Earth, Kami's Lookout, early morning.
A figure darted and weaved across the courtyard. His movements weren't fast, but they had a certain rhythm.
"Huff—"
Son Goku lowered his fists and let out a long breath.
Three years. It had been three years since he returned from Namek.
For those three years, he had trained in seclusion at Kami's Lookout, barely returning to Mount Paozu.
The child who had once stood just four feet nine inches tall had now grown into a young man nearly six feet tall.
His orange gi fit him snugly, and the "Turtle" symbol on his back gleamed in the morning light. Beneath his unruly black hair was a sharply defined face, the childishness long gone from his features.
He lowered his head and looked at his hands, feeling the surging power within him.
Eighty times gravity... I've completely adapted to it.
Battle power... around 500,000, maybe? Far higher than Son Goku's battle power in the original after he adapted to 100 times gravity. A perfect start!!!
Over these three years, he had spent most of his time digesting the "Divine Power Cultivation Method" granted to him by Porunga, the Dragon. The information was like a vast library, every book written in the universal language of the cosmos and so profound it made his head hurt.
But he knew full well that these three years had been absolutely necessary. They were laying the groundwork for his future.
Mr. Popo stood not far away. A hint of satisfaction seemed to flicker in his white eyes. "That's enough for today."
"Yes, Mr. Popo." Son Goku bowed respectfully.
Mr. Popo's training had never let up in the past three years. From "a mind as still as water" to "sensing Godly Qi," from "the balance between destruction and creation" to "cultivating Godly Qi," Son Goku had been like a sponge, greedily absorbing everything.
But the more he learned, the more insignificant he felt.
Godly Qi and Divine Power... I can't even approach the threshold yet. Although I haven't focused on increasing my battle power over these three years, it's reached around 500,000. That's enough for now.
He gazed into the distance, where Earth's outline was just visible beneath the clouds.
"Today... I turn eighteen. Raditz will arrive in four or five years!"
"Time to head back."
Mount Paozu, a wooden cabin.
Smoke curled from the chimney, and the familiar aroma of cooking filled the courtyard. Son Gohan sat on a stone stool. His white beard was longer than before, and his back more hunched, but his eyes were still bright.
"Grandpa." Son Goku landed in the courtyard, knelt respectfully, and touched his forehead to the ground.
"Goku?" Son Gohan sprang up in delight and tottered over. His rough hands helped his grandson to his feet. "You got even taller, you rascal! Let Grandpa get a good look at you!"
He circled Son Goku, his eyes full of pride. "Good! Good! You look like a real martial artist now!"
Looking at his grandfather's aged face, Son Goku felt a pang of sadness.
Grandpa... In the original story, you passed away when I was little.
This time, I changed fate and kept you alive until now. But... you're still getting old.
"Grandpa," he said softly, "I turn eighteen today."
"Eighteen already..." Son Gohan stroked his beard wistfully. "Time sure flies. That little fellow who fell off a cliff back then has grown up into..."
He paused, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "It's time you got yourself a wife!"
Son Goku blushed. "Grandpa..."
"Hahaha!" Son Gohan roared with laughter, his white beard trembling. "Don't be shy! When I was your age, I was already... Ahem! Anyway! Is there someone you like?"
Son Goku thought of the girl with short, pale-purple hair, and the girl with her hair tied in buns, carrying a suitcase.
"Yes..." He nodded honestly. "There are two."
"Two?!" Son Gohan's eyes widened, then he burst out laughing. "Good! That's my grandson! What's wrong with my grandson marrying a few girls?"
Son Goku: "..."
"Go on." Son Gohan patted his shoulder with a kind smile. "Go do what you need to do."
Son Goku bowed deeply. "Grandpa, I'll come visit you often."
"I know, I know." Son Gohan waved him off and turned toward the cabin. "Remember to bring back great-grandchildren!"
Son Goku: "..."
West City, Capsule Corporation.
Bulma was adjusting a new Dragon Radar in the laboratory. Her pale-purple hair was tied into a neat ponytail, and her long legs showed beneath her lab coat. Three years had passed, and she had blossomed from a girl into an even more mature and captivating woman.
"Bulma."
A familiar voice came from behind her. She spun around, and the wrench in her hand clanged to the floor.
A young man stood in the doorway.
He wore an orange gi, his black hair was unruly, and a golden tail swayed lazily behind him. He was a head taller than he had been three years ago, with broader shoulders and a tall, straight frame. But those black eyes of his... they still drew her in.
"G-Goku?!" Bulma felt her heart skip a beat.
In the past three years, he had barely come back at all. Now that they were reunited, everything felt different.
H-How did he get so...
Damn it, my face is burning...
"Bulma." Son Goku walked into the laboratory and stopped in front of her, looking so serious he seemed almost awkward. "I... I have something to tell you."
"W-What is it?" Bulma instinctively brushed her hair aside, her heart pounding.
"I like you."
The four words exploded through the laboratory like a bomb.
Bulma froze.
She looked at the young man before her. There was no joking or hesitation on his face, only a sincerity so intense it was almost obsessive. It was the same look he wore when he said, "I'm going to get stronger." The same look was in his eyes now as he said, "I like you."
H-He was confessing to her?!
This blockhead... This battle-crazed idiot... He was actually confessing?!
"W-What did you say?" Bulma's voice trembled.
"I like you," Son Goku repeated, looking straight into her eyes. "I've liked you for a long time. You're smart and kind, and you always help me fix things and make equipment... I don't know if this is love, but I know I'm happy whenever I see you. I want... to be with you forever."
Bulma felt her eyes grow hot. She didn't know how long she'd been waiting to hear those words. Wasn't that why she hadn't dated anyone all these years? She'd been waiting for this moment.
"You idiot..." She lowered her head, her voice thick with emotion. "You only said it now..."
"I'm sorry." Son Goku scratched his head. "I don't really understand this kind of thing. But..."
He took a step forward and gently held Bulma's hand. "I want to be with you. Not as a friend, but... as family."
Bulma looked up into his eyes. There were no lies or pretenses in them, only a heart laid bare, burning with warmth.
"...Deal." She broke into a tearful smile and squeezed his hand. "But! If you ever dare to bully me, I'll use a Capsule to launch you to the moon!"
Son Goku smiled, his grin bright as sunshine. "I won't."
They smiled at each other, and the air in the laboratory seemed to turn sweet.
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