Goku shot straight up into the air and scanned the surroundings.
Vegeta flew to a different stretch of sky roughly a hundred metres away, and swept his gaze across the landscape.
In that moment, Vegeta felt that this world was not so different from the Future Trunks' timeline he had visited before his own rebirth.
It was the same portrait of apocalypse — crumbled ruins and the skeletal remains of cities as far as the eye could see.
"Damn Zamasu." Vegeta muttered under his breath, clenching his fist.
Zamasu. You had better pray you never show your face in Trunks' world.
This time, I will beat you into the ground.
"So this is Trunks' future world." Goku murmured, a note of sorrow in his voice. "What a tragedy."
"Yes, Dad." Gohan appeared at his father's side, expression grave, and gave a slow nod.
"Dad." Trunks surfaced at Vegeta's side and called out to him.
"Let's move." Vegeta's face gave nothing away.
"Mr. Goku, Master Gohan — let's go." Trunks called over to them from a short distance away.
"Go on ahead, Gohan." Goku patted his son on the back and smiled. "Dad's going to see if he can track down Namek first. If I can find Namek, I'll bring Dende back here and have him become Earth's Guardian — that way the Dragon Balls will be restored, and we can bring back everyone who died."
"I'm counting on you, Dad." Gohan had already heard his father's plan. He nodded firmly.
"Vegeta, Trunks — I've got somewhere to be. I'll catch up later!" Goku said, and vanished on the spot with Instant Transmission.
Vegeta: "..."
Trunks: "????"
"Dad, where did Mr. Goku go?" Trunks asked, bewildered.
"Don't worry about him." Vegeta's expression remained flat. He was quietly at a loss for words.
Vegeta, Trunks, and Gohan flew swiftly toward the underground shelter beneath the Capsule Corporation headquarters.
Whoosh!
Goku used Instant Transmission and materialised in an instant on King Kai's planet.
King Kai: "..."
"Chee chee chee!" Bubbles shrieked in surprise.
King Kai stared blankly at the Goku who had just appeared, then glanced over at the other Goku already training on his planet, and opened his mouth without managing a single word.
Goku, too, immediately spotted the other version of himself training there, and his jaw dropped.
"Hey? You're... the me from this timeline?" Goku pointed at Future Goku, astonished.
"You... you're... the me that Trunks brought back from the past?" Future Goku stared, dumbstruck.
"Ha ha ha! Sounds like you know quite a bit." Goku laughed.
"Those two Androids have been running wild on Earth — I've been beside myself with worry!" Future Goku sighed.
"So you train here too." Goku nodded, smiling.
"Well, this planet really is ideal for training." Future Goku laughed.
King Kai stood by, quietly speechless.
Two Gokus. He could not believe it.
"I can feel it — you're incredibly strong." Future Goku studied his other self and exhaled in admiration.
"Well... I've been training hard." Goku laughed and scratched the back of his head.
"Let's have a go at each other. Let me see what you've got." Future Goku's eyes lit up with sudden interest.
Worth noting: although the Goku of this timeline had died from a viral heart disease, he had done enough good in his life that he was permitted to keep his body after death and lived on in Other World.
Future Goku had no interest in a quiet, uneventful afterlife. Whenever he had time, he would come to King Kai's planet to train.
As for everything happening on Earth in this world, Goku was well aware of it all — he simply had no way to intervene. The dead cannot meddle in the affairs of the living.
Seeing his past self appear in this timeline, Future Goku felt a surge of excitement — and from the looks of it, his past self was extraordinarily powerful.
"Begin!" Future Goku settled into a fighting stance.
Goku nodded.
Neither man wasted another moment. They charged at each other and exploded into fierce combat.
The exchange was perfectly matched — blow for blow, neither gaining the upper hand.
Their movements were nearly identical, their striking styles almost a mirror image of each other.
King Kai watching from the sidelines was completely dumbfounded.
Bubbles the little monkey screeched and screeched.
After about three minutes of fighting, the two traded one final punch and separated.
They landed steadily across from each other, each wearing a grin.
"My past self is no joke." Future Goku exhaled, shaking his head in wonder. "You've had seventeen fewer years of training, and yet your base form is already this strong — almost on par with mine."
Goku only smiled and said nothing.
