The pterodactyl froze for a moment, then laughed, "You little squirt, you actually dare to threaten me! Hehe, I'll just have to eat you along with her!"
The words barely left its mouth before it lunged at Goku.
Goku leapt into the air and delivered a swift whip kick to the pterodactyl's mouth. Caught off guard, it staggered back several steps.
As it retreated, it accidentally released Bulma from its claws. Goku's figure flashed like lightning as he rushed forward, scooping her up and placing her behind him.
Bulma patted her chest, "Goku, thank goodness you came so quickly. That thing was about to eat me…"
Goku looked at her, "You didn't wet your pants, did you?"
At this random question, Bulma's face turned red.
"Wh-what are you talking about… Of course I didn't…"
〔 Mission completed! Rewarding the host immediately! 〕
In an instant, Goku's entire body filled with strength once again.
'Tsk tsk tsk, just by completing two random missions, it was equivalent to several years of training. This was really quite nice!'
Goku thought to himself that continuing like this seemed pretty good. It was simpler than training, and before long, he'd be able to crush King Piccolo with one hand.
The pterodactyl discovered that Bulma had been snatched away and roared in fury, "Bastard, you little brat actually stole my food! Let me show you what I'm capable of!"
Bulma quickly shrank behind Goku, pointing at it, "Goku, beat him up!"
This was a dinosaur — bigger than a tiger, stronger than a tiger.
Goku didn't waste words. He simply drew out his Power Pole and struck at the pterodactyl with full force. At this moment, his Battle Power had increased again, though he'd overlooked this fact.
With this swing, he noticed something unusual. The Power Pole cut through the air with a howling gust of wind as it came crashing down.
With a tremendous boom, the pterodactyl's massive body was instantly split in half, blood and flesh flying everywhere.
After crushing through the pterodactyl's body, the Power Pole struck directly into the ground. The earth couldn't withstand this terrifying force and split open into a bottomless crevice, extending all the way out of sight.
Seeing this, Bulma's jaw nearly dropped.
"This… this is incredible! This kid's power is beyond my imagination…"
Goku looked at the crack in the earth, also somewhat shocked.
It was merely an increase of 20 Battle Power, yet a full-force strike with the pole was terrifyingly powerful. The improvement in initial Battle Power really had such high value!
Having been saved by Goku twice, Bulma felt extremely fortunate. Thank goodness he came out with her. Otherwise, before she'd even collected all the Dragon Balls, she would have died in some wild beast's mouth.
Goku's importance in her heart rose considerably.
After this incident, Bulma got back on her motorcycle, and Goku sat behind her once again. She realized his arms were a bit short and couldn't reach the hand grips.
Earlier, when riding the motorcycle down the mountain with him, he hadn't held onto anything. Didn't make a sound, wasn't even afraid of falling off.
She thought for a moment, then took the initiative to place his hands around her waist.
"Goku, hold on to me tight — don't fall off halfway!"
Goku couldn't help but feel a stir of emotion. Bulma smelled so nice!
"O-okay…"
✩✩✩✩✩
The two traveled until the sun set.
Bulma stopped the vehicle and turned back, "I'm hungry, and it's getting dark. Let's stop here for today!"
"Okay!" Goku nodded and jumped off the motorcycle.
Soon, Bulma put away the motorcycle and took out an exquisite capsule house. Goku had lived two lives, yet this was still his first time seeing one. He found it quite fascinating.
Bulma smiled, "How about it, my house is pretty, right?"
Goku nodded, "Yeah, pretty!"
Bulma smiled, "Right? I think so too. Not only is it pretty on the outside, it's very comfortable inside. Come on in!"
They entered the room, which was filled with a young girl's fragrance. The pink walls were incredibly cozy.
While taking off her jacket, Bulma said, "After traveling all day, we're both covered in sweat. You take off your clothes too, and I'll wash them for you. There's a washing machine here…"
Goku froze for a moment, then suddenly slapped his forehead.
"Oh no, I forgot — I didn't bring any spare clothes."
Bulma smiled, "It's fine, they're just clothes. You can wear mine tonight. I have plenty. By the time we leave tomorrow, your clothes will be dry."
Goku frowned, "Never mind. I'll wait until we pass through a town to buy some before I take a bath."
〔 In your previous life, Bulma complained that you didn't bathe and smelled terrible.
Your life has been restarted. Leave her with a good impression this time. 〕
〔 Mission: Proactively take a bath and accept Bulma's help scrubbing you! 〕
〔 Reward: Grow 5cm taller within 3 Days 〕
{T/N: Goku is currently close to 124cm tall at 12 years old. On average (not worldwide), children this age are around 147cm to 157cm tall. This is due to the accelerated growth of Saiyans occurring only at certain moments in their lives.}
Seeing this mission in his mind, Goku froze for a moment.
