After a short time together, Chi-Chi explained her purpose for being there.
She had heard that Master Roshi possessed the Bashō Fan, a mystical item said to summon wind and rain—capable of extinguishing the flames engulfing Fire Mountain. Since Roshi was once the Ox-King's master, her father believed he would surely lend it to them.
So, the Ox-King sent Chi-Chi out to find Master Roshi and borrow the fan. Unfortunately, she hadn't made it far before trouble struck.
When Bulma heard the full story, she couldn't help but sigh.
"Your dad, the Ox-King, sure has nerves of steel. He doesn't even know where Master Roshi lives, yet he sends a little girl like you off on foot to find him? If Goku hadn't shown up, you'd have been dinosaur chow by now!"
Chi-Chi blinked curiously.
"You said… you know where Master Roshi lives?"
Bulma nodded confidently. "Of course."
"Really?" Chi-Chi's eyes lit up with excitement.
"Really," Bulma confirmed.
Chi-Chi beamed. "That's great! Then can you take me to him?"
Bulma smiled. "Sure, I can. My goal is to find the Dragon Balls, but helping you won't take much time. Tell you what—if I help your dad put out the fire on Fire Mountain, he gives me the Dragon Ball he's holding. Deal?"
Chi-Chi nodded eagerly.
"So that's it! Daddy has lots of treasure from his old bandit days—there should be one of those Dragon Ball things among them. Okay then, deal! Tomorrow, I'll take you both to meet my father!"
"Perfect," Bulma said, then added with a faint smirk, "But Chi-Chi, listen to me. You're still a child—and a girl, at that. You have to learn how to protect yourself. You can't just go around saying you'll be someone's bride every time they save you. Girls should be more… reserved."
Chi-Chi tilted her head, her big eyes sparkling with thought.
"Mm, you're right! A girl should be more reserved."
Bulma nodded approvingly. "Exactly!"
But then Chi-Chi blinked innocently and asked,
"Then why do the ladies in TV shows always say they'll marry their heroes after being rescued?"
Bulma's eye twitched.
"Your dad seriously lets you watch love dramas at your age? That's terrible parenting!"
Chi-Chi's cheerful eyes dimmed.
"I don't have a mom. Dad goes out raiding all the time, so I just watch TV by myself."
Bulma froze. She had never actually met the Ox-King's wife before—now she understood why. Maybe she'd just stepped on a sore spot.
Still, her curiosity got the better of her.
"Wait… you don't have a mom? Don't tell me your dad found you somewhere?"
Chi-Chi puffed up proudly. "No! Daddy says I used to have two moms, but they kept fighting, so he sent them both away. He told me to tell people I was a free bonus that came with a top-up card!"
Bulma blinked. "What kind of insane family dynamic is that? That's even crazier than mine…"
She groaned softly. "Why am I even arguing with a kid?"
Before she could continue, the smell of roasting meat wafted through the air. The sound of sizzling fat filled the campsite.
Son Goku looked over.
"You both must be hungry. It's almost done."
He lifted a slab of roasted dinosaur meat, slicing it into thick pieces and serving it on plates for Bulma and Chi-Chi.
"Try it!"
Bulma and Chi-Chi exchanged glances, then each took a bite. Their eyes instantly lit up.
Bulma exclaimed, "Wow! This is amazing!"
Chi-Chi nodded happily, her face glowing. "It's sooo good! I've never had anything like this in my life!"
Bulma gave Goku a big thumbs-up. "You're incredible, Goku! This roast is perfect!"
Goku grinned proudly.
"Of course! Grandpa always said my roasted dinosaur is the best. It's my specialty! Eat all you want!"
He grabbed a piece himself and tore into it with a grin.
Chi-Chi, however, had stopped eating. She was staring at Goku dreamily, her cheeks slightly pink.
Goku blinked at her.
"What's wrong? Not hungry anymore?"
Chi-Chi shook her head earnestly.
"Goku, you're not only strong—you can cook too! You're amazing! I've decided—I'm going to learn how to cook, so when I grow up, I can be a good wife. So… when you grow up, will you marry me?"
At that, Bulma's smile froze.
Good grief.
They'd barely been talking for an hour, and Chi-Chi had already said she wanted to be his bride eight times!
Was fate really this stubborn? No wonder at the World Martial Arts Tournament, Chi-Chi managed to steal Goku's heart.
Back then, both were too young to understand what "marriage" meant—and by the time Goku grew up, he still didn't know!
That's why, years later, he ended up marrying Chi-Chi over a childhood promise he barely remembered.
Not this time, Bulma thought. I won't lose to destiny again!
Just as she opened her mouth to interrupt, Goku spoke up.
"Chi-Chi, marriage is something for adults. We're just kids. Let's not talk about that stuff yet, okay?"
Chi-Chi blinked, then nodded sweetly.
"Oh, right. I guess my dad should decide my marriage anyway!"
Goku smiled. "Exactly."
Bulma exhaled in relief.
She hadn't even needed to interfere—and somehow, everything had turned out perfectly.