Where are you, Chichi?

by bxthanya

Summary:

A new enemy seeks to avenge against Son Goku by kidnapping what matters most to him; his family. But what will happen when he discovers that his beloved wife isn't even in his universe?

Chapter 1: A Revelation

Notes:

- Gochi Story (Goku x Chichi)
- Each chapter will be approximately 2000 words or more.
- This story and the universe it revolves around is Dragon Ball Super, set after the Tournament of Power and the fight against Broly. It's a 100% fictional and non-canon story utilizing the original storyline and characters, which belong to their creator, Akira Toriyama, except for those created by me.
- All aspects of the story's narration, creation, and publication are solely my own. Please refrain from plagiarism or adaptations.
- This story may contain violent and inappropriate language, as well as explicit narratives suitable for readers aged 16 and above. (Reader discretion is advised.)
- Hatred is not welcome; I'm simply a person seeking to give prominence and improvement to the relationship between Goku and Chichi, as well as the Dragon Ball Super story, from my perspective.

In Universe 11, specifically on the planet of Netfiss, the stars reached their full splendor as Zannen awaited at the pinnacle of the Pride Troopers, eager for the arrival of his master, Jiren. The air was filled with anticipation as the imposing figures of the Pride Troopers appeared amidst a glow of energy. A young and excited Zannen stepped forward to greet them.

"Dear defenders of justice and Universe 11, welcome," Zannen said, bowing his head respectfully.

Toppo, the leader of the Troopers, nodded solemnly, as did the others. The members of the force could be seen greeting everyone, but Zannen's gaze was fixed on Jiren, who carried a serious expression. In fact, all the members wore expressions akin to deep nostalgia.

Approaching his master with admiration but also intrigue, Zannen said, "I'm glad to see you again, master," the young man with white hair bowed.

Jiren looked at him with a calm expression and, after a moment, gave a small smile. "I'm glad to see you too, Zannen," said Jiren. "I see you didn't waste your time."

Zannen chuckled nervously and nodded. "Yes, I trained the whole time you were away, just as you told me to."

Jiren nodded and entered the pinnacle chamber along with Zannen and the rest. Everyone was about to learn the news brought by the warriors of the Pride Troopers. God Vermoudh, along with his angel Marcarita, were also present, adding another layer of seriousness, excitement, and respect among the inhabitants. The events of the Tournament of Power were about to be revealed.

The demeanor in the voices of the Troopers was palpable as they recounted the story of an extraordinary battle, the appearance of new warriors, and finally, the victory of Universe 7. As if it were a bitter pill to swallow, they recounted how Universe 11 almost ceased to exist due to the destruction destined for them after losing. It was almost as if the winner of the tournament, being from Universe 7, wished for all universes to be restored. Jiren remained silent the whole time, and Zannen noticed.

Zannen listened to every detail of the events attentively. Although his universe ended up in second place thanks to his master, a mix of disappointment and frustration reflected in his eyes. "How could our universe fall to them?", he thought to himself.

Later, in a private conversation with Jiren, after a long silence, Zannen expressed his concerns and thoughts.

"Master, I confess I expected more from our universe's participation in the tournament. I thought we would be invincible," he declared. "But that Goku and the others... they were able to surpass us," he added with a hint of resentment.

Jiren, with a serenity only he could convey, looked him in the eyes. He wasn't actually upset, unhappy, or confused by what happened in the combat. For him, it was such an interesting experience that, upon reflection, he thought of everything but defeat. In fact, he didn't have to think much about it.

"Zannen, strength isn't always everything," Jiren announced. Zannen looked at him, astonished, raising an eyebrow, confused. "I learned that during the tournament. Connection with others, understanding, that's what truly matters."

"But, master... According to what you taught me, strength is always everything."

Jiren now looked up at the dark sky filled with stars, feeling the cool night breeze. He had achieved his goal for a long time. He finally felt proud of himself. He had to admit that the tournament had brought him to this realization. He reflected extensively when he had that encounter with Son Goku; he realized that it wasn't always power that he lacked. He already had that. He always needed to seek something beyond that.

"And I'm telling you that I learned it's not always everything," Jiren emphasized. "That's why I'm going to take some time off, Zannen," he informed.

"What?" exclaimed the younger, perplexed and confused.

The news of his master taking a break from the Pride Troopers caught Zannen by surprise. His face now showed both sadness and annoyance.

"But, master, you're the strongest soldier. You shouldn't retire now when we need you more than ever," he tried to convince, considering that his master managed to defeat several warriors in that tournament alone. "I... I waited all this time to become as strong as you did by training for the tournament."

Jiren, with a piercing look and a new smile filled with melancholy, replied:

"Zannen, my time as a member of the Troopers is over. My path is different now. I must find my own truth beyond battle. You, however, have a whole path ahead of you," Jiren approached him and took his shoulder. "Learn from this experience and forge your own destiny. I know you'll become very strong over time, the rest of the Troopers will help you."

Zannen still looked surprised, feeling sore as if he had been struck by millions of attacks. He didn't expect his master, so adored and respected by him, to change his destiny within the Troopers and his life so drastically. He didn't expect him to have the ability to stop teaching him his lessons. Not when Jiren was undoubtedly the most powerful being in his universe.

"I hope you can forgive me for not continuing to train you," Jiren looked at him one last time before leaving. "And know that true strength always goes beyond what you acquire."

Zannen looked at the ground with disillusionment, after hearing every word from someone who would no longer be his master. He sighed heavily, trying not to explode with his bad luck. Remembering the discipline he had received.

"Don't worry, master, I know I'll find the strength to continue," he finally replied, forcing a smile.

He watched as Jiren said goodbye and headed towards the others.

"He didn't even fight me like he promised..." he murmured to himself, sadly.

Suddenly, he remembered the defeat in the Tournament of Power and became completely enraged. He felt that because of what happened there, he had lost the best master he would ever have. However, he didn't blame the entire tournament. He knew it was about a warrior, specifically that warrior from Universe 7 that the Troopers mentioned with such emphasis.

Thus, at that precise moment, a deep hatred was born towards Universe 7 and towards the warrior named Son Goku. What once was attitude and passion in his heart was now resentment. Zannen, fueled by anger and a thirst for revenge, not only wanted to seek out Jiren's formidable opponent to give him what he deserved, but he also wanted to discover how strong Son Goku really was.

Universe 11 joined an atmosphere of disappointment for the moment, but never losing calm and hope. Meanwhile, Zannen, driven by a new purpose, prepared to cast shadows over the peace that a distant universe barely enjoyed.

Chapter 2: Farewell

A year had passed since Jiren retired from the Pride Troopers and bid farewell to his close apprentice, Zannen. He decided it was time to rest his body and train his mind.

Since then, Zannen had continued training tirelessly as a member of the Pride Troopers, reaching a power level that impressed even the leaders. The day of his promotion was drawing near, but Zannen was about to announce an unexpected decision about his destiny.

While Zannen was in his final practices as a righteous soldier, his desire for revenge burned like an unquenchable flame. Every blow, every exercise, every movement was imbued in his heart. Although his mind was focused on his dark purpose, his body was a sharp weapon that needed further refinement.

"Zannen, I've never seen you so focused on your practices before. What's going on?" asked Arina, a warrior apprentice of the Troopers.

Zannen stopped and took a deep breath, his back to her. He turned his gaze after a few seconds, his expression cold and serious.

"I have my mind set on a single goal."

His companion, though puzzled by the response, respected Zannen's determination. However, for Zannen, the day of his departure was drawing near. It was something that couldn't be contained.

(...)

In a dark laboratory in Netfiss, the atmosphere was charged with all kinds of technology, where Zannen slipped through the shadows until he reached the presence of the planet's scientist, a man with gray skin, glasses, and a thick mustache.

"Keiso," Zannen called him.

The scientist looked up from his notes and adjusted his glasses, examining the boy before him carefully. A smile formed on his lips.

"Zannen, it's always a pleasure to see a member of the Pride Troopers," he greeted with a bow. "What can I do for you, young man?"

"Keiso, I need some kind of ship that will allow me to travel between universes," declared Zannen authoritatively.

Keiso raised his eyebrows in amazement, then responded after a moment.

"A dimensional device is what you're looking for," he said, looking at his notes and then back at Zannen. "Why? Is something happening in our universe?"

"Not exactly, Keiso, don't worry," Zannen reassured him. "I'm just going away for a while."

Keiso looked astonished. "Really? But what about your promotion in the Troopers?"

Keiso's questions were so noisy that they stirred something inside Zannen in a way that he had to control his impulses.

"I'm going to retire from the Troopers soon. I'd prefer if you didn't tell anyone about this," Zannen said.

The scientist was so surprised that he had to adjust his glasses and posture, swallowing hard as he saw the boy who once seemed like an enthusiastic child now a man with a cold and imposing demeanor.

"It's a pity, young man... but well, give me a few days, and you'll have your device," Keiso said, with a nostalgic expression on his face.

After a few days of intense work in the laboratory, Keiso presented Zannen with a compact and sophisticated dimensional device. The atmosphere in the laboratory vibrated with the energy of creation, and Zannen observed with satisfaction his future instrument of revenge.

"Here you go, Zannen. This device will allow you to cross all the universes you want without being detected. But be careful, the stability of these trips is uncertain, and the risk is high," Keiso warned.

Zannen took the device with determination, his eyes shining with malice and excitement.

"I'm not concerned about the risk, Keiso. Thank you for your help," said the white-haired man, not taking his eyes off the object.

"The truth is, I don't think this is right, Zannen. I trust you, but from what I know, only the God and..."

"This is for the best, to spare myself the hassle," Zannen interrupted, frowning. "So just leave it, Keiso. Thank you."

With the dimensional device in his possession, Zannen left the laboratory with a smile on his lips. Keiso looked at him helplessly and returned to his work.

(...)

The betrayal of the Pride Troopers was approaching, and the path to Universe 7 was now open for the combat-hungry warrior.

Zannen had summoned the Pride Troopers that same day to the summit chamber.

"I have decided to follow my own path. My destiny is no longer linked to the Pride Troopers," Zannen announced.

Toppo, the leader, frowned, while Vermoudh, the God of Destruction of Universe 11, observed with curiosity.

"Zannen, you have reached an astonishing level. Why are you retiring now that we were preparing you for a promotion?" Toppo questioned, clearly annoyed.

"My reasons are mine and mine alone. I have learned what I needed from the Troopers, but now I must follow my own path, just as Jiren taught me," Zannen declared, not revealing his true mission.

Toppo looked at him, now with deep admiration and intrigue.

"I hope you find what you're looking for," Toppo said, extending his hand.

Zannen nodded and shook it, somewhat displeased to have to leave behind what he had built for so many years, what he had desired since he was a child. He was upset to have to remember Jiren's departure and now his own.

But his cause would not make him regret it.

Everyone at the summit bid farewell to Zannen with handshakes and respectful nods, and with his head held high, Zannen left the Pride Troopers, leaving behind a void that only time and his future actions could fill.

On the other hand, Vermoudh observed with piercing eyes the horizon as he returned to his planet.

"It's interesting to see how the shadow of revenge often appears even in those who seek justice," he murmured, serious.

"Don't you want to stop him, sir?" Marcarita asked, serene and attentive to her God's words.

"No," the God replied, straightforward. "Let his journey to Universe 7 reveal the truths he so eagerly seeks."

The Angel nodded and smiled, continuing her way away from the planet Netfiss. Meanwhile, Zannen prepared to cross into Universe 7 and unleash the vengeance that burned within him.

(...)

Before departing for Universe 7, he decided to bid farewell to his home universe. He visited significant places for him, remembered training moments with Jiren and the Pride Troopers, undoubtedly his master was the most essential person in his life. How he welcomed him after all he had gone through when he was just a child. How he taught him to be strong and develop unimaginable skills. He remembered, with pain, all of that and also, finally, how all of that had ended so lightly, causing all his dreams to fade away. All his peace.

His emotions were in conflict: revenge guided his soul, but nostalgia and resentment mingled in his heart. What would he do?

Zannen headed towards a quiet corner of the planet Netfiss, where the stars watched his decision attentively, a decision for which he was sitting there, thinking, silently. His mind echoed.

"The betrayal I have forged and the hatred I have unleashed will be shadows that cover me every night.

However, revenge is my purpose, my point of encounter with light. I will punish the one who took Jiren away from my path and disturbed my peace. My decision is made, and my destiny awaits me eagerly.

I will be the one to defeat Son Goku and Universe 7."

With his renewed determination, he activated the dimensional device. A flash of energy and distortion enveloped his figure, carrying him towards the unknown universe where he hoped to forge his own destiny and unleash the dark vengeance that burned within him. The Pride Troopers, on the other hand, lamented the departure of their young warrior but moved forward with all their might, wishing him the best, unaware of the true intentions hidden in Zannen's shadow.

Notes:

here's how zannen would look like <3

Chapter 3: The Plan

Zannen emerged on a planet completely unknown to him, feeling the uncertainty of being in a different universe. Although he was unsure which one exactly, he did not experience fear. In fact, he ventured into the environment he found himself in; a deserted and hot place with a sky of shades between violet and blue, without perceiving any nearby presence. However, in the distance, he saw a small yellow being with tiny eyes carrying a clearly heavy burden, tired and thirsty. It was a local inhabitant, and Zannen sensed that it could provide him with the information he needed.

As Zannen stood in front of the alien, it became alert to the presence of this strange young man who undoubtedly did not belong to its planet.

"Excuse me, do you know which universe this is?" Zannen asked firmly.

The being, observing him cautiously, responded after a few seconds.

"Universe 7," it mentioned, trying to regulate its breathing due to exhaustion.

Feeling satisfied, Zannen smiled at the inhabitant, although this smile turned out to be unsettlingly malevolent for the being. He approached the burden it carried and noticed both the heavy artillery and the evident exhaustion of the small creature. The latter did not know how to react other than nervously and confusedly, swallowing saliva. Zannen held his gaze, penetrating violet-blue eyes that reminded him of the sky of his own planet. The being realized the intensity of that gaze, and Zannen laughed at its expression.

"Thank you, inhabitant," Zannen said, showing his sharp, white teeth in a smile.

With the certainty of being in the right universe, Zannen faced an incomplete task, as he still lacked information about the location of a specific planet.

"Can you tell me how to get to Earth?" Zannen inquired, maintaining his authoritative tone and smile.

The being blinked several times, feeling obliged to respond to continue its way, albeit exhausted.

"Earth is quite far from here, sir," it said, trying to wipe the sweat from its face.

Zannen observed him carefully until he narrowed his eyes and smiled sideways.

"Would you like me to carry this for you?" he asked, pointing at the artillery.

The little alien looked perplexed.

"Eh? And what do you want in return?" he asked nervously.

"Mainly, in exchange, I will offer you help with this heavy burden in this scorching environment," Zannen said, once again directing his gaze at the little one. "So you can rest, and we'll get to your destination as soon as possible for you to provide me with a spaceship heading to planet Earth," he concluded.

The surprise in the eyes of the being could not be disguised, and it was almost scandalized. It was very strange for someone like him to appear out of nowhere, help him as if nothing, and in return, want a spaceship to travel to Earth. What need was there? Well, he didn't care much to answer that question.

"A-All right," a slight blush appeared on its cheeks. It was an offer he couldn't refuse after all, considering the unbearable heat of that day. "Of course," he accepted without hesitation.

Thus, Zannen effortlessly carried the heavy artillery of the yellow being, who still looked surprised by his strength and imposing presence.

Upon reaching what seemed like a camp in the middle of the desert, other inhabitants were spotted, also yellow, with darker or lighter shades. They all seemed to be part of a team. Zannen observed attentively; he even saw that there was a large metal fortress.

"You can leave that here, thanks for the help," said the little one. "Let's go for your ship now," he invited him to follow.

Zannen followed him, observing how in that camp the inhabitants carried things between the tents and towards the fortress. It seemed very curious to him.

The little beings glanced at him surprised, wondering who he was, but still said nothing and continued their duties.

For Zannen, everything indicated that they were from a working or distributing class. Even in his universe, there were planets with beings like that.

They arrived at a kind of station where several ships were lined up. The little alien stopped in front of one and opened it to configure it.

"I just bought this one, but there won't be a problem if I give it to you, after all, you helped me," he said with more confidence after entering the location of planet Earth into the ship. "Everything is ready."

Zannen smiled satisfactorily.

"Thank you for your help," he said, as he entered the ship cautiously and saw that everything was in order and ready to depart.

Before leaving, he looked at the little alien again, now with seriousness.

"What's your name, little one?" he asked.

"Gobe, sir," he replied, somewhat nervous about the foreigner's interest.

"Goodbye, Gobe," he bid farewell, raising his hand without moving it, took flight in the ship, and left the planet.

That tall young man, with hair as white as stardust and defined muscles, undoubtedly seemed to Gobe like an intriguing and terrifying authority. It was evident that he came from a very distant part of his universe, as he had never seen anyone like him before. In such a short time, he had inspired Gobe so much that he could only sigh and continue with his duties on his planet.

On the other hand, Zannen had devised a way to obtain another ship in case he needed it. Maintaining a facade of interest and concern for the weaker ones was something he could not easily abandon, knowing that he had to seize every opportunity that would help him in the search for the warrior Son Goku. The path to fulfill his mission was going to be long.

With the ship in his possession, Zannen headed towards Earth, using the function of his dimensional device and his abilities to hide his ki and avoid being detected. He could not afford to attract attention in the surroundings of that unknown galaxy, where any obstacle could interfere with his objective. However, during the journey, he reflected carefully on the strategies he was going to take.

He did not wish to confront Goku and the other members who participated in the tournament directly, as he knew it would not be the most appropriate and honorable option. He wanted a worthy fight, between only two contenders, mind against mind and body against body.

It was a symbol that the combat was valuable and revenge was slow.

Therefore, he had to attack the mind first. The mind and soul. He was not sure of the impact that would have on the warriors who defeated his universe, but he was sure it was paramount. He also did not know how he would do it.

While keeping his eyes closed, he carefully devised a plan. Should he go for the planet that was his home? His strength? Or maybe his power?

What was most important for the warrior?

(...)

The sun rose slowly, announcing a new day with the beautiful sunrise characteristic of Earth. The light illuminated the celestial sky, especially over the majestic Paoz mountain, a place full of natural beauty.

The singing of birds and the penetrating light filtering through the window interrupted the sleep of an adult woman. Her black, disheveled hair, shining like a cascade, welcomed the morning as she opened her eyes the color of the night itself. She transitioned from a sleepy expression to one of haste, aware that a new day awaited her with its everyday chores as a housewife.

With the agility of the world's fastest person, she rose from bed, impeccably arranging it, and donned her white shirt, yellow attire, and purple scarf. She gathered her hair into a bun with a beloved pink ribbon, leaving not a single strand loose except for two small ones on each side. Then, she took the dirty laundry from her bathroom to the washing machine, a marvel that allowed her to dedicate more time to her other responsibilities, such as cooking, tidying up, cleaning, sweeping the house, tending to the garden, and even shopping. Though it was her daily routine, it could always be innovative.

After starting the washing machine, she headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. As she hummed a tune, as was her custom, she cooked many dishes for her family.

Her little son entered the kitchen, drawn by the delicious aroma of his mom's cooking, and greeted her before sitting down to breakfast with her.

"Good morning, mom."

"Good morning, Goten", she greeted him back with a smile, bringing the dishes to the table.

After a minute, they were already enjoying breakfast.

"It's delicious, mom", praised the tousle-haired little one with his mouth full. The spitting image of his father.

However, not all members of her family were there.

This situation plunged her into sadness countless times. She no longer remembered how it felt to receive good morning greetings from all the members of her family, both her children and her husband. For her, the most precious thing was to have them by her side, and although she was grateful to still have her little Goten, she always missed her older son, who had already built his own life alongside his daughter-in-law and granddaughter. But whom she missed with much more intensity and fervor was her husband, as if each absence of his were the first time for her, making her fall into a deep and silent despair waiting for his return.

The chores no longer seemed enough to distract her from the emotional burden she had to bear alone. She tried to ignore it and understand it because that's how it had to be, she thought. But the uncertainty, though her children reassured her, would always be there. The worry for her husband was constant because she wanted him close to be the normal and happy family they deserved to be after so many conflicts and craziness in the past.

Although her husband had told her he would return soon, the wait was becoming increasingly exhausting. She didn't like the idea that he always went off to train, now even with that God and Angel from his universe. Many times without directly informing her, she had to know everything from someone else's mouth.

But her husband was like that, he would never change.

Her anger always stemmed from the fact that he prioritized his needs to fight and become stronger before fulfilling those of his family.

Even if he repeated countless times for her not to worry about him, she would continue to do so.

Her concern for him was because she was afraid of losing him again.

Chichi sighed and glanced at her son as he ate.

"Darling, after you finish eating, go study."

Goten looked at her with a piece of meat in his mouth and nodded.

After breakfast, the little one obeyed his mother and retired to his room to continue his studies. It was the only thing he could do in the mornings, as his brother was busy with his own family and job, and his father continued with his usual training.

Chichi noticed that once again, there was leftover food on the table, and she sighed again, dismayed.

She always tried to show a firm expression and a smile after each challenge her husband forced her to face. After all, she had to be used to it. She was the strongest woman in the universe; she had to be. Nor could she say that she wasn't happy, she was a beautiful housewife and a proud warrior to have an obedient and fighting little son, a son who had become a man, a genius, and also a fighter, and a husband who was a tireless warrior and... just that, a tireless warrior.

Yes, she was happy to have a family and a home, but she also felt a lot of sadness at seeing it often distanced.

As she washed the batch of dirty dishes, she thought of her beloved husband. She reflected on his well-being and future as well as that of her family.

She thought of her well-being and future. What will happen when one day he is no longer here?

"I hope you come back soon, Goku," she whispered in longing.

Chapter 4: Planet Earth

After long days of travel, Zannen finally landed in a place that, according to the ship's coordinates, he deduced must be Earth.

The young man opened the ship's hatch and carefully stepped out, then admired the landscape before his eyes. In the distance, he saw large rocky mountains, while beneath his feet stretched a blanket of soft grass. The sky was decorated by the sun's glow, and was of a vibrant blue color. Trees swayed to the rhythm of the wind, and small creatures crossed the land and flew in the air, creating a vibrant atmosphere.

He found it to be a beautiful scene, so much so that he couldn't resist staying still, contemplating it. He was certain that he had finally arrived on Earth.

Keeping his ki hidden, he ventured in search of individuals who could provide him with more than one answer, as well as a more efficient way to navigate the vast planet.

He observed a girl running about ten meters away, which made him stop. Her hair was of a soft brown tone, with large eyes of the same color that radiated continuous joy. Laughter echoed as she chased one of those flying creatures, small and colorful-winged, circling around her.

"Don't go, butterflies!" she shouted, radiating excitement.

Zannen arched an eyebrow, clearly puzzled. Was that being one of those humans? He couldn't imagine they would be so tiny. He approached with the intention of speaking to her.

The little girl, unaware of the stranger's presence, continued to romp amidst laughter until she stopped upon noticing a shadow looming over her. Intrigued, she looked up to discover its owner.

"Oh, hi," greeted the little girl with a smile, in a high-pitched and sweet tone.

Zannen observed her with even greater strangeness.

"Do you know what planet we're on, human?" he inquired directly. He was surprised to see the girl let out a small laugh.

"Of course I do, it's Earth. Why? Are you an alien?"

Zannen was about to respond, feeling a strange sensation within him, which included some annoyance, when a voice interrupted him.

"Yoi!"

In the distance, the figure of a tall man with long hair and a beard of the same tone as the little girl's mane emerged. His face reflected confusion upon encountering the strange young man with white hair.

"Who are you?" he asked cautiously, placing the little girl behind him.

Zannen frowned as he observed him, trying to analyze the situation. That individual seemed to be like a relative of the girl, as they shared the same features, and he looked like a mature, almost elderly man.

"My name is Zannen, I just arrived at this place, and I would appreciate the kindness of someone who could provide me with their help," he replied, flashing his mischievous smile.

The man looked at him distrustfully, and then turned his attention to the girl who stood in front of him.

"Daddy, help him," she said innocently, a gleam in her eyes. Zannen glanced at her out of the corner of his eye.

"But, Yoi..."

"He seems like a good person," Yoi turned her gaze back to Zannen and smiled at him. Despite the young man's strange appearance, she found him agreeable.

Yoi's father shot a sidelong glance at Zannen and let out a nervous laugh. Although Zannen still contemplated the situation discontentedly, he had now identified the man as the girl he had just met's father. He was not willing to let the opportunity to be helped slip away.

"Please, I promise I won't cause any trouble and I'll be willing to help with anything you need," Zannen said, feigning a smile.

The man smiled serenely, naively trusting the words of the unknown young man before him.

The girl cheered and walked with her father and the peculiar man to their modest house, located in a small village among the mountains. Although the population was not large, there was a close-knit community where everyone seemed to know each other and help one another. They were humble people and Zannen tried to decipher it, amidst the surprised looks of the inhabitants as they saw him arrive with their neighbors.

"My name is Yutaka, I suppose you've already met my daughter, Yoi," he said, pointing to the girl with a big smile.

"Was she always happy?" Zannen wondered as he saw the little girl again.

Zannen was welcomed into the home of a father and daughter, who shared that space only with each other. As he wandered through the corners of the small home, he observed strange square figures stuck to the walls and several of them placed on some tables. In most of these images, there was a woman with black hair and blue eyes, sometimes accompanied by the girl and the man.

He deduced that perhaps she was important to them, like a mother and wife. She was probably dead and that's why they needed to remember her, as if she had been a valuable person in life. He snorted. He avoided formulating his own conclusions about humans, as his only purpose in being there was to fulfill a single objective.

Yutaka approached Zannen, kindly offering him a cup of tea. Zannen, bewildered, accepted it so as not to seem rude.

Little Yoi approached with a tray of cookies, and he cautiously tried them, instantly delighted. Everything in his mind cleared and his body only experienced the delicious and sweet taste of what that human had brought him. How could something so simple be so exquisite?

Then he took some tea, and the combination was simply perfect for him. A smile, this time genuine, appeared on his lips.

"Thank you very much," he replied, forgetting everything for a moment, until the elder asked him a question.

"Where are you from, Zannen?"

He glanced at Yutaka out of the corner of his eye as he continued drinking tea. His expression became serious, searching for the right words to address the two-person family.

"It's none of your concern" he was about to say, but after a few seconds he reconsidered upon noticing that the brown-haired girl was watching him attentively. "From a place far away from here, I had an accident and don't remember how to return."

At that response, Yutaka and Yoi looked at him with sadness, offering him words of comfort that internally annoyed Zannen. Why were they so concerned when they barely knew him?

"I'm sure one day you'll return home. In the meantime, we'll help you," said Yoi with a tender smile.

Zannen looked at her again with confusion and no longer wanted to tolerate any more human nonsense. He had had enough.

"Is there somewhere I can sleep?"

"Of course, come and I'll show you a room," Yutaka pointed out.

Zannen followed him until they reached and entered the bedroom where he could rest. It was a small room with a small bed and a table next to it, with a window without curtains that showed the nighttime scenery outside, full of stars in the sky and a huge shining moon. Zannen sighed.

"Sorry if it's not big enough..." Zannen interrupted him.

"It is okay," he said. He no longer wanted to deal with the man, plus, he didn't feel as comfortable in a place since he left his universe. It was incredibly strange. "Thank you, you may leave."

Yutaka nodded, surprised by his polite yet stern attitude. Before closing the door, Yoi entered.

"Here, Zannen," she offered a blanket with blue embroidery, as if it had been handmade.

Zannen frowned, feeling a bit disgusted seeing the girl offering him that, he didn't expect it. But after a while, he took it and thanked her.

Yoi smiled again. "Goodnight," and she left the room with her father, closing the door.

Zannen stared at the same point for a while until he freed himself from all thoughts and went to bed. Although it was quite small for his size, he admitted it was comfortable, and the feeling of the blanket brought back memories. For a few seconds, it brought him calmness and joy. He felt instantly sleepy, without giving himself time to think about what he would do tomorrow, he just fell asleep in a deep slumber.

(...)

The next day, Zannen was the first to wake up, sighing in frustration.

His plan was clearly more delayed than usual. He needed the humans to provide him with the answers he sought: the location of a warrior.

He left the room where he spent the night and looked for the inhabitants of the house. He walked down the hall and noticed that one of the doors was ajar. He peered in to see if anyone was there and saw the two, sleeping soundly as if they had no reason to wake up. Zannen frowned. He couldn't use any of his powers or strength to expedite the situation.

As if a kind of consideration for humans suddenly arose in him, he decided to wait for them to wake up while exploring the village to get to know the surroundings better.

The dawn landscape offered him another wonderful view. The clouds moved slowly in the sky, accompanied by colorful flying animals emitting resounding sounds.

Suddenly, he heard a scream in the distance. It came from one of the houses. As if it were his instinct, he hurried to see what was happening.

"Help! A thief!" a terrified woman screamed, pointing to the hooded man fleeing the house with a bag in hand, probably with what he had stolen.

The people of the village appeared fearful and indignant at the man who dared to steal in their community. Some men went after him trying to stop him and saw how he pointed a gun at them, pulling it out of his pocket.

"Out of my way!" he exclaimed, threateningly.

"Return what you stole, scoundrel!" challenged one of the villagers, very angry.

"You heard the man, inhabitant," the imposing voice surprised those present.

Zannen positioned himself behind the men chasing the thief. They looked at him with curiosity and amazement, stepping aside to allow him to stand in front of the delinquent.

The latter smirked mockingly, raising his gun towards the face of the strange being before him.

"And who do you think you are, freak? You look like you're from Polo North," the thief tried to be intimidating with his joke, but Zannen only frowned in annoyance.

"I am the one who compels you to return what you have in the bag," Zannen dictated, seriously.

"It's sad, because I don't want to. Goodbye!" and he pulled the trigger.

There were screams and gasps of panic and fear from the inhabitants of the village who witnessed the scene, covering themselves or closing their eyes tightly to not witness the terrible scene of the boy being killed. However, they were astonished to see that Zannen was still standing, unharmed, with the bullet stopped between his fingers. The thief, like everyone present, couldn't believe what they were seeing.

The people, including Yutaka and Yoi who woke up and rushed to oversee the situation, were impressed. They saw Zannen exhale heavily, and then form a smile.

"But... How?" the thief was in shock, and his gun slipped from his hands.

Zannen caught it and glanced at the guy, who tried to escape. The strong and young stranger grabbed him by his hood until he fell to the ground, taking the bag he was carrying with him. Zannen immobilized him with his foot while retrieving the stolen items. He turned to look at the stunned townspeople.

Using the empty bag, he tied the thief's hands and proceeded to deliver the valuable belongings to one of the villagers, who was still in disbelief.

"It's yours," he said and stepped aside, leaving them perplexed.

Finally, all the townspeople applauded and cheered for Zannen's victory, for his bravery and skill in putting the terrible thief down. Like a true hero, Zannen was well received and praised by the townsfolk, including Yutaka and Yoi, who approached to speak to him.

"That was incredible, lad," the man gave Zannen a little pat on the shoulder, making him uncomfortable, but he let it slide.

"Yes, Zannen! You're a hero!" Yoi exclaimed, excited. Zannen looked at her and felt like smiling again. But he didn't.

A feeling of discomfort gnawed at him once more. What the hell was he thinking? Why did he dare to do such a thing? Zannen was sure that his discipline and duty as a warrior of justice were still there, but he believed they wouldn't be when it came to the presence of humans. He hated what he was doing there, hated having all these doubts pouring out of him. He had to focus his mind on his desire. Nothing else.

"Is there a way to reach the warriors of this planet?" he asked, direct and concise, just like he was.

Father and daughter looked at him seriously confused.

"Warriors?"

Suddenly, one of the villagers approached.

"Sorry to interrupt, but kid, you seriously have a knack for dealing with crooks. No thief comes to this village often, and yet we were lucky you stopped one. Good job," the man congratulated him. "Have you ever thought of joining the police or something?"

Zannen looked at him utterly bewildered. Yutaka realized.

"Jito, Zannen comes from a very distant place that he doesn't remember because he had an accident, and he asked us to take him in while he sorts things out," the bearded man explained.

Jito looked at his friend in amazement, then at Zannen, who had no idea what the humans were talking about. Of course, he made up that story and knew they would treat him like a victim, a weirdo, or something, but he didn't know why there was so much interest in him. Why so much surprise? He couldn't bear wanting or trying to figure it out anymore; he needed to get out of there.

But just like in the beginning, something simply wouldn't let him.

Should he have prepared more before coming to this planet?

His thoughts were interrupted again by the voice of the man who had approached them.

"So you can go to the West City; it's the nearest, and you might get better help than just staying in the village, although we welcome and appreciate your presence very much, of course," he mentioned.

"You're right, Jito, I thought so too."

"Daddy?" Yoi looked at her father, confused by what the adults were talking about. Zannen was just as puzzled as she was.

"Zannen, you should go to the city and tell them about your situation; maybe they know where you're from," Yutaka declared.

"Yes, I have an old pickup that might help you get around. After all, you saved us a lot of trouble today; we owe you," he added.

Zannen didn't understand a word of what the humans were saying, but he understood they would help him get out of there. All because he caught a thief. He realized that humans liked to repay favors that weren't favors in the first place.

Was that how he saw it? A favor that wasn't a favor?

He cleared his mind and returned to the villager who had offered him a vehicle. This would serve him to head to the West City, where they were going to "help" him with his "situation." It was an opportunity to get closer and closer to his opponent and objective.

"Do you know how to use it?" Yutaka inquired, curious.

"No, but I can learn," Zannen replied, getting into the truck. It didn't look like a spaceship, but it was similar. Only everything had to be operated with hands and feet. The Earth had quite an ancient technology.

Yutaka and Jito loaded some provisions into the back of the truck with the help of other villagers so Zannen could survive the next few hours of travel. Zannen watched as they gave him a map, a compass, bottles of water, bread, soup, canned food, and several of those cookies that Yoi had given him to try.

Yoi.

The little girl approached Zannen when no one was looking, looking at him with a worried smile.

Zannen glanced at her sideways, raising an eyebrow. But what she said made him, for the first time on that planet, feel goosebumps.

"I know you're not from this planet because you arrived in a ship on the mountain," she whispered. "You're a pretty weird guy, just like your hair and your eyes, and that strange agility... even that strength," she continued. "But don't worry, I won't tell anyone your secret."

Zannen was dumbfounded by the words whispered by the girl. What should he do now? Should he tie her up and gag her to keep a close eye on her?

Even if he wanted to do it to avoid trouble, he couldn't.

He hated himself for being so weak when he arrived on Earth; it was too unexpected for him. The presence of that village, its people, the atmosphere, the landscape, the sounds, the smells, the food, the crime wreaking havoc even in the most peaceful places like that. And then there was Yoi and her father, his home, the photos, the bed, the blanket, the starry night.

He sighed with closed eyes, trying to keep calm. Suddenly, he remembered the girl's smile. Since he arrived, he hardly saw her without a smile. Her face always seemed full of joy. It annoyed him, but he knew it was what he would remember most on the journey.

"Goodbye, child," Zannen said, nodding his head.

Yoi, with an incomparable sparkle in her eyes, smiled and waved goodbye to him.

"Goodbye, Zannen! Come back soon!"

The whole village bid him farewell as he drove away in the truck. He saw in the rearview mirror all those people who, just after knowing him for a day, already loved him as if he were another from their universe, from their planet. He saw Yutaka carrying Yoi and continuing the farewell.

He smiled inwardly, because not only was he heading in a different direction to progress in his quest, but he had also achieved and found a pleasant feat for himself.

Chapter 5: Family

Now considering himself quite an expert at driving the vehicle, Zannen accelerated the pickup down the lonely road towards the long-awaited West City. Finally, he was about to get closer to his goal and gather more information about planet Earth, although he would prefer to avoid encountering the kind of friendly humans he had come across before, he couldn't bear that again. For several hours, he drove on the steering wheel until nightfall, when the truck gifted to him in the village was swiftly moving through the illuminated streets of the city, revealing a completely different panorama from the quiet place he had left behind.

In the West City, towering buildings rose, seemingly touching the sky, while the constant shouts and murmurs of people strolling around filled the air. There were even other vehicles, some similar to his, but much more advanced. Zannen carefully observed everything from the window of the pickup.

Then, it reminded him of his planet. The lights and the noise in the city were almost identical. He compared the modernity and the higher population with the village, which was notably different. He wondered why humans didn't move to places like that, although he could understand that factors like noise could be a reason.

His attention focused on his main objective: locating the warriors, especially Son Goku. Zannen activated the dimensional device, which also functioned as an energy detector, allowing him to identify the presence of powerful beings or forces. However, just like at the beginning of his arrival on Earth, something strange was happening; he couldn't perceive any significant presence on his own. He didn't know if this was due to the need to limit his abilities in that environment or to the fact of entering a completely different universe, but fortunately, he could still use that artifact to his advantage.

He decided to trust Keiso's technology, and immediately he noticed it. The machine detected a truly impressive ki, indicating its origin in the enormous building known as Capsule Corp, identified by a characteristic logo. Zannen smiled satisfactorily, he had finally located one of the warriors, and it wasn't just anyone. He was sure that this was the opponent his superior, Toppo, had described in great detail as well. This Saiyan was worthy of not underestimating, with a strength almost as formidable as that of Son Goku, which is why he ranked second in strength in his universe. Zannen was intrigued. What would this individual called Vegeta be like?

Instead of infiltrating directly into the building, he waited a few seconds to think about what to do next and realized that the warrior's ki was still elevated. He decided to enter as discreetly as possible, aware of the need to blend in among the people walking around, which was huge. To achieve this, he chose to stop one of the employees, knock him out, and take his clothes, consisting of a blue janitor uniform with a cap and overalls. He thought that only then would he not attract attention. Stealthily, he advanced to the end of the building, where he saw a woman with blue hair talking through a strange device, while holding a bundle in her arms. The scene puzzled him, but he paid full attention.

"Bulla has been doing very well. Let's go to sleep now, right, sweetheart?" she said, smiling at the little one with hair and eyes of the same color as the woman's. "Of course, I have to put her father to bed too before it dawns in that gravity chamber. You know how determined he is with his training," she added, adjusting the phone in her ear and looking ahead. Her smile shifted from amused to a more serene and nostalgic one. "Well, you know that better than anyone.

Zannen watched the woman with that strange being in her arms from the other end of the hallway, hiding behind a wall to avoid being seen by her. He listened attentively to each of her words, with his mind still focused on his next step.

"Yes, thank you very much for calling. I'll give them your regards," she continued smiling. "And, Chichi, take care of yourself. You know I'm always here waiting for you whenever you want to visit us." she hung up.

The woman tucked the device into her back pocket and turned her attention back to the baby she held in her arms. The little one laughed with her as they moved towards a door. Bulma opened it, creating a loud noise that echoed in the place, accompanied by another voice complaining.

"Vegeta, it's late already. I warned you that the gravity chamber would only be available until nightfall, it's time to go to sleep," the woman announced with authority. "Your daughter can't fall asleep if her father isn't by her side. Do you remember how lately she starts crying when she doesn't see you?"

A grunt was heard from the man who remained with his back to her.

"Nonsense, she cries because you spoil her too much," he replied, serious and annoyed. "Kakarot's wife told you that, didn't she?

"Chichi is very right about what she said, she told me that Gohan also cried when Goku wasn't around."

"That idiot has never been close to his children like I have," he stated seriously, causing the woman to roll her eyes. "Fine, let's go to sleep."

Vegeta took the baby from her arms and noticed how the baby's eyes shone brightly when she saw him. Laughing endlessly, the little one raised her tiny arms, trying to touch her father's face. A smile appeared on Vegeta's stern face, making Bulma smile too.

The blue-haired woman felt satisfied with the impact those words had on him. Although Vegeta wasn't particularly affectionate or demonstrative with his children, it was certain that he loved them, especially the little one who was his weakness. Suddenly, she heard her husband's words in her head about his childhood best friend, hinting that he was the opposite of close with his children. However, she recognized that was just a provocation from Vegeta. She knew Goku also loved his children very much. For her, it was incredible to reach that point in her life where she saw two Saiyans who, despite all the challenges they faced, had built a family they protected and loved. She was very proud of both of them for that.

However, Bulma knew that understanding the feelings of the wife of the other strongest Saiyan in the universe, with whom she had recently spoken on the phone, turned out to be complex. It was difficult for her to decipher how that woman really felt towards the Saiyans. Although she didn't want to know, Bulma unfortunately had to hear her express her hatred towards them on occasions, due to everything they had put her through. Although she could understand Chichi's perspective, Bulma was forced to remain silent, striving to ensure that things for her best friend's wife remained as calm and respectful as possible. At the end of the day, that woman, mother of two warrior children that the blue-haired woman considered her own nephews, held the title of the strongest woman in the universe, she sincerely envied her a little for that, and she also knew that she loved Goku with that same strength and unconditional dedication.

She smiled and watched as her beloved husband headed with their daughter in his arms towards the room they shared, following him with the intention of finally resting.

Zannen had been observing everything from a distance, not missing any detail. With his limited speed abilities, he managed to catch a glimpse inside what seemed to be the "gravity chamber," a place that piqued his curiosity, and stealthily approached the woman with blue hair to take the strange device she used to communicate from her pocket. Undetected, he vanished from the place, but not before once again contemplating Vegeta with his daughter in tow.

"So, you have a family".

(...)

The woman with black hair let out a relaxed sigh as she placed the phone back in its place after calling to greet her longtime friend. The newest addition to the Brief family reminded her a lot of her granddaughter Pan and her other dear friend's daughter, 18, as they were all young and adorable girls. Somehow, as if she were their other mother, she was willing to care for them and always seek the best for them, even though the only children she had were boys. Deep down, she would have liked to have a daughter too, but the mere idea made her nervously laugh at its absurdity, as if having another baby at that moment were ideal.

Sometimes, Chichi envied the life of the blue-haired woman, because Bulma enjoyed unlimited wealth without worrying about expenses. She didn't have the same concerns as Chichi, like taking care of household chores almost all day, cooking large amounts of food three times a day, and facing the consequent expenses of energy and money. Especially, Chichi had to deal with the uncertainty of waiting for her husband for prolonged periods without being sure when he would return, how he would do it, or why he often came back with his clothes torn apart without explanations, supposedly to not worry her. On the other hand, there was Vegeta, who used whatever camera to train at home, near his family. Although he didn't show as much love as he should, at least he was present, preventing his absence from affecting his wife. And not to mention Krillin with 18, who worked hard to provide his wife and daughter with a comfortable and peaceful life, without the need to train to death, although it was more understandable because he was human. Chichi felt bad for comparing her circumstances, it wasn't necessary. For some reason, she was so determined and steadfast. Not for nothing, her husband's circle of friends and acquaintances, including his children, had a certain respect or fear of her, even her husband put her on a pedestal.

But that pedestal was lower next to another higher one.

She sighed, a little sad for wanting so many things and not having them.

"Hi, Mom!" Gohan appeared in the kitchen doorway to greet his mother, accompanied by his wife Videl and holding little Pan in his arms. Chichi widened her eyes full of brightness and emotion, approaching to hug the newcomers.

"Gohan!"

Chichi hugged her dear eldest son tightly, as well as her daughter-in-law and above all her beautiful and tender granddaughter.

"How are you, Mrs. Chichi?" Videl asked cheerfully as she handed her daughter over.

"Very happy to have you here. By the way, what are you doing here? It's very late, didn't you have any trouble getting here?" Chichi asked while rocking the baby and observing the young parents. Gohan smiled nervously and scratched his head.

"Don't worry, Mom, we didn't have any problems. It's just that Goten asked for my help with one of his science projects and I couldn't come earlier because of work. Videl wanted to accompany me, it's been a while since we've visited you," Gohan said with a smile.

Chichi smiled tenderly at her son's words, but then frowned.

"Why didn't Goten let me know? If he had, I would have had dinner ready for you." Chichi kissed Pan on her forehead and handed her to Gohan. "Goten ate everything and fell asleep. It's incredible how I never find out about anything. I hope that project of his turns out well, or he'll deal with me."

Gohan and Videl exchanged nervous smiles. The strongest woman of all never seemed to change, which made them feel fulfilled in that moment. The little baby laughed happily at seeing her angry grandmother, who quickly transformed her expression into a smile upon seeing the girl.

"I'll cook again, will you help, Videl?" she asked kindly.

"Of course."

"I'll take Pan to bed, it's time for her to sleep. And don't worry, Mom, we already fed her before coming," Gohan affirmed. Milk had pointed a ladle at him about to say something about feeding Pan, but lowered her guard upon learning that her son had already taken care of it. She smiled.

"You and my son are wonderful parents," Chichi said, looking at Videl with a smile.

The young woman with blue eyes blushed and laughed.

"You truly are a wonderful mother, despite all you've been through. That's why I chose to marry your son."

Chichi smiled even more intensely as she chopped vegetables. She felt sincerely happy in that unexpected moment. Her family filled her and always would. They would always be her great pride and happiness. She was sure that, despite all the adversities they had faced, her family was the strongest, and her sons, besides being strong, were the smartest and most loving men in the world. That her daughter-in-law also knew that, filled her as well.

Chichi stopped smiling when she remembered her husband.

That night, the family gathered for dinner, albeit a little late. Gohan and Videl's unexpected visit, and Chichi's scolding of Goten, when he woke up, for not letting her know about the project and that Gohan was going to help him, added a charming touch to the evening. It was a night full of laughter, like the united family they always were. However, Chichi was aware of her husband's absence, and although the others knew it too, her thoughts and feelings couldn't be the same as the raven-haired woman's. Nothing could compare to what she had lived, lives, and will live forever.

She smiled after all, because she had her family.

(...)

Zannen left Capsule Corp taking his belongings and the cell phone he had stolen from Bulma with him. Despite not knowing how it worked, he set out to discover its secrets. It occurred to him that if the device allowed communication with others, he could contact all the warriors that she and Vegeta likely knew, including the other Saiyan he needed to find.

His plan expanded, and he executed it with determination to reach his goal. He pondered the possibility that the other warriors couldn't be far away, they might have even had contact with the Saiyan named Vegeta and the blue-haired human. As he inspected the device, he noticed a strange screen with no buttons. However, when he attempted to press it, something surprising appeared. It was numerous images of the earthling. Quite a lot of images, to be honest.

In some photos, the blue-haired woman appeared with the baby she had previously carried and a peculiar child with lilac hair beside her, both looking very happy. In others, Vegeta was already there with his characteristic serious expression, apparently posing reluctantly, as he seemed embarrassed. Nevertheless, he showed no resistance to his family, as he held the baby in several of the photos.

He scrolled down further and there were photos with other strange people, some with the baby and some without her. When he reached images of the earthling posing in a two-piece outfit that almost left her naked, wearing black glasses and holding a glass full of something strange, Zannen frowned, it no longer seemed interesting to him.

But upon reviewing the photos again, he came across one that caught his attention, and it was precisely this that allowed him to piece together the puzzle in his mind.

"If Vegeta, along with the human who is his wife, are here, it means those other people must be close to them... Among them, those who participated in the Tournament of Power and... yes, it must be him. The man who is with that woman in yellow. Does it mean he also has a wife? Does he have a family? Did everyone in that group have a family?

Who are you, Son Goku?

Who are your friends?

Who is your family?

I will find out."

Chapter 6: Friends

Zannen had fallen asleep in the pickup. The sunlight bothered him, illuminating his face, prompting him to quickly get up and exit the vehicle to fully wake up. It was a new day on that planet where time seemed to fly by.

He sighed as he took off his jacket, revealing a weary expression. The stifling heat of the city surrounded him. He sought to refresh himself in an abandoned fountain where he washed his face. He had driven to a secluded area, away from what he used to consider Vegeta's and his wife's home, during the night to reflect on things.

He already sensed the proximity of the warriors from Universe 7; he could feel it. His certainty was based on the photo he discovered through the device he stole from the woman. There could be no mistake. Every piece of the puzzle pointed to individuals nearby, and the place he was in now happened to be the home of those people.

He just needed to take one more step. It didn't matter if there was still time ahead, as patience was everything to Zannen. So far, his efforts had borne fruit.

He could feel the eagerness to fight.

He returned to the pickup to retrieve the dimensional device to detect energy, but found nothing.

He decided to venture back into the city, this time heading to another area where he could identify some hint of power or recognize one of the faces in the photo. Zannen considered the possibility that they could live nearby, even if it was just one of them.

