Task

The wind howled across the plaza of the Temple of the Gods.

The trees swayed in the wind.

Kami and Mr. Popo furrowed their brows in thought.

Just then,

Jiang Ling walked out of the Temple of the Gods.

He had handsome features and eyes bright as stars.

His tall, slender frame showed off perfectly sculpted muscles.

He wore a white T-shirt and a pair of shorts, and exuded an air of carefree ease and detachment from the world.

"Hello, Kami, Mr. Popo. It's been two years."

Jiang Ling flashed a bright, natural smile.

It was as though the years had done nothing to dampen his spirit.

Kami paused, then smiled. "Two years have passed for you, but for us, it's only been two days."

"Haha, that's true."

Jiang Ling took a deep breath of the fresh air outside, his face tinged with longing.

A gentle breeze ruffled the ends of his hair.

It felt so much better out here.

Although he hadn't needed to wear clothes in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber and could do whatever he wanted,

Jiang Ling still felt that the world outside suited him better.

Kami thought it over and decided to tell Jiang Ling what was going on, leaving it to him to handle.

"Jiang Ling, I remember you're a big star on Earth."

"That's right."

Seeing Kami's serious expression, Jiang Ling sobered up too. "Is there something you need help with?"

"To be honest, yes. I do need your help."

Kami slowly explained the situation.

"So that's what this is about."

Jiang Ling rubbed his chin, considered it for a moment, then nodded.

"Sure. Leave it to me."

"Then I'm counting on you," Kami said earnestly. "The future of Earth's next generation rests entirely on you!"

"Mm."

Jiang Ling answered, then leaped off the platform of the Temple of the Gods.

He plunged downward!

As the wind roared around him high above the ground and clouds swept past, Jiang Ling's mind settled into an unparalleled calm.

He passed Karin Tower.

Karin Cat and Yajirobe stared at him, dumbfounded.

Only when the ground drew close did Jiang Ling activate Bukūjutsu and take flight.

He headed straight for West City!

Not long afterward, he arrived at Bulma's home in West City.

The grounds here were enormous.

Bulma lived with her parents, but had her own separate house within the estate...

At that moment, she was taking a bath.

"I love taking baths; they make me feel so good..."

At the same time, Jiang Ling appeared outside the house.

He easily made his way inside and, following the sound, strode familiarly toward the bathroom. He opened the door and walked in.

"..."

"What are you doing here? Get out!"

Bulma's eyes widened as she glared at him.

Jiang Ling drew in a deep breath. During his two years in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, he had thought about her every moment.

He thought about her smile.

He thought about her face.

He thought about her tenderness.

He thought about her temper.

Jiang Ling reached out, gently tipped up her chin, and kissed her deeply.

Their lips and teeth met.

Her sweet fragrance filled his mouth.

After a long while, they parted.

Bulma's whole body had gone limp, and she looked at him expectantly.

But Jiang Ling only gave a slight curl of his lips. His gaze was utterly clear as he turned and left.

"???"

Bulma's wide eyes were full of confusion.

What the hell? He got me worked up and then ran off?

"Stop right there!!"

At her words, Jiang Ling walked even faster.

It wasn't that he didn't want to. He still had a mission to complete and no time for some stupid romantic love story with her!

"You're not a man!!" Bulma shouted.

"You'll understand someday," Jiang Ling's voice called back from far away.

"Hmph!! Jerk!" Bulma stamped her foot, sending waves rippling through the bath.

West City.

Outside a concert venue.

A crowd of teenage fans stood in line to get in.

They carried glow sticks, light-up signs, and all kinds of other fan merchandise.

Their faces were alight with fanaticism.

They kept chanting something under their breath.

"A Kun, A Kun, supreme above and below, A Kun reigns supreme."

At the back of the line stood a handsome man wearing a mask and sunglasses, quietly watching it all.

"This A Kun has turned his fanbase into a cult."

Jiang Ling muttered to himself.

He made several calls on his phone.

One order after another followed.

"Revoke A Kun's status as an entertainer, singer, and actor. Revoke all his credentials."

"Cut off all related resources. Pull his movies, TV shows, variety programs, and songs."

"Don't let him appear at commercial events, concerts, or any other activities."

"..."

As order after order went out and was carried out, several staff members came out of the concert venue.

"A Kun's concert has been canceled. The next date has yet to be determined. We apologize to all the fans and ask you to leave in an orderly fashion."

The moment they heard that, the fans protested.

"Do you even know what you're saying? You've just made an enemy of A Kun!"

"Let me tell you, do you have any idea how hard A Kun works? You canceled his concert. What's he supposed to do now? We fans won't let you get away with this."

"Fine! Great! Just great! You're XXX Co., Ltd., right? Tomorrow—no, today—your stock will hit its lower limit, and your market value will plummet..."

Just then, a stretch limousine arrived at the scene.

A crowd of people poured out.

Ten bodyguards, two assistants, two makeup artists, a manager, an accountant, a personal attendant, a chef, a fashion designer...

They lined up outside.

But the star himself still hadn't appeared.

The limousine rocked.

An indescribable sound came from inside.

The fans burst into tears at the sight.

"My A Kun works so hard. He's still practicing his dance at a time like this, in a cramped, beat-up car!"

"Exactly! He's such a huge star, but he still drives a car like that. He's so frugal."

A few minutes later,

A Kun, an animal person of the Chicken Person variety, slowly emerged, his steps unsteady.

He had his arm around a scantily dressed, alluring woman with a flushed face and a voluptuous figure.

The fans went wild again.

"Waaah, my A Kun is so caring. Just look at that woman's face—she's clearly sick. He must have spent ages looking after her in there."

"Exactly! A Kun is so gentle."

"I'm proud to have a star like him."

A Kun looked at his fired-up fans and gave a light cough. His feminine face curved into a charming, stunning smile.

"Cough, cough. Fans, I've been blacklisted. Let's take up arms and find the culprit!"

"What? A Kun is so gentle, and you dared to blacklist him? What's wrong with you?"

"Find them! Find them!"

"..."

All kinds of vicious words poured from the fans' mouths.

Watching these frenzied, brainwashed fans, who had lost all reason,

Jiang Ling believed that if A Kun gave the order, they could tear down the concert hall right in front of them.

He shook his head and strode out.

He grabbed A Kun and flew off into the sky.