"As expected of you, Mr. Goku. You really do live up to your reputation." A smile of sincere admiration and relief appeared on Trunks's face. He turned slightly and patted the sword sheath on his back. "Let's stop here."
"This sword," he added, a trace of emotion in his voice, "was just used to cut that arrogant Frieza to pieces."
"You weren't really trying to fight me just now." Son Goku lowered his fingers as well. The faint, concentrated aura around him dispersed, and he returned to normal.
"Mr. Goku, you're even sharper and stronger than I imagined." Trunks paused, as though gathering tremendous resolve, then sighed. "I think... I'd better tell you everything. Please make sure you remember what I'm about to say, and..."
His voice grew firmer, his gaze earnest. "Don't tell anyone. At least, not yet."
"Got it. Don't worry." Son Goku put away his smile as well, his expression turning solemn. He nodded and promised, "I won't tell anyone."
With Son Goku's assurance, Trunks seemed to shed part of his burden, but the heaviness in his expression did not diminish at all.
He raised his head and looked into the deep night sky, where scattered stars were beginning to appear. His voice was low and slow, as though every word carried an immense weight. "Perhaps... people in your time will find this hard to believe. You might even think it's completely absurd. But please believe every word I'm about to say."
He drew a deep breath, turned, and fixed Son Goku with a resolute gaze. "I... am not from this era. I
come from twenty years in the future. I traveled through time in a Time Machine invented by my mother to get here."
"From the future? Twenty years from now?" As expected, Son Goku's eyes