Returning to Earth

Son Gohan looked at the group approaching him, raised a hand in greeting, and smiled.

"Yo, hello."

Paragus had no mind to spare for him.

At a glance, he saw Broly lying on the ground in a miserable state, covered in blood. His battle suit had been torn to shreds, and his face was full of dried blood, bruises, and swelling.

Paragus's face went pale. Panicked, he staggered over and threw himself beside Broly, grabbing his shoulders and shaking him hard.

"Broly! Broly! Are you okay? How did this happen—how did this happen?!"

Broly did not respond.

His injuries were too severe, and after more than ten consecutive days of high-intensity fighting, his body had long since been completely drained.

Only the faint rise and fall of his chest showed that he was still alive, but he probably would not wake up anytime soon.

Paragus suddenly turned around and roared at his subordinates, "Quick! Take Broly to the treatment room! Now!"

Several lackeys hurried over in a fluster, clumsily lifting Broly onto a stretcher before racing toward the spaceship's medical bay.

Paragus ran alongside the stretcher for a few steps before stopping. He turned back toward Son Gohan, his eyes filled with shock, suspicion, and fury.

Son Gohan spread his hands, sounding sincere and innocent.

"Well, that was rough. He wasn't watching where he was going and took a fall, so he ended up like this."

"I'm softhearted, so I had no choice but to help him up."

Paragus's face twitched violently, his expression clearly saying that was complete nonsense.

"Who are you trying to fool?!"

"You—was it you who beat Broly into this state?!"

"How could that be?"

Son Gohan pointed at himself and hurriedly denied it.

"Sir, look how old I am. I'm about eleven. Your son looks so strong—how could I possibly beat him?"

Paragus was only half convinced.

This kid really did look like a child, not even tall enough to reach Broly's chest.

But when his gaze fell on Son Gohan, he saw several tears in his black jacket, bloodstains on his arms, and dirt and blood smeared across his face.

He looked as though he had just gone through a major battle.

What uninjured child would be carrying such obvious traces of combat?

Though he remained skeptical, he had no time to press the matter. He was still worried about Broly, so he merely gave Son Gohan a long, hard look before turning and hurrying toward the medical bay.

Vegeta stepped forward with his arms crossed, his gaze sweeping back and forth between the two Gohans.

One wore a black jacket and was covered in signs of battle, while the other wore Piccolo's Demon King outfit and stood obediently beside Krillin.

"Who are you? Why are there two Gohans?"

Krillin rubbed his smooth head, looking equally confused.

"He's from another timeline."

Son Gohan answered casually.

"Like Trunks."

Only then did everyone understand.

Krillin stepped forward and scratched his head. "Um—Gohan, we came because we heard there was a legendary Super Saiyan here."

"Do you know where he is?"

Son Gohan from this timeline stood beside Krillin, staring curiously at the version of himself in the black jacket, his eyes full of disbelief.

Son Gohan nodded.

"I already met him, but let's head back first. Isn't there still the Cell Games? Earth is more important."

Vegeta snorted coldly, arms crossed, his displeasure obvious.

After coming all this way, they had not even caught a glimpse of the legendary Super Saiyan, and now they were supposed to slink back home.

He turned his face away in irritation and said coldly, "I haven't seen the legendary Super Saiyan. If you want to go back, go back yourselves."

Son Gohan did not indulge him either, directly calling to the others, "Everyone, come over here. I learned Instant Transmission, so we don't need to travel back."

At that, Krillin quickly pulled the Son Gohan from this timeline over.

Seeing Gohan follow, Piccolo also walked expressionlessly to Son Gohan's side. His gaze paused briefly on the injuries covering Son Gohan's body, but he said nothing. He simply reached out and rested a hand on his shoulder.

Future Trunks remained where he was. He looked at Vegeta's face, which was written all over with displeasure. He understood his father well—stubborn, proud, and aloof.

Worried about his father, he walked over to Son Gohan and spoke apologetically.

"Sorry, Gohan. I'll stay here and keep an eye on things. You should go back first."

Son Gohan glanced at him, then at Vegeta in the distance with his back turned to everyone, and nodded. "It's fine."

Krillin placed a hand on Son Gohan's shoulder, while Piccolo supported him from the other side.

Instant Transmission activated, and the group vanished from Planet Vampa into thin air.

Vegeta stood on the wasteland as a cold wind swept past, whipping his hair about.

He did not turn around, merely glancing from the corner of his eye at Future Trunks standing some distance behind him.

Neither father nor son spoke. They simply stood in silence beneath Planet Vampa's gray sky.

Earth.

Son Goku had just been about to head for South Galaxy, one finger raised to his forehead, when several figures suddenly appeared before him out of thin air.

He blinked, frozen in place as his gaze shifted back and forth between the two Son Gohans.

"Why are you back? I was just about to come find you! And why are there two Gohans?"

Krillin stepped forward and explained everything again.

After listening, Son Goku slapped a hand against his palm in realization and chuckled. "So that's how it is! Just like Trunks!"

He laughed without a care in the world, as though having two Son Gohans was the most normal thing imaginable. Then he leaned closer to Son Gohan, looking him over from side to side with clicking admiration. "That outfit looks pretty cool. Very sharp."

Bulma came out carrying young Trunks. When she saw the two Son Gohans, her eyes went wide with shock.

Chi-Chi followed behind her, still holding a picnic tray that she nearly dropped.

She looked at the Son Gohan in the black jacket, then at Son Gohan himself, opening her mouth without knowing which one to call.

Son Gohan pulled a Senzu Bean from his inner space, tossed it into his mouth, chewed it up, and swallowed.

Emerald-green energy spread through his body. The bloody marks on his arms healed at a visible rate, the bruises on his face faded, and his damaged skin became whole again.

More than ten days of exhaustion were fully replenished within seconds. Golden aura spilled from his body on its own, and not only did his energy return to normal, it had surged dramatically after being tempered to the limit in that prolonged battle with Broly.

"Let's deal with the Cell Games first. The Legendary Super Saiyan can wait."

Son Goku nodded, looking unusually serious. "You're right."

"We can't delay things with Cell any longer."

He paused, then glanced again at the torn black jacket Son Gohan was wearing.

"But Gohan, you need to change your clothes."

Son Gohan lowered his head and looked at his tattered jacket, then laughed.

"Alright, got it."