"Since our base forms are so close, let's both go all out — Super Saiyan, full power." Future Goku clenched both fists, his face alight with excitement.
"You go first." Goku nodded.
"Then... I won't hold back! Let me show you what seventeen years of training looks like." Future Goku's expression turned serious.
BOOM!
An enormous surge of power erupted from Future Goku's body.
Crackle... crackle...
Arcs of lightning coiled around him and snapped through the air.
In that moment, Future Goku transformed — Super Saiyan 2.
Watching his future self transform, Goku remained perfectly composed. A golden aura flared to life around him, electricity crackling at its edges, and he transformed as well — Super Saiyan 2.
"What?! You can do that transformation too!" Future Goku's eyes went wide with shock.
King Kai was beyond impressed, shaking his head in disbelief.
The past Goku is that strong?
This is our Goku's transformation — the Super Saiyan beyond Super Saiyan that he only managed to master after such a long time.
And the past Goku can already do it too?
"It seems like settling this in a short time would be... unrealistic." Future Goku laughed, and let his golden aura fade back to normal. "Forget it — let's call it here."
Goku laughed too and powered down.
"Fighting you here would only drain your energy." Future Goku smiled. "Still — with that transformation, beating those two Androids should be trivial."
"Agreed." Goku nodded. "Those two Androids are nothing to worry about."
"Though — speaking of which, what did you come here for? You weren't specifically looking for me, were you?" Future Goku asked.
"I came because I wanted to use King Kai's planet to reach Namek." Goku smiled and explained. "Once I get to Namek, I can bring a Namekian back to Earth to become the new Guardian, restore the Dragon Balls, and then we can revive everyone who died."
"That's a brilliant plan!" Future Goku's face broke into a look of surprise and delight — then he tilted his head and scratched it with a touch of worry. "But... people who've already died once can't be brought back again, right?"
"The Namekian Dragon Balls can revive friends who've already died once." Goku drew in a slow breath.
So it comes down to the Dragon Balls again in the end.
But this miserable future — the sooner it's changed, the better.
With everyone dead, there's no choice but to use the Dragon Balls, even if it generates negative energy.
If the Shadow Dragons show up because of it... I'll just have to come back and deal with them myself.
Goku had already thought it through from every angle, which was why he had decided, after everything, to use the Dragon Balls to revive his friends.
"Speaking of which, King Kai — they've been dead for more than a year. Can they still be revived?" Goku turned to King Kai with a note of concern.
"As long as their souls still exist, Shenron can bring them back." King Kai nodded and gave his answer. "The reason Shenron used to say people dead for more than a year couldn't be revived was because most souls go on to reincarnate after a year. Once the soul reincarnates, you obviously can't revive the original person. But all of your friends here are people who contributed greatly to Earth — King Yemma preserved their bodies, and their souls have been living on in Other World. They can be revived."
"But... can the me of this world be revived?" Goku asked again. "Someone who died of illness can't be brought back, right?"
"Correct — there's nothing to be done about that." King Kai nodded. "But you could ask the Grand Elder of Namek. If even he has no solution, then it truly is impossible."
"It's fine, really. I feel good about things the way they are." Future Goku gave a wave of his hand, unbothered. "Don't worry about trying to revive me."
"I'll find Namek first and go from there." Goku tapped his forehead lightly, then brought his index and middle fingers together against it and began sensing for Namekian energy.
About ten seconds later —
Goku's eyes lit up. He had locked onto a Namekian ki signature.
"Found it. I'm heading out — Future me, King Kai, I'll see you both." Goku gave a wave and vanished with Instant Transmission.
Watching Goku disappear, Future Goku fell into quiet thought for a moment.
"Goku... how do you think the past you stacks up?" King Kai smiled and looked over at Future Goku, curious.
"I think he's already surpassed me." Goku grinned and scratched his head.
"That can't be right — he's had seventeen fewer years of training than you." King Kai shook his head, clearly sceptical.
"Be that as it may... something about him feels far stronger than I expected." Goku mused.
Namek.
With a single step of Instant Transmission, Goku appeared on Planet Namek and found himself surrounded by Namekians.
The sight brought back memories from long ago — the day he had brought Dende back to Earth.
The same setting. The same faces.
Except some of them looked older now — the world had moved on.
