you've been so thoughtful, I can't refuse. After all, I've trained you all these years, and my body does need… some care."
"But!"
Roshi's tone shifted.
"I can't stay there permanently. Kame House is the heart of our school. Someone has to guard it."
"How about a week each month?" Krillin suggested.
"Think of it as a consulting fee for guiding our training."
"One week?"
Roshi rubbed his chin, apparently calculating how many beauties he could admire in that week.
"Deal! But you pay for the travel expenses!"
"Don't worry, with me around, travel is free."
Krillin stood, returned the sunglasses to Roshi, and extended a hand.
"Let's go, Master. Bulma is waiting. Tonight in West City, there's a swimsuit show. If we're late, we'll miss it."
"What?! A swimsuit show?!"
Roshi sprang from his chair in an instant, his movements betraying no sign of his three centuries.
He darted inside, slung the shell marked with the "Turtle" symbol on his back, and grabbed his staff.
"Quick! Krillin! Use that teleportation of yours! Don't dawdle!"
Watching the excited old man, Krillin couldn't help laughing.
This was his master: lecherous, mischievous, but at critical moments, more reliable than anyone.
"Hang on, old man."
Krillin placed one hand on Roshi's shoulder, the other around Bulma, who was nearby, stifling a giggle.
[Ding! Host successfully altered "Master Roshi's lonely later years."]
[Reward acquired: +500 to all attributes.]
[Current stats refreshed:]
Strength: 3500 (MAX – exceeded limit)
Speed: 3500 (MAX – exceeded limit)
Stamina: 3500 (MAX – exceeded limit)
Spirit: 3500 (MAX – exceeded limit)
Charisma: 120
Skill: Instant Transmission (Proficiency: 10%)
"West City, here we come!"
With a thought from Krillin, the three of them vanished instantly from Papaya Island's sunlit shore.
This time, no one was alone.
Far out in the depths of space, several spherical ships streaked across the stars, heading toward this blue planet.
But before that, Earth would enjoy five years of peace, a time for Krillin, Goku, and everyone else to relish their happiness.