Chapter Text
The forests of Mount Paozu, once thriving and teeming with life, now stood twisted and broken. The mountain peaks that once loomed proud and tall had crumbled into dust. The creatures that once called this land home fled at the faintest rustle of leaves, their wide, fearful eyes glancing behind them, they knew better than to linger in these cursed lands.
They say these lands are haunted by a fearsome beast, the Monkey Devil of Mount Paozu. Each day, it prowls the barren terrain, its footsteps leaving the earth scarred and broken, the stories speak of its endless hunger for power, pushing itself to the brink, carving destruction wherever it treads.
But it is under the full moon’s brightest light that the true horror unfolds, in those moments, they say, the beast shows its true power, revealing a monstrous form so terrible it could shake the heavens and threaten the Earth itself.
Few dare to tread these cursed grounds, for the tales warn of certain doom, the brave, the desperate, and the foolish have all ventured here, chasing glory or the fabled golden orb, but most never return, those who do come back whisper of terror beyond words, their eyes hollow with the memory of what they saw, their bodies maimed and scarred, broken shells of their former selves.
The Monkey Devil, they say, is no mere creature, it is a force of nature, a curse upon the mountain, and a warning to all who would challenge it.
Amid this realm of fear and destruction stood a small, lonely house, untouched by the chaos.
Kakarot, a young Saiyan boy of about twelve, sat near a tranquil lake, catching his breath after a grueling day of training, his scouter beeped softly as he brought it to his eye, scanning himself. “A power level of 35,” he muttered, his brow furrowed. “It went up by one. Still not enough.”
Enough for what? He didn’t know for sure, he had a mission, but he wasn’t sure what it entailed to exactly.
The faint crackle of static broke the stillness as Kakarot's scouter blinked to life again, its red lens flashed warnings, numbers flickering across the display, three power levels, all pitifully low, yet steadily moving closer to his home.
Intruders.
Kakarot’s tail swayed behind him, a predator's instinct awakened, his senses sharpened as his lips curled into a snarl. For years, fools like these had come to his mountain, hoping to slay the so-called "Monkey Devil" and claim their glory, none had succeeded, and none ever would.
High above in the twisted canopy, the boy crouched, silent and unseen, as the trespassers neared his territory, through the scouter, their weak energies shimmered, dim, frail, and unworthy, pathetic fools whose death would come shortly.
The hunters crept cautiously, their boots crunching over brittle leaves and broken branches, they whispered to each other in hushed tones, their breath misting in the cold air.
“Do you think it’s real?” one muttered, clutching a worn rifle.
“Doesn’t matter,” said another, his voice shaking despite the bravado. “If we bring back its head, we’re legends.”
Their leader, a grizzled man with a scar running down his face, barked, “Quiet. Stay sharp. The beast doesn’t care for your chatter.”
Kakarot’s body moved with lethal grace, each step calculated, each motion soundless, he followed them from the shadows, leaping between twisted trees with inhuman precision. His dark eyes glinted with malice as he studied his prey.
One of the hunters paused, his head snapping toward the darkened forest. "Did you hear that?"
The others froze, the forest was silent, too silent, save for the faint rustle of leaves high above.
Then, a sudden rush of wind.
Before the man could scream, Kakarot dropped from the canopy, striking with the force of a thunderbolt, his fist shattered the man's chestplate, driving him into the dirt with a sickening crunch, the body went limp instantly, and the forest erupted into chaos.
“Ambush!” the leader roared, raising his weapon, but Kakarot was already moving.
The second hunter barely had time to lift his rifle before Kakarot's tail lashed out, coiling around his throat, with a violent twist, the sound of snapping bone echoed through the trees, the man’s neck twisted completely, killing him instantly.
The remaining hunter fired blindly, his bullets tearing into the trees. “Stay back!” he screamed, his hands trembling.
Kakarot advanced slowly, his aura menacing, he didn’t need to dodge, the man’s aim was wild, his fear overwhelming, with a single leap, Kakarot closed the distance, gripping the barrel of the rifle and crushing it like paper.
The hunter fell to his knees, his courage shattered. “Please… Have mercy!” he begged, dropping his ruined weapon.
