Dragon Ball Human

"Huh..." Zanpa was puzzled. "What do you mean? Did he get in touch with his friend?"

"Who knows," Dr. Omori replied indifferently. "Aren't you his companion? Shouldn't you be the one explaining things to me?"

Zanpa found the old man a bit peculiar, but since Yamiru seemed to be safe, he let it slide for now. After all, that boy was his savior.

Feeling bored, he decided to share his story with Dr. Omori.

When he spoke about being captured by pirates during his trip, Zanpa's face filled with anger, and he stood up from the tatami mat in frustration. Dr. Omori, meanwhile, gazed at the blue-black sea in the distance and sipped his tea.

When he described the pirates' ruthless and inhumane actions, Zanpa burst into a string of curses. Dr. Omori continued drinking tea.

When he spoke of Yamiru killing the pirates and saving his life, Zanpa looked awestruck, praising Yamiru's extraordinary strength for someone so young. He even claimed that in his hometown, known for its renowned martial arts dojos, such talent was extremely rare. At this, Dr. Omori paused mid-sip, casting an unexpected glance at Zanpa, perhaps wondering if he was exaggerating.

When he mentioned the pirates being lost at sea for over two months, Zanpa looked exhausted. But when recounting the attack by the monstrous shark that sank the entire ship, he shuddered with lingering fear.

"So, you encountered that giant shark! It's a miracle you managed to swim to this island alive," Dr. Omori said in surprise. "That beast has prowled these waters for ages, sinking countless ships. I haven't even been able to go to the nearest town for supplies in a long time. I've had to rely on farming and self-sufficiency here on the island."

"Yeah... I didn't think I'd make it either..." Zanpa said, still shaken. "I thought it was all over."

The two waited for a long time, but Yamiru still didn't appear, and they began to worry.

Zanpa suggested they go to the shore to check. Dr. Omori threw on a long-sleeved shirt and followed him. The night breeze carried the scent of the sea as they made their way to the nearest coast. There, they saw a small figure standing motionless on the dock, gazing intently toward the sea.

Sensing someone approaching, the figure's head turned, and a pair of golden lights gleamed in the dark — it was Yamiru.

"Yamiru!" Zanpa exclaimed, rushing over and hugging him. "You little liar! You really fooled me, didn't you? Wow, you've got some skills! I really thought I was done for!"

He lifted Yamiru off the ground and swung him around, surprised at how heavy the boy was for his size. "Is his weight unusually this high?" Zanpa wondered.

"Well... it's a long story. We were both saved," Yamiru said calmly as he was set back down.

"The one who saved you — Is he the person you've been waiting for?" Dr. Omori asked.

Zanpa scratched his head. "It's so late. Maybe your friend already went home to rest?"

Yamiru smiled faintly. He turned back to face the sea, continuing his vigil.

"Well, whatever. I'll wait with you!" Zanpa said without hesitation, sitting down beside him. "After all, they saved my life too! I owe both you and your friend one life each."

Yamiru didn't refuse. However, Dr. Omori, being older, didn't necessarily need to endure the sea breeze all night.

Hearing this, Dr. Omori said, "I'm actually curious about what kind of being could have the ability to save you two from the jaws of that monstrous shark." The old man speculated that whoever Yamiru was waiting for had likely met an unfortunate end but chose to stay and keep the boy company.

"It won't have any trouble," Yamiru said, quietly gazing at the sea.

It wasn't that he trusted the seemingly sentient shark's strength, but rather... he believed in the old man who first brought the shark to him.

As the night wore on, the sun creeping up from the horizon seemed an impossibility. The night was long, unwilling to shift to a new scene. Time trudged forward, tick by tick, every second accounted for. Yamiru and Dr. Omori, both accustomed to silence, shared a quiet companionship on the darkened beach, an unspoken understanding forming between them.

Zanpa, however, couldn't stay still. With only the sound of the wind and insects in his ears, he couldn't help but start a conversation to pass the time.

Dr. Omori, with nothing better to do, chatted intermittently with this energetic man who seemed far younger than his measured maturity suggested. As they talked, Zanpa asked about Dr. Omori's reasons for living alone on this obscure island.

Dr. Omori fell silent for a moment, noticing how Yamiru turned slightly, showing his interest.

The old man chuckled, a hint of sorrow touching his voice, and said, "I came to this island to research a time machine."

Yamiru turned around, his expression one of genuine surprise.

"A time machine?" Zanpa's face was filled with disbelief. "Is that even possible?"

"Who knows?" Dr. Omori sighed softly. "But isn't it the role of a scientist to explore the impossible?"

Zanpa mused, "That's... really deep."

"There was an accident in the research. Everyone else, including my wife, perished. I was the only one who survived..." Dr. Omori murmured, his voice trailing off.

"So time machines really are impossible," Zanpa concluded.

