The night was quiet except for the steady rush of waves against Roshi's island.
The sky was cloudless, and the moon hung low and full, glowing silver over the water.
Haruko noticed the light pouring into the open windows and looked straight at Goku, who was still fiddling with his wooden practice stick.
"Goku. Sleep. Now," Haruko said firmly.
"Eh? But I'm not—"
"No," Haruko cut in, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Tonight's a full moon. We can't play around under that light."
Goku blinked, confused. "Why?"
Haruko hesitated, then crouched so his voice dropped to a low tone. "Because we're not like most people here. You know how werewolves change during a full moon? We're something like that. But instead of turning into a wolf, we become… huge. Ape-like. Bigger than an elephant. Maybe bigger than a dinosaur."
Goku's eyes widened. "Really?! That sounds—"
"It's dangerous," Haruko interrupted sharply. "Too dangerous. If it ever happens, the only way to stop it is by destroying the tail… or the moon itself. You understand?"
Goku bit his lip and nodded slowly. The seriousness in Haruko's voice was enough. "Alright… I'll sleep."
Haruko didn't relax until the boy was under the blanket, facing away from the moonlight.
Morning sunlight replaced the moon's glow, and the island hummed with life.
Goku was already awake, running through a set of basic strikes and footwork in the sand. Haruko paused mid-step when he saw the boy's movements — rough, but oddly familiar.
In the shifting light, the stance looked almost like a shadow from another time. Grandpa Gohan's shadow.
Master Roshi shuffled out of the house, scratching his chin. His eyes fixed on Goku's posture.
"Boy… who are your parents?"
Goku blinked. "Don't know. Only had Grandpa Gohan. He raised me."
At the name, Roshi's expression shifted—memory dawning. "Gohan… yes. I remember. He once spoke of a strange boy he raised. Said he had a tail. That was you, wasn't it?"
"Yeah," Goku smiled. "That's me!"
Roshi looked at Haruko. "And you… are you also his son?"
Haruko shook his head. "No, Master Roshi. I'm from the same race as Goku, but not his blood relative."
Roshi studied them both for a moment and then smiled faintly. "Well, both of you have immense potential. So tell me—do you want to learn under the Turtle Hermit school?"
Goku looked stunned for a second, then turned toward Haruko. "Nee-san, Grandpa trained under Master Roshi too! We should train here!"
Haruko nodded. "Alright."
Goku turned back to Roshi and bowed his head. Haruko followed suit. "We accept the apprenticeship," Haruko said evenly.
"I want in too!" Yamcha called from where he'd been leaning on the fence. His voice was half-serious, half-begging.
Roshi chuckled. "I don't usually take groups… but alright. You can join."
Yamcha let out a quiet breath of relief, looking away so they wouldn't see the smirk of satisfaction. Best decision I ever made was following them.
Roshi glanced between them. "So, where were you planning to go anyway?"
Goku answered without hesitation. "We're gonna find the Dragon Balls so I can get my grandpa back!"
That made Roshi stop short. "Dragon Balls? I've heard the stories… seven balls, one wish. Thought it was a myth." He looked at Haruko. "So that bead I gave you… that was a Dragon Ball, wasn't it?"
Haruko didn't answer right away but didn't deny it either. Roshi chuckled knowingly. "Figures. You weren't after jewelry — you were after the Ball."
"Well," Roshi said after a moment, "in that case, let's make it official. Go find your Dragon Balls. Meet me here in six months. That's when real training begins."
The three of them nodded.
Six months. Enough time to search, fight, and prepare.
Haruko felt the faint hum of his bracelets — the reminder of his larger mission — and knew this quest would shape more than just Goku's future.
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