The next morning, the sun shone bright and clear across a cloudless sky.
A single beam of light slipped through the curtain gap and brushed across Bulma's face.
She slowly stirred from a deep, peaceful sleep.
The room was empty—no sign of Goku anywhere.
"Goku?"
"Hey, Son?"
She called twice but got no reply.
Then she noticed a T-shirt thrown carelessly on the sofa—the same one Goku had worn after his bath last night.
Bulma's eyes shifted toward the balcony.
Sure enough, the clothes he'd hung out were gone.
Pulling the curtain aside just a little, she spotted Goku outside, carrying heavy stones in his hands, training under the morning sun.
Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief.
Checking the clock, she murmured to herself,
"Wow, it's already this late?
Can't believe I actually slept in.
Guess Goku's even more disciplined than I am!"
With a wry smile, she threw off the blanket and began brushing her teeth and washing up.
Halfway through, she froze, lifted her pajama hem, and peeked down.
Her white underwear was still firmly in place.
Bulma exhaled in relief.
"See? This Goku really is different. He'd never do something rude like that."
Once she finished washing, just as she was about to change, Goku's knock came at the door.
"Bulma, hurry, open up!"
She opened it, a hint of annoyance on her face.
"You were just training outside the door. Why lock it? Did you do that by accident?"
Goku scratched his head. "Nope. I did it on purpose. You were still asleep, and I didn't want any bad guys sneaking in."
Bulma blinked, caught off guard.
'Did I hear that right? Little Goku's actually worrying about my safety?
Heh… this version of him really is something else!'
While they were talking, a familiar figure appeared—
a large sea turtle slowly making its way toward them.
"Excuse me, miss, sorry to bother you…"
Goku's face lit up. "Bulma! I found a lost sea turtle outside. Can we help him get back home?"
Bulma looked at the turtle and smiled. "That's an easy one. Let me get dressed, and we'll take him back to the sea."
The sea turtle's eyes glimmered with gratitude.
"Really? Oh, thank you so much!"
Bulma crouched down.
"Mr. Turtle, would you like something to eat or drink first?"
The turtle blinked in surprise.
"Uh… really? I can?"
"Of course," Bulma said warmly.
"Then… maybe some lightly salted water and a bit of meat? I'm thirsty and starving…"
"You got it! Give me a second."
She grabbed a small bucket, sprinkled in some salt, and filled it with water.
Then she opened the fridge, took out a few chunks of frozen pork belly, and dropped them into the bucket.
Having fed the Turtle Hermit's companion plenty of times in her past life, Bulma already knew what the sea turtle liked.
The meat thawed quickly in the cool brine.
The turtle drank deeply, savoring every drop.
After quenching his thirst and munching on the meat, he was full and beaming.
"Thank you! Thank you so much!" he said again and again until Bulma gently waved him off.
By then, Goku had finished his morning training.
After a simple breakfast together, Bulma packed up the Capsule House,
and they set off.
Goku carried the large turtle on his back, while Bulma rode her motorcycle alongside him.
At first, Bulma had wanted to drive and carry the turtle in the car,
but Goku insisted on using this as part of his strength training.
She couldn't really argue with that.
Besides, the motorcycle was perfect for the uneven roads ahead.
Whenever they ran into bandits or wild beasts,
Bulma didn't hesitate—she'd simply give Goku the order to fight.
None of them stood a chance.
Every single one ended up getting "educated" by Goku's fists.
After about two hours, the two—and one very satisfied turtle—finally reached the shore.
The moment the sea came into view, the turtle's eyes welled with emotion.
"I've been wandering for a whole year… thank you both so much!"
Goku grinned. "Don't mention it! Go on, get home safe!"
The turtle splashed into the waves, turning back to shout,
"Wait here a moment! I must repay you!"
Then it disappeared into the deep blue.
For Goku—who in his previous life had lived inland—
the sea was a rare sight.
He'd seen rivers before, sure, but the ocean? Only once,
on a company trip to the Gold Coast.
Now, standing here in the Dragon Ball world, facing the vast, rolling waves again,
he kicked off his shoes and ran onto the soft, cool sand.
Bulma watched the turtle disappear into the horizon, her expression distant.
She knew where it was headed—Master Roshi's house.
If everything went as expected, the Turtle Hermit himself would appear soon.
Then Goku's cheerful voice called out,
"Bulma! Come play in the water!"
She looked over and saw him barefoot,
his small feet buried in the pale sand.
Each wave washed over his toes,
then pulled back with a soft hiss.
He looked utterly content.
Bulma smiled gently.
"Alright, I'm coming!"
She slipped off her shoes and stepped onto the cool sand.
The first wave rolled in,
covering her feet completely.
A shiver ran through her body.
"Ah—so cold!"
Her toes curled, feet arching slightly from the chill.
When the wave receded, it took the fine sand from between her toes with it.
Seeing her still adjusting to the temperature, Goku laughed.
The sunlight glinted on her fair skin,
tiny beads of water rolling down her feet and sparkling like glass.
Bulma's expression softened, her smile radiant.
She had almost forgotten what peace and beauty felt like.
This was what life was meant to be—calm, warm, and full of light.
She gazed out at the horizon.
"It's beautiful," she murmured.
"Yeah," Goku said, grinning beside her. "The ocean's really beautiful!"