As the group discussed how to pass the trap-filled hallway, Goku took a few steps back, then suddenly sprinted forward and leapt all the way from the entrance to the exit in one bound. He didn't touch the ground at all, so none of the traps were triggered.
Bulma looked at the little Goku across the room and shrugged helplessly. It was the same method he used in her past life—and still the first to do it.
Goku extended his Power Pole and shouted, "Bulma, you don't know martial arts, so you can't make the jump. Grab my pole, I'll pull you over!"
Bulma's eyes lit up. 'This life's Goku is so considerate now. He actually cares about me!'
So she grabbed onto the Power Pole and slid across to Goku's side.
Once Bulma was over, Krillin and Chi-Chi both took a running start and jumped over effortlessly.
Bulma was a bit surprised. Even just looking at Krillin, he was far stronger than in her past life. Then she noticed the gravity wristbands they were wearing and remembered she had given them to both Krillin and Chi-Chi for training alongside Goku. That made all the difference.
In her past life, Bulma had come to this place alone. This time, with three strong bodyguards and no pursuers, finding the pirate treasure was a breeze.
An entire chest of gold, jewels, and accessories.
Gold was the least valuable part.
The real prize was a massive diamond, and countless gemstones of all sizes.
Krillin and Chi-Chi's eyes sparkled. Even Bulma, who loved shiny things, was charmed.
Goku, however, wasn't very interested. With the Dragon Balls, you could wish for all the riches you wanted. Money didn't mean much.
Still, if they split the treasure, each of them would walk away with hundreds of billions worth.
Then a problem arose.
Krillin: "But this is several tons of treasure... We're in the middle of nowhere. How do we bring it all back?"
Chi-Chi: "Why not head back first, buy some capsules, then return for the loot?"
Krillin: "Good idea!"
Bulma: "You two forgot your gravity wristbands double as capsules!"
The others blinked.
"Wait, Bulma, you never told us they could do that!"
Bulma smiled. "Well, I used capsule tech to make them heavier for training. I added tons of compressed weight inside using capsule compression tech, but left the mass unchanged so it wouldn't interfere with your movement. That's how it raises gravity evenly across your body..."
The group stared at her blankly.
She stopped. "Forget it, it's all high-level science. Just know it works. You can store treasure inside. But be careful—don't raise the gravity while it's still inside, or you might crush yourselves!"
Everyone nodded quickly.
"Got it. Thanks, Bulma!"
Bulma: "No need to thank me. Take what you like. I'll store a bit for Master Roshi. As for me, I don't need treasure. I'm rich already."
So the three picked out whatever looked nice and packed it up.
None of them knew what was truly valuable, so they just grabbed whatever looked shiny.
In no time, they were done.
Bulma looked at the remaining treasure—still worth billions—and stored it, chest and all, in a capsule. Then the group boarded the submarine and left.
"Just so we're clear: we are now mortal enemies of the Red Ribbon Army. My face is probably in their military registry. You three need to finish them off!"
Krillin: "They work that fast?!"
Bulma: "Of course. They're a full military force!"
Goku nodded. "Don't worry, Bulma. We've hit the bottleneck of our training with Master Roshi. It's time to head out!"
Chi-Chi: "Exactly. With our skills, it's time we helped people and punished evil!"
Bulma was a bit dazed. Three kids talking about destroying an evil army. She almost laughed.
But if not for her past life, she never would've believed it.
Goku, the slightly dimwitted boy, would one day become a once-in-a-millennium Super Saiyan and stand at the top of the universe.
For him, this army truly was nothing.
Kame House
"All this treasure… for me?"
Master Roshi was ecstatic.
Converted to cash, this treasure could fund his... hobbies for a century.
The sea turtle watched him and said, "Should I keep it safe for you? You're old, I'm worried you'll strain yourself."
"Nonsense! This is my students' tribute!"
Just then, blonde Launch stormed in, machine gun in hand.
"Nobody move, or you're dead!"
Everyone blinked and turned to her.
"Launch, what are you doing?!"
"Taking the treasure, what else? Hand it over!"
Bang! Bang!
She fired two shots at Roshi's feet.
Roshi was drenched in sweat.
"Damn, she transformed again! I'll just have to wait until she changes back to get it back."
He handed the treasure over.
Launch easily carried it onto a plane and flew off.
Chi-Chi: "I'm worried she'll transform mid-flight and drop it all."
Roshi: "Don't jinx it! Someone go after her!"
Chi-Chi: "I can't fly a plane!"
Bulma: "What if she shoots us? Let's wait."
