"Hey, Goku," Bulma said suddenly, her eyes glinting playfully, "what if, when we grow up, I buy a private island and turn it into a luxury ocean resort? How about that?"
Goku's eyes sparkled.
Her words stirred something warm in his heart—a memory not from this life, but from another.
He could almost see it: Whis, Beerus, all their friends and families together, holding grand parties, laughing, eating delicious food.
An island where chefs from all over the world cooked every kind of dish imaginable… and in between feasts, he and Vegeta could spar over the ocean until their hearts' content.
To fight, to eat, to laugh—simple, honest, and perfect.
"Yeah!" Goku said with sudden enthusiasm. "Let's fill the island with chefs from everywhere—so I can try every kind of food!"
Bulma giggled sweetly. "Deal. I'll make sure you never run out of good food, promise."
"Deal!" Goku nodded earnestly.
Just then, a voice echoed across the sound of the waves.
"Hey there!"
They turned to see a strange silhouette approaching from the sea—a bald old man wearing sunglasses, a flowery shirt, and beach shorts, standing atop a giant sea turtle.
Who else could it be but Master Roshi, the Turtle Hermit himself?
As his turtle reached the shore, he struck a peace-sign pose.
"Sorry to keep you waiting!"
Once on land, Roshi adjusted his shades, looking first at the small Goku, then turning toward Bulma.
"Hello, beautiful lady. May I ask—are you the one who rescued my turtle?"
Bulma nodded, then gestured toward Goku. "We both helped him find his way back."
Roshi smiled warmly. "My turtle's been missing for an entire year! You have my deepest thanks. As a token of gratitude, I'll give each of you a very special gift."
He raised his staff and began to chant.
The sea breeze stirred—but instead of the legendary phoenix, there was only an awkward pause.
A moment later, Roshi coughed.
"Er… the phoenix died of food poisoning."
After some fumbling and mumbling, he finally produced a swirl of golden light—
and there it was: the Flying Nimbus.
Roshi turned to Bulma with a grin.
"This is the Flying Nimbus. It can soar through the skies—it's a rare treasure indeed.
And since you were the one who rescued my turtle, I'd like you to have it!"
Bulma blinked, taken aback.
She remembered this moment—
but in her last life, she couldn't ride it.
Only someone pure of heart could sit upon the Flying Nimbus.
People like Goku, Chi-Chi, and Gohan—it had always rejected her.
She turned toward Goku.
"Goku, you should take it instead."
"Okay!" Goku stepped forward eagerly—
but Roshi quickly blocked his path.
"Hold it! This cloud's for the lady. I'll have something else for the boy."
Bulma froze. "For me?"
"That's right," Roshi said, nodding. "Go on—give it a try!"
Bulma hesitated, then reached out and touched the cloud.
Her fingers didn't pass through.
She could feel it—soft, fluffy, like cotton or a mattress.
Her pupils widened. 'What…? I can actually touch it?'
"Need a hand getting up?" Roshi asked from behind, already extending his hands in a suspiciously low direction.
Bulma shot him a sharp glare and immediately vaulted onto the cloud herself.
In an instant, she was seated firmly on the Flying Nimbus.
Both Goku and Roshi blinked in surprise.
Then Goku's face lit up.
He'd never expected it—this Bulma, who was nothing like the lovestruck one from before, could actually ride the Nimbus!
It meant her heart was pure. That made him genuinely happy.
As for the cloud itself, Goku didn't mind not getting it.
After all, once he learned Flight (Bukujutsu) someday, he'd be faster than the Nimbus anyway.
And besides—Bulma being able to ride it solved a bigger problem.
She wasn't strong; she couldn't run long distances or fight off beasts easily.
If she could fly on the Nimbus, she'd be safe—and he could run below, training while keeping pace.
A perfect plan.
"That's awesome, Bulma!" Goku grinned. "Try flying it higher!"
Bulma knelt on the golden cloud, clutching two soft tufts as handles.
She nodded once—and the Nimbus lifted off.
It soared into the sky, carrying her above the waves.
Unlike an airplane, it had no glass, no harness, no protection—just open air and dizzying height.
Her heart raced. For a moment, fear overtook excitement.
Sensing her unease, the Nimbus slowed down, choosing steadiness over speed.
Below, Roshi tilted his sunglasses up, peering toward the sky.
From his angle, he should've been able to see more than he should—
but Bulma's nervous kneeling posture had the golden cloud wrapped snugly around her,
leaving no "interesting" view at all.
"Such a pity…" Roshi muttered under his breath.
After a few graceful loops, the Nimbus descended again, landing smoothly.
The sea turtle raised its head.
"That little boy carried me all the way back. Don't forget to thank him properly."
Roshi scratched his bald head.
"Right, right… I was just thinking. The phoenix is gone, and I've only got one Nimbus. Hmm… what should I give him…?"
Before he could think further, Bulma spoke up.
"Master Roshi, could you give us the jewel you wear around your neck instead?"