Mestre Kame, also known as the Turtle Hermit, is a central figure in Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies. He is an ancient and highly skilled martial arts master who lives as a hermit on a small, isolated island. In the film, he is first sought out by the young girl Pansy, who hopes he will use his legendary power to stop King Gurumes and his army from terrorizing her homeland. When Goku, Bulma, and their companions arrive at his island seeking both his help and a Dragon Ball, Mestre Kame presents himself as an eccentric, elderly man who is easily distracted by attractive women and often makes crude or childish demands. Despite this comedic and sometimes off-putting behavior, he possesses deep wisdom and a strong sense of responsibility. His motivations are rooted in a belief that younger warriors must learn and grow through their own experiences, which is why he ultimately declines to directly intervene against King Gurumes, instead guiding Goku and his friends to face the challenge themselves. He recognizes Goku's pure heart and immense potential, granting him the Flying Nimbus Cloud as a reward for his honesty and good nature.

Within the story, Mestre Kame serves as a mentor and a gatekeeper of ancient martial arts knowledge. He demonstrates his immense power when his home is attacked by the king's forces; enraged by the destruction of his house, he uses his signature technique, the Kamehameha, to obliterate the enemy submarine with a single, devastating energy wave. This display establishes him as a warrior of extraordinary ability who chooses to remain on the sidelines. His key relationships in the film are with Goku, whom he sees as a promising student, and with Bulma, whom he teases relentlessly. He also interacts with the shape-shifter Oolong and the bandit Yamcha, testing their characters with simple trials. Through his role, he sets the protagonists on the path toward their own growth, emphasizing that true strength comes from training, humility, and perseverance.

Mestre Kame does not undergo significant personal development within the confines of this single film, but his presence establishes the foundation for his future role as a teacher. His most notable abilities include the Kamehameha, a powerful energy attack he invented after decades of training, and his ability to increase his physical strength and muscle mass when he focuses his ki. He also possesses the wisdom to judge a person's character, as shown by his use of the Flying Nimbus Cloud, which can only be ridden by those with a pure heart. His knowledge of martial arts philosophy, combined with his raw power, makes him a legendary figure respected throughout the world, even as his eccentric personal habits provide much of the film's comic relief.