Dr. Omori and Yamiru's golden eyes met. The old scientist suddenly felt as if a voice resonated in his heart, delivering a thought: The research on the time machine must have already borne fruit, right?

Startled by the boy's peculiar ability, the old man also felt a surge of warmth. He realized that Yamiru had communicated through his ability rather than speaking aloud, intending to keep the information about the time machine's success from others, including Zanpa.

"I never expected someone to consider an old man like me..." Dr. Omori nodded to Yamiru, moved by his thoughtfulness.

Yamiru turned back to the sea, thinking: Bulma's time machine — could it have drawn from Dr. Omori's research? At the very least, did it reference his findings?

This time, the sun truly rose over the horizon, signaling the end of the long night.

The three had endured a night of cold sea breezes.

Just as Zanpa began sniffling and rubbing his arms to ward off the chill, Yamiru suddenly said, "It's here!"

"Huh? Finally?" Zanpa's exhausted spirit perked up.

"But there's no sign of a ship or a flying vehicle," Dr. Omori said, shielding his eyes and scanning the distance.

"I never said the one who saved us was human," Yamiru replied with a grin. Moving closer to the pier, his gaze fixed on a shark-like silhouette speeding toward them. It broke the surface with a splash, calling out happily with its toothy maw. "I'm glad you're okay. This is the third time you've helped me, counting when you chased me all the way to Papaya Island." Yamiru leaned down, patting the shark affectionately.

The two onlookers were dumbfounded. They had never expected that the one Yamiru had been waiting for was a shark!

"It's much smaller than that monstrous shark..." Zanpa muttered, stunned. "It's the one that saved us? How's that even possible?"

"Wait," Dr. Omori stepped forward, squinting at the waters. A massive shadow — almost the size of a small island — loomed near the surface. "Is that... the corpse of the giant shark?"

"...!" Zanpa's jaw dropped as he instinctively distanced himself from Yamiru's shark companion.

"What did that old man do to you?" Yamiru murmured as he continued to interact with the shark. "Tell me — do you help me because you like me, or...?" He frowned, then relaxed, caught in a small internal conflict. Finally, he decided to let it go.

"Whatever. I'll walk my own path. Whether this road was paved by someone else or forged by me, I'll tread it with purpose. No regrets in life or death." He through to himself.

As the shark swam away, Yamiru turned around, hands clasped behind his head, grinning. "I'm starving. Got any food?"

---

"Since the monster shark is dead, let me take you to the nearest town," Dr. Omori offered.

At the island's dock, the doctor was already preparing his small boat. Yamiru and Zanpa had shared a simple breakfast on the island — nothing fancy, but warm and satisfying.

As the sun climbed higher, its golden rays bathed the azure sea, scattering radiant glimmers across the waves.

"Vroom—!"

The small boat sped through the waves. Yamiru spread his arms wide and closed his eyes, as if soaring on the wind. The deep blue sea, the vast sky, drifting clouds, sparkling white waves... Opening his eyes, he saw schools of fish leaping from the water. The vivid reality intertwined with his memories, prompting him to laugh freely.

The world of Dragon Ball couldn't tolerate a gloomy, sullen soul. Joy was the way to go! Living freely, naturally — that was the best!

"Yoo-hoo—!!"

Yamiru shouted gleefully at the sea, his arms stretched wide.

"Are you crazy?!" Zanpa jumped in surprise.

"Hahaha..." Dr. Omori, at the helm, understood the boy's pure emotions. For the first time in years, he chuckled warmly, his face softening. "Hold on tight! Accelerating now!"

"Go, go, go! Faster!" Yamiru cheered, his excitement palpable. "I'll find you, Mount Paozu! My unbelievable adventure hasn't even begun yet! Hahahaha!"

"Completely insane..." Zanpa muttered. "The ocean turns everyone into lunatics..."

It wasn't long before the small boat docked on shore.

"That was so close!" Zanpa cried, overwhelmed with relief as he stepped ashore. "Those clueless pirates had us circling at sea for how long?!"

"We're on land now, so let it go," Yamiru said, smiling.

"Easy for you to say..." Zanpa grumbled, still irritated.

Next, Dr. Omori guided them to a familiar shop to gather travel supplies for Yamiru and Zanpa. Though Yamiru had no money and Dr. Omori wasn't particularly well-off, Zanpa came to the rescue. Ever since Yamiru dealt with him, Zanpa had been discreetly hoarding jewelry from the pirate ship, which came in handy now.

"So, it's up to me again," Zanpa said smugly.

"...Hmm?" Yamiru didn't seem to care, but suddenly, with his Golden Eyes constantly active as a precaution, he spotted a familiar humanoid aura. "That's... Why is she here?"

(Note: These chapters draw material from Akira Toriyama's Jaco the Galactic Patrolman, a canonical prequel to Dragon Ball.)