Surprise

With the martial arts tournament coming to a perfect close, the entire island was immersed in celebration. As the rising star who had claimed the 500,000 Sony prize, Son Goku naturally became the center of attention.

The top floor of the island's most luxurious seafood restaurant housed a large private room with an excellent view, and Bulma had booked the entire place outright.

"Cheers!"

Bulma, Krillin, Oolong, Puar, and Yamcha, who had shamelessly tagged along for a free meal, all raised their draft beers and fruit juice, clinking glasses amid loud cheers.

"Goku, you were incredible today! You even took down a master like Jackie Chun!" Krillin gulped down some juice and scratched his bald head in confusion.

"By the way, where did Master Roshi run off to? He said he'd come watch the finals, but we haven't seen him all day."

"Probably got so absorbed watching bikinis on some beach that he lost track of time." Son Goku remained perfectly composed as he tore apart a roasted lamb leg as thick as an arm in two bites.

Bang!

The carved wooden door to the private room was pushed open.

"Oh dear, oh dear, I'm late, I'm late! I went out for a stroll and forgot the time!"

Master Roshi strode in while rubbing his bald head. His ridiculous wig and fake beard had already been removed, and he smiled as he prepared to take a seat.

"Master Roshi! Where did you go? You missed the most exciting match..." Krillin went up to greet him, but before he could finish, his gaze froze. He blinked, and his expression became extremely strange.

"Master, y-you're wearing Mr. Jackie Chun's clothes?"

The private room instantly fell silent.

Everyone turned to look. Though Master Roshi had returned to his usual appearance, he was unmistakably wearing the training uniform that had been charred black by lightning during the finals. Even the shapes of the burned holes were exactly the same.

Master Roshi looked down, and his old face immediately turned the color of liver. In his rush to remove his disguise in the lounge earlier, he had actually forgotten to change out of the outfit.

"Th-this..." His eyes darted wildly as cold sweat poured down his face. Then he suddenly slapped his thigh. "Haha! You wouldn't understand! This is Papaya Island's hottest battle-damaged style! I bought it specially to keep up with the trends! What the hell would a bunch of brats know?!"

Yamcha leaned closer and sniffed. "But... why does this outfit smell like barbecue?"

"Special barbecue-scented perfume! Got it?!" Master Roshi was so flustered he nearly jumped. Then he guiltily glanced toward Son Goku at the head of the table.

Son Goku crunched through a bone and gave him a meaningful smile. He raised his goblet.

"Master Roshi, we were just waiting for you. Come eat and chat."

"Right, right, right! Let's eat!" Master Roshi looked as though he had been granted amnesty and hurriedly slipped back into his seat.

The table was covered with lobsters, roasted meat, and plates of fried rice piled into little mountains...

Son Goku had fully entered eating mode. A Saiyan's appetite was bottomless, and his hands turned into afterimages as he swept through carbohydrates and protein like a whirlwind.

"C-customer... There isn't even a single leaf of vegetable left in the kitchen. The cold storage is empty too. We really can't bring out any more food." Half an hour later, the restaurant manager stared at the empty plates stacked to the ceiling, sweating profusely as he spoke in a near-tearful voice.

"What are you panicking for?"

A crisp voice rang out. Bulma rested her cheek on one hand, her long, fair fingers holding a black-and-gold bank card.

Slap— She pressed it onto the table.

"If there's no food, go get some. If this island doesn't have any, bring it from the neighboring islands. Or charter a plane and fly it in from West City!"

Bulma lifted her snow-white chin. The money-powered aura of the world's richest heiress instantly silenced everyone. She pointed at the black card, her tone domineering. "My friend has to eat his fill today!"

"Right away! Please wait a moment, miss! I'll contact a charter flight immediately!" The manager clutched the black card and ran off in a flash.

"Long live the rich lady!" Krillin and Oolong howled while raising their empty bottles.

