Onboard the spaceship, Goku was holding Eris, who was playfully tweaking his nose, as he complained to Bulma. "I mean, Bulma, it's been fifteen days already, and we still haven't reached Planet Namek? According to the star charts from Captain Ginyu's ship, it should only take thirteen days from Planet Kada!"
Bulma rolled her eyes. "That calculation was based on their ship's speed. The one we modified is far more primitive! Can't you be a little patient? Honestly, I'm bored out of my mind too, you know! How about we play some cards?"
"Good idea!" Goku spotted Yuriko reading nearby and waved her over. "Come on, come on, let's play a few rounds of Old Maid. Loser has to take off a piece of clothing!"
Yuriko shot him a withering look, but seeing his genuine restlessness, she reluctantly agreed to humor him for a while… Half an hour later, Goku eyed Yuriko, now clad only in black lace, and Bulma, down to her underwear. Glancing at the three eights in his hand, his eyes darted. As Yuriko played an eight, his hand moved with imperceptible speed—his three eights became four.
"Ten to Ace. One card left." Yuriko held her final card, the Joker, with a triumphant smirk.
Goku grinned. "Bomb! Double the penalty. Off they come!"
The two women blushed instantly. Any more and they'd be completely exposed. Though their 'sisters' had seen it all before, stripping entirely in front of everyone was still embarrassing.
Suddenly, Saya called out, "Wait a minute! I clearly saw Mama play a three-through-eight sequence earlier. How do you still have four eights in your hand?"
"Aha! He was cheating! No wonder he kept winning!" Rei chimed in. They had gathered as spectators midway through the game.
Katsumi adjusted her glasses coolly. "At Goku's speed, if he cheats, we naturally wouldn't notice. However, the discards have been cleared. You have no way to refute the evidence."
"Cheating counts as four bombs! That means you owe eight pieces of clothing. Get moving!" Bulma and the others fixed Goku with sharp, accusing stares.
"Darn! Four bombs? That's not fair! I'm only wearing three things total. If I take those off, I'll be buck naked! This isn't how it was supposed to go! I was supposed to see your bare—" Goku looked utterly deflated. But, caught 'red-handed,' he had to concede. This was part of the game's fun. Otherwise, why play strip cards? With a single command, the girls would strip obediently anyway.
"Attention all hands! Arrival at Planet Namek in ten minutes. All personnel, prepare for arrival. I repeat, all personnel, prepare for arrival..."
Just as Goku was down to his boxers, the ship's intercom blared. He immediately halted and hurried to the viewport, his spirits soaring. "Is that Planet Namek? We're finally here! Their dragon balls grant three wishes. Once I get them, all my dreams can come true! Bulma, full speed ahead!"
"So this is Planet Namek? It looks enormous! At least ten times the size of Earth!" Saya exclaimed in awe.
Saeko and the others moved to Goku's side, dutifully helped him dress, and returned to their seats. The earlier bet was already forgotten. They knew when to play and when to be serious.
Ten minutes later, after plowing through countless massive trees, the ship jolted to a landing on the vibrant green surface…
"We did it! We've landed on Namek!" Bulma cheered.
"Is this really it? The fog is so thick, I can hardly see a thing," Saeko said, peering out with uncertainty.
"Are you sure, Bulma? Could the coordinates be wrong?" Saya asked.
"Relax, this is it. The charts confirm it, and my dad and I did the modifications. You have to trust me! Let's go out and see!" Bulma stated with confidence.
"Bulma, bring out the Dragon Radar. Let's check," Goku said, opening the hatch. He could sense it—the 'ki' and spirit here felt remarkably similar to Kami's. This had to be Namek.
"What for?" Bulma asked, pulling out the radar. She switched it on, and seven blinking lights immediately appeared on the screen. Her eyes widened in shock. "What in the world…? This planet is registering all seven dragon balls! Don't tell me… there are dragon balls here too? Goku, is this why you wanted to come?"
Goku smiled, looking at the radar. "Yeah. This is the homeland of Earth's Guardian God. The seven dragon balls he created originated from this planet."
Bulma's surprise deepened. "What?! So the Guardian God of Earth is actually an alien?!"
"Your world truly is full of wonders," Yuriko and the others murmured in amazement.
"Hey, hey! Onii-chan, look over there! Two strange people are coming this way! Are they aliens too?" Eris pointed at two Namekians approaching in the distance, her face alight with curiosity.
"Whoa! They look just like Piccolo!" Bulma yelped, ducking behind Goku.
Goku chuckled. "No need to be scared. This is just what Namekians look like. Actually, that Piccolo was the evil half split from the Guardian God's consciousness. Namekians themselves are a very peaceful people."
The two green-skinned, antennaed beings stopped before them. The elder one spoke, his voice calm and resonant. "Greetings, people of Earth. Welcome to Planet Namek. I am Moori, and this is my son, Dende."
"A pleasure to meet you," Goku replied warmly, offering a friendly wave. The long journey was over. Their true quest on Namek was about to begin.