Earth, West City.
Gran appeared in front of a sprawling manor, with little Broly in tow.
"Gran, where are we? Why aren't there any wild beasts around?" Broly hopped around with newfound energy. After two years with Gran, his personality had completely transformed; he was now a lively, curious child.
"This isn't one of those primitive planets. I don't have to cook here—delicious food will be served to us shortly," Gran explained. He knew what Broly was thinking; usually, they spent their time on wild worlds hunting and grilling giant monsters. But now that they were on Earth, Gran wanted to enjoy the local cuisine without lifting a finger.
"Where is it? Where's the food?" Broly looked around, seeing nothing edible in sight.
"Hold on a second." Gran focused his mind. He sensed Bulma's energy, but she wasn't at home; she was in a crowded area nearby.
"Where is she?" Gran paused to calculate the timeline. It was Age 751. If the story were on track, young Goku would have finished the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament at age 750.
That same year, he would have clashed with the Red Ribbon Army, climbed Korin Tower, defeated Tao Pai Pai, and eventually dismantled the entire Red Ribbon organization. Now that it was Age 751, Goku should be training in isolation for the next tournament in Age 753.
That meant Bulma was likely back in school, finishing her high school education. "I see." With a thought, Gran and Broly vanished.
At West City High School, the final bell rang.
"Bye, Bulma!"
"See you tomorrow, everyone!"
Bulma walked out of the school gates with her classmates, preparing to head home. Suddenly, a voice called out from the side of the entrance.
"Bulma."
She blinked, finding the voice strangely familiar. When she turned, she saw a handsome, sharp-featured young man standing before the crowd, holding a child's hand.
Gasp! Bulma's breath hitched. Even though the man was wearing a bulky, strange-looking suit, she recognized him instantly. It was the Destroyer-Candidate! Only he could be that incredibly handsome!
"Bulma, it's been a long time." Gran looked her over. She was tall and slender, like a willow branch in spring. Dressed in her school uniform, with her long legs exposed, she radiated youthful energy.
"Greetings, Lord Destroyer-Candidate!" Bulma stepped forward and bowed in one fluid, practiced motion. As the daughter of the richest man on Earth, she was known by everyone at the school. Her sudden, respectful bow to a stranger sent a shockwave through the surrounding students.
"Who is that guy? Why is Bulma bowing like that?"
"Is she crazy? Even if she met the King, she wouldn't need to show that much respect!"
Gran ignored the whispers of the "mortals." He stepped up to Bulma and, out of habit, grabbed her by the back of her collar and took to the sky. Little Broly followed closely behind. Seeing people fly without any mechanical aid caused the crowd at the gates to erupt in chaos.
"Oh my god, he's flying!"
"Is it a magic trick? People can't just fly!"
"Bulma's been kidnapped! Should we call the police?!"
High in the sky, Bulma spread her arms, letting the rushing wind whip against her.
"This feels so good! I haven't felt this kind of flight in over two years." She looked up at Gran and smiled. "Lord Destroyer-Candidate, it's been ages!"
"It's been two years, and you've grown even more beautiful, Bulma." Gran glanced down. Long legs, a stunning figure... this was eighteen-year-old Bulma, and she was certainly a sight to behold.
"You... you've become even more handsome yourself, Lord Gran." Bulma blushed at the compliment and took a moment to look at him. Though his bulky suit hid his physique, his face was as striking as ever. "Lord Gran, why did you leave so suddenly back then? Where have you been? Are you allowed to tell me?"
"Well, there's no harm in saying. Our universe was being invaded by enemies from the Fourth Universe..." Gran gave her a brief rundown of the conflict with Oma.
Bulma's jaw dropped in shock. "I had no idea the universe was facing such hidden dangers. I'm glad you were there to protect us!"
"And you? Why aren't you out hunting Dragon Balls with Kakarot?"
"Goku said he needs to prepare for the tournament in two years, so we haven't gone looking for them."
"I see. So, have you given up on finding your Prince Charming?" Gran teased.
Bulma remembered the jokes he had made two years prior and felt a bit embarrassed. "I stopped looking. After meeting someone like you, Lord Gran, those so-called 'princes' just don't measure up anymore."
"Hahaha!" Gran let out a hearty laugh and accelerated. Two streaks of light blurred across the sky. In an instant, they arrived at the Capsule Corporation manor.
"Welcome back, Miss Bulma. Welcome, Lord Gran." The servants recognized Gran from his previous stay and bowed immediately.
"Bulma, have them prepare dinner. Lord Beerus and Whis will be arriving shortly." Gran glanced at the sky; the two deities were closing in.
"What?!" Bulma panicked. "Lord Beerus is coming too?"
Confirming with a nod, Gran watched as Bulma scrambled to gather all the staff to prepare a feast fit for the gods. "You could have warned me sooner!" she huffed.
"I was too busy catching up with you," Gran laughed. He stayed in the courtyard to wait for the guests, looking at the vibrant young woman beside him. "Every time I come to Earth, I end up troubling you. As Lord Beerus says, those who provide fine cuisine for the gods deserve special privileges. If you have a wish, feel free to ask."
