With the roar of the engine, Bulma expertly navigated the winding, rugged mountain road.
One hand gripped the steering wheel, the other was glued to the Dragon Ball Radar screen, watching the blinking dot until it finally stabilized at a very close position, at which point she let out a long sigh of relief.
"Phew... I didn't get lost this time!"
After her customary complaint, Bulma glanced towards the passenger seat. Whitley's head was tilted, his breathing even as he slept soundly. Sunlight filtering through the window cast dappled light and shadows on his chiseled profile.
"Hey! Whitley!"
Bulma nudged him irritably. "Wake up! You're taking this bodyguard job way too easy, aren't you? I'm working hard driving here, and you're sleeping like a log!"
Whitley's head jerked, startling him from his light sleep. He rubbed his drowsy eyes, let out a lazy yawn, and looked ahead amidst Bulma's complaints before slowly saying, "Focus on your driving... don't look at me, look at the road. There's a surprise up ahead."
"A surprise? What sur—" Bulma subconsciously followed his pointing finger, and her pupils instantly contracted!
In the middle of the narrow mountain road ahead, a small child wearing a tattered orange martial arts gi and carrying a wild boar bigger than his own body was standing there, looking bewildered! The boar's tusks were almost touching the front of the car!
"Whoa—! Get out of the way!" Bulma screamed, terrified, and slammed her foot on the brake pedal!
SCREEECH—!!!
The harsh sound of tires screeching echoed through the valley. The powerful inertia sent the car lurching forward, finally coming to a hair-raising stop less than a meter away from the child and the boar!
Bulma was thrown against the steering wheel, her heart pounding uncontrollably.
The child outside was also startled by the sudden appearance of the iron monster. He jumped back with an agile leap, his big, dark eyes warily fixed on the car, the red staff in his hand instinctively assuming a defensive posture.
"Hey! What kind of monster are you?!" the child shouted, his voice full of energy and a hint of curiosity.
Still shaken, Bulma patted her chest, pushed open the car door, and retorted with her hands on her hips, "Monster my foot! We're not monsters! We're people!"
"Liar!"
Goku pointed at Bulma, his face full of conviction. "You don't have a tail! How can you be a person!"
As he spoke, he proudly wiggled the furry tail that was restlessly swishing behind him.
"Huh? You have a tail too?"
Bulma looked at the tail in surprise, then turned back to look at Whitley, who had just gotten out of the car.
A playful smile touched Whitley's lips. He walked up to Goku and, without a word, his own tail shot out like a nimble snake and, with a crisp "thwack," lightly tapped Goku on the back of his head.
"Ow! That hurts!"
Goku clutched the spot, glaring at Whitley like a puffed-up little animal.
"What'd you hit me for?!"
Bulma looked at the swaying tail behind Goku, then at Whitley's equally leisurely swinging tail, and was completely baffled. "You guys... what's going on? Is this kid... an alien too?"
Whitley nodded, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes as he pointed at Goku. "He's like me, from Planet Vegeta. We're both from the warrior race, the Saiyans. His Saiyan name is Kakarot."
"It is not!"
Goku immediately retorted loudly, his little face flushed red, the veins on his neck bulging. "My name is Son Goku! It's the name Grandpa gave me! It's not Kakarot!"
"Alright, alright, Goku."
Whitley shrugged indifferently, not bothering to argue with the amnesiac little kid.
He directly took the orange Two-Star Dragon Ball from Bulma's satchel and held it out to Goku. "Kid, do you have anything like this at your house?"
Goku's eyes were instantly drawn to the Dragon Ball, shining with astonishing brightness. "Huh? How come there's another Grandpa?" He subconsciously touched the orange Four-Star Ball around his neck.
Bulma facepalmed, feeling a wave of helplessness.
"Why is this thing your grandpa? It's a Dragon Ball! Never mind... since you have one too... can we borrow your grandpa for a bit? If we find all seven, we can make a wish. We'll definitely give it back when we're done!"
"No way!"
Goku immediately clutched the Four-Star Ball tightly, shaking his head like a rattle. "Grandpa can't be borrowed! Grandpa is Grandpa!"
"Aaargh! You're driving me crazy! You're so stubborn!" Bulma ruffled her blue hair in frustration.
Whitley watched from the side, amused, and simply crossed his arms to enjoy the show.
Ultimately, after a torrent of explanations from Bulma, the lure of delicious food, and the occasional calm glance from Whitley that made Goku instinctively feel it was best not to provoke him, Goku finally, albeit skeptically, agreed to join their group, on the condition that he had to bring his "Grandpa" along himself.
