Chapter 6: Collecting Dragon Balls
Even if a few Red Ribbon remnants managed to slip away, they no longer posed a serious threat to Yage Village. The core of the Siruba Division had been obliterated, and any survivors would scatter like leaves in a storm.
"Didi… Didi…!"
Just then, Ye Lin's Dragon Radar let out a sharp electronic chirp. He quickly retrieved it from his belt pouch—this high-tech device originally reverse-engineered by Bulma Brief could detect the unique energy signature of Dragon Balls.
His eyes narrowed in surprise.
"The radar shows three Dragon Balls… right here?"
Ye Lin couldn't believe his fortune. The sting of receiving a measly E-rank system reward instantly faded.
He strode over to the crumpled body of Colonel Siruba, embedded into the metal wall like a painting nailed in frustration. According to the radar, the signal was strongest near him.
Ye Lin rummaged through Siruba's tactical vest and utility belt and soon found a Hoi-Poi Capsule labeled "Storage A-07." With a click, he pressed the capsule's activation button.
Puff! A burst of smoke expanded, and from it emerged a metallic case about the size of a toolbox. Ye Lin popped open the lid.
Inside lay three glittering Dragon Balls, their orange glow and twinkling red stars unmistakable.
"Looks like Siruba had been collecting them for the Red Ribbon Army's higher command—probably to curry favor with Commander Red or Doctor Gero. Either way, they're mine now."
Ding!
> "System Task Reminder: Collect all seven Dragon Balls. Difficulty: High. Reward: Two God-Level Lottery Draws!"
Ye Lin pocketed the three spheres, bringing his total to five. He studied the radar again another signal pulsed faintly in the eastern quadrant.
"The base is gone, and Accord Village is safe. But if I stick around with five Dragon Balls, I'll just be painting a target on the village. Better to move on."
He turned the radar off and looked at the shimmering orbs nestled in his pouch.
"Five down. Two to go."
"Boss!" Kiraen called out, flying in from a side building, his claws full of overflowing loot. "I found a stash—gold, Zeni bills, precious stones. These guys were loaded!"
Ye Lin nodded. "Makes sense. The Red Ribbon Legion always funded its tech upgrades through looting and extortion. Most of it's dirty money."
While Zeni was useful, especially for travel or trading, Ye Lin cared more about strength. This was the Dragon Ball world, after all—where a child like Goku could beat warlords through sheer power.
"Take a portion for supplies. The rest—we donate it to Accord Village. Let the people rebuild without worry."
"Got it, boss," Kiraen said, eyes wide with respect.
Together, they packed the valuables into portable capsules and flew toward Yage Village. When they arrived, the first light of dawn had just broken across the sky.
"It's Ye Lin! He's back!" one of the young boys on sentry duty cried out. Soon, a crowd of villagers rushed out, waving and cheering.
Ye Lin had become a living legend to them the protector who destroyed the fearsome Red Ribbon base.
However, when they caught sight of Kiraen's massive winged form, several villagers instinctively stepped back in fear.
Ye Lin stepped forward. "Don't worry he's with me. This is Kiraen, my new companion."
Kiraen smiled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his spiked head. "Don't judge by appearance! I'm really friendly. Ye Lin's my boss, and I'm his loyal little bro! Nice to meet you all."
Seeing the gentle expression on Kiraen's face, the villagers gradually relaxed. A few kids even stepped forward, curious.
Just then, Elder Ge hobbled toward them, his walking stick thudding softly on the dirt path. He had clearly recovered well.
"Ye Lin, welcome back."
Ye Lin approached him and bowed slightly, respecting the elder's resilience. "Martial artist lineage really does make for tough bones," he thought, impressed.
Kiraen gently set down two storage capsules and activated them. Piles of gold, treasure, and crates of Red Ribbon weaponry spilled out.
"We destroyed the Red Ribbon Legion's local base. The village should be safe now. These are the spoils mostly plunder the Legion hoarded. Use it to rebuild, protect, and prosper."
The villagers were stunned into silence. Towering heaps of riches sparkled in the morning sun a sight no one in the village had ever imagined.
"You… the two of you really took out the Red Ribbon Legion branch?"
Compared to the piles of gold and treasure, Elder Ge was far more stunned by the news that Ye Lin had single-handedly eliminated a Red Ribbon Legion branch.
"This is all the boss's doing," Kiraen said proudly, puffing his chest. "I didn't do much. He wiped them all out by himself it was wild!" He even mimicked Ye Lin's battle stance, punching the air for emphasis.
Ye Lin stepped forward, his expression serious. "Elder Ge, I'm planning to leave soon with the Dragon Balls. The Red Ribbon Legion is tracking them. If I stay, I'll only be bringing danger to Yage Village."
