The Threat of Abduction (Part One)

Beneath the azure sky over West City, skyscrapers stood in rows and traffic flowed through the streets, painting a picture of prosperity. Yet in a corner of the city unknown to most, an undercurrent was quietly stirring.

"Lord Kasang, just as the intelligence reports said, West City is densely populated and full of life. We should be able to recruit quite a few people here, right?" one of his subordinates reported respectfully, dressed in black battle armor.

Kasang's gaze was icy, and a cold smile curled his lips. "Exactly. A dense population means more sources of feed!"

He spoke slowly, his gaze piercing the clouds, as though he could already see every corner of West City. "Focus on ordinary families, of course. If necessary, abducting a few promising individuals isn't out of the question!"

"Yes, understood!" several underlings answered in unison. Their eyes gleamed with a hunger for power and absolute loyalty to Kasang.

Zhou Zilong hadn't noticed any of this. He was wondering what his personal Battle Suit should look like. After all, he lived in the Dragon Ball World, and it would be nice to have a Battle Suit of his own.

"Since I'm in the Dragon Ball World, how could I not have a battle outfit of my own?" Zhou Zilong muttered to himself, a confident smile curling his lips.

He looked around at the various martial arts uniforms hanging on the walls, but none of them quite satisfied him. So he decided to break with convention and create an outfit that was uniquely his.

Inspiration surged through him. First, Zhou Zilong thought of the iconic orange outfit worn by adult Goku. He came up with two versions in different colors, one gray and one deep red, but those were only a starting point, not the final design.

What he wanted was something one of a kind—a design that reflected his own style while still fitting into this world.

His thoughts raced. He seemed to see the figures of countless anime heroes crossing his mind, before they finally came together in a clear image.

"Xiao Ling, help me exchange for these materials!" Zhou Zilong instructed Xiao Ling, his eyes shining with anticipation. Xiao Ling responded immediately, and a series of rare, distinctive materials appeared out of thin air in the room, glimmering faintly.

For the next while, Zhou Zilong devoted himself completely to designing and making his Battle Suit.

When it came to the Battle Suit's design, Zhou Zilong knew that choosing the right colors and patterns was crucial. Black symbolized depth and mystery, reflecting the calm, reserved side of his personality. Red stood for passion and fervor, embodying his refusal to give up when facing a challenge. He chose black as the main color, accented with red—a look that was understated without being bland.

He combined tradition with modernity. The tight short sleeves perfectly outlined his sturdy physique, while the red vest-style martial arts uniform added depth to the design. Gold conical patterns across the chest and hips reflected his pursuit of strength while lending the outfit a touch of nobility and splendor. Black leather gloves extended to his forearms, protecting his hands and adding a battle-ready feel.

A black belt was broken up by square gold sections, with a boldly written "Dragon" character set in the center. It was not only a character from his name but also a source of pride in being part of the Dragon Ball World.

Black Turtle Hermit School uniform trousers showed beneath the red outfit, preserving the essence of traditional martial arts while incorporating the practicality of modern battlewear.

Zhou Zilong had put just as much effort into the boots. They combined elements of Goku's shoes and Vegeta's combat boots, pairing red and black with finesse. The front half was mostly black, while the back was bright red. The gold tips looked like sharp blades, proclaiming their wearer's distinction, and the gold band encircling the tops was the finishing touch, bringing the whole look together perfectly.

Paired with his current hairstyle, which resembled Gogeta's—the style he had adopted when his bloodline had been remade into that of a Saiyan—it gave him a mysterious, striking appearance.

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

"Hehe, it's great! It looks really good!" Xiao Ling replied playfully, her voice full of praise.

Hearing that, Zhou Zilong felt even more confident and excited. He knew this was more than just a Battle Suit. It was the beginning of the legend he would write in this world, in his own way.

Just then, Bulma came in. When she saw Zhou Zilong dressed like that, she asked curiously, "Zilong, what are you doing?"

Zhou Zilong answered, "Bulma, I'm planning to wear this outfit when I fight enemies in the future. What do you think?"

Bulma threw herself into Zhou Zilong's arms. "It looks great, but we should design something that lets you change into it!"

"Then we can work on that together after I finish my seclusion training!"

Bulma nodded. "Sounds good!"

Night soon fell. The darkness was deep, the moonlight faint—a perfect time to act. Kasang was leading his men through the streets and alleys of West City, recruiting people on a large scale. The generous pay they promised quickly drew the attention of those eager to get rich fast.

As the applicants' enthusiasm grew, an almost imperceptible sneer appeared on Kasang's lips. He raised a hand and signaled to two of his trusted men. A darker plan quietly went into motion. Under cover of the moonless night, several innocent women became victims of the scheme, spirited away from the seemingly peaceful city without a trace. Their families were left calling out in desperation, while the police were left with baffling clues.

Meanwhile, Zhou Zilong was at the Capsule Corporation residence, completely unaware. After discussing some scientific research with Bulma, he began his training routine.

At first light, Zhou Zilong said goodbye to Bulma and headed into a high-rise in the heart of West City: one of his important businesses, the Ace Guards.

When Zhou Zilong pushed open the door marked "Ace Guards," he was greeted by four loyal protectors: Ali, Xiujie, Ling, and Yuena. They were among the most trustworthy partners Zhou Zilong had ever found.

"I'll be going into seclusion to train for three days. Ali, Xiujie, Ling, Yuena, I'm entrusting Bulma's safety to you. Remember, whatever happens, make sure she stays safe," Zhou Zilong instructed them.

"Yes, Boss!" the four replied in unison, their voices full of respect for Zhou Zilong and the seriousness of the task.

Before entering the room where he would train in seclusion, Zhou Zilong stopped once more and said solemnly, "If anything urgent happens, come to my training room and notify me immediately!"