Krillin: "Yeah, she's lived here a year. She won't go far."
Roshi sighed. "Guess that's our only option."
Goku rubbed his belly. "I'm starving. Is there food inside?"
Roshi: "Fridge is stocked. Help yourself."
Goku dashed inside.
Moments later, as he munched on a chicken leg, he heard yelling outside.
He stepped out and froze.
Bulma, Chi-Chi, Krillin, and Master Roshi were all tied up, struggling.
"Help!"
"What the heck is this?!"
"Where did these ropes come from?!"
Krillin: "We train until we're bulletproof, and we still get caught by traps?!"
Then they saw Goku.
Bulma: "Goku! Help! It's an enemy!"
Goku narrowed his eyes.
Controlling ropes like that... it sounded like General Blue.
Speak of the devil.
Blue appeared, shirtless, walking up smugly.
"Ha! You took out so many of us. Impressive.
But my psychic powers are better—I had you tied up in seconds!"
Master Roshi: "Who are you?!"
Blue: "Doesn't matter. You found a Dragon Ball, didn't you? Hand it over!"
Bulma: "Dream on! Goku, take him down!"
Goku: "On it."
He eyed Blue carefully. He didn't know if he could resist the psychic powers like Mercenary Tao did. But Blue didn't try anything yet.
Instead, he smirked. "A brat like you wants to fight me? You must be joking."
Then he lunged.
No psychic tricks. Goku sighed in relief.
As Blue attacked, Goku dodged, then struck with a karate chop to the neck.
Blue collapsed instantly.
Cheers erupted.
"Nice one, Goku!"
"Great job!"
Krillin: "Quick, untie us!"
Roshi shouted, "No! The bomb! Get rid of the bomb!"
Goku saw it—a flashing red device near Roshi.
He kicked it high into the air just before it exploded.
Smoke burst in the sky.
Everyone sighed.
"That was too close!"
Bulma was relieved. She wanted to warn Goku about Blue's powers, but feared she'd trigger them.
Luckily, Blue underestimated Goku's strength.
Once free, Goku helped tie up Blue.
Then the group debated what to do.
"Should we kill him?" Bulma asked cautiously.
In her past life, Roshi's students were merciful.
But Blue was dangerous. His powers nearly wiped them out.
Blue flinched. "Don't kill me! I'm General Blue, under Commander Red. If I die, he won't spare you!"
Krillin sneered. "Oh no, scary boss man. Boo hoo. You tried to blow us up. We're already enemies!"
Blue: "You won't kill me. I can see it in your eyes."
Roshi stepped forward. "You don't think we're killers?"
Blue: "Exactly."
Roshi inhaled deeply. "Disciples!"
"Yes, Master!"
"Martial arts are not for killing.
But we cannot show mercy to true evil.
I sense thick bloodlust from this man.
If not for Goku, we'd all be dead."
Bulma whispered to Goku, "Please... don't let him live. He's too dangerous."
Goku nodded. "I understand."
Roshi: "Then what should you do?"
Goku drew his Power Pole and charged.
"Wait!" Roshi shouted.
But Goku swung.
With a sickening crack, Blue's head exploded.
Then Goku fired a blast, disintegrating the body.
Roshi winced. "That was... excessive.
You could've handed him to the authorities."
Goku: "Bulma said he had psychic powers. I couldn't risk him escaping and hurting my friends."
Roshi sighed. "Fair. At least you weren't tied up like the rest of us.
But in the future, try not to kill."
"Understood, Master!" all three students said.
Bulma noted how, despite his lechery, Roshi really did have the dignity of a true martial master.
Just then, Launch returned.
Roshi's air of wisdom vanished. He ran up to her plane.
"Launch! My treasure?!"
She scratched her head. "What treasure? I don't remember."
Roshi panicked. "WHAT?! That was my retirement fund!"
Bulma sighed. 'The old man's back to his usual self. Shouldn't have left him anything. At least Launch pulled it off well.'
With the villagers safe, the group returned to Kame House.
"Now what? Attack Red Ribbon HQ? Or keep collecting Dragon Balls?"
Bulma checked the radar. "Their HQ only has one Dragon Ball. At their pace, they'll terrorize more villages looking for the rest.
I say we follow the radar, find the balls, and save people as we go."
Chi-Chi: "I agree."
Krillin frowned. "That's a hassle. We should strike their HQ and take out their leader."
Bulma: "Too naive, Krillin. Even if we kill the commander, another will rise. We can't wipe out an army of tens of thousands. If they point all their weapons at us, we might not make it out. Don't underestimate them."