"Who are you? What brings you to Namek?" Grand Elder Moori's expression shifted the moment Goku appeared, and he regarded him with wariness.
"Ah... I'm Goku — I'm from Earth." Goku scratched his head and smiled in a friendly way.
"Goku? That name sounds familiar..." Grand Elder Moori fell into thought, feeling as though he had heard the name somewhere before but unable to place it.
"Are you... are you Gohan's dad?" Dende stepped forward excitedly, eyes lit up as he looked at Goku.
"Dende?" Goku recognised him straight away.
Dende: "????"
How does this person know me?
"Yeah, I'm Gohan's dad. I heard all about you from Gohan and Krillin a long time ago — they talked about a good friend of theirs living on Namek." Goku smiled.
"I remember now — you're the Goku who fought Frieza on Namek, aren't you?" Grand Elder Moori's eyes brightened as the memory returned to him.
"Ha ha ha... Namek did blow up, but..." Goku rubbed the back of his head, a little sheepish.
He then laid out his entire plan to the Namekians, holding nothing back.
"We'd actually heard about what was happening on Earth from our side — we've known for a while, but there was nothing we could do." Grand Elder Moori let out a long sigh and lowered his head with a look of guilt. "We wanted to help... but had no way to get involved."
"It's alright — things will turn around." Goku laughed warmly.
Dende, now grown, listened to Goku's account in silence, then stepped forward without hesitation.
"Grand Elder." Dende bowed respectfully. "Gohan and Krillin are my friends. If there's a way to bring them back, I want to do everything I can."
"Very well, Dende. If you're willing to go to Earth as its Guardian, then go." Grand Elder Moori raised no objection.
"But Dende... the Dragon Balls you create — can they revive someone who's already died once?" Goku scratched his head and spoke plainly. "Because, except for Gohan, everyone else has already died at least once."
"In that case, I'd need to adjust the Dragon Balls from the start — it would mean each wish could only grant one thing." Dende thought it over and answered.
"Really? So one wish could still bring back a large number of people? Like, could it revive everyone killed by the Androids?" Goku asked.
"That would be fine." Dende nodded.
"One more question — can someone who died of a viral heart disease be revived?" Goku asked.
Dende shook his head.
"I'm afraid not." Moori said carefully. "You already know that the Dragon can't revive someone who died of natural causes."
"Understood. I'll think of another way." Goku let the matter go without pressing further.
"May Earth know lasting peace." Moori smiled.
"Come on then, Dende. Come with me." Goku placed a hand on Dende's shoulder.
"Of course." Dende smiled politely.
"We'll take good care of him." Goku gave Grand Elder Moori a nod.
"I'm counting on you." The Grand Elder replied.
Whoosh!
Goku used Instant Transmission and disappeared on the spot.
In the blink of an eye, Goku had brought Dende back to King Kai's planet.
"King Kai, Future me — this is Earth's new Guardian." Goku smiled and made the introduction.
Both King Kai and Future Goku immediately fixed their eyes on Dende.
Future Goku did not recognise him. King Kai did, but Dende had grown up considerably since they had last met, and he could not quite place him.
Before leaving, Goku drifted over toward his future self.
Future Goku: "????"
"One question, Future me." Goku grinned.
"What is it?" Future Goku blinked.
"Where's the Gohan of this timeline? Isn't he training here with you?" Goku asked.
"He's over on the Other World side, keeping Chi-Chi company." Future Goku scratched his head.
"How long has it been since you last went back?" Goku pressed.
"How long since I went back? What do you mean?" Future Goku looked confused.
"I mean — how long has it been since you last checked in on the Other World side?" Goku clarified.
"I just got here yesterday." Future Goku quietly wiped a bead of nervous sweat from his brow.
"Yesterday? Was Gohan around when you left?" Goku asked.
"I'm not sure... he seemed to have gone out somewhere. I didn't see him... Why are you asking?" Future Goku was completely lost.
"No reason. I'm off." Goku waved and disappeared with Dende.
Future Goku was left standing in the wind, thoroughly bewildered.
King Kai had no idea what had just happened either.
What on earth was the past Goku going on about?
Why was he asking about Gohan out of nowhere?
But Goku's mind was already turning over something more complicated.
By all rights, Gohan's soul in this timeline should be gone.