As he drove, Zannen observed the people around him and noticed that they all had distinct features but at the same time shared a similar energy, marked by a sense of tranquility. He was curious about the diversity of their actions, clothing, and ways of expressing themselves. Everyone seemed relaxed, at peace, as if they knew that their universe had triumphed in the tournament that would decide their fate between redemption or complete destruction. This made him somewhat angry.

Did they know about their warriors?

Then, amidst the crowd, he noticed a short person in uniform and a peculiar helmet, who mounted a two-wheeled vehicle.

Zannen squinted to observe him carefully, then looked back at the photo on his phone. Upon seeing his face, he managed to identify him. Those six dots on his face couldn't be a coincidence. He was one of the men in the picture.

Zannen approached with his pickup and stopped it, cautiously getting out so as not to attract attention, as the man was talking to a man on the other side of a grated wall.

"Here's your drink," said the short man as he handed over some coins. Zannen watched from a distance.

The short man turned back to his tiny vehicle and removed his helmet, revealing his bald head. He took a sip of the drink the man had offered him and sighed in satisfaction. He took out a cell phone from his pocket, dialed a number, and brought it to his ear, all while still holding the bottle.

Zannen watched him curiously and took out the device he stole from his pocket, similar to the one he had.

"Hello? Krillin?" a female voice came from the other end of the line.

"Hi, honey. I'm on my break, calling to see how Marron did in school with the science project," the man said.

"Very well, your daughter is a little genius," the female voice responded. "She came home with an A, dying to show it to you when you get here."

Krillin smiled.

"And I can't wait to see it. I'll bring her a gift to congratulate her. I'll bring one for you too."

"For me? Why?"

"Because I love you."

Zannen raised an eyebrow in confusion. Who could be the person he was speaking with so cheerfully?

After a few seconds listening to the conversation of the bald man, when he finished and said goodbye, he emptied his juice bottle and threw it into a trash can before leaving on his small vehicle.

Zannen began a stealthy pursuit to not attract attention to the man; he needed to confirm if it was him.

He used his device again and saw something that left him bewildered. He didn't perceive any powerful force in his energy. Was he really one of the participants in the tournament?

He felt somewhat confused, however, he continued to follow him to discover more. So the whole afternoon passed, watching the short man roam the city on his bike with a logo that bore the name "police" engraved on it, which he found curious. Apparently, the human had to travel around the city in that vehicle, making sure people complied with certain things he indicated to them.

It was surprising that he had not noticed his presence at any time. Well, even Vegeta, who surpassed him in terms of power, hadn't noticed him. This led him to reflect on the abilities of those individuals, the importance of ki, and their own abilities.

"I'm home!" Krillin entered the house he shared with his wife and daughter, announcing his arrival. A small blonde girl, with features very similar to his own, ran excitedly towards him, holding a sheet in her hand, and throwing herself into his arms.

"Daddy!"

A woman who appeared to be the mother had followed her with her arms crossed, smiling as she witnessed the scene. The father lifted the girl, congratulating her on her excellent grade and giving her a gift. The girl screamed with joy and thanked him with another hug, then immediately opened the bag he had given her. She found a set of tea cups for dolls. She screamed with excitement.

Krillin laughed as he stroked his daughter's hair. Then, he turned his attention to the gaze his wife was giving him, who watched him with happiness at seeing how loving he was with their daughter. Krillin approached her and handed her another bag, leaving the blonde girl now puzzled.

"Did you really do it?" she asked, shaking her head with a resigned smile.

She opened the gift her husband gave her and found a pair of gold earrings. The woman looked at them in surprise and expressed a gesture of tenderness.

"You and Marron deserve this and more," he replied with a smile.

She smiled, blushing, and approached his height to kiss him on the head, both him and her daughter, who laughed happily at seeing her parents.

"Thank you."

What the happy family didn't know was that a white-haired boy was watching them through the window, with utmost and characteristic caution not to be seen.

Zannen, upon seeing that blonde woman, with blue eyes and taller than the man, opened his eyes in surprise. He checked the photo on his cell phone again; that woman was the same one there, as was the girl. Surely she was another member of the warriors and the wife of that short individual.

"Well, get ready because we're going to have dinner at Master Roshi's house."

The girl celebrated excitedly because she was going to meet her turtle friend again, and 18 went with her to get ready, followed by Krillin.

Zannen detected the energy again with the help of the device before 18 went up the stairs completely and observed her power. Her strength exceeded that of the man, which impressed him enough.

Then he left the place and waited for the family to leave the house, ready to follow them to their next destination.

(...)

Krillin and 18 were driving in their car with little Marron, who was entertained in the back seat with two dolls. Krillin was behind the wheel, while 18 was in the passenger seat talking on the phone.

"It was amazing," she said, with a radiant smile. "It was the best grade in her class. Krillin and I are very proud." She added, looking at her daughter through the rearview mirror. "Oh, I know Goten will do great in his. From what I hear, he and Trunks, being a grade higher, will present theirs later." She commented confidently. Krillin watched his wife closely. "Well, he'll do great. He's as smart as his brother." 18 stopped smiling a bit upon hearing something. "I know, but don't worry," she responded calmly to Krillin's inquisitive gaze. "Thanks, Chichi. I'll let them know. By the way, would you like to come with us to Master Roshi's place?" Krillin looked at her again, waiting for her response. "I understand, that's fine. Take care then. Bye."

18 ended the call and sighed, her husband looked at her with confusion.

"Is everything okay?" Krillin asked.

"Yes, Gohan is at Chichi's house helping Goten with his science project, so they won't be able to come. But she sends her regards to everyone."

"Well, at least Gohan is with them."

18 glanced at him, nodded, but sighed.

"Goku should be with them."

"Ha?" Krillin looked nervous. "Why do you say that, 18?"

"Isn't it obvious? Chichi told me she hoped Goku, as an exemplary father, would know about his son's project to be here and congratulate him on getting the best grade. Too bad Goku isn't as perceptive as his sons because his main interest is in training."

"Sorry, 18, maybe you're right, but you know how Goku is. His family has accepted him all these years, especially Chichi. They're very strong in doing so, and Goku is aware of that. What he does is to protect them."

"I feel like that's garbage, since he himself was responsible for the tournament where almost everyone died because of him."

Krillin was speechless, swallowing hard. He looked at his daughter through the rearview mirror. Fortunately, she had fallen asleep.

"18..."

The blonde rolled her eyes and sighed.

"It doesn't matter."

18 couldn't help but feel angry towards her husband's best friend, as he was the main responsible for all the concerns of her closest friend on Earth. She knew Goku was a lost cause, obsessed with training and becoming stronger, which she didn't care about and wasn't her problem. However, getting to know Chichi more deeply, she could understand her in a way that neither her husband's other friends nor he himself could, as they believed they knew all the cards when it came to Goku, but they didn't.

Although she didn't like him much, she respected and admired him in some way, recognizing his love for family and friends, including her daughter, who was also the daughter of his childhood friend. However, like Chichi, she noticed the distance that was created due to the fights, forgetting the most important thing: seeing their children grow and being there for them. These were not just her words, but also those of the raven-haired woman. It was really sad to remember this, as she had taken a liking to the woman who had helped her so many times in raising her daughter.

When they arrived at Kame House, Master Roshi greeted them with a wave, accompanied by Turtle, Oolong, Tien Shinhan, Chiaotzu, Yamcha, and Puar.

"Hello, friends!"

"Krillin!"

The friends greeted each other with enthusiasm and warmly welcomed 18 and her daughter. The girl was happy and played with the turtle, while the others engaged in conversation around a campfire they lit after dinner.

"You know? I look at everyone here and think that there are many people missing," the old man said nostalgically.

"Yes, master. It's amazing that despite the hustle and bustle, several of us still gather, but we've also grown apart a lot," Tien Shinhan said.

"We would have invited the others if they weren't busy," Yamcha said, with sorrow in his voice.

"Well, that's true. But the good thing is that we're here, and someday we'll all be together again. Don't worry," Krillin clarified this time.

"I invited Chichi before coming here," 18 said, neutrally.

All present looked at her surprised and somewhat confused.

"Chichi? Is that woman alone again at her house?" Master Roshi asked.

"No, Master Roshi, she's with Goten and Gohan. The latter went to visit them to help Goten with a task," Krillin explained according to the phone conversation his wife had with the raven-haired woman.

"The reason they couldn't come," 18 added.

Roshi nodded thoughtfully.

"And Goku? Is he training again on the God of Destruction's planet?"

"No, from what I know, after his encounter with a Saiyan they just found out about and his encounter with Frieza, they stopped training with them. Goku went to King Kai's planet, while Vegeta is in his gravity chamber at Capsule Corp."

"That's strange. I thought after reaching that powerful state we saw in the tournament, he would spend more time training with those people," Tien Shinhan said.

"I thought the same, but maybe something happened that prevented them from doing so. Anyway, when Goku returns, we'll ask him."

"If he returns," 18 said, serious. Everyone looked at her attentively, and Krillin saw her nervous about what his wife thought of his friend.

"What do you mean, 18?" Yamcha asked, confused.

"18 is joking, guys," Krillin said, trying to ignore what his wife had said.

18 avoided them and moved to approach her daughter, who was still playing with the turtle. She smiled to be by her side now, joining her to play.

"Hey, Krillin, why don't you ask Vegeta?" Oolong asked this time.

"Come on, Oolong, we all know why."

Everyone laughed at Yamcha's comment. Krillin, however, let out a forced laugh, watching his wife in the distance, sighed, feeling uncomfortable. He was aware that his wife wasn't the closest to his friends, especially Goku, whom she considered unintelligent. Although she could enjoy their company on occasion, he was surprised that she even enjoyed the company of Bulma and Chichi, the latter being her friend, which surprised him even more. He imagined Goku would also be surprised to learn about the intimate friendship of their wives. Deep down, Krillin hated Goku's disappearances, remembering the times Gohan had to fend for himself and Goku's lack of responsibility in not informing Chichi about his late return. Now, seeing Goten facing situations alone with the only support figure he had, which was Chichi, saddened him. He didn't want to accept it, but he knew he had to. Although his wife didn't, he understood that's how his best friend was, and always would be. All that was left was to accept it, like everyone else, although he knew his wife wouldn't.

Zannen's device displayed the powers of each member of the group observing from afar. They were low forces, one more than the other, but only a couple were acceptable: those of the tall bald man and the elder. He smiled as he identified them also in the photograph. He was getting closer and closer.

And the conversation about Goku didn't go unnoticed by him.

The names "Chichi," "Gohan," and "Goten" circled again in his mind, leading him to ponder their possible significance.

What if they were part of Son Goku's family?

He was eager to find out.

(...)

On a planet far from Earth, a small yellow being named Gobe was carrying a large container with his hands, but he couldn’t stop even though it was heavy and he was already getting tired.

“Hurry up, Gobe! You have ten more containers to bring!” shouted one of the inhabitants, who seemed to be the head of that circuit.

“I'm coming,” he affirmed, exhausted, as he placed the container with the others.

Suddenly, a loud and powerful movement paralyzed them all in their spots. Gobe, with sweat on his face, looked around in fear, trying to understand the cause of the shake.

In a flash of lights and dust, a ship had descended from the sky, with a polished surface reflecting the essence of the planet it had arrived on. The atmosphere became overwhelmingly intense, announcing the arrival of an intruder. The inhabitants, with eyes of astonishment and fear, watched as the imposing figure of an unknown being emerged from the ship. His presence enveloped the place, striking panic into the inhabitants as they saw the space tyrant with his piercing purplish-red eyes.

“This planet will be more than perfect, my friends,” he pronounced with characteristic malice in his voice.

The army of the mysterious being began to imprison and eliminate the planet's inhabitants, aiming to subdue it to the will of the malevolent figure who watched everything with a smile.

The yellow beings tried to escape as best they could, heading for their ships to flee.

Gobe ran and ran, dodging the attacks of those individuals, until he reached the line of ships and felt desperation. He didn’t have a ship, as he had given it to that strange young man with white hair.

He complained aloud and looked toward where all the chaos was coming from, feeling the attack drawing closer. He had to leave immediately.

He tried to use another ship that didn’t belong to him, but it was impossible; it was locked. He cursed out loud.

Then, one of his companions opened one of the ships but was caught by a beam of light that made him fall dead instantly. Gobe, full of panic, closed his eyes to avoid witnessing such a scene. However, he noticed that the ship was left open and ran to it to get inside before being caught as well.

Gobe started the ship and ascended, rising above his planet, which was under attack. He felt pain and fear, not understanding the reason for the threat. What would he do now?

Fortunately, he quickly rose out of the atmosphere of his home planet, heading in an unknown direction through space. At that moment, the memory of that peculiar boy who had appeared on his planet before came to Gobe’s mind. With no time to explore other options, he was forced to head urgently to Earth to seek him out and ask for help.

Chapter 7: Intruder

In Capsule Corp, the heiress of the prestigious company was desperately searching for a particular object that morning.

"Where is it?" she repeated every second, trying to find what she was looking for in the room.

A boy with lilac hair and tanned skin entered the room where the woman was, looking at her with a confused expression.

"What are you looking for, Mom?" he asked.

"Trunks, by any chance, have you seen my phone?" Bulma asked her son, now looking directly at him.

The boy shook his head, puzzled.

"How strange, I had it just a moment ago, and suddenly it disappeared," she mentioned, thoughtful.

"Did you perhaps leave it in your office?"

"I've been searching for two days everywhere, even in your father's chamber," she sighed. "Anyway, never mind. Tell me, son, have you prepared your science project?"

"Um... that's actually what I wanted to talk to you about, Mom," he said nervously.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't know how to make those planets with the materials you gave me, Mom. I need help," he replied, distressed, while pouting.

"But, Trunks, your presentation is in two days," Bulma reminded him, seriously.

"What's going on?" Vegeta drew his wife and son's attention, and the latter was startled to notice his presence. He didn't want him to find out.

"I'm leaving now!" and he ran off.

"Trunks, come back here this instant!" Bulma shouted, but it was in vain. Resigned, she turned to her husband. "Vegeta, have you seen my phone?"

"No," he replied bluntly as he headed to the closet in search of a shirt. Bulma sighed again, this time with some concern.

"I know! Why didn't I think of it earlier?" a brilliant idea crossed her mind, and she hurried to her office where her computer was. Confused, Vegeta put on the garment and followed her.

"What are you going to do?" he asked, serious.

"I'll use the GPS location," she said, with a triumphant smile.

(...)

Zannen kept watch over the group of friends who gathered with the family of the short man and the blonde woman all night, until he fell asleep again in his pickup. The next morning, he woke up and immediately set out to search for where Son Goku's supposed family was.

He had clearly heard that Goku was training, which meant he was getting stronger. Plus, did they say he and Vegeta were training on the God of Destruction's planet in their universe? That exceeded limits and pleased him. But what seemed strange was that the people present didn't know when he would return. How would he know?

Would his family know?

At that moment, he had to hurry to locate the other participants and carry out his first task before the warrior returned.

Zannen set off for his next destination in the pickup, after carefully stealing, of course, the other strange device similar to his own that belonged to Krillin.

That phone also had pictures of him with his wife, 18, and the little girl, ranging from when she was a baby to older. It also included photographs of Krillin with the woman with blue hair and the man with tousled black hair he had been investigating so much.

Pressing the phone screen with his finger, a list of contacts appeared showing the photo and name of each person, which he found curious.

At first, they were all strangers to him, but then those who were part of the man's friend circle began to appear. Among the contacts, one stood out that caught his interest: Gohan, whose name was accompanied by a photo of what should be his face.

He looks very much like a Saiyan.

He tapped on his name and watched as a new option appeared on the screen indicating "call" or "send message."

"So, I can do this with all the people who appear here."

He checked the photos again for clues about where Gohan might live, and indeed, he found one.

That was fast.

It was a picture of what seemed to be a small house surrounded by grass and a river in the distance with plants and flowers everywhere. In the photo, Gohan was with a young child, notably similar to the man with tousled black hair who also appeared in the image. Beside him, a woman dressed modestly with a bun. That place radiated peace and beauty, and the scene suggested the image of a family. It reminded Zannen of the small village where he was initially taken in.

Immediately, Zannen got into the pickup and headed towards the town's residents to ask about that place, prepared to discover who the other tournament participants and Son Goku's family were.

(...)

At Mount Paozu, inside the Son family's house, Chichi was helping her youngest son with his science project, which involved creating a solar system.

"Goten, remember to study the concepts of each planet well. I summarized them in simpler templates that I left in your room," Gohan said.

"Thank you very much, brother," the youngest replied with a smile.

"Yes, Gohan, thanks for everything. I'm already eager to see how well Goten does in his presentation," added Milk, getting up to sweep the material remnants from the floor. Gohan smiled.

"It's nothing, Mom," he replied, ruffling his younger brother's hair and making him laugh.

"Alright, we've done enough with it. Let me clean this up and go wash your hands; it's time for lunch," announced the raven-haired woman.

"Yes, Mom," they both responded at same time, heading off to wash their hands.

Chichi cleaned the whole room and, after disposing of the trash, mopped the floor while humming, as she always did. She was cheerful and calm, knowing her sons were with her and becoming more intelligent and successful every day. Although she remembered being strict with Gohan about his studies compared to Goten, she was glad to see her eldest son living the life he always wanted, far from fighting. With Goten, it was different at first, as she wanted him to become strong like his father, especially because Goku was no longer around due to his death. However, when Goku was revived, it no longer made sense for Goten to focus more on martial arts than on books. She sighed, recalling those difficult stages with her sons, which were challenging for both her and Goku. However, she now felt happy that everything was over and that, finally, peace reigned on Earth. Thus, her sons could live normal lives with defined purposes. Of course, for her, education would always be the key to success.

Videl and Pan arrived at the house, accompanied by the imposing Piccolo, who carried a giant bag filled with groceries, as they had visited the supermarket earlier.

"Do you remember why we bought so many things, Videl?" the green man asked irritably.

"Mrs. Chichi mentioned she was running out of food, so I wanted to be kind and buy everything she might need for the next few months," she replied, stroking the baby and watching her laugh.

Piccolo huffed, as the load he carried was heavier than usual.

"Did she run out of money?" he inquired, curious.

"I don't know, she didn't tell me. Why?" Videl asked, confused.

"Nothing important," replied the Namekian, looking away. At that moment, he remembered Goku and the fact that he had stopped working to focus on training again. It had been a long time since he returned, a situation that could not go unnoticed by the entire Son family, especially by Chichi, who needed her husband to work to support the household.

He looked at little Pan, and she looked back at him, laughing. Piccolo sighed. He didn't want to admit it, in fact, he felt like it didn't matter much, but he believed it was time for the man to show up at his house. Even after all the fight that happened months ago, he should be with his family.

As they entered the house, they saw mother and sons in the kitchen preparing to sit down for lunch. Videl approached Gohan with Pan so she could greet him, and then everyone else greeted Piccolo.

"You arrived just in time," Chichi mentioned, approaching Videl to hold little Pan. "Thank you for everything, Videl, but you didn't have to bother."

"It's no trouble, ma'am," she clarified with a smile.

Chichi gave Piccolo a look, who put down the load on the floor with a drop of sweat on his forehead. She smiled.

"I also appreciate it very much, Piccolo. Come and eat."

The Namekian nodded and joined the family at the table to enjoy a hearty feast, a common tradition in that house because the two hybrid sons of the strongest man in the universe's wife had voracious appetites, just like their father. Unlike Piccolo, who always complained about being served food, arguing that he only needed water to nourish himself, but he couldn't deny that he especially enjoyed Earth food, especially the one Chichi prepared.

"This is delicious," praised Videl. Gohan and Goten nodded in agreement, while Chichi smiled broadly at that.

The family savored the food while discussing various topics, such as Goten's project, Gohan's work, Pan's habits, and Chichi's responsibilities in the house. It was at that moment when Videl made a comment that left everyone frozen in their tracks.

"I wish Mr. Goku were here with us."

Gohan, Goten, Piccolo, and Chichi looked at her with wide eyes. Videl observed them all with confusion, then feeling embarrassed.

"D-Did I say something wrong?"

"Of course not, Videl," Gohan clarified, placing a hand on her shoulder to reassure her. He glanced at his mother out of the corner of his eye, who had looked away, lost in her thoughts.

Goten looked at his mom in the same way, while Piccolo paid close attention.

"Mom?" Goten called her a little distressed. Talking about their dad when he was absent normally didn't affect the atmosphere, but this time it was different because honestly, it had been a long time since their father left without saying goodbye, and their mom never wanted to touch the subject.

Chichi was thinking about the last time she saw him.

That day was when Goku appeared to share the story of the new Saiyan they had met during the search to stop Frieza. His words, full of enthusiasm, were mainly intended for their children, but she was actually worried about the idea of a violent Saiyan coming to Earth. Although Goku insisted that Broly was trustworthy, Chichi was more concerned about her husband's and children's safety. After that, she didn't have the opportunity to ask Goku to resume his usual responsibilities to bring money home, as he started training on Lord Beerus's planet with Vegeta, often without telling her. She only found out about all his actions through their son Gohan, which caused her deep sorrow, anger, and sadness. Goku seemed to prioritize pleasure over his family duties, and what hurt Chichi the most was the lack of communication. Why didn't he say anything? Was it to avoid worrying her? The uncertainty tormented her, and she longed to understand the reasons behind Goku's decisions.

"Sure, as if you're doing your part to get him to tell you", she thought bitterly.

She sighed, feeling resigned.

"Don't worry, honey, I'm fine," Chichi replied with a smile. "Goku will be back soon. You know how he is, after all."

Everyone, except Piccolo, looked at her puzzled.

Gohan and Goten smiled more calmly after feeling a little distressed about their mom. They knew she understood the situation, although it might not be the best.

(...)

A pickup parked a considerable distance from the mountain house, where Zannen believed the individual called Gohan and his family should be located.

He cautiously emerged, carrying his devices, trying not to make any noise, as the place itself was silent and tranquil. He headed towards the house.

He didn't know what might happen or if he was sure that this was the right place, but he would try anyway. He had come too far; things were going well for him. His skills were becoming more essential within him, and the desire to fight with everything his mind and body could offer filled him. He had nothing to lose anymore.

He remembered his native universe, where he came from, and his old master, Jiren, who was surely somewhere in universe 11 enjoying a well-deserved vacation. He smiled at the thought of him, but at the same time felt a hint of resentment. After that tournament, they could have achieved so much together; unfortunately, the belief that true strength lay in not exerting it, at least with him as his student, made him completely lose heart. He frowned.

Here, on Earth, he knew things were different. Aware that those warriors had family, friends, and even enemies they could face. Would he be their enemy?

Honestly, he didn't like the title.

He spotted people leaving the house after walking for a few minutes. He hid behind a bush to spy on them and try to identify them.

"Are you sure you don't want us to accompany you?" asked Gohan, looking worriedly at his daughter and wife.

"I'll be fine, Gohan, you need to stay to help Goten as much as possible. Plus, Piccolo will accompany us," said Videl, hugging Videl and then the baby in her arms. "Thank you for everything, take care."

"Bye, Videl, Mr. Piccolo! See you soon, Pan!" said Goten.

"Bye, take care," said Gohan, kissing Videl on the cheek, as well as Pan.

"See you." And the three of them walked away to go to Videl's house in Satan City.

Zannen observed the three individuals with curiosity, one of them also being a baby. The man named Gohan also had a daughter.

He used his energy detector on the green man who was about to leave and hit the mark; he was someone with considerable power. He was somewhat surprised to notice that he was an alien who got along very well with those people.

When he saw them leave completely, he approached the house more, but stepped on something that made enough noise to be heard. He crouched down and quickly rolled in search of another hiding place, annoyed by it.

Piccolo remained motionless in his place, stopping his steps. Videl looked at him with confusion and also interrupted her path.

"Is something wrong, Mr. Piccolo?" she asked with Pan asleep in her arms.

Piccolo looked back, where he thought he had heard a noise, frowning.

He remained in that position for a moment, waiting for something. He tried to detect some energy but perceived nothing. He took a few more steps closer, with no results. He didn't manage to hear any sound again. He sighed.

"It's better if I leave you at home quickly, let's go," he said seriously, taking flight, and Videl nodded, following suit.

They both quickly walked away, Zannen watched them from afar, somewhat amazed by their flying abilities.

He cursed quietly, almost having caught the attention of the green individual. He seemed quite perceptive. He hurried to go to the house to be able to observe the other members of that family up close.

"Rest, Goten. Tomorrow you have to study and follow Gohan's instructions so that you do great, understood?" announced the dark-haired woman. Zannen watched her from the window of that room.

"Yes, mom," said the youngest, truly a spitting image of what he was sure was Goku.

"Goodnight, darling," she gave him a kiss on the forehead, turned off the lamp's light, and closed the door.

Zannen approached the other window to observe the woman who entered the next room. Here he could see Gohan, who was lying on a bed, reading a book.

"Gohan, thank you for being here these days. I know you did it for Goten, but I really missed you," she expressed.

"Mom, you know I do it for you too. I understand how complicated things can be, and even though sometimes you don't express it, I'm aware that you understand it too."

Chichi smiled nostalgically, once again realizing the maturity and intelligence of her son.

"Yes, son, and I feel bad because you have to see me like this because of what happened to your father."

Zannen paid close attention to the words of each human as he identified the energy of the young man. So he was also quite powerful. He heard them talk about someone, as well as a situation that saddened them, and they always mentioned having to accept it, which he couldn't fully understand. It was then that he realized they were talking about the young man's father and the other child, the wife's husband, the man who had gone to train. Son Goku.

"Everything will be fine, I'll come whenever you and Goten need me."

The woman bid her son goodnight with a kiss on the forehead, as, despite being older, he was still her little one. Then, she closed the door and quickly went to another part of the house.

Zannen followed her quickly to keep her in sight, and as he moved to another window that would provide him with the exact angle of her face, he saw her fall to the floor and cry, covering her face while trying to contain the tears without making any noise.

The boy raised an eyebrow in confusion. Why, if she had her children, did she suffer so much?

She didn't have her husband.

He wanted to use the energy detector with her because he felt curious. He registered a low ki, but considerably higher than others he had found on the planet. He felt somewhat uncomfortable, as the woman didn't stop crying until minutes later, when she withdrew to another room.

In that room that she shared with her husband from the first day of marriage, she felt more alone than ever, as in so many other occasions throughout her life. Despite the years spent together, they now felt more distant, and she longed to rid herself of those thoughts. Fatigue overwhelmed her, and the passage of time was reflected in her feelings. Her children were growing up, her friends would forget her, and the idea that her husband would leave her at every opportunity tormented her. She feared being marked as the woman who prevented the strongest man in the universe from becoming even more powerful, just because she wanted him to be an ordinary person from time to time. Sometimes she believed she wasn't good for him, not even for their children, and she couldn't help those thoughts because of all the mistakes she made in the past with her husband. The threats she faced since she had her first child didn't compare to being abandoned, both her and her family, by the man she loved. She knew it wouldn't be like that, they were just bad thoughts she had to push away as best she could.

She thought about talking to Goku upon his return because things were getting out of control. After that, feeling calmer, she dried the last tears and undid her bun, letting her hair fall freely.

Zannen, who was watching from behind the window, raised his eyebrows as he observed her closely without her noticing. He was somewhat surprised by her features, as he had never seen them in another being before.

Chichi removed her shawl and dress, leaving only her white nightgown, then headed to the bed, which she had occupied alone during the last period of time, although it was always meant for two people. After a few minutes, she fell asleep, with nothing else to ponder in her mind as a devoted and lonely wife and fighter.

Meanwhile, Zannen, realizing that he only had three warriors left to meet, analyzed them all up to that moment.

Vegeta was the first to visit when he arrived at that imposing building, easily identifying his ki as powerful as his own, surpassing all the warriors of Universe 7 in that regard. Though rough and serious, he showed his softer side by doting on his baby and attending to his wife. Although he did not meet his son, he deduced that he must follow in his footsteps.

Next came Krillin alongside 18, a strange yet charming couple, which he rarely thought of in such terms. Krillin did everything for his wife and daughter's happiness, despite the overwhelming strength of the former. 18, despite her defiant attitude, was swayed by love for the bald man, something Zannen found strange on that planet, where everyone was incredibly close-knit.

He observed the other warriors, such as Master Roshi and Tien Shinhan, noting their honor and perseverance. Although not as strong as he thought, he deduced that they had shown incredible potential in the tournament.

In Piccolo and Gohan, he noticed a similarity in power, sensing a connection between them. He deduced that the green man might be responsible for much of the boy's training, whose strength had been forged under the tutelage of a wise elder.

Now he could only imagine the remaining warriors being equal or even stronger, among them Son Goku. He longed to finally meet him and see him face his most fantastic downfall, as he was a worthy opponent from Universe 11, home to the best warriors in existence, determined to avenge himself.

(...)

Bulma managed to access the GPS location system of her phone through the computer to find out its whereabouts.

"Why is that thing so important that you're looking for it so desperately?" Vegeta questioned, arms crossed.

"Vegeta, a phone is a valuable tool and a source of information for me. It contains precious photos of our family and me. I can't take it for granted if it gets lost like this, even though I can buy or make a new one, it's just not the same," Bulma explained, shrugging, as she typed on her computer.

Vegeta rolled his eyes.

"I just have to enter my phone number here, and I'll know where it is," she commented eagerly. Then, something appeared on the computer screen that left Bulma truly puzzled.

Vegeta noticed this and approached, furrowing his brow.

"What's wrong?" he asked, curious.

"It says... it says it's at Goku's house," Bulma replied, looking at her husband with surprise and confusion.

Chapter 8: Unexpected Turn

"Kakarot's house? Are you sure?" Vegeta asked, clearly puzzled.

"That's what it says here, but it's impossible!" the blue-haired woman exclaimed. "I never went there lately, this is very strange."

"What are you going to do?"

"I'll have to stop by there tomorrow," she replied, somewhat unsure.

Suddenly, their son with purple hair entered the room, where his parents were puzzled by the location of his mother's cellphone.

"Mom, I've studied everything for my presentation," the boy said proudly.

Bulma looked at him and smiled, raising a curious eyebrow.

"And is your model ready?"

"Um..."

The boy laughed nervously, scratching the back of his neck. His father turned to him with a furrowed brow.

"Answer now," he commanded.

Trunks suddenly felt afraid; he hadn't noticed his father's presence before. Now he swallowed nervously.

"I... no," he replied, looking at the floor.

Bulma looked at him smiling, while Vegeta remained with the same expression, huffing.

"Fine, fine. I'll help you, but I've never been good at building planets," Bulma said, making her son smile.

"Thanks, Mom!"

"Vegeta, don't you want to help your son with his project?" she asked her husband. Trunks looked at him, anticipating his response.

"I'm not interested in that nonsense; I'll go check if Bulla s awake," he said, crossing his arms and leaving.

Trunks and Bulma looked at each other and shook their heads, laughing. Although Trunks would have liked his father to say yes, he knew his character in the end. And well, when it came to school stuff, his father would be the last option he would ask for help.

Bulma helped her son with his project while thinking about the location she discovered on her phone, trying to imagine that it must be some mistake, but it couldn't be. Without further ado, she decided she would go to Mount Paozu tomorrow.

(...)

Another day on Zannen's account during his stay on Earth, who on the following morning found himself still on the quiet mountain, lost in his thoughts as he continued to reflect, reclined atop an apple tree.

What would he do now?

In the distance, he saw one of those creatures flying across the sky approach the tree to finally perch on one of the branches. Zannen contemplated it carefully. It was small, of a color as white as his luminous hair. The creature seemed perfect to him, as much as all the beauty that mountain radiated.

He didn't know why he was still there, doing nothing. He had already found the whereabouts of the warriors, he knew who each one was, he had made his deductions; he just needed to put his plan into action. But the absence of the main warrior he had come to visit ruined everything. At that moment, perhaps he was enjoying the calm more than his desires for revenge.

Suddenly, as if he hadn't felt it in days, although it could well have been the case, his stomach growled. He was hungry. A particular aroma embraced his nostrils just at the thought, coming from those people's house. He couldn't resist and went down to find out what it was.

He cautiously looked through the window into the kitchen, where the dark-haired woman was already dressed in her usual attire and her usual hairstyle, preparing something to eat based on meats and vegetables.

That mix of elements on the tray over the fire ignited his craving, as it looked curiously exquisite and he hadn't eaten something prepared for a long time. In fact, the last thing he had eaten was the provisions that the villagers had given him several days ago, and when he felt hungry, he had devoured them quickly to continue his way.

He watched the woman taste the stew with a spoon and then form a smile. Zannen narrowed his eyes. How could that woman be so strange?

He wished to taste what she had put in her mouth as well. He was longing for it, because his body, as much as it needed rest, agility, and strength, also needed food.

His instinct told him that when the woman left for another place, he would carefully steal something from the kitchen, where all the food would probably be stored, in addition to trying that strange stew she was preparing.

But what was he thinking?

Then, thinking that after so long analyzing everything again during those last few hours, he decided to be direct. He wanted to introduce himself to that family, make himself visible to them, and ask them once and for all about Son Goku. He wanted them to know that he had been waiting for him and that he had wanted to face him for a long time. The time had come to demonstrate what he was capable of causing with just thinking and moving.

He thought things might turn out well somehow, as he remembered the little girl he had found and her father, who, like the town, showed him that he was not someone easy to reject on that planet. And although with Son Goku's family it was different, although things could go wrong, he wouldn't let himself be defeated by anyone, not by the smallest and weakest being, not by the largest and most powerful.

Zannen, determined, walked towards the main entrance of that home. He could hear the voices of the young ones chatting and repeating things as they sat in the living room. The woman had called them and they came immediately, as she told them it was time to eat. He was about to knock on the door, but...

The sound of a mysterious ship descending to the ground suddenly overwhelmed him. Who the hell was it?

He startled to see the ship land with considerable noise, something totally unexpected at that moment. He was sure the family in the house would have heard it. Just as he was about to make himself visible, the sudden arrival of that ship had completely disrupted his plans. Now, his priority was to hide as quickly as possible and get rid of that situation as fast as he could.

Then he saw Gobe, the small alien who had helped him on that planet where he first arrived, open the ship without care. He cursed him over and over, with growing fury.

The family of three members was ready to have breakfast when a strange noise from outside made them freeze in their seats.

"What was that?" Chichi asked with intrigue, looking towards the window to try to distinguish something.

Before everyone could head towards the door to investigate the origin of the noise, Zannen acted with supernatural speed driven by desperation. Unable to hide his presence any longer, he was forced to use his power.

Taking flight with his arms crossed, he generated an energy sphere that obstructed the view of the surroundings from where he was, unleashing a light as intense as the blazing sun of that day.

Chichi, Goten, and Gohan rushed out the door, but they had to cover their eyes from the intense light that enveloped them, leaving them confused and alarmed. What was happening? It was then that the eldest son, finally felt it, becoming petrified and perplexed in his place.

Before Gobe could exit the ship, he spotted just who he had been looking for. He watched as Zannen approached quickly, still shrouded in the cloak of light that hid him. Without wasting time and without letting the alien even say a word, Zannen entered the ship, closing it behind him before making it take off again in one smooth motion. In an unexpected twist, he departed from the planet with Gobe, taking with him the flash of light that surrounded him.

The Son family, immersed in confusion by what had happened, breathed deeply as the bright light faded. The mountain returned to its tranquil state, but the minds of those present were caught in a whirlwind of uncertainty and unanswered questions.

Chichi swallowed hard and looked worriedly at her two sons.

"What...? What was that?" she asked with a trembling voice, opening her eyes to see the position and expression on her sons' faces, something she knew all too well.

Gohan was slightly leaning forward, with tense body and sweat beading on his forehead, his brow furrowed and fists clenched forward, trying to decipher an internal puzzle as he struggled to contain the tremor on his exterior. Goten adopted a similar stance, but his nervousness was evident as he swallowed hard and cast an anguished look at his older brother.

"B-Brother... Did... Did you feel it too?"

Gohan blinked incessantly, tormented by doubts in his head, nodding distractedly as his thoughts wandered elsewhere. Chichi furrowed her brow, clearly showing her confusion, and a wave of anguish engulfed her, overwhelming her completely.

"Gohan? What's wrong?"

The eldest contemplated his mother and brother for a moment, striving to regain composure before speaking with sorrow.

"A very powerful energy, one I've never felt before... was here," he murmured, with an intrigued look.

Chichi covered her mouth, worried. She knew that kind of presence could mean everything she didn't want at that moment: the reappearance of an enemy on Earth, right where she and her sons resided. A shiver ran down her spine. What could have happened? Whose mysterious and powerful chi could it be?

(...)

With overflowing fury and an almost irresistible impulse to finish off the alien, Zannen firmly grasped him, lifting him up to face him, preventing any attempt to escape.

"What do you think you're doing!?" he shouted.

Gobe swallowed hard, surprised by the young man's reaction, who, although had been kind to him on his planet and still appeared serious and imposing, was now completely furious.

"Sorry if I bothered you, really..." he muttered with difficulty.

"How did you find me? And why?" he inquired, very annoyed.

"Y-You... you said you were going to Earth, so with the help of a contact I have on this planet, who can identify people with just a physical description, I was able to know your location," he swallowed nervously. "I was there, so I went to look for you..."

"Tell me why," he repeated with a penetrating and terrifying voice.

"Some aliens came to my planet with the intention of invading it, attacking us mercilessly. We are no threat to anyone and we need our planet to survive. That's why I came to find you to beg for your help," explained the yellow being, full of anguish and begging for his life.

Zannen furrowed his brow even more, keeping his eyes fixed on the being in front of him. Anger, frustration, and humiliation were still evident in his gaze. Everything had crumbled, and he was not willing to leave it like that. He needed to recover, to correct the alien's mistake. However, what he had just heard left him perplexed. Without a doubt! The story about the evil beings who had attacked his planet had completely captured his attention as a soldier of justice. How was that possible?

"You have no idea the mess you've gotten me into," he mentioned with a voice full of hatred, letting go of him abruptly. Gobe shook himself and coughed a little, trying to recover from the impact of the Zannen's force. "Take me to your planet right now. This time, I'll make you pay dearly."

Gobe, although with difficulty and feeling the threat of the individual in front of him, smiled. Because he was sure that the strength of that boy was more than enough to face the evil individuals who dared to attack his planet. With determination, they began their journey together. Meanwhile, Zannen was forced to devise a new plan during those days of waiting, searching for any opportunity to achieve his goal.

(...)

While Bulma and Vegeta were heading to Goku's house and their family's, the Saiyan clearly showed his lack of enthusiasm for reluctantly going. He accompanied his wife in silence aboard their car-ship. But suddenly, Vegeta froze and widened his eyes, showing a confused expression.

Bulma noticed his silence as she glanced at him and asked:

"Is something wrong, dear?"

The man didn't immediately respond. What he had just sensed seemed extremely strange to him. Strange and powerful, coming from the place that seemed to be their destination.

He returned to his usual expression, but his confusion intensified as he realized it had completely disappeared.

"I felt a strange energy near where we're going", he responded. "But it vanished."

Bulma raised her eyebrows, surprised.

"How strange.", she murmured, turning her gaze back to the road as she drove. "It seems like something... isn't right."

Vegeta looked her straight in the eyes after hearing that.

"Stop worrying. We'll find that thing and get out of here."

Both fell silent, unable to ignore the unease tormenting them. Vegeta struggled to push the sudden chi he had sensed out of his mind, though it was impossible; he knew he had to stay alert. Meanwhile, Bulma, aware of the direction her phone was leading her, found the situation extremely strange. She couldn't be sure why she should be there, as she didn't recall visiting that place before.

After a few minutes, they finally arrived at Mount Paoz. Bulma parked her vehicle and got out followed by Vegeta. The serene sound of nature enveloped the surroundings, making Bulma sigh with satisfaction. However, as they approached the house, she was surprised to see the family gathered outside.

Gohan turned to look at the newcomers, followed by Chichi and Goten, who also watched them with surprise. They had never imagined that their engineer friend and their father's eternal Saiyan rival and companion would come all the way there.

"It's Aunt Bulma and Mr. Vegeta!", exclaimed Goten upon spotting the blue-haired woman and the man.

"Hello, everyone.'" greeted Bulma with a smile, though her expression betrayed some hesitation upon noticing the strange look on their faces.

"Hi!", they all said in unison. Gohan glanced at Vegeta, who hadn't greeted but instead stood a few steps away with his arms crossed, looking around where they were. He raised an eyebrow, thoughtful.

"Bulma, what a surprise". Chichi snapped out of her trance from a few seconds ago to approach and greet the woman. "How are you? What brings you here?"

"Hi, Chichi. Good to see you. Sorry to intrude on your home so suddenly, but..."

Bulma couldn't finish her sentence, as Krillin and 18 had also arrived at the scene, accompanied by Piccolo, Tien ShinHan, Chaotzu, Oolong, Yamcha, Puar, and Master Roshi. Even Trunks, who had sneaked in with them, was present.

Chichi, Bulma, and the others, except for Vegeta, looked at them all with wide eyes, surprised by their unexpected arrival. Bulma was especially surprised to see Trunks among them.

"Wow, it's great to see you all, but what are you doing here?", asked Bulma, confused, fixing her gaze on her son. "Trunks? You should be at home working on your project."

"I know, Mom, but I had to come." he replied firmly, making his mother look at him intrigued before turning back to the other warriors. Goten approached his friend to greet him, and both paid attention to the adults.

"We're also glad to see you, Bulma, but the truth is we felt a powerful energy coming from here and decided to come to make sure everything was okay," explained Krillin, with some unease in his voice.

Everyone was amazed and intrigued by what had just been revealed. Vegeta rolled his eyes, grunted, and turned away, acknowledging that the others had also felt the same sensation as him.

"So, you felt it too?" asked Gohan, noticing everyone's reactions.

"We were in the city when suddenly we sensed a powerful chi. The strange thing was that it disappeared quickly, but we didn't hesitate to come to find out who it was," explained Roshi.

"So, you came out of the house because you also felt that energy?" Bulma asked the Son family, getting a nod from both of Goku's sons. Chichi watched the situation with distress.

"Did you see anything?", inquired 18 this time.

Actually, yes," answered Gohan. "A blinding light appeared just outside the house when we sensed that energy. It was so bright that we couldn't tell if it was someone or something else, but I know its presence was powerful. Then, it just faded away, and we couldn't detect anything else."

"So, that was it", mentioned Piccolo, with his thoughts echoing.

"A blinding light? Could it be someone from another planet?" asked Krillin.

"An enemy, perhaps?", inquired Tien Shinhan, to which Chichi looked worried and began to feel dizzy, to the point of furrowing her brow.

"Well, I think that's enough. Why don't you all come in and get comfortable for a chat? Outside isn't the best place", she announced authoritatively, then turned to her younger son, with her arms crossed. "Goten, you should continue studying for your presentation tomorrow", she said, then addressing everyone present, added: "I'll go back to my duties. If you're hungry, help yourselves to something to eat in the kitchen; there's plenty of food." she finished saying and left, catching everyone's attention, even Vegeta's.

Most of those present looked at her with pity and astonishment as they saw her let such an important conversation pass, evidencing, for some, that she must not be interested at all or, for others, deeply affected. The mention of the word "enemy" and the presence of something powerful and unknown on Earth just minutes before had to shock the woman who no longer wished to become accustomed to such barbarism. Bulma and 18 watched her leave, so they exchanged a look and nodded before heading to the house to talk to Chichi. The others entered a few seconds later, and some, like Gohan, Piccolo, and Vegeta, stayed outside.

"Mr. Piccolo, are Videl and Pan okay?" asked Gohan, sounding worried.

"Don't worry, before coming here, I made sure they were safe at home."

Gohan sighed with relief, thanking his mentor and friend. Then his gaze fell on Vegeta, who was still standing with his back turned and arms crossed.

"Did you feel it too, Vegeta?" asked Gohan.

The mentioned nodded after a few seconds, not altering his serious demeanor or posture.

"Do you think it's a threat?", Piccolo asked this time.

"It wouldn't have vanished just like that." he responded.

"That was the strangest part of all." murmured Gohan, looking at the ground.

"For now, we need to make sure everyone else stays calm," said Piccolo, as Gohan nodded. "By the way, Vegeta, hasn't Whis called you and Goku to resume training with him?"

Vegeta snorted.

"Better ask Kakarot, the idiot should have returned days ago to respond, and he hasn't," he replied.

At that comment, Gohan gestured in surprise, realizing that Vegeta was also waiting for his father's return. Should he have returned earlier? Why hadn't he done so yet? Gohan felt he had a lot to think about and sensed a slight headache coming on. He thought that after talking for a while at his mother's house, he would go and take care of Videl and Pan, making sure no strange chi appeared again. All he could say was:

"Let's hope that energy doesn't show up again. In the meantime, I ask that you please not tell my mother about my dad's return to avoid worrying her more than she already is."

Both men looked at him seriously, not saying a word but nodding in agreement. Vegeta didn't want to meddle in Kakarot's wife's problems with him, and Piccolo was doing Gohan a favor for the right reasons.

After that conversation, the three headed to the house to join the rest, where they were all together after a while, so they could talk about what happened more calmly, even if it was about something strange and alarming that occurred. They wanted to clarify everything once and for all to decide what to do in the next few hours, trying not to mention Goku's return, of course.

Chapter 9: The Return

As the sun rose over the tranquil and small planet of King Kai, a man with tousled black hair was immersed in his rigorous training for the day. With each punch and every movement, he sought to reach new heights of power and combat skill, even though he had already surpassed them all. Since his arrival on the planet, he had dedicated every moment to perfecting his techniques and preparing for the next level of challenges that awaited him with Whis on Beerus' planet. After mastering what became known as the Ultra Instinct, he knew he had to perfect it.

However, the fact that he couldn't yet go to train temporarily with Vegeta due to what happened in his last encounter with Frieza and the arrival of Broly to their world weighed heavily on his mind.

Broly unleashed incredible power that day, both in strength and spirit, unlike anything he had ever witnessed before. It was more than just a simple confrontation, a test, or a battle; it was pure adrenaline, an unrestrained desire to achieve even more power. Although he seemed to have given his all, Goku knew he could still give more. What if he could learn to control his power? Determined not to lose sight of that possibility, he asked Whis to train him. However, the angel imposed the condition that no other Saiyan accompany him in the following months, arguing that Broly needed to feel peace and security. He promised them that the time would come when they would know him more deeply.

Very spirited and focused, Goku made the most of his training hours on King Kai's planet. However, King Kai was already tired of having him there. Days had passed since his arrival, and all he did was throw kicks and move everything and everyone every second. Goku was extremely strong, so King no longer wanted him there. Perhaps he even feared that he would end up destroying his planet again, but when it came to Goku, there was no remedy.

Still, King Kai entertained himself as best he could, even with the Saiyan there, and occasionally asked him about his family, the situation on Earth, and even when he planned to return home.

"I'll go back today," announced the raven-haired man suddenly. King Kai looked surprised by the news, as he thought Goku would stay longer.

"Really?" he asked, incredulous. Goku nodded. "What made you decide so soon?"

"Well, I've been here for many days, and I know that means months back on Earth. Maybe Whis already sent me a notice about training with Broly to see if there have been any results, so I need to go answer him and tell Vegeta so we can go together," he said as he put on his boots, as he was barefoot while training.

Upon hearing the man's explanation, King Kai sighed resignedly, a drop of sweat appearing on his forehead. "This guy will never change," he thought, "he came to train and he's leaving to train." He sighed.

"Wow, Goku, I thought you were going to visit your family," he said, without much thought.

Goku stopped smiling upon hearing the words of the Northern Kai and stood still for a moment, looking down. After a moment, he smiled again and looked up.

"Of course I'm going to see them," he clarified. "Why? Do you think otherwise?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No, of course not. I just said that since you're focused on your training and getting stronger, maybe you forget that you have a home on Earth with a wife and kids."

Goku looked confused, furrowing his brow as he didn't quite understand what he was trying to say. However, he deeply reflected on it.

Did he forget he had a family? Of course not! Could they remind him exactly who he was striving so hard for? Exactly! For his loved ones!

Or... Was that a fallacy? Because he also knew that many times he prioritized training and fighting strong opponents over the peace that could exist on Earth. Even if a bad guy appeared, and it was clear he had to fight him and defeat him by any means, did he do it for others? Or for himself? For his desire to surpass everyone and keep improving, even if it meant consequences for others?

He may have thought about the latter a couple of times after the Tournament of Power, because that's where all the power in the history of the universes concentrated. It filled him with joy, excitement, and, at the same time, fear, and he loved it. Of course he liked to fight. Of course that would always be the most important thing to him. The only thing important to him, the only thing that drove him. It was in his blood, mind, and body, carved like a message in wood.

