Stunned, Bulma froze for a moment, then cried out happily.
"Wow, it's that simple! That's amazing — Goku, you're so impressive!"
Goku smiled, "You're a girl. After making the wish and gaining strength, don't go crashing into things carelessly!"
Bulma blushed, "Of course not, I'm a refined young lady!"
The two continued forward.
Bulma said, "Oh no, Goku, the Dragon Balls are moving."
Goku looked at the radar, "Don't worry, I've got a plan. Let's keep going."
Bulma nodded and continued on with him.
After walking a short while, televisions suddenly lit up on the walls on both sides of the corridor. Pilaf's face appeared.
"You two actually destroyed my building — your character is truly terrible! However, this section is all concrete with a thick layer of steel plate. It's very sturdy. I order you to hand over all the Dragon Balls, or I won't be polite!"
Bulma stuck her tongue out at the television.
"Bleh bleh bleh! So you're the one trying to steal our Dragon Balls. I won't give them to you! You look so weird, hahaha!"
"Damn it, woman, how dare you mock this great king's appearance!"
At this moment, Goku turned his back to the camera, gave Bulma a look, and said, "Bulma, give him the Dragon Balls…"
Bulma was stunned.
"Why?"
Goku pointed to the mechanism in the corner of the wall, "We're trapped here right now. If he releases poison gas, the Dragon Balls will be taken anyway."
As he spoke, he winked at Bulma.
Hearing his words, Pilaf laughed loudly, "Hahaha, you really guessed right! I've already prepared to release poison gas — we have our gas masks all ready. However, since you're being so sensible and willing to hand over the Dragon Balls voluntarily, I'll let you go."
Seeing Goku wink, Bulma understood he was using a strategy. She nodded in agreement.
She said dejectedly, "Fine then. I don't need a boyfriend anymore anyway. I'll just give them the Dragon Balls."
With that, she took out a backpack. After opening the zipper, a full six Dragon Balls were revealed. Soon, Pilaf controlled a mechanical arm and took away the backpack.
The next moment, his laughter rang out, "Hahaha, this great king can finally rule the world!"
Bulma shouted urgently, "Hey, we gave you the Dragon Balls. Now let us go!"
Pilaf laughed, "Don't worry. After I make my wish and rule the world, I'll let you go."
Bulma turned to look at Goku, "What should we do next? We can't let them make the wish first."
Goku whispered, "Don't worry. Watch the radar. As soon as the Dragon Balls are gathered together, tell me right away. I'll smash through the wall and snatch them."
Bulma immediately pulled out the Dragon Radar and turned on the switch.
✩✩✩✩✩
In the plaza outside the castle, Pilaf and his gang arranged all seven Dragon Balls.
Pilaf laughed loudly, "Haha! Finally gathered all seven Dragon Balls — the world is now under Pilaf's control! Shu, arrange the Dragon Balls. I'm going to begin the summoning!"
After Mai arranged the seven Dragon Balls, Pilaf called out the summoning incantation.
"Come forth, Shenron, and grant my wish!"
In an instant, the sky filled with dark clouds.
The Dragon Balls burst forth with dazzling golden light. A ray of light spiraled into the sky, transforming into a giant green dragon.
At that very moment, a huge hole exploded in Pilaf's castle. Goku rushed out at incredible speed, sending Pilaf flying.
Upon seeing him, Mai — whose injuries hadn't healed — fearfully took a step back. Shu frantically pulled out a gun.
However, Goku gave them no chance. Before either could react, he closed in and knocked them both unconscious with two quick punches.
At this moment, Shenron spoke.
"You who have gathered the seven Dragon Balls, please state your wish. Any wish can be granted once."
Goku looked up at Shenron, "Shenron, can you give Bulma great power? Ideally enough to reach the level of Kami's fighting strength."
Shenron was taken aback, then said, "That cannot be done. I can enhance a person's power, but it cannot exceed the power of Kami who created me, nor can it exceed that person's natural limit."
Goku wasn't surprised. Bulma wasn't good at combat and didn't enjoy fighting. Giving her some power was just to let her defend herself against ordinary people. He never expected her to participate in battles.
So Goku said to Shenron, "Then give Bulma the power at her natural limit!"
"I understand!" Shenron nodded. Its eyes flashed red light, "Your wish has been granted!"
Goku was surprised, "That's it?"
