Goku continued eating calmly, unfazed by the noise, his sharp ears tracking its approach. The sound grew louder by the second—
VRRRRMMM—SKREEECH!
A sleek blue car burst through the trees and came to a sudden halt, stopping just inches short of his hut.
Dust and leaves scattered into the air.
Goku blinked, impressed.
"…That was close."
He stood up and casually walked toward the vehicle just as the engine shut off with a soft whirr. Inside the driver's seat sat a blue-haired girl, her eyes glued to a strange handheld device covered in buttons and a glowing screen.
The Dragon Radar beeped softly.
Beep… beep… beep…
"Okay… the signal's definitely coming from right around here," she muttered, tapping the screen. "It's saying it's basically on top of that hut."
She paused.
"…Wait. Didn't I see a kid just now?"
Bulma looked up and out the window.
Her eyes met Goku's.
He stood there staring at her openly, head slightly tilted, expression blank with curiosity.
"—WAAAH?!"
She nearly jumped out of her seat.
"Woah, kid! You scared me!" she shouted, clutching her chest as she took a deep breath. "Jeez, don't just pop up like that!"
Goku blinked.
"…Sorry."
Bulma squinted at him, finally getting a proper look. Small body. Spiky black hair. Tail wrapped loosely around his waist like it belonged there.
"…What are you doing all the way out here?" she asked. "This forest is in the middle of nowhere!"
She pushed the car door open and stepped out, boots crunching against the dirt.
"I live here, of course," Goku said simply.
Bulma stared.
"…You live here?"
He nodded, then added casually, "But what are you doing here? This forest isn't very safe for a pretty girl like you."
The words were blunt—but his face was completely innocent. Just honest concern.
Bulma paused.
"…Huh." She crossed her arms and smirked slightly. "Don't worry about me, kid. I'm always armed."
She patted the side of her car meaningfully. "Now, can I check out that hut? There's something in there I need to see."
Goku frowned slightly, thinking it over.
"What is it you want to see?" he asked. "There's really nothing special in my hut."
The Dragon Radar beeped louder.
BEEP—BEEP—BEEP!
Bulma's eyes flicked down to it, then back up at the hut.
"…Trust me," she said. "I think there is."
Goku shrugged.
"Well, it'd be easier to just show you," he said, turning around. "Follow me."
Without hesitation, he started walking toward the hut.
Bulma watched him for a moment—this strange little boy living alone in the mountains—then quickly shut her car door and followed, curiosity burning brighter with every step.
Goku pushed the wooden door open and stepped aside, allowing Bulma inside.
The hut was small, simple, and surprisingly tidy. Wooden walls, a neatly kept bed, a low table, and the faint scent of smoke lingering in the air. Bulma's eyes scanned everything quickly—until they locked onto something familiar.
On the table, resting carefully atop a folded pillow, sat an orange orb. Four red stars gleamed within it.
Bulma's breath caught.
'…I found it,' she thought, excitement bubbling up instantly. 'How lucky do you have to be to find one of these in the middle of nowhere?'
She walked toward it almost unconsciously, hand reaching out—but Goku stepped in front of her.
She stopped short, eyebrows knitting together.
"What is it, kid?" she asked, forcing a smile as she clasped her hands together. "Can't I at least have a look?"
She tilted her head slightly, putting on her best puppy-dog expression.
Goku didn't budge.
"No," he said calmly, shaking his head. "I won't let you take it. Grandpa Gohan left it for me as a memory of him."
His tone wasn't angry. It was firm.
"So no. You can't have a look."
Bulma let out a quiet sigh.
'Figures,' she thought. 'Guess I'll have to explain it properly.'
She straightened and crossed her arms.
"Kid… do you even know what that ball is?"
Goku paused, then slowly shook his head.
That answer alone confirmed everything she needed to know.
"Alright," she said, reaching into her bag. "Listen closely."
She pulled out another orange sphere—this one bearing two red stars.
"See this? It looks just like yours, right?"
She then produced another one, this time with five stars, setting both carefully on the table.
"These are called Dragon Balls," she continued. "There are seven of them in total. Each one has a different number of stars—from one to seven."
She pointed at each as she spoke.
"This one's the Two-Star Ball. This one's the Five-Star Ball. And yours…" she glanced at the orb on the pillow, "…is the Four-Star Ball."
She looked back at him.
"Got it so far?"
"Yes," Goku said, nodding. "But you still haven't explained what you want to do with them."
Bulma grinned."I was just getting to that."
She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret.
"When you collect all seven Dragon Balls and recite the magic words, Shenron—the Dragon God—appears. He grants one wish to the person who summoned him."
Goku listened quietly.
"The only drawback," she continued, "is that after the wish is made, the Dragon Balls scatter across the world and turn into useless stones for an entire year. Only after that can they be used again."
She finished with a proud smile, clearly expecting amazement.
Goku nodded slowly, putting on a thoughtful expression—eyes narrowed, chin resting in his hand.
In reality, his mind was already miles ahead.
'So that's how she plans to hook me,' he thought calmly.
Bulma watched him carefully.
'Alright… I've got his interest now,' she thought smugly. 'He'll lower his guard, and then I'll take the ball. Easy.'
After a moment, Goku looked up.
"Okay," he said simply. "I won't give you my ball."
Bulma's smile faltered—
"But," he continued, a small smirk forming, "I'll come with you on your journey to collect all seven Dragon Balls."
Bulma froze. "…Huh?"
She stared at him, genuinely surprised. For a second, she didn't know what to say—then an idea clicked into place.
'Perfect,' she thought. 'I'll play along, let him get comfortable… and then I'll take it when he least expects it.'
She smiled sweetly. "Really? You'd do that?"
Meanwhile, Goku thought— 'Smartest person in the world, huh…'
He glanced at her with a faint, knowing grin. 'Did she not hear me? I said I'm not interested in making a wish. Oh well it doesn't matter. As long as I get to start my adventure ' he thought.
TO BE CONTINUED