Earlier he'd thought 10 Battle Power was stingy, but growing five centimeters was quite generous.
Hearing that Goku was shy about wearing women's clothing, Bulma covered her mouth and laughed.
"You're just a little kid with so many concerns. Don't worry, I'm not going to make you wear women's clothes. I have a spare set of shorts and a shirt — unisex style, never worn. It's a bit oversized, but can you make do?"
As she spoke, Bulma pulled out a set of white shorts and a shirt.
"That works. I can make do with that."
He accepted the clothes and headed toward the bathroom.
However, once he'd undressed, he stared at the shower control — taller than him — lost in thought.
At that moment, Bulma walked in carrying a brush, "Come to the bathtub. I'll help you wash. This is a capsule house — it doesn't carry much water. We can't waste it."
Goku immediately covered himself and turned around.
Bulma covered her mouth and smiled, "You're quite shy!"
With that, she began scrubbing him.
〔 Mission completed! Rewarding the host immediately! 〕
Bulma felt his tail getting in the way and suggested, "Goku, let me remove this tail first. After you finish bathing and it's dry, you can stick it back on, okay?"
Goku quickly shook his head.
"No!"
"Why not? It's kind of in the way!"
"This tail grew from my body. It's not a decoration."
"How could a person grow a tail? Don't try to fool me!" She tugged hard on his tail.
"Bulma, that hurts…"
Goku used his tail to snatch the scrub brush and started scrubbing his own back.
Seeing this, Bulma was so frightened she sat down on the floor.
"S-sorry, I really didn't mean to. But… how do you actually have a real tail?!"
✩✩✩✩✩
Goku didn't fall asleep until very late.
But years of routine weren't easy to break. He woke up early the next day, unable to fall back asleep, so he left the room to do his usual morning training.
A large sea turtle appeared before him, "Hello there, young man. Could you give me some water? I'm dying of thirst."
〔 In your previous life, you and Bulma adventured together, facing life and death side by side, yet you never ended up together.
Your life has been restarted. In this life, you've decided that when you grow up, you'll make her yours — so naturally, you can't let someone else take advantage of her. 〕
〔 Mission: Prevent Bulma from making an improper deal with Master Roshi! 〕
〔 Reward: Sky Dancing Art (Bukūjutsu) 〕
Seeing the reward, Goku froze.
"The Sky Dancing Art?"
If he could fly on his own, the Flying Nimbus wouldn't matter anymore. Besides, with his not-so-pure heart, he probably wouldn't be able to ride that golden cloud anyway.
Goku glanced back at the house. Lights had come on, and he could faintly hear Bulma washing up.
He thought it through — this girl would be even less able to ride the Flying Nimbus. For returning Turtle, he'd just ask Roshi for that Dragon Ball. Two birds, one stone.
Goku turned to Turtle, "Wait a moment. I'll get you some water."
"Thank you, thank you!"
A short while later, Goku brought Turtle a bucket of water and told Bulma about taking it home.
She felt the distance was too far, "No way, no way. I only have a month of summer vacation left. I don't have time to waste taking it home."
Besides needing to complete the mission, there was also a Dragon Ball at Master Roshi's place. Kame House was a must-visit.
Goku said, "Bulma, why don't you check the Dragon Radar? Maybe there's a Dragon Ball near the sea in that direction."
Bulma blinked, "What are you talking about? How could we be that lucky?"
Despite her skepticism, she picked up the Dragon Radar. After pressing it a few times, her expression brightened.
"Wow, it's true! There really is a Dragon Ball 120 kilometers south — right where the ocean is."
Goku smiled, "See! Now doing a good deed and finding the Dragon Ball don't conflict. Let's go. You ride your motorcycle, and I'll run while carrying Turtle."
Bulma blinked.
"What? You're going to run while carrying Turtle? Even if you run fast, the coast is 120 kilometers away. With this terrain, even a motorcycle would take two hours — let alone carrying such a heavy sea turtle."
Goku smiled, "Don't worry. I can run just as fast as your motorcycle."
Bulma packed up the capsule house.
The two and the turtle sped off toward the ocean. Bulma glanced at the speedometer — over 110 kmh — then at Goku running ahead. She couldn't help but be utterly astonished.
"Carrying a heavy tiger up a mountain would be impressive enough, but he's carrying a sea turtle several times heavier than himself and can still run like a motorcycle. This kid must be a monster, right?"
