Karnel left Kame House with the Dragon Ball he'd exchanged from Master Roshi for the magazine. He soared through the sky, leaving a streak of energy behind him as he flew toward Dr. Briefs' home.
"What a successful trip," Karnel thought with joy. "Not only did I get the Dragon Ball, but I also learned the Turtle School's fighting techniques and the Kamehameha. More importantly, the second function of my modifier has been activated."
Crossing the sea, small villages and towns passed quickly beneath him until he arrived at the Briefs family's luxurious compound in West City.
"Oh my! Little handsome, what a coincidence seeing you again so soon. Come in, come in!" Karnel had just arrived at the door when it opened, and Mrs. Briefs greeted him enthusiastically, a little girl about four or five years old peeking out from behind her.
"Mrs. Briefs, what a surprise. Oh! Is this Bulma? She looks just like you." Karnel smiled politely.
"Yes, this is our little genius, Bulma. Sweetie, say hello to... Oh, Karnel, right? My husband told me you saved his life from that robber yesterday. Thank you so much." Mrs. Briefs was as bubbly as ever.
"It was nothing, really. After all, I also need Dr. Briefs' help." Karnel looked down at young Bulma who was studying him with curious eyes.
The four or five-year-old Bulma was undeniably cute. It was strange seeing the future scientific genius as a child.
"Mr. Karnel, I'm Bulma! Daddy says you're very strong. Are you a hero like in my comic books?" Bulma showed a sweet smile, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"It seems our little Bulma has taken quite a liking to you. Perhaps you should wait for her to grow up and marry her? You don't look that much older than her, after all." Mrs. Briefs teased with a wink.
"Ha ha! No, I'm not a hero," Karnel replied, scratching his head awkwardly at being adored by this little girl who would one day become one of Earth's greatest scientific minds.
"Wait, why are you different from us? And why do you have a tail?" Bulma ran over to Karnel and stared curiously at the tail swaying behind him.
"That's because I'm not human," Karnel answered honestly, flicking his tail playfully in front of Bulma, making her giggle with delight.
"Mrs. Briefs, is the doctor at home?"
"He's in his research lab, working on that special room you asked for. Come in and sit down. I'll call him for you." Mrs. Briefs gestured invitingly.
Karnel picked up little Bulma, who was still fascinated by his tail, and followed Mrs. Briefs into the house.
"She's quite adorable," Karnel thought as he sat on the sofa with Bulma. The little girl had a sweet scent unique to children and a curious mind that would one day revolutionize technology on Earth.
"Mr. Karnel, are you asking Daddy for help with something? You can tell me! I'm smart too! I understand most of the books in Daddy's bookcase. Don't underestimate me!" Bulma declared proudly, shaking her tiny fist.
Karnel was genuinely impressed. Even at this young age, Bulma could understand scientific concepts beyond most adults' comprehension. Perhaps she really could help him with the Dragon Radar.
"Well, little Bulma, you might be just the person I need. Look at this, isn't it beautiful?" Karnel held up the Dragon Ball he'd obtained from Master Roshi, showing her the three stars gleaming inside. "There are seven balls like this in the world. I need to find them all, and I was hoping your father could make me a radar that can detect where they are. Do you think you could help with that?"
"Wow! It's so pretty!" Bulma's eyes widened as she gazed at the Dragon Ball, completely mesmerized.
Karnel smiled to himself, thinking, "Shiny objects really do fascinate females of all ages."
"Bulma, do you think you could make a Dragon Ball detection radar? If not, I can ask your father instead," Karnel said with a gentle smile.
"Of course I can make it!" Bulma's face flushed with indignation at having her abilities questioned. "Just wait and see!"
Although it was clearly a challenging task, Bulma couldn't stand having her talent doubted. Her small face scrunched up as she stared fiercely at Karnel, determined to prove herself.
Her attempt at looking intimidating only made her appear more adorable. Karnel couldn't help but smile at her determination.
Just then, Dr. Briefs emerged from his laboratory.
"Bulma, sweetheart, what's that beautiful orb you're holding? Is it a gift from your friend Karnel?" Dr. Briefs chuckled good-naturedly.
"Daddy, Karnel wants me to make a detection radar for this ball. He says there are seven of them!" Bulma announced proudly, holding up the Dragon Ball.
"Let me see that, dear." The doctor took the Dragon Ball from Bulma's hand and examined it carefully.
After studying it for a moment, he said, "Mr. Karnel, this is quite fascinating. I can't identify what material it's made of. May I ask where you found such an unusual object?"
Karnel took a sip of tea and was about to answer when Bulma, still sitting on his lap, spoke up first.
"Daddy, there are seven of these Dragon Balls! Karnel wants me to help make a radar device that can find all of them!"
"Bulma, don't be silly. This is clearly an important matter for Mr. Karnel. You're still very young. Even though you read my books, creating such a device would take time and expertise that—" Dr. Briefs was interrupted mid-sentence.
"Doctor, it's alright," Karnel interjected. "This isn't urgent, and I'd be happy to let Bulma try."
Turning to Bulma, he continued, "I only have about a year on Earth, so how about this, you have 10 months to build the radar. If you can't complete it by then, I'll ask your father to help. Does that sound fair?"
Karnel was planning to stay on Earth for another year. He needed the gravity chamber to be built within that timeframe. Giving Bulma 10 months would still leave a month for Dr. Briefs to finish the radar if she couldn't, which should be more than enough time for someone of his expertise.
"Ten months! I can definitely do it!" Bulma made a face at Karnel, took the Dragon Ball, and ran off to her room.
"By the way, Doctor, how is the gravity chamber coming along?" Karnel asked once Bulma was out of earshot.
"I'm still working through the calculations. These things take time to get right..." Dr. Briefs explained.
"I apologize for being so impatient," Karnel said sincerely.