Chapter 2: Departure-The Search for the Dragon Balls

Bulma stood outside the lab, eyes full of concern, monitoring Su Ming's condition through the computer.

All the vital signs were rising rapidly no abnormal fluctuations.

But she remained cautious. Bulma was a certified genius, and when it came to scientific prowess, she was no weaker than Su Ming. However, this field of research was unfamiliar even to her.

No experiment is truly safe until the very end.

The initial cooling sensation passed quickly, replaced by the excruciating pain of muscle and bone growth.

Even though Su Ming had made several improvements to the serum, pain was still part of the process.

He clenched his teeth tightly, veins bulging on his neck, his appearance fierce and frightening. The nutrient fluid was being consumed faster than expected.

Bulma watched from outside, her eyes filled with deep worry. If the monitoring data hadn't remained normal, she would've shut the entire experiment down already.

Watching Su Ming writhe in pain was unbearable. Her heart ached, her fists clenched tightly.

"Hang in there, Su Ming…"

Almost as if her encouragement reached him, the pain began to ease. Su Ming had endured it.

The most critical phase of the super serum's transformation had passed. His clothes were torn, stretched by the newly defined muscles on his body.

Crack… clank…

The nutrient chamber's door opened.

Bulma's eyes widened as she saw her younger brother's newly transformed body. His physique was no longer that of a boy, but a lean and powerful young man. The muscles across his chest weren't bulky—but they radiated raw power.

Su Ming had always been in decent shape, but now… he was something else.

Bulma swallowed involuntarily. That body was flawless.

"I did it, Bulma. I really did it."

Su Ming opened his eyes and stepped out. His height hadn't changed much—something he had done on purpose. After all, he was still a growing 14-year-old. Natural development was always better than forced growth.

As he stepped out, he casually leaned on the door for balance—

Crack…

They both turned toward the sound.

Unknowingly, Su Ming had crushed the nutrient chamber's alloy door. This wasn't ordinary metal—it was reinforced, bulletproof, almost indestructible.

Yet he had crushed it like paper.

Su Ming frowned. Even he hadn't expected this much strength.

"Bulma, we'll have to delay the Dragon Ball journey a few days. If I don't fully master this new strength, I could accidentally kill someone out there."

Bulma silently agreed. Crushing alloy by accident was this even human anymore?

This super serum was truly terrifying.

Later that evening, Dr. Brief and his wife also noticed the changes in Su Ming during dinner.

"Su Ming, looks like your theory worked. Quite the impressive result," Dr. Brief said, adjusting his glasses.

Su Ming smiled. "The results didn't disappoint. I feel like I'm overflowing with strength. I'll need a few days to get used to it."

As he spoke snap a pair of chopsticks broke in his hands.

Fortunately, after destroying a few more sets of chopsticks, Su Ming gradually began to control his strength better.

"The serum worked. Bulma, maybe you should take it too. It could make you stronger."

"No thanks," Bulma replied quickly, waving her hand in disgust. "It looked way too painful. I couldn't handle that."

She then looked at him with sparkling eyes and smiled sweetly.

"Besides, Su Ming will protect me… right?"

"Of course. I'll always protect you."

Over the next few days, Su Ming focused on mastering his new strength.

In truth, he had already adapted by the first day. The rest of the time, he spent learning how to control ki.

Ki every human had it. It was just a matter of how much and whether they could sense and use it.

He had tried before, but his old body had been far too weak. Expecting an orphan to have the energy or time to train in martial arts was unrealistic—back then, just having food to eat was a luxury.

But now? After the serum?

He could sense it almost immediately. That subtle life force within him ki was overflowing.

His body's strength gave him access to a massive reservoir of energy.

It reminded him of how Goku had instantly learned the Kamehameha after seeing Master Roshi use it. Though his version had less power, it was still a genuine energy wave. Why? Because Goku's Saiyan body had an incredible amount of ki.

Now, Su Ming floated cross-legged in the training room, eyes closed, calmly sensing the flow of energy inside him.

He didn't know exactly how strong he was now—or how much ki he had—but it was certainly more than before.

He was no longer the weakling he once was.

The next morning.

Golden sunlight lit up the earth as the first rays of dawn broke across the sky.

"Su Ming, ready? Time to hit the road!"

Bulma revved up a small hover car and headed toward the direction indicated by the Dragon Radar.

Dr. Brief and his wife stood at the door, watching the two of them drive off.

His wife looked uneasy. "You think Bulma and Su Ming will be alright? They're still kids…"

"It'll be fine," Dr. Brief said, though his brows were furrowed slightly. "With Su Ming around, nothing will happen. He's not an ordinary human anymore—no one out there can threaten him."

He said it confidently, but in his heart, the worry remained.

Even a father can't help but worry for his children. The only real comfort was knowing that Su Ming could protect Bulma.

Let them return safe and sound—that's all he wished.

Su Ming and Bulma didn't rush. They traveled leisurely, enjoying the scenery, and eventually arrived at a steep cliffside where they found their first Dragon Ball.

Su Ming stored it safely in a capsule and sat next to Bulma, curious.

"Hey, Bulma… what are you gonna wish for when we collect all the Dragon Balls?"

Bulma froze for a second and glanced at him sideways.

"I haven't really decided yet… I'll think about it when the time comes."

Su Ming didn't press her. He simply turned the car toward the next location.

If his memory served him right, they'd be meeting Son Goku soon.

The thought made him smile with anticipation.

That night.

Bulma pulled out a capsule and popped open a portable house.

After taking turns showering, Bulma walked into Su Ming's room, hugging a pillow.

"Su Ming, move over."

"Bulma, do you not understand the concept of men and women not sharing a bed?" he shouted—yet still made room for her.

Bulma ignored him.

"Don't be ridiculous. I'm your older sister. We're family. Didn't we always sleep like this when we were younger?"

She shoved him aside and climbed into bed.

When Su Ming had first arrived in their home, Bulma would find all sorts of excuses to sleep with him at night saying he might be scared.

"As your big sister, I'm responsible for looking after you."

That had been her excuse and the habit had stuck ever since.

At first, Bulma had been a full head taller than Su Ming. Girls matured faster, and she was two years older. But now, thanks to the serum, they were practically the same height.

At some point during the night, Bulma rolled over in her sleep and draped her soft, smooth arm over Su Ming's chest, snuggling up close.

Su Ming looked down at her sleeping face and said nothing. He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Her fair neck flushed red. A smile curled at the corners of her lips.

In the quiet wilderness, the two slept peacefully in each other's warmth.

Morning came.

Bulma woke first. She gazed at Su Ming's sleeping face it was handsome, almost… kissable.

My little brother really is good-looking...

Blushing, she gently lifted her leg off him and slipped out of bed to wash up.

Su Ming opened his eyes right after.

He had been awake for a while, but he knew that if he got up first, Bulma would be too embarrassed to show her face.

After breakfast, the two hit the road again. Before long, they arrived at Mount Paozu.

"WATCH OUT!"

Bulma shouted as a small boy suddenly dashed in front of their car.

But Su Ming had already reacted.

His reflexes, sharpened by the serum, were far beyond human now. He slammed on the brakes stopping just in time.