Kakarot loomed over him, his face devoid of compassion, blood dripped from his hands, the blood of the man’s fallen comrades, this one, would have the same fate.
The man’s pleas turned to screams as Kakarot struck, his ferocity unleashed without restraint, when it was over, silence returned to Mount Paozu, the broken bodies of the intruders a grim warning to any who might follow.
Breathing deeply, Kakarot surveyed his handiwork, his tail flicking with satisfaction, these weaklings had no business being here. His territory remained unchallenged, his dominance absolute.
As he wiped the blood from his hands, Kakarot’s scouter beeped again, drawing his attention to a faint power level far off in the distance, this one was different, small, yet steady, and moving fast.
The rugged terrain of Mount Paozu stretched endlessly before Bulma, as her Capsule Corp car rumbled over broken paths and jagged rocks, every twist and turn seemed to lead her deeper into a realm untouched by civilization. The air here was thick, heavy with an unsettling quiet that gnawed at her nerves.
"Come on, Bulma," she muttered to herself, glancing at the radar clutched in her hand, the blinking dot on the screen teased her with its proximity. "It’s just another Dragon Ball, get in, get out, and you’re done, easy."
But it didn’t feel easy, the deeper she ventured, the more oppressive the landscape became, and her pulse quickened as she tightened her grip on the steering wheel. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being watched.
"This place gives me the creeps," she whispered, her voice swallowed by the vast emptiness around her.
Unbeknownst to her, her instincts were right, as from the shadows, Kakarot crouched high in the trees, his eyes fixed on the strange intruder. The metallic contraption she rode hummed like an insect as it zipped through his territory, an unnatural disturbance that grated on his senses.
With a low growl, he leaped to another branch, his movements fluid and silent, his tail lashed behind him in irritation. This weakling, with her laughable power level of 2, dared to invade his domain? Her presence was an insult, and worse, she was heading straight for his home, and fast.
That was unacceptable.
Bulma’s unease deepened as she navigated the rugged trail, the radar beeped insistently, its sound unnervingly loud in the quiet wilderness, her stomach twisted with each passing moment. She couldn’t tell if the chill running down her spine was from the cold wind or something else entirely.
Suddenly, a shadow darted across her peripheral vision, she slammed the brakes, the car skidding to a halt as she whipped her head around. "Who's there?!" she shouted, her voice trembling despite her best efforts to sound brave, the only response was the rustling of leaves, as if the forest itself were mocking her.
She exhaled sharply, forcing a laugh. "Great, Bulma. Jumping at shadows now? Pull yourself together girl." She started her car again, but before she could regain her composure, her worst fear materialized, a blur of motion descended from above, landing with a heavy thud directly in her path.
Bulma’s heart leaped into her throat as she instinctively slammed on the brakes, the car screeching to a halt mere feet from the figure that had appeared.
Standing before her was a boy, no, not just a boy. Something about him was wrong, his wild black hair framed a face that should have been youthful, but his intense, predatory eyes betrayed a primal ferocity that sent a shiver down her spine, a tail swayed behind him, its movements slow and deliberate, like a cobra ready to strike.
For a moment, they stared at one another in tense silence. The boy’s unyielding gaze bore into her, sharp and unrelenting, like a predator sizing up its prey.
Then, anger flared in Bulma, cutting through her fear. “Who the hell are you?!” she shouted, her voice trembling but defiant. “And where did you even come from?! You know I could’ve almost killed you, right?!”
The boy’s expression didn’t waver, his dark eyes stayed locked on her, unblinking and cold. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and commanding, each word laced with a quiet menace. “Why are you here?”
Bulma’s frustration boiled over, she threw her hands in the air, her earlier fear momentarily forgotten. “Why am I here?!” she snapped, her voice rising. “I should be asking YOU that! You just jumped out of nowhere like some wild animal! I could’ve gotten hurt, or worse, you could’ve wrecked my car! I don’t have a spare one you know!”
The boy tilted his head slightly, his tail flicking behind him, he didn’t respond, just stared at her with an almost unnerving stillness, his eyes narrowing. When he spoke again, his voice dropped even lower, each word like a stone dropping into an endless well. “I’ll ask one last time. Why. Are. You. Here?”
