Tsuru fell silent for a moment. He raised his cup and took a sip of tea, his brows slightly furrowed—it seemed a bit bland, lacking flavor.
"Have some wine instead. Only wine can ease sorrow," Taro said, setting down his cup across the table.
"Who says I'm sorrowful?" Tsuru replied flatly.
"When people get old, they naturally start recalling the past. And remembering the past... that's sorrow," Taro shook his head. "Where there is parting, there is melancholy. Memories of the past remain frozen in the past—that is true separation, true sorrow. There's nothing shameful in admitting it. I think about Master from time to time too…"
It wasn't posturing on Taro's part. Though his mind was now primarily that of a reincarnated soul, back when he had crossed into this world, the original "Taro's" spiritual fragments had fused with his own. Otherwise, King Yemma would've seen through him the moment he reached the afterlife.
He truly did feel something for Mutaito.
What's more… Mutaito's patient instruction of both Taro and Tsuru—even now, as Taro walked his path—still brought occasional insight when reflected upon. Mutaito's "energy level" might have been constrained by the era, his own talent, and his limited understanding, putting him far beneath Taro's current level. Yet his insights—especially in martial thought—were often highly instructive.
Hathaway gently placed her hand over Taro's, her voice soft: "So that's why… you wrote Master Mutaito into the book, didn't you?"
Tsuru set his teacup down. At that moment, Taro had already vanished from his seat.
Within a few breaths, he reappeared—now holding a wine jar and two crystal glasses.
"This is a vintage your sister-in-law brewed herself. Give it a try," Taro said, popping the jar's cork with a pat. He casually tossed a crystal cup in front of Tsuru, knocking the teacup aside with deft precision. Then, with a tap of his finger on the table, two thin streams of wine rose from the jar, split midair, and neatly poured into each glass.
Hathaway often scolded Taro for indulging the undying phoenix's bad drinking habits, but she'd still taken up a bit of winemaking herself. Every now and then, she'd let the phoenix sneak a sip.
Clink. The two brothers-in-arms lightly touched their cups. The wine within remained perfectly still.
---
Boom!
In midair, Goku flipped several times before skidding to a halt right at the edge of the shattered arena.
"Phew, that was close!" Goku wiped his forehead and let out a breath.
The mustached announcer in sunglasses was practically shouting with excitement: "That was incredible! From the very start of this round, Tienshinhan and Goku have delivered a battle no less thrilling than the previous match between Piccolo and Krillin! As expected of the Turtle Hermit's disciple, Goku never fails to impress! And judging by his demeanor, it seems he still hasn't gone all out! On the other hand, Tienshinhan also appears to be holding something back! Just what kind of mysterious school is the Crane Style, which we've never heard of before?"
The announcer hadn't even finished speaking when Tienshinhan's assault resumed in full force.
His speed increased once more—his body blurred, vanished, and reappeared instantly at the edge of the ring, right beside Goku—
What?! Goku was startled. It was as if Tien's ki had teleported from in front of him to his right flank.
He dodged in a flash. In the brief crossing of paths, he caught a glimpse of Tien's unwavering, three-eyed gaze.
Tien's five fingers, like steel rods, glowed with a dull yellow light. His claw-like strike tore through the air, radiating heat as it passed just above Goku's scalp. A few strands of black hair flew loose, scorched and curling as they drifted away.
Smack!
A black shadow swung up from below, striking toward Tien's hand with a sharp snap that rang through the air—it was powerful.
A tail?
Tien's third eye turned slightly. He had noticed Goku's tail from the very start. For someone like Goku—so innately gifted and instinctive in battle—if his tail wasn't a weakness, then it had to be one of his weapons. So Tien had taken it into account during the fight.
The tail struck his forearm solidly, leaving a red whip mark.
But Tien took the opportunity to twist his hand and catch Goku's tail in his grip. Normally, after striking, Goku would swiftly retract his tail in a fluid motion—those struck by it would rarely have time to react. Yet Tien's speed and strength had both surged once again at that moment, allowing him to grab the tail before Goku could escape.
Got stronger again!
Goku lay on the ground, looking astonished. Since the start of the match, he had noticed that Tien's ki... had been steadily and resolutely rising.
"What's going on? This guy's ki... why is it still increasing?"
In the fighters' lounge, Krillin was resting while watching his best buddy Goku's match.
At that moment, he too showed a shocked expression—because for some reason, Tien's energy was still climbing! He had originally thought this guy was just slowly getting into fighting mode, gradually warming up like Goku—a "slow-burn" type martial artist.
But now... it looked like the guy was deliberately and continuously increasing his ki!
High in the skies far from Sayuan City, Piccolo—flying at high speed—suddenly stopped. He looked a little surprised and turned back toward the clouds below, in Sayuan's direction...
Was that the ki of that three-eyed guy? How had it gotten so strong? And it was still growing, pulsing with a strange rhythm, rising steadily!
---
Thud!
Thud!
Thud!
Tien, gripping Goku's tail, directly swung him up and slammed him repeatedly into the ground. The sound was dull yet loud—many of the female spectators covered their mouths, eyes glistening with tears.
So pitiful... poor little Goku... how could this three-eyed freak be so heartless?
Huff... Tien gave Goku another yank by the tail, ready to smash him into the ground again. He wasn't about to show mercy—especially since Goku hadn't even bothered to remove those strange wristbands.
Looking down on him, Tienshinhan? Let him suffer a bit. No big deal.
In the audience, Bulma frowned deeply.
She wasn't too worried about Goku being beaten—she knew full well that Goku was a Saiyan: tough-skinned, durable, able to take a serious beating. What puzzled her was something else entirely.
"How did Goku end up on the losing side?"
At the start of the match, Goku had clearly been in control. But gradually, somewhere along the line, Tien had begun pushing him back step by step.