After a while, Bulma calmed down and slowly released him.
Goku studied her face, curious.
Long, smooth blue hair fell loosely over her shoulders.
Her eyes were large and bright, glittering with curiosity and yearning.
Her features were delicate, still carrying a bit of youthful sweetness,
but her brows held a maturity and resolve beyond her years.
This Bulma felt… different from the hopeless romantic in his memories.
Bulma pressed a hand to her chest, still a little shaken.
"That dinosaur just now scared me to death…
Running into someone—especially a kid—really put me at ease."
She added, "Hi. I'm Bulma. I'm a girl!"
She extended her pale hand.
Goku blinked at her intro.
A dinosaur?
Did she just escape from one?
Was that why she was so emotional?
He glanced her over—no injuries, not even dirt on her clothes.
He relaxed.
As long as she was safe, what she ran into didn't matter.
If Bulma was here, it was time for him to go down the mountain.
As for that dinosaur—no need to chase it. Grandpa could eat it later.
Goku reached out his hand too.
"Hi, I'm Son Goku!
Welcome to Mount Paozu.
My grandpa is really hospitable—especially to girls.
If you don't mind, come to my place for a bit!"
Bulma's eyes widened in shock.
That wasn't how he'd been in her previous life.
How could a little kid Goku be this polite?
He was supposed to be a tiny wildling!
But when she heard him say "Grandpa,"
she suddenly understood.
A few breaths later, her surprise faded.
This world was already different from the one she came from.
In her past life, Grandpa Gohan had died.
Here, he was alive.
With someone raising him, of course Goku would learn manners.
So this Goku seemed far more sensible.
In her previous life, after Goku fought Vegeta,
he learned the truth about Grandpa's death.
Saiyans turned into Great Apes at the sight of a full moon.
As a low-class Saiyan, Goku lost his mind in that form.
So when he was little, he'd transformed, gone berserk,
and accidentally killed Grandpa Gohan.
Bulma and the others had learned that secret too.
Goku had transformed once against Pilaf's gang,
and when he woke up, he remembered nothing.
Later, he transformed again during a tournament.
If Master Roshi hadn't blasted the moon away with the Kamehameha,
Goku could have hurt countless people.
Different from before, yes… but perhaps better.
Bulma smiled. "Then… sorry to intrude!"
Goku could tell she was weighing something in her mind.
She was just a girl, with no fighting ability.
A bit of caution on the road was normal.
So he didn't rush her.
A moment later, Goku led her to the summit.
A small house appeared.
To give Grandpa time to prepare, Goku shouted the moment they arrived:
"Grandpa! Grandpa!
I brought a girl home to visit!"
…
Soon, Son Goku, Bulma, and Son Gohan sat around the table.
A Four-Star Ball rested in the middle.
Son Gohan took a deep breath.
"Goku, this world is wonderful.
Down the mountain are many strong martial artists.
You can spar with them and broaden your horizons.
You're not little anymore, and you've grown strong.
Go down the mountain with Bulma and gain experience."
Goku looked at him, reluctant.
"Grandpa… are you staying up here alone?"
Son Gohan smiled. "Don't worry about me.
A while ago Fortuneteller Baba came by.
She said she's hiring security guards—age doesn't matter as long as you can fight.
Salary is 100,000 a month, full benefits.
And if you do well, you might even get promoted to work for the Supreme Kai, tending the furnace.
If you go down the mountain, Grandpa's going to take that job.
Opportunities like that don't come easy."
Bulma's eyes brightened. She could hear he was supporting Goku leaving.
"Full benefits, huh? That's way better than farming up here," she teased.
Son Gohan chuckled, then looked to Goku.
"Exactly. A good job beats farming.
Goku, Bulma is a girl and you're a little man.
From now on, you must protect girls. Understand?"
Goku nodded.
"Yes, Grandpa.
I'll protect her."
Son Gohan nodded in satisfaction.
"All right. No banquet lasts forever.
No matter how much we say, we still must part."
He turned to Bulma, picked up the Four-Star Ball, and placed it in her hands.
"Since you're collecting Dragon Balls, take this one with you.
Goku eats a lot. You'll have to put up with him from now on."
Bulma took the Dragon Ball, trembling with excitement, and bowed deeply.
"Th-thank you, Grandpa!
I'll take good care of Goku too!"