The Warrior of Pure Heart | Dragon Ball Z

16

16

The group decided to spend that night on land and begin climbing the tower the next day after they rested more. Chi-Chi did not know if this had been their plan from the beginning or if it was some courtesy towards her, specifically considering that it would be her first time doing the tortuous journey. If it was the latter, she doubted that the initiative had come from Tenshinhan or that boy, Yajirobe, considering the reception they had given her.

At least it seemed that Yamcha and Krillin were more open to her presence in that place and were especially kinder to her; perhaps too much. Chi-Chi felt a little uncomfortable about this attention, especially coming from Krillin. But this was not because of him, but rather because of herself and all the inconvenience she had previously caused Goku's friend until she had almost forced him to go and save her from dying in Piccolo Daimao's clutches.

Although, of course, Chi-Chi did not forget that he had awfully hit her at that moment to calm her down, which was not precisely a pleasant memory. Perhaps that was what caused the young warrior to feel somewhat sorry for her. Or maybe, with Goku not there, Krillin unjustifiably thought that he had some responsibility to take care of her in his place.

In addition to Krillin and the others, Chi-Chi was surprised to see that a very kind woman named Launch was also there. She remembered seeing her at the tournament five years ago, accompanying Master Roshi, although... Chi-Chi could have sworn she remembered her as blonde. She wasn't sure why Launch was there, although it certainly wasn't to try to climb the tower with them. Whatever the case, she was very friendly with everyone, especially Chi-Chi, and took care of preparing the dinner herself.

At night, everyone sat down to eat around a pleasant fire right at the foot of the tower and in the company of their two hosts: Bora and Upa, two local residents of the Sacred Land of Korin, who, to Chi-Chi's surprise, knew Goku very well.

"It's a real honor to meet you," Upa said enthusiastically, a tall, burly young man with dark skin and dark hair sitting next to her while they both ate from their respective plates. The boy seemed particularly excited when Krillin informed him that Chi-Chi was Goku's wife. "Goku is by far the most amazing person I have ever met. He is perhaps the best friend I have ever had in my entire life. And hearing that he got married and now even has a son fills me with enormous joy."

"Thank you," Chi-Chi agreed, smiling gently at him. "I'm glad to hear more people have such good feelings for Goku. Unfortunately, he..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but Upa had no problem knowing what she was talking about.

"Yeah, Krillin told us what happened," Upa said seriously. "But there is no need to worry because he also told us that Goku will be revived with the Dragon Balls very soon. So, there's no reason to be sad. When I was a child, the evil Tao Pai Pai came here and murdered my father in cold blood without Goku or me being able to do anything."

As he said that, he turned to the large, well-built man sitting next to him, who was silently contemplating the dancing fire of the campfire.

"That's true?" Chi-Chi whispered, surprised by that statement.

Upa nodded.

"But Goku did everything to gather all the Dragon Balls to revive him. He even faced the entire Red Ribbon Army alone to achieve it. He didn't have to; he didn't even know my father or me. But he still did it. He promised me he would revive him, and he kept it."

The boy's eyes shone with excitement as he remembered all that. And inevitably, Chi-Chi felt that the feeling was replicated in herself.