Something about his tone sent a chill racing down her spine, but Bulma was too wound up to back down now, she crossed her arms, meeting his gaze with a stubborn glare. “Fine, since you’re so curious!” she huffed. “I’m here looking for something important, okay? Something that’s going to change my life. But it’s none of your business, so why don’t you go back to whatever tree you climbed out of and let me through?”
Kakarot’s tail stopped moving, his eyes narrowed further, his patience thinning. This girl, with her ridiculous machine and laughable power level, dared to demand anything from him? Her audacity might have been amusing if it wasn’t so grating.
“You’re in my territory,” he said, stepping closer, his bare feet crunching against the dirt. “No one comes here unless they’re a fool trying to hunt me.”
Bulma blinked, her anger faltering as confusion took its place. “Hunting you? What are you even talking about?” she asked, her tone less fiery now, though still edged with irritation.
Kakarot didn’t answer, instead, his tail came into light, swaying behind him as his aura darkened, the movement was subtle, but to Bulma, it was like watching a storm gather on the horizon. The air grew heavier, colder, as an almost imperceptible growl rumbled in his chest.
It hit her all at once, the tail, the aura, the intensity of his gaze. Her blood turned to ice as realization dawned. “Wait,” she whispered, her voice barely audible, her legs felt weak beneath her as she took an involuntary step back. “You’re not… you’re not him, are you? The… the Monkey Devil?”
Kakarot didn’t smile, didn’t sneer, he simply stared at her, the faintest flicker of recognition in his eyes at the name. “Now you understand,” he said, his voice colder than before.
Bulma’s mind raced. Her heart pounded as she tried to make sense of the situation, she had stumbled into his domain, the domain of a living legend, the beast that had terrified countless hunters. And she’d yelled at him, mocked him.
Her fingers fumbled for the radar, her voice trembling as she spoke, her earlier bravado reduced to a desperate plea. “L-Look,” she stammered, “I didn’t mean to trespass, I’m just... just looking for something. That’s it. You can have whatever you want, just don’t hurt me!”
Kakarot’s eyes flicked to the strange device in her hands, the faint beeping catching his attention, his tail swayed slowly, his curiosity piqued despite his irritation. “What are you looking for?” he asked, his voice still cold but now tinged with intrigue.
Bulma hesitated, her instincts screaming at her not to reveal anything, but his gaze left no room for evasion, with a shaky hand, she reached into her bag and pulled out the two orange orbs, the faint glow of the Dragon Balls coming into view.
“These,” she said, holding them up like a shield. “I’m looking for these, they’re called Dragon Balls, and if you collect all seven, you can make a wish. Any wish.”
For the first time, something shifted in Kakarot’s expression, his eyes lingered on the Dragon Balls, recognition flickering in their depths, they looked just like the one Master Gohan had entrusted to him before he…
He shook off the thought, his focus returning to the trembling girl before him. “Any wish?” he repeated, his tone skeptical but intrigued.
“Yes! Any wish!” Bulma said quickly, sensing the slight change in his demeanor. “I’ll leave your mountain as soon as I get the one I’m looking for, just let me go, and you’ll never see me again. Deal?”
Kakarot didn’t respond immediately, his gaze lingered on the Dragon Balls, then shifted back to Bulma. His tail flicked once more, a subtle but unmistakable sign of his agitation.
“You think you can just come here, in my domain, take what’s mine and leave?” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “That one you’re looking for, it belongs to me, and I don’t give away what’s mine.”
Kakarot stepped closer, his every movement deliberate and unnervingly calm, despite his smaller stature, his presence loomed large, his eyes boring into Bulma’s as if he was peering straight into her soul, she could feel his aura pressing down on her, heavy and suffocating.
“You don’t belong here,” he said, his voice low and almost casual, yet brimming with menace, his tail swayed behind him, a predator’s rhythm. “Weaklings like you don’t deserve to have something so powerful, you’ll only waste it. So why don’t I just kill you now and take those Dragon Balls?”
Bulma’s breath hitched as his words settled over her like a death sentence, she stumbled back, her legs trembling, but her mind raced. Think, Bulma, think! This wasn’t just some wild animal she could scare off or some musclehead she could outsmart with gadgets, this was the Monkey Devil, and he wasn’t bluffing.
