Encountering a Kidnapping Crisis (Part 1)

Under the azure sky of West City, skyscrapers stood in rows amidst a bustling flow of traffic, a picture of prosperity. Yet, in the unknown corners of this city, an undercurrent was quietly surging.

"Lord Kasang, the population of West City is truly as dense and vibrant as the intelligence reports suggested. We should be able to recruit quite a few people!" a subordinate clad in black battle armor reported respectfully to Kasang.

Kasang's eyes were cold, a sneer curling the corners of his mouth: "Indeed, a dense population means a greater source of fodder!"

He spoke slowly, his gaze piercing through the clouds as if he could already see every corner of West City: "Focus on those from ordinary families, of course. If necessary, kidnapping a few individuals with potential is not out of the question!"

"Understood, Lord!" the henchmen replied in unison, their eyes gleaming with a thirst for power and absolute loyalty to Kasang.

Zhou Zilong was unaware of this at the moment; he was busy contemplating what his exclusive battle suit should look like. After all, since he was living in the Dragon Ball World, it was better to have his own signature gear.

"Since I am in the Dragon Ball World, how can I not have a battle suit of my own?" Zhou Zilong muttered to himself, a confident smile tugging at his lips.

He looked around; the walls were covered with pictures of various martial arts uniforms, but none could fully satisfy him. Thus, he decided to break the mold and create a combat outfit that belonged solely to him.

Inspiration flowed like a spring. Zhou Zilong first thought of the iconic orange gi worn by the adult Goku. He produced two sets in different colors (one gray, one deep red), but that was merely the starting point, not the destination.

What he wanted was something unique—a design that could both reflect his own style and blend into this world.

As his thoughts raced, he felt as if the figures of countless anime heroes were crossing in his mind, eventually converging into a clear image.

"Xiao Ling, help me redeem these materials!" Zhou Zilong issued the command to Xiao Ling, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. Xiao Ling responded swiftly, and a series of rare and unique materials appeared out of thin air in the room, emitting a faint luster.

For the time being, Zhou Zilong devoted himself entirely to the design and production of the battle suit.

Regarding the design, Zhou Zilong knew that the choice of color and pattern was crucial. Black symbolized depth and mystery, a reflection of the calm and introverted side of his personality; while red represented blood and passion, a symbol of his spirit that never admitted defeat when facing challenges. He chose black as the main tone, accented with red, making it both understated and striking.

He cleverly combined tradition with modernity. The tight-fitting short-sleeved design perfectly outlined his robust physique, while the red vest-style gi not only added layers but also featured golden cone-shaped patterns on the chest and hips, reflecting his pursuit of power while adding a touch of nobility and grandeur. Black leather gloves extended to his forearms, protecting his hands while adding a hint of combat flair.

The golden square buckle on his black belt featured a dragon-like, phoenix-dancing "Dragon" character in the center; this was not only a character from his name but also his pride and glory as a member of the Dragon Ball World.

Black Turtle Hermit School gi pants were worn beneath the red vest, retaining the essence of traditional martial arts while incorporating the practicality of a modern battle suit.

As for the boots, Zhou Zilong put in extra effort. They were long boots that combined elements of Goku's shoes and Vegeta's combat boots. The clever combination of red and black saw the front half dominated by black, while the back half was a vibrant red. The golden design at the toe was like a sharp blade, declaring the extraordinary nature of its owner, and the golden ring around the top of the boots was the finishing touch that made the entire look flawless.

Paired with the hairstyle he now wore, which resembled Gogeta's (a change that occurred when his bloodline was cleansed into that of a Saiyan), he looked both mysterious and extraordinary.

Standing before the mirror, Zhou Zilong carefully examined his new image and nodded with satisfaction: "Xiao Ling, what do you think?"

"Hee hee, it's very nice, it looks great!" Xiao Ling replied playfully, her tone full of approval.

Hearing this, Zhou Zilong felt even more confident and expectant. He knew that this was not just a battle suit, but the beginning of him writing his own legend in this world in his own way.

At this moment, Bulma walked in. Seeing Zhou Zilong's attire, she asked curiously: "Zilong, what are you doing?"

Zhou Zilong replied: "Bulma, I prepared this outfit for fighting enemies in the future. What do you think?"

Bulma threw herself into Zhou Zilong's arms and said: "It looks great, but we need to design something for you to change into it!"

Zhou Zilong replied: "Let's study that together after I come out of seclusion!"

Bulma nodded and agreed: "Okay!"

Soon, night fell. The darkness was like ink, the moonlight thin—a perfect time for action. Kasang was leading his subordinates, recruiting members in the streets and alleys of West City. The generous rewards they promised acted like a magnet, quickly attracting the eyes of those eager to get rich quick.

As the enthusiasm of the applicants rose, a sneer that was hard to detect curled the corners of Kasang's mouth. He raised his hand slightly and gave a wink to his two confidants. A much darker plan was quietly set in motion. Under the cover of the dark night, some innocent women became the silent victims of this conspiracy, taken away from this seemingly peaceful city without a sound, leaving behind only the anxious cries of their families and confusing clues for the police.

At this time, Zhou Zilong was in the Capsule Corporation residence, unaware of what was happening. After discussing some scientific research with Bulma, he began his own training regimen.

As the morning light broke, Zhou Zilong bid farewell to Bulma and stepped into a high-rise building in the heart of West City—"Ace Guards." This was one of his important assets.

Pushing open the door marked "Ace Guards," Zhou Zilong was met by his four loyal guardians: Ali, Xiujie, Ling, and Yuena. These four were among the most trusted partners Zhou Zilong had cultivated.

"I will be going into seclusion for three days. Ali, Xiujie, Ling, Yuena, Bulma's safety is in your hands. Remember, no matter what happens, you must ensure her safety," Zhou Zilong instructed.

"Yes, Boss!" the four replied in unison, their tones full of the importance they placed on the mission and their respect for Zhou Zilong.

Before entering the room for his seclusion, Zhou Zilong paused once more and said earnestly: "If any emergency arises, remember to come to my training room and notify me immediately!"