As the outline of Mount Paozu gradually emerged beneath the clouds, a smile unconsciously appeared on Son Gohan's lips.
Finally, he was back in his warm home.
He reined in his aura and landed at the entrance to the yard.
The wooden gate was still the same wooden gate. He pushed it open and walked inside.
"I'm back!"
In the living room, Chi-Chi was sitting on the sofa watching television.
Hearing his voice, she froze for a second before springing to her feet, not even having time to turn off the TV.
When she saw Gohan standing in the doorway, motherly love surged through her, and her eyes brimmed with heartache.
"Gohan! You're back?"
She hurried over and looked her son over from head to toe.
"Have you eaten?"
Son Gohan smiled and shook his head.
"Not yet, Mom. I've just really missed your cooking."
The moment Chi-Chi heard that, she rolled up her sleeves and headed straight for the kitchen without another word, muttering as she went.
"You child, you've been gone so long without even sending word home... Sit tight. Mom will make you something to eat!"
Son Gohan watched his mother's back and smiled.
"I really did miss Mom's cooking."
Then he turned and headed for the bathroom.
Warm water poured over his body.
Amid the misty steam, he leaned against the wall and let out a relaxed breath.
The fatigue seemed to flow away with the water, washed clean by the heat, leaving his whole body at ease.
After showering and changing into clean clothes, he flopped onto the sofa.
It felt wonderful.
Birds chirped outside the window, while the sounds of chopping vegetables and sizzling oil came from the kitchen.
Sometimes, this felt even better than fighting.
Before long, Chi-Chi's voice came from the kitchen.