At the top of Korin Tower, Krillin was completely numb after watching Goku's ridiculous showboating.
"When did that guy get this strong? At this rate, I'm definitely going to lose the next World Martial Arts Tournament…"
Then he saw Bulma leaning against Goku's shoulder, and a sour ache rose in his chest.
Krillin clenched his fist and thought bitterly:
"Goku's already handsome—girls would like him even without strength. But I'm different. If I want to attract girls, I need status. The only thing I can do is work harder. That's it."
His resolve hardened again.
He looked at Korin and asked, "Korin-sama… how can I surpass Goku?"
Korin sized him up and said calmly, "If you stay like this, you'll never surpass him—not in this lifetime."
Krillin jolted.
"Why?"
Korin replied, "You can't read your opponent's movements at all. You either throw out your techniques on your own rhythm, or you react passively and chase your opponent's pace. In short—your wasted movements are far too many. If you don't change that, you'll never snatch the Ultra Divine Water, and you'll never catch up to Son Goku."
Krillin's eyes sharpened.
He recalled every exchange he'd had with Korin over these past days.
Korin had said this more than once.
But Krillin hadn't truly understood it.
Until just now—watching Goku fight.
When Krillin compared Goku's movements to his own…
something clicked.
"So what you mean is… when I attack, I need to predict how the opponent will dodge… where they'll dodge to…"
Korin looked surprised.
"Oh? Not bad. You've got talent—one hint and you understand."
Krillin's lips curled.
"Of course. I did win a World Martial Arts Tournament once… even if luck helped a bit."
Korin examined him seriously and said, "If you work hard enough… there's a small chance you could beat him."
"Yeah?" Krillin's eyes lit up. "Then I'll work even harder!"
He raised his stance again.
"I've decided—starting now, I'm increasing my training! Korin-sama!"
Down below, while Goku and the others continued eating, Goku glanced up at Korin Tower and naturally thought about Senzu Beans.
Those things weren't just a single bean that could keep you full for ten days—the real value was healing injuries and restoring stamina.
They were practically made for Saiyans.
Unfortunately, in the later days, that glutton Yajirobe wasted too many, and fights almost ended in disaster because of shortages…
Now, Goku's past-life hoarder instincts were quietly kicking in. He wanted to get a jar of Senzu Beans from Korin and stockpile them for the future.
This was the perfect timing.
Korin had been saving them for years—at least two small jars' worth.
And he was a cat. His consumption was low. His stock would only keep growing…
Goku made up an excuse.
"Bulma, Krillin should be up there. I want to climb Korin Tower and catch up with him."
Bulma looked up at the tower piercing the clouds, curiosity rising.
"He's training up there?"
Goku nodded. "We talked before. I suggested he climb Korin Tower. If he took my advice, he should be up there right now."
Upa, listening, immediately asked, "This Krillin… is he bald?"
Goku and Bulma both looked at him.
Bulma answered instantly, "Yeah. Bald, and he doesn't even have a nose. You've met him?"
Upa nodded. "Mm. Dad and I met him. He climbed Korin Tower a month ago and still hasn't come down. Back then, Dad and I prepared food and water for him."
Upa's father looked surprised too.
"What a coincidence. So you two are companions. To be honest… Korin Tower hasn't been climbed for hundreds of years. That little bald guy isn't tall, but he managed it—he's impressive."
Bulma blinked. "Hundreds of years? Is Korin Tower really that tall?"
Upa's father nodded. "Yes. Our ancestors tried. When I was young, I tried too. With my strength, I couldn't reach the top at all… So when I heard that little bald boy made it, I was shocked."
Bulma thought for a moment. In her eyes, Krillin climbing it wasn't that unbelievable.
After all, she'd lived this long and only recently learned there were monsters like Goku in the world.
They were probably the same kind of people—normal logic didn't apply.
She stared up at the tower again.
"Goku… can you take me up too? I want to see it myself!"
She expected him to refuse.
But Goku agreed without hesitation.
"Sure. But you'd better hold on tight."
Bulma beamed. "Goku, you're the best!"
She climbed onto his back.
Then she paused, feeling something subtly different, and gasped in surprise.
"Wait—Goku… you got taller again!"
Goku smiled lightly.
"I'm still growing. With how much I eat every meal, it'd be weird if I didn't get taller."
Bulma giggled.
"True."
Once they were ready, Goku waved at Upa and his father.
"Uncle, Upa—see you up there!"
Upa and his father couldn't believe what they were seeing—Goku was about to climb the tower carrying someone.
Upa's father warned him, "Korin Tower is an extremely difficult challenge. Climbing it alone is hard enough… are you sure you want to do it while carrying her?"
Goku nodded. "Don't worry, Uncle. I've got this."
Bulma also patted Goku's shoulder confidently and said to Upa's father,
"Relax. I trust Goku's strength. And even if he runs out of stamina, I can climb myself. This young lady is strong too, you know!"
Seeing how confident they both were, Upa's father nodded.
"Then I wish you success. Goodbye!"
"Thanks!"
Goku bounced Bulma slightly on his back—then sprinted straight up the tower like a rocket.
He was so fast he left afterimages behind.
In a blink, they disappeared from the father and son's view.
Upa shouted, "Dad! He's climbing so fast!"
Upa's father nodded slowly, stunned.
"Yeah… that kid is carrying a person, and he's still moving faster than I can run on flat ground. He's definitely not normal."
Up on the tower, Korin saw it—and the cat practically froze.
"…Is that guy a monster? Carrying someone up the tower, and he's still that fast?!"
Krillin swallowed hard.
"Goku… how is he this ridiculous…?"
And seeing even Korin's shock, Krillin's newly strengthened resolve wavered for a moment.
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