Dragonball 1/2

Chapter 22: Saiyans Old and New

Bulma's tail twitched as she squinted at the holographic blueprint hovering before her. The lab hummed with energy, gadgets and half-finished inventions cluttering every surface.

"Come on, you stubborn little--" She twisted a microwrench, adjusting a minuscule component on the device in her hand. A spark. Bulma jerked back, hissing.

Not good enough. Her Saiyan blood sang for perfection.

She attacked the problem again, mind racing. If she could just calibrate the quantum harmonizer...

A satisfied smirk curled her lips as the device pulsed to life, emitting a soft blue glow. "Gotcha."

Her moment of triumph was short-lived. New ideas flooded her mind, improvements and iterations demanding attention. Bulma's tail lashed with renewed focus.

More. Better. Stronger.

---

Crack!

The bat connected, sending the ball soaring. Yamcha's enhanced vision tracked its arc as the crowd roared.

"And it's gone! Another home run for the Desert Bandit!"

Yamcha rounded the bases, his teammates' cheers echoing in his ears. His heart raced, but not just from exertion.

This feeling... it's incredible. But is it enough?

He high-fived his teammates, plastering on a grin. "Thanks, guys. Just doing my part."

As the excitement faded, doubt crept in. Should he be here? Or training with Gohan?

The batter's box beckoned. Yamcha gripped the bat, pushing away his worries.

For now, there was only the game.

---

A streak of blue zipped through the bustling city streets, weaving between cars and pedestrians with effortless grace. Puar, in her human form, clutched a package to her chest, grinning from ear to ear.

"Special delivery!" she chirped, landing gracefully in front of a towering apartment complex. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she spotted a group of wide-eyed children nearby.

"Want to see something cool?" Puar winked. In a puff of smoke, she transformed into a cartoonish elephant, trunk waving playfully. The kids squealed with delight.

"How do you do that?" a little girl asked, eyes shining.

Puar shifted back, giggling. "Magic!" She tapped her nose conspiratorially. "Now, who can help me find apartment 3B?"

As she bounded up the stairs, Puar's mind raced. I love this job! Meeting new people, bringing smiles... it's perfect!

She delivered the package with a flourish, then launched herself back into the sky, scanning her next destination.

"Time to pick up the pace," Puar muttered, transforming into a sleek falcon. "Can't be late for training with Krillin!"

---

The air crackled with energy as Puar and Krillin circled each other in the dusty training ground. Puar's eyes narrowed, focused on her opponent's every movement.

"Remember," Krillin called out, his stance relaxed but ready, "agility is your strength. Use it!"

Puar nodded, then vanished in a blur of motion. Krillin grinned, spinning to block a flurry of strikes from behind.

"Nice try!" he laughed, countering with a swift kick.

Puar shapeshifted into a rubber ball, bouncing away from the attack. "Almost had you that time!"