Chapter 78

They waited up on the roof for an hour, talking about various subjects, until Piccolo and Mr. Popo arrived. Everyone gathered on the beach to say goodbye to Genji.

**Thank you again for letting me stay here. I had a great time.**

"Glad to hear you enjoyed yourself." 18 nodded. She gave him a hug. "Don't go cheating on Marron-chan, okay?"

**Hey!** Genji wiggled out of her arms. **We're not on that level yet!** 18 laughed in good nature.

"It was nice to meet you, Genji." Kuririn beamed as he and Genji shook hands. "You take care of yourself, and come visit us anytime you like."

**I will.** Genji nodded.

Genji then shook Roshi's hand.

"I must admit, you're a good pupil, Genji. My fastest learner yet. Just remember what I taught you the next time you are in a scrape. Okay?"

Genji nodded, keeping his thoughts to himself as Cell laughed at him.

How is memorizing his grocery list supposed to help me when I get in another fight with Arangami?

"Well, we'll be going now." Piccolo announced as Genji sat on the carpet. Marron quickly gave the boy a kiss goodbye.

"Don't forget to write me, okay?"

**I won't. See ya later, Marron.**

Then, the carpet rose into the air. Genji waved down to the beach as the carpet zoomed towards the eastern horizon. Soon, they were nothing but another star in the night sky.

Marron sighed happily at where the carpet disappeared.

Genji-kun…what a guy…

/|\

Genji leaned back on his elbows with a happy sigh.

**Overall, it was nice.**

"Genji…" Piccolo looked at the boy as he sat down cross-legged.

The boy looked at him.

**Piccolo-san?**

"Are you ready for what may await you at the Emishi village?"

Genji pulled his mask and shroud over his eyes, and held up two prepared fists.

**I am ready! I'm going to be cured and I'm going straight home afterward!**

"Genji, we don't know for sure if you'll be cured by the wise woman. She may not be as powerful as the demon, so don't be too hopeful."

Genji nodded.

**So, I just prepare for the worst and hope for the best?**

"That's right."

**But the wise woman is my last hope! I can't…**

"Then be prepared for failure."

Genji hung his head.

**You are very negative about everything, Piccolo-san…**

He was ignored.

"Get some sleep, Genji. We arrive at the village in the morning."

Genji nodded, and lay fully down on his back, covered himself with the fur shroud, and shut his eyes.

Finally…I will be cured by tomorrow…

/|\

It felt like no time when Genji was shaken awake.

"Genji…" Piccolo called softly. "It's time to get up. We've arrived."

Genji opened his eyes and sat up. The late morning sun beat down on him from above. Birds chirped and cicadas buzzed from the trees around them. Genji looked around and found that the carpet was hovering over what looked like a small parking lot in the woods. He could see cars and motorcycles with Chinese plates parked along a stone fence wall. He was quick to see the Capsule shipping truck with Japanese plates.

**Are we in China?**

"Yes." Piccolo nodded. "We just arrived in Emishi territory."

Genji noticed a white street sign written in red Chinese characters next to them. He pointed at it.

**What does that say, Piccolo-san?**

"It reads 'No motor vehicles of any kind beyond this point. Violators will be punished under Imperial law and will pay at least one million zeni in fines and five years in jail.' "

**Yikes!** Genji bit his lip. **That's harsh… It's treated like a federal law…**

"It is a federal law." Piccolo explained, stepping off the carpet. "The Chinese Emperor is very fond of the Emishi and he respects all their wishes. The Emishi hate anything that disturbs their forest. They won't even let airplanes fly over their land." He smiled. "It's nice to see them in power of someone who won't kick them around for a change."

**So, where do we go now that we're here?**

"To the village." Piccolo directed, pointing past the stone wall. He then turned and bowed to Popo as Genji got off the carpet. "Thank you again. That is all for now."

"Of course, Kami-sama." Popo smiled. Then, he flew off on the carpet into the sky.

Genji jumped onto the wall for a look on the other side. A road was dug five feet into the ground and was lined by more stone walls. Genji recognized it from his lessons: a hidden Emishi path. The village was just down this road!

Piccolo jumped over the wall and landed on the road. He looked up at Genji.

"The village is just straight ahead." Piccolo directed. "Let's go." He turned away and started walking. Genji stood up straight and took a deep breath of victory.

At last…it felt like forever…but I'm finally here! I'm in the Chinese province…just a small distance from the Emishi village! I'm going to be cured…then I'm going to fly back home…but right now, I want to see my friends!

Genji leaped from the wall, and broke into a run the moment his feet touched the ground. He ran past Piccolo, kicking up a strong gust that blew the Namek's cape over his head. Piccolo sighed before grabbing the white cloth and tossing it back over his shoulder.

"Kids. Can't get there fast enough…"