The ground trembled as Buu set foot on Namek's soil, Bulma trailing reluctantly behind him. The turquoise sky stretched overhead, calm and alien—but the peace didn't last long.
Within minutes, a group of Namekian warriors appeared, their tall frames descending from the cliffs with grim determination. Spears of ki flared in their palms, their voices cutting through the wind.
"Leave this world now, intruder!" one shouted.
Bulma's breath caught. They don't know what they're up against…
Buu simply grinned. "Oh, perfect. Guides."
The first warrior lunged, unleashing a torrent of energy. The blast swallowed Buu whole, shaking the ground, a pillar of smoke billowing skyward.
Bulma dared to hope—but her heart sank as the smoke cleared. Buu stood untouched, brushing a speck of dust from his shoulder.
"My turn."
A pink wave exploded outward, tearing through the squad. Two crumpled instantly, another tried to counter but was ripped apart in a scream. When the dust settled, only one remained alive, trembling, pinned under a coil of Buu's flesh.
Bulma's stomach churned. "Stop it! You don't need to—"
"Quiet," Buu hissed, his crimson eyes glowing with delight. "I need this one."
He lifted the survivor off the ground, dangling him like a caught animal. "Tell me, green man. You know Porunga, don't you? Big dragon, three wishes. Problem is… I don't speak your language."
The Namekian coughed, terror etched across his face. "Y-you want me to… translate?"
Buu's grin widened. "Exactly. Congratulations—you're my new friend."
He tossed the warrior onto the ground, binding him in place with a casual flick.
Bulma clenched her fists, her mind racing. If he really gets Porunga… there's no telling what he'll wish for.
Buu stretched lazily, laughing as the sound echoed across the emerald waters. "Now then… let's start collecting those Dragon Balls."
Buu dragged the Namekian warrior like a child with a broken toy, a piece of his body tied around the unfortunate man's torso to prevent his escape. Bulma followed quickly, clutching her arms against the cold rising inside her—not from the weather, but from the horror.
"Good, translator," Buu said, his tone cheerful as if it were a walk in the park. "Where is the first Dragon Ball?"
The Namekian hesitated, his black eyes fixed on the ground. "I... can't—"
A pink tendon tightened around his neck with a suffocating pressure. "You can. And you will."
"V-village... to the north!" he finally shouted, spitting saliva. "Our leader guards it!"
Buu chuckled contentedly and without further delay rose into the air, dragging both the Namekian and Bulma with him, wrapping them in a pink membrane to carry them aloft.
The journey was short. From the sky, Bulma glimpsed the white domes of the small Namekian village, surrounded by green fields. Children and elders emerged from their homes as they felt the evil energy descending like a thunderstorm.
"Don't do it..." Bulma muttered, but her voice died in her throat.
Buu landed in the center of the square, his aura exploding in a roar. The village warriors immediately took up positions, protecting the little ones.
The Namekian translator cried out in desperation: "Please! Let's hand over the Dragon Ball, don't fight! You can't stop him!"
The village chief, an elder with dark, wrinkled skin, advanced slowly. In his hands shone a Dragon Ball the size of a melon, with a bright star inside.
"Monster from far away," he said in a calm but firm voice, "you cannot comprehend the power you are seeking."
Buu smiled like a child facing a gift. "I certainly do. And I will take it anyway."
The old man clutched the Dragon Ball in his hands. For a moment, Bulma hoped he would refuse… but after a glance at the injured translator and the children behind him, he lowered his gaze and handed it over.
Buu seized it, the golden orb with six glowing stars floating inside, its surface reflecting his elated grin. "One!" he exclaimed, lifting it to the sky. "Six to go."
Bulma bit her lip, her heart heavy. If I don't find a way to stop him, Porunga will soon be at his feet.
Buu turned to his new Namekian "friend." "Come on, translator. Where's the next one?"
The warrior trembled, but under the pressure, he pointed west. "Another village... far away... a day's walk away."
Buu laughed, grabbing both him and Bulma. "A day's walk? Not for me."
With a pink flash, they disappeared into the Namek sky, leaving only silence and fear in their wake.
Author here: I have read a lot of comment about the chapter being short, so here a longer chapter... How is it?