At that, Bulma immediately wore an expression that said, "I knew it," and replied helplessly, "Then forget it."
"But Gohan, make sure you invite your mom and your grandpa!"
"It's been a long time since we all got together. Let's take this chance to have a proper reunion!"
"The more people, the livelier!"
Son Gohan readily agreed. "Yes, I'll tell Mom and Grandpa."
Bulma nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Krillin.
Before she could say anything, Krillin spoke up first. "I know. I'll tell Master Roshi and Android 18."
Seeing this, Bulma beamed and gave him an approving look.
"Then we'll go get ready!"
"Trunks, you take Mom home again."
She had originally wanted Vegeta to take her home, but she knew his personality. With so many people around, he'd definitely be too embarrassed to carry her back in his arms.
As for Tarble and Rix, neither of them was suitable.
And Yamcha was out of the question. She was afraid she'd end up stirring up some old jealousy.
So Trunks was the best choice.
However...
Trunks didn't seem very willing. "Huh?"
"Mom, Dad's right here, isn't he?"
"Why don't you let Dad take you home?"
Vegeta, standing nearby, felt his heart suddenly tighten at those words.
Though he felt a little expectant and pleased, his tsundere nature still made him curse under his breath:
He can't even be bothered to give his mom a ride home?
I'll have to teach him a lesson later!
Bulma hadn't originally meant to tease Vegeta, but when she heard that, she suddenly thought it might be fun.
Besides, they were married!
What was the big deal about letting him fly her home?!
At the thought, a mischievous smile appeared on her lips. She pretended to suddenly realize something and said to Vegeta, "Hey, Vegeta, your son doesn't want to take me home. Why don't you take me instead?"
At that, a hint of delight flashed through Vegeta's eyes, though it was hard for anyone else to notice.
On the surface, though, he kept a stern face and acted as if he couldn't be less willing.
He even scolded Trunks without holding back. "Trunks, if you ever disobey your mother again, I'll beat you up!"
Seeing him act like that, Bulma knew she could hitch a ride on this human airplane. She happily walked over. "Come on. We still have lots to get ready!"
As she spoke, she affectionately hooked her arm around his powerful one.
Feeling her warmth, Vegeta's face immediately flushed. He looked like a bashful tough guy as he grumbled, "Don't get so close to me!"
The words had barely left his mouth when he took off with Bulma, speeding toward West City.
They flew so fast that Tarble and the others barely had time to react before the two of them vanished into the distance.
From the sky came Bulma's frightened, indignant shout—
"VE—GE—TA!!!!"
Everyone was left speechless.
"Huh?"
"Why did Dad fly so fast?" Trunks muttered, baffled.
At that, Tarble and the others struggled to hold back their laughter.
They couldn't exactly tell him that Vegeta was embarrassed, could they?
"Rix, take all the spaceships over there," Tarble instructed. "Nephew, can you help take one of them too?"
"Of course, Your Highness," Rix replied promptly.
"Huh, spaceships?" Trunks asked instinctively. "What spaceships?"
But as soon as he said it, he figured it out himself.
"Ah!"
"I know! They're the spaceships you and Uncle Tarble flew to Earth, right?"
Tarble nodded. "That's right."
With confirmation, Trunks readily agreed. "No problem!"
His curious eyes searched all around for the spaceships.
"Uncle, where are they?"
Tarble pointed at the four pits in the distance. "In those holes over there..."
Before he could finish, Trunks and Son Goten had run off.
Seeing this, the corner of Tarble's mouth twitched.
Forget it. No point arguing with kids!
Then he turned to Son Gohan and the others.
"Then I'll see you all tonight!"
Piccolo and the others were surprised by his politeness, but they all replied that they'd get together that evening.
Afterward, Son Gohan, Piccolo, and Krillin left first.
As for Yamcha and Tien Shinhan, they volunteered to help transport one of the spaceships.
With people offering to help, Tarble was naturally happy to accept. It meant he could take it easy.
They were bringing the spaceships back so Bulma could modify them into gravity ships.
That would make training more convenient.
On the way back, he used up his last remaining binding slot, binding Son Goten first.
He chose him because he wouldn't get to see him very often in the future.
Since he was staying at Bulma's house, Tarble could bind Trunks whenever he wanted once he had another slot.
By then,
the number of people bound was: 4, and the training effect multiplier was: 5x.
That evening, Bulma's family hosted a welcome banquet as planned. It was lively and bustling.
Of course,
Son Goku couldn't be reached, so he didn't come back.
The banquet didn't end until eight that night.
The next day.
After breakfast,
something unusual happened: Vegeta actually offered to let Tarble use the Gravity Chamber to train.
As for himself, he'd wait until the new Gravity Chamber had been finished.
This out-of-character gesture immediately caught Tarble's attention.
After all, Vegeta wasn't the sort to casually give way to others.
But Tarble had already planned to ask to borrow the Gravity Chamber.
Since Vegeta had offered it himself, Tarble had no reason to refuse.
At that moment,
inside Vegeta's private Gravity Chamber,
Tarble and Rix listened intently as Vegeta explained how to use the Gravity Chamber and what precautions to take.
"...I've already told you how to operate it."
"You need to get used to high gravity gradually. Don't push yourselves beyond your limits."
"Tarble..."
Vegeta's eyes flickered, but in the end, he didn't say what was on his mind.'
"Train hard," he said before turning and leaving without another word.
He wanted to tell Tarble that his talent might be even greater than he'd imagined.
But how could he bring himself to say something like that?
Besides, it was only a guess. They'd find out the truth after training for a while.
By then, even if Vegeta didn't say anything, Tarble might figure it out himself.
Tarble couldn't make heads or tails of Vegeta's hesitation.
If you've got something to say, just say it. Being so indecisive doesn't suit you, Vegeta!
After grumbling to himself, he put it out of his mind.
He turned and instructed Rix, "Rix, start by setting it to twice Earth's gravity!"
"I heard Planet Vegeta's gravity is ten times stronger than Earth's."
"Let's get a feel for it first, then we'll work up to ten times Earth's gravity today."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Rix answered, then immediately pressed the gravity device's button.
Humm!
Tarble felt an invisible force of gravity press him hard toward the floor.
Heavier!
Before you continue