After a chaotic mess, Dr. Norimaki finally managed to introduce everyone properly.
The visitors from West City: the world's richest man, head of Capsule Corporation, and genius scientist Dr. Brief, along with his two daughters, Tights and Bulma. Tights' boyfriend, who was also the previous Tenkaichi Budokai champion, Yamiru, was also present. Lastly, there was the bald, sunglasses-wearing old man carrying a turtle shell—none other than the legendary martial arts master, Master Roshi.
The alien from space: a humanoid figure who strongly resembled a giant fly yet carried himself with an air of superiority. He claimed he had come to Earth after hearing about some guy called "Superman", believing that becoming a popular idol here would be effortless. However, for some reason, he seemed to have already abandoned that idea.
Lastly, the locals of Penguin Village: the disheveled middle-aged scientist Dr. Norimaki and his middle school-aged neighbor Akane Kimidori, who was Arale's classmate. It was only today that Akane discovered that her close friend, Arale Norimaki, was actually a robot.
"Incredible," Akane marveled once again. "I'm shocked!"
"Well, I suppose that's only natural," the fly-like alien nodded as if he were being understanding. "It's completely normal for natives of a backwater planet like Earth to be amazed."
Dr. Norimaki scowled. "You're really rude, you know that?"
"I was talking about Arale," Akane corrected him. Ignoring the fly-man's exasperated look, she reached out and casually pulled off Arale's head—just like that.
Arale's head, now in Akane's hands, grinned and giggled. "Fun, right?"
"Not fun at all! Put it back!" Dr. Norimaki shouted, snatching the head and slamming it back onto Arale's neck with a click. "How many times have I told you not to take your head off for fun?!"
Master Roshi, Dr. Brief, and Tights were all at a loss for words.
No matter how you looked at her—her intelligence, her appearance, her fluid and natural movements—Arale was indistinguishable from a real human.
That was precisely why the sight of her casually detaching her head was downright horrifying.
"Anyway, let's just get this guy out of here," Dr. Norimaki grumbled, pointing angrily at the fly-man. If it weren't for this alien's interference, Arale's true nature wouldn't have been exposed. He still had hopes of using Arale to help him get a girlfriend, but now that people knew she was an obedient robot built by him, that plan was doomed.
"Yes, I understand." To everyone's surprise, the fly-man didn't argue at all. He simply accepted it and led the group toward his spaceship.
Master Roshi raised an eyebrow at this unexpected compliance.
Yamiru, still lost in deep thought, walked in brooding silence. Tights had no idea what was weighing on her boyfriend's mind, but she stayed close to him, holding his arm.
Bulma and Arale were skipping along, hand in hand, with Akane chatting happily beside them. The three girls seemed to be getting along well.
Only Dr. Brief seemed to notice the peculiar look in Master Roshi's eyes as he watched the fly-man.
"What's up?" Dr. Brief asked casually, smoking his cigarette as they strolled along. "Did you notice something, old man?"
The lenses of Master Roshi's sunglasses reflected the fly-man's back.
"I just find it strange," the martial arts master murmured. "Judging by his energy, this fly-like alien is far from a righteous warrior. In fact, he's far stronger than either Yamiru or myself… By all logic, there's no reason for him to just listen to Dr. Norimaki so easily. He came all the way to Earth—why is he giving up so readily?"
"Who knows?" Dr. Brief exhaled a puff of smoke. "Maybe he got here and realized he doesn't actually like Earth."
Master Roshi remained silent.
In the reflection of his sunglasses, the fly-man was deliberately keeping his distance from Arale, avoiding her as much as possible.
Why?
Could it be that this robot girl…? The old master pondered. However, he sensed absolutely no energy from Arale—perhaps because she was nothing more than a machine, completely devoid of life force.
Before long, the group arrived at the fly-man's spaceship.
"Is this thing for real?" Even Tights was taken aback by the spaceship's outdated design. Raising an eyebrow, she remarked, "This looks like an old-fashioned plane from decades ago. I seriously doubt this thing is capable of interstellar travel."
The fly-man scoffed. "Foolish Earthlings."
Bulma signaled to Arale, and Arale immediately pulled her along, effortlessly slipping into the spaceship.
"Hey, don't mess with my ship—" The fly-like alien initially wanted to stop them, worried that the clueless little girl might cause a malfunction. But then he remembered Arale's absurd combat abilities, and his words abruptly halted. "...Never mind." Mr. Fly hung his head in dejection.
This scene did not escape Master Roshi's eyes. The Martial Arts God silently thought, So he really is concerned about the robot girl... but why?
Dr. Brief raised his voice, "How's it looking, Bulma?"
Bulma popped her head out from inside the spaceship and replied, "Seems even more outdated than Jaco and Jiora's spacecraft."
"Wh-What?!" Mr. Fly was shocked. "Jaco?! You guys know that Galactic Patrolman Jaco?!"
Tights tilted her head. "You know him too?"
Mr. Fly exclaimed, "Of course I do! This sector of the galaxy is under Jaco's jurisdiction! As someone who travels through space, of course, I'd be aware of him!"
Dr. Brief took a drag from his cigarette. "Didn't think he was that famous."
A bunch of naïve Earthlings... Mr. Fly broke into a cold sweat, his face growing serious. And they don't even realize just how terrifying that girl Arale really is! No way, Earth is too dangerous... I need to get out of here... and never come back!
With that, the alien hastily piloted his spaceship and fled Earth.
Dr. Slump and Dr. Brief's group headed back.
"So that's what happened. You detected an alien spaceship landing on Earth and came to investigate," Dr. Slump remarked in surprise. "Didn't expect you guys to have such advanced technology."
Dr. Brief replied, "I should be the one surprised. Your creation, Arale, is practically a perfect robot."
Bulma nodded in agreement. "Arale's intelligence is indistinguishable from a human's. Even her behavioral patterns don't reveal any signs of being a robot. It's really impressive."
"I don't think casually taking her own head off is very human-like..." Tights muttered.
Akane walked alongside Arale and chuckled. "I always thought you were special, Shoyo. I had no idea you were a robot. That's so cool!"
"Heehee!" Arale raised her arms, looking strong and proud.
"Arale, can I ask you a question?"
After remaining silent since their arrival, Yamiru suddenly spoke, drawing everyone's attention. He looked visibly distressed.
Arale turned to him curiously. "What question?"
Yamiru hesitated, then shook his head. "Never mind. Forget I said anything."
"What were you going to ask?" Tights whispered.
"I was going to ask her..." Yamiru muttered to himself, "if she could destroy the Earth with a single punch... but that just seems too dangerous. I'd rather not find out."
Tights laughed. "Blowing up Earth in one punch? That's way too exaggerated! There's no way she—"
She trailed off when she saw Yamiru's expression. He wasn't joking.