Even with a mech, Shu was no match for Goku.
In just three and a half minutes, the machine had been torn apart.
Pilaf's gang were nothing more than a bunch of clowns—hardly real villains—so Goku didn't go all out.
He simply beat Shu until his face was swollen and purple, then left with Bulma without another glance.
Bulma drove along, humming happily, already planning out what they would do after collecting the Dragon Balls.
"Goku, once we gather all seven, come back to West City with me!
I'll get you registered for school, and we can go together…"
"School?" Goku's mouth twitched.
"I'd rather not… I'm terrible at studying. I won't be able to keep up."
Bulma smiled. "It's fine, I'll tutor you after school…"
Goku thought for a moment. "I'll go back with you, but I don't want to attend school.
I'd rather stay home and train while you go."
Bulma considered it. "That works too.
If my classmates found out my boyfriend is a little kid, I'd get laughed at…"
Goku: "…"
She continued, "Then you better grow taller quickly.
When you come pick me up at school, I want to show you off…"
As if height were something he could control.
"I'll try," Goku said helplessly.
Just then, the system chimed.
[In your previous life, Krillin was your brother in all but blood.
But because he was too weak—and because you weren't strong enough—
he was killed twice, and twice drove you into madness.
Your life has restarted.
This time, treasure the days you train together.
Train well, learn well, rest well…
Help him grow stronger, and grow stronger yourself.
Mission: Reach Kame House as soon as possible to become Master Roshi's disciple.
Reward: Two "Best Bro Candies."
After consuming a candy, training and growth speed +50% for eight months (shelf life: eight months).
Anyone other than the host who consumes one will have their battle power gains during the effect period also added to the host.]
Goku's eyes lit up.
Best Bro Candy—obviously meant for Krillin.
Two of them meant one for Krillin, one for himself.
That was +50% growth for him…
and another 1.5 Krillins' worth of power on top of that.
There was no way he could skip Kame House now.
After making up his mind, Goku looked at Bulma.
"Bulma, after we finish collecting the Dragon Balls, I won't be going back with you right away.
I'm going to train at Master Roshi's place."
Bulma slammed on the brakes and stared at him.
"You're really going to train with Master Roshi?"
Goku nodded. "Yeah. I need to get stronger.
I want to always be able to protect you when danger comes."
At first Bulma felt a little unhappy, but hearing that he was doing it for her, a smile spread across her face.
"Alright then. I'll go back to West City first, and you can go train at Kame House afterward."
"Deal."
Suddenly, Goku thought of something else.
"Oh, right, Bulma.
I don't think we should wish for something silly like unlimited strawberries anymore.
I've got a better idea."
Bulma looked at him curiously. "What kind of wish?"
"I want you to be able to protect yourself when I'm not around.
So let's wish for you to become stronger."
"Stronger?" Bulma blinked, interest sparkling in her eyes.
"If I could be as strong as you, no one could bully me anymore. That sounds amazing."
Goku smiled. "The Dragon Balls probably have limits, but even so, it should be more than enough for self-defense.
And besides… with some martial arts, your figure will get better too."
"Really?!" Bulma's eyes shone.
"Getting stronger without training and getting a better figure? That's perfect! Let's do it!"
She hit the gas and sped off.
Goku had already planned it all out—
steal Pilaf's Dragon Balls, make the wish, take a plane from them,
send Bulma back to West City, and then head for Kame House.
…
In the distance, Mai had seen everything through her binoculars.
She lowered them and called Pilaf.
"Report, Your Majesty. Shu failed even with the mech.
He got beaten badly."
Pilaf snorted. "If even the mech couldn't handle them, they're no pushovers.
No wonder they gathered six Dragon Balls so fast.
Bring Shu back once they leave.
Since they can find so many Dragon Balls, they must have a radar.
All we need is to set up a trap and wait for them to walk right in."
"As expected of you, Your Majesty!" Mai praised.
Soon after, Bulma and Goku moved on,
and Mai used the chance to carry the battered Shu back to their base in the mech.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty," Shu said miserably.
Pilaf laughed. "It's fine. Thanks to you getting beaten, I now understand how strong they are."
He pointed at a Dragon Radar-like device.
"They're already coming this way.
I've placed the Dragon Ball in the deepest part of the castle.
Once they come in, they'll fall right into my trap and won't be able to escape."
Mai reported, "Your Majesty, they've entered the castle and are following the arrows we drew."
Pilaf's mouth twitched. "Are those two idiots really falling for something that obvious?"
Moments later, the final walls dropped, sealing Goku and Bulma inside a chamber.
"They're trapped!" Mai cried excitedly.
Shu looked at the monitor, thrilled. "Amazing, Your Majesty! Once we have all the Dragon Balls, the world will be ours!"
Pilaf chuckled. "Hehehe… even I didn't expect it to be this easy."
…
With supreme confidence, Goku had led Bulma into Pilaf's castle.
Now they stood in a dead end.
Just as they turned around, a wall dropped behind them, blocking their path.
"Goku, it's a trap!" Bulma cried.
Goku wasn't worried at all.
"Where's the Dragon Ball?"
Bulma checked the radar and pointed at the stone wall ahead.
"It's right there! But that's a dead end!"
Goku looked at the wall blocking their way.
Then he took a single step forward and slammed into it.
Boom!
The stone wall collapsed.
A corridor appeared before them.
"See?" Goku said calmly. "Now there's a road."
There was never a road under heaven—
but when someone carves one out, a path is born.
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