West City!
When Bulma came out of the bathroom, she had a wad of toilet paper stuffed up her nose.
"You stink. Go wash up already. There's a robot in the dining room. Just tell it what you want to eat," Bulma said disdainfully.
"By the way, I made you several more Battle Suits based on yours. They're even better than your old one—lighter and more breathable. I threw yours away; it was filthy. I left the new clothes in the cabinet in the bathroom," Bulma said.
"Hmph, got it! How's the ship coming along? How much longer until the Gravity Chamber is ready?" Vegeta asked.
Bulma flew into a rage. "You think I'm a robot? Even a robot couldn't do it that fast! It's only been one day. Now get lost and stop interfering with my work!" With that, she turned back to her work. The machines clattered away as she didn't even spare Vegeta's embarrassed expression a glance.
"You're the first person who's ever dared to talk to me like that. Heh, heh... But you'll pay for it tonight..." Vegeta whispered, sounding wicked and just a little lecherous.
Vegeta strolled toward the bathroom. Look closely at his back and you'd see his body was slightly hunched. Maybe even his little brother knew what he was thinking! Haha.
The Lookout
Inside the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, two figures were locked in a heated battle.
"Masenko... Hiya!" Gohan gathered a beam of light above his head with both hands, then unleashed a tremendous surge of energy at Goku! Goku crossed his arms and braced himself in a horse stance, taking the full force of the blast!
When the dust settled, Goku looked calmly at Gohan. "Very good, Gohan. You can control your ki freely now, and your strength has doubled after these few days of fighting me! You're much stronger than I was at your age!"
"Dad, it's not enough. I'm still not strong enough. Please keep training me!" Gohan said with determination.
"Training needs a balance between exertion and rest. Your body's already pushed past its limits. Take a good rest now. I need to start training too." Goku's words were the last straw. As soon as he finished speaking, Gohan collapsed!
Gohan had been training at high intensity for days, doing nothing but eating simple meals and training. His body had reached its limit long ago. It was probably for the best that he'd passed out; now he could get some proper sleep! The temperature inside the Hyperbolic Time Chamber swung wildly between day and night. Without his Saiyan blood, he would've been done for. Goku carried the unconscious Gohan to the rest area, ate a little himself, then went back out to train!
The Lookout
Piccolo stared at the Guardian of Earth, who looked exactly like him, his feelings complicated.
The Guardian said, "Wait a little longer. Once Goku comes out, I'll give him a few instructions, then fuse with you!"
Piccolo didn't waste words. He turned and floated cross-legged above an empty patch of ground, beginning to meditate.
"Guardian, Mr. Popo can't bear to part with you," Mr. Popo said, his eyes glistening with tears.
"Mr. Popo, I'm old now, while you're still just as you were when we first met. Perhaps you're the true Guardian. Don't be sad. I'm only fusing with Piccolo; I'm not dying," the Guardian said.
Looking at the companion who had been by his side for over a hundred years, the Guardian struggled to keep his own tears at bay.
"Perhaps when you return from Namek, you'll have a new companion," the Guardian said.
Namek
A magnificent green planet, several times larger than Earth, came into view! At the planet's center stood a towering mountain that pierced the clouds. On its summit sat a house resembling a beetle shell.
"Nail, I can sense an utterly evil presence heading toward our planet. I don't have much longer to live. If it comes to it, you don't have to worry about me. Go protect our people," said the massive figure seated in the center of the house! It was the Grand Elder of the Namekians!
Below him stood a figure several times smaller, who bowed respectfully. "Don't worry, Grand Elder. Second Elder Moori is watching over them. I won't leave your side!"
Earth, evening!
After dinner, Vegeta headed back to the workshop where Bulma was modifying the ship. She was still writing program code and directing the construction robots as they worked on it!
Dr. Briefs came up to Vegeta and said, "You'd better go talk her into taking a break. She hasn't eaten or rested since you left, and it's been two days and one night. Looks like she really likes you."
Vegeta looked at his future father-in-law. "All right, leave it to me. If she won't rest, I'll knock her out and make her."... Maybe Saiyans really were clueless when it came to romance!
"Hey, Bulma. I'm tired. Come put me to bed," Vegeta teased.
"Idiot... Who said I'd put you to bed? My dad's right here. What are you saying?" Bulma said, blushing.
Vegeta walked toward Bulma to intimidate her. "If you don't rest soon and mess up my plans, I'll kill you."
"Yeah, right. If you kill me, you can kiss your spaceship goodbye!" Bulma retorted. She wasn't scared of him in the slightest now!
"Fine, go rest. If you collapse, who'll I turn to?" Vegeta said gently.
Hearing him speak so tenderly, Bulma was surprised, and a hint of shyness crept into her expression. "All right! I'm tired anyway, so I'll humor you and do what you say." She slowly took off her lab coat and headed for the bedroom!
She suddenly turned to look at Vegeta, her eyes seeming to say, I'll be waiting for you.
Vegeta followed Bulma...
In the room, Bulma asked deliberately, "What are you doing in here? Get out! I'm tired and want to sleep!"
"Didn't you ask me to come in? You won't be able to sleep without me, will you?" As he spoke, he reached out with wandering hands and wrapped an arm around Bulma's slender waist!
Their eyes met, and desire flared between them! They kissed as they fell toward the bed. But Vegeta, focused on his mission, held back from making the final move! Suddenly, Bulma rolled on top of him... Vegeta thought, Yes! This is in the bag!!
The two of them launched into a passionate battle... (I know everyone hates the details, so I've cut ten thousand words here!)...
Before you continue