Looking for Mr. Popo, then heading to Namek

Inside the fallout shelter

Bulma and the others listened as Trunks told them what had happened during this time. Their eyes filled with disbelief. So Trunks hadn't traveled back to the past—he had traveled to a parallel timeline!

And clearly, thanks to Vegeta's presence, that timeline had started heading in a better direction!

Bulma was even more astonished. The Vegeta who had died hadn't understood people or been as considerate as the one standing before her now! She envied her counterpart in the parallel timeline, who could be with such an exceptional man!

A sudden urge to go with him welled up inside her! The moment the thought appeared, she quickly dismissed it!

"I'm done. That's what happened. By the way, Mom, why do you look younger?" Trunks asked Bulma after finishing his story.

"Me? I'm not sure either. I just took a nap, and then I was like this! Do I really look younger?" Bulma asked, bewildered.

Although her body had changed, she hadn't looked in a mirror.

"You really do, Aunt Bulma. Look!" Mai said, taking out a small mirror and holding it up to Bulma's face.

(As a girl, it was only natural to carry a mirror, right?)

Bulma gazed at her reflection, excitement surging through her. She hadn't expected her body to regain its youthful vigor—and even her face had returned to the beauty she'd had at eighteen!

She was also puzzled about why this had happened!

Seeing the confusion on his mother's face, Trunks immediately understood. He turned to Vegeta and said, "Dad, you must have done this, right? You restored Mom's youth. I don't know how you did it, but I'm sure it was you!"

Vegeta said coldly, "Children shouldn't meddle in adult matters. I have plenty of methods you don't know about. This is nothing!"

He had no way to explain the system's existence, so he could only take credit for it himself, though he felt a little embarrassed!!!

"Thank you, Vegeta..." Bulma said, touched.

"It's nothing. You're my woman too. Even if you're from a different timeline, how could I bear to watch you grow old?" Vegeta said gently.

Vegeta's bold words made Bulma's face flush. A feeling she hadn't experienced in over a decade suddenly returned! Ever since Goku died, the Vegeta in this timeline had been depressed and had lost all desire to fight. He'd barely paid any attention to her, either. She'd watched it all, hurting inside! Then Future Vegeta had died in battle, too! The last trace of her girlish softness had vanished, and she'd become a strong woman, leading the remaining Earthlings and Trunks as they fled from place to place!

But everything this Vegeta had done moved her in a way she'd never felt before! For a moment, she didn't even contradict him. She tacitly accepted his claim that she was his woman! The image of the Vegeta she'd known seemed to be slowly fading from her heart, while the man standing before her gradually found his way into it.

After all, they looked exactly alike, and the Vegeta from her timeline had been dead for seven years. It couldn't really be called falling for someone else!

Seeing that Bulma hadn't objected, Vegeta understood. He should be able to take her back with him. He just needed to keep trying!

Watching the two of them interact so intimately, Trunks suddenly felt a little unhappy. But the feeling vanished in an instant! Perhaps this father of his was the best person for his mother.

"Enough, Trunks. Next, lead everyone in rebuilding their home. I'm going to look for Mr. Popo and the Lookout. I'll do what I can to help you restore your home!" Vegeta instructed.

"The Lookout? Didn't it disappear?" Bulma asked in confusion.

"It didn't. Mr. Popo probably hid it! The Mr. Popo in my world is very strong, stronger than me. The history may be different, but the counterparts in every parallel world are just as powerful! Especially an ancient being like Mr. Popo!" Vegeta explained.

"Okay, Father. Go ahead. I'll look after everyone," Trunks replied.

"Will you come back...?" Bulma couldn't help asking.

"I will. I'll keep my promise to you. If you agree, I'll make it happen. Even if you don't, I'll come back to see you when I'm done. I won't just disappear!" Vegeta said gently.

With that, he used the Space-Time Technique and vanished.

Vegeta was now using the great Chinese strategy of luring his target in by first giving ground! Instead of pressing her at every turn, he was doing the opposite—and that only made Bulma more reluctant to let him go...

"Mom, what promise? I didn't hear anything!"

Future Trunks was at the age when he was just starting to fall in love. Wearing a deliberate smile, he asked Bulma as if he'd guessed what was going on!

"What promise? There was no promise. I don't know what you're talking about... You little brat! You went out for a while and now you're teasing your mother! Have you forgotten your manners?" Bulma scolded him sharply.

