Chapter 37: The Wish for Harmony

After Goku and Bulma finished their discussion about the energy crystals, Goku stood up, stretching a little. "I have to go, Bulma. There's something I need to take care of." He gave her his usual, carefree smile.

Bulma, still processing the massive breakthrough they had just discussed, nodded. Then, in a spontaneous moment, she quickly hugged him. "Take care of yourself, okay?" she said, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek before running off excitedly toward her lab. "I have to analyze this crystal more!"

Goku blinked, surprised by the sudden affection. He scratched the back of his head, a light blush creeping across his face. "Heh, you too, Bulma!" he called out as he floated into the air, watching her vanish into her lab with an excited glint in her eyes. Smiling, he shot into the sky, heading toward the location where his clone was gathering the Dragon Balls.

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As he flew, Goku couldn't help but think about the two wishes he wanted to make. His clone had already gathered the Dragon Balls, and now, it was time to use them again. However, Goku was torn between two equally important desires.

One wish was related to his strength and future, something he needed to ensure he could protect the people he cared about and grow even stronger. The other was about his future family. As strong as Goku had become, he wasn't ignorant to the complexity of human relationships, especially with strong-willed women like Bulma and Chi-Chi.

"I'm not like those Chinese protagonists who can just snap their fingers and have a harem of women living together in perfect harmony," Goku muttered to himself, half amused and half thoughtful. "Bulma and Chi-Chi are way too independent and strong for that. There's no way they'd accept a marriage like that without some serious issues."

He imagined all the possible outcomes of trying to make them accept each other. "They might fight each other, or worse, try to kill each other," he mused grimly. "Or maybe they'd just kill me," he added, chuckling nervously at the thought. Despite his power, Goku had a healthy respect for the temper of strong women.

"No, I don't want to force them into anything like that." He furrowed his brow, deep in thought. Hypnotizing or manipulating them was out of the question. Goku wasn't the type to solve problems by controlling others. He wanted things to happen naturally.

As he descended to the ground, landing where his clone was waiting with the Dragon Balls, he realized he needed to decide which wish to prioritize first. Should he focus on his strength and securing his future, or should he wish for harmony within his future family?

To settle his indecision, Goku did what came naturally to him. He pulled out a coin from his pocket. "Heads, I wish for strength. Tails, I'll wish for my family," he said, flipping the coin high into the air.

The coin flipped rapidly, glinting in the sunlight as it spun. When it landed on his palm, Goku opened his hand to see the result.

Tails.

"Well, I guess it's decided then," he said, smiling softly. "I'm going to wish for my future family." 

He turned to face the Dragon Balls, their glow intensifying as his clone placed the last one down. The sky darkened almost instantly, and with a loud roar, the eternal dragon, Shenron, emerged from the glowing orbs, towering over Goku.

"Speak your wish, and I shall grant it," Shenron's deep voice echoed across the landscape.

Goku took a deep breath, feeling a bit awkward but determined. "Shenron, I want to ask for help with something... I want to meet my future family, my wives, and ensure that they can live together in harmony, without any kind of manipulation or hypnosis. Can you help me with that?"

Shenron's glowing red eyes flickered as he processed the wish. "This is... unusual," the dragon said thoughtfully. "I have granted many wishes, but never one like this. You ask for harmony, love, and understanding without interference. You desire a natural bond."

Shenron paused for a moment, and his eyes flashed brightly. "I can grant your wish in the form of a family blessing. I will create a pendant that will bring luck, harmony, and love among your family members. It will also guide your relationships, creating situations that will naturally strengthen your bonds."

Goku frowned, considering the pendant idea. "Hmm... Shenron, I'm not sure a pendant is the best idea. What if it breaks during one of my fights? I need something that can stay with me permanently."

Shenron's eyes flared again, and his deep voice rumbled with approval. "Very well. I shall modify your wish. Instead of a pendant, I will create a tattoo that carries the same blessing. This tattoo will be bonded to your soul, ensuring that it can never be destroyed or removed."

Goku grinned, relieved that Shenron had agreed to his modification. "A tattoo, huh? That's much better. Thanks, Shenron!"

The dragon's eyes glowed brighter as he completed the wish. Goku felt a warm sensation on his upper arm as the tattoo appeared. It was a swirling design of interconnected lines, glowing faintly with a soft, golden light. It felt comforting, as though the blessing was already starting to work.

Shenron's voice broke through Goku's thoughts. "Your wish has been granted. Farewell." With that, the mighty dragon dissipated into the sky, and the Dragon Balls shot off in different directions, scattering across the globe.

Goku looked at the tattoo on his arm, admiring the intricate design. It was subtle but meaningful, and he could feel the power within it. He couldn't help but feel a sense of peace, knowing that this blessing would help guide his future relationships with Bulma, Chi-Chi, and whoever else might become part of his family.

"Well, that's one wish down," he said to himself, smiling as he thought about the future. "Time to get stronger and make sure I can protect everyone."

To be continued...