Chapter 6: The Training Call - To Master Roshi's Island!
Chapter 6: The Training Call – To Master Roshi's Island!
The sun rose on a new day, golden light spilling across the landscape as the group packed up camp. The wind carried the fresh scent of the sea—an unfamiliar smell to Aera, who stood atop a boulder, eyes closed, soaking in the breeze.
"What's that smell?" she asked Goku.
"That's the ocean!" he said cheerfully, tying his staff to his back.
"Ocean…" she repeated, then beamed. "I like it!"
Yamcha stepped out from the bushes, his hair still wet. "We'll need a boat soon. Kame House is out at sea."
"Kame House?" Aera tilted her head. "Is that where more strong people live?"
"You could say that," Yamcha replied, rubbing his neck. "It's where Master Roshi lives. He's one of the greatest martial artists in the world."
"Oooh! I wanna meet him!"
Puar whispered, "I'm not sure Roshi's heart can take her."
Oolong snorted. "It'll be like dropping a match on a gasoline lake."
---
After renting a small boat (thanks to Yamcha convincing a dock owner with a few… 'borrowed' zeni from Pilaf's stash), the group set sail.
The ride was calm, the water sparkling. Aera leaned over the edge, giggling at the way the waves splashed her face.
Goku joined her. "You ever seen fish this big before?"
"Nope! But I wanna fight one!"
Yamcha chuckled nervously. "Let's… not punch the sea monsters, please."
---
Kame House came into view—a small, pink house sitting on a tiny island in the middle of nowhere.
Goku jumped out of the boat before it even landed, dragging Aera with him. "Master Roshi! We're back!"
From the doorway, a short old man in sunglasses emerged, holding a magazine.
"Well well! If it isn't my little pupil! And who's this lovely—"
He paused mid-step. His sunglasses nearly flew off his face.
Aera waved. "Hi! I'm Aera! Are you strong?"
Roshi's jaw dropped. His face turned red. Steam practically shot from his ears.
"I-I-I—WHO IS THIS RAY OF DIVINE SUNSHINE?!"
Oolong groaned. "Here we go…"
Roshi zipped over to her, holding her hand with trembling fingers. "Aera, was it? A most *exquisite* name for such a *goddess* of martial perfection!"
She blinked. "Thanks! Your beard is fuzzy."
He swooned.
Yamcha yanked him back. "Down, old man. You'll burn out."
---
After introductions and a meal, Roshi got serious.
"So you kids want to train, huh? You're lucky. I just so happen to have a new idea for some intense martial arts training!"
"Really?" Goku and Aera's eyes lit up.
"It'll take everything you've got. Pain, sweat, and suffering!"
Aera clapped. "Sounds fun!"
Roshi grinned. "Good. We start tomorrow. Bright and early."
---
The next morning, training began in full.
Roshi handed them both giant turtle shells—enormous, heavy, and custom-weighted.
"These are your new uniforms. You'll wear them *everywhere*."
Aera strapped hers on easily. "Oooh, like a backpack!"
She walked a few steps before noticing the ground cracking beneath her feet.
"Oops. Too heavy?"
Roshi blinked. "She's walking like it's nothing… That thing weighs more than Yamcha's ego!"
Yamcha, from the side: "Hey!"
---
Training included carrying milk across the island, plowing fields by hand, swimming through shark-infested waters, and dodging angry bees while balancing on bamboo poles.
Goku handled it with his usual enthusiasm.
Aera did it all with a radiant smile, even laughing as bees stung her.
"They're so ticklish!" she giggled, dancing across the poles.
Yamcha, who'd decided to stay and train as well, tried to keep up.
"This… is… insane," he wheezed, dragging his milk can.
Puar flitted by. "Aera's ten steps ahead and she's waving at you."
Sure enough, Aera waved back at him mid-jump. "Hi Yamcha!"
He tripped into a ditch.
---
As days passed, the group grew stronger.
Roshi watched with quiet amazement. "They're blooming like warriors of legend. But that girl… she's something else."
Every evening, Aera would spar with Goku under the moonlight. Their blows cracked the air, their laughter echoing.
"You're getting better!" Goku shouted, flipping over her punch.
"So are you!" she smiled. "But I'll catch up soon!"
Yamcha watched from afar, clutching his aching arms.
"She's like a hurricane wrapped in cotton candy…"
---
One night, Roshi called the group together.
"You've all come a long way," he said, stroking his beard. "And the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament is just a few months away."
Goku's eyes sparkled. "A tournament?!"
"I wanna go!" Aera cheered.
Roshi nodded. "Then train harder than ever. Because the world's strongest fighters will be there. And some may not be so friendly."
Aera placed a hand to her heart. "I want to meet them all. Fight them. Make them my friends."
Even Roshi was stunned silent.
Yamcha smiled softly. "She's too pure for this world."
"But she might just save it," Puar added.
---
**End of Chapter 6**