Knock Down, Counter-Knock Down

West City!

Bulma emerged from the bathroom with a wad of toilet paper stuffed into her nose.

"It stinks to high heaven! Go wash up immediately. There are robots in the dining room; just tell them whatever you want to eat," Bulma said with a look of disgust.

"By the way, I made you a few more sets of combat suits based on your old one. They're even lighter and more breathable than the last. I threw your old set away—it was filthy. I put the new clothes in the bathroom cabinet," Bulma added.

"Hmph, understood! How is the spaceship modification coming along? How much longer until the gravity room is ready?" Vegeta asked.

Bulma flew into a rage. "Do you think I'm a robot? Even a robot couldn't work that fast! It's only been a day. Get lost and stop interfering with my work!" She turned back to her station, and the clattering of machinery resumed instantly, not even sparing a glance for Vegeta's awkward expression.

"You are the first person who has dared to speak to me like that. Heh heh... but you'll get yours tonight..." Vegeta whispered, his voice laced with malice and a hint of lewdness.

Vegeta walked slowly toward the bathroom. If one looked closely at his back, they would notice his body was slightly arched. Perhaps even his "little brother" understood his intentions! Haha.

The Lookout.

Inside the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, two figures were locked in a fierce battle.

"Masenko... ha!" Gohan gathered a beam of light above his head and unleashed a massive surge of energy toward Goku. Goku crossed his arms and braced himself in a horse stance, taking the blast head-on.

As the dust settled, Goku looked at Gohan with a calm, relaxed expression. "Very good, Gohan. You can now control your ki freely. In these few days of sparring with me, your strength has grown exponentially! You're much stronger than your father was at your age."

"Father, it's not enough. I'm still not strong enough. Please, continue training me!" Gohan said with a resolute voice.

"Cultivation requires a balance of tension and relaxation. Your body is already overdrawn. You need to get some rest now; I'm going to start my own training." Goku's words were the final straw. No sooner had he finished speaking than Gohan collapsed, unable to hold himself up any longer.

For the past few days, Gohan had been undergoing high-intensity training, doing nothing but eating and training. His body had long since reached its limit. It was better this way—he could get some proper sleep. The temperature fluctuations in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber were extreme; if not for his Saiyan bloodline, he would have been finished long ago. Goku carried the unconscious Gohan to the rest area, ate a quick meal, and went back out to train.

The Lookout.

Piccolo looked at the Guardian of Earth, who was identical to himself, with complex emotions.

The Guardian said, "Wait a little longer. Once Goku comes out and I finish settling a few things, I will fuse with you."

Piccolo didn't waste words. He turned, walked to an open space, sat cross-legged in mid-air, and began to meditate.

"Master Guardian, Mr. Popo will miss you," Mr. Popo said, his eyes welling up with tears.

"Mr. Popo, I am old, yet you remain exactly as you were when I first met you. Perhaps you are the true Guardian! Don't be sad; I am merely fusing with Piccolo, not dying," the Guardian replied.

Looking at the companion who had been by his side for hundreds of years, the Guardian struggled to hold back his own tears.

"Perhaps after this trip to Namek, you will have new companions," the Guardian said.

Namek.

A magnificent, awe-inspiring green planet, several times larger than Earth, hung in space. On a high plateau in the center of the planet, piercing the clouds, sat a house that resembled a beetle.

"Nail, I sense an aura of extreme evil heading toward our planet. My lifespan is nearing its end. When the critical moment comes, you don't need to worry about me; go and protect our people," a massive figure sitting in the center of the house said. It was the Grand Elder of the Namekians.

Below him, a figure several times smaller bowed respectfully. "Rest assured, Grand Elder. They have the second elder, Moori, to watch over them. I will not leave your side!"

Evening on Earth!

After finishing his meal, Vegeta headed toward the studio where Bulma was modifying the ship. She was still editing code and directing the engineering robots.

Dr. Briefs walked up to Vegeta and said, "You should go and persuade her. She's been at it for two days and a night since you left and came back. She hasn't eaten or rested. It seems she really likes you."

Vegeta looked at his future father-in-law and said, "Fine, leave it to me. If she doesn't rest, I'll knock her out so she does." ...Perhaps a Saiyan's emotional intelligence really is that low.

"Hey, Bulma, this lord is tired. Come serve me and get to bed," Vegeta said teasingly.

"You jerk... who wants to serve you? My dad is right there! What are you spouting?" Bulma said, blushing.

Vegeta walked toward Bulma, threatening, "If you don't rest and it interferes with my plans, I'll kill you."

"Tch, kill me and you can forget about your ship!" Bulma retorted dismissively. She wasn't afraid of him at all anymore.

"Fine, go rest. If you collapse from exhaustion, who will I turn to?" Vegeta said, his tone softening.

Hearing him speak so gently, Bulma was surprised and felt a flicker of shyness. "Fine! This lady is tired anyway, so I'll begrudgingly listen to you." She slowly took off her lab coat and headed toward the bedroom.

She suddenly turned back to look at Vegeta, her eyes seemingly saying, I'll be waiting for you!

Vegeta followed her inside...

In the room, Bulma asked deliberately, "Why are you coming in? Get out! This lady is sleepy; I'm going to bed!"

"Didn't you tell me to come in? Can you even sleep without me?" As he spoke, his wandering hands reached for Bulma's slender waist.

Their eyes met, and a surge of hormones erupted. They kissed as they tumbled onto the large bed. For the sake of his mission, Vegeta held back from launching the final assault. Suddenly, Bulma flipped over and took the lead... Vegeta thought, Yes, it's in the bag!!

The two engaged in a hearty, vigorous wrestling match... (I know you all don't like the details, so ten thousand words are omitted here!)!