At this moment, Bulma shot out from the castle like a beam of light.
"Hahaha! I suddenly feel so much power throughout my body. Goku, did you see? Look how fast I'm running!"
Goku nodded, "Yeah, I saw."
Shenron said, "Your wish has been fulfilled, so farewell!"
With that, it transformed into golden light and entered the Dragon Balls. The seven Dragon Balls scattered across the globe, and the sky returned to brightness once more.
The setting sun gradually descended. Bulma and Goku stood together.
She looked at the sky and sighed, "I thought it would be really difficult, but with you here, collecting the Dragon Balls was easy. The journey ended so suddenly — I feel so empty inside. I really don't want to leave…"
Goku smiled, "From this Dragon Ball hunt, you gained a whole set of powers, plus me as a future boyfriend. Don't be ungrateful!"
Bulma nodded, "You're right! Now that I'm so strong too, not only can you come to West City to see me, but when I have vacation, I can also visit you at Kame House."
At this moment, Pilaf piloted a giant mecha and flew before them.
"You hateful brats! You stole my wish — I'm going to kill you!"
Bulma was stunned for a moment, then grinned mischievously and rolled up her sleeves, "Goku, let me try my hand at this one!"
Goku was surprised, then said, "Go easy on it. Don't break it too badly — we can borrow their mecha to fly back to West City."
Bulma's eyes lit up, "That makes sense. I didn't bring my plane anyway. I'm an expert in electronics and mechanics. In ancient times there was the butcher who mastered cutting oxen, now there's Bulma disassembling mechas. Let me show you my power!"
With that, she charged toward the mecha at incredible speed.
The mecha was clumsy and couldn't touch Bulma at all. She was much more agile, her figure constantly flickering, her hands dancing at the mecha's joints. In an instant, the mecha was dismantled to pieces.
Parts fell all over the ground. Eventually even Pilaf fell out of the mecha in embarrassment.
"Waaaah… You're bullying me too much!"
Before long, Goku and Bulma rode together in a mecha, flying toward West City.
Pilaf watched them leave. After they disappeared from sight, tears of frustration fell.
"Damn you, just wait! Once I gather the Dragon Balls and rule the world, I'll punish you severely!"
✩✩✩✩✩
After returning to West City with Bulma, Goku rested at her house for a few days and spent time with her.
A few days later, her school started, so he said goodbye and headed to Kame House alone.
After Goku explained his intentions to Master Roshi, the old man agreed. However, discovering that Bulma hadn't come with him, he was disappointed.
"Teaching martial arts is exhausting. I can't teach you for free."
Goku searched his pockets and pulled out a stack of bills, "How much money do you want? Name your price!"
Master Roshi was taken aback, "Where did you get so much money? Don't tell me you robbed someone?"
Goku immediately explained, "How is that possible? I would never do such a thing. Bulma's family is very wealthy, and so I could eat well during training, she had me bring quite a bit of money."
Only then did Master Roshi nod in understanding.
"I see. However, charging students for lessons is what ordinary people do. I don't care much about money, so I won't charge you. For me to teach you martial arts, you must bring me a lively and lovely girl."
Goku had already known this would be the outcome, so he simply nodded, "Alright, I understand!"
Master Roshi rubbed his hands together eagerly, "Then hurry up and get going!"
Just at that moment, a small boat came into view. A little bald boy, wearing a sleazy smile, rowed toward Kame Island.
This person was naturally Krillin. Both Goku and Master Roshi looked at him.
Krillin secured his boat, gave a light shout, grabbed his bundle, and leaped forcefully toward the shore. After several rolls, he failed to control his momentum and ended up planting his head straight into the sand.
Master Roshi, watching the bald kid make a fool of himself, said, "What's this guy doing? Goku, pull him out!"
Goku quickly pulled him out.
After thanking him, Krillin looked at Master Roshi, "Excuse me, are you Master Roshi?"
"That's right!"
Krillin bowed respectfully, "Hello, I'm Krillin. I've come from a very distant village. Please allow me to train under you, Master."
Master Roshi said seriously, "Oh, you've had a long journey. But unfortunately, I don't take disciples easily. You should leave!"
Krillin immediately opened his bundle, pulled out a rather risqué photo magazine, and presented it to the old pervert.
"Master Roshi, this is a gift for meeting you!"
Master Roshi was instantly captivated by the magazine's cover, "This, this — actually, taking disciples is something I could consider!"