Bulma's mind wandered, and the distance between them widened. She quickly refocused, twisted the throttle hard, and caught up with Goku.
✩✩✩✩✩
Two hours later, they finally arrived at the seaside.
Turtle was moved at the sight of the ocean it hadn't seen in so long.
"Wonderful, I've finally reached the sea, woo hoo hoo…" It rushed excitedly into the ocean, "Hey, wait here for a bit. You saved me, so I need to tell Master Roshi so he can reward you."
Bulma put her hands on her hips and asked curiously, "Master Roshi? Is some immortal going to give us a treasure chest?"
Turtle didn't answer and dove straight into the sea.
Bulma wasn't very interested in treasure — her family was wealthy. But her goal was the Dragon Ball, so she pulled out the Dragon Radar. When she saw the Dragon Ball's coordinates, she was dumbfounded.
She looked at Goku in panic, "Oh no, Goku, look — this Dragon Ball seems to be on the ocean floor ahead. I didn't bring a submarine. What are we going to do?"
Goku waved his hand, "Don't worry, Bulma. Even if the Dragon Ball is really on the ocean floor, I can fish it up for you."
Bulma looked at him in astonishment, "Goku, I feel so lucky to have met you on the road! If it weren't for you, I would have been eaten by a monster!"
Goku smiled, "You're just lucky. By the way, when Master Roshi arrives, don't say anything reckless. I'll definitely help you get the Dragon Ball!"
Bulma nodded, "Okay, I won't say anything!"
Not living by the seaside, it was normally hard to see the ocean.
Since they had to wait anyway, Goku took off his shoes, rolled up his pant legs, and started playing by the shore. Bulma saw him having fun and got interested too.
"Goku, keep an eye out for me. I'm going to change into my swimsuit and play for a while too…"
Goku immediately stopped her, "Don't, don't change. What if Master Roshi sees you later…"
Bulma blinked curiously.
"Do you know Master Roshi?"
Goku thought about it, "I've never met him, but I know of him. He was my grandfather's martial arts teacher. He's a good person, but he's also a very perverted old man, so don't let him take advantage of you."
"Ah, so even immortals are perverts?…" Bulma looked at him, and a smile suddenly appeared on her face. She covered her slightly flushed cheeks, "Goku, you're afraid Master Roshi will see me in a swimsuit — are you jealous?"
Before Goku could answer, Bulma couldn't help but cover her face in delight.
"I can't help it. A smart and beautiful girl like me — my charm is just too great! It's really troubling! If only you were a bit older, then I could let you be my boyfriend."
Not knowing what she was thinking about, her cheeks turned even redder.
Goku looked at her flushed cheeks and wondered to himself, 'What is she getting all dreamy about now? I remember none of the boys at her school pursued her, which is why she thought of gathering the Dragon Balls to wish for a boyfriend. But now that I think about it, it's strange. Bulma is so beautiful — she's practically the most attractive character in Dragon Ball. So how come no one pursued her?'
A moment later, they both heard a call from the distance and looked toward the ocean.
An old man in a Hawaiian shirt was riding Turtle, slowly approaching them.
Bulma couldn't help but be surprised.
"So this is Master Roshi? What a trendy old man!"
"Don't say anything!"
"Oh!" Bulma covered her mouth.
Soon, Master Roshi and Turtle reached the shore.
"Hi! Sorry to keep you waiting!" Roshi jumped off Turtle and looked at Bulma and Goku. Finally, he focused his gaze on Goku, "I heard you saved my sea turtle, so I'll give you a treasure as thanks!"
With that, he pointed to the sky and shouted:
"Come forth, Immortal Phoenix!"
Nothing happened.
A crow flew overhead. Roshi stood there scratching his rear.
Turtle immediately reminded him, "Um, didn't the Immortal Phoenix die of food poisoning?"
Bulma blinked, "An immortal phoenix can die?"
Master Roshi scratched his head, "Oh dear, I forgot. I named it the Immortal Phoenix because I hoped it wouldn't die."
Only then did Bulma have a look of realization.
"Well then, what should I give you? Let me think…"
Goku quickly interrupted him, "Old man, could you give us that bead on your chest?"
"What?" Hearing "bead", Bulma reflexively looked at Roshi.
Sure enough, he had a Dragon Ball hanging on his chest.
Seeing it, Bulma's expression instantly brightened, but she remembered Goku's warning and held back from speaking.
✩✩✩✩✩
T/N: Comment, give me Power Stones, like and favorite, it all supports me and makes me go foward with this. Appreciate my other stories as well, I guarantee the good work!
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That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)