Go, Goku, Go!

Catching the Four-Star Ball

With Shenron departing and the Dragon Balls beginning to rise and scatter, Goku keeps his attention locked on one in particular. Upa watches Bora stand in wonder as the reunion between father and son plays out, and in the same moment Goku springs into the air and plucks the Four-Star Ball from the sky before it can vanish. He explains to Upa that the orbs disperse the instant a wish is spoken, and shows him how the ball has already hardened into a lifeless gray stone. For a full year the Dragon Balls remain dormant rocks, but this one carries Grandpa Gohan memory and Goku refuses to let it fly off into the unknown. Bora thanks him warmly, Upa recounts the climb up Korin Tower and the fall of Mercenary Tao, and Goku boards the Flying Nimbus and waves goodbye while Bora urges his son to grow as strong and fearless as the boy who saved them.

Farewells and a New Training Plan

Back at Fortuneteller Baba palace, Goku rejoins the others and casually relieves himself nearby, leaving Krillin to wonder how such a child could possibly be the savior of the world. When talk turns to the future, Goku reveals he intends to train for the next World Martial Arts Tournament and lights up at the idea of everyone training together. Master Roshi surprises him, however, by refusing to take him back as a student and insisting Goku sharpen his skills on his own out in the wider world.

A Three-Year Parting

Roshi also reveals that the growing field of contestants has pushed the tournament onto a three-year cycle rather than five. Goku says his goodbyes, calls for Nimbus, and is told to make the journey entirely on foot. Unbothered, he dashes off alone while Roshi hurries everyone back toward Kame House, setting the stage for three long years of separate growth.