With that, he took the magazine and eagerly began flipping through it.
Seeing his delighted expression, Krillin knew he had succeeded.
"How is it, Master? Do you like it?"
After quickly looking through it, Master Roshi turned back around, "Your name is Krillin, right?"
Krillin nodded respectfully, "Yes, Master. What are your instructions?"
Roshi said, "There is a condition for training under me — you must bring a lively and lovely girl! As it happens, Goku just came to become my disciple too. You two just need to bring back one pretty girl."
Krillin immediately nodded, "Yes, Master Roshi!"
Master Roshi smiled, "Good, set out immediately! Oh, and for convenience, you should take the Flying Nimbus." With that, he shouted toward the sky, "Flying Nimbus!"
In an instant, a golden cloud flew before him.
Master Roshi explained, "This is called the Flying Nimbus. If you ride it, you can fly freely through the sky."
Krillin eyed the golden cloud curiously, "This thing looks like cotton candy — can you really ride on it?"
Master Roshi nodded, "Of course you can. I'll show you!"
He jumped onto the Flying Nimbus and passed straight through it, falling to the ground.
"Ouch, my back…" Roshi cried out in pain.
Krillin quickly helped him up, "Master Roshi, are you alright?"
Roshi scratched his head in confusion, "That's strange. Why can't I get on…"
Turtle nearby said, "I remember you saying only those pure of heart can ride the Flying Nimbus, so it's normal you can't ride it now."
Hearing this, Roshi immediately understood. Over the years, under the guise of wellness, he'd become far too lecherous.
He looked at the bald boy again, "Krillin, you try!"
Krillin nodded and jumped toward the Flying Nimbus. Just like Roshi, he fell straight through with a thud.
He looked confused, "This thing can't be ridden at all, can it?"
Roshi looked at Goku, "Goku, you try!"
Goku jumped onto it and also fell through.
For a moment, all three were silent.
Master Roshi sighed and waved his hand, "Forget it. Your hearts are all impure — I won't teach you martial arts."
Krillin immediately protested, "How is that possible? I just want to become skilled in martial arts and be popular with girls!"
Roshi nodded, "No wonder — that's what makes you impure. However, looking at beautiful women can extend one's life, so I suppose I can overlook that issue…"
He looked at Goku.
"Goku, your heart is also impure. Tell me why, and I'll consider whether I can take you as a disciple."
Goku thought for a moment, "I think I know why. It's probably because I'm not focused enough when it comes to girls. Right now I have a girlfriend, and I also have a fiancée I'm betrothed to."
"What?!"
Both Roshi and Krillin were stunned.
Krillin couldn't help but ask, "You've got two girls who like you? How did you manage that? Are those two girls blind or something?"
At this point, he seemed to think of something.
He said with disdain, "I get it now — your girlfriend must be ugly with a bad figure, so she latched onto you, right?"
Goku shook his head, "No, I have very high aesthetic standards. Plain and ordinary girls don't catch my eye at all. They're both very beautiful."
Hearing this, Roshi thought of Bulma, the blue-haired girl who came here last time looking for Dragon Balls, and immediately asked, "Goku, is that blue-haired girl who came here with you last time your fiancée?"
Goku shook his head, "She's my girlfriend. My fiancée isn't her — she's a bit younger. It's an arranged marriage from childhood."
Roshi swallowed, "You kid, you're really something. At such a young age you already have such a voluptuous and beautiful girlfriend. Say, I'll agree to teach you martial arts — can you tell me how you did it?"
Hearing that he had met Goku's girlfriend and praised her beauty, Krillin felt somewhat defeated.
Goku thought for a moment, then summarized, "Attracting girls mainly relies on two things. First: be handsome, or at least don't look ridiculous. Second: provide emotional value. Only after satisfying the first point can the second point have room to work."
Hearing his words, Roshi's mouth twitched. Can a person control their own appearance?
This isn't an explanation — it's showing off!
He could only say helplessly, "What a load of nonsense. Alright, do you two still want to become my disciples?"
The two answered in unison, "Of course we do!"
Roshi took out a capsule and released an airplane. He asked, "Which of you can fly a plane?"
Krillin immediately raised his hand, "I can, I can fly one!"
Roshi tossed the airplane keys to him, saying, "Take my plane and go bring back a girl!"
And so, the two flew away from Kame House in the airplane.