Chapter 12: Morality

An hour had passed since Team Four had left the gates of Konoha, and they were currently on the road to reach Taki no Kuni. According to Yugao's map and memory, they should reach the area Taki no Kuni on their second, third or fourth day, depending on their speed, and reach the actual city one day later.

The ANBU converted jonin was currently conversing with Bulma. The women were discussing trivial things such as endeavors, Bulma's reason for coming to Hi no Kuni, the technology in Capsule Corp and etc. The two ladies then reached a conclusion in their conversation.

Goku had decided to take this time to get to know his client.

"So why would you leave the city to come to us? It's not safe or secure out here," Goku questioned, just a normal thought. He knew there had to be some ulterior motive behind this, but what could it be? And plus, he was bored out of his mind...which was why he tossed his Dragon Ball up and down.

Up and down.

"Oh, I was around here looking for a Dragon Ball, which is this orange sphere looking thing that has stars on it. I even have a radar to find th-"

She paused, her eye catching the orange orb that the soon to be thirteen year-old she was talking to possessed. She already had two of them, four of them were collected in a concentrated area near the RR, and this genin had one too?

It was with him all this time?! That would explain why she never could get pinpoint location on it, the boy was always moving!

"Can I get that orb you have in your possession?" Bulma asked, a bit pleadingly. "I need to make a wish that's personal to me, and it's important!"

"What?!" Goku started, not ready to give up his Dragon Ball. "I can't! I made a promise to Upa that I would wish his family back with em', and I can't back out of that promise. I'm sorry, but I intend to keep my word."

"Damnit," The genius muttered to herself, her plea not having any effect on the Saiyan. Then, she looked at the boy walking next to her still tossing the Dragon Ball, and noticed how muscularly sound he was for his age. Not trying to be a pedophile or anything of those sorts, she figured out the perfect bargain for him.

"Wait, what if I made you something to help you train at home?"

That one was very tempting to Goku, because he wanted to grow as strong as possible as soon as possible. However, if it meant not reviving Upa's family then he'd have to refuse. Although, what if the boy wasn't alive right now? Or what if he wasn't powerful enough to take back the Dragon Balls from the RR yet?

Or what if the Dragon couldn't even grant that wish?

There were too many what-ifs and not enough answers to those what-ifs. The point was that he needed to get much stronger, and fast. That would be the only way to successfully get the Dragon Balls, and if he had to track down the Dragon Balls for a second time then so be it. He would accept this deal and push himself even further beyond, so that he could collect them all once again when he did depart.

"Fine," Goku relented with a sigh. "But this training machine thingy has to be great, or else I'm coming back for those Dragon Balls. How soon can you make it for me?"

"I should have it mailed to the gates of Konoha in a Capsule Corp package before the annual Chunin Exams. That should be enough time to make it," the genius stated, smiling gleefully at receiving the three star ball that Goku had tossed.

She was one-step closer to her perfect boyfriend after all this time!

"Heh, I'll hold you to it then," Goku stated with a smirk. "Just remember: it better be good."

Comfortable silence filled the air after his words, and they continued to walk until Bulma summoned a two-seated mo-pad that had came from a Dynocap. This astonished Yugao due to seeing the sheer technology she had at her disposal. All the capsules had seals on them written in 'Kanji' format, showing the integration of fuinjutsu into technology to create them. What was next, a shinobi gauntlet? Scientific ninja tools?

Thank Kami Mirai Toshi is supposedly the civilian capital of the world. Shinobi life happened to be foreign and unconstitutional over there.

Seeing that it had two seats, Goku took the offer to ride behind Bulma, and surprisingly fall fast sleep, snoring all the same.

And then the group moved on at a much quicker pace than before, Yugao slightly perturbed at the fact that she could not bring herself to take it easy...for once. Goku did not care one bit about the shinobi code, she cared too much.

-The Next Day-

After just over an hour of cruising, the group noticed that a young man was walking down the path going straight towards them. He gave a wave to the group walking, but seemed to pay special attention to Bulma. His eyes were focused on the heiress, which Yugao took notice of and immediately readied a kunai.

When the group finally passed the man, he made a signal with his hands. At that moment, twenty-five more men jumped out of the forest, each holding axes, torched pick-forks, or spiky baseball bats. And then, all of the pathetic men charged at the traveling group.

"Ah!" Bulma gasped in surprise, almost falling off the mo-pad in shock. As if on cue, the woman was shielded by the two shinobi.

"Stay calm: we'll handle this." Yugao informed her as she tossed one of her kunai knives. It landed directly in the temple of one of the bandits, killing him instantly.

"Goku, defend our client by any means necessary."

The genin nodded and immediately went to work.

The Saiyan charged at all of the incoming bandits, the men not even seeing a blur, but rather a few afterimages. Before they could even see anything else, black overcame all of them in seconds of flawless succession. The Saiyan had held back severely, knocking them all out with well placed chops to their necks within a few seconds.

