Chapter 2
Commissions and Paranoia
Kibito appeared on the Earth next to Gohan, already sitting upright again thanks to Dende's healing abilities, which he was still undergoing. "Good work, Gohan," he said quietly, "We're all very proud of you." And then left to survey the battlefield until he was satisfied Buu was permanently gone.
He returned to Gohan and Dende soon after. "It isn't proper for us to meddle so directly, but given the circumstances, the Supreme Kai saw fit that I help you put your planet back together any way I can. Can your dragon balls handle the damage?"
"It shouldn't be a problem" Dende began, "except for the ones who have died before. That's all of our warriors. We'll have to ask the Namekians if they'll let us use their dragon balls for them. In fact, he can probably revive everyone on Earth with one wish."
"Well then, let's go see them. I'm sure they'll help us." Kibito replied, extending an arm. In a flash, they were gone.
Gohan laid and rested in their absence, but wasn't alone for long. Within an hour, Gohan felt Tien's energy in the distance where his body had landed, and soon after, Goten, Trunks, Piccolo, and everyone Buu had eaten on the Lookout reappeared. The group gathered together and began to recount the events that had just taken place and celebrate, when Kibito and Dende reappeared.
Trunks and Goten, full of excitement, broke from their mothers' grasps and clamored toward the two, overwhelming them with questions. Bulma finally broke the silence when she worriedly asked, "Hey guys, where's Vegeta?"
It was here that Kibito interjected. "I'm afraid I have to deliver some upsetting news. Vegeta is gone. The body he lost in his battle with Buu was tied directly to his soul. When it was destroyed, so was he. There is nothing the Kais, nor anyone else, can do to bring him back. I am very sorry."
Bulma's heart dropped as she heard the news, and tears rolled down her face. Trunks, held tight in her arms, gaped in disbelief, struggling to comprehend the gravity of the Kibito's words.
"It is a true shame," he continued, "had Vegeta survived the battle, his acts of heroism surely would have earned him a place in Heaven. He died a hero, you should all be very proud.
"Furthermore, you should all know the Nameks were very hesitant to share their dragon balls with you, as Dende can attest. They are very grateful for what you did for them on Namek, and I assured them that Buu was a threat to the whole universe, so they agreed, but the dragon balls are very sacred to them, and they believe their debt has been paid. I would not count on them being so generous in the future.
"Now, some good news. If this battle has taught us anything, it is that we can no longer rely on our own strength to intervene in the affairs of this world. There are simply too many of you who surpass us already, and the Supreme Kai feels sure more will present themselves. As such, Goku has been appointed Guardian of Heaven, and will be given the utmost training to ensure that no threat from any universe is ever able to threaten Otherworld. He will not, however, be able to interfere with the dangers of this world. For that, we are relying on all of you.
"Gohan, Goten, Trunks, we're counting on the three of you most of all. I must return to the planet of the Kais. Goodbye for now, friends."
And in a flash, he was gone. The only sounds that broke the deafening silence were Bulma's sobs.
After a few moments, Piccolo spoke up. "That's enough for today, everyone go home and rest, and prepare to meet at the Lookout tomorrow morning. We have a lot to discuss, but I need to think first."
"Works for me," Tien responded, "I need to find Chiaotzu, anyway. I'll see you all in the morning." The two stoic warriors then flew away silently.
Everyone offered their condolences to Bulma and Trunks and went their own way. Chi Chi found one of Bulma's car capsules, and she, Krillin, 18, and Maron drove her home, consoling her all the way. Trunks and Goten flew behind in silence.
Piccolo floated alone at the Lookout the next day. He was quiet and deep in thought, but anxious for the others to arrive. The loss of Vegeta was affecting him more than he would've imagined, not because of their relationship, but for what it meant in the larger scheme.
They had never before permanently lost a fighter after a battle. Even when Goku had elected to stay dead after the battle with Cell, that was a strategic choice, and one that could always be reversed with the dragon balls. Now, however, their greatest warrior was being given responsibility that far surpassed the wellbeing of the Earth, and Vegeta, one of their strongest warriors, many times the strongest warrior in their arsenal, was permanently and completely gone.
The Earth was weak, of that there was no denial, and he intended to address it.
Before long, Krillin, 18, and Roshi appeared, with Yamcha, Tien, and Chiaotzu close behind. Finally, Gohan, Videl, Goten, and Trunks appeared together.
"We left Mom behind with Bulma," Gohan told Piccolo, "try to take it easy on Trunks. He's barely said a word since Kibito dropped the news."
Piccolo nodded solemnly. "If everyone's here, let's get started." He began.
"As you're all aware, Goku and Vegeta are gone. If our history has taught us anything, it's that we attract trouble. Why that is, I'm not sure, but we were caught off guard when Majin Buu attacked, and we can't allow that to happen again."
