Power Trip: I Got Reborn in Dragon Ball with Broken Adaptation

The sky above Earth shimmered with gold and violet streaks as the battered ship tore through the atmosphere, its descent swift but controlled. Inside, silence reigned. The Z-Fighters, for once, weren't fighting. They were waiting. Processing. Breathing.

They had won.

When the ship finally touched down in the Capsule Corp landing yard, the doors hissed open, and sunlight poured in like a blessing.

Gohan bolted out first.

"Mom!!"

Chi-Chi, standing at the edge of the landing pad, ran forward with tears already streaming down her cheeks. Goku stepped out right behind Gohan, smiling softly.

"Hey, Chi-Chi—"

SLAP.

She hit him square in the chest.

"Do you have any idea how worried I was?! Promise me no more space adventures! And Gohan's education—!"

Then she crumbled into him, sobbing into his chest as Gohan hugged them both. Goku laughed, gently stroking her hair.

"…Sorry."

Piccolo stood in the shade beside the ramp, watching with arms folded. Krillin stepped down next, greeted by Yamcha and Tien, who had just arrived from the nearby city.

Kai emerged last, Bulma by his side. She adjusted her hair, looking around the familiar yard with a tired smile.

"Home sweet home."

Tights was waiting near the gates, sunglasses perched on her head, blonde hair pulled into a sleek ponytail.

"I came because you sounded like you'd been through a war," she said dryly.

"…We have," Bulma muttered, then turned to Kai. "Don't make this weird."

"No promises."

Kai glanced up toward the sky and activated his system.

[Scanning for Dragon Balls…]

[All Earth Dragon Balls located. Est. Retrieval Time: 12 Minutes.]

"Be right back," he said, and took off into the sky in a blur.

Twelve minutes later, he returned with all seven Earth Dragon Balls in hand, each one gleaming in the midday light.

The courtyard cleared a space as he placed them down carefully in a circle, stepping back.

He took a breath, then raised his hand.

"Eternal Dragon, by your name, I summon you forth: Shenron!"

The clouds darkened in an instant. Thunder rumbled across the sky. Lightning cracked, and then — with a brilliant surge of green energy — Shenron rose from the Dragon Balls in a spiral of light and smoke, his immense body coiling through the sky.

"State your wish," the dragon boomed, red eyes glowing.

Everyone stepped back in awe. Even Vegeta, standing silently near the edge, narrowed his eyes.

Kai stepped forward.

"I wish for every Namekian who was killed by Frieza and his forces to be brought back to life."

There was a pause, then Shenron's eyes flashed.

"It is done."

Everyone exhaled in relief.

Kai was about to dismiss the dragon when Bulma cleared her throat.

"Actually, I… I have a wish."

Everyone turned.

She stepped forward. "I want smoother skin."

There was a long silence.

Even Shenron blinked.

"…Is this your true desire?"

She folded her arms. "I've earned it. Stress is aging. And my pores are exhausted."

Kai buried his face in his hand.

Krillin muttered, "We brought her to space for this?"

Shenron's eyes glowed again.

"Your wish has been granted."

The Dragon Balls shot into the sky, scattering across the Earth in streaks of light.

That evening, Capsule Corp glowed with soft lantern light and the scent of grilled meat.

A massive barbecue stretched across the backyard lawn. Tables were lined with food, drinks, and laughter. Goku and Krillin were demolishing plate after plate. Piccolo meditated near a tree. Gohan ran around with Puar and Oolong.

Bulma approached, dragging Tights behind her by the wrist. "Okay, okay, this is Tights. Blonde, gorgeous, questionably single. Just—try not to say anything weird."

Kai hopped down from the wall and walked with them. "Tights, this is Vegeta. Vegeta, this is Bulma's sister."

Vegeta barely gave her a glance. "…Hmph."

Tights raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow. "You always this grumpy, or is today special?"

Vegeta looked up, caught off guard.

For a beat, he just stared — like no one had ever spoken to him like that before.

Then, slowly, he grunted and turned away… but didn't leave.

Bulma stared between them. "Oh no. Nope. I'm not doing this again."

Kai chuckled to himself as he leaned back against the patio rail.

For now, Earth was safe.