The crowd from the World Martial Arts Tournament had finally dispersed.
The group from the Turtle School gathered together, surrounding Krillin and Snow to offer their heartfelt congratulations.
Krillin and Snow stood hand in hand, basking in the sweet afterglow of victory and affection.
Bulma grinned.
"Today's a double jackpot for Krillin—championship and romance in one shot. If this isn't a lucky day, I don't know what is!"
She looked around and clapped her hands.
"So, how about we have him treat us to a grand feast?"
Everyone burst out in playful cheers.
"Yeah! You owe us, Krillin!"
Goku threw in, "Let's go to the biggest buffet they've got!"
Chi-Chi raised a brow. "Buffets are cheap. I want hot pot!"
Yamcha shrugged. "Honestly, I'm craving BBQ."
Bulma rolled her eyes.
"Seriously, are you all that soft on Krillin? You're picking all the cheapest joints! He's set for life now—he can afford to bleed a little. I say we go all in—how about seafood platters?"
Puar tilted their head curiously.
"What's a seafood platter? Is it expensive?"
Bulma chuckled.
"Not that bad. Two hundred thousand zeni per person."
Snow blinked.
"Wha? It's that expensive in the city?"
Bulma laughed.
"Snow, you're finally out of your village. Time to let Krillin show you around."
Krillin nodded immediately.
"No worries. Everyone's worked hard today. Let's eat something good—don't worry about the cost, it's on me."
Snow started counting on her fingers.
"So if it's 200,000 per person… one, two, three… we have seven people total, that's 1.4 million! Wait… with Goku's appetite, shouldn't we budget at least two million?"
Krillin grinned.
"You have no idea how much Goku eats. He can put away fifty people's worth of food."
"WHAT?!"
Snow turned to Goku in disbelief.
"Goku… is that true?"
He nodded without hesitation.
"Yep! I just get hungry really fast. That's why buffets are my jam!"
Snow scratched her head, remembering the day three years ago when they had all eaten at her home after destroying Muscle Tower. She'd made enough food for an army, and even cooked an extra pot of rice—but there hadn't been a single grain left.
Back then, she thought Goku was just being polite.
Only now did she realize… he probably wasn't even full.
Doing the math with seafood prices, Snow turned pale.
She didn't know exactly what "one million zeni" meant in city terms, but it sounded like an astronomical number. She remembered that back in her village, even a nice meal with pork or ribs barely cost a few thousand. A million could probably buy dozens of pigs.
She glanced up at Krillin with concern and offered gently:
"Krillin, that meal sounds… really expensive. Why don't we skip the fancy restaurant and go to the market instead? If everyone wants seafood, we can buy it fresh, and I'll cook! I've been cooking since I was little, and I promise I'll make it delicious and clean."
Bulma was genuinely surprised.
Snow, usually shy and reserved, was standing up and making a public offer—to save money for Krillin.
She chuckled.
"Well, well, someone's already acting like a wife even before the wedding! Krillin, you really lucked out!"
Krillin scratched the back of his head and gave a sheepish smile.
Snow blushed and lowered her head shyly, causing everyone to burst out laughing.
Chi-Chi, watching from the side, found herself liking Snow more and more. Her thrifty and considerate attitude struck a chord. She'd make a good wife, Chi-Chi thought.
She also glanced at Goku—her potential future husband.
If I marry him… and he keeps eating meals that cost a million zeni a day… even gold wouldn't be enough!
Chi-Chi turned to Bulma.
"Hey, Bulma. How about we head back to Kame House first?"
"Huh? Why?"
"I just realized… if I do end up marrying Goku, I can't afford to eat out all the time. I better learn to cook ASAP. There's a big seafood market near Master Roshi's island, right? I'll help Snow prep everything, and learn while I'm at it."
Snow's heart relaxed a bit. She had worried her frugal proposal might embarrass Krillin or upset his friends. But seeing Chi-Chi smile at her so warmly, she felt more accepted.
Bulma beamed.
"So Snow can cook too, huh? Sounds like you'll make a great wife!"
She nodded.
"Alright then, I'm in. I hate how dirty restaurants are anyway. Let's head back."
Everyone agreed cheerfully.
But then Krillin paused.
"Wait… where's Master Roshi?"