With Whitley acting as a human cheat code, the Dragon Ball collecting journey, which was originally full of unexpected and comical mishaps, took a sharp turn. The efficiency was terrifyingly high, and the process was so uneventful that even Bulma felt a little disappointed—what happened to the exciting adventure?
Shortly after leaving the mountains, on a desolate desert plain, a beat-up modified car blocked their path.
A young man in tattered leather clothes, striking what he thought was a cool pose, jumped out of the car to rob them, accompanied by a floating, blue cat-like creature named Puar.
"Stop! This road is... huh?!" Yamcha's iconic opening line was only half-shouted.
Whitley didn't even get out of the car. He just rolled down the window and casually flicked a finger in Yamcha's direction.
Thump!
An invisible but unstoppable force of ki, like a battering ram, accurately hit Yamcha in the chest!
The arrogant look on his face froze, his eyes bulged, and before he could even scream, his entire body, like a stone launched from a catapult, turned into a blurry afterimage and disappeared over the horizon with a long, drawn-out "Aaaaaah—".
"Master Yamcha—!!!"
Puar, scared out of its wits, let out a piercing shriek, transformed into a bat with a "poof," and chased after the disappearing "shooting star" at the fastest speed of its life.
Inside the car, Bulma's mouth hung open, the chips in her hand falling to the floor.
Goku was pressed against the window, shouting excitedly, "Wow! He flew so high and so far! So cool!"
In a gloomy village shrouded in thick fog, a pig demon named Oolong was said to have taken all the village girls.
Goku, bursting with a sense of justice, rushed in and got into a fight with the shape-shifting Oolong.
But when they "rescued" the girls locked in a lavish mansion, they found them all well-dressed, with rosy cheeks, leisurely enjoying afternoon tea. Instead of being grateful to their "saviors," they complained about being disturbed from their comfortable life of being waited on hand and foot!
A bruised Oolong held his head and cried, "I just wanted to find true love! They were the ones who didn't want to leave and insisted on staying! I've been framed!"
Whitley, Bulma, and Goku stood in the hall, looking at the absurd scene before them, speechless. In the end, Oolong paid to make the problem go away, readily handing over the Three-Star Ball he had cherished.
During a camping trip, Goku saved a lost, giant sea turtle, which led to the arrival of Master Roshi, wearing a Hawaiian shirt and sunglasses, leaning on a staff, and exuding an air of a lecherous old man.
Master Roshi was surprised that Goku could ride the Flying Nimbus and, as thanks for saving the turtle, generously gave it to him.
However, Roshi's eyes, hidden behind his sunglasses, kept darting towards Whitley, who was leaning against the car, his aura "perfectly ordinary" and looking lazy.
His centuries-old martial artist's intuition was screaming alarms!
This seemingly harmless young man felt like he had an ancient beast slumbering within him! The occasional wisp of aura that leaked out made Roshi's skin tingle, as if being pricked by invisible needles!
When Master Roshi habitually sized up Bulma with a perverted gaze and was about to make a sleazy request to see her panties...
Whitley just turned his head slightly and gave him a faint glance.
VMMMM!
An invisible pressure, as heavy as the deepest ocean and suffocating, instantly enveloped Master Roshi!
The lecherous smile on Roshi's face froze. His pupils, behind the sunglasses, shrank to the size of pinpricks, and cold sweat instantly soaked through his Hawaiian shirt!
He shot bolt upright, coughed twice, and with utmost seriousness, puffed out his chest. "Ahem! This old master has just remembered that the people of Fire Mountain are still in dire straits! Saving people is like putting out a fire! Leave it to me! Farewell!"
After speaking, he practically scrambled onto the slow-moving sea turtle and, with a speed completely unbecoming of his age, zipped away and vanished without a trace.
Continuing their search, they stumbled into the castle of Emperor Pilaf, who dreamed of world domination. The castle itself was as comical as a children's playground.
"Mwahahaha! You foolish humans! You've finally fallen into the trap of me, the great Emperor Pilaf! Hand over the Dragon Balls! Or I'll let you taste the power of my latest invention, the Super Invincible Destruction Robot No. 3!"
Pilaf cackled shrilly through a loudspeaker from the cockpit of a giant robot.
With a creak of metal, the massive robot took heavy steps and swung its giant mechanical arm to smash the car!
Whitley sighed, casually raised his right index finger, and lightly tapped the most conspicuous energy core on the robot's chest.
Zzzzt—!
A dazzling golden beam of light instantly pierced through the thick alloy armor and accurately sank into the core!
