The Origin of Parallel Timelines

When discussing parallel timelines, we must address those within the Dragon Ball world.

Alright, let us sort out the concept of parallel timelines in the Dragon Ball world. (The following are the author's personal views.)

First, why do parallel timelines emerge?

They are caused by interference from factors outside that specific timeline, which alters its original development. Only counter-clockwise travel creates new parallel timelines; clockwise travel does not affect the timeline. Shin can use the power of the Time Ring to travel clockwise into the future, but counter-clockwise travel is strictly forbidden, which indicates that clockwise travel does not lead to the birth of parallel timelines.

In Dragon Ball Super, when Zamasu, the Universe 10 Supreme Kai, takes out the Time Ring, there are a total of 6 rings in the box, indicating there are 6 parallel timelines in total. From his conversation with Zamasu, we learn that Universe 10 once birthed a highly advanced civilization capable of creating a Time Machine, which gave rise to a parallel timeline (Timeline B, with the main timeline being Timeline A).

Because these two timelines diverged in Universe 12, the development of Universe 7 was unaffected, and the plot development of both timelines remained identical.

Because Future Trunks in Timeline A could not find Dr. Gero's laboratory, or only found ruins without discovering the underground facility, Cell in Timeline A developed safely.

For this reason, Future Trunks from Timeline A traveled back to the past using the Time Machine (creating Timeline C), provided the heart medicine, and before Androids 17 and 18 were activated, found the laboratory, obtained the blueprints for the Androids, successfully built the remote, and destroyed the Androids. Since there was no Cell in Timeline C, Future Trunks did not pay attention to the embryo in the underground laboratory. At most, it was on the same level as Androids 17 and 18. After defeating the Androids, he had no reason to train with Vegeta, leaving his strength severely lacking.

After Future Trunks from Timeline A returned, he used the remote to defeat the Androids. During this time, he might have gone to the underground laboratory to look for the embryo, but because Androids 17 and 18 had destroyed the upper levels of the lab, the lower levels were more or less affected. When Cell was born, he also destroyed the underground lab beyond recognition, giving Future Trunks the illusion that the embryo had perhaps died in the attacks by Androids 17 and 18. Thus, he let his guard down, was eventually ambushed by Cell from Timeline A, and Cell from Timeline A traveled back to the past using the Time Machine (creating Timeline D).

The development of Timeline B was initially the same as Timeline A. When it came time to travel back to the past using the Time Machine, a change quietly occurred. Future Trunks from Timeline B arrived in Timeline D using the Time Machine (creating Timeline E). The subsequent development of Timeline D follows the main plot; therefore, Timeline D is the main story timeline.

Future Trunks from Timeline B returned to Timeline B, defeated the Androids, destroyed Cell, defeated Babidi and Dabura, and then Goku Black appeared, eventually being destroyed by Grand Zeno.

Because Timeline C had the help of Future Trunks from Timeline A and no Cell, it passed through the Android arc safely. As for the subsequent Majin Buu arc, it would likely pass safely as well. Because Son Goku in Timeline C had the heart medicine and did not die, after seven years of training, he would likely reach the Super Saiyan 3 level, or at the very least, Super Saiyan 2. Dealing with a Dabura would be easy. Since Son Goku did not die, Vegeta would not obsessively pester him for a fight, and Majin Buu would naturally not be resurrected.

In Timeline D, the main story timeline, after developing into the Super era, the Universe 10 Supreme Kai apprentice learned from Shin, the Universe 7 Supreme Kai, that there was a mortal named Son Goku who was more powerful than the gods. This sparked disgust and gave rise to evil thoughts, eventually leading to him being destroyed by Beerus (creating Timeline F. This happened because Future Trunks from Timeline B could not defeat Goku Black and came to Timeline D for help. Influenced by the image of Future Trunks from Timeline B, Beerus destroyed Zamasu. Beerus was influenced by factors from another timeline, thus creating a new one).

In Timeline E, there was no Future Trunks traveling back. Son Goku died of a heart disease, the Androids ran rampant, and Cell secretly developed, eventually becoming his perfect form. Whether he would be controlled by Babidi or killed by Majin Buu remains unknown.

Timeline F is fundamentally consistent with the development of Timeline D, but without the plea for help from Future Trunks, Zamasu successfully stole Son Goku's body, fled to Timeline B, and wreaked havoc on Earth with Zamasu from Timeline B. Here, because Zamasu destroyed the Super Dragon Balls, Son Goku could only continue to grow stronger while inhabiting Zamasu's body.

In Timeline G, because Timeline B was erased by Grand Zeno, Future Trunks from Timeline B used the Time Machine to return to a time before Babidi and Dabura appeared. Here, there are both Future Trunks from Timeline B and Future Trunks from Timeline G. With two versions of Future Trunks keeping watch, they will likely be able to live safely.

All the parallel timelines that have appeared in the Dragon Ball plot are here.

There are 7 timelines in total; one was erased by Grand Zeno, leaving 6, corresponding to the 6 Time Rings.

These 6 timelines are all under the management of Grand Zeno, possessing a complete divine system and falling under the jurisdiction of Grand Zeno, known as the Omni-Universe.

Those fan-made comics and GT are all classified as timeline fragments—incomplete universes.

Alright, with the parallel timelines explained, let us return to the plot.

Future Trunks settled down here just like that.

The number of people Gogito was training also increased from one to two. It didn't matter; herding one sheep or two is the same—it makes no difference.

Future Trunks' level was still a cut above Trunks'. Future Trunks was at least at the Super Saiyan 3 level, while Trunks hadn't even reached Super Saiyan 2. They were both Trunks, so why was the gap so large? Sigh, Gogito lamented inwardly.

Future Trunks' transformation was already quite perfect; his Super Saiyan 2 form had the power of a Super Saiyan 3 and had reached its limit. To improve further, he could only attempt Super Saiyan 3 or God Ki. As it happened, Gogito was also studying this, so the two of them began researching it together.

Future Trunks had stayed in the Super timeline for a while and trained with Vegeta, so he was very familiar with God Ki.

Future Trunks: Being beaten up by my old man every day, how could I not be familiar with it?

And so, some time passed.

Half a month later, Gogito mastered God Ki and learned the Super Saiyan God transformation. Super Saiyan Blue was not yet possible; it required further familiarity and control over God Ki.

Future Trunks also had some leads, and he believed he would be able to complete the transformation before long.

As for Trunks, he was only at the second stage of Super Saiyan 1. He had just learned to transform when he was educated by Future Trunks. Future Trunks could barely use God Ki freely and needed a test subject, so Trunks suffered and was used by Future Trunks to test his moves.

Seeing another version of himself so powerful, Trunks gave it his all, training desperately, showing a tendency to develop like Vegeta.

Time rewinds to over half a month ago, on Earth.