New Story in Progress

As the night deepened, the serene quiet of Ayaka's luxurious villa was interrupted by the soft hum of conversation. Inside the living room, Bulma sat cross-legged on the plush sofa, sipping hot tea. Son Goku, meanwhile, was sprawled out on the floor nearby, fast asleep after a long day.

"Nah, Ayaka, are you and Goku really siblings? You two don't look anything alike—and what's with the tail?!" Bulma asked, her curiosity finally getting the better of her.

Ayaka, leisurely flipping through a magazine, glanced up with an amused smile. "No, we're not blood-related. Goku was abandoned in the mountains as a child, and his grandfather took him in. After his grandfather passed, he lived alone until I stumbled across him and decided to stick around."

"Oh," Bulma murmured, nodding as the pieces fell into place. Her gaze shifted to the Dragon Balls glimmering on the table. "We already have four Dragon Balls, but how do you plan to find the rest? The clock's ticking for me, you know."

Ayaka watched as Bulma pulled out her Dragon Ball radar, displaying a glowing map. "Look—four bright spots in the center represent where we are. The next Dragon Ball is about 1200 kilometers west."

"You've got it all mapped out," Ayaka replied with a grin. "It's a shame you're on a deadline. I suppose school's keeping you busy?"

Bulma huffed, crossing her arms. "Exactly! I'm just using the summer break to come out and explore. Unlike you, I can't take my sweet time."

The two chatted late into the night until Ayaka eventually retired to her bedroom. Bulma also went inside her capsule home though it was definitely far smaller compared to both Goku and Ayaka's capsule houses.

Lying on her bed, Ayaka replayed the events from earlier. 'The next Dragon Ball must be in Oolong's Octagon Village,' she thought. 'Things are about to get interesting.'

Early morning sun casts a warm, gentle light through the windows of the capsule house. Bulma has just finished taking a bath and is feeling refreshed. She steps out of the bathroom, wrapped in a towel, intending to grab a bottle of soda from the kitchen. She's completely unaware that Goku is about to return from his training outside.

Bulma: She walks into the living room, her towel loosely wrapped around her. She heads to the kitchen, feeling relaxed and at ease. She opens the fridge and reaches for a bottle of soda, her towel slipping a bit as she leans forward.

Goku: He steps inside the capsule house, his senses still heightened from his training. He's smiling, feeling energized and ready to continue their journey. As he enters the living room, his eyes immediately catch sight of Bulma, who is standing in the kitchen, her towel slipping. He freezes, his face turning red as he realizes the situation.

Bulma: Hearing the door open, she turns around, her towel slipping further. She gasps, her face flushing with embarrassment and anger. "Goku! What are you doing?!"

Goku: He quickly turns away, his face burning with shame. "I'm so sorry, Bulma! I didn't mean to see you like that! I just came in to tell you I was back!"

Bulma: She quickly grabs the towel and wraps it more securely around herself, her voice shaking with a mix of anger and embarrassment. "Goku, how could you just walk in like that? Don't you have any respect for privacy?!"

Goku: He steps back, feeling a deep sense of guilt. "I'm really, really sorry, Bulma. I didn't mean to. I just wanted to let you know that breakfast was ready." He and Ayaka had prepared the breakfast together and as it was his first time letting a girl taste his cooking he was excited and came running over to call her.

Bulma : "I understand what you are telling me but make sure that this never happens as it will be difficult for me to get married in future if my future husband knows that I was tainted by you Goku. So because of this mistake Goku you need to take responsibility for this action. From now on you will follow me like a lackey." While saying this Bulma face turned red from embarrassment and hurriedly went to get dressed. "Goku make sure that Ayaka doesn't know about this." She decided to leave the house to find Ayaka. She might feel a bit better if she hugs her a bit.

She then sat with Ayaka and ate her breakfast while giving a side long glance towards Goku. Making her face a bit red. She was really embarrassed, so she make her feelings into anger and decided to take revenge on Goku. 

After eating breakfast they set off to their journey, Goku was bounding through the forest in search of adventure. Along the way, he encountered an old turtle who had strayed far from the sea. Recognizing the turtle from his time with Master Roshi, Goku decided to help him return home.

Before they left, Ayaka whispered to the turtle, "When you meet Master Roshi, tell him to head to Fire Mountain in ten days. The Ox-King needs his help."

Bulma, already on edge about their tight schedule, wasn't thrilled. "Goku! Your nosiness delayed us by an entire day! I don't know how we'll collect all the Dragon Balls before my summer break ends!" She grumbled as she revved her motorcycle, but she knew deep down that Goku's Flying Nimbus had saved them plenty of time.

Bulma deliberately made sure Goku was at her beck and call. She made him get her drinks, wipe her face, fan her, etc. Though she did it but only when Ayaka was not around. Even at she made sure to get a foot massage from him. Which made her feel very happy.

Their journey continued.....

A few days later, the group arrived in a small village marked on the Dragon Ball radar. However, something was off—there wasn't a single person on the streets. The houses were locked tightly, and the wind carried an eerie stillness, rustling discarded paper down the deserted roads.

"This place is creepy," Goku remarked, peeking into a window. "Why is everyone hiding?"

Ayaka gestured toward one of the houses. "They're inside, watching us. Something's clearly scared them."

Bulma activated the radar, her determination unwavering. "No matter what, the Dragon Ball is here. We just need to find it."

