Goku had been climbing Korin's Tower for already half a day and was just barely able to see the underside of the tower's top. His hands had multiple blisters from the speed at which he was going, his back was aching, along with his legs, and he had a pain that was beginning to grow at the base of his spine where his tail was. 'Shit! I'm close…! ' he thought while tiredly beginning to quicken his pace. He just hoped that the adrenaline would remain in effect before fatigue completely overtook him.

Chi-Chi was lying on her side in Bora and Upa's hut after a long day of training. She was trying to force herself to sleep by keeping her eyes closed, but she was still wide awake, unable to sleep with the thought that Goku may still either be completely awake right now or asleep with the chance to fall to his death.

She thought of his reassuring smile and sighed. All she could do now was say her prayers, which she went right to do. After she had done so, she felt much more relaxed and less on edge, allowing herself to be lulled into a state of deep sleep.

15 minutes had passed since Goku's adrenaline boost and he was now able to see a ladder leading into the tower.

"I made it!" he exclaimed, quickening his pace. He reached the ladder, latching on and climbing up, lying back first on the cold, hard surface of the floor. He was far too tired to move to check if anyone was around, so he simply allowed himself to fall asleep. He would get the sacred water in the morning.

Hiding in the shadows was a short, feline-like figure holding a staff, one arm behind his back. His impressed smile was concealed within the darkness, but he said aloud, "He really did it… and in record time, too!" he took note of the boy's snoring and said quieter, "Much quicker than his master, too… This boy is sure an anomaly…"

Goku awoke the next morning and felt a lot less sore, slowly opening his eyes as he took in his surroundings. 'That's right,' he thought, sitting up quickly. 'I made it to the top of the tower!'

Looking to his left, he saw a white cat with his eyes clothes, holding a staff in one hand and a green bean in the other.

Attempting to put two and two together, Goku asked, "Are you Korin?" to which the cat responded with a nod.

"You know," he said, tossing Goku the bean, which he caught in one hand, examining it closely, "You're much brighter than you look," he finished. A vein twitched on the side of Goku's forehead. "Oh, and if you want to regain your strength, I suggest you eat that bean."

Raising an eyebrow, Goku decided not to question the master of the tower he had climbed with so much effort and threw the bean into his mouth. Chewing and swallowing the bean, power coursed through Goku's veins, his muscles bulging slightly bigger than they had been before, the soreness vanishing completely. 'His power just went up quite a bit,' Korin thought with a sweat drop going down his face.

Jumping up onto his feet, Goku felt his appetite completely vanish. "What was that? I feel much better than before, and I'm not hungry anymore!" he exclaimed with a bewildered expression as he felt out his renewed strength, clenching and unclenching his fists.

"That was a Senzu Bean. It restores a person's physical health, healing any injuries, soreness and settles one's appetite for ten whole days." Korin explained. "And I know what you're here for," he said, pointing his staff in the direction of a pedestal with a bowl of water on it. "The Ultra Divine Water, am I correct?"

Goku looked with wide eyes, "So it isn't a myth?" he asked, receiving a shake of the head from Korin. "Well, if you don't mind-," he said, walking towards the water before getting struck in the face by Korin's staff, sending him back so far that he fell off the tower.

"It isn't that easy!" he yelled from the edge of the tower Goku had fallen off of.

With an angry expression, Goku halted his fall and flew back upwards, a light blue aura surrounding him. He touched down back on the surface of the tower, and right as his feet touched the ground he headed straight for the water at great speeds. Korin phased right in front of him and swung his staff at the boy once again. This time, Goku was ready, spinning around 360°, wrapping his tail around the staff and swinging Korin behind him.

Seeing an open opportunity, he leaped for the divine water, looking quickly behind him to see Korin…

'Not there?' he thought as he looked back forwards but instead of the pedestal with water on top, Korin stood, a staff swinging directly for Goku's head. Instinctively, he ducked to avoid getting hit and went to maneuver around the cat, but his movements were easily followed with speed unmatched leading him to get kicked square in the gut, causing him to skid across the floor several feet away.

"You know kid, you're actually really good," Korin began. "Your Master, Roshi, took 3 years to climb the tower and obtain the water from me. But, here you are, having climbed the tower in less than a full day and you've pushed me to my limit," Korin mused.

Goku looked at Korin with a serious expression, wondering if he was being patronized or lectured. It didn't matter who or when the water was obtained, all that he knew was that he would be the next to do so. He set himself into the Turtle Hermit stance; now it was time to get serious.

