Upon returning home, Chiga retrieved Vegeta's tail from the Door-Door Space and examined it closely, his eyes calm yet analytical.
The television was still running, broadcasting the day's breaking news. Footage of two enormous black apes roaring beneath the moonlight filled the screen. Their sheer size and power sent shivers through the audience watching from home.
The next scene showed one of the apes' heads exploding in a burst of golden light, while the other gradually shrank until it vanished entirely. Finally, the broadcast cut to Bulma, who stood in front of a Capsule Corporation banner, addressing reporters with perfect composure.
"These two giant apes were part of our company's research project," she explained with a smile. "The shrinking function is still under development, so we can't publicly demonstrate it for now."
Chiga watched for a moment, then turned his attention back to the severed tail resting in his hand.
From across the room, Lazuli walked over and glanced at the television. Even setting Chiga aside, she couldn't help admiring Bulma's quick thinking. "Her excuse is flawless," she remarked. "That'll keep people calm."
Chiga smiled faintly. "Yeah, she's always been sharp."
Just then, Lapis walked in, towel draped around his shoulders, drying his hair after a shower. "You're talking about Bulma from Capsule Corporation, right? Yeah, she's incredible. Born into a genius family and a prodigy herself."
Lazuli gave him a look and said nothing. She wasn't interested in hearing her brother praise another woman in front of her boyfriend, and Lapis quickly shut his mouth.
Chiga refroze the tail and placed it back into the Door-Door Space before sitting down. Lazuli joined him, curiosity glinting in her eyes. "You've been staring at that thing for a while. Figure anything out?"
Chiga leaned back slightly, thoughtful. "The Saiyan race really does have impressive natural potential."
"Really? They didn't look that strong to me. Those two couldn't even take one of my blasts."
"That's because they haven't truly awakened their bloodline power," Chiga replied, a knowing smirk on his face. "Saiyans aren't as simple as they appear."
Lazuli tilted her head. "So that power you mentioned earlier—the one behind the Saiyans—is it really that dangerous?"
"For them, yes," Chiga said. "For you? Just a bunch of weaklings. Don't bother worrying about it."
He gently took her hand, warmth flickering in his eyes. I really should have kept those devices from the lab before destroying it, he thought. No matter. Bulma's bound to have better equipment anyway.
---
Early the next morning, Chiga appeared in front of Bulma, startling her as she stepped out of the bathroom, still holding her hairbrush.
"Chiga?!" she gasped, clutching her robe. "Why are you here so early?"
Chiga removed his baseball cap, revealing a cascade of long, snow-white hair that shimmered in the morning light. The sight left Bulma momentarily speechless.
She coughed twice, quickly regaining her composure. "Right, right. Uh, what brings you here?"
"Sorry for the sudden visit," Chiga said politely, smiling. "I came to borrow your lab for a bit—if that's okay with you."
"Of course!" Bulma beamed. "You saved my life yesterday. This is nothing! Just… give me one minute, okay?"
Before Chiga could reply, she sprinted back to her room. Within minutes, she reappeared wearing her favorite outfit, hair brushed, and light makeup applied. The transformation was so fast that Chiga blinked in surprise.
He chuckled softly. I thought makeup took forever.
Still, he couldn't deny she looked radiant. With her bright lipstick and confident smile, Bulma practically glowed. "Sorry for the wait," she said cheerfully. "Let's go!"
---
As they walked toward the lab, the two talked casually.
"How's Yamcha?" Chiga asked. "He looked pretty banged up yesterday."
Bulma sighed. "He's fine. Goku gave him a Senzu Bean, and he's already out racing again. Typical Yamcha…"
Her expression soured slightly. The disappointment was clear—his brief moment of bravery yesterday had almost rekindled her feelings, only for him to go right back to his old habits.
Noticing her mood, Chiga smoothly changed the topic. "And Goku? Training again?"
"Yeah," she said. "He left with that loudmouth Saiyan, Vegeta. The guy kept ranting after you disappeared. Honestly, he's insufferable!"
Chiga chuckled. "He's the Saiyan Prince. A little pride comes with the title."
Bulma scoffed. "Prince? At his height? Please. You look way more like a prince."
Chiga smiled, shaking his head as they entered the Capsule Corporation laboratory.
---
As expected of the world's most advanced facility, the lab's technology far surpassed anything Chiga had seen—even Orochimaru's chaotic dungeon labs in the shinobi world. Sleek machines hummed quietly as energy pulses flickered across the displays.
Chiga placed Vegeta's tail on the table and began extracting its genetic material. The Saiyan cells glowed faintly, swirling with vitality that ordinary humans couldn't comprehend.
If Orochimaru saw this, he'd probably collapse in envy. These cells carried an energy so potent that even the Hashirama cells he worshipped would pale in comparison.
Chiga's plan was simple: to fuse a fragment of this Saiyan DNA into his own body. Having once consumed the Divine Tree Fruit, his genetic compatibility was unparalleled. Integrating such power would be almost effortless.
Yet as he examined the data, he frowned. "No… these aren't optimal."
Vegeta's royal lineage gave him high purity, but it still couldn't compare to the one true anomaly—the Legendary Super Saiyan.
Chiga recalled the stories of Broly. In one universe, he resided on Planet Shamo; in another, Planet Vampa. The old Broly had single-handedly overwhelmed four Super Saiyans, while the newer incarnation fought on equal footing with divine forms of Goku and Vegeta. Broly wasn't just a Saiyan—he was nature's chosen.
Thinking of that, Chiga's interest in Vegeta's cells vanished entirely. He held the tail in his palm, and a golden flame ignited, reducing it to fine ash in seconds.
Bulma, who had been watching, blinked in confusion. "Wait—why burn it? You've been studying that thing for hours!"
"It's no longer useful," Chiga said simply. "I found something far better."
"Better?" she asked, intrigued.
Chiga gave a faint smile. "Yes. Much better."
He clapped his hands, deep in thought. The gears in his mind turned as he recalled every fragment of information about Broly's existence. The only problem was location—Planet Vampa or Planet Shamo—he wasn't sure which one this universe held.
Then again, that was hardly an obstacle.
"This world has something convenient," Chiga said softly, smirking. "The Dragon Balls."
For most, they were objects of legend, capable of granting any wish. For Chiga, however, resurrection and immortality were meaningless luxuries—things he could already achieve on his own. But for finding people? That was their true worth.
And this time, he intended to use them.
---