Bulma's seaside resort villa.
A bright red banner hung above the entrance gate:
[Son Bra's Second Birthday Party]
There weren't many guests—just a few of Bulma's closest friends.
Most were shared acquaintances of hers and Goku's: Krillin, Tien, and the like.
Their families came too, along with Bulma's parents and her older sister.
Anyone who was just a casual friend wasn't invited.
Krillin and Snow arrived, holding the hand of a chubby little girl.
The moment Bulma saw them step through the gate, she came up with a wide smile.
"Well, if it isn't the world champion himself—Krillin!
Welcome, welcome!
Having your family here today really brings light to the place!"
Krillin chuckled and crouched down to speak to his daughter.
"Marron, this is Auntie Bulma. Say hi."
The little girl peeked out shyly from behind Krillin's leg, wide-eyed with curiosity, but she didn't say anything.
Snow stepped forward with a gentle smile.
"She's always been a little shy around new people,
but once she gets used to her surroundings, she warms up quickly."
Bulma smiled back and took a box from a nearby attendant, pulling out a beautiful princess doll.
She crouched down and smiled at the girl.
"So your name's Marron? Aren't you adorable!
Say 'auntie,' and this doll is yours. Sound good?"
Marron blinked her big, clear eyes and said softly, "Auntie!"
Then she opened her arms, eager for the doll.
"What a sweet little girl!"
Bulma handed her the doll with a warm smile.
Krillin scratched his head sheepishly.
"You really know how to win her over. One doll and she's already yours, haha…"
Bulma laughed.
"Well, I've got a daughter too. I know exactly what they like."
Krillin nodded.
"True. But I heard from Goku that your kid's kind of a handful."
Bulma sighed, smiling with a hint of exasperation.
"She takes after me, not Goku—super outgoing.
But physically? Definitely her father's daughter.
She's only two and already a little powerhouse.
Made a bunch of the neighbor kids cry more than once,
and now they all avoid her!"
Snow's expression suddenly grew serious.
"If that's the case, you really need to be careful.
Discipline is important. If she grows up going down the wrong path…"
Bulma nodded calmly.
"I know. Don't worry—she might be wild, but she understands boundaries.
Now come on, don't just stand around. The party's about to start!"
Krillin and Snow nodded and headed inside with cheerful smiles.
A short while later, Master Roshi and Chiaotzu arrived alongside Tien.
"Master Roshi's still looking full of energy as always!"
"And Tien—you still haven't found a girlfriend yet?"
Soon, all the guests had arrived, and the birthday party was in full swing.
Master Roshi watched Son Bra running around with a mischievous grin and chuckled fondly.
"By the way, Goku—where's her tail?"
Goku nodded.
"A couple of years ago, Kami restored the moon. I was worried she might turn into a Great Ape,
so I asked him to remove her tail."
Bulma chimed in,
"Yeah, it's one thing for boys. But for a girl?
If other kids got curious about her tail and started poking around,
it could cause all sorts of trouble."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Snow said thoughtfully,
"That makes sense.
Girls having tails… it's just too weird.
Especially when they get older.
Sure, maybe an extra tail is useful,
but getting rid of it was the right call."
Krillin glanced at Goku and added,
"I know a bit of history—humans used to be some kind of ape-like creatures, right?
They might've had tails once. Even now, the coccyx hasn't fully evolved away.
I thought Goku was a genetic anomaly.
Didn't expect his kid to have a tail too. Poor guy!"
Chi-Chi spoke up with a laugh,
"Bulma told me—Goku isn't actually from Earth.
He's a child from another planet."
"Goku's an alien?
That's hilarious!"
"Don't tell me he's some kind of invader species? Haha!"
Laughter rippled through the group.
Bulma and Goku laughed too, listening to the banter.
But Chi-Chi… didn't laugh. Her mood had clearly dropped.
And Snow noticed.
She walked over to Chi-Chi and spoke quietly.
"Chi-Chi, you and Goku grew up together, right?
Childhood friends. So… how come Bulma already has a two-year-old daughter with him,
but you haven't had a child yet?"
Chi-Chi nodded softly.
"I wanted to, but once you're pregnant, you can't train seriously anymore.
At least not for three years.
So… I held off."
Snow nodded in understanding.
"That's fair. But you're a woman—do you really care about training that much?"
A faint smile returned to Chi-Chi's face.
"It's not about training itself.
It's about being with Goku. I love training with him."
Snow blinked in surprise.
Then she laughed.
"Well, that makes sense. You went with him to Kami's place for training. You even trained on King Kai's planet.
Those few years, Bulma was mostly alone.
She didn't even see Goku for ages.
In that sense, you're the lucky one."
Chi-Chi nodded, her smile growing.
