A World of Darkness

"They... they finally left, that demon…"

Hiding behind a corner of the castle, Pilaf and Shu slumped to the ground in relief as they watched Yuujin and his party disappear beyond the horizon.

"A monster that terrifying actually exists in this world, Lord Pilaf. Maybe we should abandon this idea of world conquest and just return home," Shu muttered, recalling the earlier explosion with lingering fear.

"You fool! How many times have I taught you this?"

"Our ambition to conquer the world is non-negotiable. Absolutely unshakable!"

With a burst of indignation, Pilaf sprang up, yelling at Shu.

"But... but Mai was already taken by them…"

Deflated, Shu's voice was filled with gloom.

"Hmph, that was just a strategic surrender, got it?"

"That idiot thinks taking Mai will make her serve him. Hah! He has no idea that she only listens to me."

"Just wait. Mai will escape soon and return with all the Dragon Balls!"

Arms crossed, Pilaf boasted confidently.

"R-really, Lord Pilaf?"

"Of course! I even blinked three times as a secret signal to Mai. She'll understand exactly what I meant."

"As expected of the great King Pilaf!"

"When Mai brings back all the Dragon Balls, we'll summon Shenron and make a wish. My ambition of ruling the entire world will be realized, and then…"

"Oh-hohoho... mwahahahaha…"

…

Location: Kami's Temple

After using [Instant Transmission], Yuujin and Mai appeared atop Kami's Lookout.

"W-where is this?"

Mai looked around in confusion at the unfamiliar surroundings.

One moment, they'd been flying on that dark cloud, and now they were suddenly here.

"This is Kami's Temple, the place where Kami resides," Yuujin explained briefly.

"…"

Kami's Temple, Kami's residence… Mai's mind felt like a jumbled mess.

"Welcome back, Kami-sama."

Sensing Yuujin's presence, Mr. Popo emerged from the main hall to greet him.

"Popo, give me a report on the recent developments."

It had been days since he and Bulma left, and Kami's responsibilities had all been temporarily handled by Popo. Now that he was back, Yuujin wanted a briefing.

"Yes, Kami-sama."

With a respectful nod, Mr. Popo began a concise report on recent events.

Mai, meanwhile, stood quietly to the side, though she was starting to piece things together.

She was now in a place called Kami's Temple, and this man called Yuujin was actually Kami!

No wonder he was so powerful!

"Well done. Thank you for your efforts."

After learning about recent events from Mr. Popo, Yuujin nodded in approval and then introduced Mai.

"Her name is Mai. I've just recruited her as a subordinate."

"I'll be staying on Earth for a while longer, so Mai will remain here. Popo, teach her some martial arts and train her well."

"Yes, Kami-sama," Mr. Popo replied, looking at Mai.

"Mai, although you're now my subordinate, I don't tolerate useless weaklings."

"You'll stay here and train diligently with Popo to improve your strength. When I return, I'll check your progress, and if there isn't any…"

"You understand!"

Yuujin's tone trailed off deliberately, and he gave her a wicked smile.

"Y-yes, Master! I'll work hard at martial arts training, I won't slack off!"

Seeing Yuujin's sinister smile, Mai shivered in fear and quickly responded.

"Give it your best shot. I believe in you."

Yuujin patted Mai's shoulder with a smile, exchanged a farewell with Popo, and used [Instant Transmission] to leave the Lookout again.

"So, your name is Mai? I'm Mr. Popo, and at Kami-sama's command, I'll be your martial arts instructor from now on."

"For starters, run 500 laps around the Temple so I can gauge your stamina."

Hands clasped behind his back, Mr. Popo instructed.

"F-500 laps?!"

Mai gaped at the Lookout.

Though it wasn't particularly large, it wasn't small either. Running around it 500 times would surely be the death of her!

"Yes, is there a problem?"

Seeing Mr. Popo's calm, serious expression, Mai's eye twitched as she gazed at her bleak future…

…

"Hahaha…"

"Chi-Chi, catch me if you can!"

"Goku, wait up!"

In the sky, Goku and Chi-Chi chased each other on their Flying Nimbus while Bulma and Tights flew behind leisurely on a Black Nimbus.

"I'm back."

Yuujin's voice rang out as he appeared between Bulma and Tights.

"Yuujin!"

Tights happily hugged Yuujin, while Bulma folded her arms and turned her head to the side.

"Hmph, didn't someone just leave with his new 'lover'? Why'd you bother coming back?"

Bulma huffed with a hint of jealousy.

"Oh, Bulma, are you jealous again?"

"Mai's just a subordinate I recruited, nothing more. How did she suddenly become my 'lover'?"

Amused, Yuujin ignored Bulma's resistance and lifted her onto his lap.

"You even made her call you 'Master'."

"She's now my subordinate and my property, so what's wrong with her calling me Master?"

"Or is it that you, Bulma, actually like that kind of title too?"

Yuujin held Bulma's face with a mischievous look.

"N-no, I don't!"

Her face reddening, Bulma retorted in embarrassment.

Bulma was a bit of a jealous type, prone to bouts of jealousy over seemingly trivial things. But after spending so much time with her, Yuujin had figured out the best way to handle it.

When she was jealous, reasoning with her was pointless. Just take action!

With a grin, Yuujin pressed his lips to Bulma's.

"Mmph…"

Though initially indignant and resistant, Bulma's strength was no match for Yuujin's, and before long, she melted into his arms, feeling dazed and weak.

After a while, Yuujin licked his lips in satisfaction, while Bulma lay in his arms, looking endlessly sorrowful.

Watching this playful exchange, Tights laughed, clutching Yuujin's arm.

"Yuujin, where are we heading next?"

"With all the Dragon Balls collected, let's head back to Kame House to rest for a couple of days. Then we can go on a little adventure."

Yuujin thought for a moment and replied.

"Sounds good… anything you say…"

Leaning into Yuujin's embrace, Tights looked completely content...

To be continued…