In this timeline, just like in the original series, Bulma had become the primary "caretaker" for Beerus and Gran, earning her a unique status.
"Really?" Bulma's frustration vanished instantly.
"Of course," Gran smiled. "As long as it isn't a wish for a 'Prince Charming.'"
"Hey!" Bulma pouted. "I'm an adult now. I'm not that naive anymore." Born in Age 733, she was now exactly eighteen.
"So, what is it you want?" Gran was genuinely curious.
Bulma held up two fingers tentatively. "Lord Gran... can I be a little greedy and ask for two things?"
"Tell me first," Gran said, not yet refusing.
"My first wish is for eternal youth." Bulma looked away, slightly embarrassed.
Of course, Gran thought, stifling a laugh. It was a classic request, but he couldn't blame her. "Lord Gran, please? Can you do it?" Bulma moved behind him, attempting to massage his shoulders to win him over, but the thick gravity suit made it impossible to even find his shoulders.
Before Gran could respond, he looked up. "They're here."
A rainbow of light descended from the heavens. Beerus and Whis touched down, the sheer pressure of Beerus's presence nearly forcing Bulma to her knees. Sensing his "caterer," Beerus retracted his divine aura.
Gran and Beerus locked eyes. The atmosphere turned slightly tense. Whis watched closely, wondering if they were about to brawl again. Usually, whenever Gran made a breakthrough, he would challenge Beerus, only to be soundly defeated every single time.
Just as Whis was about to pull out a temporal hourglass, Gran waved. "Lord Beerus, Whis, long time no see."
The two deities blinked. Gran wasn't picking a fight? That was new.
"It has been a while." Beerus walked over and gave Gran a light celebratory punch on the chest. "Impressive. Mastering the Law of Destruction in just two years... I'm satisfied."
Whis smiled gently. "I am quite satisfied as well."
"Hehe." Being praised by the two felt like being validated by parents. Gran couldn't hide his pride, his grin widening until he burst into a somewhat goofy, boisterous laugh.
Beerus and Whis exchanged a look. Still a bit of a dork, they seemed to think. Bulma giggled behind her hand.
"How does the power feel?" Beerus asked, slinging an arm over Gran's shoulder.
"When I hadn't reached the level of Law, I thought the Power of Destruction was terrifying. But now that I've mastered it, I realize the two aren't even comparable," Gran said seriously.
"Of course. The Law is a universal authority. Your old power was just a mimicry of the effect."
"Hehe." Gran threw his arm over Beerus's shoulder in return, looking like a pair of brothers. "Since even I took this long to master it, those other candidates from different universes won't stand a chance."
"Exactly! You'd better thrash them, just like I did back in the day..." The two walked toward the dining room, chatting away like old friends, with Whis and little Broly following behind.
Noticing Gran had seemingly forgotten her, Bulma called out anxiously, "Lord Gran! What about my wishes?"
The group stopped. Beerus looked at Gran. "What did you promise her?"
"Just eternal youth," Gran said flatly.
Beerus and Whis both looked at Gran with strange expressions.
"Hey, what's with those looks?" Gran let go of Beerus. "Let me ask you both—how many times did you sneak off to Earth for food while I was away training?"
Beerus and Whis looked away, their eyes darting around guiltily.
"I thought so. You probably came here every chance you got to harass Bulma for snacks. Lord Beerus, you always say those who provide food deserve privileges. She's been feeding you for years; don't you think it's time to show some appreciation? Or are you two just planning to be celestial freeloaders?"
"Ahem!" Beerus cleared his throat, looking very dignified. "Freeloading is an insult to a culinary master. I... I had Bulma pay for things on my behalf!"
"So you've been freeloading off her the whole time?"
"Watch your tone!" Beerus snapped, then quickly shouted, "Whis!"
Whis, feeling a bit sheepish himself, tapped his staff on the ground. A warm light enveloped Bulma, making her feel incredibly refreshed.
"Bulma, you now possess eternal youth," Gran said with a grin.
"What?!" Bulma screamed with joy, pulling a compact mirror out of nowhere to check her reflection from every angle. "Hahaha! I'll be eighteen forever!"
As she hopped around in excitement, Gran sighed. "You said there was a second wish? Since Whis is in a giving mood, out with it."
Whis's eyebrow twitched at the girl's greed, but he didn't refuse. He was curious.
Bulma settled down, clutching her skirt shyly. "Lord Gran... could you make it so I can fly on my own?" She was tired of being carried around like a pet.
"That's it?" Gran was stunned. He thought she was going to ask for immortality. If she had, Whis definitely would have said no.
"Is that not allowed?" Bulma asked, disappointed.
"It's fine. I don't even need Whis for that." Gran tossed a Capsule onto the ground, and a storage vault materialized. He stepped inside and emerged with a bright red fruit. "Here. This is a Fruit of the Tree of Might, a fruit fit for the gods. Eat this, and you'll be able to fly whenever you want."
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