Chapter 19: A Bounty of Senzu Beans

"Can't believe there are so many!" Xavier's eyes lit up at the sight of the five large jars of Senzu Beans Korin had unearthed, much like a destitute man suddenly beholding a room filled with gold. His gaze was filled with intense longing.

Those five jars held, at the very least, seventy to eighty thousand beans! Initially, Senzu Beans seemed of little value in the early stages of Dragon Ball, frivolously used merely to stave off hunger. However, as the series progressed, they proved to be true lifesavers—rapidly restoring stamina and instantly healing various injuries.

Recalling how, in later parts of Dragon Ball, Goku and the others would split a single bean between two to share in tough times, it was heartrending. Now, seeing such an abundance before him, Xavier was tempted to take them all, sparing them from being wasted by the gluttonous Yajirobe in the future.

"Here, catch!" Korin casually tossed a Senzu Bean towards him.

Xavier caught it and popped it into his mouth, crunching it. It cracked with a crisp sound, tasting somewhat like roasted beans, albeit flavorless. However, as he chewed, a miraculous vitality spread through his mouth, followed by a warm sensation flowing through his body.

The hunger in his stomach vanished as if by magic, and the fatigue he felt was swept away, leaving him invigorated and filled with strength.

Testing his body, he found himself in peak condition.

"This effect... the Senzu Bean truly is miraculous!"

Having personally experienced the wonders of the Senzu Bean, Xavier's desire for them only grew. He looked eagerly at the jars full of beans.

"I wonder, Korin, could you perhaps spare me some of these beans?"

"Oh, sure, no problem!"

Korin, with a careless wave of his hand, threw several jars towards Xavier.

This gesture stunned Xavier. He had only hoped for a small portion of the beans, thinking a few thousand would suffice.

But Korin, with his generous nature, had given him all five jars, amounting to perhaps seventy to eighty thousand beans!

"It seems I am quite fortunate with these beans!" Xavier thought, delighted. He immediately began to store them.

With a flick of his finger, he drew a dark red crack in the smooth fabric of space, like slicing through a thin sheet of paper. Carefully, he placed the five large jars into the dimensional space, ensuring their safekeeping.

Xavier's innovative technique developed during his training at the temple, while lacking offensive capabilities, proved perfect for storing items. Korin watched the spatial rift hover in mid-air with a mix of surprise and amusement.

"Hey, you've got quite a few tricks up your sleeve. Used well, this method could be a formidable weapon indeed!" Korin commented with a chuckle.

"Haha, it's just a minor skill! And thank you, these Senzu Beans are going to be a huge help," Xavier laughed heartily, visibly pleased with his haul.

Securing such a large quantity of Senzu Beans was an unexpected boon. It meant he now had much more resources for his training, akin to a seasoned street racer on Mount Akina who had just secured several high-value insurance policies, enabling him to attempt training methods that were previously too risky.

Korin waved his hand nonchalantly, "These beans were originally meant to rejuvenate and feed those who managed to climb Korin Tower. But since no one has made the climb in years, they were just sitting here unused. Better that you have them."

Xavier grinned at Korin's rationale, his curiosity piqued, "How is the production of these beans?"

Having already received a large stash, Xavier's interest in obtaining even more was apparent.

Korin seemed to anticipate his thoughts, shaking his head, "Senzu Beans require divine water for irrigation. I have a small plot here on Korin Tower, and the yield is only about a hundred beans a year. Recently, the yield has been decreasing. The beans you have now are the result of centuries of accumulation."

"I see…" Xavier nodded, slightly disappointed. However, the thought of the tens of thousands of beans already secured in his dimensional space quickly brightened his mood.

After a moment of thought, he kindly suggested, "Korin, Senzu Beans are truly invaluable, not just for hunger and stamina, but their healing properties are especially crucial. I suggest you consider expanding the cultivation. Who knows, they might prove even more essential in the future!"

Korin stroked his beard, nodding at Xavier's advice. Previously, the beans' importance hadn't been fully realized due to the lack of formidable enemies on Earth. But the past wasn't always indicative of the future, especially now that Earth was exposed to the universe, potentially attracting numerous powerful foes.

"As a healing miracle, Senzu Beans are indeed indispensable," Korin acknowledged. "I understand, and I'll try to expand the cultivation. However, the production of divine water needed for the beans isn't easy, so it's uncertain how much the yield can be increased."

"Maybe just start with a small trial planting!"  Xavier exclaimed, his face breaking into a radiant smile as he playfully suggested.

If Master Korin agreed to expand the area for growing Senzu Beans, their yield would inevitably increase. Moreover, once Master Korin recognized the vital importance of the Senzu Beans, Xavier was confident that in the future, even if Yajirobe craved them, Master Korin wouldn't squander them as he did in the original story.

The reason Xavier had managed to obtain so many Senzu Beans this time was precisely because Master Korin was unaware of their crucial importance. How could something known to be so valuable be given away so carelessly?

After bidding farewell to Master Korin, Xavier left the Lookout and returned to the Temple.

Once back at the Temple, Xavier suddenly slapped his forehead, realizing he had forgotten to ask Master Korin about the Ultra Divine Water.

Such a thing had the power to unlock potential; wouldn't it be a pity to miss out on it? Yet, he shook his head, deciding against it. To mere mortals, the Ultra Divine Water was no different from poison, so aggressively did it stimulate one's latent powers.

In the original story, Goku had survived by a hair's breadth, enduring only through his Saiyan resilience. Xavier even suspected that it was Goku's consumption of the Ultra Divine Water, coupled with the intense strain from using the Kaio-ken technique repeatedly, that had prematurely worn out his heart, leading to his viral heart disease.

Honestly, for a warrior race like the Saiyans, whose very lifeblood is battle, how could their heart, the core of their power, fail so easily? Highly powerful beings were usually impervious to common pathogens, their immune systems extraordinarily robust—any invading microbes would be immediately devoured by immune cells in their bodily fluids.

The fact that Goku had contracted viral heart disease suggested some underlying weakness had been induced somehow.

Although it was just a speculation, Xavier felt it was better to be cautious. It wouldn't do to greedily seek a quick power boost only to leave long-term problems.

"There are more ways to unlock potential in the universe. Maybe some time later, I could visit Planet Namek and ask their Grand Elder to unlock my potential? That method has absolutely no side effects."

"Could it be that the Ultra Divine Water is the same sacred water Master Korin uses to water the Senzu Beans?" Alone in the Temple, Xavier let his thoughts wander wildly.