Goku patted Future Gohan on the shoulder.
"Don't think too much about that woman. Just treat her like a passing traveler."
"Right now, you finally have the power to save your future world."
Gohan nodded firmly.
"Yeah, Dad."
"Don't worry. I'll keep training after I go back too."
Goku grinned.
"Training's important, but don't become like Vegeta and spend your whole life obsessively grinding yourself to death."
Vegeta glanced over in confusion, not understanding where this was going.
Gohan blinked as well, clearly wondering the same thing.
Goku laughed.
"You dummy."
"The most important thing in life is being happy."
"We train hard, become stronger, and gain power…"
"So we can protect the people we love."
"So we can protect a beautiful life."
He crossed his arms behind his head and smiled casually.
"After you go back and restore peace to your world…"
"You should enjoy life too."
"Remember to marry several beautiful girls and have lots of kids."
The instant he heard that—
Gohan's entire face turned red.
Seeing him blush, Goku smacked him lightly again.
"You're already a grown man. Why're you still getting embarrassed?"
"Did you remember what I just said?"
Gohan nodded frantically.
"I-I got it, Dad…"
"I'll do my best…"
Krillin walked over and smiled warmly.
"Gohan, you're unbelievably strong now."
"You've already caught up to Goku."
"Even I got scared watching you fight."
Gohan smiled modestly.
"That's because Dad taught me well."
At that moment—
An aircraft descended nearby.
A reporter leaned out the door and looked around frantically.
The moment he spotted Krillin—
His eyes lit up.
He rushed over excitedly.
"Krillin! Mr. Krillin!"
"What happened to the monster called Cell?!"
Krillin turned toward him with a bright smile.
"He's been defeated."
"The world is safe again."
The reporter's face exploded with joy.
"R-Really?!"
He immediately grabbed his microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen watching around the world!"
"You heard it yourselves!"
"Mr. Krillin has confirmed that the monster has been destroyed!"
"World peace has returned!"
Soon, more reporters and civilians flooded the area.
Flashbulbs exploded nonstop.
Microphones nearly slammed into Krillin's face.
"Mr. Krillin! How do you feel after defeating Cell?!"
"Mr. Krillin! As Earth's guardian, what would you like to say to the people of the world?!"
Krillin was instantly buried beneath the crowd.
Sweat poured down his forehead.
Waving awkwardly, he laughed dryly.
"Uh… actually…"
"Defeating Cell was mostly Goku's—"
But nobody listened.
The reporters continued snapping photos wildly.
The civilians became even more enthusiastic.
Some had already started shouting:
"KRILLIN! HERO OF EARTH!"
"LONG LIVE MR. KRILLIN!"
"MR. KRILLIN IS SO COOL!"
Krillin looked like he wanted to cry.
He turned around hoping Goku would rescue him—
Only to discover that not only Goku—
But Gohan, Yamcha, Tien, and all the others had already slipped away.
"Damn it…"
"You all ran away and left me here alone?!"
Though he complained—
Looking at everyone's departing backs—
A trace of gratitude appeared in his eyes.
Soon after—
He straightened himself.
Maintained a confident smile.
And began openly accepting the interviews.
Mount Paozu
Goku and Future Gohan returned home together.
Leaving out the matter involving the Demon Goddess—
Goku pushed all the credit for defeating Cell onto Gohan.
He also proudly announced that Gohan had already become just as strong as him.
Everyone immediately looked toward Gohan with excitement.
But Gohan lowered his head.
"It's just…"
"Everyone in my world is already dead."
"And now there aren't even Dragon Balls to revive them…"
"If only I had become this strong sooner…"
Goku comforted him gently.
"Don't be sad, Gohan."
"Everyone dies eventually."
"In that timeline, we simply died earlier."
"Compared to everything you suffered…"
"That probably wasn't very painful for us."
He smiled softly.
"Everyone was a good person."
"King Yemma definitely arranged good reincarnations for them."
Then his tone became gentler.
"But you…"
"You survived the androids."
"And because of that, you suffered for all these years."
"When you think about it…"
"You're actually the one who suffered the most."
Gohan's pupils trembled.
He stared at Goku silently.
In his timeline—
His father had never spoken to him like this before.
But somehow—
Just hearing those few words now—
Made the burden crushing his heart suddenly lighten.
The guilt tormenting him for years quietly disappeared.
He raised his head seriously.
"Dad…"
"I understand now."
"Thank you."
Chi-Chi looked at Gohan's weathered face and wiped the corners of her eyes.
"Gohan really grew up…"
"You're already strong enough to stand on your own."
Her voice softened.
"After you return and defeat the androids…"
"You must live well."
"Even if the mother in your world is gone…"
"She'd still want you to face life positively."
Violet smiled gently.
"So Gohan really became as strong as Goku?"
Goku immediately nodded proudly.
"Of course!"
"Gohan's talent is incredible!"
Chi-Chi fixed Gohan's clothes while muttering:
"The me in your world really insisted on making you a scholar?"
"What a waste of talent…"
Gohan's heart warmed.
Looking at his mother, he smiled softly.
