After all, it took Master Roshi three years to snatch the Ultra Divine Water from Korin. Young Goku, on the other hand, only took three days, but his power level had already surpassed 150 by then.
Yamcha, though unaware of his exact battle power, knew it wasn't on the level of those two. However, compared to a month ago, he had undergone a complete transformation—his strength had grown significantly.
"Your talent is the best I've seen in the past hundred years."
Korin squinted his eyes, wearing his usual "I have high hopes for you" expression, and sighed once again.
"Korin, I've already heard that line at least a hundred times. Over the past century, I'm probably the only one you've seen, right?"
Yamcha took a sip of his sports drink while making a sarcastic remark.
"Is that so? Meow!"
Cough, cough. "When you get old, your memory starts failing, meow."
"Besides, Korin, didn't you just say yesterday that you only recently passed your youth?"
Korin paused for a moment, then stretched out his two fluffy paws as far as he could. Unfortunately, his arms were too short.
"My youth lasts a bit longer."
Yeah, sure.
Snuggling under the blanket, resting his head on the pillow, Yamcha buried himself under the covers and went to sleep.
Another day had passed without managing to snatch the Ultra Divine Water. However, unlike before when he was completely toyed with, he now had the ability to fight back.
Even Korin had to take him seriously. Given this progress, it was only a matter of time before he successfully took the Ultra Divine Water from him.
"Another energy-filled day."
Korin licked his front paws, grooming his fur. When he saw Yamcha waking up, he wiggled his chubby backside and suggested, "How about a little pre-breakfast exercise? Like trying to snatch the Ultra Divine Water within two hours?"
Surprisingly, Yamcha didn't immediately agree. Instead, he shook his head—the first time he had ever refused.
"No, Korin."
Korin lowered his paw, as if sensing something. His squinted eyes stared at Yamcha. "You're acting a little strange today. Could it be…"
Before he could finish his guess, Yamcha spoke first.
"Korin, I think it's time for me to leave."
"Leave? Where are you going?" Korin asked.
"Back to where I came from. I've been here too long."
Korin was indeed a great sparring partner, but that was all he was—a sparring partner. If Yamcha wanted to grow stronger quickly, he needed more than that.
A month. He had already spent a full month training here. He had basically mastered the Afterimage Technique and had gradually learned Korin's movements. Staying any longer would only result in memorizing Korin's evasion techniques to finally seize the Ultra Divine Water.
But that had already strayed from his original goal—becoming stronger.
"You don't want this anymore?"
Korin twirled the Ultra Divine Water on his fingertip but suddenly stopped, as if realizing something. "So, you didn't come here for the Ultra Divine Water, did you?"
Before Yamcha could answer, Korin nodded in understanding, then pointed at the Ultra Divine Water. "You know what this really is, don't you?"
Yamcha didn't respond. He simply took out a bottle of water and shook it. "There's no such thing as Ultra Divine Water in this world—or rather, everything is Ultra Divine Water."
"If you want to get stronger without effort, there's no such thing. There's no free lunch in this world."
"So, you really knew all along." Korin's voice carried no surprise, only a hint of satisfaction.
Although Korin wasn't a true immortal in Yamcha's eyes, he was still an 800-year-old talking cat, possessing abilities that others did not—such as keen perception.
"Well then, hurry up and leave."
After understanding Yamcha's intent, Korin quickly waved him off, looking as if he had been waiting to kick him out all along.
"Before I go, don't you plan to give me something, Korin? After all, it took me a lot of effort to climb up here."
"You took quite a few shortcuts, didn't you?"
Korin had been watching Yamcha climb the tower the entire time. He was referring to the various climbing aids Yamcha had used.
"I still climbed up one step at a time."
"That's true… So, what do you want? Let's hear it."
Flying Nimbus (Gold), Flying Nimbus (Black), Ultra Divine Water…
Korin had quite a collection of valuable items—arguably more than even Kami, who resided above in the Lookout.
"I want the thing you gave me every day."
Yamcha said, revealing the real reason he climbed Korin Tower in the first place.
"Senzu beans?"
Korin raised an eyebrow.
"You actually want those?"
Korin looked at Yamcha with some surprise. In his 800 years of life, this was the first time he had encountered someone who climbed the tower specifically for senzu beans.
Not that it mattered—he had way too many of them. He casually took out a small pouch and tossed it to Yamcha.
"Here, take it."
Yamcha caught it and counted—just over twenty beans.
"Not enough, not enough. I want more."
Senzu beans were rare in the Z era, but right now, Korin had an abundance of them.
"What do you need so many senzu beans for? Meow."
To Korin, senzu beans were merely food. Their powerful healing properties meant nothing to him, as he never got hurt—at least not in this era.
But to Yamcha, these beans were priceless lifesaving treasures.
Yamcha didn't answer. Instead, he pulled out a universal capsule from his waist. With a pop, a massive glass tank—so large it almost filled the entire sanctuary—appeared before them.
Inside, it was packed with various kinds of fish.
In an instant, Korin's eyes were locked onto the tank.
For a moment, it was as if he saw a divine light shining down.
Even though he was a mystical cat, he was still a feline. And cats love fish—it was in their nature.
"This is just a small token of appreciation."
"You brat…"
For the first time, a sharp glint flashed through Korin's squinted eyes!
Yamcha barely registered what was happening before his vision blurred—suddenly, multiple Korins appeared before him. At least ten of them!
Multi-Afterimage Technique.
The next second, Yamcha felt a sharp pain on his head.
Thud!
A wooden staff struck him with pinpoint accuracy.
"Hey! You're asking for a beating!!!"
Korin's voice thundered in his ear, filled with deep resentment.
…Resentment?!
"You're killing me here!!!"
"You had all these fish, and you didn't take them out earlier?!"
"Don't you know that I love fish the most? Meow!!!"
(End of Chapter)