Still, she wasn’t going to go down without a fight, or at least without trying to talk her way out of this.
“Y-You could,” she stammered, trying to keep her voice steady as she clutched the Dragon Balls closer to her chest. “But if you did, you wouldn’t get your wish.”
Kakarot stopped, his head tilting slightly, a flicker of curiosity crossing his otherwise cold expression. “What are you talking about?”
Bulma swallowed hard, forcing herself to meet his gaze, her mind worked furiously, searching for an angle. “The Dragon Balls don’t just work on their own,” she said, injecting as much confidence into her voice as she could muster. “Even if you had all seven, you wouldn’t know what to do with them, you need someone like me to find them all and summon the dragon.”
He frowned, his tail twitching. “Summon the dragon? Do you think I am a fool?”
“No! Not at all!” she said, her voice firming as she latched onto her thread of hope. “Look, these things are ancient! You can’t just smash them together and make a wish, there’s a process. A secret phrase, and without my radar,” she added, holding up the device, “you won’t even be able to find the rest, you’ll just be wandering around forever, chasing a dream you’ll never reach.”
Kakarot’s eyes flicked to the radar in her hand, narrowing as he considered her words, her heartbeat pounded in her ears as she saw the hesitation in his stance.
“And besides,” she pressed, sensing an opening, “why fight me over one Dragon Ball when we can work together? You want a wish, don’t you? Fine. We’ll find the rest together, and when we’re done, we’ll both get what we want.” She crossed her arms, forcing a smirk despite her fear. “Or, you can keep acting like a caveman and blow your chance. Your call.”
Silence fell between them, broken only by the faint rustling of leaves in the wind, Kakarot stared at her, his expression unreadable, for a moment, Bulma thought she’d pushed too far, that her gamble had backfired.
But then, he stepped closer, his gaze piercing, she froze as he leaned closer to her, their faces mere inches apart. “You’ve got guts,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “But don’t think I’m stupid.”
Bulma barely managed to hold her ground, her knees threatening to buckle under his scrutiny.
“You’ll take me to the rest of the Dragon Balls,” he continued. “But don’t forget who’s in charge here.” His tail flicked, the fur bristling as he let his aura flare again, a sharp reminder of what he could do if she crossed him. “Try to trick me, and I’ll make sure you regret it.”
As they began their climb up the hill, the oppressive atmosphere of Mount Paozu seemed to ease, if only slightly, the once-forbidden domain now had an unexpected visitor, though the air was still tense. Bulma's mind raced, a whirlwind of disbelief and unease.
As Kakarot entered his home, he didn’t glance back at her, but the door remained open, the silence from inside felt heavy, but there was no growl of protest or command to leave, she wondered if she should enter or just stay out, or maybe just leave, get out before she dies, but the beeping from her radar reminded her of her goal, and so, she steeled herself and strode in.
Crossing the threshold, the weight of his presence seemed to intensify, filling the small space like a storm cloud. The interior was stark but unexpectedly well-kept, every item meticulously placed as if this was the one sanctuary Kakarot truly valued.
Bulma’s eyes swept over the room, pausing on the array of weapons mounted on the walls, they were displayed like trophies, some still bearing dark stains that made her stomach churn. She couldn’t help but wonder who were the poor souls they had belonged to before.
Her gaze shifted to a set of yellow-and-black armor hanging separately. Unlike the weapons, it was pristine, as though it had been carefully maintained, it stood out, an object of clear importance.
“Wow…” she murmured under her breath. The rough exterior of the boy didn’t match the precision and order of his home, the place was quite immaculate, even if it had a bit of a spartanian design. "You have got quite the setup here."
She glanced at Kakarot, but his back remained turned, his silence heavy and unyielding, until he finally moved, he walked to the corner where his armor hung, reaching up to shift it aside. Behind it, displayed prominently, was a glowing orange orb with four red stars shimmering within.
“Is this it?” he asked, his voice low and steady, breaking the silence.