But... What about his family?

What was Goku really thinking?

At that moment, and every time he woke up or went to sleep, in a peculiar way, a memory lingered in his mind, making him truly think about the answers to all those strange questions that swirled in his head.

...

"You say you met a new Saiyan who is extremely strong?" asked an excited Goten, listening to his father's story.

"Yes, in fact, he was so strong that Vegeta and I had to fuse to be able to defeat him. The same fusion you and Trunks did, son."

"Amazing!"

"Yes, Dad, that must have been awesome. But tell me, did that Saiyan really not seem like any threat after all he almost caused?" Gohan asked this time.

"Don't worry, Gohan. Broly was simply someone who didn't know how to control all his anger, along with his powerful strength. I realized that when a young extraterrestrial wished to send him back to the planet where he grew up. Now he's there so she and another friend of hers can help him control himself and have a normal life, away from all the violence he used to experience constantly," Goku said as he filled his mouth with food and swallowed happily.

"Oh, I see. Well, in that case, I'm really glad, Dad," the eldest son said with a smile.

"Yes, and thanks to the capsules Bulma gave me, now they have a house and provisions to live long enough on that inhospitable planet," he finished explaining.

"What? Inhospitable?" suddenly asked Chichi, with her chopsticks in hand, surprised by the uncommon word that came out of her husband's mouth.

"Yes, Chichi, inhospitable. It means an unwelcoming place," he replied, smiling, causing his family sitting at the table to look at him perplexed from their seats, until they laughed, except for Chichi, who frowned with a drop of sweat on her forehead.

"Oh, yeah? Then, Mr. Know-It-All, do you know what it means when a plantation stops receiving its seeds?" she asked with a very annoyed expression.

"Ha?" Goku looked at her, this time, puzzled.

"When a harvest stops being harvested?" she approached him, pointing at him with the chopsticks as she asked another question, still annoyed, making Goku back away scared to see her in that state.

"Um... There's no harvest?" he replied with a nervous smile, causing a defeated sigh from Chichi, who looked at him sadly. Goku was alarmed.

"Okay... just keep talking and finish eating. Excuse me," she said, unable to bear the situation any longer, and got up from the table to leave. The three remaining men were completely bewildered, watching in astonishment as the mother walked away.

Goten lowered his gaze with a sad expression, and Goku and Gohan noticed it, causing Goku to feel a weight in his chest indicating that something was wrong and making him sad too.

"Dad, Mom has been worried about you for the past few days, so..." Gohan tried to explain, but his father interrupted him.

"It's okay, Gohan." Goku smiled at him and took Goten by the shoulder to make him look him in the face. "Keep eating, I'll talk to your mother."

Gohan and Goten nodded with a smile and continued talking, while Goku went to find his wife.

Chichi hurried to her room. She didn't want to worsen the situation with Goku during the meal with their children present. Although she was upset with him for once again neglecting his duties, she couldn't afford to be rude, let alone let them see her weaken.

"Chichi," Goku called, startling the raven-haired woman.

"Goku, weren't you eating with Goten and Gohan?" she asked him as she quickly wiped herself with her shirt sleeve, ignoring his gaze and heading to the laundry basket to pull out the laundry.

"I'm done," he lied. The truth was that the food was delicious and he wanted to finish it, but it could wait. Right now, he needed to fix the situation with his wife, a situation he knew very well what it was.

Goku approached slowly to face her and tried to turn her, but Chichi pulled away immediately upon feeling his hand, which puzzled the Saiyan and made him a little angry.

"Come on, Chichi. What's wrong with you?"

"What's wrong with me?" she challenged him angrily. "Goku, you stopped working the land a long time ago to go fight who knows where and with whom. Now that you're back, I want you to start again. The dates have been delayed a lot and we've lost more than we've gained money-wise," Chichi tried to explain, sounding firm, with a topic that, deep down, she used as an excuse because she was angry and sad at the same time.

"I'm sorry, Chichi. But you know I did it to become..."

"Stronger, I know," she finished the sentence for him, shaking her head resignedly.

Goku frowned.

"Chichi, I told you not to worry about me. I'll be fine and I'll always come back," he said with a smile. "Do you just need me to go back to work and that's it?" he asked, this time with curiosity.

"I..." Chichi couldn't resist it anymore. How could her husband see things so lightly? Why couldn't she be like that? She started to cry like a child who had been caught in her worst embarrassment, that was her. Goku, seeing her cry, was alarmed almost to the point of trembling. All he could do was try to comfort her.

"Please, Chichi, don't cry," he said as he took her shoulders, worried. "Tell me, what do you want me to do? I can go back to farming tomorrow if you want."

"No, Goku, I don't want that condescending attitude you always have with me," she said in a calmer tone, returning to her annoyed demeanor. Goku became annoyed again. "I was just hoping you could congratulate Gohan for achieving that milestone at the company where he works, congratulate Goten for being number one in his school, or..." she paused to look into her husband's eyes, who was watching her with the same intensity. She could see that, from anger, they moved to concern and to captivity itself towards her. Chichi sighed. "But it's impossible. In the end, you're just Goku, nothing more than Goku," she lowered her gaze, defeated again and because she didn't want to look him in the eyes.

"Do you think I don't care about Gohan and Goten?" he inquired, surprised.

"Of course not," Chichi replied, raising her head to shake it with certainty. "You love them immensely. It's just that... I'm usually alone here and... I tend to worry about everything. For God's sake, maybe I even use the farm as an excuse, but every little detail worries me and I need it. I do it for Gohan and Goten, and for you, Goku. Especially for you," she added, approaching him this time, which made Goku back away a bit, nervous.

"I-I told you you don't have to..."

"I know," she replied annoyed. She sighed. "But well, I know you're already here." She looked into his eyes again and smiled a little, after having vented a bit. In the end, he was her husband. Her eyes were shining for him, and Goku was mesmerized by them.

"Yes..." he replied without taking his eyes off her, giving her another smile as the atmosphere became quieter.

They stood there staring at each other for a while, and Goku thought again about what his wife had said.

"Usually, I'm alone here."

He sighed. Honestly, he didn't like what she had just said. But what could he do? He knew he had to go back to work and take up his responsibilities, just as she expected. However, he wondered if that was all. Couldn't there be something more?

"Hey, Chichi..." Goku was about to say something to her and Chichi was watching him attentively, but they were interrupted.

"Mom, Videl and Pan just arrived with Grandpa," Goten announced with a dazzling smile, appearing through the door of their parents' room. They separated and looked directly at him.

"Yes, Goten, we're coming," Chichi said, picking up all the clothes that had fallen to the ground and carrying them outside. However, she didn't expect Goku to suddenly take her hand, causing all the clothes to fall to the floor.

"Goku!" she scolded him with her gaze, feeling an impulse to want to hit him, but she noticed something different about him in that moment, surprised by the expression he was showing.

Goku felt somewhat restless, but still he took Chichi's hand and placed it on his chest with a smile. Although he found it amusing and loved to see her angry, he also felt a slight sense of guilt every time he had to be away. A feeling that, obviously, he couldn't show. During his training on Beerus' planet, he thought a lot about this thanks to Whis' words, who insisted on the importance of his family and his need to leave to train. Goku was only focused on his goal of staying strong, and he didn't usually delve into these matters, but he recognized that his family accepted him as he was. That when he came home, they all would wait for him with a smile. Still, facing these family reflections was strange for him, but he knew he didn't want to let special days like that go by without fully enjoying them.

Because... When would be the day it wouldn't be like that?

Chichi looked at him with such surprise that she stood still, unable to articulate a muscle or a word.

Goku ignored her and let go of her hand, then picked up all the clothes that had fallen and left the room.

"I'll leave this in the kitchen," he said.

After a while, Chichi snapped out of her daze and shook her head, following Goku, blushing and annoyed.

"Goku! What do you mean, in the kitchen? It goes in the laundry!"

After Chichi scolded her husband for his antics, the rest of the family, who had witnessed the scene, laughed at the couple who always managed to make them both frustrated and amused.

After spending a whole day together, Chichi felt happy and peaceful again with her husband by her side. Despite still having to nag him to fulfill his responsibilities, she didn't want to be apart from him for anything.

"You see? It's always nice to spend time with family," the raven-haired woman whispered to her husband, who listened and nodded, delighted by the lovely moment they were experiencing and the closeness he had missed for so long. Especially his wife's, who waited for him, worried about him, scolded him, and, in the process, helped him see things clearly.

...

He couldn't be more certain: his family was his reason to keep fighting, the source of his entire being and the motivation behind every battle. His love for them was immense, a strange and difficult-to-understand feeling, but it was there, solid as a rock. He loved them with all his might. Every day, without exception, he thought of them, especially in the darkest moments. Thanks to his family, he found the strength to stand tall and keep moving forward. And so, he returned to them: to his children, to his friends, to his granddaughter, and, above all, to his wife, who held a special place in his heart.

That's why he ignored the words of the Kai, bid him farewell, and placed two fingers on his forehead, using instant transmission to return home.

He was eager to return. It had been too long, he had to admit. Plus, he felt a strange feeling, not just the one he felt when he remembered the last moment he spent with his family, but also that something might have happened that he wasn't yet aware of. He wanted to find out anything in that moment.

Like an expert in scaring people, Goku appeared out of nowhere inside the house on Mount Paozu, taking everyone by surprise.

He quickly realized that not only was his family there, but also all his friends, including Vegeta, which seemed really strange to him. Such gatherings didn't usually happen unless it was for a celebration or an important event. However, he decided to set aside those feelings and smiled, waving to everyone to show them that he had returned.

"Hi!"

Chapter 10: An enemy... ¿or two?

The bursts of energy were ruthlessly fired by the invaders belonging to that wicked empire that had taken over the small, desolate, yet well-equipped planet of Laboria. Their aim was to plunder it and use it as a temporary base, taking prisoners and ending the lives of some of its inhabitants to quickly fulfill the orders of their supreme leader.

This individual was seated in a floating chair, maliciously observing everything his army was doing. Suddenly, one of the aliens accompanying him, with yellow skin and a small body, approached with the intention of speaking to him, paying no attention to the chaos reigning over the rest of the planet.

"Lord Frieza," he called.

"What is it, Kikono?" asked Frieza, without taking his eyes off the invasion.

"We have arrived at the planet Laboria, where only one species resides with a large number of inhabitants. We've reduced their population to an appropriate level, and those remaining are now at the disposal of our army to serve you," he announced. "This planet is characterized by its industrious inhabitants and essential resources, which are traded in every galaxy every day." At his messenger's explanation, Frieza smiled pleasedly.

"I knew it would be a good idea to come here. Perhaps we went a bit overboard with the execution of many of them, but in the end, they were just weak creatures fit for moving heavy artillery. I know it will benefit us," he said calmly and maliciously, his tail swaying to the rhythm of his guard's achievements.

"How long do you plan to stay, sir?" asked his messenger, visibly unsure.

"My plan is to further expand my army and control of resources, with the aim of completely dominating every galaxy," he said, frowning after a moment. "Ever since the strange odyssey with those miserable Saiyans and that newcomer who sent me back in time, all I desire is to gain more power. This, Kikono, is just a strategy to achieve it, a source of inspiration for as long as I can make it happen," he murmured with a terrifying tone.

Kikono swallowed hard and turned his gaze forward, stunned and intrigued by his emperor's confession. His expression reflected a mixture of surprise and curiosity at Frieza's words.

"Are you referring to finding a purpose beyond the current one, or am I mistaken?" asked another alien, this time an older, blue-skinned one, with a smile attentive to what her emperor would respond.

Frieza turned his head to look at her disdainfully, once again smiling wryly.

"Always so wise, Berryblue. Sometimes I envy that quality of yours," he said with a mocking smile, his comment not going unnoticed by Kikono, who sighed resignedly.

After a few seconds of silence, Frieza continued:

"Of course, I want to find an additional purpose, one more than I already have and long to fulfill. Don't forget that those insignificant Saiyans did nothing but hinder my initial plan in the search for the Dragon Balls. Although in that instance, I discovered the potential of Broly, which intrigued me quite a bit, I left unsatisfied for not having made my wish. Just for that reason, while I'm in space before returning to Earth to search for them, I must achieve all possible accomplishments within my domain," he concluded his explanation with a smile and added, "And on top of all this, I have a feeling that, thanks to something, I will soon return to my state of power higher than ever."

(...)

"Are you okay, Chichi?" asked Bulma, approaching alongside 18 to where the raven-haired woman was hanging clothes in the backyard of the house.

Chichi looked at both of them with a heavy, tired, and distressed sigh. Although she wanted to, she couldn't lie to the two of them.

"I'm afraid there might be trouble again," she declared with sorrow.

Bulma and 18 felt sorry for the whole situation and looked at her nostalgically, as they understood why she said that. They didn't want problems either; these women were already fed up.

"Chichi, everything will be resolved," Bulma mentioned. "Luckily, that energy hasn't reappeared, but if it does, don't doubt that Vegeta and the others will take care of it," she said, and 18 nodded.

"Among the others, Goku is also there, right?" the raven-haired woman asked somewhat ironically, resigned to the idea of her husband fighting new threats again.

Bulma looked away, worried. Of course, Goku was in that group, in fact, he was the first one to be there. 18 approached Chichi with a serious expression.

"Stop worrying about Goku, Chichi. If he spends so much time training to become even stronger than he already is, he'll be able to handle anything. We'll be able to handle anything."

"Yes, Chichi. We don't want to see you distressed; you know that doesn't do any good," added the blue-haired woman, pointing to her face with a playful smile. Then her expression turned serious. "We'll be fine, you, Gohan, Goten, and Goku."

Chichi, despite feeling a glimmer of hope from the support of both women, couldn't simply ignore reality and pretend everything was perfect. She remembered clearly that things rarely turned out as she hoped. The image of Goku was still engraved in her mind and heart, and the worry for him never left her for a second. She felt helpless not being able to do anything without him by her side. The feeling of frustration and desperation engulfed her, making her question her past decisions and regret not having said things when she had the chance. Was all of this a sign that things were going to go wrong? The mere idea filled her with anguish, and she couldn't help but cover her face with her hands while reflecting on the uncertain future that awaited them.

"Maybe you're right, but..." she sighed again, deciding to put that thought aside for the moment. "Forget it, I'll try to listen to you. Let's go to the living room to finish this once and for all. Goten and Trunks need to study, and I don't want them to be delayed, Bulma."

Bulma nodded with an animated smile, while 18 let out a light laugh, bringing a little joy to the atmosphere.

"By the way, 18, where's Marron?" the raven-haired woman asked.

"Videl offered to take care of her while Krillin and I came with Piccolo and the others," she responded to reassure her.

Chichi and Bulma nodded and entered the house, exchanging some more comments in an effort to lift spirits and distract themselves from their worries for a moment.

After everyone was inside the Son family's house, some sat on the living room furniture while others, like Piccolo and Vegeta, stood a little apart but attentive to the important conversation they had to have at that moment.

Bulma began by explaining that she had gone to Chichi's house in search of her lost phone. When she tried to locate it on her computer, it indicated that it was at Mount Paozu, which was very strange. Even stranger was that Krillin also mentioned that he had lost his phone. Chichi and her children assured that they had not seen any phone in the house that wasn't theirs, leaving everyone in the room confused. Could it be just an error? Although they wanted to believe that, Bulma, upon checking her phone's location again, discovered that it was still there, which left her shocked. When she tried to locate Krillin's phone, she noticed that it also had the address of Mount Paozu, which further increased the confusion in the room.

"How is that possible? I haven't been here in a long time," Krillin commented, astonished.

"The same goes for me, Krillin."

"Are you sure that computer is telling the truth?" Piccolo inquired.

"Absolutely sure," Bulma pronounced.

"But why here?" Gohan asked, visibly confused.

"I don't know, but we should look for both phones. If their location is here, they have to be here," the blue-haired woman mentioned determinedly. She didn't want to carry out the search just out of necessity, but because it was an alarming event that didn't make sense at that moment, where anything could be involved.

"Wait, could it have anything to do with that energy?" Yamcha's question was loud, as everyone thought about it and began to worry.

"But how? How could the strength of a strange being be related to two Earth cell phones?" Gohan asked, furrowing his brow in confusion.

"Maybe the owner of that energy stole them," Piccolo mentioned, offering a possible explanation.

Everyone looked at each other intrigued. However, Vegeta felt annoyed. How could something like that steal from his wife without him noticing? He hoped that none of that had happened.

"We have to find them," 18 said, looking at her husband, who nodded.

Krillin, 18, Bulma, Gohan, Piccolo, and the others dispersed to search for the phones around Paozu. Vegeta also went out, but he didn't join the group, instead, he went away to search in another place.

In the house, Chichi stayed with Goten and Trunks, who wanted to join the search with the others, but the woman didn't allow them, saying it was better to focus on their studies until something went wrong and they could present their science project successfully the next day. As she washed the dishes, Chichi imagined a peaceful day, where her beloved son would impress everyone with his project and get a perfect grade. That was the reality she longed for.

Bulma searched both devices with determination, hoping to find at least one of them to support the theory that someone had taken them and brought them there. Perhaps that powerful presence was related to that fact, and something else was at stake.

At that moment, she ran into her husband, who had also gone a little further to search. Bulma approached him.

"So you're helping me," she mentioned, trying to sound flirtatious. Vegeta looked at her with a serious expression.

"It's not that. I'm looking for something else," he replied, looking away.

Bulma raised an eyebrow curiously.

"What do you mean?"

Vegeta sighed, resigned and regretful for having revealed that information to her. He turned to her with his typical sharp tone of voice and a serious look.

"A ship," the Saiyan lied.

"A ship? Do you think the person could have left their ship here?" Bulma inquired, clearly confused.

Vegeta knew Bulma was smart, so that wouldn't easily convince her.

"Anything could happen," he said, crossing his arms.

Before Bulma could react, something interrupted her thoughts.

"Bulma!"

The blue-haired woman and the man with flame-shaped hair looked towards the shout Krillin had given, catching the attention of the woman to go see what he had found. Everyone headed to that specific point where Krillin had clearly discovered something that surprised them all.

It was an empty pickup covered by the branches and leaves of a nearby tree. As they approached, they noticed several things: a strange jacket that held the lost cellphones, one in each pocket, while in the back, old food wrappers and cups could be seen, with some insects scurrying over them. The scene puzzled everyone present.

"It can't be," Bulma swallowed nervously as she held her phone in her hand, recognizing it was hers.

Chichi arrived at the scene with the two boys.

"Did you find what you were looking for?" she asked curiously.

Everyone looked at her with fear, and Chichi realized as she observed their faces. Goten and Trunks exchanged a glance, feeling a chill run down their spines. Except for Piccolo and Vegeta, whose furrowed brows reflected confusion, everyone remained bewildered in their seats, knowing the truth unexpectedly. Someone had been there. Someone had been looking for them. Someone had been watching them. That someone had stolen their phones. And most likely, that same someone also owned the powerful chi they had felt.

"We'd better head back to the house," said Gohan, his brow furrowed.

(...)

Chichi was hanging on every word that came out of her husband's friends' lips. A constant, restless fluttering agitated her chest, a persistent ache that wouldn't leave her in peace, for something inside her told her that something was not right. In the end, they found a vehicle that seemed to belong to the person who had left a jacket as their only possession, and inside it were the phones. Seeing the jacket, everyone was surprised, as it was a strange garment, without any logo or label indicating its origin or owner, but they all knew it belonged to someone who had been following them for the past few days. Just the thought that someone had been stalking them filled them with sorrow and unease. Chichi, in particular, did not like the idea at all that they were being threatened in their own home, especially not her family. The situation was exasperating, and the only thing that occurred to her was to retreat to the kitchen to take a breather, preparing herself a cup of tea to help deal with all the stress.

"Tea?" she offered to each one as she entered the living room with a tray full of cups, a teapot, and sugar.

Most of those present took some tea and thanked the woman. In silence, she suffered, and they, also in silence, sympathized with her, although not all of them. Some just felt uncomfortable at the mere fact that this had happened precisely in their home, a place where peace usually reigned. Meetings about adventures, fights, or enemies usually took place at Bulma's house or elsewhere, but never there. It was a strange feeling, and as Chichi once again brought to mind the image of her husband, a cup slipped from her hand to the floor.

She felt ashamed and apologized, immediately picking up the broken pieces to rush and take them to the kitchen. Bulma and 18 looked at her again with sadness, as did Gohan and Goten.

Piccolo observed the scene with annoyance; it was evident that she was being affected not only by what had happened.

Everyone in some way considered mentioning the owner of the housewife's thoughts, but they had to keep it to themselves and wait.

Gohan asked Goten to stay with Trunks while he went to talk to his mother so she wouldn't worry.

Vegeta looked at everything with disdain and furrowed his brow even more, clearly showing his irritation at the situation and the atmosphere in the house. He was about to leave, but Bulma quickly stopped him.

"We need to come up with a plan," she declared.

Before Vegeta could reproach her and just as Gohan was about to enter the kitchen, the figure of someone they did not expect to see that day suddenly appeared.

As if it were yet another surprise on a day full of unexpected events that had impacted them, they found themselves face to face with Goku, who was smiling broadly and waving his hand to greet them.

"Hi!"

(...)

Meanwhile, in space, a spacecraft glided silently, carrying Zannen inside while Gobe slept deeply during the journey.

Zannen carefully reflected on the situation. He had let his guard down and hadn't disposed of the van or the human devices he had used during his stay. They were likely searching for him at that very moment. Perhaps, when they found him, they would try to punish him. Though he wasn't concerned about that possibility, he didn't want to fail in that manner. His goal was to remain hidden and prevent them from discovering his existence until he could carry out his plan and avoid a direct confrontation, even if Zannen challenged that notion, especially with Goku.

However, all was not lost. If he had been discovered, he could sow discord within the group of humans and their families. They might be terrified by the uncertainty he had left them with. Some might be angry with him, while others might be waiting for him to confront him.

Zannen saw the waiting and suspense as an opportunity. Now, he needed to deal with the invaders who had arrived on the planet of the little alien responsible for everything before. This would bring him closer to his goal of returning to Earth and sowing chaos while he awaited the arrival of the warrior he wanted to fight.

Furthermore, he believed this would also help him strengthen himself after so many days without fully utilizing his abilities and strength. And all this he thought while holding the dimensional device in his hands, the only thing he couldn't abandon on the humans' planet.

(...)

"Goku!"

Everyone present upon his arrival looked at him with wide eyes, unable to believe it.

"Dad!" exclaimed Gohan and Goten simultaneously, also surprised.

"How's everyone doing?" greeted the man, clearly excited to be back.

After a few seconds, everyone cheered his arrival, approaching to greet him back. Piccolo stayed in his place, observing him curiously, while Vegeta rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, returning to his spot. Meanwhile, Bulma approached her friend and pointed at him.

"Who do you think you are showing up like this? You almost gave me a heart attack," scolded her.

"Sorry," he said laughing and scratched his head. Goten ran to hug his dad, and Goku lifted him up, ruffling his hair. "How are you, son?"

Goten's smile turned into a look of anguish, remembering once again the situation they were all in at their house.

Goku looked at him confused and raised an eyebrow noticing everyone had a strange expression on their faces.

"Dad, I'm glad you're back," said Gohan, adjusting his glasses.

"What's going on?" he asked, truly confused. After scrutinizing the faces in the room again, he noticed the absence of one he expected to see there even more. "Where's Chichi?"

"Goku?"

Chichi came out of the kitchen, calmer now. She had started crying again because she had broken a cup due to her agitation. Upon hearing her husband's voice and seeing him standing there, her eyes sparkled, and she smiled, feeling a new surge of tears, this time of relief.

She ran to him to hug him, to show him how much she had missed him, and to express the fear she had felt thinking that something would prevent her from seeing him again. She feared the day she would lose him and he wouldn't return. However, there he was, he had come back, safe and sound, and that filled her with happiness.

Goku, embarrassed, stood still at his wife's sudden embrace, noticing how everyone present was watching them. A slight blush tinged his cheeks because even though they were in their own home, their friends surrounded them.

"Chichi, please..." he whispered, feeling a little embarrassed by the situation. But his heart rejoiced at seeing her, so he returned the nervous smile and gently pulled her away to look into her eyes. "I've come home."

That's what they would have loved to happen, Goku gazing into Chichi's eyes, ready to get lost in them like the last time, but he felt a punch hit his face incredibly, leaving him even dumber than he already was.

"How dare you spend so much time training? And now you decide to come back? Do you know all the problems we're going through right now?" she interrogated him with a tone of voice filled with anger, feeling great frustration at his lack of consideration.

"I'm sorry... Can you tell me...?" he reiterated the question, trying to understand. "Can anyone tell me what's going on?"

"I think it's better if we talk about it outside," said Piccolo with a drop of sweat, catching Goku's attention.

Goku nodded, and Vegeta was the first to leave the house. Bulma looked at everyone astonished, as did Krillin and the others, except for 18, who watched everything with indifference. Chichi crossed her arms and looked away.

Bulma stayed inside with 18, Chichi, Oolong, and Puar, while outside the Z fighters told Goku the whole story, which he had no idea had happened.

Gohan told his father about the chi they had sensed, just like everyone else, suggesting it could be someone who had stolen Bulma and Krillin's phones to track them. Upon hearing these words, Goku felt a surge of anger and confusion inside. Who dared to commit such an act? And most importantly, how powerful was that energy?

Goku needed answers, but upon learning that the chi had disappeared and had not been felt again all day, he felt relieved to know that at least he wouldn't have to face another immediate threat upon his return.

Finally, everyone agreed to go back home and prepare in case the mysterious individual reappeared. They would be on some kind of high alert, especially after realizing that someone had slipped past them unnoticed.

Piccolo admitted that it all made sense, recalling a strange noise he had heard the night before when he was taking Videl and Pan home, although he couldn't identify its source.

Vegeta listened to the conversation in silence but paid attention to the problem. Of course, his mind was focused on another matter that needed to be discussed with Kakarot as soon as possible.

All the warriors said their goodbyes and left, including Krillin and 18. The latter bid farewell to Chichi and whispered something to her that only the woman could hear, which surprised her a little. She watched as Goku and Vegeta were left alone outside, while Piccolo and Gohan went back to have a conversation alone. "Stupid", she thought, regretting doing it again, but what did it matter? They weren't alone at that moment. So she sighed, returning to her duties with Bulma's help.

(...)

The two Saiyans were left alone, advancing in silence.

"How have you been, Vegeta? How's your training?" Goku asked with his usual interest.

Vegeta grunted and looked at him.

"Training? I haven't had any decent training thanks to you. Whis called the other day to find out when we could go, but since you weren't there, he didn't allow me to go alone," he snapped, visibly annoyed.

"Whis called? Well, don't worry, I'll tell him I'm back tomorrow," Goku said confidently. "What really concerns me now is this energy they said was felt... You also say it was powerful, right?" Goku inquired, showing genuine interest.

Vegeta rolled his eyes and stared fixedly at a particular point, lost in his thoughts.

"Yes, it was," he responded irritably. Then, he looked around cautiously, making sure no one else could hear him. A few seconds passed before he spoke again. "But it wasn't the only energy i felt."

"What?"

"There was another, very insignificant of course, I hardly felt it, which was strange, but it was with him," he explained calmly. "I didn't say anything just to not alert Bulma, so don't come with your jokes or I'll kill you."

Goku couldn't help but laugh at Vegeta's comment and nodded. Then they arrived at their destination, which turned out to be the location of the abandoned truck.

"This is very strange," Goku questioned, observing the vehicle closely. "It seems as if a human was responsible for all this."

"I also thought it was human, but..." Vegeta sighed. "His energy is similar to that of an opponent from Universe 11."

At that moment, Goku froze in place, not taking his eyes off Vegeta. He just stood there, processing what he had just been told. Similar to the energy of an opponent from Universe 11? Did he mean the same Universe 11? If so, then it must be something truly powerful and beyond him. A smile formed on Goku's face as he remembered Jiren.

"Interesting," he said, not taking his eyes off the vehicle.

Vegeta crossed his arms, feeling a little annoyed for probably awakening his counterpart's enthusiasm to fight extremely powerful beings. He couldn't deny it, he liked it too. Only then could one surpass oneself and determine who was the strongest in the universe.

"I guess you feel like fighting that mysterious force?" he asked irritably.

"You guessed it, Vegeta," he replied with a smile, staring at him.

So that would be the next thing. Goku didn't expect to find all his friends and family at home, worried about a powerful energy and the loss of two phones that somehow seemed to be connected. The situation was so strange and mysterious that they had to remain more alert than ever. Goku didn't have much time to dwell on it, on the contrary, he longed for the opportunity to face a powerful enemy. If it turned out to be as formidable as the last opponent he faced in the tournament, it would be an incredible experience. That's why he decided to call Whis, who had already trained Broly enough to prepare him along with him and Vegeta.

After Bulma and Trunks said goodbye, they headed with Vegeta to his ship to return to Capsule Corp. Gohan informed his mother that he needed to go home with Videl, to which she agreed, watching as her son said goodbye to them, along with Piccolo.

Only Goku, Chichi, and Goten were left alone at home. The little boy had to finish studying for his presentation the next day, while Chichi felt that incessant desire to talk to her husband alone. However, she didn't suspect that he also had something to announce to her, something that would leave her devastated once again.

Chapter 11: An Alliance

After several days of travel, the ship carrying Zannen and Gobe was finally about to land on the planet Laboria, their final destination.

"We have arrived," announced the alien with a hint of nervousness, aware that they would face the invaders.

Zannen maintained a serious yet serene expression, as he had no concerns. He used his device to conceal both his and Gobe's energy, although the latter's was not very notable due to his extremely low level.

"We have to be careful," he cautioned. "I will infiltrate where the individual you spoke of is and find out where he is staying with his army. When I tell you to hide somewhere, you hide," he ordered firmly.

Gobe nodded, ready for whatever was to come, though he was terrified.

The ship landed in a secluded spot, and both figures disembarked. The chaos had come to an end, with no more massacres or detentions in sight.

Zannen scanned the surroundings for any clues on where to start. In the distance, he spotted the imposing fortress of the planet's inhabitants, a place he had noticed earlier.

"Gobe, what's inside that fortress?" he asked curiously.

"Usually, it's the goods and food we earn, probably already stolen by those scoundrels," Gobe replied, showing great concern.

"Perhaps a group of them is there," the white-haired man suggested as he began to walk towards the fortress with Gobe following closely, still trembling with fear.

As they approached the center of the area and the fortress, they saw several intruders walking among the destroyed tents, taking everything of value. In an improvised tent, they held Laborians hostage, forcing them to gather everything and pile it up. Others were taken directly to the fortress, where apparently more items were gathered, and a large group stayed there. Gobe felt rage witnessing it.

Zannen simply observed the scene with curiosity. He was sure these aliens were stronger than the planet's inhabitants, but, of course, they were not stronger than him. And he wanted to meet their leader.

"Let's go, Gobe," he said. "Let's find their leader."

"What?" Gobe asked horrified.

"These beings are not strong, don't worry," he declared.

"Maybe not for you, but they could kill me with a single finger," he swallowed nervously.

"Come on, you're with me," he encouraged as they headed towards the fortress. "We'll go talk to them to release your companions and allow me to speak with their leader."

Gobe looked at him with terror, feeling insecure. How could he be so calm? He simply nodded and followed, hoping they wouldn't be killed on the spot.

Zannen advanced with total confidence. He knew these individuals posed no challenge to him. In fact, in months of practice with the troops, he had faced invaders with more powerful tactics and energies. What he really wanted was to discover a force beyond them, in the person who led them so maliciously and cunningly. On one hand, he was determined to free the peaceful inhabitants of Laboria, on the other hand, he only cared about fulfilling his personal objectives.

"Hey, you!"

Several of the aliens dressed in their army's distinctive armor approached the two unknown beings who had appeared, pointing deadly weapons at them. Zannen looked at each one with his calm demeanor, while Gobe, on the other hand, screamed in fear.

"Where do you think you're going?" one of them asked.

"Sorry, but it seems the planet you've landed on doesn't belong to you," Zannen spoke. "I kindly ask you to let the inhabitants of this planet go and leave, letting them continue with their work and resources to repair the damage caused by you, especially the losses of many of them," he dictated.

The individuals pointing weapons laughed mockingly, feeling free to hurt anyone who dared to give them an order. Gobe looked at them in fear, hiding behind Zannen.

"Dream on, old man," another guard said, referring to his white hair. "This planet now belongs to Emperor Frieza."

Upon hearing the name of who was surely their leader, Zannen smiled, showing his teeth slightly.

"Fine, then I want to speak with your emperor," he requested.

The soldiers looked at each other, with a mocking smile at the white-haired man's request.

"If you wish."

Then, a group approached them and threatened to enter one of the tents, while another went to call the aforementioned Frieza. Zannen complied peacefully, taking Gobe by his side, who was still trembling with fear.

Meanwhile, Frieza was inside the fortress, observing everything his army had collected from the planet, thinking about what they would do with it and how they would build their lair in that place, accompanied by Kikono.

The latter saw one of the soldiers calling him, so he approached and listened to what he had to say. Kikono nodded, somewhat alarmed, and went straight to give the information to his leader.

"Sir, they tell me there's a strange individual who appeared out of nowhere and says he wants to see you," he announced.

Frieza glanced at him, furrowing his brow.

"How dare he? Well, I hope it won't take me long," he said, heading with Kikono and the soldier to where said individual was, without expecting, of course, that he would find him very interesting.

(...)

In Mount Paozu, Goku devoured every dish of food that Chichi had prepared for him as soon as all his friends had left. Despite everything, his ravenous hunger would never leave his body.

"This is delicious, Chichi!" he exclaimed with genuine pleasure.

Chichi was angry with him, that was a fact. But she couldn't help but smile a little at what he said, while she sat in front of him and Goten beside her, watching him closely.

"Hey, Dad, how was your training?" his son asked, very curious.

"Very good, I missed training with King Kai a lot," he replied with a smile as he ate noodles.

"Did you learn anything new?"

"Perhaps I learned to control the Kaioken with my current body condition. King Kai told me I've been through several changes lately."

"Great," Goten exclaimed excitedly.

"Goten, I know you're happy about your father's return, but you have to go back to studying for tomorrow," she reminded him.

Goten looked at her attentively and nodded, unable to say no to his mom.

"Oh yes! How's that going, son?" Goku's question was so sudden for Chichi and Goten that they glanced at him sideways.

"Very good, tomorrow I have a presentation," the child replied cheerfully.

"Goten is studying for a science project," the woman mentioned this time.

"A science project? Sounds important," he said as he chewed his food. "I'm happy for you, Goten," he swallowed and smiled while tousling his hair. Goten laughed and thanked his dad before heading to his room to continue studying and make his parents proud. Chichi smiled nostalgically.

"It is indeed important," Chichi affirmed. Goku glanced at her, still eating. "I... that's actually one of the many things I wanted to talk to you about, Goku," she declared.

"Huh?" Goku looked at her attentively, waiting for her to tell him what she needed to say. Chichi, seeing him with his mouth full, felt tenderness but also resignation, looking away and losing her desire to speak at that moment.

"Finish eating first, don't worry," she said as she took some of the dirty dishes to the kitchen.

Goku watched her leave and stopped eating for a moment, swallowing what was in his mouth. He thought he also had something to tell her, though not too urgently. However, remembering that his wife was also present when that energy appeared and that she knew all about it probably worried her intensely, which also concerned him and drove him to want to be prepared as soon as possible and make sure Chichi was safe.

After finishing his meal, Chichi collected all the dishes to wash them and told him to wait for her in the room. Once the dishes were washed at the speed of light, he headed to the room to finally address the conversation that had been on his mind for so long.

But before that, seeing her beloved husband there after so long, and being alone again, Chichi felt fulfilled. She approached and hugged him from behind, feeling his special scent, a mixture of earth, sweat, and wildflowers. She smiled at the sensation she had missed so much, but stopped smiling when she saw Goku turn around and interrupt that hug.

"Sorry, Chichi," he said, scratching his neck. "What were you going to say? I also have something to tell you."

Chichi looked at him confused. Wasn't he going to hug her back? Usually, when they were alone in the room, Goku responded to her hugs freely and intensely, because they were alone. But it seemed like Goku was waiting for her to say what was on her mind. She sighed, not wanting to invent another excuse to avoid talking about the topic she wanted to address, but she couldn't help it.

"You better tell me first what you're going to say," she said, changing her mind.

Goku stopped smiling, as he didn't expect to have to tell her so quickly. He had thought of it more as something to mention later. He scolded himself and felt nervous. How would his wife react? He decided not to touch on the subject at that moment and chose to respond with something else.

"I missed you, Chichi," he lied. Well, not entirely lied, he did miss her, but that was the only thing he could think of saying to not raise suspicions. "And what were you going to tell me?"

Chichi was surprised by this, but she smiled, biting her lip, equally nervous.

"I missed you too," she replied, returning the smile, and Goku did the same. But deep down, they both felt like complete fools.

They left that moment behind, and Goku decided to take a shower to freshen up after so much training. Meanwhile, Chichi noticed that it was already dark outside and went to wish Goten good night. After a few minutes, Goku joined them to share that family moment before going to rest. When they returned to their room to go to bed, they couldn't resist the fatigue of the day and fell deeply asleep, embracing each other all night.

(...)

Frieza finally arrived at the tent where Zannen and Gobe were, quite curious to meet the beings who dared to question his invasion of the planet.

Seeing the tailed alien arrive where he was imprisoned, Zannen deduced that it was Frieza. Then, his smile reappeared. It couldn't be a simple coincidence or be someone else. It was none other than the individual who also faced the troops in the Tournament of Power. He didn't need to use his dimensional device to detect him; he could simply feel him.

"Well, well, well, do you all want to see me and disappear? You don't have to interrupt what we're doing here. If something displeases you, I can easily resolve it by killing you or banishing you from this planet that now belongs to me," Frieza said imposingly. Gobe, seeing him, was frightened, while Zannen scrutinized him with his gaze.

"We just want you to return this planet to these beings who have done nothing," Zannen spoke directly.

"And are you one of them? Because you don't look like it," Frieza said, analyzing his appearance, feeling curious about him.

"No, but where I come from, people tend to be fair and transparent with others. I ask you to be so right now, or else, I will have to demonstrate my strength to force you," Zannen replied.

Frieza, upon hearing the stranger's words, laughed maliciously, somewhat surprised by the boy's freedom of speech.

"How interesting. Are you seeking to fight in exchange for this planet and its inhabitants?" he inquired.

"I'm not looking for a fight, but I could do it," Zannen declared, also smiling.

Gobe and the soldiers watched them both attentively, seeming interested in each other by what they said.

"If you're challenging me, I doubt you can stand against me. Because I assure you, I am a truly admirable opponent compared to any alien out there," Frieza said.

"I'm sorry to inform you that I'm not just any alien out there. I am a resident who was a soldier of justice in the Pride Troopers and an eloquent disciple of Jiren from Universe 11," Zannen revealed.

Frieza, of course, remained motionless in his place, looking at the pale-haired one with disbelief. His reaction surprised both Gobe and the rest, leaving them puzzled.

After a few seconds, Frieza frowned but then smiled, showing his intrigue.

"Oh really? I can't imagine why you're here."

"If you want to fight, I have many reasons to win, because I want you to leave this place intact and its inhabitants free," Zannen continued after a few seconds. "Moreover, I will be able to identify how powerful you claim to be and I will see myself in the same place as my former master when he faced you and Son Goku."

Frieza remained perplexed. How did that boy have such information? Did he really know Jiren? Did he come from Universe 11? His appearance could say it. It didn't even seem like he had seen him in the tournament. No, he wasn't in the tournament; he said he was a disciple. Did he seek to fight him? These questions bothered him because he knew very well what the boy was referring to. Perhaps he overwhelmed him and that's why he got angry with him, but he felt an incredible urge to fight as in that occasion.

"Everyone, step back!" he demanded, maintaining his posture. "I can't stand any more chatter. Prove to me that you come from that cradle of such formidable warriors."

"Then it's a deal," Zannen said with a smile.

Without saying another word, Zannen lunged at Frieza land the first blow. However, the space tyrant agilely dodged and moved away from the tent, heading towards the desert. Without hesitation, Zannen pursued him, unleashing a fierce battle in the planet's chaotic skies, observed by Gobe, Frieza's army, and Kikono with utter amazement.

Zannen and Frieza clashed with astonishing speed, exchanging rapid blows and blocks as they floated in the air. Each of Zannen's movements was executed with exact precision, fueled by his determination. Within minutes, the confrontation escalated to a power surge. Frieza unleashed his strength, enveloping himself in a golden aura that shimmered in the sky as he fired energy blasts at Zannen. The latter responded with agile maneuvers, defending himself with a triumphant smile on his face.

The battle intensified as Zannen unleashed a series of blows that momentarily pushed Frieza back, but he countered with an unmatched attack, unleashing an energy explosion that sent Zannen flying backwards, crashing into a rock. Despite the impact, Zannen quickly recovered, his courage burning even stronger as he launched himself back at Frieza.

Every clash and dodge was a deadly dance, where the slightest mistake could prove fatal. However, for Zannen and Frieza, the significante lay not in that, but in demonstrating how strong they could be. Meanwhile, from the ground, Gobe and Frieza's army watched in awe and fear, aware that they were witnessing an epic battle that could decide the fate of the planet.

With swift and precise movements, characterized by a unique agility, Zannen delivered a powerful punch directly to Frieza's torso, causing him to stagger, deprived of air and weakened, almost falling to the ground.

Seizing the opportunity, Zannen continued to mercilessly attack Frieza. The space tyrant struggled to defend himself, even with his most advanced transformation, but it was evident that Zannen had the upper hand in that moment of the battle, without needing to increase his power further. With each blow, Zannen's aura gleamed with increasing intensity, full of determination, not only to reclaim Gobe's planet but also to confront Frieza's defiant strength, with the intention of returning to Earth and seeking revenge against a specific warrior with that same power he demonstrated.

With a final devastating blow, Zannen managed to send Frieza crashing to the other side of the area, causing him to fall onto the rocky ground. Despite being defeated, Frieza growing determination, wanting to draw more from his true power in that instant, but failing to do so. He trembled from the pain and the impact of his fall, while Zannen approached him, keeping his guard up and looking at him defiantly.

Instead of getting angry and killing Zannen for defeating him, Frieza ended up laughing maniacally, like a true madman, causing Zannen to also smirk maliciously.

"I want to kill you, but I know I can't," he said with a serious tone, holding back the laughter that threatened to escape. "You surprised me. Of course, this isn't all my body can give, but yours..." Frieza stared at him with his piercing eyes. "You're exactly as strong as those individuals I met in the tournament."

"Then are you going to fulfill it?" Zannen asked, not forgetting the deal he made.

Frieza laughed, as if mocking him.

"Of course not, unless you help me understand..." he looked him directly in the eyes. "How do you know Son Goku?"

Zannen, recognizing Frieza's malicious nature, understood that he was very different from the other warriors. With his army and his eagerness to invade planets and increase his power, Zannen perceived that Frieza was not compatible with the peaceful life that the others led. Therefore, he decided to be honest with him, explaining that he had traveled to Earth in search of the warrior he blamed for his misfortunes, such as making his former master Jiren stop training him for losing in the tournament. Upon discovering all the fighters in it, including Frieza, he was determined to fulfill his revenge goal, even against the universe that surrounded them. Frieza, surprised by Zannen's truthfulness, found an admirable quality in his decision, which led him to understand his situation and discover benefits from cooperating.

"So, you want to get back at Son Goku?" he inquired, while analyzing the situation. "It would be perfect to have me as an ally, since I also can't stand that scum who dares not to challenge me wisely," he mentioned with a wicked smile.

"I've met his friends and family on Earth. Apparently, he trains frequently outside his home and hasn't returned for the moment," Zannen mentioned, somewhat thoughtfully.

"Of course he hasn't returned. That Saiyan's only neuron is the desire to fight," Frieza responded disdainfully.

Zannen looked at him curiously and remained attentive to his next move. What would be the perfect plan?

"But... if you said you want to attack his mind and not his body in the first place... It will be easy for you," he declared with arrogance. "Because besides training and becoming stronger, the most important thing for Goku is precisely his friends and family. Especially his family."

Then, at that precise moment, Zannen knew it. His family? He knew the Saiyan could cherish them, but to what extent? Did he have any limits? Would it work?

"Kidnap his family," he finally sentenced.

"Well, first, you want me to return this planet with its inhabitants safe and sound, to prove my strength to you so you can win, and now you want me to help you get revenge on Son Goku by kidnapping his family," Frieza spoke ironically, feigning annoyance, but in fact, he was enjoying it, so he added, "In that case, bring me the Dragon Balls, and I'll fulfill my part of the deal."

Zannen looked at him confused.

"Dragon Balls?"

"They're seven small orbs hidden all over Earth. If you manage to gather them all, they can grant any wish within what is reasonably possible," he responded. Surprise reflected on Zannen's face. "This planet no longer interests me. I've discovered a new way to fulfill my wish. So, tell that creature accompanying you that my army and I will withdraw, as long as you return here with the balls gathered, of course."

Zannen looked at him uncertainly, but decided to trust him. He had nothing to lose. Wishing balls? It couldn't be impossible. He was convinced he could devise a plan good enough to fulfill his mission soon, once he found such balls and delivered them to Frieza.

It wasn't that Frieza felt like being kind to Zannen and telling him the truth, but rather that upon realizing another person shared his desire for revenge against Son Goku, an opportunity presented itself. Moreover, he had to be cautious with this inhabitant of a universe he knew to be significant. Unwilling to admit it, he found him threatening, seeing him with just one blow and an aura emanating from him.

Zannen finally approached Gobe to share the news, and the latter received the information with joy, deeply thanking his savior and immediately offering to handle the ship and join the search for the Dragon Balls. Meanwhile, Frieza announced to everyone to treat Zannen with respect and ordered the release of the laborians. Furthermore, he sent some of his soldiers to assist Zannen in the search for the Dragon Balls, but he rejected the help, arguing that he preferred to have the mission alone with Gobe.

So, the search for the Dragon Balls began. Zannen, with the information provided by Frieza that the Dragon Radar, a device that would help him find the balls more easily, was in Vegeta and his wife Bulma's house, with the latter being the one who had it.

Zannen felt determined to continue his path in that universe, nothing and no one would stop him. Although the alliance with Frieza might prove somewhat unreliable, he knew it had to be so. After all, it was about him. He saw it clearly during his fight with Frieza, not only was he the strongest, but also the most determined and calculating. Furthermore, he finally discovered how to weaken the Saiyan: by keeping his family captive, unable to do anything to rescue them. Not even the most challenging and intense training could prepare him for what was in store.

Get ready, Son Goku.

Chapter 12: The Dragon Balls.

The long-awaited moment had arrived for Goten and Trunks to present their science project at the school fair. Thanks to their effort and the help of their family, they managed to build their models and study enough to achieve a perfect grade. Although the day before, because of that mysterious chi, it seemed like they wouldn't make it to school, reality was on their side.

"Good luck, Goten! My project will be the best!" the boy with lilac hair said to the little one with messy black hair.

"Keep dreaming, Trunks," Goten challenged him playfully. Then they both laughed.

"Hey, it's great that our dads came, don't you think?" Trunks mentioned with a brighter smile.

"Yeah, especially mine. I don't understand why he decided to come, besides that my mom wanted him to," Goten said and laughed. After a moment, his expression turned serious and thoughtful. "Maybe that chi from yesterday got him worried, that's why he decided to spend time at home before going back to training," he declared with a bit of distress. Trunks understood and took him by the shoulder in a sign of support.

"Don't worry, Goten. My dad doesn't usually attend my school events either, and that e energy left him as confused as the rest of us. But maybe we just need to make the most of the time like they do," he said with determination. Goten smiled, grateful for his friend's words.

As Goten and Trunks conversed, both boys' mothers waited outside the classroom, still unable to enter to witness their children's school perfomance. They were dressed in formal attire appropriate for the occasion, very different from their husbands, who showed up in their usual training outfits. This annoyed the women, but one of them more than the other.

"I can't believe you showed up dressed like that. Who do you think you are? It's your children's school perfomance," Chichi said, visibly upset at seeing both Saiyans.

Goku scratched his head nervously, while Vegeta looked away with crossed arms, ignoring her with a slight sweatdrop on his forehead.

"Sorry, Chichi... Vegeta and I were just training before coming here," Goku mentioned. Chichi sighed, visibly tired.

"I know, I don't understand why I bother trying to understand you," she said, turning away to avoid looking at him, annoyed.

