Persuading Chi-Chi

Mount Paozu was secluded from the outside world, with beautiful mountains and clear waters. It was where Son Goku's family lived.

"Chi-Chi, we're back!"

A yellow Flying Nimbus flew over from afar and stopped in front of the house. Son Goku and Son Gohan returned to Mount Paozu first, with Piccolo following behind them.

They would be going to King Kai's Planet for an entire year, so they needed to tell Chi-Chi. They couldn't let her worry too much.

"Piccolo, aren't you coming in?" Son Goku turned back and asked.

"I'll wait outside."

Piccolo found a large tree and stood atop it, gazing into the distance with his usual cold, proud air.

"Gohan, weren't you visiting Kame House? Why did you come back so soon?"

Chi-Chi wore a purple dress and an orange shawl. She had been cooking in the kitchen, and her face was filled with surprise when she saw the father and son return.

"Mom, something happened." Son Gohan explained everything again.

"Saiyans? Goku's older brother? The Earth might be destroyed in a year?"

Chi-Chi took a long time to process it all. Then she looked at Son Goku, who nodded, confirming that it was all true.

She immediately pulled Son Gohan over, carefully checking him for injuries before holding him tightly in fear.

When she heard that Son Gohan was going to King Kai's Planet as well, she firmly objected. "No. Gohan, you can't go. Let your father go by himself."

Son Gohan had long known that convincing Chi-Chi would not be easy. A mother naturally feared that her child would be harmed.

Unlike Bulma's free-range kind of love for Trunks, Chi-Chi's love was more traditional. All she wanted was for the family to live together in health and safety.

If the price of saving the Earth was losing her family, then what difference would it make to her whether the Earth was destroyed or not?

At this time, Chi-Chi was beautiful, young, and full of vitality. She was only twenty-three, yet she had remained in the little house on Mount Paozu, devoting herself wholeheartedly to taking care of the family.

"Mom, don't worry. I won't get hurt. Dad will protect me, and Uncle Piccolo is coming with us too."

Son Gohan pointed at Piccolo, who stood atop a distant tree. Piccolo had excellent hearing, and he gave a cold snort at those words.

"Piccolo is going too?"

Chi-Chi was still somewhat afraid of the Demon King who had once tried to conquer the world.

"Yeah, Piccolo and Dad are already good friends." Son Gohan winked at Son Goku.

"That's right, Chi-Chi. Piccolo has changed for the better. We have him to thank for saving Gohan this time." Son Goku caught on and added.

Chi-Chi was still worried. "Gohan, wasn't your dream to become a scholar?"

"Mom, those things don't conflict."

"I heard King Kai is an incredibly knowledgeable god, wiser than everyone on Earth put together. I want to visit him."

"I won't fall behind on my schoolwork either. I'll bring it all with me when I leave."

With his safety assured, Son Gohan struck while the iron was hot and said he was not going there to train, but to study.

Although he had already decided not to study anymore, he still had to put on an act in front of Chi-Chi. It was a well-intentioned lie.

"It's always good to go out and see the world. The teacher said that reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles, right?"

After Son Gohan's repeated persuasion and Son Goku's assistance, Chi-Chi finally agreed to let them go to King Kai's Planet together.

The family of three ate a hearty meal at the small wooden table.

When it was time to leave, Chi-Chi hugged her son tightly, her eyes red. They would be gone for a year, and she had never been apart from Son Gohan for so long.

"Goku, Gohan, you have to stay safe!"

Chi-Chi's voice was thick with tears as she raised her right hand and waved it again and again. The setting sun stretched her shadow long behind her.

"Don't worry, Mom!" Son Goku and Son Gohan shouted back.

"Son Goku, why are you two each carrying such huge bags? What's inside?" Piccolo asked in confusion.

"Chi-Chi packed food and drinks in them, along with Gohan's study materials and spare clothes for the two of us..." Son Goku smiled happily.

This is what becoming stronger means.

Son Gohan made up his mind. He had to become the strongest. No matter what happened in the future, he would not allow anyone to destroy the Earth.

"Kid, are we going to King Kai's Planet now?" Piccolo had waited until he was losing patience.

"First, we're going to find Fortuneteller Baba and have her take us to the underworld. We can only reach King Kai's Planet by taking Snake Way through the underworld."

Fortuneteller Baba could take people back and forth between the worlds of the living and the dead.

"Baba, huh? I haven't seen her in a long time. That really brings back memories." Son Goku looked nostalgic.

In the center of a vast desert on the southwestern peninsula lay a huge oasis. Several palaces had been built above it, connected together.

A few hours later, Son Gohan and the other two descended from the sky and arrived before Fortuneteller Baba's palace.

"Impressive, Gohan. I only taught you once, and you already learned how to fly." Son Goku praised him.

While they were flying earlier, Son Gohan had asked Son Goku to teach him how to fly. Otherwise, running along Snake Way would be troublesome, and the Flying Nimbus could not enter the underworld.

"Are Saiyan kids all monsters?" Piccolo felt conflicted.

"Hehe, it's nothing."

Just wait until we reach King Kai's Planet. I'll give you all something big.

"Welcome, honored guests. I have been waiting for you for quite some time."

A little pink ghost wearing a straw hat floated in midair, smiling as it led them inside.

"Hey, aren't you Baba's butler? We've met before." Son Goku smiled.

"That's right."

The little pink ghost led the three of them through the palace gates and across a huge lake before they finally saw Fortuneteller Baba.

She wore a witch's hat and had short pink hair. Her aged face was covered in wrinkles as she sat cross-legged atop a giant crystal ball, floating in the air along with it.

"Hey, Baba, it's been a long time." Son Goku greeted her warmly.

"Fortuneteller Baba." Son Gohan addressed her politely.

Only Piccolo glanced at her from the side and said nothing.

"I already know why you've come." Fortuneteller Baba wore a sly expression.

"Then can you help us, Baba?"

Son Gohan was not surprised. Fortuneteller Baba already possessed a degree of foresight.

"We don't have any money, but I know the rules. The three of us will fight your five warriors, and if we win, you'll help us."

"Forget it. What kind of monsters are you three?"

"I'll help you for free this time. If the Saiyans destroy the Earth, I'll be out of luck too."

"Thank you, Baba!" Son Gohan said gratefully.

Inside King Yemma's Palace, King Yemma was enormous, with red skin all over his body. He was judging the souls of the dead.

"King Yemma, I've brought three living people here. They want to use Snake Way to travel to King Kai's Planet. Could you make an exception?"

Fortuneteller Baba appeared in King Yemma's Palace with Son Gohan and the others.

"The god has already come here and pleaded your case." King Yemma stopped what he was doing and propped his head up with one hand.

"Considering that you saved the Earth and rendered great service, I'll make an exception this once."

"However, it is difficult for living people to make it through Snake Way. Whether you can reach King Kai's Planet will depend on yourselves."