Bulma’s heart skipped, and her fear momentarily gave way to elation. “Yes! That’s it!” she exclaimed, her face lighting up with joy. She rushed forward, her hand outstretched to grab the Dragon Ball.
Suddenly, her hand was hit as Kakarot’s tail snapped out like a whip, striking before she could even touch it. Bulma yelped in pain, clutching her stinging hand as she stumbled back. “Ow! What the hell was that for?!” she shouted, glaring at him, any fear being quickly replaced by anger, her courage flaring in the face of his unexpected hostility.
Kakarot turned, his piercing gaze locking onto hers. “This one stays with me,” he said firmly, his tail lashed once and swayed behind him. “I got it from someone I respected. I’m not gonna risk losing it when you inevitably die somewhere.”
Bulma blinked, the sharp sting in her hand a lingering reminder of his strength, her anger simmered just below the surface, but she couldn’t entirely ignore the weight in his tone. Whatever the Dragon Ball meant to him, it was clear he wasn’t going to part with it.
She sighed, rubbing her hand. “Alright, tough guy, you can keep it, just remember, we’ll need it when the time comes.”
Kakarot didn’t reply, instead, he turned toward the door, his voice cutting through the tense quiet. “Are you ready to get going or not?”
Bulma blinked at the abrupt shift, she imagined he would want some time to get ready, but it seems like he didn’t need anything. “Hurry much?” she muttered. “But sure, let’s get moving then.”
As she watched him stride toward the corner, he reached for his armor, lifting it with ease despite its bulky appearance, he put it on quite easily, the material expanding and meeting his body size perfectly. Grabbing the Dragon Ball, he tucked it securely into a pouch, he then grabbed a red pole and strapped it in his back, and then, almost mechanically, fixed a strange red-lensed device to his face.
Bulma’s curiosity got the better of her, she was apprehensive about it, but she gestured toward the device, tilting her head. “Okay, I’ve gotta ask, what’s that thing on your face? Some kind of fashion statement, or does it actually do something?”
Kakarot glanced at her briefly, his expression unreadable. “It’s a scouter,” he replied curtly, adjusting the device. “It measures power levels.”
Bulma’s eyes lit up with interest, her pain and frustration momentarily forgotten. “Power levels? Like, how strong people are?” She stepped closer, examining it. “Where’d you even get something like that? Is it alien tech or something?”
Kakarot didn’t answer immediately, instead, he looked her over, his scouter emitting a faint beep as the lens flickered to life, his lip curled slightly into a mocking grin. “Two, that’s your power level, it is pathetic.”
Bulma’s cheeks flushed with indignation, she folded her arms tightly across her chest, glaring at him. “Oh, excuse me, not all of us are walking tanks! I’m not a warrior like you, alright? I use my brains, not my brawn!”
Kakarot raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed, but she pressed on, her frustration fueling her words.
“Sure, I might be weak, but I’m not useless, just wait, you’ll see how resourceful I can be.” She jabbed a finger in his direction. “You’re lucky I’m here, without me, you wouldn’t even know about the Dragon Balls, let alone how to find them!”
Kakarot’s smirk didn’t fade, but there was a flicker of something else in his eyes, curiosity, maybe even a hint of respect, this woman, she was very bold for how weak she was, quite an interesting human. “To answer your question, this is saiyan technology.” He would humor her, maybe since she was supposedly so smart she might know about saiyans.
Bulma blinked, her irritation momentarily replaced by confusion. “Saiyan? What’s a Saiyan?”
Kakarot sighed, as if the question itself was beneath him, of course, no pathetic human would know. He spoke briskly, his voice tinged with disdain. “The Saiyans are a warrior race. Conquerors. We come from Planet Vegeta.”
Bulma tilted her head, her scientific curiosity kicking in. “Wait… Planet Vegeta? You mean like an alien? You’re not even from Earth?”
Kakarot crossed his arms, the faintest hint of amusement and pride playing at the corners of his mouth. “Obviously, I was sent here to conquer this planet.”
Bulma’s eyes widened, her initial fear returning in waves. “Conquer?!” she echoed, stepping back instinctively. “You’re here to take over the Earth?”