The remaining bandits were handled by Yugao, who killed them all instantly with single, individual blows to the head. The young man who signaled for the attack was the only one not unconscious or dead.

"Y-You shinobi are so cocky!" The man blurted out in a mix of anger and fear. "Just you wait, my r-remaining men will f-find you and kill you all with explosives!"

"Thanks for the warning," The purple-haired jonin said. The sensei of Team Four immediately launched a shuriken at the man's head, killing him instantly.

"...I-is it safe?" Bulma mumbled nervously, still in shock from the attack.

"Yes, for the moment. Unfortunately, the guy said there were more bandits lurking around." Yugao noted, and then she turned to Goku. "Do you think you can sense them out?"

Goku focused his synergy with the living world around him, finding three bandits hiding in trees less than 400 meters away. "Found them."

"If you can, kill them for me," the woman said, ordering her pupil to carry it out for a specific reason.

The Saiyan in question raised an eyebrow. "Kill them? Why?"

"I gave you a direct order," was the cold response. "Did you not kill the other bandits?"

"No I didn't," Son Goku responded, eyes narrowing at no one in particular. "They're no threat to us anymore."

"Goku! They're enemies of Konoha and threats to the village as a whole, we are obligated to protect our home and complete all missions. If you cannot do that, you are not eligible to be a shinobi-"

"I never said I was a shinobi! I'm a martial artist, and as such I only fight to better myself. I don't wanna kill anyone if I can help it."

And then, one of the twenty bandits that Goku registered "harmless" began to fidget. Seeing this, Yugao tossed an explosive tagged kunai into the center of the pile, turning them all into ashes a few moments later.

"What if they went on to strike you when your back was turned? Or kill one of your precious people?"

"That wouldn't happen if I was strong enough to stop it."

"Not everyone deserves to live, Goku. Sometimes its either you or them, no in between."

"Nobody deserves to die without a chance to be better," the boy responded offhandedly. "I was given a second chance..."

Indeed he was. How could she forget about the Great Ape incident from nearly six years ago? Goku was spared.

"I wish you were right, but typically we don't have a choice in the matter. As a member of the shinobi ranks, whether you accept it or not you will be put in these positions. Until you can overcome our way of life and be more than a weapon, you are bound to these principles."

"If that's what it takes, then I'll do it!" The boy sounded off, his spirit pouring out. "I'll just get strong enough to surpass those principles and be who I am. I believe we all can be better than what we were yesterday, killing shouldn't be necessary to live."

"I see," Yugao started with a sigh, using her hands to create a Kage Bunshin to end the lives of the other bandits. "For your sake, I hope you do. I hope you succeed."

"Thank you both so much, I was worried for a moment back there!" Bulma informed them gratefully, breaking the silence before it could begin.

-The Next Three Days-

Three more days passed by. They had finally reached the area of Taki no Kuni, but the mission was far from finished. The trio continued to travel on the road. Their journey didn't end until they reached a giant metal gate that happened to be located inside a mountain that went straight through the back of it into a large technological city known as Mirai Toshi. And the problem was that it required them going around numerous large mountains just to get to that point.

Talk about refuge away from the dangerous shinobi world. It was almost like the city of Wakanda from another outer-verse.

"We're finally in Taki no Kuni," Yugao told the other two with an undertone of excitement.

"Yes, we're almost there!" Goku said, exasperated by how boring the trip was while he was napping on the mo-pad. "It felt like it took forever to finally get here!"

And then a yellow streak of lightning impacted the Saiyan's senses, making him perk up from his position on the bike and look toward an unknown location.

"Looks like we have some company," Goku stated, his instincts picking up on a peculiarly strong energy presence nearby. He grinned, thrilled to see a potential fight come towards him so he could test out his abilities, even if said competition was out to kill them. "He's strong, stronger than most."

Hiding in the shrubbery and masking his energy, ready to ambush his opposition, was a man in a dark robe with crimson clouds.

"Come on out we know you're here!" the child shouted with his hands enclosing his mouth in order to create an echo.

Upon being discovered, the man in question appeared in a flash of lightning via a Raton Shunsin variant.

"Well well well," the man, Oroka, started like the garbage he was named after. "I was looking for the Konoha team with the alien child, but they haven't shown up."

Alien child? What?

"Goku, stand back and protect Bulma." Yugao ordered her lone student as she stood in front of the trio. "What is your business with us? We're here to escort the client Bulma Briefs back to her home. Tell us this and you may leave, alive."

"Hmph, such arrogance. Think you can order me around Uzuki Yugao?" the rogue ninja noted in amusement. The woman in question's eyes narrowed at having her name called out.

"If you are going to interfere, then I guess I'll just have to kill you. I recognize you from the bingo book, and you have a bounty worth quite a bit of ryo."

