"Goku!!"
Chichi's loud voice echoed through the trees and shook the air like thunder. Her eyes were filled with anger as she stormed toward her husband. But instead of looking worried, Goku just gave her an awkward little giggle and scratched his head.
Surprisingly, that silly laugh worked. Chichi stared at him for a few seconds, then sighed deeply and let her shoulders drop. She looked like a flower that hadn't been watered in days—tired, disappointed, and slowly wilting.
She loved Goku, but his refusal to take chances of getting rich was a headache. Once again, he had walked away from an opportunity to make their lives easier.
Tien, who had been quietly watching all of this unfold, was secretly relieved. He was worried for a second that Chichi would start yelling or even fighting with Goku. If that had happened, everything would've become messy and out of his hands.
Even though Goku refused to join him this time, Tien wasn't upset. No, he was patient. He knew Chichi well enough now. She was desperate for wealth and control. And Goku, he wasn't the type to make those things a priority.
Tien smiled to himself. He only had to plant the seed in Chichi's mind. If she kept asking, kept pushing her husband to join him, someday Goku would give in. He would join the Triclops Kingdom. It was just a matter of time.
So, Tien clapped his hands loudly and raised his voice, breaking the heavy silence between the couple.
"Cheer up, you two!" he said with a big, friendly grin.
Both Goku and Chichi turned to look at him, surprised.
"Listen, my offer still stands," Tien continued. "I'm Goku's friend, after all."
"As long as he wants to work for me, I'll always have a job ready for him—a good one. I'll pay him well. You guys won't ever have to worry about money while I'm around. You have my word."
Tien's voice was smooth, kind, and full of promise. He made it sound like he was doing them a huge favor—and it worked. Chichi's eyes lit up immediately.
She looked at Tien like he was some kind of miracle worker. Her hands grabbed his again, and she shook them like her life depended on it.
"Thank you, Tien!" Chichi cried, her voice trembling with emotion.
She turned to her husband, still holding Tien's hand. "Goku, say thank you! Tien is a lifesaver!"
Goku chuckled awkwardly and smiled at Tien. "Thanks, man," he said casually.
Tien gave him a thumbs-up, all while hiding his true thoughts.
Not only did I just take all their treasure, Tien thought with pride, but they're also thanking me for it. This is what being a ruler feels like.
He was starting to really enjoy this role. A calm leader, a generous lord—it suited him.
"You're welcome," Tien said kindly. "Just call me if you ever need anything."
Then he pulled out his phone and tapped on the number pad.
"Oh, by the way… do either of you know Master Roshi's number?"
Goku blinked. "Uh… why?"
Tien smiled. "I want to give him a call. Launch should be at his place by now. I could really use her help."
Chichi raised an eyebrow. "Help with what?"
Tien explained, "Well, I need someone skilled to help find the cave. Launch used to be a thief, right? She has an eye for hidden things."
Chichi nodded and quickly turned around.
As far as she was concerned, Tien was Goku's future boss. They had to be helpful and polite. Without saying another word, she ran into the house and came back a minute later, holding a piece of paper.
"Here's the number," she said with a smile.
"Thank you," Tien said, and he called the number right away. Goku and Chichi leaned in curiously.
"Hey, Master Roshi?" Tien said into the phone. "Is Launch there?"
A moment passed, then Tien smiled.
"Hey, Launch. Sorry for dropping you off earlier like that… No, I'm not buying a house for us."
"I'm building a kingdom for us."
There was a pause, then a burst of noise came through the phone. Launch was clearly excited.
Tien chuckled. "Yes, yes, I'll take you with me. That's why I'm calling."
"But first, I need your help with something important. There's a cave full of treasure—northeast from where you are, about fifteen minutes from Kame House. It's underwater."
"Yeah, that one. I need it to fund the kingdom."
Launch said something quickly, and Tien's smile grew.
"You'll start looking right away? I knew I could count on you. Thanks, Launch. See you soon."
He ended the call and slipped his phone back into his pocket.
Goku rubbed his cheek. "So… is that all you came here for?"
Tien looked at him.
"You don't want to fight me a little?"
Goku's face lit up like a child who'd just been offered candy.
"I haven't fought anyone in two whole years!" he said, bringing his hands together like he was begging. "Come on, Tien! Just a little sparring match!"
Tien hesitated.
Fighting Goku… wasn't something he wanted to do right now. Not because he didn't want to spar—but because Goku was way stronger than him.
Back when they fought King Piccolo, Goku's power level had been 260, while Tien's was only 180.
And by the time Goku faced Raditz, he had reached 416, while Tien was stuck at 250. That was years ago—and now? Goku was probably around 334, and Tien was only at 200.
Even with training, the gap between them was huge.
But power level isn't everything, Tien reminded himself.
Maybe I can win with skill… right?
He bit his lip, thinking. Goku was smart, not just strong. This wouldn't be easy.
Still, he couldn't say no. Goku had helped him, and now it was time to return the favor.
"…Alright," Tien finally said, keeping his nervousness hidden. "Let's spar."
"Yes!!" Goku shouted, excited beyond belief.
His whole aura changed in a second. The cheerful, calm energy he had moments ago vanished—replaced by a powerful, burning fire.
Tien could feel it—Goku's fighting spirit roaring to life.
This guy… is a real battle maniac, Tien thought as he stepped into his stance. He cursed under his breath and prepared himself.
"Let's begin, Son Goku!" Tien said, and with a sudden surge of focus, he used body manipulation to make his muscles three times denser.
"You're in for a surprise."
Goku grinned and cracked his knuckles.
"Here I come, Tien."
With a burst of speed, Goku lunged forward. Tien's third eye locked onto him, tracking his movement perfectly.
But just before Goku's punch could land, it changed direction—coming from the side instead.
Still, Tien was ready.
He spun around and caught Goku's punch mid-air, holding it tightly.
"I may not have your power," Tien smirked, "but I have something better—burst speed."
"And that's not all."
His muscles bulged with strength.
"Dense muscles mean immense power."
Without warning, Tien kicked Goku hard in the stomach. The sound echoed like a thunderclap, and a cloud of dust rose from the ground.
Goku vanished in a blink.
Tien narrowed his eyes, scanning the dust, every sense alert.
Advanced chapters ahead on patréon
www.patréon.com/ImagineMaker