Kakarot shrugged, his tone flat. “I was told to survive, but, that is my mission, atleast I think so…” He trailed off, his expression darkening momentarily, before his focus snapped back to her. “Doesn’t matter, this planet’s weak, full of weaklings like you, hardly worth the trouble.”
Bulma picked up on it immediately, it wasn’t much, but there was something there, hesitation, doubt. Her heart pounded, but she forced herself to keep her voice light, almost casual. “Well… if you’re not even sure about it, maybe you don’t have to, you know… kill everyone.” She chuckled nervously, though inside, her thoughts raced. What did I just get myself into? And what am I saying, I’m just gonna make him kill me first if I question him like this
Kakarot’s face snapped back into its usual scowl, his tail flicking sharply. “Shut up,” he growled, his voice low and threatening. “Don’t overstep, my business isn’t yours to question.”
Bulma winced, the sharpness of his tone cutting through her, she clamped her mouth shut, but her mind was still racing. If he wants to conquer us, I might just be handing him the way to do it in a silver platter with the Dragon Balls.
With his scowl still on, Kakarot walked past her and out the door, not bothering to glance back at his home or her, only stopping as a thought crossed his mind. “How far away are these Dragon Balls, if I have to walk with you… It might take an eternity.”
Bulma’s lips twitched into a small, triumphant smile. Finally, something I can impress him with. “Oh, don’t worry about that, we’re not walking.”
Before Kakarot could ask what she meant, she pulled a small capsule from her pocket and tossed it into the air, with a pop and a puff of smoke, a sleek car materialized before them. The sudden appearance of the vehicle made Kakarot tense, his tail bristling as he took a step back.
“What kind of magic is this?” he demanded, his eyes narrowing at the strange metal machine.
Bulma rolled her eyes and hopped into the driver’s seat, gesturing for him to follow. “It’s not magic, it’s science, this is called a car, you might’ve heard of them.”
Kakarot didn’t respond immediately, his gaze shifting between her and the car, after a moment of hesitation, he approached, his curiosity barely hidden behind his usual glare. Without a word, he climbed into the passenger seat, his movements cautious as if the machine might eat him.
Once he was settled, albeit stiffly, Bulma smirked, adjusting her seatbelt. “By the way, what’s your name, we need to get acquainted if we are gonna travel, mine is Bulma.” She proudly pointed at herself, the letters in her clothes displaying her name. “As you can see here, I’m the heiress of the Briefs family, you might’ve heard of us.” She closed her eyes and beamed in pride for her family.
Kakarot, however, could only read the Saiyan language, he squinted at the letters, attempting to decipher them. "Bumly? And are you talking about the briefs I use?"
Bulma's expression soured as irritation bubbled up, she can't believe this kid. "It's Bulma! Not Bumly! And no, it's not about those kinds of briefs! Do you not know how to read!"
Kakarot shrugged nonchalantly, entirely unbothered by her outburst. “I only know the Saiyan language,” he replied, his tone dismissive as if her irritation was beneath him, he crossed his arms and leaned back slightly, his tail flicking lazily against the car’s interior. “Whatever, Bumly. Let’s just get on with it.”
Bulma’s eye twitched, her fists clenching briefly at her sides, she opened her mouth, ready to correct him again, but stopped herself. “What’s even the point, fine, Bumly It is.” she let out a sharp sigh, throwing her hands up in exasperation, though she was still wary of the Saiyan, his antics were starting to irritate her more than scare her.
As they sped off, an air of apprehension hung between them, Bulma's heart raced, a knot of fear and worry tightening in her stomach, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she had just struck a deal with the devil, someone who might be even more dangerous than the adventure itself. What if he turns on me? What if he wishes to conquer the planet? And yet, there was something undeniably thrilling about the adventure she was about to head into.
Kakarot, in contrast, glanced at her with a spark of curiosity, her fiery spirit intrigued him. Most would cower in his presence, yet she faced him head-on, scared, yes, but unyielding, and somehow, she had forced him into a partnership he never imagined taking. There was something compelling about her resilience, something that made him think this might not be such a waste of time after all, this unorthodox partnership might just be worth his time.
Together, they were stepping into a world of danger and adventure, completely alien to both, in different ways, bringing start to an alliance that would end up shaping the universe itself.