Because his soul crossed through time and space — and fused with the Gohan of my timeline.
Goku pressed his fingers to his temple, his head beginning to throb.
Back on Earth.
After Goku had departed for King Kai's planet, Vegeta led Gohan and Trunks to the underground shelter beneath the Bulma family's home.
"Dad, Master Gohan — this is it." Trunks pointed to a basement entrance by the drainage tunnels. "The Androids wreak havoc so often that Mum and I moved here — it feels a bit safer."
Vegeta gave a small nod and said nothing more.
Trunks stepped forward and knocked, calling out, "Mum! I'm back!"
Creak!
The door swung open. Bulma peered out, and the moment she saw Trunks, a look of surprised relief spread across her face. She reached out and took his hand.
But then her eyes found Vegeta standing beside Trunks, and her expression froze. Her eyes went red in an instant.
Vegeta stared at Future Bulma, eyes wide, unable to find his voice for a long moment.
Is this really the Bulma I know?
This girl who always took such care with her appearance — she's aged so much...
Vegeta felt a pang in his chest.
Damn those Androids.
If not for them, my Bulma would never have ended up like this.
"Ve... Vegeta?" Bulma stared at him after a brief daze, as though she could not quite trust her own eyes, blinking hard to hold back tears.
"Bulma." Vegeta stepped forward and pulled her into an embrace. "You've had it rough all these years."
Bulma's tears spilled over and soaked into his shoulder.
"I'll find a way to make all of this right." Vegeta gently patted her on the back, then ran a hand softly through her hair.
"Mmm. Just getting to see you one more time — that's more than enough." Bulma smiled through her tears and dabbed at the corners of her eyes.
Vegeta fell silent, a hollow weight settling in his chest.
The Bulma of this timeline has had such a wretched existence.
And knowing what's coming, she'll still have to face Zamasu.
Should I stay and deal with Zamasu once and for all before going back?
Vegeta's thoughts began to spiral.
"Hm? Is that... is that Gohan?" Bulma's eye caught the figure standing beside Trunks, and she immediately pushed Vegeta aside and reached up to pinch Gohan's cheek.
Vegeta: "..."
Excuse me — was that push really necessary?
Still the exact same Bulma I remember. Completely unchanged.
"Aunt Bulma..." Gohan went a little red and scratched his head, embarrassed.
"You were such an adorable little kid, Gohan." Bulma pinched his cheek again.
Gohan: "..."
He had absolutely no idea what to say.
"Actually — Trunks. I sent you back to deliver the medicine to Goku. How did you end up dragging your father and Gohan back with you?" Bulma blinked, coming back to herself.
"Mum, it wasn't just Dad and Master Gohan — Mr. Goku came along too." Trunks answered.
Bulma froze. For a moment she just stood there.
Vegeta: "..."
Bulma, what is that expression on your face?
A beat of silence.
"Goku's here too?" Bulma's voice lit up with excitement.
Vegeta's expression went dark. He felt wrong all over.
Bulma. That reaction is completely uncalled for.
I get the feeling... you're more excited to see Kakarot than you are to see me.
I am your husband.
"Yes, Mum — Mr. Goku came along, but he had to leave for something first." Trunks stretched out an awkward smile.
"Dad went to find a Namekian, so the Dragon Balls here on Earth can be restored." Gohan knew exactly what his father was up to, and quickly explained it to Bulma.
"You mean... the Dragon Balls of this world can really be revived?" Bulma's eyes lit up with shock and hope, a brightness returning to her weary gaze.
"Yes — shouldn't be a problem." Gohan nodded.
Vegeta: "..."
That's Kakarot's style, alright.
"Still — before the Dragon Balls here are restored, we should focus on taking out those two Androids first." Bulma's expression grew anxious as she looked at the four of them. "The four of you working together to beat those two Androids — I'd think the odds are pretty good, right?"
"No, Mum. I want to deal with the Androids myself." Trunks clenched his fists, his expression set with iron resolve.
"What?" Bulma stared at her son, sensing something was off. She stepped forward, took his hand, and measured his height against herself — and the more she looked, the more puzzled she became. "Wait — you're not the Trunks I sent back. You're taller than him... You've only been gone two days. Did you actually grow in that time?"
Trunks: "..."
To be continued…
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