And she wasn't just annoyed, she also felt sad. Unfortunately, it seemed like her husband was only there as a favor after dedicating so much time to training. If he really wanted to be present, he would have made the effort to arrive on time and presentable, because yes, she forgot to mention that he almost arrived late because of his training, making her believe he wouldn't make it in time to see their son. All this generated a deep resentment towards him, but also towards herself, and she hated the situation she found herself in again. Her Goku was like that, she couldn't question him, and at least he was there with them. She remembered the conversation they had the night before, despite his much-awaited and satisfying return, it seemed like things would never change. Why did she still feel tormented by it?

...

Chichi woke up abruptly from her sleep, took a deep breath, and was surprised to find it was still early in the morning. Something prevented her from sleeping, and realizing her husband wasn't by her side, she became alarmed.

She got up at his absence and went out to the backyard, where she found her husband looking at the stars in the sky. Chichi watched him with surprise, but then smiled slightly, although she felt somewhat puzzled. She approached him.

"Goku, what are you doing here? Can't you sleep?"

He turned to her with a serious expression, but then smiled.

"Hi, Chichi. I'm sorry if I woke you up," he apologized, running his hand through his hair.

"It's okay," she responded, looking at him curiously. Then she looked back at the starry sky and hugged herself, feeling the cold breeze.

"Is something wrong?" he asked. Chichi looked at him attentively.

"That's what I'm asking you," Chichi frowned, knowing when her husband was hiding something from her.

Goku looked away, nervous.

"I just can't sleep, I don't know what's wrong with me," he replied, looking back at the sky.

Chichi stopped frowning and then looked at him with concern, touching his arm.

"Do you want me to make you some chamomile tea?" she offered.

Goku looked at her again and smiled once more.

"No, thanks. Maybe looking at the stars will make me sleepy," he replied, still smiling.

"Oh, Goku, always being like that," she said, smiling and shaking her head amused, but then looked at him with concern. "Are you sure you don't want to talk about something?"

At her question, there were a few seconds of silence until Goku replied:

"No, Chichi," he shook his head and looked back at the sky. "Do you?"

"Me? What about me?" she asked, somewhat confused and nervous.

"Do you want to talk about something?" he glanced at her, showing attentiveness.

Chichi swallowed. Of course she wanted to talk about something, but something was stopping her. She didn't know what to do, besides trying to pretend normalcy in front of him and the situation. But how much did he really care to know what was on her mind? Did he suspect that she was also hiding something, just as she suspected of him?

"No, dear, what are you saying? There's nothing to worry about," she said, seeming sure.

"Then, you don't want to tell me that you want me to go to Goten's perfomance?" he asked directly, this time confused. Chichi looked at him astonished, almost falling backwards.

"But, why...?", she shook his head, with a drop of sweat. What was that about?, "Of course I want you to go! You have to go, don't even think about not showing up.", she ordered with an authoritative tone, furrowing his brow. Goku smiled.

"Of course.", he smiled and looked back at the sky. Chichi looked at him surprised. What was going on with him?

"Goku...", she looked at him still surprised, but smiled seeing him so sure about attending school with their son.

"By the way, Chichi, I'll go train with Vegeta in the morning, but you can count on me to go see Goten's perfomance." at that moment, she understood. She didn't know if she should get angry and shout right then as she used to, but she just sighed, disappointed. She didn't want that to be the only response to her previous suspicions, although it seemed like it. It was already too late, why were they having this conversation right now?

Chichi nodded resignedly and looked back up at the moon. Its light always reminded her of the first nights with Goku on that mountain. She sighed, feeling some sadness inside, but refused to let herself collapse. She simply frowned and turned to go back to bed.

"I'm going to try to sleep, you should too," she ordered before finally leaving.

Goku stopped gazing at the moon to address his wife, surprised to see her leaving. Why was she leaving? A small drop of sweat slid down his forehead, the result of the nerves that confessing had caused him. Honestly, he wouldn't have done it if he didn't still have to hide other things from her before revealing everything completely, he just didn't feel ready. Although, if that was how it had been with a simple morning training session with Vegeta, how would it be with the challenge that awaited him on Beerus' planet for months? He sighed, feeling sad and annoyed with himself, not because of the training itself, but because something inside him filled him with anguish.

(...)

Goku observed his wife closely as she ignored him and crossed her arms, turning her head to avoid looking at him. Although he felt bad about it, he didn't let it show. His attention shifted to Bulma, who was talking to an old lady in another corner of the place. There were other people there, some dressed formally and others not so much, but at least none of them were wearing training clothes like him. This feeling of not fitting in anywhere outside his family left him confused.

Did he really fit in with his family?

Bulma came back with a smile, and Chichi dropped her angry expression to also smile, hoping to hear good news from the blue-haired woman.

"They start in five minutes, we should head to the door on the other side," she announced. Before they could move, Chichi quickly took Bulma's arm and they left, leaving Vegeta and Goku behind.

Vegeta snorted and Goku chuckled slightly as they followed. It was obvious that his wife radiated strength. Although her physique often seemed fragile to him, he never doubted the strength of her mind and spirit. This moved Goku and filled him with pride, like every time he thought of his wife, unable to help it.

Arriving at the indicated door, both women were anxiously waiting while chatting, until they were interrupted by Goku.

"Chichi, can we talk?" he asked so suddenly that it even surprised Bulma, who then relaxed her face, glancing at the raven-haired woman.

She didn't look directly at him, just made a gesture of annoyance and crossed her arms again.

"There's no time, Goku. Let's go see Goten at his work," she pointed out.

Goku remained silent, unable to say or contradict anything else, looking away with regret. What did he expect? It was his son's moment, the most important thing for her, and he had ruined it. But he would apologize later.

As always.

The parents were told they could now go in to see their children, to which everyone entered excitedly, some with cameras and cell phones in their hands to record and capture their little ones' triumphant moment. Chichi and Bulma quickly ran to where Goten and Trunks were, hugging them endlessly and wishing them luck. The raven-haired woman took the opportunity to adjust her little one's tie while the blue-haired one said something to her son.

"Remember that you are a Brief, no matter what happens, we will be proud of you," she said with a smile. Trunks returned it.

"Will Dad be proud too?" he asked somewhat embarrassed, looking for his father among the crowd. Vegeta was a few meters away, watching the scene with his arms crossed. Trunks blushed, and Bulma laughed.

"Of course he will be," Bulma replied, glancing at her husband and offering him a approving smile.

Vegeta, for his part, had heard them even though he was far away and, truth be told, he already wanted to leave. He couldn't stand being surrounded by those people. The only reason he was there was Bulma and their son. She had encouraged and forced him, saying it was important to her and Trunks. Although obviously he thought it was nothing more than nonsense, he was doing his best to be left alone and, of course, without admitting it, to make them both happy.

He approached where his son was to say a few words to him. Trunks and Bulma watched him expectantly.

"Trunks," he paused. The boy looked at him attentively. "You better do well."

Trunks smiled broadly at his father's words, his eyes shining with joy. He was sure he would do well. Bulma, infected by her son's happiness, smiled with satisfaction. Meanwhile, Goten was talking to his parents.

"Thank you for being here. I promise to do my best," the little one mentioned with determination, accompanying his words with a smile. Chichi approached to give him a kiss and a tight hug, while Goku also smiled.

"Of course you will, sweetheart. You're the best," his mother said with a smile. She glanced at Goku sideways and he met her gaze, attentive. Chichi coughed, trying to say something, but Goku didn't understand. After a few seconds, when she looked at him seriously, he realized he had to say something to his son.

"Oh, yeah. Good luck, son," he said, encouraging him. "Beat everyone who's here."

Goten nodded excitedly and laughed with his dad, while Chichi rolled her eyes and joined the laughter. Goku noticed her reaction and stopped laughing to look at her. This time, the feeling in his chest was pleasant and he didn't want it to end.

And so both families watched their children's perfomances and were filled with happiness. Although the two Saiyan parents were used to living on Earth, they still struggled to adapt to human situations on their own. However, they accepted the importance of being present and enjoyed the moment, especially because it made their wives and children happy. And because soon they would have to leave again.

(...)

In the desert region to the west of Earth, the ship carrying Zannen and Gobe finally landed after several days of returning to the planet, aiming to find the dragon balls for Lord Freezer.

Zannen's plan was to return to Capsule Corporation, where Vegeta and his family lived, to steal the Dragon Radar and begin the search.

Of course, Zannen and Gobe had to hide their chi again, as they didn't want the warriors to know of their return. With great care, they exited the ship and assessed the daylight and surroundings.

The alien wasn't the best at blending in with the city's people, so Zannen asked him to wait and take the ship to a more discreet location.

"I'll be back when I get that artifact," Zannen announced, withdrawing with his dimensional device. Gobe nodded in response.

Zannen was determined. He had finally found a way to get revenge, and he knew he had to follow each step meticulously. The first step was to search for the so-called Dragon Radar at the house of the woman with blue hair. He thought it would be easy, as when he had taken her cell phone, he did it in complete silence. It was another proof that he was determined to succeed, even without lifting a finger.

He walked far enough to find a vehicle that would take him faster to the city. On his way, he encountered a car carrying a married couple with their children.

"Darling, are you sure this is the right place? The map says we should take the street to the left," the woman in the passenger seat said, flipping through a map. The kids played in the back seats, while the man driving glanced at his wife.

"Don't worry, dear. We just have to go straight until we see the tallest trees," he said with a smile, though the woman looked at him with a raised eyebrow, showing her uncertainty. Nevertheless, she decided to follow her husband's lead.

Suddenly, they felt a strong tremor that shook their car, lifting it off the ground and bouncing them inside the vehicle, leaving them completely frightened and bewildered.

"What...?" the man murmured, perplexed.

"Mom!"

Zannen stopped the car with his hands from the back and lifted it, shaking it forcefully intending to make the humans inside come out. Seeing that he couldn't, he decided to put the car down and approach to get them out himself.

The first to see him was the woman, who was terrified to make eye contact with Zannen and let out a scream, causing him to frown and grab her by the neck to pull her out of the car, ready to knock her out. Her husband, alarmed by the scene, got out of the vehicle to yell at him.

"Let go of my wife, you idiot!" the man exclaimed as Zannen kept the woman quiet and lifted her in the air, trembling and screaming, trying to free herself.

The man shivered as he turned and saw his children, who were unconscious in the car due to the bumps. He wanted to run to them and grab one of the cell phones but felt it was his end when Zannen approached him and grabbed him by the neck too.

"Just get out of here," Zannen murmured, really annoyed by both of their reactions, and let him go.

The man coughed and ran to his wife, who lay unconscious. Then, he turned to his children and noticed one of them woke up just as Zannen approached. The man tried to go and stop him, but Zannen knocked him out with a blow to the head immediately.

The white-haired man didn't actually want to hurt the family; he just wanted them to get as far away from him as possible and leave their vehicle at his disposal. He had no intention of being kind to another human again.

He watched through the glass as one of the kids who had woken up still looked weak. Zannen furrowed his brow.

He approached to open the door and saw a small fist hitting his chest as he did it. Of course, he didn't feel it, but he noticed the boy's boldness.

"Who are you? Don't come near! I'll protect my sister!" the boy exclaimed with fury, covering the little one who lay unconscious behind him.

Zannen raised his eyebrows, thinking the boy would be scared to see him, but to his surprise, the boy showed bravery, even more than the adults.

"Please, get out of the vehicle," Zannen requested.

"No!" the boy shouted, gesturing with his hands. "You'll have to fight me, old man!"

Zannen furrowed his brow again, feeling even more annoyed. However, he found it amusing.

"So, you want to fight me?" he asked, pretending to be surprised.

The boy nodded, noticeably angry. But he had to admit, he felt a deep fear, something he rarely experienced. He had always been brave, and his parents admired him for it. He was determined, he protected his family, especially his little sister, and he strived to be the best, which is why he studied martial arts. Who did that man think he was? Why was he attacking his family like that? He wouldn't allow him to hurt them!

Zannen laughed, unable to help it. The boy looked at him astonished and swallowed, confused. Suddenly, he saw the man grabbing him and his sister, throwing them out of the car onto the ground. He screamed in pain and cursed Zannen, looking at him with fury.

"You better make sure to take care of your family. The desert is dangerous," he warned, pointing at the boy's sister and parents before heading towards the driver's seat, starting the car, and driving away.

As he drove off, the boy watched him perplexed, completely confused by what had just happened. He looked around, at the desert, and then at his family who began to wake up groggily. His parents immediately went to hug them and check if they were alright. Despite everything, he smiled weakly, grateful that everyone was okay.

(...)

Zannen finally arrived in West City, ready to infiltrate Capsule Corporation without attracting attention.

He parked the car on the side of the road where parking was allowed and camouflaged himself in the same way as before, by knocking out one of the janitors.

People didn’t look at him so strangely, as they were used to seeing all kinds of people in the big city. This was an advantage for Zannen, because not only was his white hair unusual, but his pale pink skin was too.

He tried to find clues, even tracking the ki of Vegeta and the woman, but it was in vain. They weren’t home. He didn’t know whether to take this as a positive sign or not, since, deep down, he wanted to get some news about them and what had happened after he left.

He went to the same place as before and explored every corner looking for the elusive device. It was supposed to be circular, metal, with a green screen where flashes appeared. After searching thoroughly for a while, he began to feel a bit exasperated. He didn’t want to ransack the whole place and arouse suspicion.

Finally, he got lucky. He found it in a drawer inside a room full of technology and cables. Although the drawer was locked, it wasn’t difficult to open. It was clear the device was there. The fact that it was secured with a lock suggested it was important and likely functional. Zannen tried to turn it on and saw the flash. Could it be one of the Dragon Balls? He smiled at the thought.

Now he had to get back to Gobe, so he put the device in his pocket and tried to leave through one of the windows. However, he heard footsteps and voices echoing in the hallway outside, which alerted him. But he felt curious, so he hid in a small adjoining room, where there were only clothes, and closed the door, listening attentively.

"Oh, who is Grandma’s little princess?", said the blonde lady gently as she carried a giggling Bra in her arms.

Mrs. Panchy took the baby to a specific room with white walls and pink and blue decor. The room was filled with baby furniture, toys, and stuffed animals, as well as a rocking crib. She placed her granddaughter there while she tidied and cleaned the room. Although they usually had hired help for cleaning, this time Bulma’s mother decided to do it herself, as she didn’t mind at all and it allowed her to move around and take care of her granddaughter while the others were at Trunks’ school.

"Oh, I forgot to take your clothes out of the washer. I’ll be back in a moment, sweetheart," she said as she left Bra playing with her dolls in the crib.

Bra remained very entertained with her toys and didn’t think to climb out of the crib this time, laughing as she played. Until she noticed a shadow that puzzled her, and looking up she found herself staring into eyes she had never seen before. They were the eyes of a stranger, but Bra wasn’t scared, she just saw Zannen, who was observing her with the same curiosity as before.

Zannen looked at the little baby and noticed she had the same appearance as her mother: the same hair and eye color. Although she didn’t resemble Vegeta much, he suspected she must have something of him. But what? It could be something beyond power. He kept examining her with his eyes, noting that she showed no fear towards him.

"Hello," she muttered in a friendly tone. Zannen was surprised to hear her speak. Although she was very small, she knew how to greet people.

He felt uncomfortable at that moment, so he immediately moved away from the child. Why did he always get the opportunity to encounter children?

A bit annoyed, and to ensure the girl wouldn’t remember him when she woke up or when her parents arrived, he approached again and used a bit of force to gently knock her out. He knew it would hurt her a little, but she had to be a strong child. After all, she was the daughter of a Saiyan.

He left the place without paying attention to what he had left behind, focusing solely on the present moment, but still longing to return to carry out his revenge. Observing the girl, he realized that Vegeta’s family could also be a weak point for him and, just maybe, for Son Goku too. The question was whether this would yield the result he so much desired.

Zannen arrived at the place with Gobe, who was waiting patiently. Upon telling him he had the Dragon Radar, they began the search for the Dragon Balls. Gobe was determined to put an end to this as soon as possible to reclaim his planet, while Zannen was driven by his desire for revenge and to achieve his ultimate goal.

Notes:

Thank you very much for reading♡

I've always liked the idea that Goku and Vegeta have a cute family moment before going off to train again.

[ remember to read the disclaimers in the prologue in case you get confused about something in the story ]

~ beth.♡

Chapter 13: The Training

On King Kai's planet, the god of the north was in the middle of a game of Chinese checkers with his friends Gregory and Bubbles when a gesture of frustration appeared on his face after losing a round. Thus, he had no choice but to observe Earth from his spot to pass the time.

At first, everything seemed normal, but his attention was drawn to a strange spaceship that landed in a corner, from which two individuals emerged. One appeared to be a common alien from another planet, but the other was completely baffling; he seemed human but undoubtedly was not. Surprise and curiosity overwhelmed him, along with a hint of nervousness. Who were these individuals, and what were they doing on Earth?

The possibility that it was a new threat made him think about intervening, but something inside him held him back. He didn't want to get involved or have problems without fully understanding the situation. He had to be sure before taking any action.

He decided to set aside his worries for the moment and resumed the game with his companions, although his mind kept wandering to that strange visit. Perhaps it was just a misunderstanding, a couple of tourists on Earth, but the doubt lingered. He couldn't call anyone, not even the Z warriors, because he didn't want to deal with anything at that moment and simply believed it wasn't important.

(...)

"Yes, I got an A!", an excited Trunks shouted, raising a rubric sheet with the grade of his presentation. A big, blue A. "We did it, Goten!"

Goten didn't lag behind in celebrating with his best friend, also raising his grade sheet since he got a ten as well, and not only that, his project was the most awarded of all.

Chichi and Bulma hugged their sons and congratulated them both, filled with pride. The black-haired woman was crying with emotion, Bulma tried to calm her, and Goku watched the scene with amusement while Vegeta just looked away. He approached his son only to give him a thumbs-up, while Goku took Goten and lifted him onto his shoulder to hug and congratulate him.

"Congratulations", Goku said with a smile.

"Thanks, Dad."

"We will never forget this great moment. I'm so happy right now", Chichi commented while blowing her nose with a handkerchief.

Everyone laughed, except Vegeta, and they finally headed toward the exit to return home and, of course, share the news of Trunks and Goten's triumph with the rest of their families.

"Do you want to come with us?", Bulma asked kindly when they reached where her spaceship-car was parked.

"Don't worry, Bulma, I'll teleport", Goku replied. "See you!"

"Goodbye, Bulma!", Chichi said, taking Goku's arm and holding Goten's hand, who also said goodbye to the Brief family.

Bulma and Trunks also said goodbye and entered the vehicle with Vegeta. Goku placed two fingers on his forehead and teleported home.

Chichi sighed and raised her arms, satisfied. "My little Goten always making us proud. I'll go prepare a big banquet", she squealed excitedly and, before heading to the kitchen, gave her son another kiss that made him laugh with excitement. Then she passed by her husband without even looking at him.

Goku realized that although he was excited about the food, he felt a bit strange not receiving even a look or smile from Chichi. But well, what did he expect? That she would give him a kiss too? Maybe she was still upset. He stayed thoughtful for a moment. He knew he had to talk to Chichi about the training issue, but he couldn't find the right moment. Was she really still upset? He sighed, deep down he didn't want to say anything.

...

During his practice with Vegeta, Goku took the opportunity to call Whis using one of Bulma's communicators.

"So you'll come for us tomorrow to train, right? That sounds great! I can't wait!", Goku mentioned excitedly.

...

He only had until the next day to address the issue with her or else he would leave her again with uncertainty and, surely, more irritated than before.

Although he hated the idea, it was the only option. In his mind, fighting always seemed like the easiest way out. He knew he had to face that reality, because at any moment a new threat could emerge for Earth, as at that precise moment where everyone was alert because of the ki felt the day before, and therefore he had to be there, not only to protect his loved ones but also to unleash all his power and measure himself against those who surpassed him. Despite feeling excited about each challenge that might arise, he always remembered the kind of wife he had. Chichi hated everything related to training, and that caused him a bit of annoyance, but he couldn't change that even if he wanted to. He wouldn't want to. Anyway, he recognized that in the past he had made mistakes due to his lack of understanding and closeness towards her. Now, perhaps, he faced the need to resolve that conflict, but that was still far below what he could think in his tiny fight-focused brain.

He tried not to think about it anymore because it started making him uncomfortable, so he went to the kitchen where he found his son and Chichi talking. Chichi looked at him out of the corner of her eye, making Goku nervous.

He stayed silent and was about to say something, but couldn't. Only a typical stomach growl resonated in the room. Chichi and Goten laughed, shaking their heads.

"The food will be ready soon, go change your clothes and wash your hands in the meantime", she ordered. Goku and Goten nodded, but Goku waited for his son to leave to stay alone in the kitchen with Chichi.

"Hey, Chichi", the black-haired man called.

"Tell me, Goku", she said while being busy with her back turned in the kitchen.

"Are you still upset?", he asked a bit nervously. He no longer wanted to feel that unpleasant sensation in his chest. It wasn't about not seeing her angry, but about her being able to ignore him. So he wanted to be completely sure it wasn't like that.

Chichi was heard sighing. Well, she had to admit she wasn't as upset with him as before, but something remained and she hated that it was so. That man was impossible to stay angry at for long while he was at home with her, but at that moment there was some tension. His lack of understanding or interest in things just annoyed her a bit, but she couldn't do anything about it, he would always be like that. He was a Saiyan and a potential savior of the universe after all. She couldn't change him even if she wanted to. Deep down, she didn't want to. She loved Goku's spirit and always would. He was the father of her children and the grandfather of her sweet granddaughter, she loved him.

Remembering little Pan made her forget her dilemma with Goku for a moment, so she turned to look at him.

"Why don't you go to Gohan's house and invite him to the banquet I prepared? I want to see my granddaughter, you should see her too", she stated seriously, without answering his question.

Goku didn't feel reassured, but rather confused by the change of topic, slightly tilting his head. However, he decided to ignore it and nodded before teleporting to his eldest son Gohan's house.

He was reading a file on his computer while Pan played with her dolls on the carpeted floor. Videl entered with a bottle just in time to give it to her little one, who received it gladly. The black-haired woman laughed and picked her up while Pan continued drinking her milk. Then she looked at her husband, who was still very focused on the screen, and coughed to get his attention.

"Hey, Mr. Work. Aren't you hungry?", she asked with a smile. Gohan returned the smile, embarrassed.

"Actually, I am, I'm starving", he said while caressing Pan's cheek with his thumb, making her laugh at her father's action.

"You've been there almost all day, I'll prepare something for you", she said, getting up with Pan in her arms.

"Don't worry, Videl, it's not nece...", Gohan was interrupted by a noise that startled him and Videl. It was his father who had appeared in the room using his teleportation.

"Hi!"

"Grandpa!" Pan let go of the bottle and left her mother's arms to fly to her grandpa and hug him, happy to see him.

Goku smiled, picked her up in his arms, and began spinning her around, making her laugh.

"Hi, Pan", he greeted, laughing with her.

"Hi, Dad, how are you?", Gohan greeted with a cheerful smile.

"Hi, Mr. Goku. Nice to see you here", Videl greeted likewise.

"Yes, Dad, what brings you here?"

"Chichi wants you to come home for lunch, the big banquet she prepared for Goten's grade", he announced while moving Pan through the air with his hand.

"Great! That means Goten did well", Gohan exclaimed, happy for his younger brother's achievement. Videl also smiled at this and they immediately got ready to go to the house in Mount Paozu.

When the Son Satan family had gotten ready, bringing Pan's personal bag and fixing their clothes a bit, they touched Goku's back and he teleported them back home.

The family seemed to have a moment of peace and happiness, with Chichi feeling content and confident that she had the best family in the world, especially the best children. She couldn’t deny it as she lovingly looked at each of them, especially her little granddaughter, who would be her eternal joy. However, she knew her children were somewhat concerned about the mysterious energy from the previous day, and things might fall apart again, which saddened her. She glanced at her husband for a moment, and everything became more tense for her. Why? Despite the problems and occasional anger Goku caused her, she couldn't push him away, not like she had tried to do many times when he focused on his personal passions. She didn’t know why things felt so different and difficult now. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. She knew she hadn’t always been the most profound wife, but why was it so hard to open up to him and show him how grateful and happy she was? Just as many times before, but why did she feel this way now? She just hoped he wouldn’t leave again so she could tell him before it was too late.

On the other hand, Goku knew that family was the most important thing for Chichi, which was why she seemed so excited at that moment. He didn’t want to leave; whenever he was home, he admitted internally that he preferred spending time with his family. Yet, deep down, his nature made him the opposite, as becoming more powerful was also necessary for him. He thought about the situation with her and what could happen on the planet. It made him nervous, a bit annoyed, and even slightly fearful. But he believed it would be just another conversation, although he didn’t want to have it. He knew he had to tell her that just as he had a reason to leave, he also had a reason to return, but he would only tell her after that lunch when he would go to train, and that would be all.

For the couple, being together for so many years, it could be satisfying to look into each other's eyes and enjoy the moment with their family, sharing their love for them, observing with pride and passion all they had lived through. However, at that instant, their minds were still preoccupied with the need to discuss the same old issues, but not in the usual way.

(...)

Meanwhile, the Brief family arrived at Capsule Corporation, where Vegeta and Trunks headed immediately to the banquet Bulma had ordered the chefs to prepare in honor of the little one's achievement. After leaving father and son enjoying the food, Bulma took the opportunity to find her little baby and greet and invite her parents.

Once everyone was about to have lunch, Bulma said she would go to her office first to leave some important things. It was then that she noticed something was missing, causing her to frown.

During lunch, Bulma couldn't contain herself and asked Vegeta a question.

"Vegeta, do you know where the communicator I use to talk to Whis might be?" she asked, curious.

Vegeta looked at her and stopped eating for a moment, swallowing with difficulty before looking away.

"I took it," he admitted and continued eating. Bulma looked at him with a serious expression and sighed, nodding resignedly. She knew her husband would go train again.

Although it seemed that it didn't affect her much to see him leave because he always returned and spent most of his time with her and the kids when he wasn't training in the gravity chamber, helping with certain things like a good husband and father, the truth was it did affect her. She felt a certain sadness about it, but she would never show it. It was something she accepted. A mysterious force had settled on Earth and was likely to return, forcing her to be on high alert, using her intelligence and advanced technology, without being trampled. Sometimes, it was exhausting, as she just wanted to enjoy moments with her family. Her children and husband were the most precious to her, even though she often found herself working while Vegeta wasn't present. Anyway, she would always strive to remain the determined woman worthy of the Prince of the Saiyans.

Suddenly, Trunks looked over his little sister at something that made him stop eating his dish.

"Mom... Bulla has something weird on her nape," the lilac-haired young man mentioned. Bulma looked at him puzzled and then checked her daughter where he had indicated.

Bulma's face showed horror and bewilderment. There was a small, strange bump on her daughter's nape. How did she get that?

"Bulla, what happened to you?" she couldn't help but ask.

She looked at her daughter with concern. What had happened? She knew her daughter could speak, but she didn't have the words memorized to give an eloquent explanation. The worst part was that she seemed very happy and cheerful while eating star-shaped fish croquettes.

Vegeta stopped eating again to observe what was happening with his wife and daughter. He raised an eyebrow, confused and annoyed.

"What's going on now?"

Bulma looked at her husband, still with a look of horror on her face. She shook her head to free herself from her state of surprise and just wanted answers. She got up with her daughter, which worried her parents, who asked what had happened.

She approached her mother to ask her directly what had happened, showing her the strange mark on Bulla's nape. Mrs. Panchy was surprised and worried, admitting she had no idea how it had happened. Bulma believed her response. Meanwhile, Vegeta and Trunks were alarmed by the situation.

Without wanting to respond to or look at Vegeta to avoid worrying him further, Bulma went directly to the room where the security cameras of Bulla's room were located.

"These cameras will tell me if she got hurt or what exactly happened there," she explained. The whole family behind her watched her closely while little Bulla remained in her mother's arms, visibly confused.

Vegeta crossed his arms, quite annoyed that his wife wasn't explaining anything to him. He decided to approach himself and take Bulla, observing the mark on her nape. He was completely bewildered.

"What the hell is this?" he asked, quite angry.

"I'm going to find out," Bulma responded with worry on her face.

Bulma tried to access the security cameras in the baby's room, which she had in case of emergencies or any alarming situation, even though Bulla seemed like a child who might not need much protection, it was still important. However, Bulma saw that the screen showed a system error, indicating a technical failure that needed to be fixed. Bulma frowned, frustrated, and slammed her fist on the desk.

"Damn! I have to fix the computer, and it's the only one with access," she complained. Quickly her expression returned to worried, and she got up to take Bulla from Vegeta's arms. "It's okay, honey, I'm going to take you to get that thing on your nape checked and healed."

Bulma's parents and Trunks were perplexed by the situation, as well as worried about the serious bump on little Bulla's neck. They wondered how it had happened and why it didn't seem to bother her. Vegeta was the most doubtful and focused on supporting the idea of finding out what had happened to his daughter to personally take care of the problem, if it was one, and solve it as soon as possible.

(...)

Zannen and Gobe were already searching for the fifth dragon ball as they traversed an extensive northern region. They took their time to do it correctly, as they realized it was a dangerous and exhausting adventure. To survive the entire day of searching, they had to traverse various environments and feed on what they found along the way.

At that moment, Zannen reviewed his plan, but something had come to his mind: his universe. What was happening there while he was away? And what was Jiren doing? These questions filled him with nostalgia, though he tried not to let that feeling dominate him completely. He had to stay focused on the reason he was there. However, part of him felt furious. He had been away from home for too long, and although he tried to be patient, the anxiety was starting to show. He was getting closer to his goal, but in the meantime, he thought of something that could help calm his unease: training.

Of course, he didn't know how to do it without unleashing all his energy. Fortunately, he would soon find all the spheres and head to Gobe's planet with his help to find a suitable gravity field and start his training. Who knows, maybe Frieza would join him in the fight to stay in shape.

(...)

Meanwhile, on Beerus' planet, both the God of Destruction and his unflappable Angel Whis were chatting while enjoying the delicious Earth desserts Bulma had sent them on one occasion, as they watched Broly train in the skies.

That imposing and muscular body was like a temple worthy of admiration. Marked by scars, fierce determination, and a burning desire to surpass himself. For Broly, learning to control his power and acquire discipline had been very difficult, especially after a past filled with pain and rampant violence. He was deeply grateful to Whis, though he didn't say it, and, in some way, to the strange Saiyan who had helped him after their death match, giving him a unique opportunity.

The company of Cheelai and Lemo, who had become his friends in recent months, had also been a comforting help after being accustomed to loneliness for so long. He smiled from above, seeing them sitting on the ground cheering him on.

Eagerly, he awaited the arrival of the other Saiyans to engage in a proper battle. Although he didn’t understand all the details of his training and found many other things difficult to grasp, he trusted Whis to guide him and show him the way. Each day, he felt a new emotion and internal growth, fueled by the desire to fight and learn more. It was a stage of his life full of promises and possibilities, and he was determined to make the most of it.

"Wow, that boy is impressive. In all this time, he has managed to achieve several things you've taught him," said Beerus while eating a bowl of ice cream.

"It was very difficult for him, honestly. But yes, Broly has a special gift," Whis mentioned with a smile. "Training with Goku and Vegeta will help him master his power even more."

It was then that Whis' staff glowed, capturing his attention as he saw it was a call. He observed who it was, while Beerus watched out of the corner of his eye, and was slightly surprised.

"Marcarita, what a surprise," said Whis, smiling as he greeted the female angel. Beerus raised an eyebrow, curious.

"Hello, Whis," she greeted in a friendly manner.

"Hello, is everything alright in Universe 11?"

There was a brief silence that made Beerus and Whis a bit tense as they awaited Marcarita's response.

"It’s a consultation that Lord Vermoudh wants to have with only the two of you. Can we meet in your universe tomorrow?"

Notes:

Thank you so much for reading♡

It's incredible that we're already at chapter 13 and Chichi hasn't disappeared hahaha. You might be like WTF, but honestly, the intention of this story is to give the fullest development possible to all characters and events before focusing and quickly moving to the main conflict. This is my way of portraying the Dragon Ball plot from my perspective, making it a bit more realistic and enhanced within my fanfiction. I hope you understand♥

~ Beth.♡

Chapter 14: Strange things and a fight.

"A meeting? Tomorrow?” Whis was surprised by the sudden proposal from his fellow angel from Universe 11.

“Yes, what do you say?” Marcarita asked with a smile through her staff.

Whis thought for a few seconds, turning to his God of Destruction, who nodded without much thought and continued enjoying his dessert.

“Alright, then. Lord Beerus will be expecting you tomorrow,” Whis finally replied, and the call ended. But a curious expression appeared on his face. “I wonder what this is about. Unfortunately, I’ll have to postpone Goku and Vegeta’s training; I was planning to bring them over tomorrow to start.”

Beerus looked at him attentively.

“Are you sure postponing it is a good idea?” he asked.

“Well, we don’t know if whatever’s going on with Lord Vermoudh will take longer. What do you think, my lord?”

Beerus frowned, trying to find a suitable answer. Somehow, it seemed odd that the God and Angel of Universe 11 would want to visit him for a meeting that raised many questions. He thought it could be important or not, but he couldn’t be certain, even as a god. Moreover, considering that it was the universe that almost defeated his due to the strength of its warriors—especially that one named Jiren—it might not be wise for the Saiyans who dared to challenge them to be present. He thought it over and finally responded:

“Yes, it’s better to postpone it until we know what those two want.”

(...)

After enjoying the delicious feast that Chi-Chi had prepared to celebrate her younger son Goten’s achievement, the Son family remained gathered at their mountain home, sharing more moments together. While Chi-Chi and Videl washed the lunch dishes, Goten and Pan played, and Goku and Gohan had a conversation outside the house, several meters away.

“You know, Dad? I’m glad we’re all together at this moment, and that you could go to Goten’s fair,” Gohan said with a smile, and Goku nodded. However, Gohan’s expression grew serious. “I know I shouldn’t bring this up, and you probably already know, but Mom has been more worried than usual since you went back to training again.”

Hearing this from his son, Goku looked at him attentively.

“I’m just saying that if you’re thinking of going back to train because of that strange energy or for any other reason, this time, I want you to tell her,” he mentioned.

“Don’t worry about it, Gohan,” Goku replied, sighing and looking away. Gohan noticed it. However, Goku could no longer hide what was on his mind. “I’m going to train on Lord Beerus’ planet.”

Gohan looked at him, surprised.

“So, you talked to Mr. Whis?”

“Yes, he said he’d come by tomorrow for me and Vegeta to start.”

Gohan looked at his father, a bit confused. Somehow, he sensed something strange in him. He didn’t want to ask or tell him too much because he didn’t know how he would react. Just mentioning his mother seemed to bring a lot to his father’s mind. Normally, when he talked about training, he seemed happy, but not at that moment. Could it be because of that? Would he really talk to his mom about training? He’d have to do it soon if Whis was coming for him the next day, yet he remained there. Maybe he wasn’t entirely at ease; that energy could have left him thoughtful. The good thing was he was staying home as much as he could. Maybe he was reflecting on things or there was something more. His father wasn’t always at that level of seriousness for thinking, which seemed odd, but Gohan understood. Though, why did he look so serious? He hadn’t been there to feel the energy and couldn’t assume it was because of that. He couldn’t help it; he had to ask to see if it was something that made him uneasy.

“Is something wrong, Dad?” Gohan looked at his father intently.

Goku looked him in the eyes, seriously.

“No, nothing,” he replied calmly, looking away again. Gohan squinted his eyes.

“Will you talk to Mom?”

Goku looked at his son again, unsure how to react or respond. Why did he feel this way? On another occasion, he would have easily answered with a “yes,” but it felt different this time. Why? He felt that something was bothering him, and it wasn’t the energy or training. It was that he had to talk to Chi-Chi before his mind ran in circles.

“Yes,” he replied, frowning. Gohan felt more confused—did his father not want to do it?

“Dad, if it’s too hard…” he tried to say, but Goku interrupted him.

“Don’t worry, son,” he assured him. “Everything will be fine.” He finally smiled.

Gohan felt a bit relieved, but he still had doubts. And not just doubts about his father, but also about his mother. He knew she was suffering and would be angry with his father, but there was nothing he could do about it. At times, he felt bad about it, but he understood it was nothing to do with him or anyone else but his father. Even though Gohan helped Goten, talked to his mother, calmed her down, and tried to give his family the best and most peaceful life to maintain the existing peace, there would always be something, even if minimal, that would disturb her.

He decided to leave that topic aside.

“Alright,” he said, smiling.

Hearing his son’s words, which conveyed both security, concern, and fear at the same time, Goku saw things differently at that moment. His son was grateful that he’d returned, allowing him to have that moment with him and his family, which in the end, was one. However, he was also indicating that his departure would again cause his mother pain. He knew it might be difficult for his children, but when it came to training, they were supportive. It was the best he could do for them, and they had to accept it. After all, this was their father, their Saiyan blood. But Chi-Chi was different from his children and everyone else. It was hard for her, and Goku hadn’t felt or seen it that way before. He didn’t know what to do to ease her pain. To go and fight?

“Hey, Gohan, want to go fight?” he asked.

Gohan looked at him, astonished by his sudden proposal, and laughed, scratching the back of his head.

“What do you say, Dad? I bet you’d put me on the ground with the first punch. Remember, I was one of those who witnessed your Ultra Instinct at the tournament,” he said jokingly. Goku laughed, though he felt a bit embarrassed.

“Come on, son, don’t be so hard on yourself. Besides, I can only use Ultra Instinct when I’m completely calm, and I still need to perfect it, which is why I’m going to train with Whis,” he explained. Gohan listened attentively.

“About that, everyone wonders why you didn’t decide to go perfect it with him instead of going to King Kai’s.”

“Well…”

Goku was about to answer, but someone interrupted their conversation.

“Dessert time, guys!” Videl called to them from the door. Goku and Gohan both gave a thumbs-up.

“I’ll tell you and the others later, alright?” Goku said. Gohan nodded, and they both went back to the house to enjoy dessert.

While Chi-Chi was serving ice cream with cookies in each cup, she was nervously thinking. Although she appeared calm and happy, when she thought about Goku, her mind went wild. She imagined all possible scenarios: that he would leave again without listening to her or understanding her, that he might say something hurtful, funny, or irrelevant, that he would ignore her or laugh, or simply do nothing. What to expect from her husband? Though she knew him well, lately he was so unpredictable to her. She couldn’t forget that her husband had become a powerful being on par with the gods, even if she didn’t care for his fights or his motivation to get into trouble. Despite everything, she felt curious and wanted to ask him, because she knew she and their family were his motivation deep down. Would she still be that motivation? She sighed, tired of those thoughts, and focused on bringing the served cups to the living room for everyone.

Goku had seconds on dessert three times, Goten and Gohan only twice, and little Pan wasn’t allowed to have more because she couldn’t consume that much sugar at her age. This saddened the toddler, who stuck her tongue out at everyone, making them laugh. After filling their stomachs, Gohan and Videl said their goodbyes with their daughter to head home.

“Thank you for inviting us, the food was delicious,” Videl said with a satisfied smile. Gohan also thanked his mother and bid everyone farewell along with his wife, taking the opportunity to congratulate his brother Goten once more.

“Don’t forget to come by anytime, be safe,” Chi-Chi said warmly, giving them all hugs and kisses.

Goku and Goten also said goodbye, and the family of three flew off from Mount Paoz.

The youngest son of the family yawned, feeling sleepy. Chi-Chi noticed and looked at him tenderly.

"It's time for you to rest, honey. You deserve it," she murmured, picking him up as gently as she had when he was a baby. Goten smiled at his mom and, giving in to his fatigue, closed his eyes. Just before falling completely asleep, he remembered how grateful he was to have his parents there with him at the fair.

Goku watched the scene with tenderness, seeing Chi-Chi carrying Goten in her arms, just like she used to with Gohan when he was a baby. A wave of nostalgia washed over him, and he remembered that he still needed to talk with her. So he followed her to Goten’s room. Once there, Chi-Chi gently laid Goten down in his bed, tucked him in, and, upon turning to meet Goku’s eyes, her expression shifted from maternal joy to wifely seriousness.

“Goku, is something wrong?” she asked, a bit nervous. She’d noticed him watching her more intently since he’d returned to eat dessert. It wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it was unusual for him, and it only added to the tension she was feeling.

“Chi-Chi, I have something to tell you.”

(...)

Meanwhile, at Capsule Corporation, a doctor was examining Bulla's injury. Although her family knew she didn’t have an ordinary body like other babies, she still needed proper care, and perhaps a medical diagnosis could help them understand how the injury happened. However, when the doctor informed them after his examination that Bulla appeared to have suffered a very strange impact—the mark on her skin looked like a cut, yet showed no signs of being caused by an object—everyone was alarmed. Vegeta, visibly upset, left to think more about what could have happened.

When the doctor left and Bulma went to find Vegeta, she found him with arms crossed, staring intensely into space. She felt bad for not knowing what her daughter had suffered from that hit. Had something hurt her? Or worse yet, had someone? It couldn’t have been Bulla herself, because the mark was on her back.

“Vegeta…”

“Did you fix the computer to check the cameras?” he asked directly, visibly frustrated.

“I’ll do it right away, but I want you to calm down. We don’t know what it could have been. It may have been something minor, and luckily, it didn’t hurt her much. After all, she’s a very strong little girl. I’m concerned about what caused it, but we have to keep a clear head,” she explained firmly.

Vegeta growled.

“I’m going to train on Lord Beerus’s planet, and I don’t want Bulla to go through something like this again. I need to know what happened so it’s off my mind when I’m there, understand?” he looked at her.

“I completely understand, honey. I’m worried too, but I don’t want you to do anything reckless. I know she’s your daughter, and she’s mine too, but I don’t want you to lose control just to find out what caused that injury. You need to keep calm while these strange things are happening lately,” she continued, visibly anxious, with a bead of sweat on her forehead. “We’ll soon find out what happened, I promise.”

“I hope so,” he muttered, clearly upset, though as worried as his wife. After a few seconds, he left for the gravity chamber. Bulma sighed.

Of course, she expected her husband to be as concerned for their daughter as she was, but she knew what he was capable of doing for Bulla. She didn’t want him to lose his head over the hardships they were going through during that time. They seemed to be haunted by someone who was likely malicious. She didn’t want to deal with that, much less have her husband and children do so. Nor did she want to alarm anyone; she just wanted to keep things in order. So, resolutely, she went to work on fixing the computer to check the cameras as soon as possible.

(...)

Chi-Chi looked at Goku, puzzled. Did he have something to tell her? What a surprising coincidence. She felt nervous because she knew it was finally time to talk, and she had many things to say to him, even though it was difficult due to all the insecurities she’d felt up until then. But she tried to stay firm and prepared for whatever might come, taking advantage of being alone with her husband once more to clarify what had been happening. They both agreed to go to the backyard to have the conversation.

“Goku, I also have several things to say to you, actually,” she admitted, blushing slightly, remembering that she had previously avoided telling him everything.

“I suppose so,” he said with a smile. Chi-Chi looked at him, confused. “You go first.”

Chi-Chi sighed, feeling the wind brush her face and move the small strands of hair on each side of her head.

“Alright, I’ll be direct,” she said, clearing her throat, unsure of what to say first. She looked Goku in the eyes, who was watching her expectantly, and felt even more nervous. She had to say the first thing that came to mind. “Now that you’ve returned from your last training, the longest you’ve had in a long time, and I think you don’t need to keep strengthening yourself so much, you should consider getting a job, at least to help a bit more with the expenses this year,” she said. Goku’s astonished look made her feel even more uncomfortable. Work? The idea seemed to make him instantly nervous, as if it were something impossible for him.

“What? B-But…” he tried to object, but Chi-Chi interrupted him.

“No buts, Goku. You need to bring money home for food and Goten’s studies, as well as whatever Pan might need as she grows up. Maybe you no longer consider being my husband important, but being a responsible father and grandfather is,” she said calmly, then immediately covered her mouth, realizing what she had just said. She hadn’t planned on that line slipping out at all; it had just escaped her.

Goku was stunned, listening carefully to what she had said. Had he really heard that right?

“What?” he asked, raising an eyebrow in confusion and noticing she had reacted to what she had just said.

“I… I…”

She scolded herself. She shouldn’t have expressed herself that way. How could she communicate with her husband, who barely managed to communicate with her? How could she tell him that she no longer felt the same connection and trust with him as before? That everything had become so monotonous, reduced to stress, confusion, and worry, seeing him leave just to train? Often without saying anything, muttering only so she wouldn’t worry, but even if she understood, she’d still worry—a lot. How long could she bear it? Until Goten grew up, graduated, and had kids like Gohan? Until her children also tired of seeing her the same way he did and simply distanced themselves to fulfill responsibilities, so different from hers, or because she was no longer relevant? What was she supposed to expect? She had in front of her the main cause of her distress. Why, once again, was she bothering him about work, knowing that all he cared about was fighting? She couldn’t prioritize her own wishes and duties over her emotions, just as he couldn’t either.

“I’m tired, Goku,” she admitted, weighed down.

“Tired?” the Saiyan looked even more confused.

“Yes, these days I’ve been feeling strange,” she said. “They’ve been very strange days.”

Goku looked at her attentively, feeling a bit familiar with what she was saying.

“I feel the same,” he admitted. Chi-Chi looked at him. “But… why?”

That question made Chi-Chi hesitate. She felt more wind. Should she tell him? Would he feel the wind? Finally, she realized she had to express what she was feeling without turning back, although she knew it might be hard for him to understand.

“I’m tired of always being left behind, of being the one who waits and worries while you go off to fight time and time again, knowing that, even if you return to us for a while, you’ll want to leave again as you always have,” she mentioned, with a resigned smile. “I’ve accepted that over the years; I even prepared for it when I married you. And it has been a life filled with happiness in part. But the fact that you never tell me where you’re going, even if I didn’t understand or wouldn’t let you go, I have the right to know. You leave me with uncertainty not only in my mind but also in my heart, because, by Kami! I’m your wife, Goku,” she looked at him with anguish in her eyes.

Goku was stunned hearing her. Did she feel that?

“Chi-Chi… what do you mean? What does that have to do with you saying that being your husband isn’t important to me?” he asked, trying to understand the subject. Chi-Chi’s expression showed her weariness.

“I’ve come to question it in a way that even seemed strange to myself, but it was simply that way. Sometimes I feel that our marriage isn’t a priority for you, which wouldn’t worry me much if you valued the time I spend waiting for you and taking care of our family. Despite everything, I care about you, even if you don’t want me to, even knowing how strong and powerful you can be. But it makes me wonder why nothing seems enough for you. Maybe you also feel that having a wife who waits and devotes herself for you for long periods isn’t enough either,” she replied sadly.

Goku's heart skipped a beat at hearing his wife's words. Was it not enough to have her by his side? He didn’t understand why Chi-Chi was saying all those things to him. She didn’t even seem angry; her expression was completely new to him, or at least he hadn’t seen it in a long time, and it made him feel uncomfortable. He heard words coming out of her mouth that he had never heard before, and he simply didn’t want to accept them. They hurt him deeply, but all he said was:

“Chi-Chi, I’m really sorry.”

“No, you’re not,” she said this time, frowning. Goku mirrored her expression, incredulous.

“How can you say that?”

“You don’t know how hard and miserable I feel, even with you by my side. Do you know what that’s like? Being Goku’s wife and feeling this way? Do you understand the fear that consumes me at the thought of being abandoned and ending up alone because your husband never looks at you the same way again? I know you were never the most affectionate and close husband in the world, but that’s exactly what I’ve longed for every time you come back from your training. The worst part is that I’m aware I pushed you to stop fighting and focus on our family, and now it weighs heavily on me because I feel like I haven’t achieved anything. I can’t keep bearing this, Goku. That’s why I’m telling you.”

“But, Chi-Chi…” Goku looked at her sadly. Why was it so hard for him to digest? All that confession was leaving him with a strong and bitter taste. Did his wife feel inadequate in front of him? Did she believe she hadn’t done or achieved anything? It didn’t seem accurate to him, although sometimes he found it hard to understand deep things; he knew how to behave when it came to important matters. At that moment, his wife seemed important, along with what she was saying, which is why he wanted to talk to her. That’s why he was reflecting so much. In fact, because of her, he could think clearly, even in a difficult situation. Why was she telling him all this?

“Please, stop. I don’t want to hear any more,” Goku said with difficulty, looking away.