Elder Ge's eyes dimmed with guilt. "Ye Lin… I'm sorry. If I hadn't named you the guardian of the Dragon Balls, you wouldn't be forced to shoulder this responsibility."
Ye Lin looked away for a moment, his heart tightening. Though Elder Ge spoke sincerely, Ye Lin wasn't the same as the "original" Ye Lin of this world—he had inherited his name and role but not his memories. His own motivations were tangled half righteous, half opportunistic. The God-level lottery system was still his main drive.
Still, he responded firmly. "Elder, I chose this. I accept the role of Dragon Ball Guardian."
Seeing Elder Ge's self-reproach made Ye Lin feel an unexpected wave of warmth. It reminded him of family. He chuckled lightly. "You don't have to offer me the treasure. I can't take everything. Just let me leave some to help the village rebuild. That's more than enough for me."
"You're a good kid, Ye Lin," Elder Ge said, deeply moved. "Remember, this village is your home."
"I'll leave the village to you now. Look after everyone," Ye Lin said, bowing slightly. He turned to the gathered villagers, raising a hand. "Take care, everyone!"
Kiraen followed behind, flapping his wings and waving cheerfully.
"Ye Lin, come back often! Yage Village will always welcome you!" Elder Ge shouted after them.
The villagers waved back enthusiastically. Though Ye Lin hadn't been among them for long, he had already earned their respect and gratitude. As he took off, Ye Lin felt a twinge of sorrow but he knew staying would only bring more trouble.
---
With the Dragon Radar in hand, Ye Lin scanned the skies as they soared eastward. His eyes fell on the small island ahead.
It was a modest landmass, with a single towering coconut tree and a small capsule-style house painted in soft pastel pink. A giant sea turtle lounged lazily on the beach.
"Just as I expected... this signal is coming from Kame House or as the locals call it, Guixian Island."
Ye Lin's thoughts immediately turned to the island's resident: Master Roshi, the Turtle Hermit, one of the most iconic figures in Dragon Ball history—founder of the Kame Style Martial Arts and the original mentor to Goku and Krillin.
Landing gently, Ye Lin and Kiraen stepped onto the sand.
The sea turtle lazily opened its eyes, blinking as it noticed them. "Hey, who are you two? You can't just land on someone else's island uninvited."
The turtle spoke clearly, and Ye Lin wasn't surprised he remembered the talking turtle from the anime and manga.
"I'm looking for Master Roshi or rather, Teacher Wu Tian as he's formally known. Is he home?"
The turtle sized them up with suspicion. "He's inside, but it's a small house. Your friend might not fit through the door."
He gestured with his flipper toward the bulky Kiraen.
Ye Lin nodded. "Kiraen, wait here."
"No problem, boss," Kiraen said cheerfully, standing aside with folded arms.
Ye Lin stepped toward the door and entered the house.
Inside, a bald old man in sunglasses with a white beard down to his chest sat cross-legged, gripping a gnarled wooden cane and watching a lewd aerobics program on a CRT television.
"Higher, higher… just a little more almost saw it…"
The pervy gleam in Master Roshi's squinting eyes was unmistakable.
"Master Roshi, you have a visitor!" the sea turtle called from the doorway.
But Roshi was too engrossed in the bouncing forms on the screen to notice.
The turtle groaned and waddled inside. It stepped onto the remote, and click! the screen went black.
"AH! I was so close!" Roshi shouted, beating his chest in despair. "Why now?!"
The turtle just sighed. "Honestly, you do this every time…"
Ye Lin chuckled quietly and walked forward. Recalling the strange USB stick he had received from the E-rank reward, he took it out and twirled it between his fingers.
He smirked. "You know, Master Roshi… I think I have something that might interest you."
Roshi turned suspiciously. "Eh? What's that?"
Ye Lin tossed him the USB. "Let's just say… while normal TV has restrictions, what's on this might offer… a more unrestricted 'viewing experience.'"
Roshi caught it, his eyes bulging. "1TB?! This… this is… a divine artifact!"
He trembled, then burst into tears of joy. "Young man! You are a gift from the heavens!"
The turtle muttered, "You say that every time someone brings you a magazine…"
Ye Lin shook his head with a smile. "I need to talk to you about a Dragon Ball. According to my radar, you have one."
Still sniffling, Roshi gestured toward the drawer beside him. "Yeah, yeah, I found it while fishing last week. You can have it. Anyone who brings me something this sacred deserves it!"
Ye Lin retrieved the glowing four-star ball the same one Goku had once carried in honor of his grandfather.
With a nod of thanks, Ye Lin turned toward the door. "Thanks, Master Roshi. You just helped me get one step closer to gathering all seven."
"Come back anytime, my boy!" Roshi called out. "And bring volume two!"
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