The morning sun rose crimson over a jagged mountain ridge.
Buu and Bulma descended toward a towering castle, a bizarre sight of red domes perched atop a light-stone pyramidal base, unmistakably out of place amidst the barren, mushroom-dotted wilderness below.
Bulma squinted. "Please tell me we're not about to rob someone important."
Buu smirked. "Not quite. That's Pilaf's castle."
"Pilaf?" Bulma frowned.
Buu said, his tone casual. "He has something we need."
Before Bulma could ask more, the ground rumbled. A massive steel gate opened, revealing tanks, turrets, and a ridiculous robot.
A high-pitched voice echoed through a loudspeaker:
"INTRUDERS! You dare approach the domain of Emperor Pilaf?! Kneel before my genius, or face obliteration!"
Bulma groaned. "Oh, great. An idiot."
Buu sighed, floating forward lazily as the first barrage of rockets streaked toward him. With a flick of his wrist, the missiles froze midair — then reversed course, crashing back into the fortress with a deafening explosion.
Inside the smoke, Pilaf's shriek echoed, followed by frantic scrambling.
"Abort! Retreat! Who designed this defense system—oh right, I did!"
Moments later, Buu stepped through the shattered entrance. Pilaf stood trembling, flanked by Mai and Shu, who immediately dropped their weapons and saluted nervously.
"I—uh—welcome, mighty guest!" Pilaf squeaked, forcing a smile. "To what do I owe this unexpected… visit?"
Buu looked around, unimpressed. "You have one of the Dragon Balls."
Pilaf froze. "W-what Dragon Ball? I-I've never heard of—"
Buu's gaze darkened slightly. Pilaf's words melted into panic. He rushed to a nearby safe, spun the lock, and presented the glowing sphere with both hands, bowing so low his forehead hit the floor.
"There! No need for violence! Please don't vaporize my castle, it's rent-controlled!"
Bulma facepalmed. "Unbelievable."
Buu flicked his finger. A soft pink energy ring appeared, binding Pilaf in place and suspending him midair. "You'll stay put. Your friends, however…"He turned to Mai and Shu. "You'll finish what he started. Gather the remaining Dragon Balls and bring them here."
Shu saluted again, voice shaking. "Y-yes, sir! Anything you say, sir!"
Mai, though, hesitated — her eyes darting briefly toward Bulma, then back to Buu. "And what happens if we fail?"
Buu's smile widened. "You won't."
The two gulped, then dashed off, disappearing through the castle's broken gate.
Silence fell again, broken only by the crackle of ruined machinery.
Bulma crossed her arms. "So that's it? You're really trusting those two?"
"I don't need to," Buu replied. "They'll either bring them back… or lead me straight to them."
She frowned, glancing at the imprisoned Pilaf still hanging in midair.
The sun was sinking beyond the broken walls of Pilaf's castle, painting the sky in orange fire. Buu sat on the edge of the throne room, idly spinning the newly obtained Dragon Ball between his fingers. Its glow pulsed faintly, reflecting in his eyes.
Behind him, Pilaf still hung suspended in midair, encased in a thin pink energy field that pulsed whenever he tried to move. His muffled whining echoed through the hall.
Bulma, sitting on a pile of rubble, crossed her legs and watched him. "You really enjoy humiliating people, don't you?"
Buu shrugged. "He deserved it. Besides, it's efficient."
"Efficient," she muttered, shaking her head. "You really don't do 'gentle,' huh?"
He turned slightly toward her. "I am just helping you collect the Dragon Balls."
"Yeah, but I didn't expect this."
For a while, neither spoke. The hum of the energy field filled the silence, broken only by Pilaf's occasional whimper.
Finally, Bulma sighed. "You know… You are really strange."
Buu tilted his head. "Strange how?"
"You lived your life alone, but you are" she admitted, cheeks coloring slightly. "Handsome, smart, brave — you know."
Buu smirked. "It's ok, I will reluctantly marry you."
Bulma blinked, completely caught off guard. "E-excuse me?! Who said anything about marriage?! And RELUCTANTLY?!?!"
Buu leaned back, resting his chin on one hand. "You did. Just now. Handsome, smart, brave — sounds like a proposal to me."
Her face turned crimson. "That was NOT—! You are insufferable!"
"Heheheh," Buu chuckled, the sound deep and teasing. "Don't worry. I'll think about it."
"Think about—?! Oh, forget it!" Bulma threw her hands up, muttering as she turned away. "What have I done to encounter this idiot..."
Buu smirked softly, eyes glinting. "Maybe it's destiny."
Author here: How is it? Tell me what do you think.