"Speak for yourself, S-ranked rogue ninja of Kumogakure, Gomi Oroka."

The Konoha genin got into position, ready to fight at any moment. Yugao got into her own personal stance.

"If you wanna kill my sensei you'll have to deal with me first," Goku butt in, glaring at his new adversary. He honestly didn't give a damn who he was or what his reputation stated. If he threatened his precious people, he would be defeated without mercy. Not too far removed from outright death.

"Easier done then said, dumbass. You're dealing with the likes of me!"

Underneath the Akatsuki robe, Oroka wore a dark, green gi and pants that clung tightly to his slim body. Over his gi was a grey bag with more white lightning rods sticking out of it. The garbage man took out two lightning rods and held both of his rods up to the sky.

"Ranton: Kuchiyose no Jutsu!"

Thunder could be heard from the sky above. Lightning flashes were also visible. What once was a clear, sunny sky was replaced with black clouds with visible lightning traveling between the clouds. The thunder continued to get louder each second, and the lightning stung their eyes.

"Goku, protect Bulma at all costs and keep your guard up," Yugao informed him as she made a hand sign. "Leave the fighting to me for now."

Satisfied with the storm above him, Oroka lowered his lightning rods. He pointed one towards Yugao and released a bolt of lightning at her. The Anbu/Jonin jumped out of the way as Goku scooped Bulma into his arms and jumped away to avoid the blast.

The purple-haired Kunoichi then faced Oroka and took in a deep breath before releasing a giant fireball from her mouth to go straight at him.

"Katon Jutsu? Seriously? What the fuck do you take me for?" Oroka scoffed as he jumped backwards to avoid the flame. "I'll show you a true jutsu!"

Oroka unleashed another bolt of lightning from his white lightning rod towards Yugao. Said person only retaliated with more fireballs, waiting for the opportunity to attempt to kill her opponent with her sword. The two shinobi continued to dodge the others' attacks while remaining on the offensive.

Yugao's student remained at the edge of the battlefield, watching his sensei fight her opponent in a state of pride. He enjoyed seeing the work being put in to training not become misplaced or invalid in the heat of battle. He took pride in being Yugao's student and training partner all the same.

"Katon: Hosenka no Jutsu!"

The kunoichi unleashed multiple fireballs flying directly at Oroka. The former Kumo shinobi responded by holding up his lightning rods to the sky.

"Ranton: Kaminari no Tate!" He shouted as his lightning rods started to light up.

Blue, natural lightning fell down from the sky and struck the lightning rods. The lightning then burst from the rods and formed a protective shield around the storm user. Yugao's fireballs made contact with the lightning shield and faded away immediately after contact.

"You're starting to kind of bore me, ya know? I actually wanted enjoy a good fight before I ended your life, so try and entertain me?" Oroka taunted as he lowered one of his lightning rods and pointed it at Yugao.

The blue lightning surrounding him was immediately channeled into the lightning rod and shot towards the Konoha jonin. The woman managed to jump out of the way in time as the lightning caused a massive explosion on the ground, causing debris to scatter and graze her legs.

The woman grunted in pain as she held her hands in the cross seal. 'Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!'

Two clones appeared from within the cloud of smoke and shot forwards at Oroka. They moved at a speed faster than her fireballs and made contact with the Akatsuki member, swords drawn. Both of them swung for the man's arms, but only sliced the lightning rods, knocking them away. The two clones then attempted to finish off the rogue shinobi, but only managed a few nicks here and there as the man was just that damn skilled despite his name meaning trash garbage.

Oroka glared at Yugao as he stood his ground.

He then closed his eyes before he channeled his chakra into his hands. The sheer voltage of his storm chakra caused the clones attacking him to be dispelled, setting him free from assault. The man then reached into his bag to take out two more rods when he noticed a stray ball of yellow energy was coming upon him. He immediately jumped out of the way before he turned to face Yugao's genin, who was chomping at the bit to jump in the fight.

"Eager to die aren't you? I was gonna kill you after your sensei was dead, but I'll be happy to kill you both simultaneously if you want!" He hissed menacingly.

"Give it your best shot," Goku replied without fear, and then he grinned. "This could be fun."

Oroka then pointed his lightning rods at the genin. "Ranton: Rezasakasu!"

Multiple beams of blue lightning were released from the lightning rods and went towards the Saiyan, who noticed this and took himself out of harms way, leaving an afterimage to fade into the lightning.

This maneuver caught the Akatsuki member off guard, as all of a sudden he found himself assaulted by numerous taijutsu strikes that he could not keep up with whatsoever. It was comical how much superiority Son Goku truly had, especially given that he was not nerfed in this universe.

His master in the form of Kame-sennin was more than capable of obliterating THE MOON in seconds, and he himself rivaled the turtle hermit. And he wasn't even close to his adult form or potential, he really was a ludicrous shinobi.

