13 THE CHALLENGE

On Roshi's Island, at a place called Kame house, Paur is bandaging Shallots head.

"All done." Paur says.

Shallot smiles.

"Thank you, Paur. So is Bulma and the others still looking for the dragon balls at the Red Ribbon base?" Shallot asks.

"Yeah, Bulma was determined to find them, no matter what it takes."

Shallot chuckles.

"That sounds about right."

Krillin then rushes through the door.

"Alright Shallot, from this point on you are my rival."

Shallot looks at him with a blank expression on his face.

"Ok."

This infuriates Krillin, causing his face to turn red.

"Act all cool now, but I'll surpass you, maybe even master Roshi someday! And when I do, I'll be the strongest in the world."

Shallot smirks at Krillin, then extends his fist.

"Let's keep getting stronger then."

Krillin stares at the fist for a moment, then smiles and gives Shallot a fist bump.

"So, where's the old man?" Shallot asks.

"Master Roshi is meditating in the front, he said he had a lot to think about."

Shallot is confused.

"Thinking? About what?"

"He didn't say. He did just read a really dirty magazine, so that's probably it."

At that moment, Bulma, Yamcha, and Oolong gets back from finding the dragon balls. Shallot and the others run outside.

"We're back, and we brought seven gifts." Bulma says, showing them the bag full of dragon balls.

Paur and Krillin smiles brightly.

"Wow, you actually found them." Paur says.

"Yep, it took a while, but we dug through the wreckage and found them."

Oolong scoffs.

"And by we, she means me and Yamcha dug through the wreckage while she was barking orders."

Bulma gets angry and punches Oolong in the head.

"So anyway, we were talking, and..."

"We think the wish should go to Shallot." Yamcha finishes Bulma's sentence.

Shallot is shocked.

"What? But what about your wish? You're the one who's been looking for these things, not me."

Bulma looks at Yamcha and blushes.

"Oh, I don't need that wish anymore. Besides if it wasn't for you, we'd never would have gotten this far. You deserve to wish for your planet back." Bulma says.

"Yeah kid, go ahead and wish your people back. Although I'm not sure I could handle more of you." Oolong jokingly says.

Shallot lowers his head, thinking about all of this. As he remembers his family, the people he cared about on Planet Vegeta, he also thinks about the destruction and chaos they caused throughout the universe. He grits his

teeth and clutches his fists tightly.

"I- I can't." Shallot finally says.

Everyone is confused by this.

"What do you mean you can't? You've gone through so much to avenge your people, I thought you'd jump at the opportunity to bring them back." Bulma says.

"... I want to, believe me. There's nothing I would want more than see everyone I've lost again...But not every Saiyan is like me. We are race of warriors, with perfect instincts for battle. We went around taking over planets, and killing anyone who gets in the way. If I bring them back, then earth might be in danger. It would be selfish of me to wish them back."

Everyone looks at Shallot with sadness, while Roshi looks over in understanding. Shallot smiles to reassure them.

"It's ok. I have another wish I would like to make."

"Really? What is it?" Bulma asks.

Before Shallot can answer, Master Roshi and walks over to him.

"Before you make that wish, I have a request to ask you."

Shallot is curious.

"Ok, what is it?" Shallot asks.

"Watching you in action today, I realized that my time has passed. It's time for me to step back and let the next generation to take my place in martial arts. So today, I declare my retirement."

Krillin is shocked.

"But Master, you can't retire, you're still so strong."

Roshi smile.

"Unfortunately, I am not as strong as I used to be. I'm getting old, my boy, it's time for me to strictly teach students and that's all. But before that, I want to have one last match. Against you, Shallot."

Everyone is shocked.

"You want to fight the kid?" Oolong asks.

"Not only are his skills impressive, he also has a kind heart. I can't think of a better final opponent."

Shallot smiles and stands infront of Roshi.

"It would be an honor. Let's do it."

"You can't be serious, Shallot, you can't fight an old man." Bulma says.

"Age doesn't matter when it comes to battle. Roshi is a fighter before anything else, same as me. He deserves nothing but my absolute best as his last bout." Shallot replies.

Roshi chuckles.

"I'm glad you understand, my boy."

As the two walk in the middle of the beach, Bulma tries to argue some more, but Yamcha grabs her arm.

"Bulma, try to understand. These two might seem like just an old man, and a child, but beyond that, they are two of the strongest warriors that I have ever seen. This is more than just a scuffle, it's about two fighters testing their skills against each other."

Krillin nods in agreement. Bulma looks at the serious looks both he and Yamcha have on their faces as Shallot and Roshi bow to each other.

"I may be old, but these bones still have life in them." Roshi says, taking a fighting stance.

Shallot smirks and takes one of his own.

"Ok, old man. Let's see what you got."