"Yeah. Gains and losses come in pairs.
Sure, I get a little jealous seeing Goku and Bulma's daughter already two years old…
But honestly? I'd rather spend those years by Goku's side."
Suddenly, Chi-Chi's face flushed red.
She whispered to Snow,
"Bra's only two, so Bulma sleeps with her at night.
Which means Goku sleeps with me.
I can't tell you how happy that makes me."
Snow laughed softly.
"It's the same for us. Our daughter still wakes up several times a night,
so Krillin moved to the room next door.
Kids make things a little inconvenient,
but once they're past three and sleep on their own, it gets better."
Chi-Chi nodded.
"Yeah. Once Bra stops needing Bulma at night, I'll think about having a child too.
Maybe then Goku can spend more time with Bulma."
Snow smiled warmly.
"Your family's amazing. There's three of you, and somehow you all get along so well."
Chi-Chi giggled.
"Hehe, it's mostly thanks to Bulma.
She knows so much more than I do. She takes care of Goku—and even looks after me."
Snow nodded again.
"Yeah, I noticed.
Bulma's got brains and emotional intelligence. Talking to her just feels comfortable."
Chi-Chi nodded again.
"I've realized it too.
Bra's only two, but she's already more mature than I was at four."
Just then, Marron ran over.
"Mama! Mama! Let's go to the beach! I wanna catch crabs!"
Snow smiled.
"Alright, let me grab a little bucket. Let's see who catches more, okay?"
"Let's take two! Me and Daddy are a team!"
"Sounds good!"
Northern Grasslands.
Raditz touched down.
He stepped out of his pod with a sneer of contempt.
"So everyone on this planet is still alive, huh?
Kakarot, you useless brat…"
Just then, Raditz spotted a farmer and strode toward him.
The farmer took one look at the towering, armored stranger and raised his gun, trembling.
"Wh-who are you!?
Stay back—I'll shoot!"
Raditz grinned.
Beep beep beep—his scouter lit up.
"Power level… just 5? Pathetic."
The farmer fired.
The bullet zipped toward Raditz—
—but he caught it with his fingers.
The farmer gasped, frozen in place.
Raditz flicked the bullet back.
It pierced the man's chest, dropping him instantly.
Raditz scoffed.
"What a weak, ignorant race."
"Now then, let's see where Kakarot is."
He tapped his scouter.
"Oh? There's a strong energy signature that way…
Over 4,000 kilometers off. Must be Kakarot."
With a smirk, Raditz took off, flying toward the reading.
But 4,800 kilometers away, it wasn't Goku.
It was Piccolo.
He had already learned how to sense Ki.
When Raditz approached, Piccolo felt the overwhelming pressure rushing toward him.
'That power… it's coming straight for me? Could it be… Goku?'
Then, he saw the figure descending—and his pupils shrank.
'That's not him!'
Raditz landed with his usual arrogance.
"Well, what do we have here?
A native of this planet?
Not Kakarot… What a shame."
Piccolo narrowed his eyes.
"Who are you?"
Raditz smiled.
"You're of no use to me."
Piccolo snapped back,
"Then why are you here? Looking to die?"
Raditz tapped his scouter again.
"Hmph. Arrogant little worm."
Beep beep beep!
Raditz froze as the reading popped up.
"What?
A power level over 900?
Someone this strong on this planet?"
Piccolo smirked.
"Scared now, are you?"
Raditz snorted.
"Fool. Do you even know who you're talking to?"
Piccolo could feel the sheer pressure pouring off Raditz.
Sweat broke out on his forehead.
'This power… it's overwhelming…'
Raditz stepped forward, his voice low and cold.
"You'll regret standing in my way."
Piccolo didn't flinch. He raised his hand and unleashed a blast.
BOOM!
Smoke and dust exploded outward—
—but when it cleared, Raditz was still standing.
Untouched.
Piccolo's eyes widened.
'He took that head-on… and he's not even scratched!?'
Raditz waved away the dust and smirked.
"That was pathetic. All you did was dirty my armor.
You attacked. Now it's my turn.
Let me show you real power."
Just as he was about to strike, Raditz paused.
"Wait a minute…
You're strong—still weaker than me—but probably one of the strongest on this planet.
Don't tell me…
Did you kill Kakarot?"
Piccolo removed his turban and cloak, eyes sharp.
"I'm the Demon King Piccolo. I don't explain myself to anyone.
I don't know who the hell this 'Kakarot' is.
But if you want a fight, come get it!"
With a roar, Piccolo's energy surged—
900…
1000…
1100…
…1300!
Raditz's scouter beeped frantically.
He inhaled sharply.
"His power level is rising!? He can control it at will?
What kind of monster are you?
Tell me—did you kill Kakarot!?"