"This old man!"
Looking at Master Roshi, who was sprawled across the table in a drunken sleep, Rhode couldn't help but be momentarily speechless. He highly suspected the old man was pretending, feigning unconsciousness to test him. After centuries of life, Rhode didn't believe that Master Roshi didn't recognize the three-star ball around his neck as a Dragon Ball.
Forget it. None of that matters.
Master Roshi, as a grandmaster, had an exceptional sense for judging people. Perhaps he was certain that Rhode wouldn't misuse the Dragon Ball, which was why he had handed it over so easily. Regardless, this was a favor, and since Rhode planned to stay on Earth, he would have plenty of time to return it in the future. At worst, he could save the planet a few more times and call it even.
Master Roshi, unable to bear the burden of responsibility, was the first to succumb to drink. Rhode and Aira, however, abstained, focusing instead on the table laden with food, feasting to their heart's content. Once satisfied, Rhode carefully carried Master Roshi back into the house.
"Master Roshi, we'll take our leave now. I'll come to see you often!"
Standing by the bed, Rhode looked at the snoring old man and said goodbye softly before turning and walking out of the room.
"Rhode, where are we going next?" Aira asked, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.
"To find this!" Rhode replied, holding the three-star ball up for her to see. He didn't bother hiding it—it would have been impossible anyway.
"This ball?" Aira's eyes widened in surprise, then gleamed with excitement. "You mean…the legend the old man just mentioned is true?"
"That's right," Rhode confirmed, a small grin forming.
Aira's reaction made Rhode chuckle. He looked at her and asked seriously, "If you could make a wish, what would it be?"
Aira didn't hesitate for a moment. "Immortality! That way, I can fight forever. Even if Frieza is strong, as long as he can't kill me, I'll eventually surpass him!"
Rhode internally groaned. Uh, you and Vegeta really are two peas in a pod. Still, it was a wish worthy of Shenron, noble and ambitious—not some petty desire for wealth or vanity.
"Hehe! Aira, you're overthinking it," Rhode said gently, deciding to enlighten her. Immortality, he knew, wasn't as desirable as it sounded.
"What do you mean? I can't beat Frieza if I'm immortal?" Aira asked indignantly, furrowing her brow.
"That's not it," Rhode replied.
"I knew it! Of course I could defeat him if I were immortal!" she insisted.
Rhode shook his head. "No, what I mean is…immortality isn't as useful as you think. You don't need to be immortal to defeat Frieza." He paused for a moment to consider how to explain it, then continued, "Immortality only makes it so you cannot die naturally. But there are countless ways around it. For example, someone could absorb you. Even if you're immortal, you'd just become nourishment for someone else. In a sense, it's not true life. And there's a technique called sealing—it can lock you away. Imagine being trapped in a small, empty space with no food, no drink, no one to fight with. You can't die, but you also can't live freely."
"This…" Aira's eyes widened as she realized the truth. Immortality, she suddenly understood, was not a blessing but a living nightmare. Her small face paled, and she waved her hands frantically. "Forget it! Forget it! I don't want to suffer like that. It's better to be dead!"
Rhode couldn't help but smile at her reaction. He continued, "Furthermore, I've heard that even if immortality protects you from death, it can limit your growth. Once granted, your power might stagnate completely, and you may never improve beyond that point."
Aira's mouth fell open at the thought, and Rhode chuckled quietly. He wasn't entirely sure if immortality truly limited one's potential, but he didn't want to risk it. Better to scare her into caution than have her pursue a power that could ultimately trap her.
Moreover, once one became dependent on immortality, they would naturally lose their keenness—a dangerous side effect that would stunt growth and dull ambition.
"Ah, this?!"
Aira's small face immediately turned pale with fright. The thought that immortality could carry such hidden consequences made her shiver. She felt an odd mix of relief and gratitude toward Rhode. It was fortunate that he had warned her in advance. If she had blindly wished for immortality without knowing the truth, she would have been trapped in a nightmare with no one to save her.
"Then forget it. Besides immortality, I have nothing else to wish for."
With so many restrictions attached, Aira instantly lost interest in the idea of immortality. Yet, seeing Rhode speak with calm logic, her curiosity naturally turned toward him.
"Rhode, what wish do you want to fulfill?"
"It's a secret for now. You'll find out soon enough!"
Rhode didn't answer directly, letting a small smile tug at the corners of his mouth. In the next instant, his speed accelerated, and in a flash, he appeared at the uninhabited area where their spaceship had been parked.
The spaceship stood intact, untouched. No one had come to interfere, and nothing in the sky had acted recklessly.
"Let's go. Drive the spaceship to Brieff's house." Rhode motioned for Aira to board, then started the engines. The ship ascended smoothly, and after adjusting its trajectory, they flew toward West City.
"Little Rhode, there's a problem with the construction of the Gravity Chamber!"
Brieff's voice called out from the yard as he stepped forward, his eyes shifting from the spaceship to Rhode with an anxious expression.
"Problem?" Rhode asked calmly, unfazed. He had anticipated this. After all, Earth currently lacked the technology to easily construct a Gravity Chamber. Even with the technical data he had provided, complications were expected.
Brieff furrowed his brows and replied, "I've thoroughly studied the technical data you brought. The design is flawless, but building a Gravity Chamber requires special metals and materials. I can synthesize them, but it will take considerable time."
Rhode nodded. The issue Brieff mentioned wasn't a trivial problem—it was precisely the kind of hurdle that Earth's limited technology could present. He recalled the original Dragon Ball story, when Goku had traveled to Namek and Brieff had modified the spaceship. Time had always been a factor, and even minor technical issues had caused delays.
Complaining would solve nothing. Rhode had already considered such possibilities and was prepared. He returned to the spaceship and retrieved several kinds of metals, the exact materials required for constructing the Gravity Chamber.
Placing the items carefully in front of Brieff, Rhode smiled and said, "Doctor, these materials should be sufficient to build the Gravity Chamber, right?"
P@treon Seasay for advanced 10 plus chapters and supporting me