Seeing the entire village staring at her in trembling silence, Bulma let out a sigh and said,
"Everyone, let's stay focused. Since Oolong has been subdued, we should rescue the kidnapped girls first."
The crowd nodded in agreement.
"Yes, yes! The young lady is right!"
An old woman shuffled forward, holding out a shimmering orange orb.
"Young lady, your bodyguard is amazing! Take this Dragon Ball."
Bulma accepted the Four-Star Ball with a smile.
"Thank you! Anyone looking for their daughter, come with us—quickly!"
"I—I am!"
Several elderly men rushed over.
Before long, a group of villagers marched together toward Oolong's mansion.
Oolong was so terrified by Son Goku's earlier strike that he barely dared to move, let alone run.
As expected, Oolong's mansion was massive—lavish enough to rival the homes of nobles. The kidnapped girls hadn't been mistreated; in fact, they were all enjoying themselves in luxury.
After resolving the Oolong incident and obtaining another Dragon Ball, Bulma and Goku set out once again.
There was no helping it—Goku's attack earlier had been far too impressive.
Bulma couldn't relax in that strange village anyway. The people were crazy enough to offer up their daughters; she certainly wasn't staying long.
The memory of Chi-Chi's infamous "trap" still haunted her. If Goku got lured away by some girl again, she'd be furious—and heartbroken.
As for Oolong, she didn't bother taking him along.
A perverted shapeshifter? Please. With Goku around, she didn't need that idiot tagging along.
Without lingering in the village, the two soon took off on the Flying Nimbus, heading toward Fire Mountain, where the sixth Dragon Ball awaited.
Normally, it would take three to four days by car.
But with the Flying Nimbus, the journey could be cut to a day and a half—half a day at full speed, if Bulma could handle it.
Unfortunately, she couldn't. Her body wasn't like Goku's; she couldn't withstand the pressure of supersonic flight.
As they soared, Bulma gazed down at the world below—a world she had once ignored but now saw anew.
The lake mirrored the sky, their reflections like a golden ribbon gliding freely between mountains and over glimmering waters. The Nimbus stirred the air, sending ripples dancing across the surface like the hem of a maiden's dress swaying in the breeze.
Sunlight shimmered on the water, reflecting the green peaks along the shore—like emeralds sparkling in silver.
Lost in the beauty, Bulma's heart grew calm.
Only those who had seen true darkness could recognize how beautiful the world really was.
After half a day of flight, the mountain scenery gave way to rolling sand.
They crossed into desert skies.
Just as Bulma turned to ask if Goku wanted to run on foot for a while, his stomach gave a loud growl.
Bulma chuckled.
"Oh, right! We forgot to eat. Why didn't you say something earlier if you were hungry?"
Goku scratched his head awkwardly.
"I did eat a lot this morning, but… I guess I got hungry anyway. It's kinda weird."
Bulma laughed.
"If you're hungry, just say so! It's already noon, and we brought plenty of food. Let's land and have lunch, okay?"
"Sure!"
Scanning the area, Bulma spotted a flat stretch of sand.
"Flying Nimbus, land over there!"
Moments later, the cloud settled. Bulma opened the Capsule House and began setting up lunch.
Goku, too hungry to train, flopped down on the couch and switched on the TV. As he glanced toward the kitchen, a smile flickered in his eyes.
Bulma really was amazing—beautiful, graceful, and kind.
Despite being the daughter of the richest family on Earth, she wasn't spoiled at all. She cooked, cared for others, and carried herself with quiet strength.
She had intelligence, courage, compassion, and independence—a rare combination.
Watching her move about, Goku thought of the Bulma he might someday meet again—mature, commanding, and fierce. The thought made him grin.
Then he sighed. A girl like that… someone like him could never measure up in a peaceful world.
Luckily, Bulma had stocked plenty of semi-prepared food.
In half an hour, she'd assembled a grand meal fit for a Saiyan's appetite.
"Goku, wash your hands! Lunch is ready!"
"Whoa, it smells amazing!"
He quickly rinsed his hands and dove in. The explosion of flavor made his eyes light up. For a moment, he felt like Whis, floating in blissful ecstasy.
"Wow, this is so good!"
As Goku devoured steak and bacon, Bulma smiled softly, peeling a few shrimp for him and pouring a glass of juice.
"Slow down, you'll choke. Here—have some shrimp and juice."
"Thanks, Bulma!"
Bulma's lips curled upward. "We're friends, remember? No need to be so polite."
Goku blinked, then grinned wide.
"Yeah, we're friends. Okay then—I won't hold back!"
"That's better. Eat up!"
Watching him eat made Bulma's own appetite awaken, and she joined him happily.
Just as they were laughing and eating, a deafening explosion shook the air.
The ground trembled. Dust rained down from the ceiling of the Capsule House.
"Crack… crack…"
The structure groaned, beams splitting under pressure.
Before Bulma could even process what was happening, Goku had already moved—throwing himself over her, shielding her body with his own.
And then—
Crash!
Bricks shattered around them, slamming against Goku's back.
Moments later, the support beams gave way. The Capsule House collapsed in a roar of falling rubble, burying both of them under a storm of debris.