Farewell, Grandpa!

"I don't know the meaning of fighting fair? I've got plenty of honor!"

Son Wuneng froze in place, able to do nothing but laugh awkwardly. All this time, he'd thought things had happened just like in the original story—that Son Gohan had died because Son Goku stepped on him. He hadn't expected the person involved to reveal, after all these years, that he was the real culprit.

For a moment, guilt flooded his gaze as he looked at Son Goku.

"So Goku's been taking the blame for me all this time! If Grandpa hadn't told us, who knows how much longer he'd have had to carry it!"

"Wait, if I hadn't been there, he still would've stepped on Grandpa. So I helped him take the blame, too. We really are brothers from different parents!"

"Grandpa, the reason you were able to return to the living world temporarily is that Goku and I gathered a magical item called the Dragon Balls."

"You've still got time for one incense stick's worth of catching up with us, but I'd like to talk about the important matter first."

As soon as Son Gohan heard there was something serious to discuss, he stopped teasing the two little monkeys. He straightened his clothes and took on the bearing of a Martial Arts Grandmaster.

"Go ahead, Wuneng. Grandpa will do his best to give you some advice."

"Well, Earth's dragon can only do so much. It could summon you so we could meet, but it can't bring you back to life."

"I heard that there's a Namekian race on a planet beyond Earth, and they have Dragon Balls of their own. Their power is much greater than ours, so maybe they could bring you back to life!"

"Oh, is that all? Grandpa thought you were going to ask me to get involved in some big event in your lives. That's it?"

Son Gohan waved a hand.

"Never mind that it's on a distant planet and might not even be true. Even if it is, Grandpa doesn't need to come back to life!"

"After I died, I went to the Other World. Now I serve a deity named Taishang Laojun, so there's no need to revive me!"

"But Grandpa, what about Goku and me? You know how silly he is. We brothers still need you to teach us and put us on the right path!"

Son Wuneng looked at Son Goku, who was clinging to Son Gohan's embrace, then glanced at his own enormous body. He couldn't help feeling a little jealous.

"Damn this transformation technique! I really haven't practiced enough. I still can't undo it whenever I want!"

"Grandpa, Taishang Laojun is a great beauty, isn't she? Otherwise, how could you bear to leave behind two adorable grandsons like us?"

Son Wuneng immediately started teasing him, making Son Gohan's old face turn red. He quickly suppressed the blush.

He'd lived for so many years—how could he let his grandson get the better of him?

"What nonsense! Taishang Laojun! You can tell just from the name that she's a great deity, can't you?!"

"Besides, you can't go to Mount Five Elements anyway. I can say whatever I want!"

Son Gohan muttered to himself, confident he could still keep one grandson in line.

"Oh? Is that so? But I heard that deity's name is Anning. That sounds like a beautiful woman to me!"

"Hey!"

Son Gohan jumped in surprise again.

"That's not true! You must have heard wrong!"

"Oh, is that right?"

Son Wuneng drew out his words, wearing an expression that plainly said, Do you think I believe you?

Son Gohan was starting to crack. His eldest grandson had reached the age when even dogs hated him. How could he bully an old man like this?

He looked at Son Goku in his arms and couldn't help sighing.

"My eldest grandson is still the best. Wuneng was mature and steady from a young age, but he's also mischievous and wicked. Goku is much more innocent!"

He stroked Kid Goku in his arms with deep affection.

"Grandpa, Anning is obviously a woman's name, isn't it? You're being naughty, Grandpa. You're lying!"

Son Gohan's hand froze halfway through its stroke. Even the Goku in his arms seemed less precious now.

"Wuneng! How did you raise your older brother? You've taught him to be a bad influence!"

Son Gohan pretended to be angry.

After the initial joking around, Son Gohan gave the two brothers a thorough lesson.

When he heard that they had both become disciples of Master Roshi, just like he had, he was sincerely happy for them.

"Master Mutaito is the deepest thinker about martial arts among all the masters I've known. You must study hard under him!"

"But then again, Master Mutaito has his own flaws. Make sure you don't copy those!"

At that moment, he was like a parent seeing their children off on a long journey, patiently lecturing them and wishing he could pour every bit of wisdom he had into their heads.

He'd died so suddenly that he hadn't had a chance to teach the brothers much. Now that he'd heard they had found a great master, his last remaining concern was gone.

"Wuneng, the next time you see Master Mutaito, please tell him something for me. Tell him I miss him, too!"

The golden light surrounding him was gradually fading, but the grandfather and grandsons had enjoyed a warm reunion.

Still, he wasn't about to let his eldest grandson have the last laugh!

Just before they parted, Son Gohan delivered his counterattack.

"Hey, you over there, my granddaughter-in-law! Grandpa approves of you. You'd better treat my Wuneng well! You have my blessing! Hahahaha!"

He'd noticed the girl peeking over from the sidelines, keeping a close eye on the three of them. In particular, her bright, darting eyes seemed glued to Wuneng.

He was no inexperienced young man. He knew exactly what was going on.

So he called her out on it right then and there.

The moment he said it, Bulma's face turned scarlet. She sat up ramrod straight and didn't dare sneak another glance.

Even with Son Wuneng's thick skin, he could see a hint of red beneath his sparse fur.

Caught completely off guard, he was deeply embarrassed, too.

"Wuneng, Goku, it's about time. We'll meet again if we get the chance!"

The last of the golden light around his body was about to vanish. Son Gohan stood and set Son Goku down.

"Be sure to eat well and grow up strong, you two! Grandpa will be watching over you from up above!"

He waved once more, then gradually faded away.

"Grandpa! I miss you so much!"

Son Goku had been holding back his tears. When he saw that Son Gohan was about to disappear, he finally burst into tears. He ran forward and threw himself at Son Gohan again, but his arms passed through empty air.

"Grandpa..."

Son Goku crouched down sadly, murmuring the word "Grandpa."

"Phew..."

Son Wuneng let out a long breath, his expression sinking as well.

But he had an adult's maturity to fall back on. At a time like this, he stepped forward and went over to Son Goku.

"Big brother, don't be too sad. We'll have a chance to see him again. Grandpa told us where he lives now, so we can go visit him later!"

Son Wuneng gazed into the distance and silently made up his mind.

"Farewell, Grandpa!"

P.S. The first arc, "Searching for the Dragon Balls," is complete!