Dragon Ball Roshi-Chapter 315: A Palm to the Head

"When did that happen?" The bald master and disciple duo were completely confused. But Bulma kept throwing them extremely dangerous glances, warning them not to speak recklessly. So the two could only discuss it secretly behind her back. Could it have been that night when the four of us were having barbecue and drinks on the beach to celebrate Goku's full recovery?

And so, over a year later, Bulma and Goku's child was born.

"Why did you call me?" Master Roshi suddenly appeared from who-knows-where, having overheard Krillin mumbling to the sky.

Krillin snapped back to reality, puzzled. "I didn't..." Then realization dawned on him. "Oh, I was just thinking about... that other 'Master Roshi I told you about..." Krillin frowned and looked out at the shimmering ocean horizon, murmuring to himself, "I've never seen anyone that powerful. If it weren't for him, Earth would've been destroyed by those aliens..."

Master Roshi was speechless. Krillin had mentioned this before, but he still knew nothing about it and couldn't make heads or tails of the story.

Reflections of the dark sea glimmered faintly off his pitch-black sunglasses—just a flash of white light.

"Kame... hame... ha..."

Suddenly, from another spot on the beach, came Goku's long, chant-like voice. Krillin laughed. "Haha, Goku's practicing the Kamehameha again?" He turned his head and saw Goku—who hadn't missed a single day of training since waking up—shirtless and visibly more muscular. His hands were cupped at his side, and with his chant, a blue-and-white energy ball hummed into existence, swelling larger and larger.

"Even though his muscles and bones have weakened significantly, Goku's actual power hasn't dropped at all. His talent has always been extraordinary... Frankly, it's taken him quite a while to recover—it's a bit slow, if you ask me," Master Roshi commented. Though his words sounded critical, his tone was full of relief.

Krillin chuckled and quietly said, watching Goku focus, "It's been a long time since us brothers have had a match..."

Goku suddenly shouted the final word—"Ha!"—and the Kamehameha in his palms surged to its peak. He thrust his hands forward, launching the blue-white wave across the sea, cutting through waves and racing ahead... But suddenly, a shiver ran through him. Gritting his teeth, he yanked his hands sharply upward and backward. Incredibly, the Kamehameha obeyed, swerving off course, arching into the sky at a ninety-degree angle along the split surface of the sea.

"Nice! That's Goku for you!" Krillin's eyes lit up at the display.

But Master Roshi frowned. "No... Someone's coming!"

Krillin froze.

At that moment, Goku's redirected Kamehameha took another bizarre turn. It completely reversed, curving back toward Goku! Alarmed, Goku had no time to think. He flailed his arms, trying to counter it. The blazing wave skimmed past the tip of his nose, scorching a few strands of hair off as it soared into the sky.

All three of them turned to stare toward the outside of Kame House. Floating above the beach was a young man with ash-white hair. None of them had seen how he arrived.

"What? Don't recognize me?" Taro descended lightly onto the sand, smiling.

Goku was wide-eyed, pointing at Taro in disbelief. "Y-You're that old man?" Somewhere in his hazy memories from when he was unconscious, he vaguely recalled a mental image. A silhouette—a back—he'd been chasing through a desolate spiritual realm, as if that back was the gateway to freedom.

After waking, he had even briefly mistaken Master Roshi for that figure. But eventually, he realized it wasn't him.

Krillin was even more shocked. He had seen this face before! Back then, the mysterious "Master Roshi" had worn this young man's face. Krillin had chalked it up to a hallucination, but now, seeing Taro again, it all clicked.

"You... You're the one who appeared back then?! The 'Master Roshi?" Krillin gasped, staring intently at Taro as he walked closer.

But Taro's gaze was on Master Roshi.

Master Roshi frowned, silent, carefully observing Taro, shocked and suspicious... Because looking at this young man's face, he was reminded of himself in his youth. There were differences, of course, but the resemblance was undeniable. Combined with what Krillin had said, even after living over three hundred years, Master Roshi was truly baffled.

"Who are you really?" Master Roshi couldn't help but ask.

"Someone who doesn't belong in this world," Taro replied casually. He glanced toward Kame House, sensing Bulma's energy inside—and next to her, an incredibly faint ki signature, belonging to a baby. It carried both her and Goku's energy patterns. Taro couldn't help but ask, "The child in the house—yours and Bulma's?"

He directed the question toward the shirtless, sweaty Goku beside him.

Goku scratched his head. "Yeah, that's right."

"What's the child's name?"

"Trunks... I don't remember much, but that's the name Bulma chose."

Taro nodded in understanding, staring deeply into Goku's eyes. He seemed to be searching for even the faintest trace of Kakarot... but there was nothing. Could he really be gone for good? Taro wondered, thinking of the young disciple from his own original timeline.

Master Roshi asked again, "Someone who doesn't belong here... what do you mean by that? May I ask your name?"

Krillin held his breath to listen... despite not having a nose.

Without turning around, Taro replied softly, "Mu Taro, disciple of Mutaito." He paused, then added, "I don't belong in this world, and there's no need for you to look into it further. I'll be gone soon. But before I go, I have something to tell you."

This last part was addressed to Goku: "Come with me."

Ignoring the stunned stares of Master Roshi and Krillin behind him, Taro led Goku around to the shaded side of Kame House. As they passed the window, Taro glanced inside. Bulma was gently rocking the baby and glanced outside, only catching a glimpse of a coat hem before her husband rounded the corner toward the back.

For some reason, Bulma suddenly recalled the day she'd woken up in the ruins and discovered the Four-Star Ball—the voice that had echoed in her heart back then.

---

Following Taro to the back of Kame House, Goku asked, "What is it that you—"

Before he could finish, Taro suddenly turned around without a word. And before Goku could react, Taro raised his hand and smacked Goku's forehead with a palm strike!

Boom!

An intangible wave crashed into Goku's mind. Instantly, his eyes went vacant, and he stood frozen in place. Countless images began flashing rapidly through his vision...