"You just apologized!" Bulma giggled, her eyes curving into crescents. "I win!"
She paused, tracing a circle in the air in front of her with a finger.
"Once we find the materials, making the kind of battle armor you described will be easy."
The two were chatting in the room when Dr. Briefs happened to pass by the doorway.
He carried a cup of coffee, strolling along at an unhurried pace.
When he heard their conversation, Dr. Briefs stopped in his tracks. His eyes widened, and his mouth fell slightly open.
The coffee cup hung suspended in midair.
His head buzzed, and for a moment he felt utterly confused.
Were you two using some kind of dual-SIM way of chatting?
How could you be angry one moment and getting along perfectly well the next?
Dr. Briefs silently took a sip of coffee, shook his head, and turned to leave.
More than twenty days passed.
The spaceship had finally been completely renovated.
A brand-new ship now stood in the yard, dozens of times larger than the original.
Soro had also put on the new battle armor Bulma had made.
It was made of white rubber-ceramic composite, fitted snugly to his body without restricting his movements, with black armor plating over the chest and shoulders.
He turned in front of the mirror and nodded in satisfaction.
The sun shone brightly that day, and the yard was bustling with activity.
Son Goku, Son Gohan, Krillin, Master Roshi, Piccolo, Korin, Ox-King, and the others had gathered in the yard at Bulma's house.
Master Roshi leaned on his cane, his sunglasses reflecting the light.
Korin stood calmly, his tail swaying gently.
Ox-King stood to one side with his arms folded across his chest, his massive frame like a wall.
The ones going to Planet Namek this time were Soro, Son Goku, Son Gohan, and Piccolo.
Son Goku, Son Gohan, and Piccolo had volunteered to go.
Son Goku found everything exciting and had been looking forward to seeing Planet Namek for a long time.
Son Gohan also wanted to broaden his horizons by visiting Planet Namek.
Chi-Chi had initially refused to let her son Gohan go, but Son Goku had worn her down, pleading with his hands clasped together for days. And since Soro would be going with him, she decided the danger wasn't too great and reluctantly agreed.
Piccolo was a Namekian, so of course he wanted to visit his homeland.
Bulma, Krillin, Master Roshi, and the others had come to see them off.
Bulma stood beside the spaceship with her arms crossed and a smile on her face.
Krillin scratched his bald head and looked around.
Chi-Chi had even taken special care to dress Gohan up. She'd given him a neat bowl cut, with his bangs lying straight across his forehead, and strapped a canteen across his chest.
At the sight of Son Gohan, Bulma pressed a hand to her forehead, her fingers resting against her temple. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"Hahaha!" Krillin laughed so hard he could barely stand upright, bracing his hands on his knees. "Are you really Gohan? What happened to your hair?"
"Dad laughed at me like that too." Son Gohan lowered his head, looking dejected as he traced circles in the dirt with his toe.
"Anyway," Chi-Chi said with a hearty laugh, her hands on her hips, "this is humanity's first trip into space, so he should dress up for the occasion."
"Krillin," Soro said, looking at him calmly. "You're not coming?"
"I think I'll stay behind..." Krillin first blinked in surprise, then shook his head and answered with a smile, waving his hands in front of himself. "I'm the weakest one here. I wouldn't be much use even if I went."
"Don't say that." Soro stepped forward and patted Krillin twice on the shoulder. "You could be a big help."
"Huh?" Krillin scratched his head, his eyes lighting up as a sense of anticipation suddenly stirred within him. "I could be a big help?"
"This is a rare chance to go into space," Soro said with a sigh, gazing at the distant sky. "You might not get many chances to leave Earth in the future! Don't you want to go out and see the universe?"
"Well..." Krillin rubbed his chin and mused softly, "when you put it that way, maybe going out for a look around wouldn't be so bad."
"Krillin," Soro urged him again, his tone serious. "As far as I know, you're the strongest Earthling!"
He looked Krillin straight in the eye.
"As the strongest Earthling, it'd be a shame not to go out and see the universe! But it's up to you. If you don't want to go, then don't."
"Can I still go now?" Krillin rubbed his bald head, his fingers scratching his scalp. He seemed a little hesitant. "But I haven't packed anything."
"There's nothing you need to pack." Soro smiled and pointed toward the spaceship. "Bulma's already prepared everything. Just get on board."
"Th-then..." Krillin turned to Master Roshi, his eyes seeking permission. "Master Mutaito, I'm going too!"
At last, he made up his mind, clenching a fist in front of himself.
"Go ahead, go ahead." Master Roshi waved him off cheerfully, a broad grin spreading across his face. "Hurry up and go!"
He could hardly wait for Krillin to leave.
Sea Turtle had gone traveling too. With the house to himself... he could do whatever he wanted.
Master Roshi could barely contain his anticipation, his eyes narrowing to slits behind his sunglasses.
"Okay!" Krillin nodded firmly, planting his hands on his hips. "I'm going!"
"Krillin, you're going too?" When Son Goku heard that Krillin was joining them, he immediately perked up and grinned. "That's great!"
"Haha." Krillin rubbed the back of his head and laughed, his eyes narrowing into slits. "I'd been going back and forth about whether to go, but after what Soro said, I think it's better to go after all."
Then Soro, Son Goku, Son Gohan, Piccolo, and Krillin boarded the spaceship.
"Please, make sure you find the Dragon Balls!" Master Roshi waved, his cane swinging through the air.
Son Goku looked back, forming a circle with his fingers and smiling.
"Be sure to stay safe," Bulma told Soro, clasping her hands in front of herself, her gaze warm.
"Okay." Soro nodded, standing by the hatch as his gaze swept over the group that had come to see them off.
"Grandpa, Mom, Grandpa Master Roshi, Aunt Bulma..." Son Gohan waved goodbye to everyone, raising his little hand above his head and waving it from side to side. "I'm off. Take care, everyone!"
Chi-Chi's eyes reddened as she waved vigorously.
The spaceship hatch slowly closed with a deep thud, and white vapor hissed out through the seams.
"Is everyone ready?" Soro went to the control panel and looked back at the others with a smile, his gaze passing over each of their faces.
"N-not yet," Krillin and the others replied at once, scrambling to find seats.
"There's really no need to get ready." Soro pressed the red start button firmly with his finger. "Let's go!"
"Whoosh!"
A blue flame shot from the rear of the spaceship, and the scorching blast of air flattened the grass beneath it.
The ship shot rapidly into the starry sky, as fast as a meteor.
In an instant, it had left Earth behind. The blue outside the windows quickly faded to deep purple, then turned pitch-black.
Before you continue