"Haha, all right, Mom. I won't tease you. But you do have to take responsibility for your son's future, right? Dad just told Mai to call him Dad, and he promised to hold a wedding for us after our home is rebuilt!" Trunks said, slowly letting his laughter fade.

"What? Mai hasn't even called me Mom, but she's already calling him Dad?! After all these years, our relationship means less than someone who just showed up? Mai, that won't do!" Bulma said jealously.

"Mom... it's not like that... I've actually wanted to call you Mom for a long time!" Mai said, blushing.

Bulma understood. Over the seven years they'd spent together, she and Mai had supported each other for Trunks's sake. They were already more like mother and daughter than anything else!

Mai took Bulma's arm and rested her head on Bulma's shoulder.

"Good girl. That makes us even closer! I hope you and Trunks will be happy together, too," Bulma said, offering her blessing.

The touching scene made everyone present envious. They wondered when they would get to enjoy a happy life of their own. But it should be soon. With the Androids gone, better days were just around the corner!

"Mom, we're happy, but you should think about your own happiness, too. Earth isn't in danger anymore, and you don't need to work so hard for my sake. I'm grown up now!" Trunks added.

"Brat, just take care of yourself. Don't bully Mai. My affairs are none of your business..." Bulma said.

Truthfully, she'd gone from resisting at first to wavering after Vegeta had done so much for her in such a short time...

The empty air where Earth's Lookout had once stood

Vegeta appeared in an instant and looked around in confusion. He unleashed his spatial power, but couldn't sense any hidden space in the area.

Clearly, Mr. Popo from the original timeline had overestimated Vegeta's Space-Time Technique! Perhaps he'd only be able to sense it after advancing to the Greater Space-Time Technique!

Since that approach hadn't worked, Vegeta could only try the foolproof method!

His aura flared, and he shouted, "Mr. Popo... I know you can hear me... I need to talk to you. I know you're still alive..."

It was certainly the clumsiest method! But it worked!

A vast, circular platform slowly appeared! It no longer had Korin Tower supporting it as before, but a strange energy still kept it suspended in the air!

"You're Vegeta? Aren't you dead? No, you're not the Vegeta from this timeline... Who are you, and what do you want with me?" Future Mr. Popo asked warily.

"Mr. Popo, see for yourself. There's a message for you from the Mr. Popo in my world, sealed in my forehead," Vegeta said as he flew over to Future Mr. Popo.

He wasn't worried that Future Mr. Popo might suddenly attack him. After all, he now had a rudimentary ability to stop time. If Mr. Popo showed the slightest intent to harm him, he could activate it instantly. It only lasted thirty seconds, but that would be more than enough!

Future Mr. Popo studied the familiar seal in confusion. It had indeed been made by his own hand. He undid it and received the information transmitted by the Mr. Popo from the past!

"I see. Your world had problems too. I thought this upheaval had only happened here!" Future Mr. Popo said.

"Can you tell me what happened? What made someone like you afraid to act freely and go into hiding?" Vegeta asked, puzzled.

"Most of what happened before was the same as in your world. After my wicked disciple grew up and began working under me, history started diverging in many ways, and a great many parallel worlds came into being. Based on the information from your timeline, I've deduced that his target is probably Lord Zeno!" Future Mr. Popo explained.

"Do you know the specifics of his scheme? Now that you know his target, surely you can figure something out," Vegeta asked, puzzled.

"I don't know for sure yet. I can't quite put it into words. I'm still missing one final piece. I'll tell you once I've figured everything out. But I can tell you this: the current Grand Priest is different from us. He doesn't belong to the entire Zeno's Universe. In every timeline, he seems to be the same person, pursuing the same conspiracy! I was born as part of Zeno's Universe. Whenever a parallel world appears, a counterpart of me appears as well. But he seems to be unique, one of a kind. His counterparts don't appear because parallel worlds came into existence. Instead, he deliberately sent his own counterparts to appear in every parallel world. Do you understand what I mean? It's a bit convoluted and hard to figure out, but that's the reality of it!" Future Mr. Popo said, explaining at length in one breath.

"I kind of understand, but now I'm even more confused. All right, with my current strength, I have no business getting involved. I'll leave it to you for now! I don't want to get a headache over it!" Vegeta said.

