As Goku and Bulma arrived at the silent village, an eerie atmosphere hung heavy in the air. The streets were deserted, windows were shuttered, and not a single soul could be seen. However, Goku's sharp senses picked up everything. He could feel the presence of dozens of people hiding inside their homes, their hearts racing with fear.
"I can sense them," Goku said quietly.
"Everyone in this town is hiding in their houses. They're terrified of something… or someone."
Bulma frowned, looking around nervously. "Maybe we should just ask someone directly."
Before Goku could stop her, she walked up to the nearest door and knocked politely. Almost instantly, an axe came hurtling toward her from a second-story window.
"Bulma!" Goku moved like lightning. In a fraction of a second, he appeared in front of her and caught the axe with his bare hand. His expression darkened with anger as he crushed the weapon into pieces with a loud metallic crunch.
"How dare you attack my Bulma, you numbskull!" Goku shouted, his voice booming with righteous fury.
The man who had thrown the axe peeked out in terror, his face pale. "P-Please forgive me, Oolong-sama! If it's money or food you want, I'll give you everything! Just please spare my daughter!"
Goku's anger only grew, but Bulma quickly stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his waist, hugging him tightly to calm him down. The warmth of her embrace worked almost instantly. Goku's tense shoulders relaxed as he let out a deep breath.
The villager soon realized these two weren't the feared monster when he saw how gently Goku treated the blue-haired girl. He called out to the other villagers, and slowly, doors began to open. People emerged cautiously, whispering among themselves.
The man who attacked them bowed deeply, sweating profusely. "I-I'm so sorry! We thought you were Oolong!"
Bulma tilted her head. "Who is Oolong? And why did you attack us?"
An elderly woman in the crowd stepped forward. "Oolong is a terrifying shape-shifting monster who lives in these parts! No one knows his true form. Yesterday, he came as an oni and demanded my granddaughter. He's a huge pervert! He's already kidnapped many girls from our village. He threatened to eat anyone who tries to fight back or run away."
Bulma's eyes narrowed. She pulled out one of the Dragon Balls from her bag. "Have any of you seen a ball like this?"
The crowd murmured, but the same elderly woman whom the others called Grandma Paozu stepped closer. "I have one just like that. My grandmother found it many years ago." She went inside her home and returned with the glowing Six-Star Dragon Ball.
Bulma's genius mind quickly formed a plan. She smiled brightly and said, "How about this? My boyfriend and I will get rid of Oolong for you. In return, you give us the Six-Star Dragon Ball."
The villagers looked skeptical. "Can you two really defeat him alone? And even if you win, how will you find the kidnapped girls?"
Before they could discuss further, a panicked villager came running toward them. "Oolong is coming again! He's here for the mayor's daughter this time!"
Moments later, a tall, imposing figure dressed as an oni appeared, holding a bouquet of flowers. However, the moment he saw Goku standing protectively in front of Bulma, the creature froze.
Bulma didn't hesitate. She pointed at him and shouted, "Hey, oversized pig! Me and my boyfriend are going to beat the crap out of you!"
Oolong's face twisted in rage. "You dare ?!" He transformed into a massive, muscular bull and charged at Goku with thunderous speed.
Goku remained calm. In one smooth motion, he extended his Power Pole. "Extend!" With a powerful swing, he struck Oolong squarely, sending the creature flying. Oolong crashed into the ground and reverted to his original form a small, anthropomorphic pig wearing trousers.
Bulma and Goku stared at the unconscious pig for a moment.
"…Are all the villagers seriously scared of this guy?" Bulma asked with a deadpan expression.
Goku scratched the back of his head, looking equally unimpressed. "I didn't even use a tiny bit of my Ki. Really, bro?"
When the villagers saw Oolong's true form, many of them facepalmed. "Sheesh… we don't even feel like getting mad anymore."
The people quickly asked about the kidnapped girls. Oolong, now awake and tied up, grumbled, "They're extremely well taken care of, okay?!"
Grandma Paozu happily handed the Six-Star Dragon Ball to Bulma as promised. The villagers then followed Oolong to his home which turned out to be a luxurious estate. When they arrived, they were shocked to see the "kidnapped" girls living comfortably, dressed nicely and eating good food.
"Mom! Dad! Go away!" one of the girls shouted. "We like it here better than working in the fields all day!"
The girls had completely taken over Oolong's mansion and were bossing the poor pig around. Oolong looked utterly exhausted as he begged the parents, "Please take them back! I wanted obedient girls, not these bossy ones!"
Goku and Bulma couldn't help but laugh at the ridiculous situation.
After saying their goodbyes to the villagers, Bulma and Goku prepared to leave. Bulma suddenly pulled out a capsule and released a sleek speedboat. As they got ready to sail toward the next Dragon Ball location, she also dragged a protesting Oolong along with them.
"Wait, why are you taking me?!" Oolong squealed.
Bulma grinned mischievously. "I like your shape-shifting technique. You're going to teach me how to do it."
Oolong then looked between Bulma and the much younger-looking Goku. "So… what's the deal with you two anyway?"
"We just started dating," Bulma replied proudly, wrapping her arm around Goku's.
Oolong gave her a weird look. "Aren't you kind of… you know… he's shorter than you. Are you some kind of predator?"
BONK!
Bulma delivered a powerful punch to the top of Oolong's head. "We're well aware of the three-year age difference, thank you very much! Mind your own business, pig!"
She then smiled sweetly but dangerously. "And if you try any funny business with me or my boyfriend, just remember Goku is a great cook and doesn't mind having pork cutlets for dinner."
Oolong turned pale and nodded rapidly. "Y-Yes ma'am! I'll teach you everything! I'll behave!"
With their new (reluctant) traveling companion secured, Goku and Bulma set sail across the water, the next Dragon Ball waiting for them on the horizon. Their adventure and their growing relationship was only just beginning.