"There is one major skill you lack, however; the ability to think less while doing more." Upon seeing the confused look on Goku's face, Korin elaborated. "You are taking too much time to think before performing any actions, and your body language is easily readable as are your movements," seeing the same expression, the cat continued. "You see, most experienced martial artists have practiced and come close to mastering the art of moving instinctively. One thing all masters will tell you is that through years of attained experience, their bodies begin to move on their own, which facilitates movement in combat." Stopping briefly to see if the boy understood, Korin continued.

Move without thinking, huh? Goku thought, as he stood up straight, closing his eyes in an attempt to focus. Inhaling deeply, Goku allowed his muscles to relax, and as he exhaled, he allowed his mind to clear up. Crouching once again into his battle stance, Goku could feel his body being far less tense and his target to be seen more clearly, sensory-wise and visually.

"You must allow your actions to be indistinct, as to prevent your opponent from getting the edge over you. Once you have mastered that, you will surely be an unbeatable adversary."

"Got it!" Goku said with vigor, ready to spring back into action.

Korin sweatdropped. 'I wonder how long I'll be able to hold him off…'

Chi-Chi was in the lotus position, mimicking that of her temporary master next to her, attempting to do her best in reaching the depths of her ki reserves. She had a glowing red aura around her flaring wildly and a focused expression on her face.

"Good, just continue doing that. Your power is steadily increasing, I can just feel it." This girl sure is a quick learner. To master ki control in one day and have already doubled her power, she is quite incredible. "Alright, stand up, we're going to spar," Bora said, getting up, as did Chi-Chi. "But there's a catch; you'll be fighting me with your eyes closed," Bora said waving a finger at her.

"But, how's that going to be possible? I can't see you!" she exclaimed, stating the obvious.

Bora chuckled. "In this world, you are going to learn that you mustn't simply rely on your five primary senses, but others as well. You've already mastered ki control, so all you must do now is feel ki signatures and read them. If you're impaired in the eyes, you can easily use your other senses such as hearing and touch, which are sure to make this easier for you." he explained.

"Read ki signatures, huh?" Chi-Chi inquired, closing her eyes. As she did, in her mind, all she saw was darkness, the only light being her red aura. She then focused harder and found that several other lights were appearing around her. That must be the nature around us, she thought, recognizing the glowing white figures of trees and flowers. She then noticed that right in front of her, where her master had been, his form had taken the color yellow, and his ki had shone quite brightly.

'I think she's got it.' Bora thought. 'Time to begin.' Bora leaped at Chi-Chi, drawing back his fist to aim for her face. Right as he was about to make contact, however, Chi-Chi screamed, ducked down and covered her head, causing him to garner a confused expression and trip over the terrified girl, face-first into the ground.

"Uh, sorry, sensei. Force of habit." she apologized, scratching the back of her head. "I really don't have all that much combat experience, so I just acted on impulse."

Bora got up, dusting himself off. "It's fine, we'll just have to work on that. Not everyone is a born fighter like Son-Kun and others." He then settled in a stance, telling her to redo her actions from before. This day may be longer than Korin's Tower is tall, he thought.

Korin was panting heavily, leaning on his staff for support. He and Goku had been going at it for ten hours and he was looking worse for wear. To add onto this, the sun had begun to set, the orange sky providing a beautiful backdrop for the boy in the blue gi as he stood tall, still in a well-kept stance.

Goku, however, looked perfectly fine. Apart from the beastly growling in his stomach that had been irritating him for some time now, he wasn't sweating too much, nor was he tired at all. He could go for a whole 24 more hours if he really wanted to. Strategically, he saw how good of a position he was in. All he had to do was stall out Korin's stamina and he'd be straight.

Taking a good look at the cat, however, he knew that taking a break was the right thing to do. Taking advantage of a tired and stressed opponent did not suit his pride well. Sitting down, he assumed a meditative position and took off his sack. He then folded his arms over his chest, looking Korin directly in the eyes. Korin looked back at him confused as to why he was relenting his assault.

"Let's take a break," the boy said. "I'm starving, and you're tired. I wouldn't want to go against a tired opponent," he said smiling.

"I can't tell if you're mocking or helping me by saying that," Korin chuckled.

"I mean, I have to beat you at your best for it to count, right?" Goku said snickering. Korin smiled. Just as he thought, the kid was noble and had a sense of humor.

It was now dark and Goku had long ago allowed sleep to conquer his appetite, but he awoke to his growling stomach.