RUMBLE—!!!
A world-shaking explosion erupted! The giant robot, as if it were an ignited powder keg, burst into a blinding light from within and disintegrated in an instant!
Burning metal fragments scattered like fireworks!
Mai and Shu, dragging a soot-covered, unconscious Pilaf who had been stunned by the shockwave, crawled out of the wreckage crying and fled without looking back.
Whitley leisurely got out of the car and easily fished out the remaining Dragon Balls from the smoking robot wreckage.
When the seven Dragon Balls, glowing with a soft orange light, were neatly arranged in an open clearing, Bulma felt a strong sense of unreality.
"Is... is that... all of them?" She looked down at the last one she had acquired, the One-Star Ball, then at the other six lying quietly on the ground, feeling like she was in a dream.
The legendary seven Dragon Balls, items that could grant any wish... was the process... a little too smooth?
Except for some minor hiccups when meeting Goku and Master Roshi, the rest was practically a picnic!
Whitley saw Bulma's dazed expression, which seemed to say, "How is the adventure over before I even started?" and couldn't help but chuckle as he reached out and ruffled her blue hair.
"What? You think it was too easy? With me here, did you really want to go through the classic tropes of being chased by dinosaurs, tied up by bandits, and almost getting cooked and eaten?"
Bulma playfully swatted his hand away and glared at him, but that strange feeling of disappointment in her heart did indeed fade quite a bit.
She took a deep breath, suppressed her chaotic thoughts, and nodded solemnly. "Alright! The most important thing now is to make a wish!"
She arranged the seven Dragon Balls according to the method she had read about in a book.
"Come forth, Shenron! And, grant my wish!" Bulma spread her arms, her voice filled with excitement and anticipation.
In an instant! The clear, cloudless sky was suddenly swallowed by roiling, dark clouds! Day turned to night! A fierce wind rose from the ground!
The seven Dragon Balls erupted in a towering pillar of golden light that pierced the heavens! A dragon's roar, seemingly from ancient times and soul-shaking, resounded through the world!
A massive dragon, its body covered in green scales and exuding a sacred aura, appeared in the churning dark clouds!
The enormous dragon's head slowly lowered, looking down upon the three tiny figures on the ground like a god, their reflections in its red eyes.
"Now! State your wish! Any wish! I shall grant it for you!"
Shenron's deep, resonant voice boomed like muffled thunder, an undeniable presence in everyone's ears.
Whitley looked up at the legendary dragon with great interest, a playful smile on his lips.
But he secretly wondered, "This girl Bulma... she's not going to wish for something like 'I want a Prince Charming,' is she?" He felt an inexplicable nervousness.
However, Bulma looked up at the dragon's massive head, then turned to look at the smiling Whitley beside her, an unprecedented confusion and conflict on her small face.
She bit her lower lip, her fingers unconsciously twisting together.
Money? Her family had plenty.
Beauty? She was confident in her looks.
A perfect lover? It seemed... he had already appeared...
What was there left to wish for? Her mind was a complete blank.
After a long while, under Shenron's majestic gaze and the curious eyes of Whitley and Goku, Bulma finally deflated and turned her head, looking pitifully at Whitley. "Whitley... I... I don't know what to wish for anymore..."
Whitley: "..."
Shenron: "..." A giant, invisible bead of cold sweat seemed to be sliding down the massive dragon's scales...
On Kami's Lookout, Kami, who had been nervously observing Whitley, stumbled and fell right on his butt with a "thud," almost dropping his staff.
The air seemed to freeze, leaving only the endless sound of the wind in the wilderness.
"You..." Whitley was at a loss for words, not knowing whether to laugh or cry as he looked at Bulma.
Shenron also seemed to be getting impatient. Its massive head swayed slightly, and its thunderous voice sounded again, but this time, there seemed to be a hint of... urgency and helplessness?
"Hurry and state your wish! I will grant any wish for you!"
"Oh~~"
Seeing Shenron's "please just get this over with" expression, Whitley's playful side took over. A wicked smile appeared on his face, and he said loudly, "Really? Any wish? Alright then! Shenron, listen carefully! My wish is—to immediately and completely master 'Ultra Instinct'!"
Bulma blinked her big, curious eyes and tugged on Whitley's sleeve. "Ultra Instinct? Is that some kind of powerful martial art?"
Whitley smiled and ruffled her hair without explaining, just looking up at the dragon.
Shenron in the sky fell silent.
Its massive red pupils seemed to widen, and its whiskers twitched unconsciously.
