Happy moments always pass too quickly.
Especially when that happiness comes mixed with tenfold gravity training and occasional pink, teasing interactions.
A week flew by in an instant.
News of the World Martial Arts Tournament registration had spread across the globe through television broadcasts.
Krillin knew it was time to leave.
If he didn't return to reunite with Master Roshi, the story could easily veer off in unpredictable ways.
Early morning, the private helipad of Capsule Corporation.
A bright yellow capsule jet had finished its pre-flight checks.
The engines spat pale blue flames, sending the grass on the lawn whipping in the wind.
Mrs. Brief stuffed Krillin's backpack with snacks and lunchboxes as if he were heading into the wild rather than returning to the dojo.
Dr. Brief handed Krillin a small box.
"This is the gravity bracelet you requested."
"While it won't replicate the effects of the large gravity chamber, it can still apply two to three times gravity to your limbs."
"Wear it at all times, even while eating or sleeping."
"Thanks, Doctor." Krillin accepted it respectfully.
Finally, only Bulma remained.
Today, she wore a simple white T-shirt and denim shorts, her hair tied in a neat ponytail. The legendary battle suit was nowhere in sight.
"The suit… isn't completely finished yet."
Bulma kicked at a small pebble at her feet, avoiding his gaze.
"The last core chip still needs adjustment."
"I'll bring it when the tournament starts."
In truth, the suit was already ready.
She simply wanted an excuse a reason to see him.
"Okay, I'll wait for you."
Krillin saw through her little plan but said nothing.
The wind was strong, tossing the strands of hair across Bulma's forehead.
They stood face to face, the surrounding noise fading into nothing.
"Um… you have to win."
Bulma lifted her head, biting her lower lip.
"If you lose… I'll turn your battle suit into a pink maid outfit!"
"Don't worry. That has about a one-in-a-billion chance of happening."
Krillin smiled confidently.
He slung his backpack over his shoulder and turned toward the plane.
One step, two steps.
A pang of bittersweet longing hit Bulma.
A week of living side by side had made her accustomed to seeing him sweat, eat, and banter.
The space felt huge, and suddenly empty without him.
"Krillin!"
Bulma called out abruptly.
Krillin stopped and turned around.
A white figure came running toward him.
Without slowing, Bulma threw herself into his arms.
Soft, warm, and fragrant.
Before Krillin could react, she rose onto her tiptoes, wrapping her hands around his neck, closing her eyes, and pressing her warm, soft lips to his.
Boom.
A firework exploded in Krillin's mind.
This was not a light, fleeting kiss.
It carried the innocent intensity of a young girl's affection, yet it was passionate and wholehearted.
The taste of citrus candy lingered between their lips.
Krillin's hands instinctively wrapped around her slender waist, deepening the kiss.
Time seemed to freeze.
Only Mrs. Brief's soft laughter and Dr. Brief's whistle echoed from afar.
After a long moment, their lips parted.
Bulma's face was flushed, almost painfully so.
She gasped, her eyes hazy yet resolutely fixed on Krillin.
"This… is an advance reward."
"You must come back with the championship."
She whispered, cheeks burning.
At that moment, Krillin's mind registered a familiar, mechanical prompt.
[Ding! Critical story interaction detected.]
[Target: Bulma.]
[Current Affection Level: 92/100 (Unwavering First Love).]
[Congratulations, Host! Affection threshold of 90% reached!]
[Reward: Intelligence +150, Other Attributes +200!]
[Extracting target's core ability…]
[Extraction successful! Passive Skill Acquired: Genius Intellect (S-Rank).]
[Description: Neural connectivity in your brain increases by 300%, significantly enhancing logical reasoning, learning, and mechanical comprehension. You can now learn techniques or understand complex mechanical designs at a glance. Your perception has evolved from "ordinary" to "extraordinary."]
In an instant, the world sharpened before Krillin's eyes.
He could now calculate wind speed, angles, and the arc of swaying leaves.
The complex cockpit instruments of the plane no longer made him dizzy; they appeared as simple equations.
He even spotted a tiny design flaw in the plane's engine intake.
So this was how Bulma saw the world?
This was the mind of a genius.
Krillin felt the fog that had always clouded his mind blow away like a gale. His thoughts were terrifyingly clear.
This clarity, combined with the physical power of the Saitama template, gave him a true sense of invincibility.
"Thanks… I really like this gift."
Krillin released her, his fingers brushing her flushed lips lightly, his eyes carrying a depth and intelligence they hadn't before.
"Let's go."
He didn't linger, turning to board the plane.
The doors closed, the engines roared.
The yellow jet soared into the sky, tracing a graceful arc toward the southern seas.
Bulma stayed where she was, watching until the plane became a tiny dot, reluctantly averting her gaze.
She touched her lips, still feeling the warmth left behind.
"That's strange…"
Bulma whispered to herself.
"At the very last moment, his eyes… changed. They became… even more captivating."
…
High above the clouds.
Krillin steered the plane with one hand, studying his palm with the other.
"System, open panel."
[Host: Krillin]
[Template: One Punch Man (Fusion 15%)]
Strength: 1200 (Host can scale strength into combat power)
Speed: 1180
Stamina: 1200
Intelligence: 500
Charisma: 85
[Special Abilities: Bald Authority (Passive), Beast Intuition, Genius Intellect (New).]
Krillin clenched his fist.
With this "Genius Intellect," martial arts was no longer just muscle memory.
He could analyze ki, optimize Master Roshi's techniques, and even develop his own "Serious Series."
"This feeling… is amazing."
The plane cut through the clouds. In the distance, a pink little house sat alone on a tiny island.
Kame House. He had arrived.