Bulma realized that she might have gone too far with her previous comment, so she apologized with a smile, "I'm sorry, I didn't expect you to be so sensitive about your ordinary looks."
John almost choked, unable to believe how blunt Bulma was.
Seeing that John was genuinely upset this time, Bulma quickly added, "I'm just kidding, I didn't mean it. I apologize, sincerely."
"Alright, I accept your apology," John said. What else could he do? He couldn't very well refuse her apology, especially with his ulterior motives.
Their playful banter quickly brought them closer, and soon they were chatting like old friends.
With John's guidance, the conversation turned to the topic of future dreams.
Bulma's eyes lit up as she said, "My dream is to marry the most handsome man in the world, someone like Matsumura Yudai."
Matsumura Yudai was a very handsome celebrity in the Dragon Ball world, adored by countless girls and housewives.
Bulma's eyes turned pink as she imagined marrying Matsumura Yudai, her hands supporting her cheeks, and her face flushing.
John was speechless, never expecting that someone could daydream to such an extent.
He patted Bulma's shoulder, trying to snap her out of her fantasy, but to no avail. It wasn't until she had played out the entire scenario in her mind that she finally snapped back to reality.
For Bulma, daydreaming like this was normal, and she didn't mind John's reaction. She asked, "John, what about you? What's your dream?"
John thought for a moment and replied, "I guess I want to become a powerful martial artist."
"A martial artist?" Bulma didn't quite understand why someone would have such a dream, but she believed that everyone's dreams were worth encouraging.
So, she said sincerely, "John, I believe in you. I'm sure you'll become a great martial artist."
However, instead of being happy, John sighed, his voice filled with disappointment.
Bulma was taken aback and asked, "John, what's wrong?"
John explained, "Bulma, you know, becoming a martial artist requires talent. Some people are born with natural talent, and with a little training, they can become incredibly strong."
"But some people, no matter how hard they train, make little progress and might end up as gym instructors."
"I'm one of those people with average talent. Don't be fooled by my strength; my body has accumulated severe hidden injuries from training, and I've already reached my physical limit."
John's words were filled with sorrow, and his tone was so infectious that Bulma couldn't help but tear up.
With tears in her eyes, Bulma said to John, "Don't worry, John. I'll make a recovery device for you when I get home. I'll help you heal your injuries."
John saw that things were going as planned, so he continued, "Even if my injuries are healed, what's the point? My body has its limits. I'll just end up injuring myself again."
"Sigh, if only I could gather the Dragon Balls. Then I could wish for a body with exceptional talent."
As John spoke, he waved his arms to emphasize his point.
Bulma was indeed drawn in by the mention of the "Dragon Balls" in John's words, and she asked curiously, "Dragon Balls? What are they? Can they give you a body with exceptional talent?"
"Dragon Balls are a kind of magical orb, like glass, and there are seven of them. Each Dragon Ball has stars inside, ranging from one to seven stars."
"If you gather all seven Dragon Balls, you can summon the Eternal Dragon and make a wish. The Eternal Dragon can grant any wish."
"Our current king became the ruler of the entire world by gathering the Dragon Balls and making a wish."
John vividly narrated the story of the Dragon Balls to Bulma, who listened with stars in her eyes, imagining herself collecting the Dragon Balls and asking the Eternal Dragon for a handsome man.
But then she thought of John; he also had a wish, and the Eternal Dragon could only grant one wish. Whose wish would it be?
John, of course, knew what Bulma was thinking, and he continued, "After the Eternal Dragon grants a wish, the Dragon Balls scatter across the world, turning into stones. After a year, they transform back into Dragon Balls, and you can collect them and make another wish."
Hearing this, Bulma made up her mind to help John with his wish, and she could make her own wish a year later.
With her decision made, Bulma lifted her small face and said to John with utmost seriousness, "John, I've made up my mind. This summer, let's go and collect the Dragon Balls together."
Seeing Bulma's serious expression, John felt a twinge of guilt for deceiving a young girl like this. He quickly muttered "Amitabha" a few times in his heart.
Then, with a sincere look, he said to Bulma, "Okay, we'll collect the Dragon Balls together this summer."
After their discussion, they continued walking towards Bulma's home.
Along the way, Bulma asked, "John, do you know where the Dragon Balls are?"
John shook his head, "I don't know. Do you?"
Bulma also shook her head, "I don't know either."
They fell silent...
After a few minutes of silence, Bulma sighed and said, "If only we had a Dragon Ball. Then I could make a Dragon Radar and locate the other Dragon Balls quickly."
"But we have nothing now. How can we find the Dragon Balls?"
Seeing the girl's worried expression, John consoled her, "Don't worry, it's all up to fate. I believe that God won't abandon his people."
John had also forgotten how Bulma had made the Dragon Radar and found the Dragon Balls in his previous life. It seemed that Bulma couldn't make the Dragon Radar yet, but John believed that as long as they didn't significantly alter the plot, Bulma would eventually create the Dragon Radar as she did in the story.