Planet Yardrat

With Old Kai guiding him, Dende should make fairly quick progress.

If they grew close enough for Old Kai to unlock his potential too, he would soar to new heights on the spot.

Son Gohan suddenly found himself looking forward to it.

Next, Son Gohan needed to plan for his own future and Trunks's.

Their goal was clear: they were going to Planet Yardrat.

They would learn Instant Transmission, along with plenty of other amazing techniques.

But this trip would take far more than a day or two.

Son Gohan remembered it clearly.

Son Goku had spent over half a year learning Instant Transmission alone. Including travel time, he had been gone for a full year.

With him and Trunks leaving for so long, Son Gohan couldn't help worrying about Earth's safety.

Fortunately, most of the obstacles had already been cleared away.

Cell had been killed, and Majin Buu had already been moved to the Sacred World of the Kai.

He had dealt with both of those major bosses ahead of time.

As for Zamasu, whose existence was still uncertain, he couldn't possibly show up this early to stir up trouble, so Son Gohan felt reasonably reassured.

Still, he wanted to leave nothing to chance.

Ever cautious, Son Gohan asked the Supreme Kai and King Kai to keep an eye on Earth for him.

If anyone foolish enough to cause trouble showed up, Son Gohan's answer was simple: With Kibito on hand, where in this vast galaxy can't I go? I'll beat you until you question your whole existence.

When Trunks learned that Son Gohan was taking him to another planet to train, his face lit up with excitement.

Bulma, on the other hand, hated to see the two of them leave. She fussed over one and then the other, keeping them there for a long talk.

"Gohan, since you'll be gone for so long, aren't you going to say goodbye to Videl? She asks me about you every day. I think that girl has fallen for you," Bulma said.

Son Gohan thought for a moment, then said, "Forget it. I'll deal with that when I get back."

"Aren't you worried about hurting her feelings?" Bulma looked helpless.

"Haha, it's not that serious. We've only met a few times, really. She's just curious about me right now. Calling it love or romance would be a huge stretch. It'll be fine."

"What about you, Trunks? Want to go see Mai?" Son Gohan teased him.

Trunks's face instantly turned red. "N-no! I'm not going! You should marry Videl first, Gohan!"

"Hahaha! Look, he's embarrassed!" Son Gohan pointed at him and laughed.

That night, perhaps because he was too excited, Trunks couldn't sleep, even after counting Dragon Balls.

Even so, Trunks got up early, looking full of energy.

After the two of them hurried through washing up, Bulma had already had a robot prepare a delicious breakfast.

Just then, Kibito arrived at the Capsule Corporation.

At Son Gohan's enthusiastic invitation, Kibito somewhat bashfully joined them for breakfast, though his appetite rivaled a Saiyan's.

Then, under Bulma's reluctant gaze, Kibito teleported off Earth with Son Gohan and Trunks.

Looking at the house, which suddenly felt so empty, Bulma sat in a daze on the sofa for a full hour before listlessly going to test the Time Machine.

The North Galaxy.

Planet Yardrat.

With a whoosh, three figures appeared out of thin air.

They were Son Gohan and his two companions.

"Sorry for the trouble, Kibito," Son Gohan said.

Trunks added, "Thank you, Mr. Kibito."

His expression as blank as ever, Kibito said, "You're welcome. Mr. Gohan, if you need anything, contact Old Kai. I can come pick you up at any time."

"All right." Son Gohan nodded.

"Goodbye, then, Mr. Gohan, Mr. Trunks." Kibito waved to them.

"Goodbye!"

"Goodbye!"

Being called "Mr." for the first time made Trunks like Kibito much more, and he waved back too.

With a whoosh, Kibito vanished.

Son Gohan and Trunks carefully surveyed their surroundings.

Looking up, they saw an endless expanse of skyscrapers. The towering buildings had beautiful, distinctive designs and a thoroughly futuristic feel. They were easily a match for any city on Earth, if not superior.

By comparison, Planet Namek was like a planet inhabited by primitive humans, barren to the extreme.

Besides the skyscrapers, crowds of Yardratians stood all around them. Every one of them was staring at the pair, as though they had already been watching for a while.

Just then, the Yardratian at the front suddenly moved.

He walked toward Son Gohan and Trunks, and the dense crowd of Yardratians followed, gathering around them.

For a moment, the patter of footsteps filled the air.

At a glance, there were at least two hundred of them.

The tense atmosphere put Trunks on guard. He whispered, "Gohan, what are they doing? Are they going to gang up on us?"

"It's fine. Let's wait and see. They don't have any killing intent," Son Gohan said, studying the Yardratians closely.

Son Gohan had seen their clothing once before. It was almost exactly the same style as the outfit Son Goku had worn home from this planet over a decade ago.

There were two types of Yardratians among those gathering around them.

One had pink skin all over, wide, dead-fish eyes, and a mass of black spots on top of their heads. They weren't remotely attractive and looked very much like E.T.

The other had a huge green head shaped like a bulb of garlic, very simple facial features, and skin that looked just like Slime's.

If he had to pick the better-looking of the two, Son Gohan found the second type reasonably acceptable.

At least their round heads and simple features were rather cute.

The Yardratian leading them was a garlic-head, and he had also been studying Son Gohan and Trunks.

The garlic-head stopped a few meters away from them and said, "Hello, visitors from another planet."

His voice was soft, just like his appearance.

"Hello, friends of Planet Yardrat. The two of us are from Earth. As you can see, we mean you no harm. We came here hoping to learn some techniques from you."

Son Gohan spoke with a smile, trying to appear as friendly as possible.

The garlic-head looked surprised at his words.

"Huh? You're from Earth? Do you know Son Goku, then?"

Oh, someone who knows him?

Son Gohan felt a surge of delight.

He smiled and said, "Hello. Son Goku is my father. My name is Son Gohan."

"Ah, I see! No wonder you look so much alike. Welcome, welcome! How is Goku doing these days?"

The garlic-head seemed very happy, though his simple facial features made his expression look rather simple too.

Son Gohan sighed. "My father passed away over ten years ago."

"Ah, Mr. Goku passed away?" The garlic-head was deeply shocked.

"Yes. Just a year after returning from Planet Yardrat, my father suddenly came down with the heart virus and died," Son Gohan answered truthfully.

"That's truly a shame. My condolences, Mr. Gohan," the garlic-head said.

"..."

After talking for a while, Son Gohan finally learned why the Yardratians felt so kindly toward Son Goku.

It was because the Ginyu Force had once invaded Planet Yardrat.

But midway through the invasion, Frieza had suddenly summoned them back.

Son Goku had dealt with the Ginyu Force, so the Yardratians were all very grateful to Goku.