Goku sat in the dim light of his makeshift Training Ground/Laboratory (TG/Lab), surrounded by glowing glyphs and swirling orbs of magical energy. His focus was razor-sharp as he etched complex runic arrays onto a crystal tablet. His experiments in magic had advanced significantly, and he had begun combining his knowledge of Fate's magecraft with his own ideas.
Today's focus was on illusory barriers, a precursor to mastering Reality Marbles. His goal was to create a space that could mimic reality, giving him absolute control within its bounds.
The System chimed, breaking his concentration:
[Mission Alert!]
Title: Keep It Canon
Objective: Convince Oolong to join your party while maintaining the core events of the story.
Reward: Unlock access to your own Reality Marble blueprint.
Design and shape it for future use.
Goku smirked. "Reality Marble, huh? This could be fun."
He stood, flicking a wrist to dispel the array he had been working on. With a final glance at his TG/Lab, he grabbed his staff and walked out to find Bulma.
The duo arrived in a village in chaos, the townsfolk cowering in fear of a shape-shifting pig named Oolong, who had been kidnapping their daughters. Goku listened intently as the villagers explained their plight. Though he feigned a childlike naivety, his mind was already racing with plans.
When Oolong appeared—a towering, monstrous ogre of a form—Goku cracked his knuckles. "Let's play a game. If I win, you stop terrorizing the village and come with us."
Oolong, underestimating the small boy, agreed. Moments later, Goku effortlessly dodged Oolong's attacks, forcing him to revert to his true, diminutive pig form. Realizing he was outmatched, Oolong surrendered.
"Fine! I'll join you!" Oolong grumbled, crossing his arms.
"Good!" Goku said cheerfully, patting Oolong on the head. "You'll be fun to have around."
The System chimed again, confirming the mission's success.
Reward Unlocked: Reality Marble Blueprint Access.
Crossing the desert proved more eventful than expected. The group was ambushed by Yamcha, a desert bandit, and his companion Puar. Yamcha demanded their valuables, his sword drawn.
Goku grinned. "You want a fight? Let's make it interesting."
The ensuing battle was intense, with Yamcha proving to be a skilled martial artist. However, Goku's superior strength and speed quickly overwhelmed him. Despite his fearsome display, Yamcha was too terrified to approach Bulma, freezing every time she stepped near.
After several confrontations, Yamcha's fear of girls began to lessen as Goku subtly manipulated him, sowing seeds of loyalty. "You're strong, Yamcha," Goku said with a smile. "Why not join us? You'd be a great ally."
Reluctantly, Yamcha agreed. With Puar by his side, he became the newest member of their growing group.
The next stop on their journey brought them to Fire Mountain, where they met Chi-Chi and the Ox King. The events unfolded similarly to the original story: Goku helped Chi-Chi retrieve the magical Bansho Fan to douse the flames surrounding her father's castle.
However, instead of accepting Chi-Chi's proposal of marriage, Goku handled her affection differently. With carefully chosen words, he turned Chi-Chi's infatuation into a deep, unwavering obsession. She became fiercely loyal, her every thought consumed by him. Goku's subtle manipulation ensured she remained docile and compliant, like a loyal pet.
The group's quest brought them to Emperor Pilaf, a diminutive tyrant who sought the Dragon Balls to rule the world. Pilaf's traps and minions proved no match for Goku's cunning. The young Saiyan dismantled every obstacle, his strategy so precise that not a single hair on his or his companions' heads was harmed.
That night, while the others slept, Goku donned his Joker persona. With a subtle transformation of his form and energy, he became an entirely different entity: taller, more imposing, his aura radiating menace. The innocent boy from the mountains was gone, replaced by the Ruler of the Underworld.
Pilaf awoke to find Joker standing in the shadows of his throne room. The sight of the dark figure, his eyes gleaming with malevolence, sent shivers down Pilaf's spine.
"W-who are you?" Pilaf stammered, his voice trembling.
"I am Joker," Goku said, his voice deep and resonant. "You fancy yourself a ruler, Pilaf? I rule the shadows of this world. Join me, or be consumed by the darkness you pretend to wield."
Pilaf's pride crumbled under Joker's piercing gaze. He fell to his knees, his will broken. "I'll do whatever you say! Just don't hurt me!"
Joker smirked, a predator satisfied with its prey. "Good choice. From now on, you're mine."
With that, Joker faded into the shadows, leaving Pilaf trembling. By morning, Goku had returned to his cheerful, childlike self, as if nothing had happened.
As the sun rose, Goku was back with the group, his demeanor as chipper as ever. "Morning, everyone! Ready to keep going?"
Bulma stretched and yawned, unaware of the events of the previous night. "You're always so full of energy, Goku. I don't know how you do it."
Goku grinned, his innocent facade intact. Inside, though, he was already planning his next move, his dual lives as Goku and Joker intertwining seamlessly.
The journey continued, but the world would soon come to know the true extent of Joker's empire.