Beta: ShadowMajin as well.
Chapter 1 - Snapshot
Snapshot was a paper everyone had heard of at least once in their life. It was renowned for its inflammatory and subversive content. Its motto was "Nothing but the truth" and each issue was a scandal. Thus, the paper was regularly sued and the trials often ended being even more scandalous than the articles themselves. Although everyone would deny buying such a piece of shit, Snapshot happened to be indeed the most profitable publication and the highest circulation in the country.
A secret of its success was that the editorial staff would never spare anyone. Should it be about politicians, show-business people, sportsmen, religious leaders, artists, or even other journalists, Snapshot's people would shrink from no subject as long as it was spicy enough. After all, they were claiming to care for "Nothing but the truth".
Over the years, the paper had ruined countless reputations, causing the fall of many personalities and its dreadful fame had gotten to the point where the mere mention of its name was putting any public being in a cold sweat.
Snapshot's Chief Editor was the perfect mirror of this renown. His name was Pilaf and he was an ugly man blessed with the look of a harmless man. He was unusually short, completely bald and his skin had a weird unnatural color due to some sickness no one was allowed to ask about.
Pilaf's life could be summed up in two words: might and nuisance. No one could ever please him. He had no wife, no relatives, and he could be found at work night and day. His biggest dream was to receive an official decoration for being the most cunning Businessman in the country, and although it might not happen any time soon, it was still a strongly entrenched obsession everyone around him had to deal with.
When Goku entered his office, Pilaf was sitting in his huge leather armchair behind his desk. He always needed to perch himself on a pile of cozy cushions to keep up with the desk's height and it often resulted in him sinking down each time he got too angry and restless.
Seeing him sitting at a decent level with a smile across his face, Goku deemed his boss was in a cheerful mood today. Pilaf's beam widened when his eyes met his best reporter coming in.
"Goku, here you are. Right on time, come in," the short guy welcomed him.
Goku stepped hesitantly closer as he eyed a man sitting opposite from his boss with a glass in his hand. Vegeta was working for Pilaf as a reporter as well. He was good at getting unexpected pictures and news. Very good. Not as good as Goku though - Goku had always been the best – but if Goku was to leave the job, Vegeta would certainly be the best of all.
Vegeta glared back at Goku with a disregarding frown. He had always considered Goku as a rival and he hated him. Goku knew it and he loved the situation. He liked Vegeta and his endless attempts to beat him. Goku would never let this happen of course, but Vegeta was still a good spice in his routine.
Now having the guy sitting quietly in Pilaf's office was something unusual. If there was one person Vegeta hated more than Goku, it was Pilaf. He was only working for the blue dwarf because, first, Pilaf was the Chief Editor that would pay the best wages in the whole country and second, Pilaf was never afraid to publish articles about anything. Pilaf was a nasty asshole, but he was no chicken and it was somehow something that mattered more than the rest to Vegeta.
However, the journalist would never linger in Pilaf's company if it wasn't for a good reason. Considering he was sitting comfortably and sipping a drink here, Goku understood something was on.
He gave Vegeta a gentle smile all if only to be cordial. There was no sense in making this a hostile situation. Then, he turned back to Pilaf. "I got something for you," he said upon throwing his SD card to the tiny man, "but I can come back later."
Pilaf caught the small item in flight and inserted it in a device settled on his desk. "Gosh, no, why. Just take a seat and let's see what it's about. I always like your surprise, Goku."
The Chief Editor didn't wait for a reply and turned the device on. Satan's pictures with his girly pajamas were projected on the go on the wall and Pilaf blurted a small yelp. He chuckled for a while. His small laugh didn't sound like something kind and innocent. Pilaf's joy never sounded kind and innocent, to say the least. It was rather like a gloomy, disturbing snort. "Funny. Shu might be able to write something cool about it. I love it when you bring candies like this to me. What do you think Vegeta?"
Vegeta was contemplating the content of his glass with an unaffected face. "Entertaining," he replied in a flat voice.
Pilaf turned his device off. "I'll buy it," he claimed while looking up at Goku.
Goku nodded with a small smile. He'd had no doubt Pilaf would like to have this photo. Furthermore, Pilaf wouldn't stand the prospect that some of his competitors could get such a picture.
The short man pressed his back against the back of his armchair and gave a stern sigh. It was the obvious sign that the fun was over. Goku sat down in the armchair next to Vegeta and crossed casually his arms, waiting for his Chief Editor to speak.
"Vegeta is right though," Pilaf resumed, "this is entertaining, but it isn't worth much more. And I want more. Much, much, much more."
