Bulma walked up to Mai and Shu, facing the ruins of Pilaf's castle.
She shouted, "Pilaf! If you don't want your two lackeys to die,
hand over all six Dragon Balls right now!"
From inside the castle came a defiant voice.
"Those two are useless trash.
They couldn't do anything right, so I don't need them!
What can you do about it?"
Shu and Mai burst into tears.
"No!"
"Lord Pilaf, please don't abandon us!"
Bulma smirked.
"Oh? Is that so?"
Pilaf kept posturing. "Yeah. Don't need 'em."
Bulma turned to Goku.
"Goku, tear the castle down."
Goku walked toward it with the Pole.
In an instant, countless rockets fired from the castle, raining explosions around him.
The ground erupted nonstop—
but Goku's stride never slowed.
As he leapt to dodge a rocket, he clasped his hands in a lotus shape at his hip.
"Kaaame…!"
"Haaame…!"
"Haaa…!"
"Meee…!"
Light burst outward.
Goku thrust his hands forward.
A massive energy wave blasted into the castle.
A rolling cloud of dust swallowed it whole.
Moments later, Pilaf crawled out, battered and filthy.
With the radar, Bulma located the remaining six balls.
"Yes! All seven Dragon Balls are here!"
Goku nodded. "Bulma, summon Shenron and make your wish!"
Pilaf, Mai, and Shu stared greedily at the seven balls in Bulma's hands.
Pilaf leaned in and whispered to his two minions, clearly plotting something.
Mai and Shu shook with excitement.
"Lord Pilaf, I knew you wouldn't abandon us!"
Mai added fervently, "As long as we stick together,
we'll rise again and rule the world!"
Shu chimed in. "Yes! We'll succeed, Lord Pilaf!"
Pilaf gave a sly grin.
"No need to wait for 'someday.'
If my plan works,
we might succeed in just a moment."
They nodded eagerly.
But Bulma suddenly looked over.
"Goku, keep an eye on them. I'll go farther away to make the wish.
I don't want them rushing in to steal it."
Goku nodded.
"Got it. Go ahead."
He planted the Power Pole three inches into the earth, kicking up dust.
"You three better not try anything funny.
Or my staff won't be gentle. Understand?"
Pilaf's trio clenched up and nodded frantically.
"Yes, yes!"
Bulma's caution left them no opening.
Pilaf drooped in defeat.
Mai comforted him. "Lord Pilaf, don't worry.
We can collect the Dragon Balls again next year."
Pilaf nodded. "Right… you're right."
Not far away—
Bulma chanted.
A beam of golden light shot into the sky.
The blue heavens turned instantly into a stormy night.
Under that deep dark canopy, a dazzling streak tore across the clouds like a falling star—
brighter, grander, more terrifying.
A green divine dragon coiled in the air, crimson eyes blazing with authority.
"Those who have gathered the seven Dragon Balls,
state your wish.
Any wish shall be granted—one."
Seeing Shenron again after so long, Bulma was overjoyed.
She glanced toward Goku, still guarding Pilaf's trio, then lifted her face to the dragon.
"Shenron, please make Son Goku never get sick—ever!"
"Very well."
Shenron's eyes glowed brighter.
An invisible force descended on Goku.
Then Shenron spoke again:
"Your wish has been granted.
Farewell."
Bulma exhaled. "Goodbye."
Shenron turned to a beam of gold and sank into the Dragon Balls.
The seven balls then shot in seven directions, vanished, and became stone once more…
The clouds dispersed.
The sky returned to bright blue.
Bulma and Goku also let Pilaf's trio go.
Goku asked, "Bulma, did you heal your friend?"
Bulma smiled and nodded. "Yep. It's done."
"Good."
Bulma tilted her head playfully.
"Goku, don't you want to know who I healed?"
"Nope. Not interested."
Bulma shrugged.
"Alright then.
Oh right, Goku—
I think you've worked hard on your training.
You should go to a better place."
Goku blinked.
"What place?"
Bulma said, "The strongest martial artist alive is Master Roshi.
We met him a few days ago—
the Turtle Hermit who gave us Nimbus.
You should go learn from him.
Your skills will definitely leap forward.
As for Nimbus, you can keep it. It'll take you to Kame House."