Objective narrative analysis aside, Goku was kicking Oroka's ass. Why be an angst filled complicated character when you can damn near be a walking gag?!

Even when the Akatsuki member tried to save his reputation by summoning a storm release lightning shield, the relentless kid walked right through it and demolished him some more. And he was smiling giddily the entire time, which was less than a minute long.

Oroka dropped his lightning shield and channeled his lightning into his lightning rods. He then weakly pointed them at the Konoha genin, ready to kill him for this...embarrassment. Before he could release the jutsu, however, Yugao swooped in close and delivered a swift kick to his face. Oroka fell to the ground and accidentally released all of the charged lightning in a random direction, hitting none of his targets.

Yugao immediately jumped on top of the Akatsuki member, a slight smirk on her face tugging on her lips.

"You should've kept fighting me instead," Yugao taunted ever so slightly as she swiftly unsheathed her sword. "You would've had a better chance."

The woman plunged her sword downwards with great force, making direct contact with the man on the ground. Oroka's body was impaled and he appeared dead, before it faded away, leaving nothing but a small lightning rod and blue lightning in its place.

The blue lightning then charged angrily at Yugao, making the jonin pick up her sword and jump out of the way as quickly as she could.

"Damnit," She cursed before her chakra senses wandered the battlefield. "Okay, where are you now?"

Oroka responded by jumping out of a tree near the edge of the forest and released his Ranton: Rezasakasu. All of the beams of natural lightning were aimed specifically at the former ANBU member.

"Sensei look out!" Goku said as he charged up his only brand name ki attack as quickly as possible. "KamehameHA!"

Goku let out a powerful, cerulean wave of Ki that annihilated the multiple beams of lightning. The diversionary tactic gave Yugao all the time she needed to avoid the remaining lightning beams with a quick Shunshin and join up next to her student.

"Nice work," Yugao praised her student, an appreciative smile on her face.

Goku nodded in acceptance before focusing back on the Akatsuki member.

"You still want him or should I takeover?"

"Respectfully, he's mine Goku."

"...ehhh alright. What a bummer."

Suddenly, Oroka felt a string of explosions occur around his vicinity, shooting him straight into the sky in pain from the impact. He cursed himself, obviously forgetting about the boy's sensei was renowned for her sealing prowess, which led to him letting himself be hit by a surprise fuinjutsu attack.

Too surprised at what had just occurred, he received a powerful chakra sphere to the face that packed an intense wallop.

"Tsuki Kyu!"

It appeared that the purple-haired kunoichi jumped from her spot on the ground dozens of meters away, and shellacked her opponent hard enough to create a shock-wave that rolled throughout the air, ironically sounding like a miniature thunderclap. This sent Oroka flying into the air, the force of the blow doing everything but blowing his head off due to the suppression of power packed into it.

The moment he rolled on the road, he was basically asking to die.

So with a patented Shunshin to reach her still alive enemy, before he...or Goku could say a word, the female sliced right through his neck, decapitating him without remorse. And then with a corpse seal, that marked the end of Oroka, implicated by the summoned storm fading away into nothing but the normal, sky-blue color.

Who gave a fuck about the Akatsuki when you had Son Goku on your side. And now due to the Goku effect, even regular ANBU level Yugao is beginning to reach levels of relevancy beyond her own comprehension.

-Three Days Later-

Son Goku had an epiphany in his two day stint in the city of the future, Mirai Toshi.

The shinobi villages wereseverely lacking in all facets of the game: aesthetics, technology, entertainment, peace, justice system, freedom, creativity, hospitality, and especially the food. Oh he loved it here.

There were flying cars, weird towers were ball-like structures at the top and narrowed cylinders at the bottom, and everything a futurist could think of in between. In his personal tour of Capsule Corp courtesy of their client Bulma obviously, he had been able to see advanced healing technologies, spacecrafts, space-time manipulators, radars, communicators, coffee machines, capsule projects, and more.

And of course, add a newly patented gravity machine to the mix, which happened to be the latest project on the priority list. In exchange for the Dragon Ball, that is what Goku and the Brief's household came up with. While weighted clothing was still effective in its own right, there was only so much he could do with limited versatility. A gravity room on the other hand would suit his evolution that much more...given his innate urge for new challenges.

The city called out to him far more than the likes of Konoha, or other shinobi villages.

That lifestyle just was not catered to him. He had more simple goals than being a highly coveted cog in a complex system.

Work hard, study well, and eat and sleep plenty! The Kame style lived through him.

He bled martial arts, and he refused to change who he was to become a shinobi for the sake of doing what his village told him to do.

Little did he know that just like his late father, he too would eventually become too set on his ways to be overruled by anyone.

Son Goku was a free spirit, not a solider or statistic.