Their Separate Paths

"Hmph, I never expected there to be someone with a battle power of over a thousand in such a remote place."

This rather handsome-looking Saiyan was utterly dismissive of Raditz's death, without the slightest hint of sorrow. Cold-blooded, ruthless, filled with slaughter and bloodshed—this was what Saiyans were.

These two Saiyans were Raditz's companions. The burly Saiyan was called Nappa, while the somewhat handsome one was named Vegeta—the current king of the Saiyans Raditz had spoken of, Vegeta.

"Hmph. Once we're done here, we'll go to that place called Earth."

Vegeta revealed a bloodthirsty smile. "Kill every human there!"

Earth, Kame House. After hearing Son Wuling's words, Piccolo and Son Goku were relatively calm, but Krillin, Bulma, and the others were dumbfounded upon learning there were two even stronger Saiyans.

"Wuling, maybe they won't come here, right? Right?" Bulma forced out a strained smile as she asked Son Wuling, trying to keep herself from thinking about it.

Son Wuling's expression did not change in the slightest. He gazed calmly at Bulma and said flatly, "Earth's coordinates have already been exposed to them. Think about it: a vast planet rich in resources, where the humans are ants you can crush underfoot whenever you want. Bulma, I don't want what you said to happen either."

Bulma fell silent, looking utterly pessimistic, as though her whole world had collapsed.

Son Goku smiled as he looked at Son Wuling and Piccolo, clenching his fists without the slightest fear. "Wuling, Piccolo, isn't this interesting?"

"I-Interesting, Son?" Bulma stared at Son Goku in shock.

"Yeah. Just thinking about even stronger enemies coming later gets my blood boiling!" Son Wuling answered in agreement, entirely unafraid. Even if he was an Earthling, he was still a martial artist.

"Mm!"

Suddenly sensing an approaching energy, Son Goku, Son Wuling, Piccolo, Krillin, and Master Roshi looked over. They saw someone who resembled Piccolo, though he looked much older, and the robes he wore were embroidered with the character for God!

"Kami!"

Son Wuling and Son Goku spoke in unison.

"Tch!" Piccolo crossed his arms over his chest and turned his head away. He was the offspring Demon King Piccolo had spat out before being destroyed by Son Wuling and Son Goku. He could also be called Piccolo II!

Kami and the first Piccolo had originally been one being. However, in order to become Kami, he had ultimately split himself apart, forming two extremes. The other extreme was the first Piccolo! It could be said that Piccolo and Kami had deep ties.

"Goku, Wuling, I saw everything that happened here. I have persuaded King Yemma, but unfortunately, since Other World is where the dead reside, bringing a living person there is already a grave taboo. Therefore, King Yemma can only permit one person to enter Other World and visit King Kai."

Kami spoke with a regretful expression. His already aged face now seemed tired. Earth was in turmoil once more!

"King Kai..." Son Goku asked doubtfully who King Kai was, but Son Wuling immediately interrupted him.

"Let Goku go!"

Son Wuling cut off Son Goku before he could speak, direct and without the slightest hesitation.

"What? Wuling, you!"

Son Goku looked at Son Wuling. Son Wuling was stronger than him, so by all rights, Wuling should have been the most suitable choice. Besides, Son Goku was Son Wuling's older brother!

"Let's stop pushing this back and forth. The sooner we act, the more time we'll have to train. Goku, make sure you learn everything you can from King Kai before coming back. Don't waste Kami's painstaking efforts!"

Did King Kai have anything good? Yes, and plenty of it: the Kaioken and the Spirit Bomb.

Why did Son Wuling not go? Because Son Goku was his older brother. So what if they were not biological brothers? Their bond was no less real.

"I understand!"

Son Goku understood his responsibility, and the usual cheerful, playful expression disappeared from his face.

Kami took Son Goku to The Lookout, vanishing from Son Wuling and the others' sight!

Things have returned to some of their original course!

Son Wuling could not help thinking that Son Goku had not died this time because of him, yet he could still go to Other World and train with King Kai!

But it seemed Kami must have put in tremendous effort to secure this opportunity! For Earth's sake, Kami was truly conscientious!

"Son Wuling, don't think that just because Son Goku is training with some King Kai, I'll let you brothers stay ahead of me forever. Whether it's the Saiyans or you two, in the end, I will be the one who rules this world." Demon King Piccolo pointed at Son Wuling and burst into manic laughter.

Son Wuling's expression remained unchanged. Looking at Piccolo as if he could see right through him, he said, "Piccolo, after all this time, you're still such an edgy teenager. How do you manage it?"

Piccolo nearly threw out his back at Son Wuling's words. He remembered Son Wuling saying the same thing to him during the World Martial Arts Tournament. After learning what "edgy teenager" meant, especially when Bulma, Krillin, and Master Roshi beside him were all snickering, his cheeks turned red with anger.

"You, Son Wuling!"

Son Wuling waved a hand dismissively. "Yeah, yeah, I know. But before that, I have something to ask of you, Piccolo!"

After saying that, Son Wuling walked over to Son Gohan and crouched down before him!

"A-Ask me? Son Wuling, you bastard, I haven't agreed yet! You—hey, are you even listening to me?" Piccolo practically roared at Son Wuling.

Krillin quietly said to Bulma and Master Roshi, "Piccolo is completely helpless against Wuling!"

"Mm! Mm!"

Bulma answered Krillin while Master Roshi nodded in agreement.

Son Wuling adjusted Son Gohan's hat and said gently, "Gohan, you saw everything that just happened, didn't you? At your age, I hoped you could grow up happily and without worries, but reality simply will not allow it!"

"Uncle Wuling!" Son Gohan raised his head, his childish voice calling out as he looked at Son Wuling. Though he had witnessed a life disappear, he did not feel any discomfort.

"That stronger bad guy could come to Earth at any time. If we fail, not only you—even me, your mother, your father, everyone—will die just like Raditz did!"

"Die..."

Son Gohan sat down on the ground. At only four years old, he did not understand what death was. But when he imagined Chi-Chi, Son Goku, and Son Wuling vanishing like Raditz had, it felt as though a sharp sword had pierced his heart.

"Waaah... Uncle Wuling, Dad, Mom, don't die! Waaah..."

Son Gohan understood what death was. He hugged Son Wuling and burst into tears.

"Wuling, Gohan is still just a child. Don't you think that was a little too harsh?" Bulma looked at Son Wuling with some reluctance and said.

Son Wuling did not answer. He gently patted Son Gohan's back. "I'm sorry, Gohan. I didn't want you to face these things so early, but if those two stronger Saiyans come to Earth and we fail, everyone will die."

"Gohan, you have unimaginable potential. Once that potential is developed, you will absolutely be stronger than anyone else. Learn martial arts, Gohan! Once you learn, you'll have the ability to protect your father, your mother, and everyone else. If you don't want to, I won't force you. I'll send you back to your mother immediately."

When Son Wuling finished speaking, Son Gohan had wanted to say that he wanted his mother! But Son Wuling's words had already been deeply imprinted in his mind. Son Goku, Chi-Chi, and Son Wuling dying just like Raditz had beneath the Kamehameha.

"I... Uncle Wuling, if I learn martial arts, can I protect you, and Dad and Mom too?" Son Gohan looked timidly at Son Wuling through tear-filled eyes.

Son Wuling said firmly, "That's right. As long as you keep learning martial arts, you won't just be able to protect us. You'll even be able to defeat those bad guys and save more people."