Training Trunks

In a desert on Earth, the corpses of various aliens lay scattered about.

To prevent the humans from discovering them and triggering an epidemic, Piccolo killed the survivors and disposed of the bodies.

After the great battle ended, everyone stared at Trunks.

Hearing what Vegeta had said, Trunks was filled with immense confusion. He didn't know what had happened to make his father in this timeline aware of his existence. Could it be that he himself already existed in this timeline?

"Trunks, why are you just standing there? Tell us your purpose..." Piccolo urged.

"Are you an employee of our Capsule Corp? You have our company logo on your clothes, and that strange machine of yours has it too. Does the company have such a handsome young man? How come I didn't know about it..." Bulma asked curiously.

Trunks blushed at Bulma's praise.

He immediately pulled out a capsule, threw it on the ground, and popped open a small refrigerator filled with various cold drinks.

"Help yourselves, everyone. I'll explain everything slowly!" Trunks said.

In truth, Vegeta had debated whether or not to reveal that he knew of his existence.

But during the battle just now, Trunks had been far too reckless; if he hadn't been warned, this future son of his would have been killed. After all, the situation was different now. Furthermore, Beerus was still in deep slumber, and Whis wasn't wandering around the universe. Since the original history didn't record Trunks's arrival during this period, it was unlikely he would be discovered now, and with Mr. Popo around, he would surely take appropriate measures.

Trunks explained everything to the group.

When Gohan heard that Goku would die of a heart disease, he was immediately filled with worry.

"Dad, I'll go find the Dragon Balls right now and wish for you to be healthy!" Gohan said.

"Gohan, it's useless. The Dragon Balls were just used to revive Tien Shinhan and the others; they can't be used yet. There isn't enough time," Goku said, appearing completely unconcerned.

"What a pity. I won't be able to participate in the upcoming battles. Just hearing about powerful Androids makes me so excited!" Goku said.

His eyes, filled with fighting spirit, surprised Trunks. Is this the Uncle Goku my mother spoke of? Living for battle, not even caring about death! He quickly clarified, "Uncle Goku, don't worry. I have a special medicine from the future that can cure your illness. I came here specifically for this!"

After saying this, Trunks tossed it to Gohan, telling him to take it when the symptoms started. After all, history had changed, and he didn't know if Goku would even contract the heart disease. If not, everyone would be happy; if he did, the medicine would be there.

Once Trunks finished speaking, everyone was filled with anxiety, especially Goku.

"I never imagined the Red Ribbon Army would rise from the ashes!"

"It's fine. Didn't Trunks say that we are much stronger than the versions of us in his history? If the Androids that appear on our side are the same strength as the ones in his time, you should be able to wipe them all out. Isn't Vegeta still here?" Piccolo analyzed slowly.

"That's right. Your history has already deviated significantly from what I know, so I'm not sure what will happen next!" Trunks said.

"What about you? You can actually transform into a Super Saiyan. Who are you?" Piccolo asked.

"That's right. Vegeta said that because Planet Vegeta was destroyed, there are only a few Saiyans left. Who are you?" Goku also asked curiously.

During their earlier exchange, Trunks hadn't revealed that he was the son of Vegeta and Bulma. If he had already been born, it would be one thing, but if not, he feared interfering with his parents' lives and preventing his own birth.

"This... this... I can't..." Trunks stammered.

"Enough. He is the son of Bulma and me," Vegeta said bluntly from the side.

"Nani?..." Bulma was shocked.

"Although I'm a bit surprised, seeing how handsome you are, Mom is relieved. If you had inherited your father's hairstyle, you'd be ugly as sin! It seems my genes are quite strong, too. Come here and let Mom give you a hug!"

Bulma gave her future son an intimate hug. Trunks, touched by a hint of warmth, blushed and his eyes grew moist. He hadn't expected the mother of this world to be so cheerful. Thinking of his mother in the future world, a trace of sorrow welled up; years of fleeing and his father's death had aged her significantly, leaving no smile on her face.

"Why are you crying, child?" Bulma asked.

"It's nothing. I... I'm just happy!" Trunks wiped away his tears and said.

"You should call me Mom, too!" Bulma said.

"Mom, thank you!" Trunks said, moved.

Bulma looked at the big boy before her, and having heard everything he said, she felt a deep ache for Trunks when she thought of the future world.

"Alright, that's how it is. Let's go back! Trunks, come with me! We're going home, and I have things to discuss with you!" Vegeta interrupted the group's discussion.

After Goku and the others said their goodbyes to Trunks, they took to the sky and flew away.

Trunks followed Bulma and Vegeta back to the estate on the outskirts of West City.