Goku, ever curious, decided to knock on one of the doors. When no one answered, he smashed the door open with a single punch, causing Ayaka to groan. "Goku, could you be less reckless for once?"

As they stepped inside, a villager charged out from the shadows, wielding an axe. "WATCH OUT!" Bulma screamed as the man who lunged was very scary looking. Goku dodged effortlessly, snatching the axe away with ease.

"What's going on here?!" Bulma demanded.

The trembling villager explained the situation: a demon named Oolong had been terrorizing the village, kidnapping young girls. The villagers, paralyzed by fear, hid indoors, dreading who would be taken next.

"When will Oolong come back?" Ayaka asked calmly.

"Tomorrow at noon. He'll come for my daughter next," the villager said, his voice quivering.

"We can help you stop Oolong," Ayaka offered. "But in exchange, you'll give us the orange ball you've been hiding."

Bulma jumped in excitedly. "You've seen how strong Goku is, right? He'll take care of Oolong in no time! And Ayaka's strong too, though I am not too strong but I should be able to handle that pig as well—don't worry, we've got this."

After a moment of hesitation, the villagers agreed. An elderly woman reluctantly retrieved the Dragon Ball and handed it to Ayaka, sealing the deal.

The next day, as the sun reached its peak, the so-called "demon" appeared—a towering figure with horns and a bouquet in hand. Oolong approached the decoy girl (played by Goku, wearing an unconvincing wig [forced/ordered by Bulma]). With a "poof," the demon transformed into a dashing gentleman, bowing theatrically.

Hiding nearby, Bulma couldn't help but swoon. "He's so handsome!"

Ayaka rolled her eyes, dragging Bulma back into hiding. "Get it together, Bulma. That's Oolong, not some prince. Do you want to be kidnapped?"

When Oolong realized his "bride" was a boy, the facade quickly crumbled. Goku challenged him to a fight, and despite Oolong's shapeshifting and underhanded tactics, he was no match for Goku's strength. Fleeing as a bat, Oolong tried to escape but was relentlessly pursued on the Flying Nimbus.

Eventually, Goku found Oolong's hidden lair—a lavish mansion nestled within the mountains. Cornered and out of options, Oolong surrendered, returning the kidnapped girls to their village.

Bulma smiled triumphantly as the villagers thanked them, the Dragon Ball now safely in her hands. With another victory secured, the trio prepared to continue their quest, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

The midday sun blazed fiercely, its rays dancing on the rippling waters of the river as Ayaka, Bulma, and the gang navigated through the lush mountains on Bulma's sleek speedboat. Birds sang melodiously from bamboo thickets, while the fragrant breeze carried a sense of calm—at least, for most of the group.

"There are only two Dragon Balls left," Bulma exclaimed, her mood lightened by their progress. "We're moving much faster than I thought!"

Her words earned a disheartened groan from the speedboat's rear seat. Oolong, bound in ropes, slumped back with a pout. "Why do I have to go with you? This isn't the life I signed up for," he grumbled, casting a sullen glance at the surrounding scenery.

Ayaka, seated gracefully near the back, ran her hand through her wind-blown hair with a calm but sharp demeanor. "You're coming because of your transformations, Oolong. They might be useful. Besides, if we leave you behind, you'll just go back to scamming villages. We're doing you a favor."

Oolong's lecherous smile spread across his face as he studied Ayaka's profile, but his daydreaming was cut short when a sharp THUD landed on his skull.

"Behave yourself," Ayaka said, barely looking up from her map.

Oolong rubbed his head in pain, mumbling under his breath. The journey was proving to be far more painful than he had imagined, with Ayaka's and Bulma's corrections becoming a daily routine.

"Where are we heading now?" Oolong asked, casting an eye over the map. His expression shifted when he spotted their destination. "Wait! That's Fire Mountain—are you insane? You can't go there!"

The name alone sent shivers down his spine. He squirmed desperately, trying to escape, but Goku held him firmly in place. "The Ox-King lives there!" Oolong continued, his voice shrill. "He's a demon—a monster! No one survives if they get too close!"

Ayaka remained unfazed as she continued studying her map. "We're going," she said simply, her confidence so resolute that even Bulma didn't question her decision.

Oolong's protests persisted until exhaustion finally caught up with him, forcing him into reluctant silence as their speedboat docked near the arid outskirts of Fire Mountain. The lush greenery and tranquil rivers had vanished, replaced by dry sand, scorching heat, and jagged stalagmite pillars dotting the landscape.

Bulma wiped her brow, sweat streaking her temple as she leaned against a stalagmite. "I need a break," she said breathlessly, sinking to the ground.

Nearby, Oolong mirrored her sentiment, collapsing in defeat. The inhospitable terrain was beginning to wear on everyone.

Unbeknownst to the group, two watchful eyes peered through binoculars from the hollow of a nearby rock formation. A small cat-like creature turned to its companion, excitement evident in its voice. "Master Yamcha, we've found prey!"

The long-haired young man they addressed set his meal aside, stretching lazily before flashing a toothy grin. "Finally, Puar. It's been weeks since anyone passed through."

Yamcha stood, grabbing his weapon as he prepared for action. Their isolation in the wilderness had brought them to the brink of starvation, but fate seemed to be delivering new opportunities. As the infamous desert bandit, he couldn't afford to miss a chance like this.

Meanwhile, Ayaka and her group remained oblivious to the approaching danger. As they took a moment to catch their breath, Fire Mountain loomed ominously in the distance, its flaming peaks promising challenges yet unseen.