The road stretched long beneath the wheels of Bulma's capsule bike, the forest giving way to rolling hills and sunlit plains. The wind whipped through her blue hair, and for once she seemed relaxed, humming softly to herself. Beside her, perched comfortably with arms folded, Buu stared off at the horizon, the three-star Dragon Ball now resting safely in his tunic.
After a while, his golden-red eyes slid toward her. "Bulma… tell me. What is it you want with the Dragon Balls?"
She blinked, nearly swerving before regaining control. "Huh? That's obvious, isn't it? A wish."
Buu smirked. "Yes, but what wish? Riches? Power? Eternal youth?"
Bulma flushed, waving her hand dismissively. "Pfft, no. Don't be ridiculous. I want… the perfect boyfriend. The man of my dreams, who'll be handsome, kind, strong, smart, and totally devoted to me." Her voice grew more and more dreamy as she listed her demands. "Like… a prince, but with muscles, and—oh! He has to be super hot, of course."
Buu's grin sharpened. "That's it? Just a toy to keep you warm at night?"
She shot him a glare. "Hey! Don't make it sound cheap. It's romantic."
But when her eyes lingered on him—his sharp jawline, the way his tunic hugged his lean frame, the crimson glow in his eyes—her voice faltered. Her cheeks warmed, and she quickly looked away, pretending to adjust her radar. "B-But… maybe I don't even need the wish anymore…" she muttered under her breath, almost inaudible.
Buu heard her anyway. His smirk deepened, predatory yet amused. "Careful, girl. Wishing for me could be dangerous."
Bulma stuck her tongue out, trying to mask her embarrassment. "Tch, don't flatter yourself."
Before the tension could thicken further, a loud scream shattered the peaceful air. The bike skidded to a halt as Bulma and Buu looked ahead. In the distance, a small rural village was in chaos—children crying, women wailing.
Bulma frowned. "What's going on over there?"
Buu floated off the bike lazily, arms behind his head. "Guess we're about to find out."
They entered the village to find frantic villagers rushing around. One man grabbed Bulma's arm. "Strangers! Please, you must help us! That monster Oolong has come again! He steals our girls, one after another!"
Bulma gasped. "Monster?!"
Buu tilted his head, amused. 'Monster, huh? Yeah, sure'
nodded desperately. "Yes! We need your help."
Bulma crossed her arms. "That's horrible… We have to stop him!"
Buu's grin widened. "I can solve the situation fast but why would I do it free?" He took out the Dragon Balls, letting the villager see them. "…Do you perhaps have one?"
he villager thought for a moment before replying "yes, we have. But you must help us."
Bulma's lips curved into a mischievous smile. "You'd better win me another Dragon Ball."
"Heheheh… Sure."
The villagers' eyes lit with hope, though a few whispered nervously about the crimson-marked stranger who smiled too easily at the thought of a fight.
The plan was simple—or at least that's how Bulma explained it while holding up a frilly pink dress she had "borrowed" from the villagers.
"You're joking, right?" Buu muttered, eyeing the garment with open disdain.
Bulma shook her head fiercely. "Nope! Oolong only comes out when there's a pretty girl to kidnap. That's where I come in." She twirled once, striking a mock-innocent pose. "See? Totally irresistible."
Buu snorted. "Irresistible to fools, maybe." Still, he folded his arms and agreed to watch from the shadows.
Not long after, the ground trembled with heavy footsteps. From the treeline emerged a hulking ogre. Oolong licked his lips. "Heh-heh! Another beauty for my collection!"
Bulma forced a nervous giggle, stepping back just enough to lure him closer. "Oh, my hero, save me!" she cried dramatically, though she was really signaling to Buu.
In the next instant, a crimson blur streaked across the clearing. Buu materialized between Bulma and the pig, his grin sharp and merciless.
"Surprise!" Buu said flatly, before driving his fist into Oolong's gut.
The pig squealed, doubling over. He transformed into a massive ox, then a fearsome bat, then even a towering ogre—but every form fell just as quickly, pummeled into the dirt by Buu's relentless strikes.
"Pathetic," Buu scoffed, planting a foot on Oolong's snout as the pig reverted to his original form, trembling and bruised.
Bulma stepped forward, arms crossed. "So… you'll behave now, right?"
Oolong nodded so fast his ears flopped.
Buu chuckled darkly, releasing him. "Good. Because next time, I won't be this gentle."
The villagers cheered from afar, while Bulma smirked at her unlikely partner. 'Maybe having him around isn't such a bad idea after all…'