Wish

Goku stood outside the castle, gazing at the towering structure that pierced the clouds as he silently assessed its defenses.

He knew tonight was the night of the full moon. As a low-class Saiyan warrior, seeing the full moon would make him lose his mind and transform into a terrifying Great Ape. He had to deal with Emperor Pilaf before nightfall.

"Pilaf!" Goku shouted toward the castle.

"If you don't come out soon, I'm taking the Dragon Balls and leaving!"

Inside the castle, Pilaf paced back and forth nervously on his short legs. Hearing Goku's shout, he felt somewhat uneasy.

He knew Son Goku was strong, but all the Dragon Balls were in Goku's hands. He had to get them.

"Son Goku, don't think you can scare me!" Pilaf finally decided to come out. He walked to the edge of the balcony.

"You're just a little brat. You want the Dragon Balls? Keep dreaming!"

Pilaf and Mai each piloted a towering robot, leaping down from the castle balcony and landing heavily on the ground with a dull boom.

"Son Goku, don't think you can take the Dragon Balls so easily today!" Pilaf sneered. His robot was massive, its metal armor gleaming with a cold sheen.

Goku smiled faintly and gripped the Power Pole.

"The Dragon Balls are in my hands. Come and get them!"

Mai's robot charged at Goku first, its enormous mechanical arm swinging down at his head.

Goku swiftly sidestepped, the Golden Cudgel flashing like lightning in his hand. He raised it and struck the robot's arm with perfect accuracy.

With a thunderous crash, the robot lost its balance, twisted metal screeching against itself.

Mai cried out and continued attacking with the robot. It extended one hand, energy gathering in its palm as it prepared to unleash a powerful blast.

Goku quickly lowered himself and dashed toward Mai's robot. He swung the Golden Cudgel fiercely into its abdomen, the heavy impact making the robot ring with metallic thunder. The robot staggered back several steps before dropping to its knees.

Just then, Pilaf's robot fired a cannon shot, trying to ambush Goku.

Goku reacted instantly, rolling to the right to evade the blast. However, the shockwave from the explosion still sent him flying.

"Damn it, I missed!" Emperor Pilaf shouted furiously, preparing to attack again.

Goku rolled to his feet, a faint smile on his face.

"Now it's my turn!"

Goku raised the Power Pole high, gathering the strength within him before smashing it viciously toward Pilaf's robot.

With a deafening crash, the Golden Cudgel struck the robot's head. A huge dent instantly appeared in its metal shell. The robot emitted a piercing electrical whine, then lost power and collapsed onto the ground.

"Ah—"

Mai was frantic. Seeing Goku's overwhelming strength, fear appeared on her face.

Goku had effortlessly defeated Pilaf's robot. As he approached her, Mai's robot began backing away.

"D-Don't come any closer!" Mai frantically pressed the emergency escape button. With a bang, she was ejected from the cockpit.

Mai hit the ground like a startled bird, scrambled up in disarray, and turned to run.

"Running already, pretty girl?" Goku called mockingly.

"Since you're here, hand over your Dragon Ball too!"

Pilaf struggled out of the wreckage of his fallen robot, his face pale and all his earlier bravado gone.

He knew his robot was no match for Goku, so he tried to smooth things over. "Little brother Son Goku, no need to get angry. I was only joking! Actually... we never really meant to steal your Dragon Balls..."

"Then hand over your Dragon Ball," Goku said bluntly.

Pilaf sighed helplessly, pulled out the final Dragon Ball from his pocket, held it up, and slowly handed it to Goku.

Goku accepted the Dragon Ball and eagerly held it close for a look.

"We did it! We've gathered all the Dragon Balls!" Bulma cheered excitedly.

Goku saw the sly look on Pilaf's face and immediately became wary.

He knew this guy would never easily give up his dream of ruling the world. If he tried anything during the wish, it would be troublesome.

So Goku swiftly charged at Pilaf. With an angry shout, the Power Pole flashed with cold light in his hand as he swung it directly at Pilaf's head.

Before Pilaf could react, the blow left him dizzy and disoriented. He fainted and collapsed to the ground, his limbs limp.

Goku looked at the glowing Dragon Balls, then turned to Bulma and asked, "Bulma, what do you want to wish for?"

Bulma's eyes lit up, and she answered excitedly, "I want a really handsome boyfriend!"

Goku covered his mouth and shook his head, thinking, Just as expected of that daydreaming Bulma. She actually wants a handsome boyfriend. What a boring wish.

To keep Bulma from wasting the Dragon Balls' wish, Goku boasted.

"Bulma, why do you need a boyfriend? When I grow up, I'll marry you!"

Bulma frowned, looking somewhat dissatisfied. "Really?"

She looked little Goku over carefully and found that he was actually quite handsome.

"Fine, then. But you can't break your promise!"

"Hehe, of course not. Come on, pinky swear. A hundred years, no changing your mind. Whoever breaks it is a monkey!"

"Hey, wait, Goku, weren't you a monkey to begin with?"

"I'm not a monkey, I'm a great ape!"

"Tch, isn't that basically the same thing!"

Bulma lowered her head and thought for a moment.

In the end, she let out a long sigh. Though reluctant, she smiled with understanding. "All right, Goku. This wish is yours!"

Goku nodded firmly, knowing he had secured the wish.

Goku placed the seven Dragon Balls together and shouted nervously yet expectantly, "Come forth, Shenron!"

Black clouds surged in like a tide, swiftly blanketing the sky as though the entire world had been swallowed up.

With a deafening roar, Shenron transformed from the Dragon Balls into a dazzling golden light and shot into the heavens, illuminating the entire sky.

Shenron coiled through the air and spoke in a deep, resounding voice. "State your wish. Any wish can be granted, but only one."

Shenron's eyes shone like stars as he gazed at Goku, waiting for his answer.

Excitement and anticipation churned within Goku. At last, he could fulfill the wish in his heart.

"I wish to get rid of the drawback of my tail!" he declared loudly.

Shenron nodded slightly, a mysterious light flashing in his eyes as he slowly said, "Your wish has been granted. Farewell!"

Goku felt a warm power seep into his body.

As Shenron's light gradually faded, the seven Dragon Balls gathered together once more, turning into seven faintly glowing spheres. Then, like shooting stars, they flew toward every corner of the world and vanished beyond the horizon.

Bulma looked at the Dragon Radar in her hand as the signals on its screen gradually disappeared.

Goku turned around and patted Bulma on the shoulder. "Bulma, after the Dragon Balls grant a wish, they turn into stones. They won't recover until a year later. When we search for the Dragon Balls again next time, a new adventure will begin."