Goku had lived two lifetimes.
Even if he wasn't much older than Bulma physically, he was far more mature mentally.
The moment she said that, he understood exactly what she was hinting at.
"You're smarter, prettier, and more talented than them," Goku said plainly. "Even if all of them combined, they still couldn't compare to you."
Bulma's whole body jolted.
At her age, this was the first time a boy had ever praised her so directly—and she was secretly delighted to the core.
"As expected of you, Goku! You really have the best taste!"
"I'm just telling the truth," Goku replied calmly.
Bulma's eyes curved into crescent moons as she giggled. "Say it again. I like hearing it…"
Goku: "…"
Only two Dragon Balls left.
For some reason, Goku started wondering if the Dragon Balls could even grant the kind of wish Bulma had originally talked about.
Before long, they finished the water route and returned to land.
To confirm their direction, Bulma pulled out the radar and a map.
"We're still really far from the next one…
According to the map, there's a dry wasteland ahead—looks like this stretch won't be easy."
Goku shrugged. "So what? The car's fixed, the tank's full. We just go."
Bulma glanced at him with a smile. "Goku, do you know why I wanted to gather the Dragon Balls?"
Goku blinked. "Sure. You wanted a boyfriend, right?"
"Exactly. That was my reason when I set out," Bulma said brightly.
"But on the way, I realized you're pretty great too—strong, reliable, and you've got good taste.
So… when you grow up a bit, how about you be my boyfriend?"
Goku froze for a beat.
Finally, Bulma's taste was improving.
"Sure," he said, then added, "But are we still collecting the Dragon Balls?"
"Of course we are! We already have five. If we stop now, it'd be a waste."
Since she insisted on continuing, Goku asked again, "Then when we collect all seven… what's your wish?"
Bulma answered without even hesitating.
"I want strawberries I can eat forever!"
Goku scratched his head. "Your family isn't short on money, though…"
"Yeah, but no matter how rich my family is, we can't eat strawberries all year round!"
Goku: "…"
They switched back to the car and drove on.
In a flash, three more days passed.
The car ran out of gas. The motorcycle ran out too.
In the end, they had no choice but to travel on foot.
As he walked, Goku quietly studied the surroundings.
This should be around the area where Yamcha was lurking.
"So hot… so hot…" Bulma complained, wiping sweat as she trudged along.
"I can't believe we still haven't crossed this wasteland. What awful luck."
"Hang in there," Goku encouraged. "We'll be through soon.
If you're tired, I can carry you."
Bulma waved him off. "No, no. That would just make it hotter.
Honestly, why don't we set the house down here, rest for a day, and continue tomorrow?"
Goku thought it over and nodded. "That works."
A moment later, the capsule house popped open.
Bulma collapsed onto the couch inside, cold drink in hand, air conditioning blasting, and only then did she finally recover.
"Ah… I'm alive again…"
Goku was about to rest too—maybe take a nap—
When a system prompt flashed through his mind.
[In your previous life, Bulma wasted her youth on that scumbag Yamcha.
Mission: Make Bulma completely disappointed in him.
Reward: Kamehameha.]
Goku's eyes narrowed.
His original plan had been simple: don't let Yamcha charm Bulma at all.
He'd sneak out at night and deal with Yamcha before Bulma ever laid eyes on him.
But now a mission had appeared—
and it specifically required Bulma to be disappointed in Yamcha.
How was he supposed to do that?
Right then, shouting came from outside.
"Everyone inside! Listen up!"
"If you want to walk out of this desert alive, hand over your capsules and anything valuable!"
Bulma jerked upright.
"What's going on?
Did we run into bandits?"
Goku nodded. "Definitely.
Stay inside. Don't come out. I'll take care of them."
Bulma nodded decisively. "Just a few bandits. I know you can beat them. Go!"
Goku stepped outside.
Bulma quietly got up too, crept to the window, and peeked through a narrow crack.
And very quickly, she saw the so-called bandits—Yamcha and Puar.
Yamcha wore an orange-and-green martial arts outfit, his long black hair blowing in the wind.
Bulma's eyes instantly lit up.
"Wow… the robber is actually a handsome guy!"
At that moment, Yamcha suddenly attacked.
Goku tilted his head slightly, dodging Yamcha's kick with ease.
Then he snapped out a backhanded whip kick of his own—
Smack!
It struck Yamcha square in the face, sending him flying.
The excitement in Bulma's eyes vanished, replaced by instant disappointment.
"He looked so fierce…
and he gets kicked away in one move? So he's just a pretty face."
With Goku's ability, Bulma knew he could kill Yamcha in an instant.
Killing monsters was one thing, but killing a person felt… wrong.
She almost ran out to stop him—then stopped herself.
Handsome or not, Yamcha was still a robber who preyed on others.
Who knew how many people he'd already harmed?
If Goku hadn't been stronger, she would've been stripped clean, even her Dragon Balls stolen.
If he died, he died.
Just then, a voice rang out from the side.
"Don't move, or I'll fire!"
Bulma turned toward the sound.
Puar was carrying a rocket launcher, aiming it at Goku while backing toward Yamcha.
A moment later, Yamcha took the launcher.
But Goku's kick had knocked out one of Yamcha's teeth—his "handsome" look instantly turned ridiculous.
"Damn it… you knocked out my tooth!"
Yamcha hoisted the launcher and pointed it at Goku arrogantly.
"If you don't want to die, hand over your capsule house and all your capsules!"
Goku smiled. "No capsules. Want a fist instead?"
"You're still talking tough? Then I'll fire!"
Bulma had no idea Goku could tank a rocket. Her heart lurched.
She sprinted toward the door—Goku was being reckless!
Capsules were just things. Losing them was better than getting killed—
But the instant she burst outside, a violent explosion erupted where Goku stood.
Smoke and dust swallowed him whole.
"Goku!" Bulma screamed, her voice tearing.
Tears streamed down her face before she even realized she was crying.
She stood there trembling, frozen in panic.
Then a gust of wind swept through, clearing the smoke.
Goku stood there completely unharmed.
With no cover, Yamcha finally saw Bulma clearly.
The moment he saw a woman, his legs turned to jelly.
They actually buckled beneath him.
"M-My lord!" Puar cried, quickly supporting him as they fled.
Only then did Goku turn back to Bulma.
"Didn't I tell you to stay inside? Why'd you come out? It's dangerous."
Bulma wiped her tears harshly, furious and shaken all at once.
"You idiot! Don't you know what a rocket launcher is?!
You made me think you were dead!"
Goku stared at the tears on her face, stunned.
Bulma… cried?
He tried to reassure her. "See? I'm fine."
Suddenly, Bulma threw herself forward and hugged him tightly, still shaking.
[Mission: Make Bulma completely disappointed in Yamcha — Completed.
Reward: Kamehameha credited.]
In an instant, the technique flooded into Goku's mind.
Combined with Flight, his understanding of "ki" deepened even further.