The World Martial Arts Tournament arena was set outdoors.
The crowd in the spectator stands was roaring with excitement.
After all, the finalists for the World Martial Arts Tournament had just been announced.
Master Roshi let out a sigh of relief upon seeing that all three of them had made it to the finals.
"Goku, Krillin, and Chi-Chi all advanced. Not getting matched up early on—what luck!"
Upon hearing someone mention Goku's name, a blue-haired girl squeezed through the crowd. It was Bulma.
Her eyes locked onto Master Roshi right away.
"You're… Master Roshi?"
Master Roshi turned to look at her too.
"And you're…"
A moment later, it clicked—he remembered her, just not her name.
"Ah, it's you! You're the girl who went on adventures with little Goku before.
I even gave you the Flying Nimbus, didn't I?"
Bulma nodded eagerly.
"Yeah, that's right! You still remember me—great!
By the way, Master Roshi, where exactly do you live now?
I remember you used to stay on an island not far from the coast.
But I've gone to that island a bunch of times and couldn't find you."
In her previous life, Bulma had often visited Kame House—there's no way she wouldn't recognize it.
But she also knew Roshi had moved.
So she tried to find Goku instead, even checking all the nearby islands.
But searching for a little Goku in a sea of people—especially now that he didn't have his tail anymore—was nearly impossible.
She'd looked several times and still hadn't found him.
Master Roshi nodded. "Ah, yes, I used to live there. But since Goku, Krillin, and Chi-Chi started training, I moved with them to a bigger island."
Bulma blinked in surprise. "What?"
Master Roshi explained, "I took on a few students. One is Goku, the other is Krillin, and the last is a girl named Chi-Chi."
Having lived two lives, there was no way Bulma didn't know who Krillin was.
But Chi-Chi training under Master Roshi?
Bulma immediately asked, "Chi-Chi—as in the Ox-King's daughter?"
Master Roshi nodded quickly. "That's right! The Ox-King's girl. So you know her?"
As they spoke, Roshi's eyes narrowed mischievously.
"So? Interested in coming by my island after the tournament? Just to relax, of course."
Bulma smiled and nodded. "Sure! Take me with you when you leave. I'm looking for Goku, anyway."
Master Roshi raised a brow.
"What exactly is Goku to you? You seem awfully invested."
A soft blush colored Bulma's cheeks.
She covered her face with a hand and mumbled, "I like him."
Master Roshi nearly choked.
"What?! He's still a kid!"
Bulma gave him a side-eye.
"People grow up, don't they?"
Roshi swallowed hard.
"Wow… today's youth really are something. Starting their own little 'raise-your-own-boyfriend' game, huh…"
Bulma: "…"
Just then, Goku, Krillin, and Chi-Chi jumped over the wall and started walking toward them.
All three spotted Bulma standing beside Roshi—but each reacted differently.
Krillin, who had never met her before, lit up immediately. "Whoa, what a pretty girl!"
Chi-Chi paused for a moment, a flicker of wariness in her eyes. But it quickly vanished into a composed calm.
Goku, however, beamed with joy and hurried toward her.
"Bulma! What are you doing here?"
Bulma crouched and pinched his cheeks hard.
"Goku, you little rascal! You're too much!
I gave you the Flying Nimbus, even brought you to my house—yet it's been nearly a year, and you never came to see me once. Were you planning to forget me?"
Goku rubbed his reddened cheek with a pout.
"Ow… That hurt! How could I ever forget you?
You don't know how tough it's been training under Master Roshi. We've been at it from four in the morning till night—every single day without a break."
Bulma's anger melted in an instant, and she smiled again.
"Really? So… have you gotten stronger?"
Son Goku nodded proudly. "Of course!"
He looked her up and down with curious eyes. "Bulma, you look prettier than I remember."
Bulma tapped him on the nose and grinned. "What's this? Haven't seen me for a few months and now you're trying to charm me?"
Goku laughed. "Nah, I'm not trying to charm you.
I'm telling the truth! Did you perm your hair?"
Bulma ran her fingers through her large curls and smiled. "Mm-hmm! I did! These big waves are trendy right now. Do you like them?"
"They look great!"
Bulma turned her gaze to Chi-Chi and Krillin.
"Hi, Krillin, Chi-Chi!"
It wasn't every day a gorgeous girl greeted Krillin. He looked up shyly and said, "H-Hello. Nice to meet you!"
Chi-Chi gave a faint nod and said coolly, "We meet again, Bulma."
Even when she caught the flicker of rivalry in Chi-Chi's eyes, Bulma only smiled without comment.
Even if the girl saw herself as Goku's biggest competitor, Bulma didn't dislike her.
She was just a kid.
The hint of jealousy coming from little Chi-Chi was more adorable than anything else.
Bulma, having lived through this once already, understood something deeply.
Only she had truly loved Goku for who he was—someone whose heart had never been tainted by wealth or greed. She loved the hot-blooded youth named Son Goku.
Chi-Chi wasn't like that. She was just a regular girl.
She'd want Goku to give her a better life.
But Bulma had the advantage of knowing what lay ahead. This time, Goku would be hers.
And if Chi-Chi still clung to him after growing up?
Well, she'd just have to accept the Ox-King's arrangement and become Goku's second wife.
With Bulma's wealth and the Capsule Corporation to support their home, Chi-Chi would no longer have the right to blame Goku for not making money.
Or to complain at all.
She watched little Goku closely—liking him more with each passing second.
To love someone… was to let them be free. To let them truly be themselves.
Just then, the announcer's voice rang out:
"The World Martial Arts Tournament is about to begin!
Will the top eight contestants please make your way to the ring immediately!"