Chapter 53: Actually, I Also Have a Tank

Strictly speaking, Yamcha couldn't really be considered cheating. In the path of cultivation, Daoism speaks of the Four Essentials — method, place, wealth, and companion.

The "wealth" here isn't just money. It also includes rare natural treasures that assist in cultivation. As the saying goes: "Without wealth, the Dao cannot be nurtured." These things are essential on the path of cultivation.

Besides, how could using resources be considered cheating for a scholar?

Yamcha was simply making good use of what was available to him.

No one knows how much time passed, but when Yamcha opened his eyes again, he had completely sealed his qi within his body. The ever-flowing life energy surged through him in a mighty cycle.

At that moment, the entire world felt different to him.

He gently clenched his fists and carefully felt the vibrant, surging power within. He couldn't help but exclaim:

"So this is Nen? This is Nen ability?"

"What incredible power."

"I've…"

"…gotten stronger."

Yamcha grinned, showing a row of gleaming white teeth.

Although he wasn't exactly sure how strong he had become or what his power level was now, he knew for sure that compared to before he awakened Nen, his strength had definitely increased.

And once he fully mastered other applications of Nen, his strength would climb even further.

Just as he finished saying "I've gotten stronger," Yamcha suddenly froze, as if something had occurred to him. He quickly reached up and felt his head.

The sensation was…

His hair was still as thick as ever.

Whew — thank goodness. His hair was intact. He'd gotten stronger, but he hadn't gone bald.

That was a full, luscious head of hair!

Power is temporary, but style lasts a lifetime!

He hadn't used up all the Senzu Beans — in fact, he hadn't used a single one. Yamcha, objectively speaking, had pretty decent talent. So, following his principle of "waste nothing," he carefully took the beans out of his mouth and stored them one by one in a small pouch.

After giving them a sniff and finding no odd smell, he decided to dry them out and reuse them later.

"They should still work if I haven't actually swallowed them, right? In the original story, even half a Senzu Bean still worked."

"Maybe I'll have someone else try one first to check."

Just then, the door to the room opened. Menchi walked in carrying a few trays of exquisite food. Seeing Yamcha awake, her face lit up with surprise.

"You did it?!"

But right after saying that, Menchi's expression shifted.

"Hmph, it's not like I was worried about you or anything! I was just afraid your death would affect me."

Yamcha: "..."

"Don't you know being tsundere is so outdated now?"

Yamcha silently glanced at the several untouched meal trays on the table. Including the ones in Menchi's hands, there were six.

"Did I take two full days? I remember Gon and the others finished in one night, didn't they?"

Growl

Right on cue, his stomach let out a thunderous roar at the smell of the food.

Two days without eating — Yamcha was starving.

No way was he going to waste a Senzu Bean just to fill his stomach. The pleasure of eating is something to be savored. You've got to live for something, right?

And sure, Yamcha had a whole jar of Senzu Beans right now, but if you asked whether that was a lot…

He'd definitely reply:

"Much? Not much at all."

Taking the tray from Menchi's hands, he began scarfing down the food, even polishing off the cold dishes left on the table.

Truth be told, Menchi's cooking was incredible — even after sitting out past the best time to eat it, the food was still absolutely delicious.

It was a shame that it wouldn't be so easy to enjoy this kind of cooking again…

It was almost time to leave.

His objective had been achieved. Staying here wouldn't help him get stronger anymore.

And Yamcha was very driven when it came to getting stronger.

Or maybe it's better to say he was very pragmatic.

After all, this was the Dragon Ball universe — a place where flicking a finger could destroy a planet.

Yamcha wouldn't rest easy unless he stayed at least two arcs ahead of the other Z Fighters in terms of power.

Still, Yamcha always paid back kindness and debts. Menchi had watched over him for two days. He wouldn't forget that and would repay her when the chance came.

"Come with me to the Hunter Association. I have some missions to post."

—

A Week Later

Having stocked up on supplies, Yamcha left that world.

Before leaving, he reluctantly left Menchi a gift.

Looking at what Yamcha had left her, Menchi was furious and instantly snapped again.

"Such a brat! He actually gave me a toy!" she said with disdain, eyeing the capsule-shaped "gadget" in her hand.

"And he even said something like 'just toss it and it'll transform into something.'"

"Does he take me for a fool?"

"How could something like that possibly work?!"

Despite what she said, Menchi still hesitantly followed Yamcha's instructions and pressed the button on top of the capsule before tossing it.

A puff of smoke — and when the air cleared, Menchi's eyes went wide, her jaw nearly dropping to the ground.

It was a single-person tank from the Red Ribbon Army.

The tank Leorio had talked about? Yamcha did have one.

And not just a tank — Yamcha's preparations went far beyond what anyone imagined.

—

The crescent moon hung high above, with countless stars sketching a beautiful galactic tapestry across the sky. The chilly autumn breeze sent shivers down the spine.

Distant howls of wolves echoed through the air as the scene returned to a vast desert wasteland.

An endless stretch of barren wilderness.

Compared to the Hunter Association's member lodgings or the luxurious suites in Yorknew City, Yamcha's living quarters in the Dragon Ball world were far more primitive.

But he didn't mind.

In fact, with his current wealth and resources, he could easily purchase property elsewhere — even a mansion in the bustling West City would be no big deal.

But he didn't want to leave.

This wasteland was his home — the place where he had lived since birth.

If anything was to change, it would be him transforming the wasteland.

To be honest, Yamcha had already considered it — turning the entire desert into a secret base.

After all, he carried far too many secrets.

Ding ding ding—

His phone on the table suddenly rang.

Yamcha picked up. On the other end, Lt. Leopard's excited voice shouted:

"Bro! Bro, you've got to get over here! I've got great news. Just got word — General Silver is coming to our division in three hours and specifically asked to meet you!"

"Bro, you've made it!"

General Silver?

Yamcha paused for a moment, recalling what Lt. Leopard had told him earlier.

Should he join the Red Ribbon Army?

Of course he should!

(End of Chapter)