Chi-Chi stopped frowning. She ceased to feel angry as sadness and embarrassment flooded her for having said all those things that probably made no sense to him. But she needed to vent and make him understand what his absence had caused her. They used to say that love forgives everything, but at that moment, Chi-Chi felt that her love was greater than Goku’s, and yet it wasn’t enough to bridge the gap that had formed between them. Moreover, she knew that for Goku, it wasn’t enough that she was there for him and would be for the rest of her life. She wondered if they could ever regain everything they once shared, but thinking about everything happening in their world—with the threats, enemies, battles, and so on—it seemed impossible. Though she tried to hold back the tears threatening to fall, imagining the rest of her old age in solitude, with the wind hitting her face more and drying her eyes that she closed instantly, she couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by disappointment and frustration. She sighed deeply, wishing things could be different, not knowing how to change the situation or what her beloved but foolish husband would say to her.

Because she would keep loving him despite everything.

Remembering that she loved him had lifted her spirits a bit, and when she looked up to see her husband, he was staring down, still unable to believe or fully comprehend what he had heard. He was trying to understand it. Chi-Chi regretted what she had said.

“Goku…”

“I didn’t know you could feel this way,” Goku replied.

Of course, he didn’t know because he hardly spent time at home with her. Since he returned from the afterlife, life at home with Chi-Chi and their children seemed normal again, but then everything went haywire once more. Though he went back to training for his personal stubbornness and other obvious reasons to save the world, Chi-Chi expressed her frustration and scolded him for not keeping his promise to work, but that seemed to be it. However, things were very different at that moment. He never expected his wife to hold such deep thoughts and emotions. Their marriage was a bond he saw as far from breaking, but now it felt unstable, and he didn’t see it coming because he usually came home to find Chi-Chi’s daily routine, whether she was angry or wearing her warm smile. Even though she said she could be guilty of little things, he couldn’t imagine that Chi-Chi felt guilty specifically about her own feelings.

She felt guilty just like he did.

“I’ve felt strange these days too. I often remember what I leave behind before I go fight,” he said with some discomfort. “I remember telling Goten once that I don’t like working; I can’t lie to you about that. I’d rather go train than work; that’s the truth. But if you tell me it’s important, it is, and I try to do it as soon as I can.”

Chi-Chi listened to Goku attentively, noticing that he was also trying to speak from the heart. She knew that the Saiyan she had for a husband wasn’t good at saying those kinds of things, but when he opened up to her, he did it in a way that she could perfectly understand, making her realize he was really clever when he wanted to be. However, what he said chilled her in her place, believing even more in her theory.

“I know you’re not like this because you want me to work; you want me to be here at home,” she said, returning his gaze. Chi-Chi swallowed hard, knowing that was true. “When I tell you that you don’t have to worry about me, it’s not because I want you not to; it’s because I don’t like it,” she clarified. “If you really think I’ve forgotten about you as my wife, the only one who cares about me to that extent, you’re wrong.”

Chi-Chi looked at him truly surprised. Her Goku had told her that he did think about her all the time. Goku wasn’t the kind of guy who understood things at first glance, but this time he surprised her and made her feel whole again, even feeling foolish for having such intense feelings. She hadn’t thought that Goku also had to deal with them, and now with the need to make him see the opposite of all her negative thoughts.

That was what she wanted all this time.

She saw how Goku moved closer to where she was, with a serious expression on his face. She hoped he would show her how to fix things, the way to make everything right as she had always wished. Forgetting all those negative thoughts, the mistakes and conflicts of the past, and the anger she felt towards him finally. Because all she wanted was to be with him and never disappear from his world.

“Unfortunately, I have the obligation to go fight to keep strengthening my skills and my strength. Although I know you’re aware of that, I can only apologize,” he said as he moved closer to her face, standing about a meter away.

Chi-Chi felt faint. Had she understood him correctly? He had apologized, even though she had already forgiven him all this time. What was that all about now?

Goku, with a bead of sweat trickling down his forehead, moved even closer to Chi-Chi, gently holding her face with extreme care. He swallowed hard but didn’t show his nerves.

“Goku, I…” Chi-Chi blushed but was interrupted.

“Whis will come tomorrow to take me and Vegeta to train with him on Lord Beerus's planet. Broly, the Saiyan we met a few months ago with overwhelming strength, will be there. I’m going to improve all my power,” he announced with all the details so Chi-Chi would know he was going to train.

She stood still and silent for several seconds. She didn’t know what to say. How could he have told her that just like that? But the most impressive thing was: why didn’t she feel like screaming at him and telling him that she wouldn’t allow it? Why had he made her say all that she regretted saying now? All Chi-Chi did was start to tremble, feeling more tears escaping from her eyes. Feeling cold. Goku didn’t separate from her, feeling pain again at seeing her like this.

“Is this a joke?” she whispered in a thin voice, letting her tears escape, completely humiliated, angry, furious.

Goku was a bit alarmed, but he didn’t want to pull away. He felt embarrassed about it. He didn’t want to admit it, but he had to. After all, they were speaking the truth, weren’t they? And he needed to inform her as soon as possible. He nervously chuckled quietly to try to ease the situation, but then he saw Chi-Chi pull away from him instantly.

“I’m really sorry, Chi-Chi, but I promise I’ll be back. I’m doing it for the ki that appeared recently, and I’m also going to perfect my Ultra technique…”

“I don’t care! Goku, I simply don’t care!” she shouted angrily, crying. “You can go train as many times as you want! But as for me, leave me alone!”

“Chi-Chi! You can’t think like that, please.” He tried to touch her to make her understand, but she quickly pushed him away.

“I hoped you would be able to do something for us instead of just for the good of the Earth or only for your children,”—she admitted—“I’m happy that you do what comes from your heart, that you give our family your love and presence whenever you can, that you pursue your own aspirations in the world and achieve triumphs in our name. Even if you’re working begrudgingly or bringing in a zeni through those achievements, but...” —she continued crying—“I don’t know what’s wrong with me! I can’t stand it!”

Chi-Chi ran to her room, leaving Goku alone outside. He wanted to go after her, but she told him not to come any closer or she wouldn’t speak to him again. Goku’s chest felt even tighter, filled with fear and sadness. What had happened? Was it a fight with his wife? Was it something normal or not? For Goku, it wasn’t just a simple argument like usual. Not even a common scolding from Chi-Chi like the others. Weren’t they supposed to talk things out? It wasn’t something they did often, and that’s how they ended up. He just wanted Chi-Chi to worry less, and for him to be able to train peacefully, knowing she understood him. However, he now realized once again that she did understand him, and moreover, that she wouldn’t worry anymore because her heart was broken.

That was something he couldn’t stand either.

Chapter 15: Threat

Zannen stood by a river where he had stopped with Gobe to take a bath. The water was incredibly fresh, and the burning sun on Earth that day was relentless.

He splashed some water on his face and sighed in exhaustion. He needed this small moment for himself. Slowly, he began taking off his clothes until he was nearly naked, which didn’t go unnoticed by Gobe, who was sitting in the car’s passenger seat. A faint blush crept onto Gobe’s face as he watched, unfamiliar with such a being.

It was like gazing at a creature from the mortal universe, yet his beauty transcended mortality. Zannen radiated an incredible energy and strength, coupled with a delicate grace reflected in the features of his face and the contrast of his well-defined warrior's physique. His skin was smooth yet marked with numerous scars. His white hair epitomized his uniqueness and power. His eyes, a mixture of mystery and determination, revealed much about his inner self—a being worth observing and understanding. Simply mesmerizing.

Zannen submerged himself in the water, then emerged to gaze at the sky. The next Dragon Ball was close, so there was no harm in pausing to rest for a moment. Despite feeling at peace, something was bothering him. He needed to know what had happened to the warriors and understand the details of what occurred after his departure. They couldn’t know he was there, but perhaps he could attempt to sow more confusion. It might be unnecessary, but he couldn’t help himself. It was the only way to get closer to his goal.

Fortunately, he wasn’t far from Son Goku’s house. He got dressed and set off with Gobe in the car, heading toward his next destination.

As they drove, Gobe kept sharing anecdotes about his planet to keep the conversation lively. Zannen found it annoying but let him talk, surprisingly paying attention.

“On our planet, all we do daily is work. We can’t take vacations or use our ships to travel anywhere except for work. It’s exhausting sometimes. But I can’t deny I like what I am,” the laborian said with a smile.

“Sure. And how do so many of you exist? You all look the same,” Zannen asked, keeping his eyes on the road.

“Well, we reproduce with other laborians or even with ourselves once a year,” Gobe explained. Zannen glanced at him, confused.

“With yourselves?”

“Yes, it’s a skill we have in case one of us isn’t on the planet or with another laborian. Our duty is to focus on work and earn our pay. But we reproduce to ensure there are more of us. We used to be over a million… well, we were,” Gobe finished sadly.

Zannen finally understood and nodded. He found it fascinating and strangely familiar, as it suddenly reminded him of a mission he once had with Jiren during his apprenticeship.

...

“I’m going to annihilate you, scum!" a gray-skinned being with red eyes and a foul temper shouted as it tried to catch someone.

A younger Zannen was running away from the demon chasing him after destroying its weapon. His strength was no match for the monster.

He cursed himself repeatedly for being so reckless. He wasn’t supposed to let his confidence take over—it always ended badly. Now, he had to escape or he’d never become a true soldier of justice or a worthy disciple of Jiren.

He ran as fast as he could until he reached a cluster of large rocks that seemed like an abandoned area. Scanning the surroundings for a weapon, he found nothing. Left with no choice, he turned to face the demon, who wore a wicked grin. There was no escape.

“I order you to stop! You’ve caused enough harm to this land, and I won’t allow it!” Zannen said, frowning and trying to appear brave and authoritative.

“Foolish child. Let me remind you, I’m a demon that possesses this body to reproduce and wreak havoc as I please. This is your end,” the demon growled, increasing its power as it prepared to kill the boy.

Zannen refused to give up. He attacked, hurling an energy ball at the demon, but it didn’t flinch. As it counterattacked, Zannen braced for the worst.

But something—or someone—stopped it.

Jiren intervened, effortlessly blocking the demon’s attack and destroying it with his own energy. It was astonishing.

Zannen stared wide-eyed, instantly feeling ashamed.

“M-Master…”

“What did I tell you about talking to demons? They only understand how to kill, Zannen,” Jiren said with a hint of irritation.

“I’m really sorry,” Zannen replied, looking down.

“You should’ve used your power and increased it earlier. Otherwise, they grow stronger and faster than you, leaving you no time,” Jiren explained.

“Well, in my defense, that demon could reproduce itself to gain more power. I can’t do that,” Zannen joked nervously. Jiren shot him a stern look and sighed.

“You’re learning to show respect and stop evil, but true threats must be eliminated.”

“I understand. I promise it won’t happen again,” Zannen said with a smile. “You sure eliminate threats quickly. You made it vanish in a single blow.”

“I merely used its own power against itself,” Jiren replied. “Let’s go. We need to find the others and leave.”

Zannen nodded, grateful to his mentor. Jiren was the only one who could be so understanding and wise. Zannen’s dream had always been to follow in his footsteps and become just as strong. Every mission and training session with Jiren fueled his desire for power. What Zannen didn’t realize was that Jiren already considered him powerful.

...

A faint smile crossed Zannen’s face as he recalled that moment with Jiren. But his expression quickly turned serious as they arrived at Mount Paoz. Nervousness stirred within him—he didn’t want to be heard driving the car. He turned to Gobe.

“Gobe, go find the last Dragon Ball and take the car. I have something important to do,” he instructed. Gobe, though confused, nodded.

Following his command, Gobe took the Dragon Radar and drove off. Meanwhile, Zannen stayed behind with the Dragon Balls, ready to approach the house he had visited before, wondering if Son Goku might be there.

Quietly, he moved closer, pulling up the hood of his new jacket—stolen from someone along the way—to conceal his identity.

Hearing voices, he hid behind a tree to eavesdrop on those leaving the house.

“Goodbye! Take care!” a man with wild hair called out.

Zannen’s eyes widened in recognition. Could it really be him? Could it really be Son Goku? Had he finally returned?

Before he could confirm, he decided to observe the family interaction—Gohan, his wife, and daughter saying goodbye. They seemed calm and at peace. Once they left and the others went inside, Zannen moved in closer.

(...)

"I don’t care! Goku, I just don’t care! You can go train as many times as you want! But as for me, just leave me alone!"

Zannen had overheard the entire conversation between the couple just minutes earlier. He watched them closely and analyzed the scene after detecting the energy of the man standing there with his device. Without a doubt, it was that warrior he held a certain grudge against. What he hadn’t imagined was that the man had returned and was now in such a situation with that simple woman. He noticed there was a problem between the two of them: one that didn’t seem to bother the man much, but it clearly hurt her, leading her to yell at him and leave in tears. What kind of spouses were they?

He had previously seen their son, Gohan, caring for his baby and the blue-eyed girl, as well as Krillin with his blonde wife and daughter, and even Vegeta with the two blue-haired ones. He had never seen them fight or drift apart. But these two? They were under incredible tension. It wasn’t something Zannen wanted to dwell on much, as he didn’t fully understand it. Still, he thought it was a perfect opportunity.

When he saw the warrior left alone outside, he found it intriguing. The man had a truly serious and distressed expression, and Zannen even noticed some frustration in him, as his ki had slightly intensified.

Goku, meanwhile, was caught in a crossroads of thoughts and feelings so intense they overwhelmed him. He felt confused, sad, and ashamed. All he wanted was for things to be okay between them, for Chi-Chi to feel at ease, but she wouldn’t even let him speak. He was afraid of making things worse, beginning to feel like he had ruined everything. He frowned, frustrated with a situation he could no longer bear. So, he placed two fingers on his forehead and teleported elsewhere to escape it all.

Zannen noticed the act and was slightly surprised by the man’s ability and impulsiveness.

Taking advantage of his absence, Zannen slipped away to find the woman, who had run to her room. He saw her again from outside her window. She was crying her heart out on her bed, clutching a pillow, perhaps to muffle her sobs. He remembered she had a young son at home.

Chi-Chi couldn’t stop crying. She felt so stupid, overwhelmed by all her emotions. She had never felt this bad in her life, not even when Goku wasn’t around. Now, with him present, it felt even stranger to her, as if things were spinning out of control and needed to be fixed. But she couldn’t fix anything with him; she never could. She felt more disappointed than ever.

Knowing the couple had fought, Zannen saw the opportunity to kidnap the wife and son at that moment. However, he decided to wait. There was still much to do, and he needed to figure out where the man might have gone. Using his dimensional device, which fortunately still tracked the warrior’s ki, he began his search.

(...)

Bulma took a sip of her coffee to keep working on repairing her computer. She had been at it all afternoon, well into the night, neglecting her other responsibilities at Capsule Corporation. Everyone understood her situation, and even Trunks helped her from time to time. Even Vegeta was on edge; he didn’t care that the robots in his training chamber were damaged and simply wanted Bulma to finish the computer repair so he could check the security cameras once and for all for any clues about what had happened to Bra.

During that tense moment, a very familiar group of people arrived unexpectedly at Capsule Corporation.

Krillin and 18, along with Marron, Piccolo, Master Roshi, Yamcha, Tien Shinhan, Chiaotzu, Puar, and Oolong showed up late at night.

Bulma’s parents greeted everyone with big smiles. Trunks, though surprised, greeted them too, albeit a little confused. Vegeta, on the other hand, frowned upon seeing them. What could have happened for them to show up now?

“Hello, everyone!”

“Trunks, Vegeta,” Krillin greeted nervously with a small smile.

“What are you doing here?” Vegeta asked bluntly.

“I called them,” Bulma said, appearing at the doorway. Everyone turned their attention to her.

Vegeta raised an eyebrow, clearly expecting an explanation from his wife.

“Krillin called me to ask if anything had happened after the incident with the mysterious ki. I had to tell him the truth about what happened to Bra. Although she’s fine, and we don’t know exactly what happened yet, I asked everyone to come so we can figure out what’s going on. I’m afraid someone might still be after us,” Bulma explained seriously.

“What do you mean, Bulma?” Piccolo asked.

“Krillin,” she called. Everyone turned to look at him as he frowned, recalling why he had called his friend earlier.

18 sighed, glancing at her daughter, who was asleep in her arms, still shaken from the events of the previous day.

“18 and I decided to take a trip south yesterday, but something strange happened on the way.”

...

Krillin was driving his car down the highway toward South City, planning a sightseeing trip with 18 and their daughter. He had recently received an advance on his paycheck and wanted to take the opportunity for a family outing.

While Marron played with her dolls in the backseat, safely buckled up, 18 and Krillin chatted about trivial matters and their plans once they arrived.

“Have you talked to 17? How’s his cruise going?” Krillin asked with interest.

“I spoke to him last night. He says it’s been wonderful and that he’ll visit us sometime soon,” 18 replied with a smile. Krillin nodded.

“I’m glad 17’s having a great time. Next time you talk to him, tell him I said hi,” he added. 18 smiled at him.

Suddenly, they heard a loud noise that immediately put Krillin and 18 on high alert. 18 grabbed Marron while Krillin stepped out of the car, ready to investigate the source of the sound.

Krillin found nothing but desert and road, but then he noticed a car speeding away from a group of people lying on the ground in the distance. He and 18 ran over to help.

“Are you all right?” Krillin asked, concerned as he saw a typical family injured on the ground. He helped them to their feet.

“Oh, thank Kami,” the woman said, horrified but relieved to see someone helping them. “It was a monster!”

“Yes, a monster stole our car,” the man added.

Krillin and 18 exchanged confused looks, then realized they were referring to the car speeding away earlier.

“Do you think we can catch up to it?” 18 asked, intent on helping the family.

“I don’t think you’ll be able to,” a boy said, helping his younger sister clean the dirt from her clothes, catching the couple’s attention.

“Huh? What do you mean, kid?” Krillin asked, confused.

“That man seemed incredibly strong,” the boy explained. “He wasn’t from this planet.”

Hearing that, 18 and Krillin exchanged astonished glances. While it was common for petty thieves to rob people, the way the boy described the figure who had taken his parents’ car raised many questions for the warrior couple. They suspected it might be someone from another world, possibly moving among them and threatening them as he had done with this family.

...

“Wait, how do you know it wasn’t just an ordinary thief?” Yamcha asked.

“We deduced that, just like the being who stole the phones also took a truck when he visited Goku’s house, he could have done the same with this car. Even if it’s not the same person, it’s still someone suspicious, and as the family confirmed, they didn’t seem to be from Earth,” 18 explained.

“That makes sense,” Bulma said thoughtfully.

“But why didn’t he kill those people?” Roshi wondered aloud.

“Maybe he doesn’t want to draw attention,” Tien suggested.

“But he’s definitely a threat,” Piccolo added.

“Yes, and who knows where he might be heading now,” Bulma said worriedly. Vegeta stepped forward.

“Hey, Krillin,” Vegeta called, making Krillin look at him.

“Yes?”

“Did those Earthlings tell you what the guy looked like?” Vegeta asked with a serious expression.

“They only remember fainting because of him. They don’t know what he looked like,” Krillin replied.

“And the boy?” Piccolo asked.

“He said he didn’t remember either.”

Everyone thought carefully about Krillin’s story and the ordeal he had gone through with 18 and Marron, trying to piece together the strange events happening recently, including what had happened to Bra just the day before. Could it be that an alien was threatening Earth, the same one who had been stalking them during those days?

“Hey, why isn’t Goku here?” Master Roshi asked curiously, noticing the Saiyan’s absence, which was unusual.

“I didn’t call him because I knew it had been a while since he spent time at home. If I told him an alien was lurking on Earth after the ki incident, he wouldn’t hesitate to come,” Bulma said with a grimace. “Besides, I know Chi-Chi wouldn’t like it.”

“It’s better to let that family enjoy some time with Goku before he goes off to train again,” Yamcha joked. Everyone looked at him seriously, making him stop smiling. “What?”

“That was unnecessary, but you’re right,” Krillin said, a little embarrassed.

“Well, that’s enough. The good thing is, the computer is almost fixed, so we’ll soon find out who or what caused that mark on Bra’s neck. If it turns out to be someone suspicious, we’ll deal with it,” Bulma declared. Suddenly, a sound from her pocket startled her—it was her communicator. Everyone looked at her expectantly. “Oh, it’s Whis.”

Vegeta’s eyes widened, and he focused entirely on her, as did the others, surprised by the sudden call.

“Hello?” Bulma answered nervously.

“Hello, Bulma. I hope you’re doing well. Sorry to bother you, but I need you to let Goku and Vegeta know that training won’t be possible for the next few days. However, I’ll notify them as soon as Lord Beerus finishes some matters he’s dealing with,” Whis’s voice announced.

Everyone overheard and was astonished. Vegeta frowned, confused, and felt a growing unease. Matters with Lord Beerus? What matters? A wave of anger surged through him as he realized he wouldn’t be able to train the next day—or who knew for how long. It would be torturous.

“Eh… S-Sure, I’ll let them know. Thanks,” she said nervously, noticing all the eyes on her, and the call ended. Now everyone knew that Goku and Vegeta’s training had been canceled indefinitely.

“Vegeta,” Piccolo called.

The Saiyan growled and walked away, ignoring the Namekian and everyone else’s looks, including Bulma’s, until he disappeared entirely. Bulma sighed, exhausted, and Trunks stared at his father with concern.

“Well, it’s late; we should get going,” Yamcha said, scratching his neck and smiling awkwardly. Puar and Oolong nodded, followed by Tien and Chiaotzu.

“Yeah, Marron has school tomorrow, and we don’t want her to wake up,” Krillin said nervously.

“I need to feed the turtle,” Roshi added.

Piccolo and 18 glared at everyone, then sighed.

“Well, let us know if anything happens,” the green warrior said.

Bulma, pretending not to notice her friends’ excuses to avoid the awkwardness of Vegeta and Goku’s canceled training, nodded resignedly.

“All right, guys, take care.”

“See you, Bulma! Bye, Trunks, Mr. and Mrs. Brief!” everyone said with a smile as they left.

Bulma and Trunks said goodbye, then returned inside with the Briefs, ready to rest. However, Bulma remained deeply worried—not only about the recent events and what had happened to her daughter but also about her husband, with whom she wanted to have a serious conversation.

(...)

Goku had teleported to a place not far from the mountains he knew well: the dirt field where he used to work as a farmer. He noticed how abandoned it looked since not many people dared to work such vast lands. It was something they expected only him to do, especially his wife.

He didn’t know why he chose to go there instead of somewhere else, given that he didn’t like having to do that kind of work instead of training. He never liked it, but he did it anyway. He had made it clear to Chichi during their argument—though he didn’t enjoy it, he did it when necessary because she asked him to, because it was important. But what had happened? Why had he stayed away for so long and left that responsibility behind? Even though he had promised to do it at least a couple of days, he hadn’t. That was when he realized his promise to work had fallen apart.

Unable to contain his anger any longer amidst the confusion he was feeling, Goku screamed with all his might to release that energy.

Zannen had been following him and suddenly noticed his device pulsating in a way he didn’t understand. That’s when he realized it was reacting to the man whose power had flared up fiercely, though it didn’t escalate further. Was this his power, just from being upset?

For Goku, that feeling seemed to consume him. He completely forgot about what awaited him the next day—his long-awaited and formidable training, something that usually excited him. For a moment, he even forgot about any possible new threat to Earth.

But now, he felt a new threat, one he absolutely didn’t want to face.

To escape the overwhelming sensation, he flew to a place filled with nature and a beautiful waterfall. Zannen followed him cautiously, also admiring the environment they had arrived at.

Goku removed his iconic gi and stepped into the lake, intending to catch some fish and clear his mind. Zannen watched him closely and noticed that the sun had finally set, giving way to the night. The Saiyan emerged from the water with a giant fish, and Zannen saw how he smiled as he held it in his hands. Narrowing his eyes, Zannen tried to figure out why Goku was now smiling, seemingly with nostalgia.

"Maybe if I bring this to Chichi, she won’t hate me as much," Goku said with a heavy tone.

He then got dressed, dried off, and teleported back home. Zannen observed the entire time, wearing an expression of confusion, though he could still piece together what was happening.

The two spouses had clearly had a fight. The woman was hurt and had cried her heart out, clearly blaming him. What the Saiyan was struggling with was all the confusion that brought him, along with a deeply unpleasant sensation: seeing his wife cry because of him and not fully understanding why—or worse, being unable to do anything about it. Perhaps the Saiyan was too dense to realize that things here were very different from what he believed. Even Zannen, who wasn’t from Earth or this universe, could see it clearly. And it was a way to understand what could truly pose a threat to them.

Pain.

Zannen recalled the words of his former mentor.

True threats must be eliminated.

But of course, he didn’t want to completely eliminate this threat.

Chapter 16: Sowing Discord

Vermoudh and Marcarita departed for Beerus' planet—the God of Destruction of Universe 7 and the winner of the Tournament of Power—the following day. They hadn’t seen him since then, and their destiny called them to fulfill a purpose that would soon be revealed.

Whis, along with Lord Beerus, pondered the situation while remaining in the company of the fierce Saiyan and his friends. They had been told that a private meeting with the higher beings of the Pride Troopers’ home universe was necessary, so they had to keep their presence at a distance.

Finally, in a flash of light, both the Angel and the God appeared. Upon seeing the others, they displayed friendly smiles, though always maintaining their seriousness and imposing presence.

“It’s a pleasure to have you visit us today,” Whis greeted, bowing his head as Marcarita did the same.

“Yes, how have you been, Vermoudh?” Beerus asked the distinguished-looking man while sitting down. “I truly hope this isn’t anything strange,” he admitted.

“Not at all, Beerus,” Vermoudh replied. “I just needed a change of scenery, you know,” he added with a smile, although he didn’t seem entirely happy. Marcarita glanced at him, intending to speak.

“Moreover, we had a question that we knew only you or Whis could answer,” the woman confessed.

Whis looked into her eyes, analyzing her words, and smiled.

“What is it?” Beerus asked, confused.

Marcarita looked at her God, who nodded and allowed her to speak.

“You might think we came for something specific related to the Tournament of Power, where our universes participated, and yours emerged victorious, making ours want a rematch or something like that,” she began, pausing to capture the group’s attention. “But in reality, we wanted to know if it’s true that those Saiyans who participated are still training under Whis’ guidance and with your permission, Lord Beerus.”

Whis and Beerus exchanged glances, showing not confusion but rather curiosity. What was the purpose of this question? Was that really why they had come?

“Didn’t you already know that?” Whis dared to ask.

Marcarita and Vermoudh exchanged knowing looks and smiles, causing some unease in the other God of Destruction.

“We would like to travel to where they are to witness one of their battles once more,” Marcarita responded. At this, Whis genuinely felt a bit puzzled.

“Really?” Beerus asked, incredulous.

“And why there and not here on my planet?” Whis inquired directly.

“Well, as I mentioned, I wanted a change of scenery,” Vermoudh answered with a shrug. “Is that such a bad idea?”

Beerus frowned. He hadn’t expected this from Vermoudh. Why in the world did they suddenly want to see a fight between Goku and Vegeta? They hadn’t even mentioned Jiren, their strongest warrior, who surpassed both Saiyans impressively.

“And why didn’t you bring Jiren? Perhaps the idea would make more sense if they were to fight him,” Beerus said, surprising the others, who had to recall Jiren’s temporary departure.

Marcarita subtly observed Vermoudh, searching for an eloquent response to convince Beerus to let them visit the Saiyans’ planet. She watched as Vermoudh carefully handled the situation.

“Jiren has temporarily stepped away from the Pride Troopers,” he admitted, surprising both Whis and Beerus. “Our warriors remain steadfast, growing stronger than ever. But what we need now isn’t to see them fight yours, but to see yours battle one another. Only then can I enjoy my search for new horizons, as I’ve mentioned three times already,” he added calmly.

Beerus remained unsettled by the news about Jiren, as did Whis, though neither showed it outwardly. Beerus averted his gaze, contemplating carefully what response to give Vermoudh, who seemed to be acting out of extreme curiosity—something Beerus himself had experienced often, though it now felt strange coming from Vermoudh. He tried to make sense of the situation and sought Whis’ help, calling him aside for a private discussion while Marcarita and Vermoudh waited patiently.

“I don’t trust this, Whis,” Beerus admitted. “How does Jiren just step away like that? What do you think?”

“It is surprising, but honestly, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. You know how warriors in that universe are, always in search of a colossal purpose. Perhaps that’s Jiren’s case. Now, as for our warriors, I don’t think it’s a bad idea for them to fight each other. It could help them resolve lingering questions, and we wouldn’t need to teach them much beyond that,” Whis replied with a confident smile.

“Perhaps you’re right. After all, we’ve already allowed them to come, and under no circumstances should they find out about the other Saiyan you’re training, or they’ll want to witness him as well. Therefore, we’d better head to Earth as soon as possible and send Broly back to his planet with those aliens in the meantime,” Beerus decided, earning a nod from the Angel. Then, they both returned to give an answer to their visitors.

The confusion lingered between Beerus and Whis, who hadn’t expected this conversation with Vermoudh and Marcarita, leaving them with doubts only time could answer. For now, they needed to focus on their own duties, faithfully following the rules of each universe and keeping things in order, especially without the watchful eyes of the Omni-King, Zeno.

Meanwhile, upon receiving a positive response, Vermoudh and Marcarita felt more than satisfied. Though perhaps, deep down, they hadn’t liked having to reveal Jiren’s departure, they eagerly awaited their visit to the world of Son Goku and the other warriors of Universe 7—not just for the excuse of seeing them fight but also to finally uncover the whereabouts of someone they feared might be there.

(...)

On Earth, Zannen wanted to keep spying on the spiky-haired warrior, but he knew he had to move forward with his mission and return to the planet Gobe. There, Frieza would use the Dragon Balls to fulfill their deal.

He had learned enough about the situation Goku and his wife, Chichi, were facing, but he still lacked information about the others. They needed to remain vigilant, though not overly anxious, trying to maintain peace and normalcy. Despite this, he felt curious about returning to Capsule Corporation but decided to save that visit for another time.

Using the communicator Gobe had given him, he managed to contact him about his location and the successful mission of finding the seventh and final Dragon Ball. He congratulated Gobe and instructed him to approach cautiously so they could leave in his ship without being seen. However, he considered the possibility of making one last visit as a good observer before departing.

He moved cautiously and swiftly toward Gohan’s house.

(...)

Vegeta was training intensely inside his gravity chamber, where he had been since the morning he woke up. He still had the bitter taste of the bad news he had received the night before from his trainer, Whis.

He was angry, frustrated, and, though he refused to admit it, also fearful, worried, and confused. Things were getting very strange, and training was supposed to be the only normal thing for him, as it had always been. However, that wasn’t the case, and he cursed whatever Lord Beerus had done to cancel it. He knew he needed to train, to grow stronger, and to surpass Kakarot, whom he blamed for everything that was happening. He cursed him as he fought, throwing fierce punches into the air, determined to become stronger against any threat that might cross his path. His thoughts wandered to his little Bra and the strange blow she had suffered, which didn’t seem normal. It unsettled him so much that he felt an almost primal desire to destroy everything, as if he were the reincarnation of his own darkness. But no. He also remembered the words of his wife, Bulma, that vulgar yet brilliant woman, who advised him to stay calm until they understood exactly what was going on.

It was a stress he no longer wanted to experience, but he knew he had to endure it, as he wouldn’t get any answers from Whis for an indefinite amount of time unless he contacted him, which would be futile and impractical. He would have to wait at least two days if Whis was busy with the affairs of the God of Destruction.

He cursed Broly, he cursed Kakarot, and he cursed the energy he had sensed a few days ago while flying through the air and fighting the robots Bulma’s father had repaired for him to blow off steam, only to destroy them all once again. Exhausted, he turned off the machine and decided it was time to get some food.

In the hallway, Vegeta came across what he considered the useless members of the Pilaf Gang. Upon seeing him, they froze and looked at him nervously.

“S-Sir Vegeta,” Mai stammered.

“What the hell are you doing here?” he growled. “Get out of my way!”

“Yes!” they replied in unison, running off toward Bulma’s office, fully aware of how angry her husband was and his apparent disdain for everything and everyone.

Vegeta narrowed his eyes as he saw them enter Bulma’s office and decided to follow them. When he got there, he found everyone busy repairing the computer.

Trunks and the others were handing tools to the blue-haired scientist, who was also working with various materials. It seemed the scientist and businesswoman was struggling with the computer.

“What the hell, Bulma?” Vegeta asked loudly, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Vegeta, are you done training?” she smiled. “Did something happen?”

“That’s what I’m asking you.”

“Well, the computer repair is taking longer because someone removed the memory to use it in their gaming console,” she said, glaring accusingly at her son, who chuckled nervously.

Vegeta scoffed and rolled his eyes.

“I’m going to eat. Don’t bother me,” he announced, turning to leave, but Bulma stopped him.

“Wait, Vegeta,” she called, her face shifting to a worried expression as she spoke softly. “I was waiting for you to finish training so I could tell you we need to talk.”

“Talk about what?” he asked, confused.

“About last night.”

“What happened last night?” he asked again, this time with evident irritation.

“You know what,” she replied, annoyed, crossing her arms. Then she sighed. “I told you something, and you didn’t even listen because you pretended to fall asleep. But I want us to talk to understand the situation, figure out what you’re going to do, and, though I know it might be impossible, how you feel. So think about that while I finish repairing the computer and finally figure out what happened to Bra, okay?”

Vegeta frowned, his expression more irritated than usual, but he finally huffed and reluctantly nodded before leaving.

Bulma watched him walk away and then turned back to her work. Though she was worried about what had happened, she knew she had to stay strong and find a solution as soon as possible. As she was close to getting the computer back up and running, she realized her son had damaged it, which frustrated her, but she knew she couldn’t vent all her anger on him. She needed patience.

It comforted her to know she would have a conversation with Vegeta and that, despite their worries, her children were okay. Bra was a strong baby who was in good hands. With that in mind, Bulma decided to focus on her work and her family’s well-being while keeping an eye on her friends.

She decided she would call Chi-Chi later to share the news with Goku.

(...)

Meanwhile, at the home of Goku's eldest son, Gohan, Videl was preparing Pan's bath while the little girl continued playing in her room. In the meantime, Gohan was in his office, surrounded by papers, but unable to focus.

He vividly remembered the conversation he'd had with his father, constantly wondering, "How did things go with Mom?" and "Has he already left to train?" He knew the answer to the latter was a resounding yes, yet he couldn't shake the feeling that things might not have ended well or been fully resolved. Not long ago, he had sensed a strange and powerful energy, just before his father returned. And now, he wanted to leave again? Of course, Gohan understood his father's drive to overcome any obstacle and prove the strength he had gained, but sometimes it felt like a vast yet tiny gap in a wall: on one side was his father and his training, and on the other, their home, their family. He didn't like being consumed by these thoughts, as it was something he ultimately accepted. Over the years, though, he had learned to see it that way. After all, he was his father's son and had faced many challenges of his own. Thankfully, he no longer felt that way. Thankfully, now he could feel gratitude and genuinely say he was at peace.

But does peace endure just as discord does?

That was something he occasionally felt within his family: discord. Not just there, but everywhere. The truth was, they were a group of people who always ended up fighting, and why? To maintain peace and family harmony. However, just as external threats arose, so did personal issues. Gohan was aware of this, and though his positive nature and the good life he shared with Videl usually kept such thoughts at bay, he couldn't help but reflect on them. It had been that way since he first stepped into this world, and inevitably, it affected his mother and, later, his brother too.

What about Pan and Videl?

He didn't want to lose them for anything in the world they lived in. And while they also accepted their reality without regrets—just as he did—because, after all, they were still together and happy, striving to stay on the right path, there had been hard times with his wife during their youth. He knew that the challenges ahead could strike harder and more unpredictably than those before.

This was something that had kept Gohan restless in recent days. He worried not only about his family but also about his friends. He thought about consulting Mr. Piccolo, who might help him sort out his doubts, and there he was, recounting everything that had happened the previous day.

"Do you really think that thief could be the same person who targeted Bulma and Krillin?" Gohan asked in surprise, adjusting his glasses.

"Along with the owner of that unusual ki from the other day," Piccolo confirmed. "It would seem strange if it weren't for how much everything lines up."

"Right, some things make sense. Poor Bra and her family," Gohan lamented, frowning thoughtfully. "What do Bulma and Vegeta say?"

"Well, Bulma is repairing her computer to see if she managed to spot anyone at Capsule Corp., and Vegeta's upset because he won't be training with your dad at Beerus' temple," Piccolo explained.

Gohan was completely taken aback. Vegeta not training?

"What? So neither my dad nor Vegeta will train today?" Gohan asked, genuinely shocked.

"That's right. Whis said he had important matters with Lord Beerus, and let's just say it was unexpected. I saw something in Vegeta's expression beyond anger and frustration at not being able to go, but before I could say anything, he left."

"Well, that sounds like Vegeta. Honestly, everything these days has been so strange that even I feel worried in some way. But tell me, does my dad know? Wasn’t he with you all last night?"

Piccolo looked at his former disciple and current companion with slight pity but maintained his serious demeanor.

"No, Bulma didn’t call him. I assume she'll do so today to let him know Vegeta won’t be going. I wonder why he hasn’t just appeared out of nowhere by now."

Gohan took in Piccolo’s words, reflecting on the situation between his parents. The thought made him nervous. He wondered if his father had had an argument with his mother, but now it seemed pointless since he wouldn’t be training indefinitely. It would have only caused problems, even if he’d been honest. The tension of the moment and his mother’s possible anger had to be managed while his father was on the mountain. Gohan sighed sadly, thinking of his brother Goten and hoping he hadn’t overheard the argument. He wished his mother wasn’t upset and that his father wasn’t doing anything reckless, like impulsively teleporting to King Kai's planet or Capsule Corp.—though he knew one was unlikely and the other unhelpful. His father would realize he wasn’t going to train. How would he take it, especially after seeing Vegeta so affected?

As Gohan continued his conversation with Piccolo, Zannen had reached his destination unnoticed.

He hid among the pillars of the large house, grateful that there weren’t many people inside—just a few cleaning, organizing, or moving around. But he didn’t see Goku’s son or his family. Circling the mansion, he finally spotted the green alien and the hybrid deep in conversation, though he could hear very little from his distance.

He climbed onto the roof but stopped on a balcony outside a room where laughter could be heard.

Parting the cream-colored curtain slightly, he saw the short-haired, blue-eyed woman holding the baby she always carried—none other than Gohan’s daughter and Goku’s granddaughter.

The child laughed in her mother’s arms, now bathed and dressed in a beautiful pink outfit. Videl sat in a rocking chair, carefully exposing her breast to nurse her daughter.

Zannen’s gaze fixed on the scene, intrigued. Questions arose as he listened to part of the song Videl began to sing to Pan.

How could a mother love her child like that?

How many challenges could they face?

What was a mother’s limit?

He forced himself to stop watching and returned to Gohan’s conversation. Lying flat on the roof to remain unseen, he listened more intently.

"If my dad isn’t going to train, that means he’ll stay here for a few more days. I really hope things are okay with Mom and Goten," Gohan said, his concern catching Zannen’s attention.

"With Goten, I have no doubt. But with your mother..." Piccolo hesitated, trying to convey that something might have happened to strain things between Goku and Chi-Chi—likely the obvious issue of training instead of working or supporting the family.

"I’ll see if I can visit tomorrow to check on them. Honestly, I’m swamped with work and need to finish today."

"Don’t worry. I’ll wait so we can go together. That way, you won’t have to face it alone—or with just Videl and Pan."

"Thanks so much," Gohan said with a smile, though his expression soon turned thoughtful. "I’ve been wondering if Dende knows anything about that ki."

"You think I didn’t ask him?" Piccolo replied, feigning incredulity.

Gohan chuckled but looked at him in surprise.

"So... did Dende sense it?"

"No, he didn’t see anything, but he did feel the ki," Piccolo answered. "Apparently, as you said, it just disappeared, and there was nothing unusual roaming Earth."

"Wow, I hope that’s the case."

"When I return to the temple, I’ll ask if he’s seen anything strange near Bulma’s house or the southern region," Piccolo stated, and Gohan nodded.

Zannen listened, formulating countless questions—but ones he knew had critical answers. Unfortunately, he had to leave for Laboria.

Who is Dende? Could he be this planet’s god? Did he really sense me but fail to see me? Well, I must have been quick that time.

More importantly, both Goku and Vegeta had planned to train with the angel but were now unable to, leaving them vulnerable. This pleased Zannen. Seeing them weak—both in mind and body—satisfied him. It forced them to wait, powerless. But Zannen no longer had to wait. He was close now. He could feel it. His plan was unfolding perfectly. He had already begun to disrupt the warriors since arriving on Earth, making them more alert, frustrated, and anxious—about each other, their families, and the myriad concerns occupying their minds. He wanted this more than anything, especially for Goku, whom he despised with all his being.

He saw it clearly now. He didn’t need to go to Bulma’s house since those two had already given him the answers about her and Vegeta, as well as their daughter. He hadn’t expected them to be on his trail, seeking to make him pay, but he knew they wouldn’t succeed. He was always one step ahead. Finally, he would lay his cards on the table, knowing there would be no turning back.

Though Gohan felt more at ease after his talk with Piccolo, he remained concerned about the future—especially regarding his parents. He knew his father must have a plan or would find one with someone’s help, as he always did. As for his mother, Gohan resolved to remind her that, despite the challenges and sadness caused by training or anything else troubling her, he and his family would support her. He would do everything to protect their peace and family while acknowledging his father’s duty to protect the Earth. Still, this sometimes made him feel guilty, knowing it could become his responsibility at any moment.

As Zannen headed toward Gobe, he thought again about Goku’s wife.

What will she say when she learns her husband isn’t going to train but still won’t be there for her?

Well, maybe you’ll thank me a little when I ensure you won’t be there for him either.

Chapter 17: A Visit And a Kiss

18 was sitting in her living room with her little daughter, Marron, enjoying some sweets while watching a movie together. The blonde woman loved seeing her daughter laugh at every funny scene, but deep down, she still felt somewhat overwhelmed by what had happened during their trip to South Capital.

She and her husband had encountered a family that had been attacked by a strange man, but the strangest part was that they couldn't remember him. The only one who could tell he wasn’t from this planet was a child. What were they supposed to believe beyond the fact that they needed to be more alert than ever? After all, many strange things had happened, including what had occurred with Bulma’s daughter. Maybe it was fear or confusion, but whatever it was, 18 didn’t want it to take hold of her. She needed to clear her mind from everything that had happened and cherish every moment with Marron and Krillin, even though he still had to work.

She recalled suggesting that he take a few more days off, but he insisted on fulfilling his responsibilities to support their home, which was true. Even so, she would have preferred for them to be together at that moment, especially after noticing Krillin’s distress about the situation. These events had unsettled him, as had the idea of training and fighting again. Was he willing to return to it? She knew he was, for her and their daughter’s sake, but did he truly want to? It was hard to say yes, because no matter how strong they both were, it was difficult to come to terms with having to face the worst again.

She stopped thinking about all of that when she heard the phone ring from the kitchen. Getting up from the couch, she told Marron she’d be right back and went to answer it.

—Hello?

—18, how are you? It’s Chi-Chi.—came the voice from the other end.

—Chi-Chi, it’s so good to hear from you.—She smiled slightly and continued.—Everything is fine. What about you? How have things been since Goku came back?

—Honestly, I’d rather tell you in person. I didn’t want to call and bother you with this. I thought I could handle it on my own… but I couldn’t.—She sounded hesitant.

—Chi-Chi, don’t worry. I’ll visit you as soon as I can.—18 reassured her.

—About what you told me last time… you were right.

...

18 said goodbye to Chi-Chi with a kiss on the cheek and quickly whispered something in her ear:

—Even if he came back, he’ll leave again. Talk to him.

...

—I didn’t want to accept it. I thought it wouldn’t happen, and I hadn’t even considered it yet. I just wanted to talk to him about us, but you know how things are. Just like I do. I should have known already.

18 sighed and closed her eyes, feeling a bit guilty for having said that to her friend back then. Even though her friend’s husband had made the effort to go to their son’s fair and be there for them in that moment, it was clear he was eager to return to training with Whis. She had suspected it from the start, and the day before, she had confirmed it after hearing the angel announce the cancellation. She felt a bit sorry for him and decided not to mention it or tell her friend. The truth was, she didn’t want to. If they were meeting, it was only so Chi-Chi could vent about whatever had happened with Goku. Sometimes, 18 was surprised by Chi-Chi’s ability to hide her emotions. However, when they got out of control, she had no choice but to call for help—something she almost never did. This had affected her more than 18 had expected.

—I’m sorry.—18 apologized, shaking her head.—But let’s talk about this, okay?

—Okay.

Then, the call ended, and 18 just wanted to get ready to visit Chi-Chi and let her talk about her concerns. Of course, she didn’t want her to feel bad, since the family was already going through a lot. She didn’t want any more worries—worries that, in her opinion, were just crap.

(...)

Chi-Chi placed the phone on the table and sighed, feeling truly embarrassed that she had to ask 18 for help regarding the crisis she was going through. In truth, she wouldn’t have done it if last night hadn’t been the last straw.

...

Goku arrived home carrying the huge fish he had caught in the river, maintaining his usual confident and calm demeanor, though inside, his nerves were on edge after what had happened with Chi-Chi just a few hours earlier.

He set the fish down on the kitchen table and headed toward their bedroom door, using the excuse that he had found something they could cook the next day.

That was clearly a mistake.

She was on the verge of sleep when his voice startled her, making her sit up warily, knowing full well that her eyes must be red and swollen from crying. She looked at him with anger, and he was slightly taken aback by the sight of her eyes like that. He felt powerless.

“What do you want, Goku?”

“Chi-Chi…” the Saiyan tried to speak, but words failed him. He feared that anything he said would only make things worse.

“I told you to leave me alone,” she replied firmly, turning her back to him and lying down again.

“I just…” He hesitated, nervous, trying to find the right words, but in the end, he blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “I caught a big fish! Just like I used to before, remember? So you could cook it and make it as delicious as always.” He tried to smile to ease his anxiety and return to his usual self, but he knew it wouldn’t be enough.

Chi-Chi remained motionless, refusing to look at him, for several seconds before responding:

“So, that’s all you came to tell me?” She turned to face him with indifference. Goku’s smile faded, and he stared at her, confused. “Well, that was a waste of time. Thanks to Videl, we have plenty of food, so there’s no need to cook it. Besides, it’s embarrassing that the only thing you think of me for is cooking.” She spoke with bitterness.

Bitterness that Goku immediately noticed. He furrowed his brow as his heart twisted painfully in his chest. He felt both hurt and ashamed—deeply saddened. The only thing he could do was slowly back away until he left the room, because even though he wanted to say a million things, he couldn’t string together a single sentence that would be enough for his wife.

Chi-Chi, on the other hand, looked away, unsure of what to do. She simply closed her eyes and was immediately tormented by what she had just said to her husband. How could she say something so cruel? Goku could act like a child sometimes, but that didn’t justify how she had treated him. She knew she often had to scold him to make him behave, but this wasn’t just a simple reprimand—it was something cruel, something that had come from her broken and wounded heart.

Even though she felt hurt and wanted to apologize, she didn’t. She convinced herself that he had brought this upon himself by not considering her feelings in the first place. Still, the guilt weighed on her, making her feel even worse than before, until the pain overwhelmed her completely, and she cried herself to sleep.

...

Since the previous night, she hadn’t seen Goku again. That morning, he wasn’t outside the house or around during breakfast. As she prepared the first meal of the day, she noticed the fish he had brought home. She smiled nostalgically, guilt creeping in as she realized how big it was. *My Goku,* she thought tenderly, but a wave of sadness immediately washed over her.

Her son, who had the day off from school, woke up and came to greet her. Despite feeling awful, she decided to remain calm and have breakfast with him as if nothing had happened.

She acted as normal as possible, speaking to Goten naturally, hoping he hadn’t heard the argument the night before while he was asleep.

“Goten, sweetheart, I thought you were going to see Trunks today,” she said as she served him a plate of rice. “That’s what you asked me about last night before you fell asleep.”

“Yeah, Mom, but I don’t want to leave you alone right now,” he replied, his expression worried, which took Chi-Chi by surprise.

“Oh, honey, I’ll be fine. You should enjoy your day off,” she said, moving closer and giving him a reassuring smile.

“Where’s Dad?”

Hearing her son ask about the person responsible for her turmoil, Chi-Chi sighed, taking a moment before answering.

