Family Kin

Gaino and Laiya returned to Planet Vegeta having completed their mission ahead of schedule, a feat that shocked every Saiyan on the planet. They were the first team to return from a mission, and they had finished it early to boot.

Completing a task in four years that others struggled to finish in five shattered the record for Saiyan mission execution.

The team with the best track record belonged to Laiya's father, which included her parents and the warrior Bardock. Bardock had originally been a high-class warrior, but after Gaino's parents died in action, Bum had recruited him into his own squad. Bardock progressed rapidly within Bum's elite team, showing the potential to surpass even Bum and the other elite warriors, which left them all astonished.

Laiya's parents had set the fastest completion time at four years and eight months, a duration that had already stunned King Vegeta. Yet, Gaino and his team had finished in a mere four years, breaking her parents' record—how could anyone not be shaken?

Gaino and Laiya arrived at the mission reporting center, informed the Saiyan on duty that they had completed their assignment, and then took flight toward their home.

Watching Gaino and Laiya streak across Planet Vegeta, those Saiyans who had previously looked down on Gaino thought to themselves: I never expected that after going out on two missions, this Gaino would even be able to sense ki. Looking at that flight speed, his current combat power probably isn't low at all.

But little did they know, the Gaino of today was a peak they couldn't even see the top of if they craned their necks; in Gaino's eyes, they were no more than ants to an elephant.

Gaino and Laiya flew swiftly back home, their bodies slowly drifting down to the ground.

Gaino and Laiya called out in unison: "Dad, Mom, we're back from our mission! We've finished it. Come out and see us!"

Bum and Tasha responded by heading to the door. They had heard someone calling for Mom and Dad from inside the house, but they weren't sure if it was really their children.

After listening carefully for a moment, Tasha said: "Bum, I hear Gaino and Laiya's voices. Do you hear them?"

Bum replied: "You must be going crazy missing our son and daughter! They're still on their mission! How could they be back so soon? You must be hearing things."

"No, listen closely, it's definitely Gaino and Laiya's voices."

Bum set down what he was holding and pricked up his ears to listen intently. Sure enough, someone was calling them. Bum said: "You're right, it is Gaino and Laiya's voices. You weren't wrong. Quick, let's go out and see."

Bum and Tasha reached the door and saw Gaino and Laiya standing together, looking at them with silly grins.

"Bum, is that Gaino and Laiya? No, I'm not seeing things, am I?"

"No, you aren't seeing things. It's Gaino and Laiya. They're back."

Gaino said: "Dad, Mom, your favorite son and daughter are back, and you're just going to leave us standing outside?"

Laiya chimed in: "Exactly! You don't even believe it when your own children return. Are you really our loving parents?"

Once Bum and Tasha heard this, they were certain.

It had to be their son and daughter. These two little ones often spoke to them just like that.

Tasha nudged Bum: "Didn't you hear what our son and daughter said? Hurry up and let them in! Why are you just standing there?"

"Oh, right, right, right! Look at me, I'm just too happy. I never expected Gaino and Laiya to finish their mission so quickly."

Bum walked up to Gaino and looked him over from head to toe. Then he went to Laiya, checking her left and right before saying: "Neither of you little ones is hurt. It looks like the mission went very smoothly, then?"

Laiya said: "Of course! I am the daughter of an elite warrior, after all!"

Bum burst into loud laughter at this: "Well said! My daughter is naturally the best."

Tasha walked over to Bum's side and pinched his waist hard. Bum winced, his face contorting into an indescribable expression.

Tasha said: "What are you showing off for? Why are you letting our son and daughter just stand there? Hurry and let them into the house."

Gaino and Laiya watched Bum's expression and snickered.

Bum said: "Honey, let go! Don't do this in front of the kids. Can't you at least let the head of the household show some concern for his son and daughter?"

"Well, you're done showing concern now, so let's go inside!" Tasha said.

"Alright, alright, let's go in. If we don't, your mother is going to lose her temper."

Gaino said: "Dad, how could that be? Mom has such a good temper, she wouldn't lose it! Right, Mom?"

Tasha saw Gaino's gaze and immediately broke into a maternal smile: "That's right, my little Gaino is right. Mom has the best temper; how could I ever lose it?"

Laiya said: "Mom, are you happy that Gaino and I are back?"

"Of course I'm happy! You two finishing your mission so quickly really took me by surprise. Alright, let's go inside. You can tell me all about what happened over these past few years in a little while."

"Great, let's go in! Once we're inside, I'll tell you and Dad everything Gaino and I have been through."

Gaino and the others entered the house, and Laiya couldn't wait to tell Bum and Tasha everything that had happened over the years.

When Laiya spoke of the times they were in danger, Bum and Tasha's hearts tightened. Only when the danger passed did they let out a sigh of relief.

When Laiya recounted the funny parts, she gestured wildly, describing the events so vividly that Bum and Tasha realized their daughter had such a cute side.

Finally, she spoke of the great battle against Slug. When she mentioned that she had driven Slug away, Laiya's expression turned proud, as if to say: Look how amazing I am! Dad, Mom, hurry up and praise me!

Bum and Tasha's faces showed pure disbelief. Laiya had actually defeated Slug, the King of the Demon Clan, who was on par with Frieza.

Bum asked: "Laiya, is what you're saying true?"

"Of course it's true! If you don't believe me, you can ask Gaino."

Bum and Tasha looked at Gaino, who said: "It is true. Laiya drove Slug away."

"That means Laiya's current strength is even greater than the King's," Bum said.

Laiya corrected him: "It's not just greater than the King's. In my eyes, the King is no longer worth mentioning."

Gaino followed up: "That is indeed the case."

The sound of throats gulping echoed in the room. Bum and Tasha were stunned by these revelations. How exactly had Laiya and Gaino been training these past few years? How had they become so powerful?

Seeing his parents' expressions, Gaino said slowly: "No matter how much Laiya and I change, we're still your children, aren't we?"

"Right, right, right, Gaino is right. Gaino and Laiya will always be our children," Bum said.

"Well, now that your son and daughter are hungry, Dad, Mom, shouldn't you be cooking us a feast?"

"How could we forget about that? Bum, hurry up, let's go cook for Gaino and Laiya."

Watching his parents walk into the kitchen, Gaino remarked, "It's still best at home; it's just so heartwarming."

...You are reading Dragon Ball: Starting with the Ancient Saiyan Bloodline by the great Cheng Ran.