Taro was first surprised, then amused. Given Goku's personality, how could he possibly take advantage of a drunk Bulma The guy didn't even understand the concept of relationships between men and women! If anything, it was Bulma who had been downing drinks like crazy last night—probably to work up her courage…
Hathaway was also laughing as she recalled the scene from half an hour ago…
---
''Grandma! Grandma Hathaway!!''
A wail echoed through the hallway before Bulma barged into Hathaway's room, her disheveled figure carrying the faint scent of alcohol and sweat.
Hathaway frowned slightly, sitting up in bed as she watched her teary-eyed granddaughter. What's wrong with you Running in here first thing in the morning without even washing up Look at the state of you!
She tapped Bulma's forehead lightly, exasperated.
Bulma was a mess—her purple hair tangled, her clothes hastily thrown on, her face pale, her eyes red and puffy, and her lipstick smudged as if she'd been chewing on something. And if Hathaway looked closely… there were faint marks on the back of her neck, like something had pressed into her skin.
Bulma sniffled dramatically. ''Grandma, how can you care about that right now! That idiot Goku totally took advantage of me! He—he—he—!''
Hathaway raised an eyebrow. What did he do
(This is new. Wasn't it always you bullying Goku When has he ever bullied you)
Bulma's eyes welled up with fresh tears. ''I was so drunk last night… and when I woke up this morning, I was in Goku's bed!''
She wiped her eyes, looking up at Hathaway with a pitiful yet expectant gaze. ''Grandma… you'll stand up for me, right?''
Hathaway sighed and flicked Bulma's forehead. ''You little schemer. You used your drunkenness as an excuse to pounce on Goku, and now you're pinning it on him''
Bulma, realizing her act was seen through, dropped the crocodile tears and pouted, plopping down on the edge of Hathaway's bed. ''Well, what else was I supposed to do! That blockhead wouldn't make a move in a hundred years if I didn't take the initiative! I don't care—he 'took my innocence,' so you have to back me up!''
Hathaway chuckled. ''I'm your grandma, not his. What do you expect me to do''
Bulma huffed. ''If you say something, even Grandpa Gohan—no, even Taro—wouldn't refuse!'' She flopped onto Hathaway, clinging to her like a spoiled child. ''Pleeease, Grandma! Help me out! Help me out!!''
''Alright, alright, I'll help! Hathaway relented, pushing her off with a mix of amusement and resignation. What do you want me to do''
Bulma immediately perked up, planting a big kiss on Hathaway's cheek. ''Hehehe…''
---
When Krillin and the others heard the news that Bulma and Goku were getting married, their jaws hit the floor.
- Tienshinhan was thinking, ''Goku… getting married Does he even understand what that means''
- Krillin's eyes darted between Bulma's smug grin and Goku's clueless expression (the poor guy was probably still trying to figure out what marriage even was).
(Damn, Bulma drank so much last night… Did she really—) Krillin mentally gave her 10,000 points for sheer audacity. (This girl is wild.)
''The wedding's in a month! You all better be there!'' Bulma announced cheerfully, pointing at Tienshinhan, Chiaotzu, and Krillin. Missing it was not an option—this was the happiest day of her life, and she wanted all her friends to witness it.
Congratulations! Tienshinhan and Chiaotzu said politely.
Krillin, however, dragged Bulma aside. ''Hey, hey, hey…'' He wrinkled his nose at the lovey-dovey aura around her. ''What's with that grin Spill it—did you get drunk and do Goku last night''
Bulma huffed. ''What kind of question is that! I'm a delicate lady! What could I possibly do''
Krillin gave her a deadpan look. ''Oh please. Goku lets you punch him in the head without flinching. If you got handsy while he was clueless, he'd just go along with it.''
''Hehehe…'' Bulma's smirk turned downright sinister.
''Ugh, that face is disgusting…'' Krillin covered his eyes dramatically, earning a smack on his bald head from Bulma.
''Whatever~ Just make sure you show up in a month!'' she sang, skipping away. ''Or better yet—just stay here! It's not like we don't have the room~''
Krillin was heartbroken. He had always assumed that, given Goku's personality, he would be the first to find a girlfriend. But now? Not only was he still single, but overnight, Goku was about to marry Bulma!
"Wait, Bulma…" Krillin suddenly remembered something and called out to her.
"What is it now, baldy?" Bulma raised an eyebrow, looking smug.
Krillin ignored her taunt and asked seriously, "Last night… when you two, uh, did the thing… did you remember to use the spell to block Kakarot's awareness?"
He knew Bulma had asked Taro for a special incantation—one that could seal off Kakarot's consciousness within Goku's mind.
"Uh…" Bulma froze, her brow furrowing deeply.
Krillin immediately regretted asking. (Damn it, why did I open my big mouth?!) He quickly turned and bolted.
Bulma's mind raced. She had been completely wasted last night. All she remembered was sneaking into Goku's room as planned, and then… well, things just happened.
But did she actually chant "Sit!" to suppress Kakarot's awareness?
She couldn't remember!
---
"Grandpa, what exactly is marriage?" Goku asked Gohan, looking utterly confused.
All he remembered was Bulma barging into his room last night and making him do… weird things. In his sixteen years of life, he'd never experienced anything like it. It was strange, but also kind of… nice?
And now, suddenly, he was told he'd be marrying Bulma in a month. But what did that even mean? Nobody had bothered to explain it to him.
Gohan looked at his towering foster grandson and sighed with a smile. "Marriage means you'll be living with Bulma from now on…"
Goku blinked. "But we already live together?"
Gohan shook his head. "It's different. After marrying Bulma, you'll have to protect her, listen to her, and make her happy…"
(Come to think of it, I never got married either. What advice can I even give?)
Remembering how Taro and Hathaway lived, he simply said, "Just make sure Bulma stays happy and worry-free. That's all."
"Oh, so it's that simple!" Goku sighed in relief. (I thought I'd have to do that weird thing all the time… Bulma was kinda scary last night.) He grinned. "I'll protect her!"
---
Virtual Earth Network – Muten City
At noon, Taro, Hathaway, Gohan, Goku, Bulma, Tienshinhan, Krillin, Chiaotzu, and others logged into the Virtual Earth Network, gathering at the floating estate in Muten City.
Meanwhile, across the world:
- Yajirobe wiped his blade and tapped his Babata.
- Master Jifen sat solemnly on a meditation mat, activating his login device. His AI assistant asked, "Log in to the Virtual Earth Network?"
- Master Yixin and the Old Monk from the Orin Temple also prepared with grave expressions, as if stepping into the most important moment of their lives. They took deep breaths and said, "Yes."
When Mr. Satan logged in, his excitement was cut short by his emotionless AI assistant:
"Teleport to gathering location: Muten City Floating Estate No. 117?"
"YES!!" Chi-Chi clenched her fists, her heart pounding. (Finally… I'll see him again. Kakarot… Will he be there too?)
"Shameful… to rely on the Grandmaster's special invitation…" Ilip, the top disciple of the Muten School, shook his head in self-reproach.
And it wasn't just them—countless users across the Virtual Earth Network were fixated on this meeting.
How many years had it been since Taro last appeared in public?
Some even believed he had vanished—that he was nothing more than a myth, a symbolic figure.
But today…
The legend would step into the light once more.