"What else did you need?" Future Mr. Popo asked.

"I plan to find Namek and bring back a genius who can create Dragon Balls. I want him to become Earth's Guardian. If you don't agree, I can't make it happen anyway. You'll have to pull some strings to appoint him, won't you?" Vegeta said.

"Fine... Now that I've learned more about his scheme, I can afford to show myself from time to time... I'll take special care of Trunks," Future Mr. Popo said.

"Sorry for the trouble. I'm not powerful enough to deal with the other parallel worlds, but Trunks from this world came to find me. I can't just leave him to fend for himself! I also can't afford to worry about whether my interference will cause even more parallel worlds to split off!" Vegeta said.

"Don't worry. There are already plenty of parallel worlds. One or two more won't matter," Future Mr. Popo said impassively.

"All right, I'll be back in a little while." With that, Vegeta vanished.

New Namek

Vegeta Instant-Transmitted to a village, where the people were planting greenery and caring for the natural environment!

At the sight of Vegeta, everyone's eyes immediately turned toward him!

"Sorry to bother you... Could one of you take me to see Moori? By the way, he should be your Grand Elder in this world too, right?" Vegeta asked the gathered Namekians.

"Are you Mr. Vegeta?" a young Namekian asked.

"You're... Dende? I didn't expect you to have grown so much in this world! Then again, this timeline is ten years ahead of the one I came from!" Vegeta said.

"You're not the Vegeta from this world?" Dende asked, puzzled.

"All right, this isn't the time to talk. Take me to Moori. I'll explain what happened after I see him!" Vegeta said impatiently.

"Okay. I'll take you to the Grand Elder's residence," Dende said. Then he rose into the air and flew toward Moori's location, with Vegeta following behind.

They landed at a tall building, much like the Grand Elder's old home. Moori came out and asked what had happened.

Vegeta explained everything that had occurred...

"I see. I can't believe so much happened after we left!" Moori exclaimed.

"Take Dende with you! He's still the most gifted member of the Dragon Clan. Making Dragon Balls will be easy for him! The people of Earth have helped us so much. I can't just stand by and do nothing!" Moori said, arranging everything.

"Yes, Grand Elder." Dende had missed Gohan and the others on Earth. After all, they'd faced life and death together and had become very good friends!

Vegeta didn't waste time. He took Dende with him and Instant-Transmitted back to the Lookout on Earth!

Seeing Dende, who resembled the Guardian, Mr. Popo was extremely excited. He had the same servant's odd sense of fun in this world, too!

Mr. Popo brought out the dragon model, and Dende restored Shenron's life. Just like in the main timeline, Shenron could grant three wishes!

Shenron turned into seven streaks of light and scattered across the Earth!

Vegeta gave Dende a few quick instructions, then hurried back to the surface! Sensing Trunks's energy, he Instant-Transmitted straight to him!

Trunks was leading the remaining Earthlings in rebuilding their homes in West City!

"Trunks, the Dragon Balls have been restored. There's a new Namekian at the Lookout too. Ask your mother for the Dragon Radar, then decide for yourself what you want to wish for. But when it comes to rebuilding your home, I suggest you lead everyone in constructing it from scratch! People don't appreciate things that come too easily!" Vegeta advised.

"All right, Father. I understand!" Trunks excitedly went to Bulma to get the Dragon Radar, then set off with Mai to search for the Dragon Balls all over the world!

Inside a capsule house on the surface, Bulma stared at Vegeta as he returned, unable to say a word.

Vegeta said, "If the Vegeta from this world is revived, I'll step aside on my own. But if he's already been reincarnated, I'll definitely take you back with me!"

Bulma didn't know how to answer.

She changed the subject and asked, "If you take me back with you, aren't you worried your past self will get jealous and angry?"

"No. Before I came here, I'd already explained everything to her, and she agreed. Besides, part of the reason I'm being so proactive is that she asked me to," Vegeta explained.

"Oh? What reason would make the proud version of me ask you to bring me back?" Bulma asked, puzzled.

"You'll find out when the time comes. If you don't come with me, there'll be no need to explain!" A sly smile tugged at Vegeta's lips.

"All right..." Bulma said, dazed.

She still didn't understand what Vegeta meant! After all, living with the Vegeta of this world had long since driven her emotional intelligence into the negatives! She was nowhere near as emotionally perceptive as the Bulma from his past!

