Seeing Goku return safely, Master Karin nodded in approval.
"We more or less saw what happened. You were impressive, Son Goku."
Goku laughed. "They were all just ordinary people. Easy to deal with—nothing special."
"Oh right," he added, gesturing beside him. "Let me introduce her. This is Violet."
Violet turned toward Bulma with a gentle smile.
"You must be Bulma. Goku told me all about you—how beautiful, kind, and talented you are. But seeing you in person, you're even more stunning. Your skin is so radiant… you're practically the most perfect woman in the world. I'm honestly jealous."
Bulma had never been praised so directly before. Her face flushed instantly.
"Oh… you're exaggerating… I think you're really beautiful too."
Violet extended her hand with confidence.
"My name is Violet—though you can call me Little Violet. From now on, let's take care of Goku together."
Bulma smiled and shook her hand.
"I'm Bulma. Nice to meet you."
Watching Goku being surrounded by two gorgeous women, Krillin felt like he'd just swallowed a lemon.
"Damn it… why does Goku keep getting girls?! I'm so jealous I could die!"
"I need to get stronger. I need to become a world-famous martial arts champion!"
He turned toward Master Karin.
"Master Karin, I'm going back to training for the Ultra Divine Water!"
Master Karin studied him, then chuckled.
"So even jealousy can become motivation, huh?"
"…"
Before long, Goku, Bulma, and Violet left Karin Tower.
Now Violet piloted the plane, while Bulma and Goku finally had time to relax.
Bulma fiddled with the Dragon Radar and frowned.
"This is weird. The radar isn't broken… so why isn't it detecting the seventh Dragon Ball?"
Violet asked curiously, "Could it have flown into outer space?"
Bulma shook her head. "According to the records, the Dragon Balls are limited to Earth. They can't go that far."
Goku said, "Violet, just follow the direction I give you. I think I know where it is."
"Got it, Goku," Violet replied, calmly adjusting the course without asking anything else.
Bulma couldn't contain her curiosity and turned to him.
"Why are you being so mysterious? Where is it?"
Goku grinned. "Bulma, remember those three idiots I dealt with last year?"
"The three idiots?"
"You mean… Pilaf's trio?" she asked.
"Exactly. They were hunting the Dragon Balls back then too. They even tried to steal ours. This year they must've found one, and when their radar detected us, they hid it."
Bulma scowled. "Those jerks… even hiding a Dragon Ball. How sneaky."
Violet tilted her head. "Are those three dangerous?"
Goku shook his head. "Not at all. They're just a comedy act."
"I see…" Violet hesitated, then said, "If we know where they are, why don't you let me handle the last Dragon Ball? I promise I'll get it done."
Bulma and Goku both stared at her in surprise.
A volunteer who actively takes on work—now that was rare.
Seeing them looking at her, Violet blinked in confusion.
"Why are you both staring at me?"
"N-nothing!" they said at the same time.
Violet smiled. "Then it's settled. Give me the radar and their location. You've already done so much—I should contribute too. Leave the last Dragon Ball to me."
Bulma was about to object, but Goku cut in.
"Alright. I'm counting on you, Violet."
Then he turned to Bulma.
"Give her the radar."
"But—"
"Just give it to her."
Reluctantly, Bulma handed it over.
Soon, Goku and Bulma landed in a city while Violet flew off toward Pilaf's castle.
Watching the plane disappear, Bulma murmured, "I don't know why, but something about her feels a little strange… though she really does seem capable."
Goku nodded. "She probably just wants to fit in and prove herself. Giving her a mission might help."
Bulma thought about it and nodded. "Yeah… she probably had a rough life. People like that feel uneasy when they're not useful."
"But you're sure she'll be okay going alone?"
Goku shrugged. "The worst-case scenario is she doesn't get the Dragon Ball. Pilaf and his crew aren't dangerous. Let her try."
Bulma smiled. "Alright. So where are we going?"
Goku rubbed his stomach. "I've been roughing it for days. Now that someone else is working for me, I want a good meal and a proper bed."
Bulma grinned. "Then let's go to the fanciest hotel in town."
Unfortunately, fancy hotels had tiny portions and insane prices.
By the time Goku finished eating, the bill had passed ten million.
Even Bulma's cash wasn't enough—but thanks to the Red Ribbon Army's treasury, Goku covered it without trouble.
…
Pilaf's Castle
Pilaf laughed gleefully.
"Heh heh… they'll never guess we hid one Dragon Ball."
Shu nodded. "Exactly! Lord Pilaf is a genius for inventing a box that blocks Dragon Ball signals!"
Mai smirked. "Once they can't find it for a while, they'll relax. They can't guard their Dragon Balls forever. We'll track them, steal everything, and rule the world!"
They hadn't even gathered all seven yet, but they were already dreaming big.
Just then, a Red Ribbon Army-marked plane flew over the castle.
Violet amplified her voice through the aircraft's speakers.
"Attention, occupants of the castle below. You are now under the control of the Red Ribbon Army."
"We have thirty missiles locked onto your position."
"Hand over the Dragon Ball immediately, or we will reduce this castle—and everyone inside it—to rubble."
Pilaf, Shu, and Mai froze.
Mai hurried to the monitor—and when she saw the Red Ribbon insignia, her face went pale.
"Oh no! Lord Pilaf, it's the Red Ribbon Army! We're doomed!"
Pilaf started sweating.
"Damn it… the Dragon Ball is shielded. How did they still find us?"
Shu gulped. "Lord Pilaf, we can't fight them. They're the most dangerous organization in the world. Since they know we have it… shouldn't we just hand it over?"
Mai nodded desperately. "Yeah! They said missiles! I don't want to die!"
Pilaf clenched his teeth and reluctantly opened the box.
A moment later…
Violet obtained the final Dragon Ball.
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