The twin suns beat down on the plateau.
Vegeta landed in a swirl of dust, aura dimmed to nothing, arms folded.
Every Namekian took one instinctive step back even Nail.
Krillin swallowed hard.
Gohan's eyes were wide.
Bulma alone didn't flinch. She stood with arms crossed, studying him like a new piece of tech.
Vegeta stopped a few meters away.
Taller now. Noticeably.
Bulma's gaze flicked up, then down, then up again.
Her eyebrow arched.
"Twenty-three centimeters?" she asked dryly.
Vegeta's tail flicked once.
"Porunga was… thorough."
Bulma gave a short nod approval, not mockery.
"Good. You needed it."
Vegeta's mouth twitched. Not quite a smile.
"I'm taking the ship," he said, jerking a thumb over his shoulder at Frieza's disc. "Gravity chamber to a thousand times standard. Faster engines. Full medical bay. Whatever else you think it needs."
Bulma's eyes lit up, sharp and calculating.
"You're giving me four months and an unlimited budget on a planet-buster-class warship."
"I'm giving you four months to make it worthy of the new emperor."
She smirked just a flash.
"Challenge accepted."
Vegeta turned to leave, then paused.
Looked back.
His voice was low, almost grudging.
"Thank you."
For the wishes.
For the height.
For not treating him like a monster.
Bulma met his gaze, expression unreadable.
"Don't thank me yet, Vegeta. When I'm done, that thing will outrun light and punch holes in planets."
Vegeta's lips curved the closest thing to a real smile anyone on Namek had ever seen from him.
"Good."
He shot into the sky, a golden streak that left sonic booms in its wake.
Krillin finally exhaled.
"Did… did he just say thank you?"
Gohan nodded slowly.
"And she didn't threaten to dissect him."
Nail stared at the empty sky.
"…The prince has chosen a mate."
Bulma was already walking toward the ship, rubbing her hands together.
"Four months. Immortal Saiyan client with unlimited resources."
Her grin was pure genius on the edge of madness.
"This is going to be the greatest project of my life."
Far above, Vegeta heard every word.
And for once…
He didn't correct her.
~~~~~~
If you're interested, you can read advanced chapters:
pat reon .com /DanglingPointer
~> Bonus Chapter every 300PS!!