Chi-Chi glanced around.
"Huh. He was just here… where did he go?"
Yamcha scratched his head.
"Maybe he didn't want to interrupt our planning and snuck off to the bathroom?"
Goku narrowed his eyes.
"…The bathroom?"
No, something's wrong.
Master Roshi had already retired from his match. There was no more need to stay hidden or keep up a disguise.
And today… isn't just tournament day.
Goku suddenly recalled a dark memory. Tambourine—one of King Piccolo's minions—would attack martial artists by stealing the tournament list and hunting down fighters.
Chi-Chi and Krillin were strong now. He wasn't worried about them.
But Roshi… Roshi was getting old.
He was still strong, sure, but if Tambourine struck when he wasn't prepared—
"I'll go find him!" Goku said. "Yamcha, you stay here. Bulma, Krillin, take everyone and load up the plane. Don't wander off, or I won't be able to find you."
"Got it," Bulma and Krillin nodded.
Goku took off running toward the tournament backrooms.
Watching his figure disappear, Bulma felt something twist in her chest.
Goku's not acting like himself…
He was never this assertive. But something about the way he took charge unsettled her.
Then it hit her.
Today's the day.
The day King Piccolo returned.
She remembered clearly—in her past life, this was when Tambourine attacked.
Krillin had gone to retrieve Goku's Power Pole…
And died.
That day, Goku went mad with grief, hunting Tambourine like a demon.
It was only Roshi who'd stopped him—barely.
But this time, she thought, Krillin is strong. The group is together. Only Roshi's missing.
She clenched her fists, forcing herself to stay calm.
They'd be okay.
Just don't split up.
She led the group to a nearby clearing, popped a capsule, and summoned a sleek plane.
The aircraft was spacious, stocked with music and snacks. Everyone climbed aboard.
Krillin and Snow sat side by side, sharing a bag of chips and a pair of earbuds. Yamcha and Puar rested quietly nearby. Chi-Chi stared out the window, saving a seat beside her—obviously for Goku.
It was peaceful.
But Bulma couldn't shake the feeling.
Please, she thought, find Master Roshi. Don't let him die.
Just then—
"Hey, Bulma."
She turned.
Chi-Chi stood beside her, a little nervous.
"Can you sit with me for a second?"
Bulma tilted her head and sat down.
"What's up?"
Chi-Chi leaned close, whispering shyly.
"Bulma… are you mad at me?"
Bulma blinked.
"Huh? Mad about what?"
Chi-Chi bit her lip.
"I didn't mean to—when I kissed Goku earlier… I just… they kissed on stage, and I got jealous. We've known each other for years, but never once kissed… I couldn't help it…"
She looked up, eyes sincere.
"But don't worry. You were here first. You'll be the one to marry Goku. I just want us all to be a family, okay? I won't fight you. I'll be good."
Bulma stared at her for a moment… then chuckled.
So that's what she thought this was about?
She shook her head with a gentle smile.
"Chi-Chi, listen… As long as Goku's happy, I'm happy. And if he's with someone kind like you, then I think we'll all be happy."
Chi-Chi's eyes sparkled.
"Really? Then I'll do my best! I'll cook, clean, take care of him—everything!"
Bulma smiled and ruffled her hair.
"Good. But just so you know—I'm filthy rich."
Chi-Chi blinked.
"Eh?"
"I mean really rich. My family runs Capsule Corp. My dad's the richest man alive. So… don't worry about money. Ever. Not for food, school, work, nothing. If you and Goku have kids, we'll just give them the company."
Chi-Chi stared.
"Wait… even if our kid eats like Goku, we won't run out of money?"
"Nope. Not even close."
"…Wow."
Bulma grinned.
"So focus on training. Don't let Goku leave you behind."
Chi-Chi nodded eagerly.
Then, after a moment's thought—
"Oh! That reminds me. Bulma… your sister Tights hasn't gotten married yet, right?"
Bulma blinked.
"Yeah… she's always floating around the galaxy, writing books or chasing aliens. I doubt she even wants to settle down…"
"Then I have an idea," Chi-Chi said with a perfectly serious face.
"Why don't we have her marry Goku too? That way Capsule Corp doesn't get split up."
Bulma froze.
"…WHAT?!"