Son Gohan Wants to Travel Through Space?

"You can borrow the Scouter, but I'm not sure you'll be able to read the text on Search for reading◆"

Seeing Bulma's reaction, Lin Chuan knew his bait had worked. He made sure to add one more detail.

The Scouters used exclusively by the Frieza Force displayed text and numbers that were different from those used on Earth.

Lin Chuan could read them because the Saiyan memories he'd inherited included cultural knowledge of that kind.

Although he'd never seen the writing used on this world's Earth, the Original Work had mentioned this. Strictly speaking, Raditz's Scouter had shown the people of Earth a jumble of gibberish.

Later, Bulma had modified the Scouter and entered the appropriate data, converting the text and numbers so they could be read.

"What? If that's all, then leave it to me. As long as the device isn't too complicated, give me a little time and I can modify its language module using Earth technology." Bulma spoke with breezy confidence.

It was clear how confident she was in herself.

"You're sure?" Lin Chuan asked, narrowing his eyes slightly.

"What, are you questioning my abilities? I'm the prettiest genius on Earth!" Bulma had always been competitive. She wouldn't let anyone doubt her in her own field.

So she'd already decided she had to pull it off. Otherwise, he'd think less of her.

"Hmm! So you really can build a spaceship, like you said earlier? In that case, even better. Come with me, and while you're at it, help repair the damage to my ship." Lin Chuan followed Bulma's lead.

Repair a spaceship?

When the conversation shifted to that, Bulma paused in surprise, and the others quickly caught on too.

If there hadn't been an invasion, with the Saiyans due to arrive in a year, there'd be nothing wrong with helping a visitor from space fix his ship.

But these were extraordinary times.

"I'm willing to help, but I can't give you a definite answer until I've seen the ship..." Bulma didn't give her full agreement. Then she added, "By the way, you're not planning to have me fix your ship and then make your wish before taking off, are you?"

That was a pretty clever thought.

She really was sharp to think of that possibility.

"Don't worry. I've only just arrived on Earth, but I don't dislike this planet, so I'll be staying here for a while. I only want the ship repaired so I can travel through space more easily in the future. I can't stay on Earth forever; I have things I need to do."

"Actually, I have a suggestion. Since you're such a genius, if you can build a better spaceship that carries more people, I could take you with me on my travels through space."

"If I have a technician like you around, I won't have to worry about being stranded if my ship breaks down."

Lin Chuan answered Bulma's concerns.

He also hinted at his intentions in an indirect way, making it easier to gradually get Bulma to build some things for him in the days to come.

"Travel through space? Now that I think about it, if my sister and I had made the same choice back then, maybe..." Bulma's voice trailed off, and a trace of sadness crossed her eyes.

She remembered when she was little and her older sister, Tights, had run away from home with a Galactic Patrolman named Jaco to travel through space.

It had been ages since they'd last been in touch.

Now Bulma was all grown up, and she'd never expected to have another chance to travel through space one day.

"Um... If you're going on a space trip... could... could I come too?" A timid, childish voice suddenly rang out in the tense atmosphere.

Everyone looked toward the speaker. Who else could it be but Son Gohan?

The little guy actually wanted to travel through space.

You could call him timid, and you'd be right.

But you could also call him bold. He wasn't even afraid he might never make it back.

"Gohan, you're still too young. That's a dangerous idea." Krillin seemed worried that Son Goku's son might get led astray, so he spoke up to stop him.

There was even a hint of a lecture in his words.

He was conservative and stubborn.

He'd never traveled through space himself, so he was rather old-fashioned about it.

Thinking about the Original Work, he'd been the one to board the ship bound for Planet Namek, and that experience had opened his eyes to the wider universe.

Beside him, Master Roshi said nothing as he looked at Son Gohan. Behind his sunglasses, his gaze held a thoughtful glint.

With his seasoned eye, he'd decided that Son Goku's son could achieve great things in the future, as long as someone guided him.

"Don't scare the kid just because you're afraid yourself!" Bulma stepped forward and cut off Krillin's scare tactics. "What's wrong with wanting to travel through space? It just means leaving Earth. It's a good thing Gohan wants to see more of the world."

"And our little Gohan wants to become a scholar someday. Don't limit his horizons."

After Bulma finished speaking, she looked at Son Gohan with wholehearted approval.

He was only four years old, yet he was much braver and more mature than she'd been at his age.

Even though she was a girl...

After Bulma gave Krillin a thorough scolding, he looked thoroughly embarrassed.

Son Gohan spoke up again. "Aunt Bulma, I just thought that if there were a spaceship, I'd like to go into outer space and see what Earth looks like. I'd also like to see Jupiter, Mars, the Sun... and all the many other planets..."

His childish voice was filled with wonder and anticipation for the mysterious Sea of Stars, without a trace of fear.

It was clear that people of the new generation were fundamentally different from those of the old.

"If your Aunt Bulma really can build a spaceship that carries more people, then your wish might just come true." Lin Chuan chimed in.

That kid was a godsend, helping him land the perfect one-two punch without even realizing it.

That also meant Lin Chuan didn't need to say anything more. Bulma had already taken the idea to heart.

Given Bulma's way of thinking, she'd probably realized that without a spaceship, the people of Earth would never be able to venture into space—and would keep falling behind the aliens.

"Thank you, Uncle Lin Chuan." Son Gohan bowed politely in gratitude.

His gesture made Lin Chuan feel a little embarrassed.

The kid really was unbelievably kind and innocent.

"Then let's not waste any time. I'm sorry to trouble you, Lord Lin Chuan."

"As Earth's Kami, I sincerely thank you for helping us." Kami Piccolo came forward to speak.

He was hurrying Lin Chuan along.

His emotions were a mess, and he was extremely anxious.

So even though Son Goku's son, Son Gohan, had such a bold idea, he chose to ignore it.

After all, it wouldn't come true anytime soon.

He had no idea that the one he was ignoring would become the strongest individual in the future.

"I told you, I'm only doing this for myself." Lin Chuan didn't take Kami Piccolo's show of goodwill to heart.