Groaning, he stood up and made his way to the stand that held the Ultra Divine Water. He gazed at it with a thoughtful expression. A few seconds passed before he made his way back to his sleeping spot and allowed himself to fall asleep once again.

With one eye open, Korin had watched the scene that played out with delight. 'You really are a good kid…' he thought, smiling. 'Maybe tomorrow's the day…'

Goku stretched his muscles preparing for another attempt at obtaining the Ultra Divine Water. He had been holding back before as to not hurt Korrin too much, but now he was going to get it for sure.

"Going for another attempt, eh?" the elderly cat asked Goku.

"Fuck the talking, let's just get to my drink!" Goku stated, punching the air for emphasis, causing a pressurized blast of wind to Korin back a bit. He's serious today...

"Alright, then. Let's begin." With that, Goku phased out of sight and appeared right behind Korin, striking his neck with a chop that knocked him out instantly.

"Forgive me, but that was the only other way to get past you," he said as he walked towards the bowl of water that sat on the pedestal. Picking it up, he drank it thirstily, sighing with a refreshed look.

Not feeling any difference after drinking it, he wondered if he had gotten any stronger. "I don't feel different," Goku said, scanning over his body for any alterations.

"That's because," Korin began, standing up, "it's regular water," he said, standing up completely, smiling.

"Huh?!" Goku said, a shocked look on his face. "But what about the strength that I was supposed to gain from drinking it?" he exclaimed, slowly becoming angrier.

"The strength did not come in the form of the water, but all the events that led up to it. You not only grew stronger physically by climbing the tower and making all those attempts to match my speed but mentally you learned that there are some points where holding back only serves to be a hindrance to you and those around you," he explained.

Goku looked confused at first, but his expression altered as he came to a better understanding of what all this really meant. Accepting it as a fruitful endeavor, he thanked Korin for the experience and made for a leap off of the tower.

"Wait, Goku," he said, halting the boy. "What is it?" he asked

"In place of the water, I'll give you an even better gift," he began, reaching into a rather large pot. When he pulled his paw out, he held a handful of Senzu Beans in it, 10 or 11, if Goku counted correctly. "I'd like you to have these. You already know what they're used for, so I suggest you use them rationally," he said, putting them in a sachet and tying it up for him.

Goku gladly accepted the parting gift. "Thank you, Master Korin, I'll be sure to use these wisely and take your training to heart!" he said, bowing with respect. Korin tilted his head in acknowledgment and watched as the boy leaped off the tower and made his descent.

You're going to do great things for this world. I'm sure of it, Goku.

Goku was surrounded by a bluish-white aura, soaring down to the ground at immense speeds, feeling far faster than when he had first climbed the tower. Within seconds, he had reached the base of the tower, touching down as his aura quickly dissipated.

As he stood amongst the various huts, he looked for a certain black haired girl. Seeing no one within eyesight, he began to turn around before being met with a small fist which he quickly blocked with one finger. Grinning, he looked at his crush. "Did you miss me?" he asked.

Chi-Chi grinned back widely at the boy. "Did I?!" she exclaimed, bringing him into a hug that he returned with a chuckle.

"How was your training," he asked as they ended their hug. She pouted at him and gave him a feigned angry look.

"It was going great, but clearly yours was better since I couldn't hit you." Goku laughed at her expression and scratched the back of his head.

"I don't think it was better I just think I'm better," he said, smirking at her.

"Jerk," she said under her breath, causing the boy to snicker. "Where's your master, by the way?" he asked, looking for the tanned tower of a man.

"Right behind you," Bora said, smiling at the boy. Looking him up and down, he grinned knowingly with his hands on his hips. "So you actually reached the top of the tower?" he stated rather than asked. Goku smiled at him, "Yup," he said.

Suddenly, their conversation was cut short as the three fighters took on serious looks and raised a hand behind them, each catching a bullet that was meant to strike the back of their heads. They each crushed their catches and allow the ground particles to fall from their open hands.

"Who goes there?" Bora asked cautiously yet angrily. How dare someone attempt to invade his home twice in the same week.

Gulping nervously, one of the perpetrators stepped out from behind the tree he was hiding. He released the firearm from his grip, allowing the rifle to land on the ground as he put his hands up in surrender. He wore a camouflage soldier's outfit with black gloves and boots, a red armband around his forearm with two white letter "R"'s on it.

"Fool!" someone whispered quite loudly near the man.

"Come out, all three of you," Bora said. As he did so, two men who looked identical to the vulnerable one jumped out of the bushes with assault rifles pointed and ready to fire at them.

