[43]. Training Bulma

Time flew by—half a month had already passed.

During that time, Tights had left home. She said she'd finally found her inspiration and wanted to retreat to somewhere quiet to focus on writing her novel.

Kaso didn't say much about her decision. Everyone had their own dreams.

Just like he once dreamed of being transported into the Dragon Ball world—who would've thought it would actually come true?

Of course, from what he remembered in the anime, Tights' early novels hadn't been very successful. It wasn't until she met that galactic patrolman, Jaco, and started incorporating stories from beyond the stars, that her writing started gaining traction.

In the courtyard that day…

"Watch your posture! Don't fidget!"

Kaso pointed at Bulma's lower back.

The little girl stood there in a horse stance, sweat dripping down her face. When she heard his voice, she quickly corrected her form and raised her butt again.

Kaso sighed inwardly.

Earthlings really do have weak constitutions.

But if he wanted to teach Bulma how to use ki, then building a strong body was the first step. Just like how Master Roshi trained Goku and Krillin—without a strong foundation, it was impossible to sense or store ki.

Even in the Buu Saga, when Gohan trained Videl, she had already been physically conditioned from a young age—thanks to her father's wealth and support—and had a natural talent for martial arts. That's why she was able to learn ki so quickly.

But Bulma?

She was still just a kid—and a pampered little princess at that.

In a word?

Difficult.

…Fortunately, Kaso had Senzu Beans.

In the past two weeks, he had subjected Bulma to what could only be called hellish training:

Wake up before sunrise, one hour of horse stance, one hour of weighted running...

There were times he genuinely thought she was going to pass out—but every time, a single senzu bean would bring her back, full of energy and ready for the next round of torment.

It had reached the point where just seeing Kaso made her feel a bit nervous.

Still, Bulma was determined. She wanted to fly, and she wasn't about to quit now after coming so far.

To be honest, Kaso was a little shocked.

In his mind, Bulma had always been the spoiled princess type—her early journey to find the Dragon Balls was just a roundabout way to find a hot boyfriend.

But now… seeing her grit her teeth and push through all this training?

He had to admit, she'd completely shattered his expectations.

"You keep holding that stance. I'll be right back," Kaso said casually.

He touched two fingers to his forehead—and vanished.

Bulma didn't even blink. She was already used to Kaso disappearing on her randomly like this.

She let out a long breath and continued holding her horse stance.

Elsewhere...

"Finally found the seventh Dragon Ball," Kaso muttered as he retrieved the last orb from a castle vault.

Weeks ago, he'd found the first one in Bulma's home storage room. Now, after multiple trips out, he'd gathered all seven.

As he admired the final Dragon Ball in his palm, a ruckus echoed from downstairs.

"Have you hidden the Dragon Balls securely?"

"Don't worry, Emperor Pilaf! They're locked in the secret vault on the second floor!"

Kaso smirked.

So this one belonged to Pilaf and his gang?

He recalled how those three bumbling fools were always working for someone else—just glorified errand boys.

It wasn't until Dragon Ball GT that they actually got to make a wish… and even then...

Yeah, let's not talk about that wish.

Kaso didn't bother with them. He vanished in an instant.

Back at the courtyard.

Bulma was still gritting her teeth, legs trembling, still holding her horse stance.

"This little rascal is tougher than I thought…" Kaso nodded in admiration.

She had truly impressed him.

"Bulma, come here," he called.

"Okay..."

She practically collapsed to the ground.

That last hour had nearly killed her. But strangely, after all this abuse, she felt… stronger. She'd even managed to lift one of her father's hundred-pound lab machines with a single hand the other day.

It was seeing that progress that kept her going.

That, and the dream of flying.

"Are you finally going to teach me how to fly?" she asked eagerly, stars in her eyes.

Kaso: "…"

Already?

He gave a dry chuckle. "First, I'm going to teach you how to sense your inner power."

Truthfully, flying wasn't all that difficult.

As long as your body contained enough energy, you could lift off—just like how the Saiyans could fly even before learning about ki.

But to truly master ki, that took understanding and talent.

Kaso himself had only managed to do it after a full month of grueling training.

He wasn't about to hand it to her on a silver platter.

"Sit down."

Bulma obeyed, plopping onto the grass.

Kaso raised one hand—and summoned a swirling orb of white ki.

As it appeared, a gust of wind swept through the courtyard, rustling the trees and shaking the nearby hedges.

Dr. Brief and his wife poked their heads out in alarm—but when they saw Kaso was just teaching Bulma, they quietly backed away.

Clearly, they already knew about their daughter's training.

"Remember this feeling," Kaso said, and hurled the ki orb toward Bulma.

It enveloped her instantly.

To be honest, Kaso had no idea how to properly teach someone ki.

All he could do was let her experience it and hope she'd grasp the sensation.

Without enough natural energy in the body, it was impossible to fly without learning to control ki.

So this was a long shot—but maybe she'd get lucky.

Inside the energy sphere, Bulma felt her entire body go warm.

Like soaking in a perfect hot spring on a cold winter night.

All the soreness from her training vanished in an instant.

"It feels… amazing…" she murmured.

Even so, she remembered Kaso's words.

"Remember this feeling."

She quickly composed herself and focused, pouring all her attention into absorbing the sensation.

Kaso quietly stepped away, not wanting to disturb her.

On the far side of the yard, a metal dome-shaped building hummed with energy.

From inside, the sounds of intense training echoed.

"Haah!"

"Hyah—hyah!"

Kaso reappeared at the gravity chamber's entrance and knocked gently.

"Ausbi'er! Come on out—I've got something cool to show you!"

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