After parting ways with Master Roshi, Goku and Bulma's adventure continued.
Just like in the original story, they obtained the fifth Dragon Ball from a mountain village plagued by a shape-shifting monster, and captured the pig-headed shapeshifter Oolong.
To prevent him from causing more trouble, they tied him up and brought him along. Soon after, they ran into the desert bandit Yamcha.
Following a fierce scuffle, Goku's group moved on, while Yamcha, unwilling to accept his loss, chose to follow them from a distance.
As their journey unfolded, none of them—not even Bulma—noticed that someone had been silently observing them from above the whole time.
That person... was Lynx, who had finally returned to Earth.
Once he realized the Dragon Ball saga was about to begin, Lynx had come to Earth with a sense of reverence—watching Goku and the others in secret, unwilling to interfere too much.
Even though Bulma's newfound strength had caused some minor deviations from the story he once knew, the overall progression hadn't strayed far from the original.
One day, after Goku's group had resolved the situation at Fire Mountain and begun the search for the final Dragon Ball, Lynx suddenly sensed something unusual:
"That ki... is that Bardock? He's on Earth?!"
Sensing the familiar ki signature, Lynx smiled, then teleported toward him.
Sure enough, hovering ten kilometers above ground, Lynx encountered someone he hadn't seen in six years—Bardock, accompanied by a female Saiyan.
"Bardock!"
The sudden voice startled the two Saiyans. But when they saw who it was, shock turned to joy.
"Your Majesty Lynx, you've returned!"
"I have." Lynx nodded. "I was wondering why I didn't see you on Planet Vegeta. So you've been here on Earth?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Bardock replied, smiling at the woman next to him. "This is my wife, Gine. We've actually come to check on Kakarot."
From Bardock's explanation, Lynx learned that over the past six years, Bardock and Gine had been secretly visiting Earth from time to time to observe their son from afar.
Thanks to the Galactic Patrol's latest high-speed spacecraft, the trip from Planet Vegeta to Earth only took about a week.
"We never approached him directly," Bardock said. "We just wanted to see how he was doing."
"So you're not here to bring Kakarot back to Planet Vegeta?"
"No," Bardock shook his head and smiled at his wife. "Gine thought about it once, but in the end—we remembered that it was your decision, Your Majesty, to send Kakarot here."
"Besides," he added, "I've seen scattered glimpses of the future. They're fragmented, but I know Kakarot is destined to live a new life on Earth. It'll be key to his growth."
"And what about you, Your Majesty?" Bardock asked. "Why have you come to Earth?"
"Same reason as you," Lynx replied with a smile. "To check on Kakarot. That boy has limitless potential."
"Really?!" Gine's eyes lit up—she couldn't contain her emotion when it came to her son.
"Yes," Lynx nodded. "In fact... I believe Kakarot may one day become a Super Saiyan."
"Super Saiyan?!"
Gine froze. On Planet Vegeta, only two people were capable of that transformation. Her own son—whose power level was still barely 10—could possibly become one too?
"Your Majesty... is that really possible?" she asked hesitantly.
"We'll wait and see," Lynx said confidently. "But I believe Kakarot will become the hope of the Saiyan race."
Hearing this, both Bardock and Gine were visibly moved.
Ever since Lynx ascended the throne as King of the Saiyans, his words had never been wrong. If he believed Kakarot had that potential, then no matter how weak he seemed now, he would rise.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. That's more than enough for us," Bardock said, preparing to take his leave. "Gine and I will return now."
"No need to trouble yourselves," Lynx smiled. "I'll teleport you back."
With a quick Instant Transmission, Lynx sent the couple back to Planet Vegeta. Before they left, he also unlocked more of Bardock's potential, greatly boosting his power.
Then, Lynxreturned to Earth.
By now, Goku's story had already reached the Emperor Pilaf arc.
Despite Goku's progress—and Bulma's help—the two were still relatively weak. Pilaf's traps worked, and both Goku and Bulma were captured, along with the rest of their group. Even worse—all seven Dragon Balls had fallen into Pilaf's hands.
By the time Lynx returned, Pilaf was already outside his castle, standing proudly in his courtyard.
"He's summoning Shenron again, huh?" Lynx watched from the shadows, a faint smile on his face.
Originally, this moment would end with Oolong wasting the wish, but Lynx wasn't planning to intervene just yet—though he didn't want to miss this rare opportunity to witness Shenron again.
"Hehehe! I, Emperor Pilaf, am about to become ruler of the world!" Pilaf cackled.
Beside him, his minions Shu and Mai were equally excited.
Meanwhile, deep inside the castle dungeons, Yamcha and the others looked on helplessly.
"My Dragon Balls!!" Bulma screamed in frustration, punching the wall.
Each punch made the wall shake violently, shocking Yamcha and the rest.
They hadn't realized until now—Bulma was stronger than even Goku.
Though furious, her power wasn't enough to break through the reinforced dungeon walls.
"Damn it! Why won't it break?! I'm so mad! My Dragon Balls! My wish! Aaargh!!!"
Just then, Yamcha had a spark of inspiration.
"Goku! Use the Kamehameha!"
"Wait, how do you know I can do that?"
"No time! Just do it!"
Hearing this, Bulma shouted like a lioness:
"JUST DO IT!!"
"Okay!"
Goku immediately assumed the stance.
"Kaaa…meeee…haaa…meeee…HAAAA!"
A white ki wave blasted into the wall—finally creating a small hole.
It wasn't big enough for a person, but it was just right for Oolong and Puar to squeeze through.
"Oolong! Puar! It's all up to you! Get those Dragon Balls back!"
Meanwhile, above them in the courtyard, Pilaf was raising the seven Dragon Balls toward the sky.
"COME FORTH, SHENRON!"