Goku raised an eyebrow. He'd been aware that his picture of Satan was certainly not something big. He'd taken it for Gohan in the first place. It had been an easy plan and a perfect opportunity to drag the kid along. Yet, what Pilaf was saying hinted he had something specific in mind.
"It's the paper's birthday in six months and I want to make a special issue. Something big. Something huge," the Chief Editor explained by uttering each word loud and clear.
He glanced at Goku then at Vegeta as if expecting some reaction. As both of them remained still and emotionless, Pilaf slammed violently his hand on his desk, which resulted in him sinking down a notch into the cushions. "You are my best reporters and I want the bests to do their best, you hear me?" he barked.
"Which means?" Vegeta growled impassively.
Pilaf had a scary smirk and turned to Goku. Instinctively, the reporter frowned in concern. The thought of the Ox-King popped up in his mind and his heart skipped a beat.
"I want something never done before. Something huge and unexpected. A special issue everyone will remember for decades," Pilaf mumbled with a worrying gleam in the eyes. He looked quite devilish with the wicked smirk twisting his face.
Goku had a thrill, but Vegeta just rested calmly his glass on the desk. "What's your idea?" Vegeta asked again in an unimpressed tone.
"Bulma Briefs", Pilaf hissed with jubilation.
Goku dropped himself against the backrest of his seat with a weary sigh. Yet, Pilaf kept going on. "As we all know, this woman's life is a mystery – True, Goku?"
"So true, boss," Goku grumbled.
"This can only mean filthy secrets. I know it, I can smell it. Why would she get into so much trouble to hide from us if it weren't for a very good reason? I want you both to find out what it's all about," Pilaf carried on. He was turning restlessly in his seat while exposing his theory about Bulma Briefs and, as things stood, his chin wasn't very far from the desk's height by now.
Goku rubbed his eyelids in annoyance. "Boss, we tried that already… You know…"
"You tried it!" Pilaf interrupted him in a roar, "Only you didn't go as far as you should have! And you failed!"
Goku bit his lips as he disliked to be reminded of his pathetic misfortune. It was even more painful while facing Vegeta's amused glance.
"Now I want you to team up and you will make it, no matter the cost," Pilaf ordered.
Vegeta frowned. "I don't need that loser in my way. I'll do it on my own," he stated.
Pilaf gritted his teeth and took a deep breath. He was clearly trying to calm down, but it didn't prevent him from sinking even further below the edge of the desk. "Now, I have no time for kindergarten's fights. I don't give a fuck about how you make it, but you will make it. Should you fail, you're fired and I'll make sure no other paper will hire you again even in the bleakest backwater of the country. Should you bring me something hot and spicy with smart pictures, I'll give each of you 2% of the issue's profits. You both claim to be the best, it's time to stop talking and start acting."
Vegeta and Goku both perked up. Pilaf would never share the paper's benefits with anyone. The idea itself sounded staggering. If this issue was as big as Pilaf though it would be, even 2% represented enough money to stop working for a lifetime and the two journalists were well-aware of it. Pilaf looked up at them right in the eyes and they understood he was dead serious.
The dwarf seemed to have a dreadful grudge against the Heiress of Capsule Corp. Goku wondered for an instant if his behavior had anything to do with the award Pilaf had coveted for months while it had eventually been granted to Bulma Briefs.
Pilaf ended up resting his chin on the desk as his level was just the right one. He gave them a deep frown. "She has to be hiding something nasty. We've checked her business, but it's clear as far as we could see. If you don't find anything bad, focus on her personal life. It's a good lead too. No one knows about it and people like hot affairs. Just remember, I want nothing but the truth."
Vegeta huffed. "A piece of cake, I'll do it," he growled by getting up. As he headed to the door, his boss kept silent and locked his eyes on him. The Chief Editor didn't try to tell him anything else. Pilaf had said everything that needed to be known and Vegeta was smart enough to remember each word.
When the reporter was gone, Pilaf turned to Goku. The taller man was still slumped in his armchair trying to figure out how much 2% could change his life. "What's up, Goku? Do you intend to let him take the lead?"
Goku had a smile. "Vegeta will never take the lead, but I like having him believe he can do it. I was just…"
Pilaf squinted and Goku cleared his throat with unease. He thought he should take the opportunity of this moment alone with his boss to tackle a personal concern with him, but he was aware it wasn't the best time. He rubbed his head in nervousness as he could sense the short man's eyes piercing through him.
"What about, huh, the Ox-King?" the reporter finally asked hesitantly. He didn't like the mischievous smile of his boss at the question.
"I thought you wouldn't work on the Ox-King, Goku," Pilaf stated with a slick voice.
"I won't. You know he's my – well, my wife's father," Goku resumed shyly.
