Without a doubt, the Turtle Hermit held high hopes for his disciples, wishing for them to truly inherit his legacy and protect Earth in the future.
Especially Son Goku—he was his most valued pupil.
But now, he had suddenly learned that even Goku would die, something he found hard to accept.
"Lín Xuán, you're not joking, are you?" The Turtle Hermit couldn't help but ask solemnly.
Lín Xuán simply countered, "Do you think there's any point in me joking about this?"
The Turtle Hermit was left speechless.
Indeed, Lín Xuán was negotiating terms with him. If he wasn't certain that Goku would die, why would he ask for Goku's hair as a condition?
After a long silence, the Turtle Hermit finally agreed. "Fine. If you promise to help deal with King Piccolo, I can get you one of Goku's hairs!"
He figured that since he now knew Goku might die, he would do everything in his power to prevent it after returning.
But if, despite his efforts, Goku still met his end, then rather than letting him linger in the afterlife, it might be better for him to come to this world and broaden his horizons!
So, he saw no reason to refuse Lín Xuán's request.
However, Lín Xuán corrected him: "Let me clarify—this isn't about me helping you deal with King Piccolo first and then you giving me Goku's hair. It's about you getting me Goku's hair regardless of whether you can handle King Piccolo or not. After all, I don't know if your plan will actually succeed in sealing him away."
Hearing this, the Turtle Hermit didn't hesitate and nodded. "No problem!"
"That's what you said."
Lín Xuán's lips curled slightly. "Any agreements we make now are bound by contract. If you fail to uphold your end, you should know the consequences."
Seeing his faintly mocking expression, the Turtle Hermit felt a chill in his heart!
He quickly said, "Come on, it's just a strand of hair—why would I go back on my word? I'll get it for you!"
"That's what I like to hear." Lín Xuán nodded in satisfaction.
In truth, the Turtle Hermit's earlier worries about Goku were unnecessary—Goku wouldn't die immediately. Moreover, because of his connection with Lín Xuán, the Turtle Hermit's return could change many things.
That said, Goku had died multiple times in the original Dragon Ball storyline. Lín Xuán's request for a strand of hair was simply preparation for the future—once Goku became a Super Saiyan or something similar, obtaining his DNA or Edo Tensei-ing him would be far more costly.
At this moment, the Turtle Hermit suddenly remembered something Lín Xuán had promised him earlier.
"By the way," he said, "didn't you say that if I trained you, you'd tell me how to defeat King Piccolo?"
Hearing this, Lín Xuán nearly laughed out loud.
The truth was, the method he had in mind for defeating King Piccolo was… doing nothing.
That's right—the Turtle Hermit didn't need to do anything, because Goku would handle Piccolo himself!
Of course, Lín Xuán wasn't about to reveal that.
So, he kept a straight face and said, "Haven't you already come up with a plan yourself?"
The Turtle Hermit, seeing his evasive attitude, twitched his lips in irritation. "That's beside the point! Besides, didn't you say my plan might not work? So of course I'd want your method as a backup! What, are you trying to weasel out of this?"
"Of course not!"
Lín Xuán thought for a moment before replying, "Tell you what—I'll send you back now, and once you're there, I'll tell you the method directly."
The Turtle Hermit was puzzled. "Why wait until I'm back? With Madara and the others, didn't you discuss everything before sending them back?"
"Your situation is a bit different from theirs."
Lín Xuán spoke vaguely. "Let's just say the timing isn't right yet. I promised to tell you how to deal with King Piccolo, and I will. Do you really think I'd go back on my word?"
The Turtle Hermit gave him a look that clearly said, "Yes, I do."
But since Lín Xuán refused to reveal anything in advance, there was nothing he could do.
Just then, Lín Xuán suddenly received a system notification:
"Ding! Detected that the Edo Tensei target Turtle Hermit's soul is being summoned by the forces of his original world. Should interference be initiated?"
Seeing this, Lín Xuán was surprised. "What a coincidence."
He remembered that in the Dragon Ball storyline, after Goku killed King Piccolo (following the Turtle Hermit's death), he went to the Lookout and met Kami, who restored the Dragon Balls.
Then, Goku used Shenron to revive everyone killed by Piccolo.
This system notification likely meant that Shenron had been restored, and Yamcha had made the wish to revive the Turtle Hermit and the others!
Of course, the Turtle Hermit had no way of knowing this. He asked curiously, "What's such a coincidence?"
Lín Xuán shook his head. "Nothing. It's just that I noticed someone in your world is in a hurry to get you back, so I'll send you off now."
Hearing this, the Turtle Hermit immediately protested, "Wait! At least let me say goodbye to my female disciples first! Otherwise, they'll blame me for leaving without a word next time I come!"
To this request, Lín Xuán could only think: Hah, as if. Do I look that easy to persuade?
With that thought, he directly released the Edo Tensei on the Turtle Hermit.
Instantly, the Turtle Hermit's body began crumbling into dust, and his soul quickly separated.
Though unwilling, he could only accept reality, thinking he'd explain things to his female disciples next time.
If Lín Xuán knew what he was thinking, he'd laugh again: Next time? Keep dreaming.
The Turtle Hermit had no idea he'd be revived upon returning. And even if he hadn't been, Lín Xuán had no plans to Edo Tensei this pervy old man back anytime soon—so there wouldn't be a next time!
As soon as Lín Xuán released the Edo Tensei, the Turtle Hermit's soul smoothly returned to Earth in the Dragon Ball world—where Shenron promptly revived him!
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T/N:
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