Yamiru's plane landed, and he pushed open the hatch, jumping down.
"Who are you?"
A tall man with dark skin, dressed in the style of an indigenous warrior, stood before him, gripping a two-meter-long spear with a sharp tip. His eyes scrutinized Yamiru with a serious expression as the latter casually stored his plane back into a capsule.
Over the past year, Yamiru had grown taller, now nearing the threshold of 1.8 meters—just half a step away. However, his physique had become more slender, with well-balanced muscle definition that didn't stand out unless he actively flexed. Clothed, he appeared as an ordinary young man, though his upright posture and composed aura gave him an unmistakable presence. Compared to him, the indigenous warrior before him, with his massive, bare upper-body muscles and rugged, dark skin, seemed more imposing and wild.
In response to the warrior's questioning, Yamiru simply pointed to the towering stone pillar nearby. "No need to be so wary. I'm here for that."
He's the same indigenous man that Tao Pai Pai casually killed in the manga, right? Upa's father… who was later revived by Son Goku using the Dragon Balls… The realization clicked in Yamiru's mind. This man looked much younger than he had remembered from the story. Right now, the year was Age 741, just a year after the 19th World Martial Arts Tournament. The 21st tournament—the first one depicted in the "storyline"—would take place in nine years. It was only after that event that Son Goku would come to Korin Tower, meet the indigenous father and son, and ultimately confront Tao Pai Pai in a decisive battle.
"For Korin Tower?" The warrior—Upa's father—was clearly surprised by the answer. However, his initial wariness slightly diminished. Although the young man before him seemed to be overestimating himself, anyone in this era who had heard of Korin Tower and still dared to challenge it was worthy of respect. "I don't think that's a good idea," he warned.
"What's going on, Bora, my sun?"
A deep-brown-skinned woman, adorned with bright feathered ornaments in her hair and tribal face paint, stepped out from a tent behind the warrior.
"Lixi, you're with child. You shouldn't be outside," Bora said, supporting his wife with a concerned look. Leaning on his spear, he introduced, "It's nothing serious. This young man suddenly arrived at our sacred land, saying he wants to challenge Korin Tower… I was advising him against such a dangerous idea."
"You probably won't be able to persuade me." Yamiru smiled.
So Upa has already been conceived… Yamiru felt an overwhelming sense of standing at the precipice of an unfolding era.
"Korin Tower?" Lixi's face showed surprise as she glanced at the sky-piercing stone tower nearby. "Our tribe has guarded this place for generations. It is said that those who climb the tower by their own strength will meet the god who resides in the sky and obtain unimaginable power… But even you, a mighty warrior, failed to climb it, Bora. Perhaps the legend of Korin Tower and its hermit is nothing more than myth."
"That's right," Bora told Yamiru. "You heard her. I once believed in the old legend and tried to climb Korin Tower myself." He shook his head. "It's too high… far too high! It feels endless. You climb and climb—your body grows cold, exhaustion sets in, hunger gnaws at you, thirst parches your throat… The high-altitude winds lash at you, sudden downpours drench you, layers upon layers of mist cloud your sense of direction. When you look up, you never see the end, and you start to doubt whether your struggle and perseverance mean anything at all. When you look down, the tower seems to curve unnaturally, making you feel like a helpless ant, teetering at an unimaginable height…"
Bora recounted his experience with a desolate tone. "If the legend is real, then the very height of Korin Tower is part of that legend. I once challenged it and nearly fell. If I had, I would have been dead for sure. That is Korin Tower. Young man, do you really want to try?"
Yamiru silently listened to the vivid description, clenching his fists involuntarily.
"Yes, I want to try." Yamiru answered Bora with unwavering determination. He understood that the warrior spoke with good intentions. In his heart, he silently added: "I must try—even if it costs me everything."
He tilted his head back, gazing up at the tower.
It seemed endless, stretching straight into the heavens… No words could truly capture the overwhelming awe Yamiru felt in this moment. Whether it was a marvel of nature or the work of ancient immortals, the mere existence of Korin Tower was a miracle. This wasn't a manga panel—it was real. And in reality, there were no guarantees. No one had promised him success. If he failed, the likely outcome was falling to his death—his body reduced to nothing more than shattered remains, without a doubt.
And yet, he had already accepted this risk.
"Then at least allow me to test your skills first." Bora didn't back down. In the manga, Son Goku had earned Bora's trust after helping him fend off the Red Ribbon Army—right before Bora was killed by Tao Pai Pai. Naturally, he had no opportunity to test Son Goku's strength. "Our tribe has sworn to protect this sacred land and to warn outsiders not to throw their lives away in vain."
Yamiru chuckled, making no move to remove the Power Pole or his bag. He simply turned slightly and extended a single hand toward Bora.
"Come at me."
"..."
Bora noticed that once Yamiru took his stance, his entire aura changed. With a slight smile, Bora let out a low shout and charged forward, throwing a straight punch—only for Yamiru to effortlessly dodge it. Bora followed up with a high kick, but Yamiru leaned backward to avoid it.
"An opening!" Bora roared, clasping his fists together and bringing them down towards Yamiru's exposed chest, taking advantage of his awkward position.
However, Yamiru's stance was unbelievably stable. Even in such an uncomfortable posture, he seemed as if he was rooted to the ground.
With a faint smile, he simply extended a single finger to meet Bora's descending fists—and stopped them in their tracks.
Bora's eyes widened in disbelief. The same strike that could shatter boulders had been blocked by a mere finger! He gritted his teeth and applied more force, but instead of breaking through, his fists were pushed higher. Yamiru slowly straightened up, his single finger continuing to repel Bora's combined fists without the slightest hesitation. To an onlooker, it almost seemed like Bora had voluntarily withdrawn his attack. But the veins bulging on his forehead and his clenched jaw made it clear he was exerting himself to the fullest.
With a deft movement, Yamiru grabbed Bora's fists, pulling and pushing in one fluid motion. Bora, unable to resist, was thrown off balance, staggering backward under his own momentum.
"Ah!"
Watching from the side, Bora's wife, Lixi, gasped in alarm as her husband's massive frame came hurtling toward her.
"Move, Lixi!" Bora shouted in panic, realizing he couldn't stop himself. Yamiru's redirection had completely thrown off his balance.
Frowning slightly, Yamiru pushed off the ground, vanishing in an instant. He reappeared behind Bora and pressed down on his back, stopping his fall just in time.
"So fast!" Bora was both shocked and relieved. If he had crashed into his pregnant wife, he would have been devastated.
"Sorry, I wasn't paying attention," Yamiru said.
"Hmm…" Bora hesitated, unsure of what to say, before simply nodding. "Your martial skills are incredible. You might really have a chance at climbing Karin Tower. I wish you luck."
Yamiru gave a slight nod and looked up, murmuring, "Wish me luck…"
Then, with a powerful leap, he shot up like a cannonball, soaring over a hundred meters into the air. Wind howled past his ears, but with masterful control, he adjusted his trajectory and latched onto the tower's protruding ridges—sections that seemed almost designed for climbers to grip.
Pressing his body against the tower, he glanced downward. Even from this height, the lower portion of the tower was barely visible; the only thing in sight was the vast forest below. A hundred meters—over thirty stories high. If it had been the old, inexperienced Yamiru at this altitude, he would have been paralyzed with fear and fallen to his death.
"What a hassle… I'm such an idiot," Yamiru muttered, wiping cold sweat from his brow with a wry smile.
Fixing his gaze on the endless ascent above, he began his climb.