"Severe frostbite all over, multiple torn muscles, internal bleeding in several organs, some even failing, heartbeat weakening..."
Korin approached and touched Yamiru's body, immediately sensing the dire situation.
This guy was truly gambling with his life.
Just how determined was he?
Korin sighed. "Foolish child, foolish child! Why suffer like this..."
He fetched a Senzu Bean, flipped over Yamiru's stiff, still slightly twitching body, pried open his mouth, and placed the bean inside. Then, with a tap of his paw on Yamiru's throat—
Gulp. Yamiru instinctively swallowed.
As soon as the Senzu Bean entered his stomach, his injuries vanished instantly. Yet, even so, he did not wake up.
"Too exhausted mentally? Well, let him sleep then."
Korin carried the boy up to the main hall of Korin Tower. Fortunately, despite still being unconscious, Yamiru's breathing was steady, and his heartbeat was strong. He wasn't going to die.
—— Interlude Scene ——
In West City, Tights stretched lazily, twirling a pen between her fingers, unable to decide how to begin writing.
She suddenly remembered what Yamiru had said before leaving... Smiling, she picked up a fresh notebook and opened it.
"The male protagonist will be Yamiru, of course. And the female protagonist—naturally, Tights!"
Giggling, she started writing.
—— End of Scene ——
Yamiru slowly regained consciousness. His first sensation was confusion—he felt like he was floating in the clouds, on the verge of falling.
But soon, he fully woke up and saw the white cat standing before him...
Korin!?
Yamiru shot up, looking at Korin, then dashed out of the hall, gripping the railing and glancing around.
It really was here!
He looked down at his hands—completely healed. He clenched them tightly. His grip seemed stronger... or was it just his imagination?
"Still can't believe you made it?" Korin's voice came from behind.
"Yeah..." Yamiru turned around. "I thought I was dead for sure this time. The fact that I actually climbed up here—it feels like a dream."
Korin chuckled—not exactly warmly, but not coldly either. He had the indifferent, observing demeanor of a cat, watching the world with detached amusement.
"When you clenched your fists just now, were you sensing it?" Korin said. "Now that you've climbed Korin Tower, your strength has already improved."
Yamiru nodded. He hesitated before asking, "But it's strange. Climbing the tower was exhausting, but I've been through similarly grueling training before, and I never experienced such a noticeable improvement..."
For the first time, Korin looked slightly surprised. He scratched his whiskers and smiled. "You're quite perceptive! In all these years, you're the first to ask that question."
Yamiru waited for his answer.
"This tower exists within a magical barrier set by the gods. It indeed makes the environment harsher and the climb more difficult," Korin swayed his tail nonchalantly. "But what truly made you stronger wasn't the external hardship—it was your own willpower overcoming those hardships. It was your heart. Once you achieved that, the magical barrier of Korin Tower no longer affects you. If you don't believe me, climb down and then back up again—it will be far easier this time."
"My heart..." Yamiru murmured.
Korin suddenly burst into laughter and pointed at Yamiru with his staff. "Looks like you've got a good head on your shoulders, kid! Out of everything I just said, that's the one word you focused on? That's right—heart. A martial artist without a strong heart is worthless. No matter how much power they possess, it means nothing. But a martial artist with an extraordinary heart can command any power."
Yamiru felt a little guilty. He was just lucky to have the memories of his past life's knowledge of Dragon Ball—he wouldn't dare claim to have great insight.
"My wounds are completely healed, and I'm not even hungry," Yamiru noted. "Did you give me a Senzu Bean?"
Korin looked surprised. "Strange... Not only do you know about Senzu Beans, but you even know all of their effects?"
Yamiru said, "A few years ago, an old man—I never learned his name—gave me a few to eat..."
He then carefully described the mysterious old man who had guided him to Baozi Mountain.
But Korin just looked puzzled and muttered, "Have I ever met someone like that? As far as I remember, no one has taken Senzu Beans from me in centuries..."
What a shame!
Yamiru's attempt yielded no answers—he still didn't know the identity of that old man.
"In short, I came here to become stronger," Yamiru said solemnly. "Or rather, to find the path that will make me strong. I need your training."
"Your choice of words is quite interesting…"
Korin, ever perceptive, mused, "Training, rather than seeking power. The legends about Korin Tower usually say that 'drinking the Ultra Divine Water granted by the immortal atop the tower will bestow incredible power'. Yet you don't seem to have that intention…"
Yamiru was startled. He had only used that wording because he knew from the manga that the so-called Ultra Divine Water was nothing more than ordinary water, and the real Divine Water was actually poison. He hadn't expected that a casual slip of the tongue would make this cat-like immortal pick up on something…
"Well, it doesn't really matter," Korin said lightly. "You're right, I can train you and help you in your journey… However, this training will be very difficult. Your master is Son Gohan, correct?"
Yamiru nodded.
Korin continued, "Then you must be familiar with Muten Roshi, the Turtle Hermit. Before we begin, I want you to be mentally prepared—when Muten came here and underwent my training, it took him three whole years to pass the trial."
And Son Goku only took three days…
Yamiru took a deep breath, then firmly nodded and said earnestly, "Please train me!"
"There's no need for such formality. To be honest, staying up here on this tower gets pretty boring," Korin chuckled, scratching his whiskers. "Having a fool like you to pass the time with isn't so bad either~"
With that, he pointed his staff toward a kettle perched at the top of the central fountain in Korin's Sanctum. "That is the Ultra Divine Water. If you can take it and drink from it, you will have passed the trial."
Yamiru left an afterimage where he stood.
In an instant, he had leaped toward the kettle, his outstretched hand mere inches away from grasping it—
Thud!
Korin followed right behind him, striking Yamiru on the head with his staff and knocking him down.
"Good, it seems your determination is strong. You're taking this very seriously," Korin said playfully, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "That's how it should be~ Come, show me what you're capable of~"
Yamiru rubbed his aching head as he got back up.
"Injuries don't matter, hunger isn't an issue," Korin said, tapping his staff against the ground. "That's what Senzu Beans are for~ Now, are you ready to spend years up here?"