"Mom…"
"The reason I became this strong…"
"Was because Dad guided me."
Chi-Chi nodded.
"I know."
She then turned toward young Gohan.
"Gohan."
"You need to train properly with your father too."
"When you grow up, become strong like future you."
"Protect the Earth, okay?"
Young Gohan nodded energetically.
"I know, Mom!"
Miki placed both hands on her hips proudly.
"Who says only boys can protect Earth?"
"Bra and I are going to train too!"
"When we grow up, we'll become superhero girls!"
The two girls immediately struck bizarre poses together.
Their confidence practically sparkled.
Young Gohan's eyes lit up instantly.
"Whoa!"
"That pose looks awesome!"
"Can I join too?!"
Miki immediately refused.
"No!"
"We worked super hard designing this pose!"
"If we add you, we'll have to redesign the whole formation!"
"That's way too difficult!"
Watching the three children enthusiastically discussing over-the-top superhero poses—
Goku helplessly covered his forehead.
Even though he had never introduced them to the Ginyu Force…
The thing he feared most still seemed destined to happen.
Thinking about how teenage Gohan in the future would probably become obsessed with flashy transformation poses too—
Cold sweat formed on Goku's forehead.
Kids imitating Ultraman transformations was understandable.
Childhood innocence was precious.
But hopefully—
When they grew older—
They'd feel embarrassed about this instead of proud…
Soon—
Launch and Snow arrived carrying dishes.
"Dinner's ready!"
"Dinner's ready!"
The long dining table quickly became filled with delicious food.
Chi-Chi's carefully simmered meat soup.
Launch's golden crispy tempura.
Snow's special seafood fried rice.
And desserts brought by Violet.
The fragrance filled the room instantly.
Young Gohan, Miki, and Bra were already gathered around the table impatiently.
Their eyes locked onto the food.
"Mom!"
"I want the biggest piece of meat!"
Young Gohan raised his chopsticks excitedly.
"No."
"We wait until everyone sits down properly."
Though Chi-Chi lightly knocked his head—
Her eyes overflowed with affection.
Future Gohan quietly watched this scene from nearby.
A smile unconsciously appeared on his face.
In his world—
Scenes like this had long become impossible dreams.
But in this world—
Every single moment was overflowing with happiness.
He looked around the table.
At his smiling mother.
At Launch's cheerful face.
At Snow's gentle elegance.
At Violet's mature beauty.
Then suddenly—
He thought of Bulma back in West City.
And the kind-hearted Android 18 too.
At that moment—
He remembered what Goku had told him earlier.
To marry several beautiful women.
To have many children.
Though it sounded embarrassingly shameless—
He could tell his father genuinely hoped he would enjoy life like that.
Maybe…
Having a large family really was happiness.
Just then—
A gentle voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Gohan, stop staring and eat already."
"This is your home too, so don't be shy."
"There's still plenty more food in the kitchen."
Gohan looked up.
Snow smiled warmly while placing a piece of braised pork into his bowl.
"Try it."
"See if it suits your taste."
Future Gohan looked down at the meat in silence.
His throat tightened slightly.
"Thank you…"
"Aunt Snow."
Snow immediately frowned.
"Auntie?"
"Doesn't that make me sound old?"
Violet laughed teasingly.
"Gohan, just call her big sister."
Gohan looked stunned.
"But wouldn't that mess up the family hierarchy?"
Beside them—
Goku was stuffing rice into his mouth while speaking unclearly.
"In our family…"
"Don't bother with hierarchy nonsense."
"Everyone just calls each other however they want."
Gohan looked toward Snow and nodded obediently.
"Thank you… big sister."
Goku burst into laughter.
"Exactly! That's the spirit!"
Then he turned toward Violet, pinched his voice higher, and shouted dramatically:
"Big Sister Violet~!"
"Another bowl of rice please~!"
Young Gohan, Miki, and Bra exploded into laughter instantly.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"Dad acting all silly is hilarious!"
Chi-Chi glared at Goku.
"Goku!"
"Behave properly!"
"Don't teach the kids weird things!"
Yet immediately afterward—
Even she couldn't stop herself from laughing too.
The Next Day
Future Gohan stood outside beside the time machine.
Its surface glowed faintly.
Chi-Chi walked over and carefully adjusted his collar.
Her eyes were slightly red.
"Gohan…"
"When you return…"
"You must take care of yourself."
Future Gohan nodded.
His voice trembled faintly.
"I will, Mom."
Launch handed him a package.
"There's food and medicine inside."
"Resources are scarce in your world, right?"
"These should help."
Snow and Violet also gave him farewell gifts.
A handmade scarf.
A cookbook filled with Earth recipes.
Violet smiled gently.
"Gohan."
"Stop living off canned food and rations all the time."
"After peace returns to your world…"
"You need to eat properly."
Then she teased him lightly.
"And when you marry someday…"
"Besides looks and personality…"
"Your wife's cooking skills absolutely must pass the test."
"Otherwise…"
"The one suffering will be your stomach."
Future Gohan accepted the gifts quietly.
Warmth flooded through his heart.
"Thank you…"
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