With a king crab claw stuffed in his mouth, Son Goku gave her a thumbs-up and said indistinctly, "Bulma, you're seriously awesome!"

Bulma watched him wolf down food without the slightest concern for appearances. Rather than feeling disgusted, a hint of tenderness rippled through her eyes. On the arena, he had been absurdly powerful, like a war god. Yet now, as he fought over meat, he seemed so real and endearing.

After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, the night had grown late.

Krillin and Master Roshi lay sprawled across the sofa with round bellies, snoring loudly. Son Goku and Bulma quietly left the noisy restaurant and strolled along the beach.

The moonlight was bright. Bulma carried her high heels in one hand and stepped barefoot into the cool shallows, her heart light with excitement.

"How does it feel to take first place?"

"Not bad. Master Roshi really hid his strength well." Son Goku faced the sea breeze. That battle, especially his extreme analysis of Thunder Shock Surprise, had brought a qualitative leap in his fine control over ki.

Bulma stopped and turned around, her clear, beautiful eyes gleaming with mischief beneath the moonlight.

"Actually, I prepared a big gift today."

Seeing her proud little expression as she waited for praise, Son Goku deliberately teased her. "A big gift? Wasn't that top-tier seafood feast just now one?"

Bulma rolled her eyes at him and gave a mysterious smile.

"Do you remember the training idea you mentioned in West City? You said ordinary exercise was no longer useful." The pride of a genius scientist shone in her eyes. "I've been secretly developing something during this time."

"For the core materials, I contacted my older sister Tights, who's been wandering around the universe. I had her get hold of some high-density alien gravity ore!"

Tights!

Son Goku's expression changed slightly. A character from the Dragon Ball prequel really existed, and this rich girl could even get her hands on scarce alien materials.

Bulma failed to notice his reaction and continued her introduction proudly. "Using those alien materials along with Capsule Corporation's gravity conversion technology, I customized a hundred-times gravity chamber just for you! It can be adjusted up to one hundred times Earth's gravity!"

One hundred times gravity?!

Son Goku's pupils flared with fervent light.

A true leveling artifact. With this, combined with an ancient Saiyan's absurd recovery ability, he was absolutely confident he could grind his base power to a terrifying level before any powerful enemy arrived.

"Bulma, you're a genius!"

Overwhelmed with joy, Son Goku cast aside his usual composure, stepped forward, spread his arms, and pulled Bulma tightly into his embrace, spinning around the beach several times in excitement.

"Ah—!"

Caught completely off guard, Bulma was pressed flush against the boy's imposing chest.

His clean, scorching scent washed over her, mixed with the faint saltiness of the sea. Her mind buzzed, going blank in an instant.

"Thank you. This is the most perfect gift I've ever received!" His deep voice rumbled beside her ear, filled with undisguised delight.

Her snow-white neck visibly reddened all the way to her ears. Bulma instinctively raised her hands to push him away, but when they touched his broad, warm back, she inexplicably softened and instead lightly clutched the corner of his shirt.

Her heart pounded like a drum.

"Idiot... you're holding me too tight..." Her voice was barely louder than a mosquito's buzz, her cheeks crimson. She simply gave up and buried her face in his broad shoulder.

Feeling her scorching warmth and shy reaction, Son Goku came to his senses as well. He couldn't push things too hard!

He stopped and gently set Bulma back down on the sand. Looking at the girl's flushed, evasive face, he naturally reached out and tucked the wind-tossed strands of blue hair behind her ear.

"Sorry. The surprise was too big—I couldn't control myself." His voice was soft.

Warm fingertips brushed her ear. Bulma lowered her head, twisting the hem of her skirt between her fingers. She gave a soft, coquettish huff, though her glistening eyes were full of sweetness and joy she could not hide.

"The world's strongest gets this excited just from hearing he can improve his strength... You're a complete battle junkie!"

The night breeze drifted by, and the waves gently lapped against the shore. Beneath the quiet moonlight, an ambiguous tenderness silently spread.