“Well, maybe he’s out hunting or training somewhere,” she said, not really knowing the truth. But Goten immediately brightened up.

“Training? Can I go train with him?” he asked excitedly.

Chi-Chi regretted making that assumption, but she had no choice but to agree, telling him he could go after finishing his breakfast. After all, he had been studying hard and had earned his spot at the fair, just like his whole class.

She considered accompanying Goten to find out where her husband was, but she didn’t want to see him—not after everything that had happened. She had no idea what to say or how to act around him anymore. Things had gotten complicated, and the worst part was that they needed to find a solution.

But what solution was there in their case?

She and Goku had never had an argument like this before, and she feared things would remain this way for a long time, making it more likely that they would eventually drift apart completely. That was something she absolutely did not want.

She had to do something. But what?

She had to apologize.

She decided to wait and think things through carefully before saying or doing anything that could determine the fate of their marriage. In the meantime, she busied herself with her household chores.

(...)

Goten felt his father's ki and followed it to the outskirts of their home, surprised to see him simply lying down, doing nothing but staring at the clear sky that day.

His expression turned confused and concerned. Why wasn’t his dad training like he usually did? Was he just resting or something like that? Goten expected his father to be training, but not at home—he should have been on the God of Destruction’s planet. That seemed like the most obvious thing after everything that had happened, especially with that mysterious, powerful, and strange ki they had sensed, keeping them on alert to protect their home.

He knew his father would keep Earth safe from any threat, just as he had in the past. Goten remembered with pride how his father had fought against villains to maintain peace, like he had witnessed during the Martial Arts Tournament when Goku returned. Inspired by him, Goten also wanted to follow in his footsteps, protecting the planet and his mom, fulfilling the promise he had made to her.

He wondered if his father was still there for her too, enjoying the meals she always prepared for everyone, just like the happy family they were. But Goku hadn’t been at breakfast that morning. Then, Goten felt a bit guilty remembering last night’s argument and wanted to make sure everything was okay.

He didn’t want to see his parents sad.

Goku, on the other hand, was relaxed, focusing on the blue sky illuminated by daylight, trying to find a solution to the thoughts tormenting him. Sleeping outside had been uncomfortable, and he had tossed and turned all night, feeling really stupid for bringing Chi-Chi that fish, which hadn’t made her happy at all. He felt an unpleasant sensation rising in his heart, confusing him to the point of frustration—he just wanted to ignore it. But he couldn’t. If he went off to train or do anything else, he wouldn’t be able to forget that he had serious problems with his wife. But what was he supposed to do to fix them? What was the real answer?

Soon, he would have to leave with Whis, and he prayed that he could forget about it, even just a little. But deep down, he knew he would feel just as bad—or even worse—than the day before. He thought about going back home and facing Chi-Chi, even if she said something he didn’t want to hear, even if he felt like he deserved it. At least he’d be there a little longer before leaving.

But something was stopping him.

It was the pain and confusion in his chest, something he couldn’t talk about with anyone because he didn’t have the right words to explain it.

He just had to talk to her.

He would try, even if it was their last fight before he had to leave for training. He sighed.

—"Hey, Dad."

Goku heard his son’s voice and saw him lying down next to him, just like he was.

Goku looked at him in surprise but then smiled.

—"Hey, Goten, how are you?"

—"Good. And you? Are you okay?"—Goten asked, a little worried. Goku noticed and smiled even more.

—"Of course, son. Don’t worry about me,"—he assured him.—"Why do you ask?"

—"It’s just that I didn’t see you at breakfast with us, and well… you’re not training,"—he said, pretending not to know why his father wasn’t home.

—"Well, I just wanted a moment to relax before going off to train,"—Goku replied nervously, now thinking about breakfast. He was starving, but he had avoided being there because of Chi-Chi.

—"You’re going to train with Mr. Whis, right?"—Goten asked with a smile.

—"That’s right,"—Goku smiled.

—"Then why are you still here and not waiting for him at Capsule Corp?"—Goten asked this time.

Goku’s expression turned more serious as he thought about the answer. The truth was obvious—he still needed to gather the courage to go home, apologize to Chi-Chi, eat, say goodbye, and leave for training.

Simple, right?

And pretend no argument or clash of thoughts had ever happened.

—"I had a fight with your mom,"—he admitted, a little embarrassed.

—"Really?"—Goten asked, acting surprised. Then, he gave Goku a disapproving look.

—"Wait, you knew?"—Goku looked at him, surprised.

—"Yeah… Mom’s yelling woke me up,"—Goten replied with a small laugh before turning serious again.

Goku laughed just as nervously, even though he didn’t feel like laughing at all. He felt even more awkward and ashamed.

—"Sorry, son,"—he apologized, placing a hand on Goten’s shoulder. Goten smiled at him.

—"It’s okay, Dad. Just don’t tell Mom I heard. I don’t want her to worry about that too."

Hearing his youngest son talk about how worried he was that Chi-Chi would find out he had heard the argument made Goku feel incredibly guilty. This was something Goten shouldn’t have to deal with—it was his responsibility alone.

—"Don’t worry, Goten. And you don’t need to worry about anything. I’ll talk to your mom, and we’ll work it out. Everything will be fine, okay?"—Goku reassured him with his usual smile.

Goten nodded, happy that his father was making him feel better—and that he seemed better himself.

—"How about we train together?"—he suggested, now feeling more cheerful. His heart filled with joy when he saw his father’s excited expression, and Goku nodded energetically.

Then, both of them stood up and got into fighting stances, ready for a lighthearted spar between father and son—something they had missed.

Goku didn’t mind at all, and neither did Goten. Quite the opposite—they enjoyed spending time together in the way they loved most.

(...)

Once Chi-Chi finished washing the dishes and cleaning the dining table, she turned to see the giant fish still in her kitchen and sighed. She was determined to clean and prepare it for lunch later. After all, it was food, and her husband had gone through the effort of bringing it home. Everything he had told her last night was just an excuse to stay away from her.

Why was she so foolish?

She shook off the thought and placed the fish in the sink. Grabbing a knife, she was ready to scale and clean it when she heard a knock at the door.

Quickly washing and drying her hands, she went to open it for the person she hadn't expected to arrive so soon—18.

The blonde and her daughter were greeted with a warm smile from Chi-Chi, exchanging pleasantries before stepping inside and closing the door behind them. Once in the living room, Chi-Chi offered 18 some tea and Marron some cookies, which they gladly accepted. Marron settled on the floor, playing with the tea set her father had given her, while Chi-Chi and 18 prepared to have their conversation.

"Goku and I had a fight. It was inevitable," the black-haired woman admitted with a heavy sigh. "It was all because of that damn training. I mean, if it weren’t for the fact that he prefers it over staying home or doing other responsibilities, I wouldn’t mind so much. Though I’ll always worry about him—after all, you know how dangerous it is to face every reckless opponent that crosses his path and the consequences that come with it. Not to mention, it’s just not fair that he never wants to get a real job!"

Taking a sip from her cup, she continued sharing details of her argument with Goku while 18 listened attentively.

"Well, you’re the one who knows best about Goku’s responsibilities as a father and the man of this house—you’ve told me yourself," 18 pointed out before continuing. "But it’s clear that his duty as the planet’s savior, training to get stronger, or whatever it is, is the only thing he truly understands. He doesn’t see beyond that. Only you have. So you were right to tell him that it shouldn’t be the only thing he focuses on, especially when circumstances can change at any moment. For him, it will always be the same: go and fight."

"Do you think that got to him?" Chi-Chi asked. "I mean, I know he loves martial arts and everything related to it, but lately, I’ve realized I’m just tired of that passion being bigger than the love he has for his family—or for me. It’s frustrating how I told him… I was too harsh. And now I feel like a spoiled child throwing a tantrum."

"I can’t speak for Goku, but I do know he does everything he does for you all, even if it’s hard to understand—especially when Krillin points it out," 18 replied. "But it’s also true that sometimes he acts for himself, and that shouldn’t affect you so much if you consider that, in the end, he is from a different race. I know it’s tough, but you have to learn to manage that frustration and not let it define your relationship with him. You had your reasons, and they’re more than valid because there has to be more than just accepting each other’s flaws and strengths—it’s about making sure he understands what you feel."

"I know, 18. I think you’re right," Chi-Chi said, somewhat embarrassed. "Now, what matters is continuing to talk until we can understand each other and apologize. Another task that seems just as difficult for both of us."

"It might be hard, but you have to trust what your heart and mind agree on to find a solution. That’s something I’ve learned over time," 18 said with a small smile.

"Oh, 18, thank you so much. You’re an amazing person." Chi-Chi stood up and hugged the blonde tightly, making both 18 and Marron laugh. "Maybe not that amazing if I’m hiding something from you that could either make you happy or terrify you," 18 thought with a hint of sadness.

Suddenly, they heard approaching footsteps and laughter. Looking toward the door, Chi-Chi saw Goku and Goten arriving. 18 glanced at them indifferently as the two greeted her, while Marron ran to greet the younger Son, who happily returned the gesture.

Chi-Chi felt nervous seeing her husband, dressed in his usual gi. "Maybe he had been training after all", She didn’t want to speak to him, so she turned to Goten instead.

"Goten, sweetheart, so you went training with your father?" she asked curiously.

"Yeah, Mom, it was fun!" he replied happily.

"It was a good training session," the older Saiyan added.

Chi-Chi closed her eyes, feeling defeated. She looked up at Goku, forcing a smile.

"Oh? And how did it go?" she asked her son again.

"Super great!"

Chi-Chi smiled at him and gently caressed his cheek.

"I'm really glad".

"Well, it was nice to visit, Chi-Chi, " 18 said as she bid farewell to her and Goku.

"Oh, yes, thank you for coming, 18. Take care," Chi-Chi smiled.

"Bye, 18. Say hi to Krillin for me," Goku said with a smile, but he noticed that 18 only nodded seriously, which seemed a bit odd to him.

"Bye, Aunt Chi-Chi! Bye, Uncle Goku! Bye, Goten!" Marron said her goodbyes before her mother took off, heading home.

After Krillin’s wife left, Goku watched as Chi-Chi closed the door and turned toward their son, but he stepped closer to her.

"Hey, Chi-Chi, why was 18 here?" he asked, curious.

Chi-Chi glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, trying to stay calm.

"We had a conversation," she answered simply.

"Oh, well, about that…" Goku got nervous. "Can we talk?" he asked suddenly, scratching the back of his neck.

Chi-Chi kept looking at her son, sighing again at the thought of facing her husband after a while to answer his question. She looked at Goku and then at Goten, who was watching them expectantly. She didn’t want him to realize that things were tense between them.

"Of course," she answered with a forced smile. "Goten, why don’t you go over to Trunks’ house? But be very careful."

"Yes, Mom," Goten nodded, saying goodbye to his parents with some uncertainty but with a smile, trusting that they would be able to resolve the fight they had.

Once their son flew off toward Bulma’s house, Goku looked back at his wife, who had crossed her arms and was avoiding his gaze. Goku sighed and stepped a little closer.

"Chi-Chi, I’m really sorry about our fight. I didn’t want things to end up like this," Goku said, his voice tinged with sadness.

She glanced at him, frowning. She appreciated the apology, but she needed more than that. She needed to feel that he truly valued their relationship.

"Didn’t you have plans to train with Mr. Whis today?" she asked, ignoring his apology out of pride.

"Yeah, but I didn’t want to leave things like this," Goku replied, genuinely confused by the situation.

Chi-Chi softened her expression a little, remembering how harsh she had been with him the night before. What did it matter now? He would go off to train, and everything would be forgotten. Besides, she realized he hadn’t had breakfast yet and needed to eat before leaving, but he was looking for her forgiveness.

"What do you mean by ‘like this’?" she asked rhetorically.

"I just… feel strange," Goku replied, visibly troubled.

"Because I haven’t forgiven you," she stated, irritated. Goku looked at her, surprised. "I think you should eat something before you leave," she added, ignoring his distress and heading to the kitchen to take the food out of the oven and place it on the table.

Goku shook his head to clear his thoughts and licked his lips, recognizing his hunger and eager to taste the food, but he still felt bad about the situation. He wasn’t sure if he was handling things well, but at least he had apologized. Wasn’t that enough?

He sat down and began eating normally, but at the same time, he kept looking at Chi-Chi, intending to continue the conversation.

"Chi-Chi, is there something you want to tell me?"

Chi-Chi looked at him thoughtfully, feeling a painful déjà vu. She didn’t want to keep fighting with him. It was time to end this and apologize. He had already done so, though probably just so he could leave to train without any worries. She felt stupid and defeated by his words, realizing he always put his own desires above hers. She supposed she would always end up giving in—but not this time. She had meant it when she said she was tired, and Goku couldn’t just keep doing whatever he wanted without considering her.

"I…" The sound of the phone interrupted her, startling both her and Goku, who turned their gazes toward the device.

Chi-Chi cleared her throat before answering and picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Chi-Chi, how are you?" It was Bulma.

"Hi, Bulma, everything’s fine here," she lied. "What’s up?"

Goku stopped eating for a moment to listen to his wife’s conversation.

"By any chance, is Goku there with you?" Bulma asked curiously.

"Yes, he’s here. Why do you ask?"

"I don’t know if I should tell you this, but he had planned to train with Whis today. Didn’t he tell you yesterday?"

Chi-Chi frowned at the question, feeling a mix of anger and sadness. How dare Bulma imply that she wasn’t supposed to know? Everything related to Goku’s training was important to her, no matter who told her about it.

"Yes, he told me," she responded coldly, looking at Goku with disdain. He felt nervous under her gaze.

"Well, Whis called with some news. Can you put him on the phone?"

"He’s having breakfast right now, I don’t think…"

Chi-Chi was interrupted by Goku, who quickly approached her.

"What happened?"

Chi-Chi looked at him, surprised, but then scoffed, handing him the phone with a feeling of fury. She didn’t want to seem overdramatic at that moment, so she walked away from the kitchen, leaving her husband alone to talk to Bulma about his training—probably because they were already waiting for him to leave.

The worst part was that she couldn’t stop him, no matter how much she wanted to. What would happen next? Goku wouldn’t be willing to do what she had asked from the depths of her heart, and perhaps he didn’t even remember the responsibilities he had at home when he wasn’t fighting.

It was impossible because she knew he would always choose to leave.

"Hey, Bulma," Goku greeted, noticing that Chi-Chi had completely left. He felt bad again.

"Goku, about your training with Whis…"

"Is he already there?" he asked eagerly.

"Actually, yes, but…" Bulma was cut off.

"Great! Thanks, Bulma. I’ll be right there," he said, ending the call joyfully, relieved to know Whis was waiting to take him to Beerus’ planet. For a moment, he longed to escape these feelings.

He was about to teleport immediately, but he stopped, remembering Chi-Chi walking away. That tightness in his chest returned. He frowned. He was sick of this!

What was he supposed to do now?

Chi-Chi, on the other hand, couldn’t stop a few tears from escaping her eyes, but she scolded herself and remained strong. She remembered the conversation she had with 18 about the importance of accepting her own feelings and prioritizing herself over Goku—not depending solely on what he could offer but rather finding reasons to care for herself and her family. She didn’t want to continue being a whirlwind of uncontrolled emotions, consumed by anger, pain, and confusion about Goku. But something still lingered inside her.

It was more than just pride; it was a feeling she had never experienced for him before.

She felt like crying again.

What would happen now?

"Chi-Chi."

She heard Goku call her name.

She startled upon seeing that he was still there, that he hadn’t teleported away to train yet. Her heart pounded.

Was there a possibility?

"Goku…"

Goku looked at her, nervous and distressed, knowing that what he was about to do wouldn’t please her—just like everything he had done since returning from his last training.

But deep down, that wasn’t true.

He quickly approached her and kissed her lips, a gesture they hadn’t shared in a long time. But this time, it was different. It was filled with anger and desire. With hate and love. With affection and pain. Chi-Chi remained still, understanding her husband's intentions. Finally, the tears spilled from her eyes, unable to contain the ache in her heart.

"I’m sorry, Chi-Chi," he whispered as he pulled away. Pressing two fingers to his forehead, he teleported away, but not before giving her one last look.

(...)

Bulma noticed how her friend ended the call and huffed, rolling her eyes in annoyance. How could he think of that? She turned to look at the people who had visited them, seated at a circular table. There they were, of course, Whis and Mr. Beerus, as well as the God of Destruction and the Angel of Universe 11, who were an unexpected visit. It seemed they wanted to see all the warriors present at that moment, but it had nothing to do with the training that had been postponed. It must have been for that reason.

Vegeta was a few meters away, arms crossed, feeling genuinely upset because he thought these matters had nothing to do with a visit to Earth. The postponement of the training was still in place, which disappointed him. What did those strangers want in his house, and why were they looking for the warriors of Universe 7? He thought about all the strange things that had happened, and again about the ki he felt, which seemed very familiar with those people from that universe. It struck him as extremely odd, so he decided to stay silent, preparing for any new developments.

Coincidentally, Bulma had just finished repairing the computer, but the arrival of those beings interrupted her, and she had to immediately send the chefs to prepare a banquet for Mr. Bills and his guests. The situation seemed strange and curious, and she couldn’t seem to set one foot in another place.

“Well, Goku will be here shortly,” she said with a nervous smile. “Please wait while you enjoy this delicious meal.”

“Alright. Thank you, Bulma,” Whis responded with a smile. “You must know that Earth’s food is extremely exquisite,” he mentioned to Marcarita and Vermoudh, who nodded and tried a bit of what had been served to them.

Upon taking the first bite, both widened their lips into a huge smile full of satisfaction.

“Impressive,” said Marcarita.

“Really exquisite,” added Vermoudh while enjoying his dish.

“Don’t get too attached to the food here, Vermoudh, because it’s exclusive to me,” Bills joked while eating some chicken wings.

“I don’t doubt it,” Vermoudh followed the joke.

Bulma took the opportunity to approach her husband, almost crouching to avoid drawing attention, and whispered to him.

“This is strange, Vegeta. Why are these people from that other universe suddenly here?”

“I don’t know, just like I don’t know why they’re the reason the training got canceled. It’s ridiculous,” he admitted, frowning.

“I just hope it’s really nothing bad,” Bulma said with a sigh, looking up at the sky and noticing that Goten was flying toward the house, perhaps intending to see Trunks. “Where the hell is Goku that he hasn’t arrived with his teleportation?”

And just as she was thinking that, her best friend appeared out of nowhere, as usual, scaring Bulma and making Vegeta glance at him sideways, annoyed.

“Hello!” Goku greeted with a smile, finally drawing everyone’s attention.

Chapter 18: A Wish

"Goku!" Bulma exclaimed, angry when she saw him. "Why did you cut off my call? Didn't you see I had something important to tell you?"

"Sorry, Bulma, but I'm here now. What happened? Where is Mr. Whis?"

Vegeta grumbled and rolled his eyes, annoyed by the presence of his teammate, who was very likely to mess things up. He glanced at the gods and angels still at the table, enjoying their food, but upon noticing the Saiyan’s greeting, they gave him their full attention.

Vermoudh and Marcarita gave him a serious look, while Whis smiled, and Beerus kept eating.

"Hello, Goku," the angel greeted him. "I assume you came thinking we were going to train."

"Yes! I'm ready to—" he stopped himself, realizing the situation. "Wait, what are they doing here?"

"Pardon?" Vermoudh asked seriously.

"Goku, show more respect to the God of Universe 11. He, along with Marcarita, came for a special fighting session."

"What?" Goku was confused.

Bulma and Vegeta looked at Whis and moved closer to listen attentively to the conversation, which would finally give them the information they needed about why this unexpected visit had occurred.

"Let me explain," Whis wiped his lips with a napkin before speaking. "Lord Vermoudh wanted to come because he felt like experiencing... what was it you said, sir?"

"Experiencing different airs," Vermoudh replied, a bit annoyed.

"Exactly. Here on Earth, where you two will have a fight to show everything I've taught you so far, and for the entertainment of our guests," Whis explained.

Goku raised an eyebrow, truly puzzled by this. Vegeta and Bulma were also very confused. Why would a fight between Goku and Vegeta be needed to show how much they had learned from the angel? Hadn't they seen enough in the Tournament of Power? What made these guests so special?

The messy-haired Saiyan nodded and looked around, searching for something—or rather, someone—to help him better understand the situation: a warrior from Universe 11. But there was no one.

"And where is Jiren? If I can know," he asked, laughing excitedly, placing a hand behind his head.

Vermoudh diverted his gaze to his plate, unwilling to answer, while Beerus and both angels noticed.

"As Whis said, this visit is just for Lord Vermoudh to take a break from his usual duties. He didn't want to bring any warriors, as he didn't consider it necessary, and the rematch between the two universes won't happen for an indefinite time," Marcarita explained.

Beerus rolled his eyes, thinking it was stupid, but he knew it was right that no one should know about Jiren’s withdrawal for now, as it could affect the Saiyans' determination in some way. Whis saw it that way too.

"Oh, alright, but..." Goku kept looking for someone. "And what about Bro...?"

"Kakarot!" Vegeta interrupted him, annoyed, and Goku glanced at him sideways.

"What is it, Vegeta?"

"Let's fight now that there's no training, I'm tired," he said in a loud tone, walking towards him.

Beerus stopped eating for a moment and looked at Vegeta, who had eyed him, preventing the fool Goku from mentioning Broly in front of Vermoudh and his angel.

...

"Both Lord Vermoudh and Marcarita cannot know we trained another Saiyan," Whis told Bulma and Vegeta as the others were far away, making them both feel confused but nod in agreement to follow the order.

...

Beerus tilted his head slightly to show he approved and continued eating. Vegeta sighed, irritated. He and Bulma couldn’t even ask questions because Whis had told them to wait and just do whatever was asked at that moment. Now what both warriors had to do was have a normal fight so the God of the other universe would be entertained or something. But without including Goku, who would believe such nonsense?

"Wait, no training?" Goku asked horrified.

"For now, I'm afraid not," Whis replied calmly.

Goku was not only surprised but completely disappointed. How could this be possible? Was this unexpected visit behind all of this? A wave of anger overtook him, not only because his much-anticipated training had been altered but also because he had left his wife thinking he was going without knowing when he'd return. Now, he was forced to stay on Earth, leaving her with uncertainty as if he were going to fulfill a wish or something similar to leave and do what he had been waiting for. The idea of returning to face the fight and relive those uncomfortable feelings with her made him uneasy. Though he felt suffocated and fearful at that moment, he refused to show it. He just needed to end the situation.

"Are you going to fight or not?" Beerus asked, while Vermoudh and Marcarita remained expectant.

"Eh, yes," Goku answered firmly, but uncertainly.

Then Vegeta and he took their positions, facing each other, clearly sharing a mix of confusion, though the difference was that Vegeta felt anger and Goku more fear. They didn’t expect to have a fair fight at that moment; all they wanted was to go to Lord Beerus' planet to keep strengthening their techniques and not endure any more of the strange things happening in their homes.

Even if their family had no fault in it.

They put aside their thoughts and moved closer to begin the fight, exchanging blows without rest, rising to the highest point to minimize the impact on Earth. Luckily, they were far enough from Capsule Corp, and Mr. Whis had prepared a protective layer for it and its surroundings.

Bulma watched them from below, still overwhelmed, trying to understand why those beings decided to visit their world at that precise moment and in such a silly and unusual manner. She watched closely as Marcarita and Vermoudh were genuinely interested in the fight. While they were focused on that, Bulma hurried to head home, asking more servants to bring food and attend to everyone.

She had to contact the other warriors as soon as possible.

(...)

Zannen finally arrived at Gobe's planet, bringing the Dragon Balls after two days of exhaustive searching. The white-haired man had managed to sow tension and discord among the Earth warriors, becoming a true concern for them. He found this amusing, as he was now about to carry out his true and bold plan: the kidnapping.

How would he do it? He knew he could get help from Freeza and Gobe, but somehow he preferred to act on his own. He needed to come up with a plan before making any mistakes.

Freeza was with Kikono on his ship when they noticed Zannen and his little companion arriving. The Emperor of Evil smiled triumphantly upon seeing they were carrying the Dragon Balls with them.

"Thank you very much, I must say you make a formidable team," he said with a smile. "Maybe the Laborians aren't so useless after all," he added, looking at Gobe, who handed him two of the Dragon Balls with a slight tremble and looked at him seriously.

Zannen handed over the remaining Dragon Balls and also smiled, casting a meaningful glance at the alien.

"Oh, of course," Freeza caught the implied message and pointed toward the ship, from where his guards released the Laborians who were prisoners. They immediately ran toward the others who had been subdued by the army, feeling free and happy among the few who remained. Gobe joined them, and Zannen watched with satisfaction.

Meanwhile, Freeza finally gathered all seven Dragon Balls, and they floated, radiating a glow that only they could emit, catching everyone's attention, especially Zannen's, who was somewhat surprised by the uniqueness of these objects.

"Alright, it's time to make my wish," declared Freeza, laughing maliciously. Zannen simply smiled piercingly, not taking his eyes off the Dragon Balls, eager to discover the unimaginable power they possessed.

(...)

Goten arrived at Capsule Corpo and met with Trunks, who greeted him before heading off to play, though neither of them really felt like it that time.

"Hey, Trunks, how's it going?" Goten asked his best friend, who gave him a somewhat embarrassed smile in return.

"Hey, Goten. I'm not sure if I'm in the mood to play today," Trunks said, his expression serious.

"Why? What happened?" Goten asked, concerned.

"Well, Bulla got hurt on the back of her neck, and because of me, my mom took longer to fix the computer to find out what happened, if someone entered her room to hit her, or that's what they said," Trunks explained, looking away.

"What? Bulla was hit?" Goten was alarmed. "But, Trunks, why would it be your fault?"

"I took the memory without permission to test it with my console, and apparently, there was a lot of junk that had to be deleted and stuff," Trunks responded, frustrated. Goten stepped closer and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Hey, it wasn’t your fault. These things happen," he tried to cheer him up. "Honestly, I came here to check how everything’s going, and if you’re all okay, you know, after that strange thing the other time."

"Yeah, everyone thinks what happened to Bulla and Marron with their parents was because of that," Trunks mentioned, a little annoyed.

"What happened to Marron?" Goten asked, confused.

Trunks realized his friend wasn’t aware of what had happened. In fact, no one in his family had known the previous night, which was strange because his father was always the first one present at every problem. So he explained everything to his friend, leaving him even more confused and shocked. So, his father wouldn’t have training?

"Wow, honestly, when I got here, I felt my dad’s ki, but I thought it was because they were about to leave," he commented, thinking.

"My dad's been really mad since then, and also about Bulla. So, it’s better if instead of playing, Goten, we prepare for the worst."

"What? The worst?" Goten asked, a bit worried.

"Yeah, maybe you noticed that Lord Beerus is here with Whis, but not just them, also the God and Angel from Universe 11."

At what Trunks said, Goten was surprised, and they both continued talking about how strange everything had seemed that week, and how at any moment that ki could reappear, and they would know who the outlaw was that dared to target their families, including their dear friend Marron's. They had to be prepared and strong to fight it.

"I know, Trunks. Let’s ask Mr. Piccolo to train us," Goten suggested.

"Yeah, Goten, but it has to be a secret," Trunks warned, and Goten nodded.

Both ran off to find the Namekian, but were stopped by Bulma, who was holding her phone and stepped in their way.

"Where are you going, Trunks?" Bulma asked her son curiously, and upon seeing her friend’s son next to him, she smiled at Goten. "Hi, Goten," she said, and he returned the greeting.

"Mom, we were going to grab something to eat, right, Goten?" Trunks nervously looked at his friend to play along.

"Uh... Yes!" Goten replied, smiling nervously.

"Okay, but don’t leave here, I’m calling the others, and I need us all to be together," Bulma said, putting her phone back to her ear.

"All together?" they both asked in unison.

"Yes, all the participants of the Tournament of Power need to be here," she replied, hearing a voice answer on the other end of the call. "Hello, 18, are you home with Krillin?"

Goten and Trunks exchanged confused looks, but had no choice but to shrug and listen to Bulma, since after all, Piccolo was going to come to them. Though they weren’t entirely sure why everyone needed to be there this time.

(...)

Meanwhile, at Gohan and Videl's house, Piccolo continued chatting with Goku's eldest son about various topics until they reached one they hadn't discussed in a long time.

"What do you think about picking up training again?" Piccolo asked, watching him closely.

Gohan remained still in his seat, carefully reflecting on the question before offering a clear response he hadn't thought about before.

"Hmm... I'm not sure. Do you think I should start training again?"

"It doesn't matter what I think, and you know that." Piccolo replied, crossing his arms. "I just wanted to make sure."

Gohan raised an eyebrow and looked at him.

"Make sure of what?"

"That you're considering it, especially in these times." Piccolo answered sincerely, surprising Gohan a little.

He thought about the reasons why he would train again, like staying in shape and not losing the skills that had helped him face threats. He remembered the embarrassing and worrying moments that arose when he wasn't in shape, and he didn't want to repeat that. However, he also didn't want to fight again—not for Videl, not for his daughter, and especially not for his mother.

But his body might demand it, after all, he was also Goku's son, a pure Saiyan, and he was proud of his heritage and how many skills he could possess.

"Yeah, I always consider it," he said, smiling. "Don't worry."

Piccolo returned a small smile, though he felt a bit silly for asking Gohan that. He knew training wasn't a priority for him, and, in fact, it wasn't for himself either. He preferred the peace of inactivity. Who wouldn't like that? He saw the happiness of his companions in their normalcy and peace, especially his eternal disciple's, and he wanted to preserve that, no matter what might go wrong. He wanted to say more, but was interrupted by Videl.

"Sorry, am I interrupting?" she asked with an embarrassed smile as she walked up to her husband.

"No, Videl, it's fine." Gohan replied, wrapping an arm around her. "What's up?"

"Bulma called. She said we need to head to Capsule Corp as soon as possible," she mentioned, causing an expression of alertness and confusion in Gohan and Piccolo.

"What could have happened now?" Piccolo wondered, frowning.

"Let's go right away," Gohan decided, and Videl nodded, going to gather Pan and her things before flying off with her husband and friend.

(...)

Freeza laughed loudly, confusing those present with his reaction.

"It’s true. The Dragon Balls can only be used on Earth. Isn’t it ridiculous?" he wondered with a malicious smile. Zannen looked at him, raising an eyebrow.

"I don’t get it. So, you can’t make your wish here?" asked Zannen, to which Freeza nodded. "Then why did you ask me to bring them if they aren’t going to work?"

"Calm down, Zannen. That’s exactly what I’m going to talk to you about right now," he said, laughing again in a macabre way. Zannen listened attentively. "If I show up on Earth, those bastards, including their God, will know I’m there, and that’s not what I want. The reason I made you search for the Dragon Balls was to gain your trust," he admitted and continued. "Now that I have it, I have the answer to how we’ll carry out your plan to kidnap Goku’s family."

Zannen was a little surprised by the alien's confession, but he kept listening, quite interested in what he was saying, trying to understand where he was going with this.

"We’ll go to Earth, and I’ll make my wish, being the bait that attracts the attention of Goku and the others, while you do your job of getting what you want," he said. "No one will be watching you, although that’s not really a problem for you since you’re so skilled, but it will be for them once they realize their instincts led them into a very bad situation," he finished with his malicious smile.

Zannen fully understood Freeza’s proposal this time, finding it logical and crucial. Finally, he saw things more clearly; his goal was about to be achieved, and he already had a defined plan. He knew how to act and what to do. He didn’t need more time to reflect, because once they reached Earth, it would all be over. Son Goku would lose his family for an indefinite time, and while that didn’t matter to him so much, what he truly desired was for Goku to lose his strength, along with the others being incapable of facing the danger and consequences of not addressing it in time. He smiled with the same malice as Freeza, accepting the deal without hesitation.

Freeza, on the other hand, found a special pleasure in being part of this mission filled with revenge. He always enjoyed betraying and massacring anyone who challenged his authority, but the idea of collaborating with Zannen, a being so different from another completely special universe, undoubtedly filled him with excitement. He was experiencing a different kind of adrenaline, eager to witness Son Goku's reaction when his family, especially his wife, would be the first to suffer Zannen’s resentment upon arriving on the planet. He imagined with pleasure the expression on Son Goku’s face when he realized he had witnessed everything and wouldn’t be able to do anything to change things, because it would be too late, and he would be in a situation he never imagined himself in.

No wish could compare to that feeling.

(...)

Goku and Vegeta had finally finished their fight, exhausted and injured on the ground from the amount of energy they had spent. Although it was a relief and a way to train their bodies, they were still disappointed for not having a true training session.

Suddenly, Vermoudh and Marcarita felt an energy penetrating inside them, a sensation that only they experienced at that moment, which was strange. They looked at each other and nodded, knowing it was time to leave.

“What? Are you leaving already?” asked Beerus, surprised.

“We've seen enough, Mr. Beerus,” said Marcarita with a smile.

“Are you sure? I didn’t think you just wanted to watch them fight and that’s it. At least, did you enjoy it?” asked Whis, clearly confused.

“Of course we enjoyed it. It's always good to see the best fight,” said Vermoudh, smiling. “Of course, only the best of this planet, because the best in all universes are the Troops,” he added proudly.

“Oh yeah?” Beerus was about to respond, but Marcarita interrupted him.

“We’re glad we came, truly,” she said. “We hope to meet again for a rematch.”

“Whatever,” Beerus huffed. “Goodbye.”

“Goodbye, Beerus, Whis,” Vermoudh and Marcarita said as they left the place in a flash, with Marcarita using her staff.

When they noticed they had left completely, both Whis and Beerus sighed.

“But what kind of nonsense do you think that was, Whis?” Beerus asked as he returned to the table to grab something to eat.

“I don’t know, sir. It really did seem strange that they left so quickly,” Whis replied thoughtfully.

“Hey, Whis!” Goku shouted, walking with a bit of difficulty. “What happened? Did they leave?”

“YES! I need an answer right now!” demanded Vegeta, his clothes torn and angry.

“Well, if what you want is training, we can start tomorrow,” Whis told them, forgetting about Vermoudh and Marcarita.

“Really?” Goku asked excitedly.

“Yes, now that we're here, I prefer to enjoy a bit more of the food and the fresh air of this place,” Whis smiled.

Vegeta grunted and couldn’t help but ask:

“And what about that God and the angel?”

"Luckily, they left after Mr. Vermoudh only looked for what he had said, so there will be no more delays in training. But the truth is, Mr. Beerus thought it might take a while, and that's why I warned you, but it turned out that it didn't." explained Whis.

"Wow, I really thought they were here with Jiren or Toppo or some of their warriors. What bad luck." said Goku, lamenting.

"Idiot." Vegeta insulted. "It was very suspicious, I’ll tell you myself."

"Do you think so?" Beerus asked, curious, agreeing a bit with the Saiyan.

"Of course." Vegeta affirmed. Suddenly, they heard Bulma scream from the other side, where she was with all her friends.

Goku smiled seeing them all, including his kids and his granddaughter with Videl, approaching as best as he could since he was injured and with dirty, ragged clothes.

"Hi!" he greeted them with a smile.

"Dad!" Gohan approached him, laughing a little upon seeing him. "Wow, if mom saw you right now, she'd kill you." he joked, but regretted mentioning his mom.

Goku stopped smiling as his wife's face came to his mind. His dear, exhausting wife. He felt more than just physical pain at that moment.

"Dad..." Gohan wanted to say something, but Krillin interrupted him.

"Hey, Goku, why did you just fight with Vegeta?" he asked curiously.

Goku shook off his thoughts and looked at his best friend with a smile, hiding his distress.

"It’s a long story." he answered, scratching the back of his head.

"Can we know what happened and why you called us?" Piccolo asked this time.

Beerus and Whis approached the group, who were slightly surprised when they saw them and bowed to greet them. Then, they all turned their attention to Bulma, who was holding a laptop in her hands and was the first to speak.

"What happened with Goku and Vegeta can wait." she said, a bit nervously. "I wanted everyone to know that I've fixed the computer and we'll finally be able to find out who was responsible for what happened to Bulla. But I didn’t call you all just for that, I also called because..." she sighed, a drop of sweat on her forehead. "The dragon radar has disappeared."

Everyone showed a surprised expression, knowing that this couldn’t mean anything good. Did they hear right? Had someone stolen the radar? What the hell was going on?

"Wait, what? Are you sure you looked properly?" Goku asked, alarmed.

"Very sure, I even looked with the GPS I put on it the last time Freeza appeared." she said, grimacing.

"And what did the GPS show?" Krillin asked this time.

"Nothing, it says its location doesn’t exist." she answered, trying to stay calm and glancing at her husband, who was with his arms crossed, looking quite upset and, in a way she knew well, worried. "I realized while finishing the repair on the computer. I asked everyone who knows the radar, and no one has it. Apparently, someone took it and took it far away from here." she explained.

Yamcha and Ten Shin Han exchanged fearful looks, truly confused by the multitude of loose ends that were causing concern at that moment. Not only them, but everyone present, was desperate to uncover the truth.

"I’ll put up the security camera footage." she said, opening her computer and looking for the files. Vegeta leaned closer to see better, while the others waited expectantly for what she might find.

Whis and Beerus exchanged puzzled looks, wondering who was causing trouble for the warriors now. Apparently, it wasn’t just them who had to deal with strange visitors.

On the other hand, Goku stepped back a little while regulating his breath. He realized something seemed wrong.

His wife wasn’t there with them.

He turned to see Gohan and Goten, who were talking to Trunks, and approached his older son to speak to him in a low tone.

"Gohan, I want you to go look for your mom." he asked, swallowing with difficulty. Gohan looked at him, surprised, feeling a little nervous about what his suspicions from earlier had told him.

"Did you leave her alone?" he asked softly, a bit upset.

"I didn’t know yet that I wouldn’t go train." he added, embarrassed.

"And what about you? Why didn’t you go look for her? Couldn’t you fix things with her?" he whispered, less calm.

"Gohan, I have to stay here in case the one who stole the radar was Freeza again or some other enemy..." he coughed and looked into his eyes, sadly. "Please, if it weren’t for that, I’d go look for her myself."

Gohan sighed, realizing the state his father was in. He felt a bit sorry for him and decided to obey him so his mom would be with them as soon as possible. The conversation between his father and brother didn’t go unnoticed by Goten, who looked at them a bit worried.

"Okay, I’ll go, but if anything happens, take care of Videl and Pan." Gohan asked him.

"I promise." Goku nodded.

"I’ll go with you, brother." said Goten. Gohan and Goku looked at him.

"Are you sure, Goten?" Gohan asked. His brother nodded determinedly.

"Alright, take care of your mother, okay?" Goku told them both, feeling that pressure in his chest once more. Why did he keep feeling that sensation, stronger each time?

"Be careful." said Videl, giving her husband a kiss with Pan asleep in her arms, and Gohan kissed Pan on the cheek as a farewell.

While the others were talking amongst themselves, and Bulma’s computer screen was loading, she received a call. She took her cell phone out of her pocket and saw the contact that appeared: Chichi.

She was about to swipe the green circle to answer, but the newly loaded images on her computer prevented her from doing so, making her leave the phone ringing in her hand.

What she saw in that video left her completely still. Filled with fear, she watched how her little daughter was comfortably playing in her bed when suddenly a strange being entered and stood behind her, making her turn around, and before she knew it, knocked her out without any consideration.

Her light blue eyes crystallized with horror, and she felt a resonant tremble that she recognized well once she snapped out of shock and looked at her husband, who, just like her, had seen the images and reacted even more intensely, transforming into Super Saiyan.

"V-Vegeta..."

"YOU FUCKING INSECT!" he shouted with all his might, forcing everyone to back off.

"Well, what a situation." Whis commented, his expression serious. Beerus had his arms crossed, realizing the problem they had on Earth.

Goku, realizing it, became alarmed, just like everyone else, as they watched the replay of the video on the computer that showed the figure of a being clearly from another world. Surely, he had come to steal the dragon radar, and not only that, but he had also harmed Vegeta’s baby, traumatized a family on the road, stolen cell phones, vehicles, and stalked each of their homes. The only things they felt inside after such a scene were rage, confusion, and disgust.

"Coward!" Krillin exclaimed, angry.

"Who the hell is that!?" Yamcha asked, scared and frowning.

"Surely it’s the same one who has been causing us problems all these days." said 18 in response, quite upset. Trunks and Marron, who were behind her, exchanged worried glances.

"It can’t be." Goku murmured under his breath, outraged.

Suddenly, he felt it. A large and powerful ki that he could never forget. One he recognized no matter where he was. He furrowed his brow, eager to finish it.

"It’s Freeza!"

"He surely sent that person to steal the radar for him! He’ll ask for a wish!" Piccolo shouted.

Vegeta quickly approached Goku and grabbed him by the neck desperately.

"Vegeta!"

"Shut up and take me to where that scum is now!"

(...)

"Get out of there, Shenron, and grant my wish!" shouted Freeza, raising the spheres together in the air, shining as he invoked the Dragon God.

The vast and majestic figure of Shenron appeared when called, radiating its characteristic glow and settling in the dark, gray sky.

"Tell me what your wish is." he asked with his resonant and imposing voice, looking towards Freeza and all his army behind, watching the scene.

(...)

"Alright. Piccolo, 18, Krillin, come with me." He looked at the others. "Master, Yamcha, Ten, hold on."

Everyone obeyed, and when they were holding onto Goku's clothes, he immediately teleported to where Freeza was.

They only hoped that the wish had nothing to do with hurting anyone.

Chapter 19: Like Death

In her life, she had never felt so broken… or maybe she had. The kisses she once shared with her husband had never felt so distant as they did at that moment. But she still remembered the sensation. The emptiness that had formed in her heart was not the same as the one that had appeared many times before over the years. It was no longer about feeling exasperated every time he left. It was no longer about accepting it, moving on with her daily routine, giving love and care to her children, and feeling fulfilled with what she had. She remembered all too well the countless times she had felt that pain and that feeling of abandonment—just as well as she remembered how it had always healed.

Why did everything always turn out fine in the end? Would it this time? What was that pain that, more than pain, felt like the urge to give up?

Chi-Chi felt empty from crying so much since her husband's departure, knowing that the problem between them had no solution. Because not everything could be fixed with an apology. Where had those sweet little gestures of love gone? And she wasn’t talking about romance, just simple actions or words that she knew held great value for her.

She decided to focus on her duties, as always. She put more clothes in the washing machine and set it to start. Then she went back inside to sweep and mop until she was tired enough to stop and sigh. It felt strange to get exhausted so quickly from such a simple task, but she realized it was because it was getting hot. She opened all the windows and left the door slightly ajar as she went to wash up, then returned to the kitchen to prepare lunch.

Even though she wasn’t cooking for her husband anymore, she glanced at the sink. The fish was still there, waiting for someone to prepare it. She frowned, feeling that growing resentment once again. How dare Goku do something like that?

It wasn’t the first time, but this time it had truly affected her. How much worse was this going to get? She needed to get rid of all those feelings and finally find peace. She picked up the phone and called her eldest son.

No answer.

She called again, but no one picked up. Then, hoping to reach her other son and maybe get some news about Gohan, she called Bulma, but she didn’t answer either. She sighed.

Next, she tried Videl—even 18 and Krillin. No response from anyone. She felt tense, shaking her head in frustration and confusion. What had happened for them not to return her calls?

But it was especially strange that Bulma didn’t answer—someone who always had her phone on hand. She wondered why. Surely Vegeta and Goku had gone with Whis to that god’s planet, and Bulma must have stayed alone with the kids. Something didn’t feel right, and her chest tightened with nerves.

Finally, she called her father, who thankfully answered.

—"Hello?"

—"Hi, Dad, how are you?"—Chi-Chi asked with a smile, trying to shake off her nervousness.

—"Hello, dear! Honestly, I can’t complain. The beach is my new favorite place,"—he said with a chuckle.

—"I’m glad you’re enjoying your vacation, Dad."

—"Oh, it’s wonderful. I wish everyone could have come with me, but unfortunately, the offer was only for one person. But tell me, how are you, my dear grandchildren, and great-granddaughter?"

—"Oh, well, I can’t complain either. Everything’s been peaceful. As for the kids, they’re doing great. My Goten is the best in his class. And Gohan, there’s no doubt—he’s a hardworking man and a responsible father. Pan grows more every day,"—she spoke with happiness, warmth, and nostalgia.

—"That makes me so happy to hear, sweetheart. And how’s Goku?"

Chi-Chi’s smile faded at the mention of her husband’s name. Her father respected and appreciated him, so she didn’t want to tell him about their problems—especially since something far more serious had happened.

—"He’s fine, same as always,"—she replied, a hint of bitterness in her voice.

—"Something happened? You didn’t sound very convincing, dear,"—King Ox noted on the other end of the line.

Chi-Chi sighed, feeling guilty for hiding the truth from her father.

—"It’s nothing, Dad. It’s just so hot today,"—she forced a laugh.—"Things with Goku are going great."—She lied.

—"That’s wonderful, sweetheart. Send my regards to everyone. As soon as I’m back, I’ll visit with lots of gifts,"—he said happily.

—"Yes, Dad. Thanks."

—"Goodbye, dear. Take care."

Chi-Chi ended the call, her expression turning somber.

If her father had been in the city, she would have asked him to keep her company so she wouldn’t think about Goku, spending time with her and Goten instead. But he wouldn’t return from his trip until next week. Times had been so hard for him when he lost almost all his fortune that he had taken this chance to escape from the stress for a while.

Once again, that strange, painful feeling coursed through her body. She wanted to call Bulma again, but a sudden noise startled her, making her turn in alarm toward the source.

The door had slammed shut, making her jump at first. However, she quickly realized it was probably just the wind—she had left it open to let some air in. Feeling a little relieved, she sighed.

The washing machine had finished drying the clothes, so she took them out and carried them to her room to put them away. However, she couldn’t help but glance at herself in the mirror. A sad smile formed on her lips.

She used to think of herself as beautiful, but now she looked so worn out. Even so, she made an effort to take care of herself and not let her self-esteem fade. To her, the most important thing was being a devoted mother and wife. Yet, at that moment, she wished she could show a little of her beauty—though she knew her charm would never truly disappear.

Goku never cared much about physical appearance, especially not when it came to women. Why would he ever care about seeing her look beautiful from time to time?

Suddenly, her mind accused her with a memory.

...

Goku had completely fallen asleep, snoring loudly, which made Chi-Chi shake her head in resignation. However, she approached him and fixed her gaze on her husband.

From his peculiar black hair to the sharp yet firm features of his face, shaped by his musculature—let alone the rest of his well-built body. Despite his strength and size, he was so sweet and innocent. His spirit was everything good, and she smiled at the thought.

Even after coming back in terrible shape from the tournament, nearly suffering a heart attack, she had scolded him nonstop, hoping he'd learn to be more mindful. Yet instead of continuing to yell at him, she took his dirty clothes, washed them, prepared a hot bath, and cooked a delicious feast, as only she knew how. After that, he had been exhausted, but now she saw him slowly starting to open his eyes. Chi-Chi tensed when she saw him move and got up from her seat on the bed, but Goku took her hand and effortlessly made her sit back down, leaving her surprised and blushing with embarrassment as she looked at him again.

"Oh, Goku, I’m sorry I woke you up," she laughed nervously, apologizing.

"It’s okay, but what were you doing? Were you watching me?" he asked with a charming smile.

Chi-Chi grew flustered and frowned, still smiling as she searched for the right words.

"Well, yeah, just look at how peacefully you sleep after everything that happened," she said, trying to sound indignant, but it only made Goku laugh.

"Sorry, Chi-Chi. I was really tired."

At that, Chi-Chi felt a little silly for not admitting that he was the most precious man she had ever known. She could only smile tenderly, her eyes shining in a special way as she had him in front of her, with no one else around.

"It’s okay, sweetheart. Keep sleeping," she said, a bit nervously, leaning in to place a soft kiss on his forehead before standing up again. Goku smiled as he watched her, sighing.

He tried to go back to sleep, but he opened one eye with the intention of continuing to watch his wife, who was heading toward the mirror to take off her yellow outfit, leaving herself in a simple white nightgown. Goku observed her every move with total attention, especially when she loosened her ribbon, letting her long, jet-black hair cascade down, shining beautifully. He sighed again, taking in her scent, which made him feel strange yet so good. Why did his wife make him feel this way? After all their years together, he still didn’t understand it. Even after the explanations she had given him at times, he couldn't quite grasp it. Maybe it was something normal when a man saw a woman and fell for her beauty, like what happened to some of his friends or Master Roshi with other women.

