The scorching sun blazed overhead, turning the land into a furnace, baking everything beneath it with relentless heat.
There wasn't a single trace of moisture in the air, and even the wind that blew carried an unbearable warmth.
This was a vast desert in the tropical region, devoid of any modern traces. Compared to the Western Capital, this place seemed as if civilization had yet to reach it. The locals wrapped themselves tightly in cloth, shielding their skin completely, while only those hiding in the shade dared to expose any part of their bodies.
Sweat dripped continuously from her face. Supporting herself with a wooden staff, Tais panted heavily as she followed behind. She glanced up at the scorching sun in the sky, and suddenly, a wave of dizziness washed over her.
"I can't go on any longer," she called out weakly, crouching down in exhaustion. As she did, the veil covering her face slipped off, revealing a delicate and sweet face.
"You insisted on coming along," Raiga replied.
He stopped walking and helped Tais over to a shaded corner. A faint breeze blew by, bringing a trace of coolness. He gulped down some cool water and poured the rest over his head. Tais let out a small yelp as the water splashed over her, but she felt slightly revived. "Not everyone is a monster like you, you know! I'm a girl, after all!"
"You're too fragile. Saiyan women aren't this delicate." Raiga handed her a fan.
Tais shot him an annoyed look but took the fan and fanned herself vigorously. She wiped the sweat off her face, worried that the sun might damage her skin.
"How far are we from the next Dragon Ball?"
"About three kilometers," Raiga said, checking the Dragon Radar. At the center of the radar, five glowing dots were clustered together, while another flashing signal was located three kilometers away.
"That far? I can't handle it."
"I'll go get it myself," Raiga offered.
Tais quickly shook her head. "No way! We agreed to travel together. I won't just be left behind! Besides, this is a challenge, and I'll do my best to push through."
Seeing Tais stumbling yet determined, Raiga found her resolve amusing but chose not to crush her confidence.
"Fine, we'll wait until the evening to look for the Dragon Ball," he said, glancing at the scorching sun.
Tais tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and stuck out her tongue playfully. "Sorry about that."
Raiga shook his head and pulled out a capsule, tossing it onto the flat ground. In an instant, a small house appeared. "Come in and cool off."
"Hehe!" Tais giggled softly and dashed inside. She immediately ran to the bathroom, taking a refreshing cold shower. When she emerged, she was dressed lightly and emptied her backpack onto the table, rolling five Dragon Balls around in her hands.
The orange-red orbs clinked against each other, emitting a golden glow and a faint humming sound.
These five Dragon Balls were the fruits of their journey over the past few days.
Two weeks ago, Raiga and Tais had set off in search of the Dragon Balls. Their first stop was Kame House, home of Master Roshi.
Master Roshi, known as the "God of Martial Arts," was an experienced martial arts master but also an infamous pervert. In the original story, Bulma had gone as far as lifting her skirt to tempt him into giving up his Dragon Ball. With Raiga around, there was no chance Master Roshi would get any such advantage. As soon as they landed on the island and found the old master lounging under a tree, Raiga wasted no time. Without a word, he delivered a swift chop to the back of Roshi's neck, knocking him out cold before the old man even realized what was happening.
By the time Master Roshi regained consciousness, Raiga and Tais were long gone with his Three-Star Ball. The old master rubbed his sore neck, assuming he had simply slept in a bad position. It wasn't until evening that he realized the crystal ball that had been hanging around his neck was missing, leaving behind only the frayed rope.
With Roshi's Dragon Ball secured, Raiga and Tais continued their journey, traveling the world by jeep or speedboat, collecting Dragon Balls along the way.
In just two weeks, they had gathered five Dragon Balls, and now, the sixth was within reach.
Thanks to Raiga's presence, the journey had been relatively smooth. Any enemies they encountered were swiftly defeated by him. For Tais, the trip had been an eye-opening experience, allowing her to witness the sheer power of martial arts firsthand. Inspired, she diligently recorded their adventures, gathering material for her future stories.
By evening, the sky darkened, and the last rays of sunlight disappeared beyond the horizon. The heavens were painted in hues of crimson and deepening blue as night fell.
With the scorching heat finally subsiding, Tais stepped outside without her veil. Following the Dragon Radar's signal, the two of them arrived at a barren stretch of land three kilometers away. The ground was a sea of flowing sand, devoid of vegetation. Exposed rocks, weathered by time and wind, were covered in fine cracks, crumbling at the slightest touch.
"According to the radar, the sixth Dragon Ball should be around here," Tais said, shielding her eyes as she scanned the desolate landscape. "But it's all sand... Could it be buried underground?"
Raiga glanced at the Dragon Radar and adjusted it to a three-dimensional display. The new reading showed the Dragon Ball's exact depth—five meters below the surface.
"Find a place to hide," he instructed.
Hovering slightly above the ground, Raiga gathered a deep blue energy ball in his palm.
Tais immediately ran toward a protruding rock formation and crouched behind it. Having seen Raiga's energy attacks before, she knew the kind of destruction they could unleash. Even a small energy blast from him could level a mountain.
"I'm ready! Go ahead!" she called out, gripping the rock tightly.
Raiga's eyes locked onto the ground below, his gaze sharpening. With a swift motion, he hurled the energy ball downward.
Boom!
A deafening explosion erupted as the blast struck the ground, sending a surge of golden sand into the air. A shockwave radiated outward, shaking the earth. Amidst the swirling dust, a glowing, glass-like sphere was sent flying into the air.
They found it!
A glint of satisfaction flashed in Raiga's eyes as he swiftly moved forward, catching the airborne Dragon Ball.
"The One-Star Ball!"
A smile spread across Raiga's face as he handed the Dragon Ball to Tais.
Tais eagerly cradled the precious orb, her eyes gleaming with excitement. Only one Dragon Ball remained.
A few days later, over two hundred kilometers away, Raiga found the final Dragon Ball nestled within a lush thicket.
He placed all seven Dragon Balls on the ground. As soon as they touched, they began to emit a golden glow. Each pulse of light was accompanied by a low, resonant hum, almost like the whisper of a dragon.
"Hummm... Hummm... Hummm!"
The seven Dragon Balls flickered rhythmically, their mysterious energy awakening.