A week had passed.
A short distance from the house, on his grandfather's farm, Taro was helping with the planting. He moved swiftly through the paddy field, pressing seeds into the mud with practiced efficiency.
His grandfather sat at the edge of the field, exactly where Taro had insisted he stay. The old man watched his grandson work, a mix of amusement and gratitude warming his chest.
"Are you sure you should be helping me with this?" his grandfather called out. "I thought you were planning to leave soon."
Taro's voice carried back across the field. "It can wait! Let me help you first!"
His grandfather shook his head, smiling to himself. In the three years since Taro had hatched from that egg, he had been nothing short of a perfect grandson. Sometimes the old man wondered if he even deserved such a blessing.
It took a while, but finally Taro emerged from the paddy field. He let out a long breath and wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. His pants were soaked halfway up the shins from standing in the water.
Together, they walked back to the house and cleaned up.
Soon after, Taro stood outside the front door, ready to leave. He wore his dark purplish gi, red gauntlets, and red boots. His grandparents stood on the porch, watching him.
"See you guys later." Taro smiled warmly and waved before shooting into the sky.
"Bye," his grandmother called softly. His grandfather simply waved.
The direction Taro flew was straight toward the Lookout. When he arrived, he landed in front of the temple and walked inside as if he owned the place. Standing in the corridor, he released a brief pulse of his power, just enough for Kami and Mr. Popo to sense him.
Moments later, they appeared.
Kami inclined his head. "Taro. What assistance do you need from me?"
"I need to go meet King Kai." Taro got straight to the point. "Also, where's that old spaceship you have stored here?"
Kami's brow furrowed slightly. He understood why Taro would want to train under King Kai, the North Kai was legendary for his training methods. But the ship puzzled him.
"What do you need the old ship for?" Kami asked.
Taro met his gaze. "To trade with the smartest man on Earth. I need his expertise with technology."
Kami considered this for a moment, then nodded. "Mr. Popo, can you get the ship?"
Mr. Popo hesitated, a flicker of conflict crossing his features. He didn't appreciate Taro essentially giving orders, but Kami had spoken. He bowed shortly and left the temple on a carpet, flying to where the ship had been left.
Sometime later, Mr. Popo returned carrying the ancient spacecraft and set it down. Taro then took it, hefting it easily.
"I'll be back." Taro glanced at Kami. "Can you make an appointment for me to meet King Kai?"
Kami smiled. "I will, Taro."
With that, Taro launched into the sky and vanished beyond the clouds.
As soon as he was gone, Mr. Popo let out a frustrated breath. "Kami-sama, why do you let him order you around like that? You've never done this for anyone."
Kami's expression remained calm, thoughtful. "He deserves that much."
Mr. Popo stared at his master, at a loss for words.
. . . .
"Where does Dr. Brief live again?"
Taro hovered in the air, frowning. He'd forgotten exactly where Dr. Brief and his family lived. He racked his brain, trying to recall the city's location from his memories, but then he stopped.
'Why bother thinking? I'll just check every city until I find it.'
He flew straight ahead and soon arrived at West City. Scanning the skyline, he spotted it immediately, a massive yellow hemisphere building standing out among the rest. Capsule Corporation.
A chuckle escaped him. "Didn't even need to search every city. Good thing I flew toward this one first."
He descended and landed right in front of the main entrance. Raising his hand, he knocked firmly on the door.
"I'd like to meet with Dr. Brief," he announced. "I have a business proposal."
He waited. Behind him, the sound of an approaching car drew his attention. He turned as a vehicle pulled up to enter the residence.
A beautiful young woman with long purple hair sat in the driver's seat. Beside her was an athletic, muscular man with rough black hair, a scarred face, and features some might call handsome.
Bulma and Yamcha.
The moment they saw Taro, the car screeched to a halt. Yamcha burst out and dropped into a fighting stance, every muscle coiled and ready.
"Piccolo!" His voice was sharp, tense. He never thought he'd see the Namekian again.
But he held back from attacking. His instincts screamed that there was no hostile intent, no evil presence. Still, he stayed ready.
Taro shifted his body slightly, just a feint, and Yamcha flinched, his heart rate spiking. Taro laughed.
"Relax. I'm not here to fight."
Even if they did fight, a single flick would be all Taro needed.
The front door finally opened. A short, stocky man stood there in a lab coat, his bluish-gray hair styled similarly to his daughter's. Dr. Brief.
He froze, shocked to see Piccolo on his doorstep.
Taro met his gaze evenly. "I want to make a business proposal."
Bulma, Yamcha, and Dr. Brief all stared. The words felt surreal coming from someone who looked like Piccolo.
"What are you planning, Piccolo?" Bulma demanded, suspicion thick in her voice.
Taro shook his head. "I'm not planning anything. Also, keep in mind, Demon King Piccolo was my father. I'm his son. Taro."
That admission only made them more wary. But Dr. Brief studied the young man before him. Despite the familiar features, there was something different about him. No malice. No deception in his eyes.
After a long moment, Dr. Brief made a decision. "Come in. We can talk business inside."
"Thank you." Taro stepped forward.
Bulma and Yamcha exchanged bewildered looks.
"Did he just say thank you?" Bulma whispered.
Yamcha could only nod, equally confused.