He cared about Chi-Chi as more than just his companion and wife; she was the one he always ended up thinking about, sooner or later. Whenever he recalled the moments they had been closer than usual—whether in kisses or making love—those feelings would envelop him again. Even though they sometimes bothered or confused him, maybe they were normal. Maybe this was normal between spouses.

At that moment, as he looked at Chi-Chi, he realized just how truly beautiful she was. That’s when it hit him—he had never actually told her.

"Hey, Chi-Chi," he called out.

She turned to look at him.

"Yeah?"

"Have I ever told you that you’re beautiful?" he asked innocently.

"What?" Chi-Chi nearly stumbled backward, staring at Goku in shock, her face turning red at his words.

"I don’t think I’ve ever said it before," he admitted, scratching his neck and chuckling.

"And what made you say that now?" she asked with a nervous smile.

"I don’t know, honestly," he shrugged. "But if you like hearing it, you’re beautiful."

Chi-Chi felt both flattered and embarrassed, like a lovestruck teenager, at her husband's comment, though it certainly confused her. She knew she was beautiful, but for her Goku to say it? How long had it taken for this moment to happen? She felt satisfied, even with her lingering doubts, but she realized that perhaps her husband, as immature or oblivious as he was about some things, could understand the meaning and impact of certain words, especially in a relationship.

Chi-Chi smiled as she approached Goku, who smiled back and welcomed her into bed.

"You’re beautiful too, Goku," she told him, making him blush. Chi-Chi laughed before turning over. "Good night, dear."

"Good night, Chi-Chi," he responded before lying down beside her again, the scent of her hair absorbing his thoughts until he finally drifted off to sleep.

He had been reminded of the concept of beauty during the tournament, especially when the strange warriors from Universe 2 constantly emphasized it, which he found important given their origin. He had even noticed that beauty was valued in some way on his own planet—Bulma always expressed her desire to stay young and beautiful. While he knew beauty could be subjective, he had never really considered the beauty hidden within Chi-Chi until now, something he found very special and hadn't often thought about. Still, he felt good finally expressing his feelings after so long.

...

For Goku to call her beautiful—it was like a dream. Even after so much time and so many events, she had begun to believe that he didn’t even think of her anymore.

Memories like these overwhelmed her, remembering her husband being tender yet also a bit clueless with her, and herself being strict yet just as foolish for him. How had all of that faded into nothing? How did Goku not realize the power he had to make her feel either completely happy or utterly devastated?

She felt the urge to cry again, feeling stupid. Contradicting everything Goku had once told her.

"I’m not beautiful enough for you! I’m not important enough for you! I’m not the best for you! I’m nothing to you, Goku!" she screamed, unable to contain herself, throwing all of his clothes onto the floor before collapsing in tears.

Then, the weight of her words hit her, and she realized she couldn't behave like this. After a while, she wiped her tears, and just as she was about to pick up the clothes to tidy them again, another strange sound startled her.

"What was that?" she thought to herself, glancing nervously outside the room.

Slowly, she made her way to the living room but saw and heard nothing out of the ordinary. Then, she went to the kitchen to check if anything was off, but everything seemed normal.

She felt a bit uneasy, and when she saw the phone, she remembered that neither Gohan, Bulma, nor anyone else had answered her calls. She frowned.

"I have no choice but to go see what’s going on," she muttered to herself, grabbing her car keys.

She got ready as best she could, but before stepping out, she felt an eerie air inside her home. She swallowed nervously, glancing around. The windows were still open, some moving slightly with the wind—the only sound breaking the silence.

She shook her head, trying to push away her worries, and headed toward the door, ready to go find her children. But just as she turned around, what she saw—or rather, who she saw standing there watching her—froze her in place.

Zannen had entered the woman’s home some time ago and was lucky to find her alone, though it wasn’t surprising. He had watched her break down in tears, trying to calm her pain with household chores, which only led her to the point of screaming in frustration because of her husband. Seeing all of this, he felt a hint of pity—but it was incredibly perfect.

Chi-Chi stood paralyzed, trembling where she was. How had this strange man entered her home? Who the hell was he? What did he want? He didn’t seem friendly, despite his appearance being normal—even attractive—for someone clearly not from this world. He certainly wasn’t from Earth. She swallowed hard, unable to form any words beyond stuttered whispers.

"Wh-Who are you?" she asked in an almost inaudible murmur, stepping back. "Wh-What do you want?"

Zannen smiled at the fear in the human’s eyes. He found it strange to see her react this way, considering she was a strong and determined woman. He had expected her to try and intimidate or hit him rather than back away.

"Hello, for now, my name isn't important," he introduced himself with a slight bow. "I want the same thing you do," he added, leaving Chi-Chi completely confused.

Chi-Chi glanced at the phone hanging in the kitchen, desperately wishing she could call someone for help. But she feared no one would answer, just like earlier. She cursed internally.

"What do you mean?" she asked more firmly.

Zannen smirked maliciously, revealing his white teeth.

"Revenge."

Chi-Chi gasped, fear jolting through her, and without hesitation, she turned to run.

Zannen simply watched her flee, chuckling as he calmly followed.

(...)

Gohan and Goten were flying toward Mount Paoz, searching for their mother, who had been left alone, believing that nothing was happening at that moment.

Gohan felt guilty for not having checked on his parents sooner. He hadn’t expected their argument to escalate to the point where they wouldn’t speak to each other and had serious issues. The first to be affected was his father, who, despite his ability to use Instant Transmission, hadn’t even thought about looking for his mother immediately—perhaps because she would have resisted to keep herself safe, no matter how badly they had fought. He sighed.

"Hey, Gohan, do you think Mom is still mad at Dad?" Goten asked his older brother, worry evident in his voice.

"What? You knew they fought?" Gohan asked, surprised and a bit embarrassed that his younger brother had witnessed the conflict.

"Well... yeah," Goten admitted, looking ahead with a sad expression.

Gohan sighed again, feeling defeated, but he still saw Goten as a mature child who just needed reassurance that their parents would be okay.

"I don’t know, Goten, but for now, let’s make sure their problems don’t become bigger than the ones we’re already dealing with," he said firmly. "Don’t worry. Mom will understand, and we’ll all be together in the end."

Goten nodded, though he wasn’t entirely convinced by Gohan’s words. He knew their mother was strong when it came to arguing with their father about training, but those disputes usually resolved quickly. This time, however, it seemed different—it didn’t feel like it was just about martial arts. Gohan sensed the same thing, but all they could do was wait for things to settle and for their parents to return to normal.

The journey to Mount Paoz was long, but with a fast enough flight, they could arrive in less than ten minutes. That’s how long it took Gohan and Goten.

When they entered the house, they didn’t see anyone around. A deep silence filled the air, unsettling them. They also felt a strange tension, as if something had happened.

"Mom?" Goten called out seriously, looking around. Gohan moved toward the bedrooms, but he found nothing. They then checked the backyard, but their mother wasn’t there either.

Gohan and Goten exchanged confused and alarmed glances before deciding to sense their mother’s ki. It led them to a small room inside the house, where, strangely, they could feel it.

"That’s odd... Why would Mom be in—?" Gohan’s words died in his throat when he and Goten stumbled upon a horrifying sight. Their mother was tied up, her mouth covered with a cloth, trembling in fear on the floor.

"Mom!"

Upon seeing her sons, Chi-Chi’s eyes widened, and she burst into tears, screaming with all her might, though the cloth muffled her voice. She struggled to reach them, but it was impossible.

Gohan and Goten rushed to her, quickly untying her and removing the gag. The moment she was free, Chi-Chi embraced them tightly, feeling a moment of relief upon seeing them—but she knew things were still far from okay.

"Gohan, Goten, oh, Kami..." she sobbed, tears streaming down her face. "I’m so glad you’re here, but you need to get out of here now!"

"What?" Goten asked, confused.

"Mom, tell me, who did this to you?" Gohan demanded, his brows furrowed.

"There’s no time! You have to leave now!" she shouted, her tears flowing uncontrollably. Gohan and Goten looked at her with deep concern.

"My plan worked in the end," a voice said from behind them.

The three of them turned their gaze toward Zannen, who watched the family with a genuinely satisfied and amused expression.

Gohan and Goten clenched their fists, immediately shifting into a fighting stance.

"Who are you, and why did you do this to my mom?" Goten demanded angrily.

"Oh, please, it wasn’t that bad," Zannen replied with a smirk.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" Gohan growled, stepping forward, ready to beat him to a pulp.

"Me? I’m the strongest in your damned world," Zannen replied, letting out a sinister chuckle. His arrogance infuriated Goten and Gohan, who charged at him.

But Zannen dodged effortlessly. He was fast—fast enough to land a single, well-placed palm strike on both of them. The moment his hand touched them, they collapsed instantly.

Chi-Chi’s eyes widened in horror as she watched her sons fall unconscious. She immediately ran to help them.

"Gohan! Goten!" she screamed desperately, reaching for them. But before she could get close, Zannen grabbed her by the waist, stopping her.

"Let me go! Let me go, damn it!" she screamed, struggling with all her strength, her eyes filled with tears as she saw her sons lying motionless. "Let me go! What the hell did you do to them?!"

Chi-Chi thrashed wildly, but Zannen remained still, letting her fight against his grip.

"M-Mom..." Goten murmured weakly, still unconscious from the strike. Gohan was still too dazed to move.

"Please, let me go to them! My babies!" Chi-Chi sobbed as if she were dying. Annoyed by her resistance, Zannen finally released her.

He closed his eyes slightly, suppressing the pain of doing this to the boys. His technique had drained their energy completely, leaving them unconscious. But they were strong—so strong that he had to be careful dodging their first attack. After all, they were the sons of Son Goku.

Zannen composed himself and watched as Chi-Chi knelt beside her children, trying desperately to wake them.

"My boys..." she whispered between sobs. "Please, wake up..." She trembled as she spoke. "Forgive your mother..."

Zannen observed the scene for a few moments. They would wake up soon. He had used his power again. How was Frieza doing with his wish? He hoped the warriors were occupied with that.

If what Frieza had promised him was true, he no longer needed to take Gohan and Goten with him. He had weakened them enough to take their mother without them being able to stop him. Not even Son Goku himself would be able to do anything.

Chi-Chi stopped crying for a moment and looked at the one responsible for all this. She stood up, truly enraged and disgusted, and, without hesitation, slapped him across the face.

Zannen was stunned.

"If you want to kill us or take us away, then take me!" she yelled, both furious and heartbroken. "But I warn you—you will not harm my family without dealing with me first!"

At that moment, Zannen dismissed any doubts he had about this woman. She wasn’t weak—not in the slightest. She had power in her devotion, in her sacrifice for her family. In her unwavering love for a husband who had left her behind. And Zannen knew—of all people, Goku would suffer the most when he realized she was gone.

A wicked smile crept onto his lips at the thought.

"Any last request?" he asked.

Chi-Chi glared at him but was caught off guard by his question. She stared at her children, a difficult smile forming through her tears. She remembered everything—the love she had poured into raising them, her dear Pan and daughter-in-law Videl, her father, who would return from vacation not knowing what had happened. And, most painfully, she thought of her husband—the man who had already left her first. The man who had made her feel everything and nothing at the same time.

How she wished she had more time with him. To turn back time, cook the fish he had brought her, tell him she was sorry and that she loved him. Nothing hurt more than leaving him like this.

"How I wish you were here."

She sobbed, feeling a familiar tingling sensation surrounding her. She knew what it meant—she was leaving. It felt like an overflowing glass of water, spilling endlessly.

Pain, sorrow, and anger filled her heart as darkness took over.

"Goodbye, my love."

Notes:

In memory of the creator of such a fantastic anime and characters that undoubtedly hold a place in our hearts—fly away, Akira Toriyama. 🕊️

Chapter 20: Breaking Point

Bulma was stunned for a few seconds upon realizing the threat they were once again facing on Earth. Trying to clear her mind, she stood up to look at those still by her side after her husband and the others had gone to where Frieza was likely located.

She took Bulla in her arms and held her tightly against her chest, giving and receiving comfort, while turning her gaze to Videl, who was holding Pan with concern. Around them, Trunks, Marron, Oolong, and Puar remained close, sharing the same unease on their faces. The presence of Lord Beerus and Whis near the table only added to Bulma's discomfort. With a resigned sigh, she handed Bulla back to her grandmother’s arms.

—"Aren’t you going to help them? That bastard dared to send someone to hurt my daughter!"—she exclaimed furiously, pointing at the God of Destruction.

Beerus simply shrugged and, without looking at her, replied:

"I don't care what Frieza has done. If it means anything to you, I don’t think he’s your real concern right now,"—he said while eating some pudding.

Bulma was surprised by Beerus' words and frowned in confusion.

"What do you mean by that?"—she asked, intrigued.

"Why don’t you take a closer look at the security footage?"—Beerus suggested, his intense gaze adding an extra weight. Bulma felt overwhelmed by it.

Although everything happened quickly and it was evident that Frieza had the Dragon Radar, the mysterious figure that appeared had to be someone entirely different from what they already knew. No armor, no radar in his hands, and his appearance didn't match that of a typical alien. As she reviewed the video, Bulma came to the conclusion that this person was the true enemy at that moment. Though she couldn’t see his face clearly, she felt immense anger toward him.

Considering the possibility that neither her friends nor her husband could determine who he was through Frieza, she decided to take action and call the person she thought was most suited for the job.

She pulled her phone out of her pocket and noticed five missed calls from Chi-Chi, along with a voicemail message. She felt a bit guilty and wanted to call her back to assure her everything was fine, but decided to leave it for another time.

She pressed Jaco’s name in her contacts and called him immediately, hoping everything would turn out well and that her husband wouldn't have to face Frieza unnecessarily.

(...)

Just before the Z Fighters teleported to Frieza’s location, King Kai warned Goku. The North Kai was pacing anxiously on his planet, confused by the sudden arrival of the evil alien and his renewed army. He feared Frieza was planning something sinister for the planet, as was his custom.

Goku furrowed his brow as he looked toward the cause of concern. What was Frieza up to? Everyone knew he could reappear at any moment to make a wish using the Dragon Balls, and whatever it was, they had to be on high alert to prevent the worst consequences. But why the hell had he used that being to steal the Dragon Radar and, in the process, injure one of his family members? If he really had, it was an unforgivable act.

The victim had been Bulma and Vegeta’s baby girl, just a few months old. This situation filled Goku and the others with fury and confusion—especially the Saiyan prince.

"Frieza!"—Vegeta shouted, truly furious, his golden aura still shining intensely.

The tyrant floated in the air alongside his army, a bit farther from where the warriors stood. Upon hearing his name, he turned toward them with a smug, malevolent smile.

"Well, well! I knew it wouldn’t be a surprise to see you all here, but seeing you in that transformation, Vegeta, now that was unexpected. You’re always ready for anything,"—he said mockingly.

Vegeta growled and quickly lunged toward Frieza, but he restrained himself from attacking at that moment, aware that he needed answers first. Goku and the others also approached, watching closely. Vegeta stared at him with pure hatred in his eyes.

Frieza then turned his gaze to Goku, a wide grin forming on his lips. Goku's frown deepened, angered by having to deal with him due to what had happened, yet he also felt a growing anxiety inside him.

"You damn lizard, tell me who the bastard is that you ordered to steal the Dragon Radar and dared to harm my daughter, or I swear I'll kill you right here and now!"—Vegeta snapped furiously.

Frieza turned his gaze to Vegeta, saying nothing, but his mocking and intimidating demeanor remained intact.

"Honestly, I have no idea what you're talking about,"—he replied sincerely, shrugging.—"A couple of my soldiers took the radar and searched for the Dragon Balls, just like last time."

Vegeta's scowl deepened, his rage intensifying.

"Don't lie, Frieza. You must have had something to do with it,"—Piccolo intervened, staring at him.

"Wow, I didn’t expect the wisest one in the group to be so wrong about the truth,"—Frieza retorted with a mocking laugh, provoking Piccolo’s anger.—"Well, I do hope you find the one responsible for hurting your daughter, Vegeta. I truly do."

The golden-haired Saiyan prince growled furiously at his words, lunging at him with a powerful punch to the torso, forcing Frieza back in pain. Enraged, Frieza tried to counterattack, but he abruptly stopped when he felt someone step between them. It was Goku, blocking his path before he could strike Vegeta.

Goku positioned himself in front of Frieza, intending to hold him back and prevent a fight. He acknowledged the need for battle, but he also sensed that fighting now could make things worse instead of solving them. Doubts filled his mind, accompanied by an unsettling premonition that warned him to proceed with caution.

For now, he preferred to stop Vegeta from starting a battle that could further complicate the situation.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Kakarot?!"—Vegeta asked, extremely irritated, staring at him.

Goku remained still with one hand raised in front of Vegeta but ignored him for a moment to glance at Frieza out of the corner of his eye.

"Tell us the truth, Frieza. Who was that person we saw attacking Vegeta’s daughter?"—he asked seriously.

Frieza smiled again, breathing heavily. He knew exactly who they were talking about but had no intention of revealing the truth, as it was part of his plan. He even found it amusing that they only mentioned Vegeta’s daughter and not Goku’s family, who would undoubtedly also be affected.

In fact, they already had been.

On the other hand, he thought about how Zannen, after all, wasn’t so foolish to let himself be seen committing such an act. Or maybe he was? He could be a worthless nobody or an extremely intelligent being when he wanted to be. No one knew the art of sowing horror better than him.

"I already told you—I don’t know. I just came to make a simple wish without harming anyone,"—he replied, looking away and moving indifferently.

"Liar! Why would you use someone to hurt an innocent child? What’s your game, Frieza?"—Krillin intervened this time, full of anger.

Frieza looked at Krillin with annoyance but smiled, enjoying the Z Fighters' confusion. He was a master manipulator, especially when it came to toying with those in front of him.

"I've already told you, I have no idea what you're talking about. As for me, I’ve already made my wish,"—he answered more seriously.

The warriors fell silent, glaring at Frieza with anger as they pondered his words. While it made sense that someone had broken into Capsule Corp to steal the Dragon Radar and use it to make a wish, the real threat lay in that person who was apparently not present.

And Frieza had already made his wish moments ago.

What had he wished for?

"After all, I'm not the problem here, am I?" he asked ironically, as if he could read each of their thoughts, which only made everyone frown even more.

Vegeta trembled with rage and helplessness, remembering the despicable being who dared to hurt his daughter, but acknowledging that it couldn't have been Frieza. No. It was someone else he needed to find as soon as possible and make them pay. He growled and powered down, looking away as he pondered what to do next. He observed his eternal enemy’s army but couldn't sense anything in particular. Maybe that being was from another world. A small trace of frustration took hold of him at the thought.

"Why would you be a problem right now? What wish did you make?" Piccolo asked, both irritated and curious.

"Yeah, I suppose it wasn't something like becoming immortal or anything," Goku remarked, crossing his arms.

"You’re so naive to think I would reveal my wish to you. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be leaving on my ship with my army, so I don’t have to endure your presence any longer," Frieza declared calmly, heading back toward his ship while one of his soldiers returned the Dragon Radar to the warriors, landing in Krillin’s hands.

"He wished to be taller," one of the army members blurted out casually, without thinking about the consequences.

His comrades froze in alarm and looked at Frieza in fear. The tyrant turned to the soldier who had spoken, closing his eyes with an expression of sheer irritation. He pointed his index finger at him, ready to destroy him.

But the energy blast veered off to the side, narrowly missing the terrified and regretful alien. He realized he had survived only because Goku had pushed Frieza back with a gust of wind.

"I won’t let you kill anyone, Frieza," Goku said, smirking and raising a finger as if in warning. "By the way, you look just as small." He chuckled, scratching the back of his head.

The others looked at Goku in surprise and then sighed in exasperation at his childish behavior. The alien soldier sighed in relief.

"Shut up and leave me alone!" Frieza snapped, visibly angry. "I feel tall enough!" He raised his head indignantly and turned to head back to his ship.

"Wait, wishing to be taller? Seriously?" Yamcha asked in disbelief. Krillin chuckled under his breath, while 18 glanced at him.

"Any problem with that?" Frieza asked rhetorically, clearly itching to finish them all.

"No, of course not. But it’s true, you haven’t grown at all," Krillin said, now laughing openly, feeling safe enough to mock him.

"Do you want to die today, Krillin?" Frieza’s voice was so menacing that the short man immediately sobered up, remembering that this was Frieza—the one responsible for so many past tragedies, including one of his own deaths. Suddenly, it wasn’t funny anymore.

"Enough of your nonsense. I hope whatever wish you made wasn’t something insane, and that you’re not lying. Otherwise, I will find you and make you pay," Vegeta spoke with annoyance after a moment.

In truth, Vegeta didn’t trust Frieza’s words, but the image of the true culprit still lingered in his mind. If Frieza didn’t have the information or simply refused to provide it, Vegeta was determined to find the perpetrator by any means necessary. The memory of Bulla being struck repeatedly by that figure—one he barely saw but could recall having strange white hair—filled him with fury, fueling his determination to put an end to this nightmare. What the hell was really going on?

"It’s truly pathetic that you have to come bother me over something that clearly has nothing to do with me. That says a lot about you all, especially you, Vegeta, daring to threaten me," Frieza said with a taunting smile. After a few seconds, his gaze sharpened. "It’s also pathetic that you allowed some lowly scum to beat your daughter. At least I would’ve had the guts to kill her if necessary… just to see if that would make you do something about it."

Frieza’s provocation made Vegeta instantly transform again and charge at him, striking with rage and hatred. Frieza retaliated with equal force, reigniting the battle they hadn’t finished. Vegeta attacked, driven by fury, while Frieza reveled in provoking the enraged prince, all as a consequence of Zannen.

Goku watched the fight between his eternal rival and his eternal enemy with resignation, shaking his head and making a frustrated gesture. He knew Vegeta was fighting purely out of anger, but Goku also felt annoyed and even more confused about Frieza’s wish. From his perspective, Frieza seemed honest—at least about the fact that the person they had seen wasn’t with him.

Piccolo observed the battle with a heavy expression, just like the other Z Fighters, all filled with doubt.

"I really don’t get it," the Namekian muttered. Goku glanced at him.

"What do you mean?"

"His wish. I feel like that’s not what he actually asked for."

"Well, we can find out later. What we do know for sure is that Earth won’t be destroyed," Goku replied with a calm smile.

"You guys actually believe Frieza?" Tien Shin-Han asked.

Everyone looked at each other, falling into deep thought.

"Honestly, I do," Goku admitted, causing even more confusion and surprising some of them. "Even though we still have to be careful with him—he’s pure evil, after all—he doesn’t seem to have caused any real damage. Unless you count provoking Vegeta into fighting him." He looked back up at the sky, thoughtful.

Frieza and Vegeta continued their battle midair, exchanging powerful kicks and attacks, their energy flaring and intensifying. The ground began to shake from their clash, forcing both the Z Warriors and Frieza’s army to step back. This fight needed to end before they destroyed a part of Earth.

Piccolo lowered his gaze, feeling something unsettling inside himself.

"We need to go see Dende."

"What?" Krillin and Goku asked in unison.

"This fight is just wasting time—we need to find out who really appeared on Bulma’s cameras," Piccolo explained.

"He’s right," 18 agreed.

"You know, that’s a good idea, but honestly, I also want to fight Frieza," Goku said with a nervous chuckle.

"You idiot! Do you even realize Vegeta is fighting him out of anger?" Piccolo snapped.

"I know! But I want to see if Frieza has gotten stronger," Goku said excitedly.

Krillin and the others looked at him, embarrassed by how lightly he was taking the situation. Not long ago, Goku had come fully intent on confronting Frieza to make him tell the truth and uncover what had happened. Now, he just wanted to fight, letting time slip away instead of figuring out who had been stalking them in the past few days. Apparently, he felt at ease after realizing Frieza hadn’t done anything truly terrible—aside from provoking Vegeta.

Piccolo sighed and turned his gaze back to the sky, where the battle raged on. Not only him but also 18, Master Roshi, Krillin, even Yamcha and Tien Shin-Han knew they couldn’t just stand around waiting for it to end. Vegeta needed to get himself under control, and Goku, instead of thinking about taking his turn in the fight, had to stop this and make Frieza leave so they could continue their search.

"We need to stop this. As for Frieza, he needs to go," Piccolo emphasized.

"Goku, Piccolo is right, you can’t think about fighting him. Imagine if that upsets him or, worse, makes him want to kill all of us just because he feels like it. There's no need to escalate this battle, no matter how strong you are. Let’s try to figure out what Frieza's wish was first," he spoke seriously.

Goku looked at Krillin and then back at the sky, reflecting on his words. Of course, he wanted to find out what had happened and have Frieza leave so they could uncover the truth. But at the same time, he felt an internal urge to face a powerful opponent. He had been longing for that kind of challenge for a long time, and now Frieza was right there. Even if the circumstances weren’t ideal, he didn’t want to miss the opportunity. And while he couldn't completely ignore his friends' concerns, he knew that both he and they were prepared for anything. He had to resolve this dilemma. What was he going to do?

"Hey, Frieza!" Goku called out with all his strength.

Frieza turned to look at him, as did Vegeta, who spat out some bloody saliva from overexerting himself in the fight.

"Vegeta, keep fighting!" Piccolo ordered, irritated.

"No, Vegeta! It’s my turn!" Goku pointed at himself.

"What the hell?" Vegeta muttered, confused, breathing heavily.

Then, he realized he didn’t have to keep fighting Frieza. As much as Frieza deserved it and still deserved a beating, he recalled that strange figure—someone with white hair in particular. He furrowed his brow in anger while still in his Super Saiyan Blue transformation, looking down.

18 walked up to Goku and smacked him on the head.

"Ow, ow, ow! 18! Why did you do that?" he asked, in pain.

"You’re such an idiot! You can’t fight Frieza. Tell him to leave right now, or I’m going home with Krillin and the others to figure out what the hell is really going on. I don’t care if that idiot wished to grow a little taller or not. What matters to me is finding out who the hell was at Bulma’s house and who the hell dared to fool us all this time. Think for once!" she scolded him, really angry.

Goku looked at her in terror—18 had never spoken to him like that before. But what she said next completely froze him.

"Do you even think about us? About your sons? About Chi-Chi?"

Goku stared at her in shock, just like the others. What 18 had said was hard to hear, but it was completely true. Goku had to understand it, and of course, he did. He had to.

He felt empty and sad again as he thought of his wife.

His wife.

His problems with his wife.

And his wife again.

She was the only thing on his mind.

But he couldn't bear it. That’s why he wanted to let off steam. He wanted an excuse. He wanted to stop feeling like a fool and useless. He wanted things to stay normal, just for once that day. Even though he knew that for everyone else, even for his wife, normal meant staying calm, with nothing to do with fighting. That realization overwhelmed him and made him ashamed of himself.

Goku lowered his gaze as both Vegeta and Frieza landed on the ground, visibly injured and trying to catch their breath, silently ending their battle. They had heard the warriors' words, especially the android’s. Vegeta glanced at Goku, analyzing his face, aware that this might have affected him. Frieza simply smiled and chuckled softly.

"What a shame. I would have enjoyed fighting you too, Goku."

The prince glared at him with hatred.

"Get out of here," he ordered firmly.

Frieza chuckled again, glancing at Goku one last time, who still had his head down. He had definitely hit the mark. The warriors weren’t even focused on him anymore, and the worst part was that they couldn’t even focus on the real problem. They were beneath it.

The galactic tyrant walked toward his ship with his followers, finally disappearing from Earth completely, leaving behind the Z Fighters, who remained bewildered by everything that had happened.

Now alone with Kikono and Berriblue by his side, Frieza burst into laughter, watching a screen inside his ship. On it, Goku’s children lay unconscious somewhere aboard, completely unaware of what had happened.

Zannen’s plan had worked perfectly.

(...)

Videl was still worried, glancing at the sky from time to time, hoping to see her husband flying back with Goten and Mrs. Chi-Chi. Too much time had passed already. She sighed as she fed another spoonful of baby food to Pan, but the little girl refused and, upset, threw the food to the floor.

"Pan! What's wrong, sweetheart?" Videl asked, confused and concerned about her behavior.

"Daddy," Pan murmured, her eyes welling up with tears. Videl hugged her.

"It's okay, honey, your dad will be back soon," she reassured her as best as she could, though her own thoughts remained fixated on Gohan.

That man—so intelligent, yet absentminded, so strong, yet gentle. The ideal husband and her most trusted confidant. Of course, he was also a loving father and a devoted son. But where could he be?

"Hey, Bulma, don’t you think Gohan and Goten are taking too long?" Videl asked the blue-haired woman.

Bulma glanced at her out of the corner of her eye, understanding her unease.

"Yeah, I think they were supposed to be back half an hour ago," she said thoughtfully.

"That's strange," Videl muttered, looking back at Pan, who had fallen asleep but twitched occasionally in her sleep.

Trunks also noticed how long his friend had been gone and felt bad for him. He wanted Gohan to return already so there would be no more problems or worry. He considered going after them himself to see if he could find them.

"Mom, I'm going to look for Gohan and Goten," he told his mother, determined.

"What? Absolutely not! You need to stay here with Marron. They'll be back any minute."

"But, Mom—"

"No buts. In fact, I’m calling Chi-Chi to see if they’re still at home," Bulma said, pulling out her phone to dial the woman’s number. Trunks looked at his mother, frustrated, and went back to sit with Marron.

"I should've gone with them before they left," he thought sadly.

He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Marron, who offered him a reassuring smile.

"Everything will be fine, Trunks," she said.

Trunks smiled back, grateful, and they resumed playing their card memory game.

Bulma called Chi-Chi for the third time, but she didn’t answer. That was odd—Chi-Chi always picked up. Maybe they were already on their way.

She felt a little guilty for not answering when Chi-Chi had called her earlier, and hearing the voicemail she left made her feel overwhelmed and sad.

The Z Fighters had teleported back to Capsule Corp, and everyone present sighed in relief upon seeing that they were still alive. Bulma rushed toward Vegeta and hugged him as soon as she saw him.

Vegeta turned red and growled in annoyance, trying to push her away. That woman had gotten too close to him—in public, no less! Trunks also ran to him, happy to see him, while Mrs. Panchy smiled at them, holding Bulla in her arms, and Dr. Brief stood beside her.

The others observed the family from the corner of their eyes, even Whis and Beerus, who had been enjoying a round of desserts, turned their attention to what was happening. Goku lifted his gaze slightly to glance at them, a small, melancholic smile forming on his lips.

"Get off, woman!" Vegeta shouted, embarrassed.

Bulma pulled away from her husband, only to realize he was injured and shirtless, covered in dirt and bruises.

"Vegeta! What happened?" she exclaimed, alarmed.

"He fought Frieza," Piccolo answered, leaving Bulma, Trunks, and the others who hadn't been part of the battle stunned.

"I'll get some bandages for you, young Vegeta," Mrs. Panchy offered as she approached and handed Bulla over to the Saiyan.

Vegeta stiffened as he held his daughter, a wave of shame washing over him—he hadn’t been able to protect her. The humiliation was overwhelming, and he quickly passed Bulla to Bulma, unable to look at her.

Bulma understood and watched him with concern. Even Trunks grasped the situation and quietly handed his father a cold towel in a show of support. Vegeta glanced at him and nodded in gratitude. Deep down, he was relieved to see his son and family again. But the fury and sense of defeat still lingered.

"Was Frieza really the one responsible?" Bulma asked after a few seconds.

"Actually, we don't know. It was chaos. By the time we arrived, Frieza had already made his wish and was about to leave like nothing had happened. But when we accused him of messing with the Dragon Radar and Bulla, he started saying he had nothing to do with it," Krillin explained, holding up the Dragon Radar.

"Even though the guy in the video was someone else, we couldn't fully believe him. It was just too strange," Piccolo added.

"Goku was about to fight Frieza just like Vegeta did, but luckily, 18 stopped him," Yamcha said.

"And why did you fight Frieza, Vegeta?" Bulma asked, worried.

Vegeta simply ignored her, keeping his gaze elsewhere. Bulla, noticing her father wasn’t paying attention to her, reached out for him and started crying.

Bulma tried to soothe her while glancing at Vegeta, but then her attention shifted to Goku, who stood just a few steps away, lost in thought. Something seemed to weigh on him, clouding his usual carefree attitude. Well, it was understandable—they were all affected by everything that had happened and by Frieza’s sudden reappearance. But she wanted to hear an answer from the Saiyan.

"Goku?" she called.

"Say something. What happened? Why did 18 have to stop you?" she asked, eager for his response.

"It's a long story, Bulma. It’s best if we don’t worry about it anymore," he said, turning his gaze away.

18 shook her head while holding her daughter, and Krillin scratched his head nervously.

Beerus made a gesture toward Bulma, as if to say, "See? I told you so." The blue-haired woman sighed.

Goku continued to dwell on everything that had happened, feeling increasingly confused and unsettled. But then, he remembered that his granddaughter and Videl were there. Seeing them, he walked over with a smile.

Videl handed Pan over to her grandfather, and as he watched her sleep so peacefully, he once again wished he could return to Mount Paoz with his children. With Chi-Chi.

Why the hell didn’t he?

Thinking of his children, he suddenly realized that Gohan, Goten, and Chi-Chi weren’t there. That struck him as odd right away.

"Hey, Videl, where are Gohan and Goten? Did they go look for their mother?"

At his question, Videl sighed in defeat. It was true—they had been gone for too long, and it was time to start worrying.

"I’ve been waiting for them for almost an hour. I’m worried something might have happened," she admitted with a grimace.

Goku fell silent. It was possible that Chi-Chi had refused to come and was still at home with their sons. Maybe they ran into some kind of trouble, or maybe they were just having dinner. That last thought made him feel guilty, though he didn’t know why. But the truth was clear.

He should be there with them.

He handed Pan back to Videl and was about to use Instant Transmission when Whis interrupted him.

"Well, given the circumstances, it looks like training will have to be postponed even longer," Whis remarked.

"What?!" Goku looked at him, alarmed. "Please don’t do that, Mr. Whis! You said we’d train tomorrow!"

Everyone turned their attention to Goku and the Angel, who sighed, already knowing Goku wouldn’t change his mind.

"But Goku, if Frieza really isn’t responsible for what happened to Vegeta’s daughter, you need to stay here to figure out who is. Am I wrong?" Whis asked, glancing at Vegeta, who still sat on the ground with his head lowered.

Vegeta lifted his eyes toward Whis and, with determination, answered:

"You’re not wrong."

"Just as I suspected," the angel commented. Beerus glanced sideways at Goku, observing his reaction.

"P-But..." Goku was about to protest, but then he felt that pain in his chest again. He couldn't keep doing this. He couldn't just prioritize training over finding out who was responsible for what had happened. Besides, he remembered once again that his entire family was missing.

"Goku! Don't you remember there's some bad guy coming and going? And let me remind you that neither Gohan nor Goten have arrived with Chi-Chi. You should think about that," Bulma yelled angrily, and Goku looked at her in shock, as if she had read his mind.

"I-I..." His face showed concern, torn by the dilemma in his head.

Bulma now looked at him, bewildered, trying to figure out what the hell was going through her best Saiyan friend's mind. She knew he could be a fool, easily swept away by training and fights, but she also knew he had a strong family bond to uphold. No matter how hard it was, he couldn't just abandon the problems they were facing for the chance to go off and improve his abilities. Goku might want that, but he would also want what was best for his loved ones. Even if he needed to grow stronger to protect them, he had to stay by their side and think about the best solution.

She remembered Chi-Chi's message and searched for it on her phone to play it. Maybe it would help Goku think more clearly about his next step.

"Bulma, please call me as soon as you can. I want to make sure Goten made it to your house safely and if Gohan is there too. As for Goku... if he's still with you, please tell him to take care of himself. And when he comes back, I'll make him that delicious fried fish he loves so much."

Goku, along with everyone else except Beerus and Vegeta, was shocked to hear the voicemail. The spiky-haired Saiyan felt a whirlwind of emotions at that moment—sadness, happiness, and fear. His wife had worried about him despite everything. She had really appreciated the fish he brought her that time. She had even told him to be careful with his training!

After a moment, he smiled and prepared to teleport to where Gohan and Goten were so he could be with Chi-Chi.

He searched for his eldest son's energy—but found nothing.

Then he tried with his younger son's energy—but still, nothing.

He even tried to sense Chi-Chi's energy—but it was nowhere to be found.

A look of confusion and nervousness crossed his face, drawing the attention of the others.

"What’s wrong, Goku?" Krillin asked.

Goku couldn't believe it. He desperately tried to find any trace of his family's energy to teleport home, but he found nothing. This shook him just as much as the situation itself. Could things get any worse? He felt confusion, anger, and frustration, just like when he couldn't go train. What did all this mean? He even tried sensing the energy of the smallest ant in his house—but there was nothing. Could it be...?

"I can't find my family's energy," he whispered, feeling an emptiness inside him.

Chapter 21: Nostalgia and a Favor

Marcarita and Vermoudh finally arrived on their planet in Universe 11 after visiting Universe 7.

"So Zannen dared to show up there," the God remarked seriously. "What I found strange was that neither Beerus nor Whis noticed his presence."

Marcarita looked at him.

"It seems he's using the technique to conceal his energy, though in his case, it's hardly necessary," Marcarita said.

"I really thought those two would bring up Zannen while we were in their universe or even before we left." He approached and sat down in a chair. "Well, I just hope he doesn't cause trouble because of all that stupid resentment he holds." He spoke irritably while drinking from a glass that had been served to him.

"Zannen was always a calm boy. I don't think you need to worry about that. It's true that what happened with Jiren affected him deeply, but he knows how to handle his own personal conflicts. Now that you're back here, you should think about what to do next in case he doesn't act first," the angel advised.

Vermoudh glanced at Marcarita out of the corner of his eye, considering a response.

"I still believe it's not important. The boy is as smart as every member of the Pride Troopers, as you've said yourself." He finished drinking his entire glass. "No matter how much he decided to leave us, he's still one of our warriors. What I wouldn't tolerate is if Beerus finds out and dares to involve Zeno-sama, though that wouldn't benefit him in any way in the end. If he gets it in his head to fight those guys, I want you to be the one to talk to him, Marcarita." Vermoudh looked directly at her. "Jiren knows Zannen well, but he's not here anymore. However, you've also had some contact with him." He said the last part in a more serious tone.

Marcarita smiled and nodded slightly, realizing something her God had just expressed.

"I didn't know you were still upset about that time I invited Zannen here," she said playfully.

"It's nothing personal, but I wanted to sleep peacefully, and you didn't let me," he looked away indignantly and crossed his arms. "Speaking of which, I'm going to take advantage and sleep now while everything is still normal. Let me know if anything happens when I wake up, please."

"As you wish, my lord."

Marcarita used her staff to create a luxurious resting space worthy of the God who wished to take a nap, while several of his attendants arranged pillows and lighting to his liking.

Once Vermoudh was sound asleep, Marcarita began counting the time he would rest while thinking about Zannen.

With the help of her staff and making sure no one was watching, she projected an image of what Zannen was doing at that very moment and where he was.

Her eyes filled with genuine surprise when she saw that he was back in Universe 11.

But he was not alone.

(...)

Zannen walked through the desolate landscape of the planet, carrying a fainted Milk in his arms. He wasn’t sure if he was in another universe or his own, though it seemed to be his own given the vibrant colors in the sky.

He sighed.

He never imagined he’d leave his home and return alone, capturing the wife of the one person he harbored so much hatred for, someone he had always wanted to take revenge on. This, he would do for Jiren, to make him forget about him.

He glanced down at the woman. It might have been cowardly or shameful to take the weakest member of the family, but she was the one who had given him the greatest satisfaction. And to the others, the most pain. The execution of his plan had been perfect. Not entirely, but close enough. He couldn’t wait to see Son Goku’s reaction.

Lost in his thoughts, he didn’t notice a light appearing a few meters ahead of him. It was Marcarita, who had appeared right where he was.

"What a surprise to see you here again, Zannen," she said with a smile, partly glad to see him.

Zannen startled and dropped Milk to the ground as he saw the figure of the angel. The black-haired woman remained unconscious.

"Marcarita?" Zannen said, slightly nervous but trying not to show it. "What are you doing here? Sorry, what is she doing here?"

"Come on, the formality in you is boring," she said, walking toward him and, unable to avoid it, looked at the woman lying on the ground. She raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Who is she?"

Zannen’s eyes widened again in nervousness, lifting Milk by her shirt with one hand and tossing her backward. The human was so unconscious that she didn’t feel a thing.

"Oh, I found her fainted near here," he lied.

"I see, then you should place her somewhere more comfortable," Marcarita said, looking intently at the woman's features, which didn’t seem common to this planet.

Zannen noticed that and stepped closer to stand directly in front of Marcarita, leaving Milk on the ground.

"I'll do that after I talk to you," he said, now smiling. Marcarita looked him in the eyes. "How have you been?"

She smiled slightly.

"Perfectly. How’s your trip to Universe 7 been?" she asked directly.

Zannen stood still, knowing that the angel from his universe had finally discovered his visit to the world of the warriors from the winning universe of the tournament.

"I can’t complain," he responded after a few seconds, calm. "It’s been interesting."

"I don’t doubt it. The food there is quite delicious, right?" she mentioned.

"Can’t deny that," he responded with a smile, but then became serious, thinking. "Why are you here? Why aren’t you with Lord Vermoudh?"

Marcarita walked around Zannen and once again observed the woman on the ground. Zannen was cautious.

"The Pride Troopers miss you. Are you going to say hello?" she asked, changing the topic.

"Not for now," he responded, disappointed, and stared at her firmly. "Answer my questions."

Marcarita raised her eyebrows, realizing the authoritative tone in Zannen’s voice, something he shouldn’t be showing towards her. But she let it slide. She enjoyed it.

"I’m just making sure you’re not doing anything strange."

"Why would I do anything strange?" he asked, confused.

"I know you, Zannen. Just like I know those eyes full of resentment. The same ones I saw the day you announced you were leaving the troops," she said. "My question has always been, although I shouldn’t have cared so much since I already answered it for myself, but yes, why?"

Zannen turned his gaze away, feeling stupid for drawing Marcarita’s attention, and probably not just hers, but Lord Vermoudh’s as well. Though he knew it was inevitable, he had to come up with another plan for when he faced the truth. But he wouldn’t make it easy.

"I know it wasn’t exactly to seek one of your purposes. Tell me, why did you go to that universe?" she kept asking.

"You should know why. You always know everything," he said, shrugging without answering. "Besides, I don’t know why you care."

Marcarita looked at him seriously, realizing he was right. It shouldn’t concern her, but it did.

"If it’s about Jiren, you know he made the wise decision to leave first. Otherwise, even Lord Vermoudh would have intervened," she said.

Zannen stared her in the eyes, feeling anger rise at the mention of Jiren’s name.

"Wise?" Zannen let out a fake laugh. "Jiren had no reason to abandon everything like that."

"Neither did you."

"I didn’t abandon anyone," he muttered, frustrated.

"Your destiny and Jiren’s were never the same, and they never will be, Zannen," she told him. Zannen glared at her. "Jiren trained you and then wanted to learn other things on his own. He taught you that too. That’s why you’re also seeking your own strength now."

"I don’t need to seek my strength. I’ve gained all the strength that exists thanks to all my efforts," he paused, and Marcarita observed him attentively. "I did it."

"In a revenge that doesn’t concern you?"

Zannen narrowed his eyes, irritated by what Marcarita had just asked.

"You know it does concern me."

Marcarita looked at him now with even more seriousness, noticing how Zannen’s character had changed. He had once been a pure, emotional, and respectful boy. Now, he seemed blinded by rage and revenge. He was seeking truth and power for himself, not strength and harmony for his universe. Or that’s what she tried to think if it wasn’t someone as special as him—someone who had suffered so many consequences in the past. Now he was suffering again for other consequences.

She noticed the scar on his right cheek and calmed down slightly. She sighed. It was impossible not to feel pity for him, and she wasn’t supposed to feel that. In fact, she was forbidden to feel anything, especially for the inhabitants of her universe. But Zannen wasn’t just any inhabitant. Even Vermoudh knew it, and even Jiren had dared to tell her about the power Zannen emanated and that it needed to be controlled. What had happened to him wasn’t his fault, but neither was it theirs.

"Let me help you," she said calmly. Zannen looked at her, slightly surprised. "Is there anything I can do?"

Zannen felt annoyed. It was clear. How dare Marcarita pretend to understand exactly everything that had happened and was now happening? She was an angel incapable of feeling compared to him. Though she knew many things about the universe and was extremely intelligent, she couldn’t simply look after him and try to hold him back; that wasn’t her function. Nor was he going to exterminate the universe of his enemies. In fact, it was the opposite. He wanted them to feel the full extent of their emotions and extraordinary powers. He believed he was doing everyone, even Vermoudh and Marcarita, a favor. He saw in the angel not just a good friend or companion he had at a time when everything seemed perfect, with Jiren by her side. Now Jiren was far away. He saw in Marcarita the closest opportunity. He smiled slightly.

After all, she owed him.

"Yes, there is something," he said and turned his gaze to the black-haired woman on the ground.

From his pocket, he took out a piece of paper with the coordinates of Mount Paoz written on it and handed it to Marcarita. She looked at him, puzzled.

"This is where this woman comes from. I brought her because things aren’t going well in her home," he explained. "I lied to you so you wouldn’t realize how serious my revenge against Universe 7 really is. But I don’t care about what you might tell me."

"Zannen, are you...?" she started to say, but he interrupted her.

"The first and last time I went to Lord Vermoudh’s planet for you to train me, you told me you’d do me a very important favor one day," he commented. "This is the favor."

The female was undoubtedly perplexed. Zannen was asking her for a favor she clearly couldn’t do. But it was what she had promised that young man who had rejected her from the start. She looked back at the strange woman he had brought, recognizing her as from Universe 7, and no less than the wife of the warrior Son Goku, since she searched and analyzed the information with her powers. She quickly shook her head.

"I can’t do that," she said firmly.

"Marcarita, you owe me," Zannen insisted, stepping closer and taking her by the shoulders, making the angel blush and frown nervously. "Please."

"Z-Zannen... Get off!" she pushed him hard, making him stagger several meters.

Zannen lowered his gaze, frustrated. Marcarita breathed irregularly but quickly composed herself, looking deeply at the white-haired man, trying to decipher what he truly wanted. What he desired.

She couldn’t understand him, and of course, she couldn’t just do what he asked because that would lead to serious problems with Vermoudh, and not just with him, but with her father, the Grand Priest. Imagine if Zeno Sama found out!

She thought of a solution and approached Zannen to answer his request.

"I’ll do it," she said. "But with one condition."

Zannen looked at her with a charming smile.

"Which one?"

"No one from Universe 7 can find out about you."

Zannen stopped smiling and looked at her, confused. Was there a problem with that? Why shouldn’t they know who he was? They were already suspecting, not exactly that he came from Universe 11 and his name was Zannen, but they could tell the kind of person he was and that he might go and bother them. He also remembered that the only people who knew exactly who he was were Frieza and his team, along with Gobe.

He tried to ignore that part and nodded resignedly, not entirely sure. He wanted to know exactly why he couldn’t reveal his identity, since that was precisely what he needed for them to understand that Universe 11 could defeat them, but a cough from the woman who was asleep interrupted him.

Chi-Chi coughed, her throat dry, slowly waking up as she tried to get up with her eyes still closed. Zannen became alarmed.

“Quick, don’t let her know we’re here.”

“Alright. I’ll see you then when whatever you’re doing turns out well. And just so you know, I’m only getting involved in your business to keep my word,” she said, and with the help of her staff, teleported herself and Chi-Chi to another place.

Zannen watched them leave and sighed.

“Thanks,” he whispered.

(...)

Marcarita arrived with Chi-Chi's half-unconscious body at a small, empty house.

She glanced sideways at the trembling woman. It must have been the temperature change; Chi-Chi was cold.

With her staff, she created a bed for Chi-Chi to lie on and covered her with blankets. She also adjusted the temperature of the room to make sure it would warm up, so Chi-Chi wouldn't feel the cold. Marcarita then noticed that Chi-Chi's face began to relax, eventually falling back into a peaceful sleep.

Marcarita muttered under her breath but still praised herself for her hospitality. She thought about what the woman could eat when she woke up. She knew it had to be something like what she had tasted on Earth. She would wait until Chi-Chi woke up first. For now, her priority was to keep her alive and hidden.

“For now, you’ll be fine,” she said, then teleported back to Lord Vermouth's planet.

Chi-Chi continued to sleep, with no sign of waking up, despite now being far from home and having no idea where exactly she was. Deep in her mind, a dream played out, one that reminded her of how foolish she had been all those years.

...

