The first rays of morning sunlight streamed through the massive floor to ceiling windows, illuminating the chaos scattered across the room.
An expensive custom tailored wedding outfit was draped over the chandelier. Half the bedsheet trailed onto the floor. The quilt had been rolled into a tight bundle, curled in the corner like a silkworm cocoon.
Krillin opened his eyes, feeling completely refreshed.
This was another hidden benefit of the "Saitama Template." Absolute stamina.
No matter how intense the previous night's so called "special training" had been, he always woke up the next morning feeling like a fully charged battery, without the slightest trace of fatigue.
He glanced at the "cocoon" beside him.
Bulma was still fast asleep. A few faint, intimate marks lingered on her exposed shoulder.
Her breathing was steady and deep. It was obvious that last night's "creation project" had pushed her physical limits.
Krillin rose quietly, careful not to wake her.
He stepped onto the balcony and took a deep breath of the crisp morning air.
Even though he no longer needed oxygen to survive, he still enjoyed the simple, human sensation of breathing.
"System, report status," he said silently.
[Ding! S rank mission "Creation Project," Phase One, completed beyond expectations.]
[Host shows outstanding performance not only in combat growth, but also in long term genetic continuation.]
[Heroine Bulma affection level: MAX. Locked permanently.]
[Stamina test result: Infinite. Saitama Template trait confirmed.]
[Rewards granted:]
All attributes +500
Saitama Template synchronization increased to 30 percent
[Current status panel:]
Strength: 4000 (MAX, limit broken)
Speed: 4000 (MAX, limit broken)
Constitution: 4000 (MAX, limit broken)
Spirit: 4000 (MAX, limit broken)
Charm: 160 (Cosmic level icon)
Special abilities: Starspace Adaptation, Serious Mode, Instant Transmission, Divine Healing
Krillin raised an eyebrow.
Five hundred points of strength after just one night?
That was faster than a full day in the gravity chamber.
It seemed that while this kind of activity was enjoyable, the boost to his power was very real.
"What are you grinning about like an idiot?"
A lazy voice came from behind him.
Krillin turned around to see Bulma standing by the sliding door, wrapped in an oversized men's shirt, rubbing sleep from her eyes.
The shirt hung loosely on her, somehow making her look even more alluring.
Her steps were a little unsteady. Last night had clearly taken its toll.
"Good morning, Mrs. Bulma," Krillin said as he walked over and naturally wrapped an arm around her waist. "I was thinking about what we should name our future child."
Bulma yawned and leaned her head against his chest, her voice soft and drowsy.
"I already decided. If it's a boy, Trunks. If it's a girl… we can think about it later."
Krillin fell silent.
Absolutely not.
She suddenly lifted her head and looked at him suspiciously.
"By the way, you said yesterday that you were preparing for some future crisis. What exactly is that about?"
"Piccolo has already been defeated. With your strength now, who on Earth could possibly challenge you?"
The smile on Krillin's face faded slightly.
He looked toward the distant sky, his gaze growing deep and serious.
"Bulma, do you really think we're alone in the universe?"
"Of course not. Piccolo himself wasn't from Earth," she said dismissively.
"Yes, and there are beings far more dangerous than Piccolo," Krillin replied quietly.
"Goku… isn't actually from Earth either."
"What?!"
Bulma snapped fully awake, her eyes wide.
"Are you joking?"
"He has a tail. He eats an absurd amount of food. He transforms into a giant ape under a full moon… wait."
Her voice trailed off.
As a genius scientist, she had simply never connected the dots before. Now that Krillin pointed it out, everything suddenly made sense.
"That's right," Krillin said. "He's a Saiyan. A race of warriors who travel the stars."
"And in the near future, others of his kind will come to Earth looking for him."
"Each of them has the power to wipe out this planet."
Bulma's face went pale. She clutched Krillin's clothes tightly, her fingers turning white.
"Then… what do we do? Does Goku know?"
"He doesn't. And for now, don't tell anyone else either. That idiot only knows how to eat and train."
"Let him enjoy some peace while he can."
Krillin gently patted her back, soothing her nerves.
"That's why I wished to become stronger. Why I keep pushing myself."
He raised his fist, sunlight glinting off his clenched hand.
"No matter who comes. Saiyans, galactic tyrants, anything."
"If they dare threaten my life, or hurt you…"
"I'll punch them into dust."
There was absolute confidence in his voice.
Not blind arrogance, but calm certainty born from overwhelming power.
Bulma looked at the man before her and felt an unexpected sense of safety.
This was the man she chose.
Normally shameless and unserious, yet utterly reliable when it mattered most.
"Well then…"
Her eyes flickered mischievously as a sly smile spread across her face.
She stood on tiptoe and breathed softly into Krillin's ear.
"If our enemies are that strong, then for Earth's sake… shouldn't we work a little harder?"
Krillin froze as a soft hand pinched his waist.
"Ahem. Dr. Bulma, as a martial artist, I must warn you that excessive physical exertion isn't healthy…"
"Stop talking nonsense," Bulma said boldly as she grabbed his collar and dragged him back inside. "My body was upgraded by Shenron. My recovery speed is incredible."
"To ensure the strongest genes, once is clearly not enough. This is scientific rigor."
Krillin sighed, though his eyes were full of affection.
"All right, all right. If it's for Earth…"
"Then let the storm rage even harder."
…
In the days that followed, the citizens of West City noticed that the newly crowned martial arts champion had almost completely vanished from public view, seemingly lost in domestic bliss.
Only Dr. Brief complained occasionally about how fast the household supplies were being consumed, and how the specially reinforced bedroom kept producing strange vibrations late at night, making him wonder if the seismic instruments were malfunctioning.
On the other side of the planet, at Mount Paozu, Goku was training hard in the fields, sweat pouring down his face.
Thanks to the money Krillin had given him, he no longer needed to worry about daily life and could focus entirely on training.
"Achoo!"
Goku rubbed his nose and looked up at the sky in confusion.
"That's weird. Is someone thinking about me? Or… is there food?"
Peaceful days were always fleeting and precious.
Beneath the calm surface of everyday life, everyone was preparing in their own way for the vast cosmic era that was drawing closer.
And on Krillin's system interface, the countdown labeled "Saiyan Arrival" continued to tick away in silence.