A middle-aged man with a receding hairline looked at Bulma hopefully.
"Excuse me, young lady… would you be willing to marry Oolong willingly?"
Bulma turned toward him, recognition flashing across her face.
Ah, right—he had a daughter. In her previous life, when she'd come here with Goku, Oolong had tried to take that very girl as his "bride."
She shook her head firmly.
"Sorry, I'm just passing through. I'm here to find something, not to be anyone's wife."
The villagers exchanged puzzled glances.
"Find something? What are you looking for?"
Bulma's eyes swept the crowd and settled on an elderly woman near the back.
She reached into her pocket, pulling out a shining orb and holding it up for everyone to see.
"This," she said, "is called a Dragon Ball. My radar picked up a signal—one of these is somewhere in this village. If anyone here has one that looks the same, I'll help your village defeat the monster and bring back the girls he's taken."
The old woman's eyes brightened.
"Oh! That looks just like one I have at home."
She hurried inside, rummaged around for a bit, then returned with another orange-gold sphere.
"Is this the one?"
Bulma's eyes lit up. "Yes, that's it exactly! Granny, if I deal with your monster problem, could you give me that Dragon Ball?"
The woman hesitated, worry creasing her face.
"If you can get rid of the monster, of course it's yours. But you're just a young girl… are you sure you can handle it?"
Other villagers chimed in anxiously.
"Yeah! That Oolong is tricky—he can change into anything!"
Bulma smiled, patting Goku's shoulder.
"Relax. I'm not the one who'll fight him—he is."
Everyone blinked, then looked down at the small boy beside her.
Short, dressed in simple training clothes, with a child's round face and a furry tail swishing behind him—he didn't exactly inspire confidence.
The villagers' lips twitched.
"Are you kidding me?"
"He's just a kid! How's he supposed to beat Oolong?"
"Oolong's as big as a house! You're sending a little boy against that?"
"Miss, you're a fine girl—if he sets his eyes on you, neither of you will get out of here! You should run while you can."
Their disbelief hung thick in the air.
Bulma wasn't offended; she simply repeated her offer with calm assurance.
"It's fine. We'll take care of Oolong. Granny, remember our deal—once we handle him, the Dragon Ball is mine."
The old woman nodded. "Of course. No problem."
The men stepped forward next.
"And make sure you capture him alive—we need to know where he took our daughters!"
"Yes, we can't rest until our girls come home!"
Bulma gave them a confident OK sign.
"Don't worry. Leave it to Goku!"
The villagers didn't look convinced, but her certainty at least made them hesitate.
Then, a rumble shook the ground.
"He's here! Oolong's here!" someone shouted.
"Everyone, hide!"
Panic swept through the street. Doors slammed, windows shut, and the village fell silent once more.
Goku turned to Bulma. "Bulma, you should hide too."
But Bulma shook her head. She remembered perfectly well—Oolong could turn into anything, but he wasn't strong. She'd bullied him more than once before.
"It's fine. With you here, I'm not worried at all."
Goku nodded. "Makes sense. I'll finish him in one blow."
"Wait!" Bulma said quickly. "If you find him, don't go too hard—try not to kill him, okay?"
Goku tilted his head thoughtfully.
"Oh, right! We still need to find where he's keeping the other girls!"
Bulma nodded approvingly, though that wasn't her true concern.
She just didn't want Oolong dead. He was weak and pitiful—not worth killing.
Moments later, Oolong appeared.
He'd transformed into a massive ogre, clutching a bouquet of flowers.
His enormous shadow swallowed half the street, radiating oppressive force.
"Ha-ha-ha-ha!" Oolong bellowed. "I, Oolong, have returned! Which of you lovely maidens will be my bride today? Hand her over!"
Then his eyes fell upon Bulma.
Her porcelain-smooth skin glowed under the sun, her large, intelligent eyes framed by long lashes.
Her tall, shapely figure and proud curves were accentuated by her lively blue ponytail swaying in the breeze, carrying a faint floral scent.
Oolong's jaw dropped.
"Well, well! Did the village prepare this one just for me? Oh ho ho, what a beauty!"
Bulma only smirked, completely unfazed.
"Hey, Oolong! Cut the act. If you don't want a beating, hand over every girl you kidnapped!"
Her tone carried a sharp, fearless edge—an open challenge.
Behind closed doors, the villagers peered nervously through cracks, watching the confrontation.
A tiny girl threatening a monster the size of a building—it looked absurd.
Oolong scowled. "What a mouthy brat!"
"You're starting to make me angry!"
He stomped forward, his booming steps shaking the earth.
"Looks like I'll have to teach you a lesson!"
He raised a massive hand—
—and found Goku calmly stepping between them.
The boy's small frame didn't waver in the giant's shadow. He raised his Power Pole and pointed it straight at Oolong's chest.
Bulma froze.
She knew Oolong couldn't hurt her, but still… seeing Goku standing there, steady and fearless, his back to her like a tiny wall of confidence—
Her heart warmed.
In that moment, she felt it.
That strange, comforting safety that only Goku could bring.
Unconsciously, her cheeks turned slightly pink.
Somewhere deep inside, she caught herself picturing the same boy—grown, strong, and smiling the same reassuring smile.