Departure! Target: Namek!

"You just said you were sorry!" Bulma giggled, her eyes curving into crescent moons. "I win!"

She paused, tracing a circle in the air with her finger.

"As long as we find the materials, the kind of battle armor you mentioned will be easy to build."

The two were talking in the room when Dr. Briefs happened to pass by the doorway.

He held a cup of coffee in his hand, his pace leisurely.

Upon hearing their conversation, Dr. Briefs froze, his eyes widening and his mouth slightly agape.

The coffee cup hovered in mid-air.

He felt his head buzzing, momentarily confused.

What kind of... dual-SIM, dual-standby way of chatting is this?

How can you be angry one moment and getting along so well the next?

Dr. Briefs took a silent sip of his coffee, shook his head, and turned to walk away.

Another 20-plus days passed.

The spaceship was finally completely retrofitted.

A brand-new ship sat in the courtyard, dozens of times larger than the original.

Soro had also put on the new battle armor Bulma had crafted.

It was made of a white rubber-ceramic composite material that clung to his body, allowing for free movement, with black plating over the chest and shoulders.

He stood in front of a mirror, turned around, and nodded in satisfaction.

The sun was bright that day, and the courtyard was bustling with activity.

Son Goku, Son Gohan, Krillin, Master Roshi, Piccolo, Korin, and the Ox-King had all gathered in Bulma's yard.

Master Roshi leaned on his cane, his Sunglasses reflecting the light.

Korin stood calm and composed, his tail swaying gently.

The Ox-King stood to the side with his arms crossed, his massive frame like a wall.

The people going to Namek this time were Soro, Son Goku, Son Gohan, and Piccolo.

Son Goku, Son Gohan, and Piccolo had all volunteered to go.

Son Goku was curious about everything and had long been looking forward to seeing Namek.

Son Gohan also wanted to go to Namek to broaden his horizons.

Chi-Chi had originally disagreed with her son Gohan going to Namek, but after Son Goku pestered her and begged with his hands pressed together for several days—plus the fact that Soro was going along, making her feel the danger was minimal—she reluctantly agreed.

Piccolo was a Namekian, so naturally, he wanted to see his homeland.

Bulma, Krillin, and Master Roshi were there to see them off.

Bulma stood beside the spaceship, arms crossed, a smile on her lips.

Krillin scratched his bald head, looking around.

Gohan had been meticulously dressed up by Chi-Chi; he wore a neat fringe that lay flat against his forehead, and he carried a canteen on his back with the straps crossed over his chest.

Seeing Son Gohan like this, Bulma immediately pressed a hand to her forehead, her fingers digging into her temples, caught between laughter and tears.

"Hahaha!" Krillin laughed so hard he couldn't stand straight, his hands braced on his knees. "Are you really Gohan? What happened to your hair?"

"Dad made fun of me like that, too." Son Gohan hung his head, looking dejected as he drew circles on the ground with his toe.

"Regardless," Chi-Chi laughed, hands on her hips, "this is humanity's first time entering space; we have to dress properly."

"Krillin." Soro looked at Krillin, his gaze calm. "Aren't you going?"

"I think I'll pass..." Krillin was startled at first, then shook his head and replied with a smile, waving his hands in front of him. "I'm the weakest one among you all; I wouldn't be of any use if I went."

"Don't say that." Soro stepped forward and patted Krillin on the shoulder twice. "You should be of great use."

"Eh?" Krillin scratched his head, his eyes brightening, a sudden sense of anticipation rising in his heart. "I'll be of great use?"

"This is a rare opportunity to enter space." Soro sighed, looking toward the distant sky. "We might rarely leave Earth in the future! Don't you want to go out and see the world?"

"Well..." Krillin rubbed his chin, lost in thought. "When you put it that way, going out for a spin... it wouldn't be impossible."

"Krillin." Soro urged him again, his tone earnest. "As far as I know, you are the strongest human!"

He looked Krillin straight in the eye.

"As the strongest human, I think it would be a real shame not to go out and see the world! But it's up to you; if you don't want to go, then forget it!"

"Can I go now?" Krillin rubbed his bald head, his fingers scrubbing at his scalp, feeling a bit conflicted. "But I haven't prepared anything."

"There's nothing to prepare." Soro smiled and pointed toward the spaceship. "Bulma has already prepared everything; just get on the ship."

"Then... then..." Krillin turned to look at Master Roshi, his eyes filled with inquiry. "Master Mutaito, I'm going too!"

He finally made up his mind, clenching his fist in front of him.

"Go, go." Master Roshi waved his hand readily, a grin spreading across his face, "Hurry up and go!"

He was practically begging for Krillin to leave.

Since Sea Turtle was out traveling anyway, he would be home alone... and could do whatever he wanted.

Master Roshi was filled with anticipation, his eyes narrowing into slits behind his Sunglasses.

"Alright!" Krillin nodded vigorously, hands on his hips, "I'm going!"

"Krillin, are you going too?" Son Goku was delighted to hear that Krillin was joining them, grinning broadly, "That's great!"

"Haha." Krillin rubbed the back of his head and laughed, his eyes crinkling, "I was actually hesitating, but after what Soro said, I think it's better if I go."

Shortly after, Soro, Son Goku, Son Gohan, Piccolo, and Krillin boarded the spaceship.

"Please, you must find the Dragon Ball!" Master Roshi waved, his cane swaying in the air.

Son Goku turned back, forming a circle with his fingers, a smile on his lips.

"Please, stay safe." Bulma said to Soro, her hands folded in front of her, her gaze gentle.

"I will." Soro nodded, standing at the cabin door, his eyes sweeping over the crowd seeing them off.

"Grandpa, Mom, Master Roshi, Aunt Bulma..." Son Gohan waved goodbye to everyone, his small hand raised above his head, swaying from side to side, "I'm leaving, everyone take care!"

Chi-Chi's eyes reddened as she waved vigorously.

The cabin door of the spaceship closed slowly with a dull thud, and white mist hissed out from the seams.

"Is everyone ready?" Soro walked to the main console, turned back to smile at the others, and let his gaze sweep over each of their faces.

"N-not yet." Krillin and the others said immediately, scrambling to find their seats.

"Actually, there's no need to prepare." Soro pressed the start button, his finger pushing down hard on the red switch, "Let's go!"

"Whoosh!"

A blue flame erupted from the tail of the ship, the scorching heat blast flattening the grass on the ground behind them.

The ship shot rapidly toward the starry sky, moving as fast as a meteor.

In just an instant, the ship left Earth, the blue outside the window fading rapidly, turning deep purple, and then into pitch black.