Hearing Lia's words, Grandpa Gohan clasped his hands behind his back, his expression turning solemn. He cast his mind back to the events of the day he brought Goku home, his voice sounding aged yet gentle as he began to speak.
"That day, I had gone into the mountains to gather firewood. Deep within the valley, I thought I heard the faint cry of an infant. At first, I assumed it was a hallucination. After all, why would a child be crying in such a desolate, remote place? But as I went deeper, the cries grew louder. Realizing it wasn't my imagination, I followed the sound toward the heart of the valley.
"Sure enough, I reached a bamboo grove and saw a tiny, naked infant sitting on the grass, wailing at the top of his lungs. He looked so heartbroken. I had no idea how it happened or why a perfectly healthy baby would appear in such a barren wilderness.
"I didn't know where he came from, but when I picked him up to examine him, I discovered he actually had a tail. I assumed someone had abandoned him there. It was so pitiful; leaving a child in the wild is far too dangerous.
"He was quite mischievous even then. When I picked him up, he gave me a kick right in the face! It actually stung a bit. He was truly a child full of vitality. I couldn't just leave him there, so I decided to take him with me.
"From the moment I saw him, I felt he was a gift from heaven. I decided then and there to raise him as my own grandson. I resolved to take good care of him, and I gave him a name: Son Goku!"
As he spoke, the memories of that day flickered through Grandpa Gohan's mind. A kind, amiable smile spread across his weathered face, and his gaze softened with a profound, doting tenderness, much like a grandfather doting on his dear grandson.
Watching Grandpa Gohan's sincere and gentle expression, Qin Yan felt a stir of emotion in his heart. The old man's white beard traced the marks of many years, yet his eyes remained bright and spirited. His smile was like the warm sun in springkind, mild, and capable of putting anyone at peace.
Grandpa Gohan continued his tale. "After picking Goku up, I looked around the area. Not far away, I found a deep pit, as if a meteorite had just crashed and formed a fresh crater. Curious, I walked over and saw a round iron box that had been forced open. I guessed that Goku might have crawled out of it. I went down to investigate, hoping to find some clue about his origin, but I found nothing.
"With no answers, I simply brought Goku back. But after I started raising him, I found his personality to be incredibly violent. He hated being near people and was quite a handful..."
Recalling Goku's initial temperament, Grandpa Gohan's brow furrowed slightly, a look of lingering confusion on his face.
Qin Yan, of course, knew exactly why he had been so temperamental. It was the nature of being a Saiyan, compounded by the various aggressive directives instilled in him since birth.
"So, did you hit him then?" Lia suddenly interjected. She assumed that because Goku was violent and hard to tame, Grandpa Gohan must have beaten him into his current state.
"Lia, don't make wild guesses. Let the man finish his story," Qin Yan scolded her.
Lia's remark was quite impolite. Qin Yan quickly turned to Grandpa Gohan and apologized. "I'm sorry, old gentleman. She's young and speaks without thinking. Please don't take it to heart."
"I'm sorry!" Lia squeaked, startled by Qin Yan's sharp look. It was the first time her brother had been so stern with her. Realizing her mistake, she lowered her head and apologized timidly.
"Haha, it's quite alright!" Grandpa Gohan laughed kindly. He didn't take the child's words personally, recognizing them as a sign of concern. He continued his story.
"Then, one day, I was carrying Goku up the mountain in a bamboo basket to gather wood. Due to my own carelessness, Goku fell into the ravine. He suffered a massive impact to the head. His life was hanging by a thread; he nearly died.
"I was terrified. I brought him back and did my best to treat and bandage his wounds. I stayed by his side day and night for days. His injuries were so severe I was deathly afraid he wouldn't make it. Fortunately, Goku possessed a tenacious vitality. He recovered slowly, almost miraculously. By now, he is out of danger, and I can finally breathe a sigh of relief."
With that, Grandpa Gohan finished explaining the entire process of Goku's adoption. It was almost exactly as described in the original legends.