You’ve been a complete and miserable fool. Just when you expected your husband to stay with you, along with your family, you’re the one who abandons them, and not because of death.

You’ve left, and maybe it’s forever. Maybe it’s time for you to die for real, to spend your old age in this cold, unfamiliar place.

Imagine all those times you tried to protect your self-esteem and dignity, all because of your anger.

The mistakes you made, with him and without him—did he ever realize?

Will your children know?

Will they know you left?

Will Goku know?

Just wait until they realize it wasn’t you who filled the void, but that you, yourself, were the void.

The void they could never fill, and it finally disappeared.

...

Chi-Chi suddenly woke up with a deep headache.

Two days had passed since she fainted, and now the effects seemed stronger than usual, likely due to the time spent lying down with her eyes closed.

"Where am I?" was the first thought that crossed her mind. The smell in the room wasn’t pleasant, but she had to admit the bed was quite comfortable. But how did she end up in a room? Who brought her here?

Then she remembered the face of the person who had dared to kidnap her from her own home. The one who had surely taken her to this unknown place, where she could already feel the heavy atmosphere, prompting her to pull the covers tighter around herself.

A wave of fear and guilt overtook her, and she began to cry uncontrollably. She was used to crying, but this time it was because she was no longer home, no longer with her family. And undoubtedly, it would be incredibly difficult to return to them.

Despite everything, she was still breathing. Her hands and clothes were intact, and she still had all her senses. Unfortunately, her hair was no longer tied up. She sighed, trying to regain composure and stop the tears. She wanted to leave, but she didn’t know how.

She got out of bed and looked around, ensuring there was no one, even down the hallway. She was alone. The place seemed abandoned, with a strange smell.

Nothing like her beautiful home.

She coughed harshly, feeling thirsty and with a headache. She might catch a cold, and the last thing she wanted was to get sick. She sighed and set out to find a kitchen or some place with supplies and medicine. But she found nothing, just walls and steel furniture. No refrigerator, no herbs, no medicine. It made her laugh bitterly.

"Of course, like it would be easy to find Earth things on another planet," she muttered, now feeling sad.

She returned to the bed, aching. She felt hurt, guilty, and desolate. She was nostalgic, regretting not having fixed things with her husband when she had the chance. Maybe that could have prevented this.

But what if it wouldn’t have?

Maybe it was fate.

She prayed as best as she could, only asking God to protect her family and friends, to protect Earth, and especially Goku, so he could save them all.

She cried again, feeling suffocated and threatened by the inability to escape. She felt incredibly weak and lost. She was a lost woman.

When she thought about her family, all she wanted was for them to be okay, and to return to them once more. A few last tears fell from her eyes as she fell asleep, the image of her children together before she left for this place.

"I hope they’re okay."

(...)

Gohan slowly opened his eyes, aware that he had been unconscious for a long period of time.

He quickly sat up, feeling a throbbing pain in his temple and groaning because of it. Rage consumed him as he remembered who was responsible. He wondered where he was and what had happened to his mother. He scanned his surroundings, but all he could see were steel walls that, no matter how hard he tried to break them by launching energy blasts, he couldn't get through.

"This can't be happening!" he shouted in fury.

Suddenly, the little Goten also woke up from the noise made by his older brother.

"Brother?"

"Goten!" Gohan responded, hugging him tightly, relieved to see that his younger brother was unharmed and by his side.

"Gohan, what are we doing here? Where is Mom?" Goten asked with a sad expression.

Gohan looked at Goten with sorrow, feeling fear inside him. He remembered being hit by the scoundrel who had captured their mother, but he couldn't recall if he'd done anything else to her.

"I don't know, Goten. But we need to get out of here to find out," he said determinedly.

Goten, like his brother, was scared for their mother. He nodded, ready to do whatever was necessary to find her.

"It seems like we're far from home," Gohan murmured, worried as he realized he couldn't feel anyone else's ki except his younger brother's.

"What is this place?" Goten wondered, examining their surroundings.

With all their power and effort, they tried to break down the walls trapping them, but it was useless.

After several failed attempts, Gohan collapsed, sitting on the floor with his head bowed, exhausted and discouraged. Goten sat next to him, feeling just as helpless. They had to be brave.

Gohan reproached himself for allowing a complete stranger to defeat them in their own home, for letting him hurt their mother and brother. But beyond that, he regretted leaving Videl and Pan unprotected at Capsule Corp, even though their friends and their father were there.

He felt like a complete weakling.

What were they going to do? With his brother by his side, he could only hope to find the strength and hope necessary to search for their mother and the rest of their family.

(...)

Marcarita returned to Vermoudh's planet, and it was then that a memory came to her mind.

...

On the same planet as the God of Destruction of Universe 11, Zannen was putting on his tights after a pleasant training session when suddenly Marcarita approached him.

"Zannen, you have a gift, and I'm glad to recognize it. Would you like to train with me again here on Lord Vermoudh's planet?" she asked with a smile.

Zannen looked at Marcarita, his eyes shining with excitement, making him smile at the suggestion.

"Really? I’d love to!" he responded with joy, but then became serious. "But wait, what about my training with Jiren?"

"Considering Jiren has already taught you a lot and you'll be training here longer, you no longer need him to continue training you."

"No, no, no," he quickly disagreed. "You can’t tell me that Jiren isn’t going to train me just because I’m here with you. If that’s the case, I don’t want it."

Marcarita was a bit surprised by Zannen's response; she hadn’t expected him to take the idea of staying training with Jiren so seriously instead of with her. Deep down, she felt a little disappointed that she wouldn’t be able to have him close.

"No problem," she smiled. "I understand."

Vermoudh stopped eating his lunch to observe his angel and the young man with white hair. He frowned, not because he disliked him, but because he was concerned about the influence Marcarita could have on Zannen, or vice versa.

"You know, since you did me the favor of bringing those huge earrings from that planet you visited, I’ll return a very important favor to you."

"Really? Well, I did it gladly, Miss Marcarita. And I won’t forget it."

"Come on, just call me Marcarita," she laughed, and Zannen did the same.

"Hey, you," Zannen turned to look at Vermoudh. "How are things going with Jiren’s training?"

"Very well, sir. Though lately, Jiren has been preparing for something big. I hope I can do the same soon," he said with a smile.

"Sure you can," Vermoudh crossed his arms. "Jiren is the best warrior in this universe."

"Yeah, no doubt about that."

"Well, I think you could be one too, Zannen," Marcarita intervened. Zannen and Vermoudh exchanged a side glance.

The God scolded her with a look, but she ignored him.

"Really?" Zannen asked with a charming smile. Marcarita nodded enthusiastically.

Vermoudh coughed, interrupting the conversation to end the visit.

"Sorry, sir. But it’s really fun having Zannen here," he admitted. Zannen laughed.

"Anyway, I want to rest."

"Alright, I have to leave anyway," Zannen said with a smile as he grabbed his bag.

Marcarita helped him teleport back to Netfiss, and she stayed alone with the God of Destruction on his planet.

"You have something with that boy," Vermoudh stated, accusing the angel.

Marcarita stopped smiling and slightly shook her head.

"He’s just a good friend, sir."

"You surprise me, Marcarita. On another occasion, I’d tell you that what you’re doing is completely wrong, but I understand the situation," he said, his expression calming. Marcarita smiled. "Let’s go eat, I’ve lost my sleep."

"As you wish, sir." And she followed him.

She wasn’t involved with Zannen in that strange, loving way many assumed. She could feel affection for him, though she shouldn’t, but it was more because of the connection they had shared in the past.

Zannen didn’t know. In fact, he had no idea, but she did. And well, Vermoudh knew too, and no one else. She also remembered when she almost fainted upon finding out. But it was something inevitable.

Zannen was inevitable.

(...)

Keiso was in his lab as usual, busy repairing ships and objects at the request of the citizens. He was a respected and wise scientist, although sometimes his age made him a bit absent-minded.

He was calmly going through his schedule when suddenly a sound startled him, making him shout in panic. He quickly realized that it was Zannen who had caused the scare.

"Zannen? Is that you?" Keiso approached the young man, surprised to see him after some time.

"Hi, Keiso. How have you been?" Zannen greeted him.

"Good, actually. And you? What are you doing here?" Keiso asked, adjusting his glasses. He glanced around. "I thought you'd gone to another universe," he whispered.

"Yeah, that’s right. Thanks to your device." Zannen showed him the dimensional device.

"Oh, I almost forgot I made that thing for you to travel," Keiso chuckled, but then nervously swallowed. "How did it go?"

"Great," Zannen replied with a genuine smile. Keiso squinted. "In fact, I’d like to ask you for a favor, Keiso."

"A favor?" Keiso asked, confused. "What do you need?"

Zannen pulled a phone from his pocket, the one he had stolen from the Earth family in the desert, and handed it to Keiso. Keiso observed it with curiosity from all angles.

"I brought it from the universe I went to. I’d like you to add something to it," Zannen explained.

"Interesting. What exactly would you like me to add?" Keiso asked, intrigued.

Zannen took another sheet of paper from his pocket, covered in scribbles he had made while bored on Earth. On it was also Bulma Brief’s phone number along with a photo of her that he had stolen from the room where her daughter was. He grinned wickedly as he began to devise a new plan.

Chapter 22: Space Station?

At the towering Sacred Temple, Dende, the young and diligent Guardian of Earth—Kami Sama himself—was speaking with Mr. Popo about some of the universe’s complex matters when their conversation was suddenly interrupted by a disturbing vision.

In a corner of the southern desert, he saw the body of a strange figure emerging with a clear purpose in mind. Dende watched with curiosity, trying to make out his appearance, though it was unrecognizable beneath the thick black garments he wore. His attention sharpened, and his eyes widened as the sacred orb revealed the image of a family driving in their car being attacked by this mysterious figure.

Alarmed, Dende tried to investigate further, looking at him from every possible angle. But he was unable to see his face or sense his energy. Both were obscured by a blurred, mysterious perception. What unsettled Dende even more was that, through his ability to detect evil intent, he could not sense anything malicious in this being.

He continued to trace the steps of the stranger, who still withheld his identity, though Dende could see his actions. After stealing the family’s vehicle—fortunately Krillin and 18 came to their aid—the figure moved toward West City, specifically to the renowned Capsule Corporation. Dende’s eyes reflected confusion, but when he saw this person attack Vegeta’s daughter and then take the Dragon Radar, he jumped in fright.

Unable to discover the figure’s true identity and thus alert the Z Fighters, Dende hurried in worry to the place where King Yemma resided.

The great and dreaded guardian of the Other World was recording the usual flow of souls bound either for Heaven or for Hell, but he stopped as soon as he heard the little Namekian’s call.

“Great King Yemma!”

The ogre looked at him with complete attention and surprise.

“Dende, what brings you here?” King Yemma asked, noticing the boy’s anxious eyes.

“King Yemma, I’ve witnessed something alarming on Earth.” Dende’s voice trembled with unease. “There’s a mysterious being, accompanied by an alien, and they’ve been causing trouble. He attacked a family in the southern desert and then created chaos at Capsule Corporation.”

King Yemma frowned, confused by what Dende was describing.

“That sounds serious… you couldn’t identify who it was?”

“No. His appearance is concealed, and so is his energy. But from what little I could perceive, he’s not truly evil yet he’s still after the Dragon Balls.” Dende explained. “It’s as if his presence doesn’t belong to our world. Can you check if he’s a soul that escaped from here?”

King Yemma scowled as he reviewed his latest records of souls that had passed through his judgment, searching for anything out of place or tied to Earth’s apparent threat. Finally, he sighed.

“He’s not from here.”

"W-What?”

"I’m certain. According to my records, no one has left the Other World or arrived with the characteristics you described. You came here only to get bad news.” He told him seriously. Dende lowered his head in frustration. “But if you want, I’ll ask King Kai. That guy is always interested, even in the fate of a fly on Earth.”

Dende smiled, more at ease. “Thank you very much, King Yemma!”

He bowed respectfully, and King Yemma nodded solemnly.

With a rare sense of uncertainty gnawing at him, Dende returned to the Sacred Temple, aware that something very bad might soon happen if he wasn’t vigilant about Earth’s fate. The moment he saw the Z Fighters, he told them that it was Frieza who had obtained the Dragon Balls to make a reckless wish.

And so it was.

“Come forth, Shenron, and grant my wish!” Frieza shouted, raising the glowing Dragon Balls high as he summoned the Eternal Dragon.

The vast, majestic figure of Shenron appeared, radiating his characteristic light as he coiled into the gray, dark sky.

“State your wish,” Shenron commanded with his deep, resonant voice, gazing down at Frieza and his entire army behind him.

Frieza smirked, carefully thinking about what he was about to demand.

“I wish for Son Goku’s sons to be transported to my new space station.”

“That wish… is simple,” Shenron said, slightly confused, a bead of sweat forming on his brow. His eyes glowed, and with his power, he granted the wish.

Goku’s sons soon found themselves trapped inside the strange, indestructible chamber of the space station Frieza had spoken of. It was a fortress unlike anything ever seen before—far too resilient for any superpowered being, extremely difficult to destroy. It would take more than just the strength of two Saiyans. One of them was a young man who rarely put much effort into training, and the other was barely about to turn fourteen, still searching for his own growth. These boys were Goku’s sons: powerful, unyielding in spirit, and warriors by blood—yet exhausted, confused, and tormented by their last memory of their mother.

How were they supposed to get out?

Though their heritage didn’t limit them, it weighed on them. They were Saiyans, yes, but they were also human. Just kids. They weren’t meant to be there.

After draining all their energy trying to break through the walls again and again, they eventually gave up and rested, staying close to each other while searching for any possible solution. Patience was all they had left.

Meanwhile, Frieza watched with amusement as the boys struggled desperately to escape his station. His malicious laughter echoed.

“Well, I feared they’d destroy those walls instantly, but it looks like this is quite a challenge for them,” he sneered. “That means my troops did well giving me something worthwhile. We should visit that galaxy more often—they’ve got excellent resources.” He looked at Kikono, who nodded nervously, unsettled by Frieza’s cruelty toward two children.

“Yes, sir, it was a great investment,” Kikono replied.

“And a flawless plan. Perfectly executed. I did it! I’ve trapped Son Goku’s sons like caged animals, with no way to escape. Of course, I know this ship can withstand their powers… but at any moment, they might break free. Still, by the time that happens, that fool Goku and his allies will believe that his wife and his children were all kidnapped by me. None of them will imagine what really happened.” Frieza grinned and laughed again. “I’ll enjoy seeing Goku’s face when he realizes his stupid mistakes have doomed them all. They’ll be miserable for a very long time.”

Zannen would be pleased.

(...)

In another not-so-distant galaxy, Jaco was calmly focused on solving a sudoku while piloting his ship during patrol duty.

When he realized he couldn’t get the puzzle right, he huffed in frustration and indignantly set the game aside, glancing at the location of his target.

“Frieza controlling a space station? Oh, please.” he muttered with irony, while following Frieza’s trail to inspect it and possibly apprehend the criminal who had already committed countless cosmic crimes. Although forcing others to build a space station wasn’t the worst offense, as a member of the Galactic Patrol he still had to take action after all. “What could be going through that twisted head of his…?”

Before he could continue talking to himself, an emergency call came through.

It was none other than Bulma.

Jaco was slightly surprised by how sudden it was. Even though he had to stay on task, he couldn’t just ignore the call or try to guess what it might be about. It had to be important—especially now that he knew Frieza was once again roaming freely across the universe.

He sighed and set a new course for his next destination: Earth.

(...)

“What are you saying?” Krillin was baffled by his best friend’s answer.

“N-No… I don’t feel it anywhere,” he said, very confused and nervous.

The others kept staring at Goku, trying to find a true answer before thinking the worst.

“It can’t be,” Videl said with a sad look. “Does that mean something bad?”

“No, Videl, calm down,” Bulma tried to reassure her, while the young woman was on edge.

“Mr. Whis, could you please take me home as fast as possible?” Goku asked, thinking for once with his head, which Whis admired, and the angel nodded to his request.

“We’ll go with you, Goku,” Krillin said, determined.

“Yes, even if it’s you, we can’t be too sure,” Piccolo added. The others nodded.

“Alright,” said the black-haired man.

When Whis lifted his staff to teleport the warriors to Mount Paoz, it didn’t work. Whis frowned, slightly confused.

Whis made a gesture that caught everyone’s attention. Goku raised an eyebrow, puzzled.

“What’s wrong?”

After a few seconds, when Whis tried using his staff again, it still didn’t work.

Beerus glanced at his angel from the corner of his eye, very serious. What was happening?

“Something is preventing me. I’m sorry.”

“W-What!?” Goku exclaimed.

The others were stunned at what Whis said. Something was stopping him? What kind of thing could prevent the angel of their universe from using his power?

“Are you sure, Whis?” Beerus asked.

“Yes, my lord. I’m trying to understand why, and whether it’s some kind of barrier,” the violet-eyed being replied seriously.

“What barrier? What are you talking about?” Krillin asked, desperate and curious.

Whis glanced at him, knowing the exact answer. However, he remained silent, just like Lord Beerus.

Goku, on the other hand, frowned in anger.

“Damn it!” he shouted.

Everyone looked at Goku in shock, and some felt bad because he couldn’t sense the energy of his family. No one could say another word, because they saw how immediately the strongest man took off flying at full speed.

“Goku!” Bulma called out, but her friend had already disappeared. She sighed in resignation and glared at Whis. “What the hell happened? What barrier are you talking about?”

“Don’t you realize there are no signs of my husband and his family?” Videl asked this time, with tears in her eyes. “Give us an answer!”

“Videl…” Piccolo tried to intervene, but Beerus raised his hand to silence him.

Beerus stepped closer to the black-haired woman and stared directly into her eyes. Videl backed away, her expression softening as she grew nervous under the God’s serious gaze.

There had to be an answer to what was happening. Who was supposed to give it to them, if not these two?

“Go to your Kami or whatever,” Beerus said, putting his hands behind his back. The others were a bit surprised at his response. “Whis and I are leaving.”

“My lord…” Whis began, but the purple being made a gesture with his arm. Whis stayed serious and silent, unable to give the people an explanation.

“B-But…” Bulma tried to argue, but saw how the God and his Angel vanished after saying goodbye.

Everyone was stunned at what had just happened. The truth was, they had no idea. Why did they have to leave like that without giving clear answers? Something had happened, and it wasn’t only about Frieza’s arrival or the appearance of a new enemy—there was something else behind all this. What could it be? Where were Gohan and Goten? Where was the one responsible for this entire mess?

Where did Goku go?

Vegeta narrowed his eyes, trying to make sense of the situation, but only making it worse. Things were going down the drain, and the fact that his daughter still bore the mark of that blow made it worse.

He sighed, crossing his arms and glancing at his wife, who was just as thoughtful as him, though far more nervous.

Videl stepped aside to calm Pan, who was crying, while the others began talking about what might be happening.

“I don’t deny that was strange, but Lord Beerus gave us an answer. We should go to Dende,” Piccolo declared. The others agreed.

“And if there’s something more than what Whis mentioned? What will happen to Goku?” Krillin said.

Bulma remained lost in thought, ignoring her friends’ words, until she locked eyes with Vegeta, who found her staring at him.

She felt sad for a moment and went to him to say something, seeing in his eyes that he too had something to tell her. She stopped, thought clearly, and addressed the others before reaching Vegeta.

“Guys,” she called. “Most likely, Goku went to look for the kids and their mother. If that mysterious person or whatever else is out there causing us trouble, it’s best that you go to Dende, like Piccolo said, to make sure everyone’s safe.” she said with certainty.

Piccolo and the others nodded to Bulma’s words and headed directly to Kami’s temple. At Capsule Corporation, only Yamcha with Puar, Oolong, and Master Roshi stayed behind, along with 18 and Marron, Videl with Pan, and the entire Brief family.

“I’ll call my father,” Videl announced worriedly, heading into the large house with Pan in her arms, still asleep.

Everyone watched her leave, except for Vegeta, and some felt a twinge of pity for her, especially Bulma.

The blue-haired woman sighed and finally approached her husband, who was still sitting on the ground, deep in thought.

Bulma sat next to him and looked straight ahead, where her son and Marron ate without much spirit beside 18, while the others kept apart, looking at the sky and talking about what had happened.

“What do you think that was, Vegeta?” she asked without looking at him.

The most serious Saiyan of all kept staring at the horizon. At the table, Mrs. and Mr. Brief had joined Bra, cheering up Marron and Trunks with a board game, where 18 also joined at her daughter’s request. Vegeta’s gaze lingered on Bra, then on his son Trunks. He didn’t know what to think about what happened with Whis, with Kakarot and his family, or even with his daughter. The only thing he believed was that it needed to be solved as soon as possible, and above all, they had to find out who was responsible.

“I don’t know. Lord Beerus and Whis won’t care about Earth the way we do, so they’ll keep their affairs out of this,” he continued. “But if somehow this has to do with that miserable worm who hit Bra and snuck into our house, I won’t care about anything else. You can be sure I’ll finish him.”

(...)

Goku flew at full speed toward his home, trying to sense or catch sight of either of his sons or his wife along the way, but there was nothing.

Why couldn’t he feel their presence? What was really happening? Why were things turning out so strange?

When he finally reached Mount Paoz, an incredible and heavy silence took over the place the moment he landed. He sighed and drew in a shaky breath.

He hated those kinds of feelings, since none of this should be happening. His kids owed him an answer—if they were at home with their mother.

And well, with Chi-Chi, he would try to fix things however he could.

(...)

“Vegeta, I want to talk to you about Bulla,” Bulma said wearily, glancing sideways at her husband. “It wasn’t your fault, no one could have noticed.”

Vegeta closed his eyes with a look of annoyance.

“Now that Gohan, Goten, and their mother have no whereabouts... it makes me believe hard times are coming. We have to stay together for that.” She dared to place her hand over his. Vegeta didn’t pull away; in fact, he opened his eyes to look at Bulma.

“When the insects return from speaking with Dende, we’ll find out what Frieza’s wish was and who the bastard was, or where he is.” He then turned his gaze back to their children. Pulling his hand away from Bulma’s, he stood up, and she followed. “I need to be ready, and now without Whis especially, I have to train.”

“But, Vegeta...”

“Trunks and Bulla will be fine. You’ll be fine too. If you’re going to worry about something, don’t make it about me—make it about yourselves and the others. That woman of Gohan will no doubt need someone if Kakarot shows up alone.” He turned and walked away.

Bulma remained there, watching him leave. She sighed in exhaustion. She knew Vegeta had his reasons. She understood. He knew it too—she would have to be part of the solution, or at least try in the meantime.

(...)

“Piccolo! Guys! It’s a pleasure to have you here,” exclaimed Dende with a smile, though deep down he knew the reason they had come.

“Hey, Dende, how’s everything going?” asked Krillin, trying to keep up his enthusiasm.

“Well…” he was interrupted by Piccolo.

“I’m guessing it’s something pretty strange, am I wrong?”

“The truth is you’re absolutely right, Piccolo. Something very strange is happening on Earth, and I knew it was causing trouble the moment you came to see me the other day,” he explained, his expression turning worried. “It seems there are even more problems now that Frieza used the Dragon Balls.”

“So you actually saw Frieza arrive on the planet and make a wish with the Dragon Balls, right?”

“Yes, although there’s something I couldn’t understand, and I still don’t know why,” Dende admitted with a grimace.

Dende told them everything that happened with Frieza as soon as he arrived on Earth with the Dragon Balls. Before the warriors had even arrived, he had already made a wish—clearly not just to grow a few more centimeters taller. Piccolo and the others were waiting for him to reveal what Frieza’s true wish had been, but Dende looked nervous and confused.

“Is it about that person you couldn’t see clearly?” asked Piccolo with curiosity.

“Yes, that person appeared at Bulma’s house. However, I couldn’t figure out who it was. Their presence was strange and blurry, but it didn’t feel evil, even though they dared… well… to strike Vegeta’s daughter,” he said, embarrassed. “Because I was trying to find out who they were in King Yemma’s temple, I couldn’t warn you in time about Frieza’s arrival and his wish,” he explained.

“I see. Is that the same person who appeared in Mount Paozu?” asked Krillin, frowning.

“Yes, the same one that has been following you all this time—even the one wandering around the southern desert and near West City. But I don’t know where they come from or why they’re doing this. King Yemma told me he didn’t know either, and that it wasn’t someone from the other world. But one thing I’m sure of now is that it’s connected to Frieza, who does have an evil purpose.”

At the young Namekian’s words, the warriors sighed and looked away, knowing that Frieza, after all, had come only to cause trouble.

“What was Frieza’s wish, then?”

Dende swallowed at Piccolo’s question and looked at him with a troubled expression.

(...)

Videl laid Pan down in one of the guest rooms Bulma had offered and tucked her in before kissing her forehead. She sighed while her phone still waited for her father to answer.

“Hello?”

“Dad! How have you been? How’s everything going?” she tried not to sound nervous, though her heart was still racing after recent events.

“I’m glad to hear your voice, sweetheart. Everything’s been great on my tour. How are things back home? How’s my granddaughter?”

“I’m at Capsule Corporation with Pan right now. You should know some things have been happening lately… Do you think you could come as soon as you can?”

“What!? Of course, sweetheart, I’ll come as soon as I finish up here in the city.”

“Alright, Dad.”

“I love you, sweetheart. See you soon.”

When Videl ended the call with her father, she heard a knock on the door and went to see who it was. It was Bulma. The blue-haired woman smiled at her.

“How are you, Videl? Do you and Pan need anything?”

“Pan is sleeping peacefully, thanks, Bulma.” Videl smiled, but her eyes carried sadness. “It’s just that her father and the others aren’t here yet.”

“I know.” Bulma walked into the room with her and looked at the little baby, smiling again with a sigh. “But don’t worry, Goku will be back soon with some answers. Gohan and Goten couldn’t have just disappeared like that, and they wouldn’t have left their mother alone. They must be together now.”

“Yes, I want to believe that,” said the dark-haired woman.

“Remember, no matter what happens, the rest of us will be here to support you and little Pan.” Bulma put a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t doubt it for a second, Videl. Anything you need, call me or any of the others if we’re nearby.”

Videl nodded, grateful for the words of the woman who had always been like an aunt to her husband. Not only intelligent, but someone who always cared deeply about problems.

Speaking of caring, she then thought of her dear mother-in-law. At first, dealing with her had felt like hell—she had been embarrassed to talk to her, even annoyed at times—but with time she realized the respect Chi-Chi inspired. She was a good wife, mother, and counselor. Her strength was one of the greatest Videl had ever seen, because despite everything, she always kept her loved ones—her children and, of course, her husband—close.

Perhaps she didn’t see the same kind of love in her in-laws’ relationship as in her own with Gohan, but she was certain it was pure and unconditional. Just like hers and her husband’s. A tear threatened to fall as she realized just how much she missed him. He had left, promising to come back soon—and dawn was almost breaking.

“Oh, Gohan… I hope you come back safe and sound,” she thought.

(...)

Gohan made one last effort to destroy the wall that stood between him and his younger brother Goten.

Goten was clearly frustrated. He lowered his head, feeling powerless at not being able to escape that place.

His older brother looked at him with both weariness and understanding, then walked closer.

“It’s unbelievable that we don’t even know where we are,” he said, breathing heavily.

A sudden voice interrupted them, making the two Saiyans flinch.

“I can answer that question.” The moment they heard it, they recognized the voice instantly.

“Frieza!?” they exclaimed in unison, shocked.

The great rival of the Z Warriors was standing before them, separated only by the wall, which now looked like glass. Gohan and Goten frowned and tried to break through it, but failed. Frieza let out a mocking laugh.

“What are you doing here? Why are you keeping us trapped? Where are we?” Gohan demanded angrily.

“So many questions, Gohan. You’d better ask them one at a time,” Frieza sneered.

Gohan clenched his teeth, furious, while Goten—confused and upset—felt fear growing inside him, knowing Frieza was behind everything.

“Let us out of here! What is this strange place, and why can’t we leave?” Goten shouted.

“You’re not going anywhere. You’re inside my space station, designed to contain anyone who dares to cause me trouble… like you two,” Frieza said with a malicious grin.

“Frieza, I demand that you stop whatever you’re doing! What happened to our mother!?” Gohan shouted this time.

Frieza looked him straight in the eyes, his smile widening even more.

“As they say on your planet… that’s life, Gohan.” He then returned the wall to its previous state.

Furious, Gohan and Goten attacked the walls again and again, refusing to stop until exhaustion finally overcame them.

Unable to hold it in anymore, Goten cried in his brother’s arms. Gohan held him tightly, listening as the boy kept asking again and again, “Why? Why is this happening?”

Gohan felt a lump in his throat as he thought of his mother, then of his wife and daughter, who were surely worried and in danger now that they knew Frieza had returned as Earth’s new threat. He was certain Frieza had an accomplice who had helped him, even with what had happened to their mother.

He could only hope that everyone would realize the truth soon and stand up to the ruthless alien, even if it meant reviving bitter memories and facing the consequences.

Notes:

Thank you so much for reading ♡

At last we know what wish Frieza made, and maybe with this we can understand a little better how he manages to stay in outer space without being hunted down by the warriors, except for Jaco, who heads to Earth to help.

But what will happen when everyone finds out the truth about the whereabouts of Gohan and Goten? Where could Goku have gone? What will happen with Chi-Chi, and how will they realize that she is the one who’s missing?

Find out in the next chapter of WHERE ARE YOU, CHI-CHI? *epic narrator voice*

There are key things in this chapter, just like in many others and in all those still to come. I don’t just add things for no reason — everything has a purpose ✌🏻

\[ remember to read the disclaimers in the prologue in case you get confused with any part of the story ]

\~ words used in this narration: 4,323.
\~ beth.♡

Chapter 23: Without An Answer

As suddenly as always, Goku teleported from where he had been with Broly back to Capsule Corp.The familiar surroundings made him smile, and it didn’t take long before he ran into Vegeta, who, upon seeing him, rolled his eyes and walked away with his arms crossed.

“Hey, Vegeta!” Goku greeted cheerfully.

“Finished with your charity act at last?” the Saiyan mocked, heading toward the gravity chamber.

“I don’t know why you call it that, but yes! Everything went well, Broly seemed very grateful, though his friends are still very suspicious,” Goku explained, laughing a little.

Vegeta snorted.

“Well, let’s hope they don’t cause any trouble. Time to train now,” he said, opening the door, and Goku followed him inside.

After adjusting the controls to intensify that day’s training, both Saiyans began sparring with each other, testing their strength and putting into practice the many techniques and skills they had developed.

“You know what I’ve been thinking, Vegeta? We should go train with Whis again. I still remember the incredible level I reached with the other universes,” Goku mentioned, his eyes shining.

“No kidding, I want to train with him too. I need to keep getting stronger, increase my power even more,” Vegeta shouted determinedly, striking Goku and making him stumble back.

“That’s why I’ll also ask him to train Broly so we can fight him properly again,” Goku replied, pushing Vegeta back with his strike. Vegeta stood still, confused, and stepped aside to look at him closely.

“What?”

“I’m going to ask Whis to…”

“I heard you, idiot! How dare you say that? Broly needs more control than you think. We had to use that fusion nonsense, and even then, we couldn’t land a scratch! He should be a threat to our enemies, not us!” Vegeta yelled, exasperated.

“I know, I know,” Goku laughed, defending himself with his arms. “I promise it will be fine. Broly has incredible potential. You saw it yourself.”

Vegeta huffed and crossed his arms, looking away.

“I guess fighting him while he’s in control would be interesting,” he muttered.

“Exactly! I’ll tell him tomorrow so he can start right away.”

“Why don’t you tell him now since Bulma has the communicator?”

Goku chuckled calmly for a few seconds before replying.

“I’ll go back to do that, but first I want to go home and eat a good meal made by Chichi. I’m starving.”

Vegeta rolled his eyes, but Goku noticed a teasing glint in his gaze.

“As if I don’t know you’re going home specifically for her cooking, when you know there’s plenty here.”

Goku laughed again, scratching his nose, but to avoid showing nervousness in front of Vegeta, he shot back.

“And as if I don’t know you stop training in the gravity chamber just to spoil little Bulla.”

Vegeta’s eyes widened, and he blushed.

“What did you say, insect?” The threatening tone in his voice was unmistakable.

“Fatherhood suits you, huh, Vegeta?” Goku laughed, enjoying the little provocation.

Vegeta’s fury erupted, and he launched a direct attack at Goku, who teleported away with his characteristic movement, laughing as he vanished.

A second later, Goku appeared in front of his house, letting himself be embraced by the warmth of the sun, the breeze in the sky, the birds’ singing, and the feel of nature. This was his home. He smiled, thinking of seeing his family again, and headed straight to open the door to greet his beloved children and wife.

But…

The warmth of the sun and the birds’ singing were gone, replaced by a cold, silent night, with only the moon providing light.

Goku swallowed hard as he approached the door quietly, glancing around for caution. Everything seemed in order. He tried to sense any energy, but there was nothing. What the hell had happened that he couldn’t feel anyone?

He thought perhaps his home had been destroyed or something similar, but felt relieved when everything appeared in place. Entering the house, there was no disaster to catch his attention—though Goku never really paid attention to the details of his home, always kept tidy by his wife. However, something was clearly wrong: neither she nor his children were there. His heart skipped a beat, then thudded in a way it hadn’t in a long time.

Scratching his head, he wondered: where was his family? He checked the living room, every bedroom, every corner of the kitchen, the bathrooms, the yard, and found nothing.

Then he noticed a strange smell coming from the kitchen, making him frown as he went directly to the fish lying on the counter by the sink. It had spoiled from the day’s heat, now looking like a dish no one would eat. Some scales remained, leading Goku to deduce that Chichi hadn’t finished preparing it. A sense of oppression gripped his chest as he looked at the fish, and he could only turn away with a face full of sorrow.

He felt completely confused and upset. He called each of his children and his wife’s name, but got no response. He gestured in frustration and flew out of the house, trying to think of why his children would have gone to look for their mother in the first place.

Things with Frieza had gotten intense for a moment, and they needed to be alert to any threat. He couldn’t allow anyone to harm another family member. Though he was afraid and embarrassed by the situation with Chichi, he knew he couldn’t forget her. He needed to have her close. But at that moment, he blamed himself for not taking responsibility to go find her with teleportation.

He also partly blamed the person who had caused trouble from the start. The one who had come to his house to stalk his family, his friends, and harm the girl he considered his niece.

He couldn’t stand the thought of an enemy harming his children and wife.

An enemy who was a complete stranger.

As Goku stood in front of his house, confused and worried, he still wondered: where were his wife and children really? What had happened while he was busy fighting Frieza?

He felt foolish for not thinking through his actions better at Capsule Corp, but despite the anxiety, an idea came to mind.

Surely Dende had the answers, and his friends had already taken care of it. Before teleporting, he went directly to the part of the forest where they had found the old truck last time, not far from his house, with trash, leaves, and that strange jacket.

His eyes widened in surprise when he realized it was no longer there.

He searched for anything that might indicate the place, but found nothing. He sighed in frustration.

Frowning at having come for nothing, he teleported back to Capsule Corp, unaware that the truck he had been looking for was hidden in a ravine some distance away, covered by a bundle of leaves.

(...)

In the blink of an eye, Whis and Lord Beerus returned to the planet of the God of Destruction. The serenity of the environment contrasted with the tension they had just left behind on Earth a few minutes earlier. Beerus stretched and walked slowly, his expression very serious, while Whis followed, still pondering what had happened.

“Now I need an explanation about your staff, Whis,” Beerus said, glancing at his angel as he sank into a chair. He grabbed a fruit from the table and bit into it forcefully, clearly annoyed that it wasn’t as exquisite as what he had eaten earlier.

“It was a barrier at the same level as my power, Lord. Maybe even a little stronger. That’s why I couldn’t pass through it. It’s very unusual. I wanted to explain it on Earth, but you didn’t allow me.”

Beerus frowned and took another bite of his fruit before continuing.

“Of course, I wouldn’t allow it. A power higher than yours at that exact moment? You couldn’t give them that answer and let them question your abilities.”

Whis remained silent for a moment, his violet eyes shining with a mix of curiosity and intrigue, then he smiled.

“Even if it’s true, only someone with abilities similar to mine could have done it. But I couldn’t even mention it to you or to the Grand Priest without any evidence.”

Beerus let out a sigh.

“Who would do that?” he asked in a whisper.

“Revealing what the other angels are doing to find out would alert them immediately, and that wouldn’t be appropriate. Besides, we wouldn’t want to draw their attention, even though ours has already been drawn.”

“There has to be a reason. It had to be someone,” Beerus said, irritated. Then an idea crossed his mind. “Maybe it was Marcarita. I knew that weird visit with Vermoudh had nothing good behind it. We need to question them again. This isn’t something to take lightly.”

“Within our abilities, we cannot interfere without a clear objective. That would cause total imbalance. I wouldn’t rush to say Marcarita did it, because she also knows the implications. None of us can afford to act without purpose.”

“Well, you’re the one who knows about these things. Try to find out!”

“That’s exactly what I plan to do, Lord,” Whis said, looking up and sighing. “But it could also be that a powerful and mysterious being is on Earth. Now that Goku’s family is in danger, I believe there may be a connection.”

Beerus snorted.

“What’s that about?”

“Frieza wished with the Dragon Balls to make Goku’s family disappear, and there have been other strange events before that, involving the person who injured Vegeta’s daughter. In my opinion, the barrier may be related to that individual.”

Beerus slammed his hand on the table, rattling the plates and empty glasses.

“That’s unacceptable! We need to know who else is trying to play with us!”

Whis, always calm, nodded again.

“I agree, Lord Beerus. For now, it’s crucial that the Z fighters work together to face Frieza and uncover the origin of this threat.”

“Do you have any idea?”

“Even if I try to figure it out through my knowledge, in the end I arrive at the same result as Earth’s Kami Sama, sadly.”

“What result?”

“No clues at all.”

Beerus frowned even more and clenched his fists.

“That Goku… should have trained instead of bringing that other Saiyan. But he knows he must be strong under any circumstance, and he’ll need help against a threat of this magnitude,” Beerus said, leaning back in his chair and closing his eyes for a moment.

“I didn’t know you cared so much about helping the warriors, Lord.”

The purple man looked at him and rolled his eyes.

“I only do it for the food.”

Whis smiled slightly at that.

“If you say so.”

Beerus opened his eyes, his gaze serious and determined.

“Let’s hope the worst happens, only then can we return. For now, focus on that barrier and whatever is happening on Earth.”

Whis nodded one last time before raising his staff, ready to begin his investigation into the barrier and its connection to the events on Earth. Although Lord Beerus suspected Marcarita might be involved in that blockage, he would need a private meeting with her to get answers. The peace of Universe 7 was being disturbed, and who knew about their own? They needed to play their cards as soon as possible.

Using the display on his staff, he showed the strongest Saiyan warrior searching his home for answers.

(...)

Marcarita sipped tea while observing Goku through the display on her staff, searching his house for any trace of his family or even the evidence Zannen had left. She sighed, knowing her plan had worked.

She quickly turned away as Vermoudh appeared, stretching and letting out a long yawn.

“Sometimes I feel so tired even after sleeping,” he said as he took a seat and grabbed a snack. “How long this time?”

“Actually, not much, Lord. You only slept for a day and fifteen minutes.”

Vermoudh snorted.

“Well, I hope my habits won’t always be like this,” he shrugged, continuing to eat, then stood with his plate and flew to another part of his palace. Marcarita smiled at her God’s antics, but in her mind, she still focused on the situation her friend faced in Universe 7.

She was startled by a call from one of her wisest brothers, Whis. She sighed again. Even though her plan had worked, it didn’t mean she wouldn’t be discovered.

But something kept her calm: although she couldn’t lie, she wouldn’t tell the truth either.

“Hello, Whis. Can I help you with something?” she asked calmly, making sure Lord Vermoudh wasn’t nearby.

“Marcarita, I’ve been thinking about a situation,” Whis began, his tone calm but firm. “A barrier appeared on Earth that prevented me from teleporting there. We both know that kind of thing only happens among us angels. Is something happening in Universe 11 that would allow your energy to reach ours?”

Marcarita maintained her serene composure, though her heart beat a little faster than usual. She knew this conversation was inevitable.

“Whis, I understand what you mean. What happened is serious, and Lord Beerus and you have reasons to be concerned,” she replied, trying to stay calm. “Jiren’s withdrawal has made the troops face the hard task of recruiting more planets as allies, but some turned out to be evil, which is why I implemented barriers for these beings throughout the universe. Perhaps, since I recently visited yours, one escaped near where you normally are. My apologies,” she explained.

Whis nodded, feeling reassured by what Marcarita had said.

“Don’t worry, I understand. Lord Beerus does too. Thanks for the information, let me know if anything happens.”

Marcarita nodded with a gentle smile.

“Likewise.”

She bowed slightly, sighing in relief once she no longer saw her brother’s face, who luckily seemed distracted from what had really happened. However, she knew she had just sentenced herself to certain punishment.

The unanswered question remained:

Would all of this be worth it?

(...)

At Capsule Corp, Bulma was absorbed in her laboratory, doing the necessary calculations for the next time they would use the Dragon Balls, which had already been used. However, she gradually felt her eyelids growing heavy from fatigue, and when she tried the coffee in her now-cold cup, she made a face of displeasure and quickly got up.

In the hallway, she ran into her mother, who was holding Bulla asleep in her arms. Bulma smiled and stepped closer to take her little girl, happy to see her.

“Your father won’t leave that machine until the others return and give us answers about what happened to you and the kids with their mom, isn’t that annoying, sweetie?”

Bulla remained asleep, and Mrs. Panchy smiled at her daughter with her usual optimism. Bulma kissed her on the forehead and let her mother take the girl to her room while she prepared to work and pour herself more coffee.

Before returning to the lab, she heard the sound of a notification on her phone. She took it out to see an unknown number.

She raised an eyebrow curiously when she saw it said, “Hi, how are you?”

Bulma was about to ignore it, but she repeated the simple question in her mind and felt the urge to vent, literally responding how she felt at that moment. It didn’t matter who would receive the answer.

“I’m terrified as shit".

“Mom! Piccolo and the others are back!”—Trunks called from the doorway, and the blue-haired woman put her phone away before running out to see what was happening.

In the yard were all the warriors who had gone first. Some were downcast, their faces serious; others showed sadness and confusion. The tension was palpable, and 18 approached her husband with their daughter, noticing that he was affected by something as well.

“So… how did it go with Dende?” Bulma asked, visibly nervous.

Silence met her question. Videl, and then Vegeta, joined the group. The latter had his arms crossed, showing both curiosity and anger. Videl, on the other hand, looked scared, her heart in her hands. Bulma glanced at them before turning her attention to Piccolo, who seemed the most serious of all.

“And Goku?” he asked.

“He’s not with you?” 18 asked, confused.

Piccolo shook his head and was about to speak, but suddenly everyone saw Goku appear in the blink of an eye.

Everyone was shocked to see him, especially noticing he was completely alone, his expression even more somber. Videl and the children looked at him with fear and anguish. Bulma felt a hollow pit in her stomach.

“Goku…” Krillin murmured, looking at his friend. Goku didn’t look back.

“What did you find out?” Goku asked Piccolo seriously.

Piccolo was sweating, still carrying a trace of confusion and anger. He looked into Goku’s eyes, knowing everyone was watching him, waiting impatiently for his answer. What he said was:

“Frieza used the Dragon Balls to kidnap Gohan and Goten on his space station.”

The news left almost everyone speechless. Vegeta frowned, Marron and Trunks exchanged anguished glances, Bulma and 18 stepped back slightly, surprised, and Videl gasped in fear, feeling a heavy weight on her chest.

Goku closed his eyes tightly, gritting his teeth, trying to contain the energy threatening to burst out.

“What?!” Bulma exclaimed, unable to contain her indignation. “How dare he do something like that?”

Goku, feeling a whirlwind of emotions inside him, blinked several times before turning back to Piccolo.

“Why? Why would he do that?” he whispered, his voice full of desperation and frustration.

Piccolo looked away, feeling the weight of Goku’s question.

“Dende said it could be because that mysterious person is helping Frieza do this, most likely as a kind of revenge against you.”

Goku’s frown deepened, still confused and stunned by the situation. Without a doubt, he was angry.

“If he only ordered Gohan and Goten to be kidnapped, it’s very likely that Chichi…”

“Was too,” Bulma finished Krillin’s sentence. Everyone looked at Goku as soon as they mentioned his wife.

He lowered his head, his breathing heavy. The mere thought of his children being abducted by Frieza as a cruel game just to torment him made his blood boil.

Goku’s face hardened even more at the thought that Chichi might be in danger. His jaw and fists clenched tighter. He knew he had to do everything possible to find his children and his wife as soon as possible.

He thought that the mistake wasn’t only his, but also Dende’s, who had apologized telepathically because he didn’t know what happened with his wife and was only aware of what happened to his children. Yet everyone trusted that their mother would be with them.

“N-no, Gohan…” Videl sobbed, dropping to her knees. Everyone except Vegeta looked at her with sadness.

“Videl,” Bulma approached to console her and help her up.

“And you don’t know who that person is?” Vegeta asked, a vein standing out on his forehead.

“Dende couldn’t identify him, he’s a complete stranger. What we know is that he works with Frieza, and it seems he lied to all of us when we confronted him,” Piccolo said coldly.

Vegeta closed his eyes, thoroughly annoyed, and stepped aside, feeling rage toward the alien he had wanted to kill for as long as he could remember, wanting to find him and extract the truth by force if necessary.

Meanwhile, Goku remained angry, unable to believe what he had heard, feeling his chest tighten and his heart break over and over.

Videl looked up at her father-in-law, tears filling her eyes, approaching him while moving away from Bulma, who watched carefully.

Goku didn’t even notice when Videl approached him and started speaking.

“This is your fault,” she whispered, pointing at him. Goku looked astonished and even more shocked as he felt the slap she gave him.

“Videl!” Bulma exclaimed, surprised, moving to stop her in case she attacked Goku. Piccolo and 18 observed attentively.

“If you had gone yourself for Mrs. Chichi instead of Gohan and little Goten, maybe they’d still be here and we would have realized in time what was happening! I’m tired of having to accept that you’re the man who never errs when it comes to family and having to act like a polite little girl in front of you! You could have made Gohan responsible for saving the world, not for saving your own ass!” she yelled in rage.

Every word struck Goku’s shattered heart. He lowered his gaze in shock, trying to process what was happening. His daughter-in-law had never spoken to him like that, never acted like that in front of anyone, and certainly not without Gohan around. It seemed she was showing the character she had always had.

Videl left crying, with Bulma following behind. Before she could continue, the blue-haired woman looked at her friend and could only feel pity for him, shaking her head disappointed and saddened by what had happened to Gohan, Goten, and Chichi.

Trunks and Marron looked at Goku with sadness while 18 led them inside the house.

“We have to act fast,” Master Roshi said decisively, a bead of sweat on his forehead.

“Yes,” Krillin agreed, swallowing nervously as he looked at his friend. “Goku?”

Goku couldn’t lift his gaze. He didn’t feel ready for this. In fact, he had never been ready. It wasn’t like he had to train or exert himself to win a battle like this. Perhaps it wasn’t the kind of battle he was used to. Definitely not, because all he could feel was destruction inside him and the worst images of his family in danger. He couldn’t accept it.

He couldn’t bear the situation with Chichi torturing him like this.

“Don’t worry, Goku, we’ll find the kids and Chichi soon. Let’s find out where that thing put them,” Krillin said, placing a supportive hand on him. Everyone nodded in agreement.

Piccolo was the first to leave to look for clues about the villain’s current location, although he really just wanted to get away from there.

Goku looked up at the Namekian and realized he had also been affected, and perhaps, deep down, it had bothered him too. The dark-haired warrior closed his eyes tightly.

“That bastard will hear me. Don’t think I’ll forgive him,” Goku declared after a few seconds, full of anger.

The Z Warriors present watched Goku and felt determination burning in their hearts. They had to prepare to rescue Gohan, Goten, and Chichi as soon as possible and stop Frieza once and for all.

Notes:

Thank you so much for reading ♡

A slightly short chapter but super important. Now is when things start getting even better, I promise.

Please, if you don’t understand something in this chapter or any other, feel free to comment and ask without fear 🫶🏻

In the next chapter, we’ll see how our dear Chichi and our delicious Zannen do with their plan, as well as the rescue of the kids.
Don’t miss it!

\[Remember to read the disclaimers in the prologue in case you get confused about anything in the story]

\~ Words used in the narration: 4,180.
\~ beth.♡