Billion Zeni

Two days later, Son Gohan and Piccolo emerged from the Hyperbolic Time Chamber after spending the full two years inside, officially ending their training.

"Dende, Mr. Popo!"

Son Gohan's long hair fluttered around him. He looked ragged and bedraggled as he enthusiastically hugged them.

"Two years... Do you know how I spent those two years?"

Thinking back on his days inside, tears streamed down his face. It really wasn't a place for humans. Even though Piccolo had been with him, Piccolo was such a boring person that he couldn't even crack a joke.

"Gohan... You look absolutely miserable."

Dende and Mr. Popo were initially stunned, then burst into happy laughter. They could barely recognize Son Gohan.

Two years had passed, and Son Gohan's physical age had reached seven. He had grown a little taller, and because he was not a pure-blooded Saiyan, his hair had grown considerably longer as well.

Piccolo, on the other hand, had not changed much. He still looked as cold as ever. After assimilating Slug, his lifespan had been greatly extended, so two years meant practically nothing to him.

"By the way, Gohan, Mr. Piccolo, I've upgraded the Dragon Balls again. Now, Shenron can grant three wishes with a single summoning."

"However, reviving too many dead people at once will use up two wishes." Dende was still a child, after all, and he showed off rather proudly.

"That's amazing, Dende. You'll definitely become an outstanding Guardian." Son Gohan played along enthusiastically.

Mr. Popo was deft with his hands. After giving Son Gohan a thorough makeover, changing his clothes and cutting his hair, he turned him back into a fresh-looking little boy.

Son Gohan said goodbye to Dende and Mr. Popo. Before leaving, he told them that others would be coming to use the Hyperbolic Time Chamber in a few days.

"Uncle Piccolo, I'm going back to Mount Paozu. Are you coming with me?" Son Gohan asked.

"Sure. Training can't be neglected, and staying closer will make it easier to fight whenever necessary." After thinking it over, Piccolo agreed.

No one knew when the androids would appear. Supposedly, they had no ki at all and could not be sensed. It would be better for everyone to stay together and look out for one another.

Deep down, Piccolo really wanted to test himself against the androids right now.

After two years of training, he felt incomparably powerful, enough to look down on any enemy.

"Besides, Gohan is here."

Only someone like Piccolo, who had truly trained alongside Son Gohan, knew just how terrifying his potential was.

When they had first entered the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, Piccolo could defeat Son Gohan with effortless ease.

Half a year later, Son Gohan had broken through to Super Saiyan 2. Piccolo could only barely contend with him by relying on his half-immortal body.

After a year, Son Gohan had become the one guiding him, which was why Piccolo's strength had improved so quickly.

As for now, even Piccolo did not know how strong Son Gohan had become, because no one could force him to use his full strength anymore.

"Let's go to West City first." Seemingly remembering something, Son Gohan grabbed Piccolo and used Instant Transmission.

Whoosh!

The two appeared in the gravity training room. Vegeta was sweating profusely under three hundred times gravity, and his feet had left deep craters in the metal floor.

"You two finished training?" Vegeta stopped moving and asked them about the conditions inside the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.

"Yeah, it was extremely useful. In a couple of days, I'll have my dad come find you. With Trunks included, the three of you can enter the Hyperbolic Time Chamber together in pairs."

"Each pair trains for one day. That way, everyone gets to spend two full days inside, using up exactly six days." Son Gohan explained his idea.

"Hmph, as long as I can become a Super Saiyan, I'll do whatever it takes!" Vegeta looked proud and haughty. He ignored them after that and resumed training.

Son Gohan and Piccolo left the gravity training room and told Trunks about the arrangement as well.

"Aunt Bulma, can I use your family's computer?" Son Gohan asked politely.

"Gohan, what are you doing here? Of course you can. I'll take you there." Bulma's home was absurdly huge. If she had not led the way, even thieves would get lost wandering around inside.

Using Capsule Corp's powerful intelligence network, Son Gohan found some information, then he and Piccolo began flying all around the country.

"What? You want me to enter martial arts and boxing tournaments, and even fight in underground matches?" Piccolo's face turned green with anger as he shouted in outrage.

"Uncle Piccolo, calm down. I'm not asking you to fight alone. We're both entering." Son Gohan covered his ears and patiently explained.

He wanted to earn more money to bring back to Chi-Chi. Their family had lived far too frugally these past years, and Son Goku never put much thought into such things. Chi-Chi had been the one handling everything.

Father and son were both Saiyans with enormous appetites. Food alone cost them a huge amount every year.

Chi-Chi was four years younger than Bulma, yet she looked much older. That was the result of constantly working herself to the bone.

So Son Gohan wanted to bring back a large sum of money to make life easier for his family from now on.

"But after we get back, we'll say you earned all the money."

"Because my mom definitely won't want me taking risks, even though my strength means I won't get hurt in the slightest." Son Gohan had already planned everything out.

"...Fine." Piccolo struggled internally for a moment, then sighed helplessly.

First, he felt that Son Gohan's filial devotion at such a young age was worth encouraging.

Second, he often ate at Chi-Chi's house. He could not keep freeloading forever, so earning some money for them was only right.

Half a month later, Son Gohan and Piccolo appeared on Mount Paozu carrying several sacks on their backs.

"Gohan!" Chi-Chi cried out in delight and rushed over to hug him tightly.

Chi-Chi had not seen her son for a year. She thought Son Gohan had grown quite a bit taller, but for Son Gohan, three years had already passed.

"What are you two carrying..." Before Chi-Chi could finish, she opened the sacks.

"So much money..." Chi-Chi stared blankly, then sat down on the ground without a care for her appearance.

"Mom, this is one billion Zeni. Uncle Piccolo earned it all from boxing matches."

"He said my dad saved his life before, and he's often come to our house to eat since then. This money is just a small token of his appreciation." Son Gohan nearly laughed as he said it.

Piccolo's face turned an even deeper green. He shot Son Gohan a vicious glare, then nodded stiffly.

"Oh my, Piccolo, you're far too polite! Sit down, sit down. I'll really show you what I can do in the kitchen today."

Chi-Chi beamed as she hoisted several sacks by herself and swiftly tossed them into the house.

Then she brought out the best ingredients they had and began bustling around in the kitchen.

"Mom, I'll help too." Son Gohan ran over to lend a hand.

"By the way, where's your dad? Tell him to get back here quickly. There'll be good food tonight."

"My dad went to the Lookout. He'll be back in a few days."

"What? He ran off somewhere so far away again? Your father..." Chi-Chi began chattering away, complaining about Son Goku's faults.

Son Gohan knew that Chi-Chi's bark was worse than her bite. No one treated Son Goku better than she did.

As Piccolo watched Son Gohan busily helping out, he suddenly felt a sense of comfort, and an unconscious smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Somewhere on Earth, deep within an underground laboratory, machines containing androids filled the area. At the center, a massive supercomputer operated without pause.

"Cell, following your ideas, all the androids have been fully modified."

"Thank you, Doctor. From now on, Earth will be ruled by you..."