"I see. Thank you, old gentleman, for saving his life," Qin Yan said. "The reason for his violent temper was due to a unique trait of our race. It is likely that when he wakes up this time, his personality will have changed completely."
Based on Gohan's description and his own memories of his past life, Qin Yan knew that Goku was about to undergo a total transformation. He would no longer be violent, but he would also lose all his memories as a Saiyan. For Goku, however, this was a blessing.
Lia felt a wave of shame wash over her after hearing the full story. She realized she had completely misunderstood this kind old man.
Seeing Lia's dejected look, Qin Yan smiled slightly. It seemed she was growing up. He reached out and patted her head, comforting her so she wouldn't feel too much pressure. Children's hearts were fragile and blank; they needed proper guidance and care.
Feeling the warmth from Qin Yan's hand, Lia looked up. Her eyes were moist with tears of gratitude. Her heart felt incredibly warm, and a joyful expression returned to her face.
"Haha! It was nothing. I like the boy very much," Grandpa Gohan said, his voice deep and warm. He didn't care about the boy's past personality; his words were filled only with concern, love, and affection.
"By the way, why did Goku appear in that wilderness in the first place?" Gohan asked, looking at Qin Yan with curiosity.
"It's a long story. His parents were in grave danger. In their haste, they placed Goku in a Space Pod to send him away from the conflict. The pod eventually landed here." Qin Yan briefly explained the circumstances of Goku's arrival.
"So that's how it was! No wonder," Grandpa Gohan muttered, finally understanding what that round machine was.
"Then... have you come here to take him back?" Gohan asked nervously. A flicker of loneliness appeared on his aged face. He dreaded the thought of losing Goku, but he knew he would have no choice if Qin Yan insisted. After all, they were Goku's true family.
However, Qin Yan's next words made Gohan's eyes light up.
"No, that is not the case," Qin Yan said slowly. "We only came to see Kakarot once to confirm his safety. We will be departing on a long journey soon, and we don't know when we will return. His parents, due to special circumstances, cannot meet him for the time being.
"Seeing him safe and sound has set our minds at ease. Besides, staying with you seems like a good path for himmuch better than following us. So, could I trouble you to continue looking after him?"
Qin Yan wasn't joking. This was where the dream began, the starting point of the bond between Gohan and Goku. Grandpa Gohan was Goku's first teacher and played a vital role in his life. Goku's future achievements were rooted in the foundation Gohan laid for him. Staying here was the best choice, so Qin Yan had no intention of taking him away.
Perhaps in the future, he could bring Goku's mother, Gine, here to watch him grow. That would ease her longing and likely make for a much more interesting life for everyone involved.
Beside him, Lia looked at Qin Yan with confusion. She had assumed their mission was to bring Kakarot back. However, she trusted her brother; if he decided to leave him here, he surely had his reasons.
"Is that so? Of course! I am very grateful that you are letting him stay," Grandpa Gohan replied earnestly. He already viewed Goku as his own grandson. The news that the boy could stay made him overjoyed, and his face beamed with kindness.
"Thank you very much," Qin Yan said with a formal bow. After all, he was acting on behalf of Goku's mother.
Gohan then remembered the name Qin Yan had used earlier. He felt that since the child had a "true name," it might be better to use it. "Is the child's real name Kakarot? Should I call him Kakarot from now on?"
Qin Yan immediately shook his head. "There's no need for that. A name is just a label. Call him what you've always called him. Besides, the name Son Goku sounds wonderful. It carries deep martial arts meaning and wisdom. Perhaps one day, he will become a world-renowned martial arts master."
He could see how much Gohan loved the name he had chosen. Qin Yan didn't want to interfere with that. Besides, "Son Goku" was the name the world knew; changing it now would feel wrong.
"Well... alright then!" Grandpa Gohan was slightly stunned, surprised by Qin Yan's perspective. In truth, he did prefer the name Goku; it felt much more intimate to him.
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