"Um, how did you know about my existence, and about the future..." Trunks felt incredibly awkward.

Looking at his expressionless father, he truly couldn't bring himself to say it.

"What? You don't even want to call me Father?" Vegeta said coldly.

"Father... please help me go to the future and destroy the enemy!" Trunks requested respectfully.

His eyes were filled with hope as he looked at Vegeta. My father in this world is so powerful; if he goes to the future, he will definitely be able to defeat the Androids!

Vegeta's expression shifted from indifference to fury. Suddenly, he struck, sending Trunks flying back several meters with a punch, a trickle of blood running from the corner of his mouth.

"Vegeta, what are you doing? Why are you hitting my son?" Bulma cried out.

She rushed over to help Trunks up.

Trunks's eyes were filled with shock; he didn't understand why Vegeta had hit him.

"You really are a fool. As a member of the Saiyan race, you actually think about having others help you instead of striving to become stronger yourself. You're a disgrace to us Saiyans! I can help you once, but can I help you twice? What happens when a powerful enemy appears after the Androids are gone? Will you run back to find me again? Can you guarantee the safety of Bulma in the future? Can you guarantee you'll even be alive to come find me then? You really are pathetic!" Vegeta said, his voice filled with tough love.

Listening to Vegeta's words, the look in Trunks's eyes shifted from shock to firm resolve.

"Father, I was wrong. I'm sorry. Please, train me! I will defeat the Androids myself, and I will protect Mother in the future!" Trunks said, bowing low.

Vegeta looked at Trunks, who had been jolted into clarity by his scolding, and a hint of gratification appeared on his face.

"Follow me. I'm taking you somewhere."

Vegeta soared into the air, flying toward the Lookout.

"Mother, I'm leaving. I'll come back to see you after I finish my training!" Trunks said, bidding her farewell.

He then followed Vegeta as they flew off.

Lookout.

"Mr. Vegeta, you've arrived! I already know the situation. You're heading to the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, aren't you? Let Mr. Popo take you there."

"Hmph." Vegeta replied coldly.

His prideful nature made it impossible for him to utter words of thanks.

"If you ever miss Namek, come find me anytime!" Vegeta said, pausing his stride to speak to Dende.

"Thank you, Mr. Vegeta! I will," Dende replied gratefully.

Vegeta and Trunks then followed Mr. Popo toward the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.

"Trunks, wait for me over there," Vegeta said, dismissing him.

"Mr. Popo, does your existence not span that timeline?" Vegeta asked, puzzled.

"It likely does, but I am not certain, as I have never been there. I haven't specifically looked, either. There are too many parallel worlds; because of you, several more have just appeared," Mr. Popo said.

He then tapped Vegeta between the brows, and a faint light was sealed within Vegeta's forehead.

"I know you wish to go to that timeline. If you go, you will surely find the me of that world. The Lookout wouldn't have been destroyed; perhaps it was just hidden. When you find that version of me and he sees you, he will understand everything," Mr. Popo said.

"Very well. I am going, no matter what. Once I arrive, I will set things right and ensure that world isn't so miserable," Vegeta said.

With that, he called Trunks over, and they entered the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.

As soon as Trunks stepped inside, he was stunned by the sight before him: an endless, vast expanse of white.

Walking toward the rest area, the sweltering heat and thin oxygen pressed down on him, leaving him drenched in sweat.

"What a peculiar space... it's so uncomfortable!" Trunks muttered to himself.

"Did you never come here in your world?" Vegeta asked, puzzled, knowing full well that Mr. Popo would not have been killed by the so-called Androids.

"No, Father. I heard Mother mention it, but in my world, the Lookout vanished after Uncle Piccolo died in battle. It must have been destroyed by the Androids! I was only a baby back then, so I don't remember; everything I know came from Mother and Master Gohan!" Trunks said.

It seems Mr. Popo hid the Lookout, Vegeta thought. Perhaps the Mr. Popo of that world looked down on the version of me and Sun Wukong there, so he didn't intervene.

"Enough. From here on out, I will put you through brutal training," Vegeta said.

"Yes, Father!" Trunks replied excitedly.

In his world, his father had died when he was just a child. Being able to receive training from his father in person now filled him with immense joy.

"Base combat power is what matters most. Look at you—you only have a few hundred million in combat power even after transforming. Here, we will train only your base combat power. If you can raise your base level to the tens of millions, I will teach you the other Super Saiyan forms. That way, when you return to the future, there will be no room for error, and you will certainly be able to defeat the Androids!" Vegeta explained, point by point.

He then launched into battle, beginning the brutal training of Trunks.