A day later, Trunks gathered all the Dragon Balls and summoned Shenron. He wished for everyone killed by the Androids to be revived, except Dr. Gero!

But too much time had passed, and many people had already been reincarnated. That included Goku, Piccolo, Tien Shinhan, Vegeta, and the others. They'd been dead for too long and had already been reborn, perhaps on Earth or perhaps on another planet. After all, Hell contained the souls of the dead from across the entire universe!

Although Gohan hadn't been reincarnated yet, Earth no longer held anything he felt attached to. The Androids had been destroyed, his pupil had grown stronger than he was, and Trunks had found happiness of his own! His final lingering attachment had disappeared, too.

It was impossible to know whether he would eventually be reincarnated or remain in Heaven! In any case, he had refused to be revived!

Trunks made two more wishes: to revive the dead and restore Earth to its former state. All the environments damaged by the Androids returned to the way they'd once been! Following Vegeta's advice, however, Shenron didn't restore the cities, only the environment and the natural landscape!

When Bulma heard the news, the last of her guilt vanished, and she decided to return to Vegeta's world with him!

Trunks and Mai gave them their blessing! They were reluctant to part, but they couldn't stop his mother from seeking happiness. After all, this Vegeta had earned both his admiration and his awe!

"Brat, come see me once you've rebuilt your home. I'll personally attend your wedding! A wedding without your father wouldn't do!" Vegeta said.

"Yes, thank you, Dad! I'll invite you, and both of my mothers. You can all come back together!" Trunks hadn't forgotten Bulma. Their time together had been short, but she'd treated him well, too!

"Both...? Heh... there'll be three. I'll bring them to meet you and attend your wedding together! For now, let me take care of the last threat hanging over you!" A killing intent suddenly radiated from Vegeta, and he vanished in an instant!

When he reappeared, he had Instant-Transmitted behind Cell, who had been spying nearby!

Cell's hideous face made people want to vomit!

He stared at Vegeta in terror and said, "How did you know I was here? Impossible!! I'd suppressed my ki to the absolute minimum!"

Vegeta couldn't be bothered to say a word. He stopped time, powered up, and unleashed a Great Bombardment Attack. Cell was reduced to ash!

He carefully searched the area, making sure not to leave behind even a single piece of flesh. He destroyed every last bit, grinding it to dust!

After Dende took over as Guardian, he detected Cell and immediately told Vegeta. That was when Vegeta remembered Cell's existence! While talking to Trunks earlier, he'd been searching for Cell's ki the whole time. He hadn't expected Cell to be nearby, so he'd dealt with him on the spot.

Future Trunks wasn't reckless. But Cell was so despicable that who knew what kind of trouble he might cause... Innocent as he was, how could Trunks outwit someone as underhanded as Cell? Cell wasn't that strong, but his methods were truly disgusting!

Vegeta couldn't be bothered to care whether his interference would cause another parallel timeline to split off.

After all, even in the original story, the timeline where Cell ambushed and killed Trunks and took the Time Machine to the main timeline was already a separate parallel world from Trunks's own!

So when Trunks learned what had happened later on, he deliberately lured Cell out and destroyed him!

Sometimes, you had to break things before you could build them back up. It was all part of the Grand Priest's scheme anyway! Letting it unfold ahead of schedule didn't matter. After all, Zeno was still around, and the Grand Priest was probably holding off on revealing his scheme because he wasn't confident he could deal with Zeno!

"Dad, who was that? Why did I sense the ki of so many people inside him? It was all jumbled together!" Trunks asked, puzzled.

"Just a bug. Forget it. Even with the world free of danger, you can't let your guard down and stop training! I may show up at any time to test you. If you haven't improved... you know exactly what I'm capable of! Hmph!" Vegeta declared, radiating sheer dominance!

"Yes, Dad. I'll work hard! I'll protect the future that belongs to me. I'll protect Mai!" Trunks promised solemnly.

After everything was settled, the system's reward arrived as well!

"Ding! Host has completed the mission. Reward: Space-Time Technique upgraded to Greater Space-Time Technique."

Vegeta took Bulma with him and used the Greater Space-Time Technique. At once, the laws of space and time revealed countless parallel worlds to him. Vegeta searched through them one by one and finally found the timeline he'd come from! He crossed through time and space and vanished in an instant!...