Goku held up two fingers which began glowing yellow, intricately pointing them at the guns and firing off miniature ki blasts, destroying them into bits within an instant. "Now you're unarmed," he said with a scowl. The soldiers now all stepped forward, their arms held up as they trembled with fear. "Now, EXPLAIN yourselves! WHO are you?!" Bora shouted, pointing a newly made spear at one of the soldier's necks. He looked at the insignia they all had on their left arms. "You're with him aren't you?" Bora asked, pointing his head in the direction of the man who had tried to attack his family before the corpse. The soldiers' eyes followed where he was pointing and they saw the pink gi-wearing man.

"You killed Tao?! How?!" One of the soldiers exclaimed, his face losing color. The others mimicked his actions and paled as well.

"Like this," Goku stated, his fist glowing its infamous light blue hue as he punched the first soldier in the gut, causing his fist to tear through the man's body. Goku pulled his bloodied fist from out of the man's gut and allowed the body to fall to the ground.

"Now…" Goku began, "you're going to tell us who you are and what you're here for." He glared at the men with a cold gaze, causing them to tremble in their boots; literally. Chi-Chi looked at her crush with the same expression she had when he killed Tao. 'His mood changes completely when it involves a clear enemy,' she thought. Hopefully, this was only a habit that displayed against the foe and not friends. 'Don't worry Chi, I'm in complete control.' Goku's voice invaded Chi-Chi's mind as she looked at his back with a stunned expression. He turned his head to give her a calming look. She melted at the sight of his signature Son Goku grin. Steeling herself, she put herself in a guarded stance.

"We shall only knock you unconscious if you comply with our requests. If you fail to oblige, my friend here shall do much more than I can control," he said, implying the evisceration that would undergo should they decline.

Gulping, one of the soldiers began quickly explaining who they were and where they came from. He explained that they were affiliated with a militia called the Red Ribbon Army and that they were sent to retrieve the Dragon Balls by their general, who was instructed by head Commander Red. When asked what the wish was, they were unable to respond because said information was disclosed to only the boss.

As they were given the location of the base, Goku swiftly knocked the two men out with a chop to their necks, as he sought to tear down the army single-handedly. The fear they could cause would bring about more terror to other innocent villages should he allow them to continue their reign of tyranny.

"Do what you want with them Bora, I'm going to take them down once and for all," Goku said determinedly. Bora nodded to him and slung the bodies over his shoulder, giving the boy a thumbs up as he walked away.

"I thank you for your help, Son-Kun. You have done much for this village. You and Chi-Chi are welcome to visit anytime. Speaking of," he began, dropping the bodies to the ground for a moment as he walked towards Chi-Chi. "Your training was very fruitful, and for the both of us," he began. He ran to his hut and exited quickly with a cheongsam dress in his hands. "I had my wife knit this for you, as a sign of your training under me," he said, holding it out for Chi-Chi to grab.

It was a beautiful black, red-trimmed dress, similar to the one she wore. The difference was that this had very intricate triangular designs at the base and a wide circle on the back that had the kanji for her name.

Chi-Chi grinned, hugging and thanking the man for his gift, folding it neatly for Goku to put in his bag. Chi-Chi then gained a thoughtful expression and unstrapped her ax from her back. Walking forwards, she handed the golden weapon to Upa, saying, "Take this. Then you'll be able to defend yourself if someone like the Red Ribbon comes by again!"

Upa gladly accepted the weapon and thanked the girl, straining to weave the weapon. Chi-Chi smiled at the boy before turning to her crush.

Her demeanor immediately changed upon seeing the serious expression on Goku's face. It unnerved her. Chi-Chi stepped forward, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm coming with you!" she exclaimed with a hard gaze. Goku was about to make an attempt to decline, as he wouldn't want to risk putting her in danger, but the look she gave showed that she was going to remain tenacious about this.

"Fine," he said, a sigh escaping his lips. "But don't put yourself in danger and stay within my sight," he said seriously. Chi-Chi grinned saying "I know," as she motioned for him to begin flying.

"You're not getting on?" he asked, pointing to his back.

Chi-Chi responded by jumping several feet in the air and floating.

Grinning, Goku said, "Well, that settles it."

The two said their goodbyes, the villagers all going outside to thank them and wish them luck. The two surrounded themselves in their respective auras and blasted off in the direction of the Red Ribbon Army base.

Power Level Listings:

Goku: 201 (Post-Training + Minor Zenkai)

Chi-Chi: 65

Korin: 190

Bora: 55

Soldier(s):