"Huh? Aren't you divorced?" Pilaf objected with an annoyed frown.
"Still, Boss. He's my boy's grandfather so…"
"Anyway, you have much bigger plans than the Ox-King, now, don't you Goku?" Pilaf cut him off.
Goku froze and swallowed hard. Snapshot never went after the Ox-King so far, but lately, Pilaf had mentioned the name as someone deserving attention. The short man was a sly snake and he was privy about Goku's bond with Gyumao, so he'd offered him to work on the case. The dwarf had likely hoped that the divorce with Chichi had left enough bitterness to inspire his reporter. He'd been wrong though. For the first time in his professional life, Goku had found his personal limit and he'd refused the topic. He'd never done something like this before.
Pilaf hadn't seemed offended. He'd acted as if he didn't mind and he'd moved on to some other subjects. However, Goku knew better and he dreaded the moment his boss's attention would focus back on his father-in-law. He needed to know if Pilaf was about to start a hunt on Gyumao. "So, did you leave that idea you had about him?"
Pilaf pursed his lips in annoyance. "Goku, forget about that fat ass of a King living in an area most people wouldn't be able to locate on a map. Focus only on Bulma Briefs, will you?"
Pilaf's voice was tinged with contained irritation and Goku deemed wiser to stop asking as Pilaf wasn't far from sinking definitely down underneath the desk. "Okay, boss," he sighed simply by getting up.
Goku couldn't say what Pilaf's exact intentions about Gyumao were, but the Chief Editor's deep obsession for the Heiress seemed to be enough to keep his mind away from anyone else.
The journalist walked out of the office and went straight to Mai's office. Mai was Pilaf's first assistant. She took care of everything with an iron hand. Should it be about money, judicial issues, shitty mess, she was able to fix anything. Every regular reporter was ordered to refer to her when anything turned wrong and, although Goku had never come to such extreme, he knew about Mai's legendary efficiency each time she was called for help. She was also in charge of money and she was used to scrutinizing any expense report with great care.
Her office was a small glassed room and it allowed Goku to enjoy the sight of her amazing rear end, even before he reached the door. As usual, she was wearing a tight stern suit and it fitted her body too well. Yet, as attractive as she looked, she had an icy nature. There was no hope in trying to make her laugh especially when the aim was to date her. As far as Goku knew, no one had ever been successful at inviting her for a drink, much less a full-on date. Getting her to bed sounded like science fiction.
As he found himself staring at her round posterior, Goku wondered for what felt like the thousandth time how desirable a forbidden fruit like Mai had become.
"I assume you saw the boss," her flat voice greeted him as he entered her office.
He was snapped out of his musings and diverted his gaze from her figure. She was standing at her fax machine while reading papers and she hadn't even laid an eye on him. He leaned against the door frame with a sigh.
"He buys my pictures," Goku stated.
She snorted. "What a surprise. 1,000," she replied with her look still glued to the papers.
"5,000," Goku retorted.
She looked up at him for the first time and stared at him through her thin glasses. "Is this another lame joke of yours?"
"I could sell it to another paper," Goku claimed quietly.
"Sure you could. 2,000," she offered with an unaffected voice.
"4,000," Goku insisted.
She rested her documents on her desk and pulled a checkbook out of a drawer. As she was leaning down on the desk, Goku cocked his head in order to get a better view of her curves. Ignoring his gaze or unaware of it, she fulfilled a check wordlessly and ripped it from the book. She stretched the tiny paper out to him. "2,500 and it's still a crock," she stated in a cold tone.
Goku took the money and pocketed it with a grin. Mai pulled her glasses away and leaned back against her desk while crossing her arms. "Now, did he tell you about the birthday's issue?" she asked.
Goku rubbed his chin in weariness. "Yeah, Bulma Briefs."
"Right. Fucking. Bulma. Briefs. Vegeta and you. But let me tell you a thing. No matter what the boss said, I won't pay pharaonic expenses for that crap. The last time you investigated on her was a dead loss. This woman has cost so much money in the last years that her credits have run dry, you hear me?"
Goku pouted. "You're not making things easy for me."
"I don't give a damn. If you give out too much money, I won't pay you back and the same goes for your buddy. Let him know," she spelled out for him.
Goku sighed and stepped out of the office. "Vegeta and I won't team up anyway," he grumbled with a frown.
However, Mai would hardly care for this information. He could say she was pissed by Pilaf's senseless and expansive obsession about Bulma Briefs and nothing mattered to her other than controlling its financial damages. "And don't you dare send bills here! I'll take them back on your next wages!" she warned with a threatening voice.
Goku rolled his eyes while heading to the exit of the building.
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