Everyone nodded in agreement as Piccolo continued,
"As it stands, Gohan and me are the only two that are fully prepared for battle, and soon I'll be on the decline. Krillin, Tien, Yamcha, there's no nice way to say it; none of you are as strong as you were when we fought Cell. You're old, and you're not our future."
Krillin started to make a joke about Piccolo's age, but decided against it given the mood, and kept it to himself.
"Our future is in the sons of Goku and Vegeta. Two of them have never received proper training, and the other has shown a lack of dedication to his training in the past. That all changes today."
Krillin looked at Roshi and spoke up, "Well, how 'bout it, old timer? Think the Turtle School has room for a couple more students?"
Roshi looked shocked. "What? No, I'm far too old for that now. I'll help however I can, but those days are behind me."
"However," he continued, "if we're talking about restarting the Turtle School, I suppose I should choose a successor."
Yamcha and Krillin perked up and gave him their full attention. Roshi allowed the suspense to build for a moment, relishing the attention he hadn't received in years, before continuing.
"Yamcha, you're a fine warrior, you've made the Turtle School very proud. However, Krillin, you were my student first and for a longer time, and you've seen and done more in your career as a martial artist. If I can only choose one, it has to be you."
"Wow, thanks Master. I never really saw myself as a master, but I guess I don't have a choice. Sure, I'll do it!"
Yamcha smiled understandingly and patted Krillin on the shoulder. Krillin then looked at Goten and Trunks. "Well, what do you say guys?"
Goten, the spitting image of his father at that age, exploded at the opportunity. "Wow! You mean I get to go to the Turtle School just like my dad and train with you Mister Krillin and wear that big turtle shell and live on an island and win the tournament and…"
His words ran together after a while, but Krillin got the message. He then looked at Trunks, still standing quietly behind Goten. "Trunks?" Krillin asked.
"No."
The response caught everyone by surprise, as much for it's bluntness as for it's content. After a moment, Trunks continued.
"My dad wouldn't have wanted me to go to the same school Goku did and train with Goten, he would've wanted me to be different. And he would've wanted me to have a more serious trainer, too. No offense."
Krillin looked puzzled. "Um..none taken, I guess. But who then? I remember your future self saying Gohan trained him, I guess that worked out ok…"
"Absolutely not!" Piccolo burst into the conversation. "I don't know what that Gohan was like, but the last thing we need is our Gohan's slacker habits rubbing off on Trunks, too!"
"Well, you're about as serious as they come, does that mean you want to train him?" Krillin asked.
"No thanks." Piccolo said, regaining his composure. "My days of wiping noses and teaching kids the basics are behind me. Besides, I've got my own student." As he finished that thought, he stared directly at Gohan.
"Who, me?" Gohan asked, "But I'm already trained, you said so yourself. I don't need a master anymore."
"You need a master more than anyone!" Piccolo barked back. "I don't know if you can get any stronger or not, but you've got a lot to learn, and I am not going to sit around and watch you waste all that potential again!"
"Geeze, alright, alright. But that still doesn't help us find a master for Trunks." Gohan said.
Trunks looked around the group, unenthused, until Gohan spoke up again. "Hey Tien, you're a pretty serious guy. And you fought with me against Buu, just like Vegeta. Plus you're from the Crane School. You'd probably be perfect for him."
Tien and Trunks' eyes locked. Tien had known and fought with Trunks's future counterpart when this Trunks was a baby, but to Trunks, Tien was a complete stranger.
"I'll do it, if Trunks will have me." Tien deadpanned. "There's a lot I could teach you, Trunks, but I'll warn you: I'm very tough when it comes to training, and I don't joke around much. My version of the Crane School will be every bit as hard as the old one. You'd probably have more fun in the Turtle School with Goten."
Trunks never broke his stare. "My dad wanted me to get stronger, I don't care about having fun. I'll train with you."
Tien smiled and nodded, and Trunks nodded back.
Piccolo reentered the conversation, "Then it's settled. Goten is to train under Krillin, Trunks under Tien, and Gohan is with me. I don't care how you train them or if you let them visit their families, but this isn't a hobby. These boys are responsible for the future of this world, they have to be completely committed to that cause. Understand that, boys.
"The next World Martial Arts Tournament is in three years; that should be plenty of time for you two to make your marks on them. We'll use the tournament to gauge how far we've come."
As everyone began to disperse, Krillin caught up with Yamcha. "Hey man, what are you gonna do? I saw you perk up when Roshi mentioned picking a replacement. Did you really want the job?"
"Well, to be honest, yeah. It would've been a great honor, but I get it. You were the obvious choice. Just the same, hearing all you guys talk about starting the schools back up and going to the tournament has me thinking. Maybe I'll find some students of my own."
"That'd be great, man! I bet you'll be a great master. I can't wait to see you at the tournament."
By the time their conversation had ended, Tien, Chiaotzu, and Trunks were already halfway to the camp where Tien had been training, and Videl was yelling at Piccolo for refusing to train her, too.