Its huge body twisted uneasily in the dark clouds, as if trying to digest this outrageous request.
After a long while, a voice that was clearly embarrassed, even a little stuttering, sounded, its majesty completely gone:
"...This... is beyond my power... Please... please make another wish... I'm begging you..."
Whitley seemed to have expected this. He chuckled and readily complied, "Alright, then let's take a step back. I want to learn the Instant Transmission that Shin, the Supreme Kai, has mastered!"
Shenron's massive head seemed to droop, its voice becoming even lower, even tinged with a hint of grievance:
"...Lord Supreme Kai's secret art... contains the laws of the gods... I... I cannot touch it... Please... make another wish..."
Seeing Shenron's majestic image in tatters, looking so embarrassed it was about to cry, Whitley finally stopped teasing it.
He dropped his playful demeanor and turned to Bulma, asking seriously, "Bulma, are you sure you want to give up this chance? This is Shenron, who can grant any wish, you know."
Bulma looked into Whitley's eyes, then at the somewhat pitiful-looking Shenron in the sky. Suddenly, her face hardened, and she put her hands on her hips, glaring fiercely at Whitley, her voice carrying a barely perceptible unease.
"I... I gave up my wish for you! Whitley! In the future... you are absolutely, absolutely not allowed to break up with me! Do you hear me! Otherwise... otherwise I'll use the Dragon Balls to curse you!"
This sudden "threat," delivered with a girlish petulance, stunned Whitley for a moment, and then a warm feeling filled his heart.
He looked at the blue-haired girl before him, who was clearly dying of shyness but forcing herself to act fierce, and nodded solemnly, his eyes full of amusement and sincerity. "Don't worry, Bulma. Only someone who's lost their mind would want to break up with a girl as brilliant, beautiful, and wealthy (most importantly) as you."
He looked up again at Shenron, who seemed to have breathed a sigh of relief, and said seriously, "Well then, Shenron, listen to my real wish—please let me master the 'Instant Transmission' ability of Planet Yardrat!"
Shenron in the sky seemed to have finally heard the call of liberation. It immediately announced in the fastest, loudest voice possible, as if afraid Whitley would change his mind, "Very well! Your wish has been granted! Farewell!"
Before it finished speaking, the darkness that had enveloped the world receded in an instant like a tide! Sunlight once again bathed the land! The seven shining Dragon Balls turned into seven brilliant orange shooting stars, trailing long tails as they shot off towards every corner of the world!
A glint flashed in Whitley's eyes. His body disappeared from its spot as if teleporting and reappeared in the next second dozens of meters in the air, accurately snatching the Four-Star Ball, which had turned to stone and was about to fly away.
He landed lightly and tossed the stone back to Goku, who was still looking up at the "shooting stars."
"Here, Goku. Keep it safe. It will turn back into the Four-Star Ball in a year," Whitley said with a smile.
Little Goku took the stone ball, grinning as he put it back around his neck, patting it preciously.
"Goku, do you have anything important to do next? Otherwise, how about coming to my house with Whitley as a guest?"
Bulma invited them, secretly watching Whitley's reaction as she spoke.
Goku shook his head, declining Bulma's invitation. He had already promised Master Roshi that after the Dragon Balls were gathered, he would go to his place to train.
He waved vigorously at Whitley and Bulma and shouted, "Flying Nimbus!" The golden cloud instantly appeared at his call.
Leaping onto the Nimbus, Goku gave them a big smile. "See you later! Bulma, Whitley! The next time we meet, I'll definitely defeat you!" It seemed Goku had been bullied quite a bit by Whitley these past few days.
After saying goodbye, the Flying Nimbus turned into a streak of golden light and carried him away, quickly disappearing over the blue horizon.
In the wilderness, only Whitley and Bulma were left.
Bulma looked at Whitley, her gem-like eyes seeming to hold a thousand words, yet she didn't know where to begin. A faint blush unknowingly crept onto her fair cheeks.
Whitley saw her hesitant and shy demeanor and proactively extended his broad hand, a gentle smile on his face that seemed particularly dazzling in the sunlight:
"Well then, Miss Bulma, for the days to come... I'll be in your care~"
Bulma looked at the hand extended towards her, then at the sincere smile in Whitley's eyes. The last trace of apprehension in her heart was instantly filled with sweetness.
She broke into a smile, as radiant as the spring sun, and without hesitation, extended her own hand and firmly grasped Whitley's:
"Mm! Whitley! From now on, I'll be in your care!"
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100 Power Stones = 1 Bônus Chapter
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