The helicopter's rotors cut through the warm air as they headed back across the sea. The Dragon Balls had scattered again, their glow fading from memory, but Haruko's focus stayed on the small black case resting in his lap — the one Shenron had materialised for him.
From the outside, it looked harmless, ordinary. Inside… it wasn't.
The flight was almost silent apart from the blades, Goku leaning sleepily against the window while Yamcha kept glancing at the case like it might explode. Oolong muttered to himself in the back, still grumpy about being "recruited" into a travelling circus.
When they landed on Kame House's beach, Master Roshi was waiting in his deck chair, sunglasses hiding his eyes but his head already angled toward the case in Haruko's hands.
"What's that you've brought me?" Roshi asked, pointing the tip of his cane at it.
Haruko stepped closer, setting the unit down on the patio table. "Master… we couldn't bring back Goku's grandpa. He refused—said he's in the spirit world and ready to rest. So… I used the wish for this."
He tapped the sleek metal housing. "This isn't just a machine. It holds ancient historical records, martial arts from around the world, forgotten ki techniques, physical training methods, and scientific blueprints. All from past ages — some things the world's probably never seen."
For a moment, Roshi didn't speak. Then he leaned forward, looking at his own faint reflection in the polished surface. He nodded slowly. "Not a bad idea… in fact, that's better than most people would think to ask for. You may need it more than you know."
As Haruko powered it on, strings of unfamiliar but precise text scrolled on the display. Diagrams flashed briefly — stances, energy pathways, body conditioning charts. It looked less like a normal database and more like a living library.
"Alright," Roshi said suddenly, straightening. "If you want me to start the real training, we begin with my first test."
Goku's eyes lit up. "What is it?"
Roshi stood, resting his palm on top of his cane. "Bring me a woman."
"Eh?" Yamcha's eyebrows shot up. "That's… that's the test?"
"Those are the rules," Roshi said firmly. "If you can't complete a simple errand, you're not ready for my training."
They regrouped outside. "So we're… looking for a random woman?" Oolong asked suspiciously.
Haruko glanced at him. "Pretty much. But we'll find the right one."
The group set out by helicopter again, scanning the coastline towns and inland roads. Mid-afternoon sun bounced off rooftops and car roofs — until Haruko spotted movement down a side lane.
A blonde woman in a headband, duffel bag slung over her shoulder, sprinting down the road. Behind her, two police cars swerved through traffic, sirens wailing.
"That one," Haruko said immediately.
The helicopter touched down ahead of her path, kicking up dust. The woman skidded to a stop for half a second, clearly deciding whether to turn back or push through.
"Goku," Haruko said evenly, "go ask if she wants to come with us."
Goku hopped down, completely unaware of the flashing lights and shouts behind her. "Hey! Do you want to come with us? We've got…"
The woman sneezed — and in that same instant, her entire demeanor shifted. Her eyes narrowed; her grin sharpened. She pulled a small submachine gun from her bag and swung it toward the pursuing police. The street lit up with bursts of gunfire.
Bullets sparked along the pavement, sending officers diving for cover.
Goku stepped forward again, still clueless. "So… is that a yes or a—"
Haruko was already moving. In two quick strides, he closed the gap and struck sharply at a nerve point behind her neck. The gun fell from her hands as her eyes rolled back, and she crumpled into his arms, unconscious.
He lowered her onto the padded bench seat inside the helicopter. "We'll take her to the island. She'll do."
Yamcha gave him a look. "You couldn't just ask?"
"She was about to fire at Goku," Haruko replied flatly. "That answer your question?"
They lifted off again, the city shrinking behind them, police still shouting into their radios on the street far below.
By the time they set down on Kame House's sand again, Master Roshi was leaning on his cane, watching as Haruko lifted the unconscious woman out of the cabin.
"She'll wake up eventually," Haruko said calmly.
Roshi took one long look at her, then smirked faintly. "Yes… she'll do."
They left her inside to rest, the small island house unusually silent save for the gulls. Haruko was about to return to the new computer when Oolong, still leaning on the railing, pointed out over the water.
"Boat," he said simply.
A small speck moved against the glittering blue — the shape of a skiff cutting cleanly toward the island.
The figure inside was bald, moving with quiet precision even as he paddled. The group watched in silence as the craft drew closer, the sea breeze carrying the faint slap of water against wood.
None of them knew yet why he was coming.
But there was curiosity in all their eyes as the boat touched the shore.
Support me on Patreon: Cosmofantasypen34