Hey Gohan.
AGE 770
CHAPTER ONE:
Three years had passed since the Z-Fighters faced off against Cell and the Bojack invasion, and in that time, Earth had found peace once again. With the calm times came celebration and on this particular day, they were celebrating the union of two beloved friends—the lifelong pal, Krillin, and a newly found friend, Android 18. Liveliness, laughter, and plenty of aromas from marvelous food filled the service.
Krillin turned to Bulma. "You know, you didn't have to go out of your way to buy this much food for such a small wedding ceremony. I would say it was if Goku were here, but we only have two grown Saiyans around now."
"Don't mention it!" Bulma replied with a smile. "We've been friends since you and Goku were kids. Besides, this much food and drink wouldn't even make a dent in my pockets! As the money maker, I can do as I please."
She glanced pointedly at Vegeta, who was busy piling up plates and showed zero focus to anything other than the food in front of him. It was no surprise that Vegeta and Gohan were the main contributors to putting down the thousands of dollars in food. While Gohan was busy devouring his fair share, he also made sure to feed his three-year-old brother, Goten, who was born shortly after the passing of Goku.
As Gohan and Vegeta seemingly start to see the limits of their appetite, Bulma starts to recognize her mistake. "Now that you mention it, Krillin, maybe I did go a bit overboard with the food," Bulma admitted, laughing.
"Don't worry about it! If you need anyone to take care of it, Gohan and Goten will definitely keep it as leftovers!" Chichi chimed in, her voice warm and reassuring.
Bulma has seen Chichi as a younger sister ever since she married Goku, but she can't but feel even more empathetic towards her now. Since Goku's passing, she had made it a point to help Chichi in any way she could. Gohan was stepping up admirably, bringing in clean water, harvesting vegetables, and ensuring that food was always on the table. But Bulma worried; no one should have to bear such responsibilities at his age. Yet, she understood Gohan's drive, the same relentless spirit that had defined his father.
"So, have you kept up your training at all?" Vegeta asked, but he already knew the correct answer to this.
Gohan hesitated but nodded. Truth be told, he hadn't trained in months. The weight of family obligations and schoolwork had taken precedence. Vegeta, ever perceptive, could see through the facade, but he chose to let it slide—for now.
Vegeta knows Gohan's power can awaken at a moment's notice if the correct buttons are pushed. However, he can't even get a small scent of the power used to destroy Cell and Bojack.
Hours passed, filled with joyous conversations and heartfelt toasts. As the sun began to dip below the horizon, the guests slowly took their leave. The Son family extended their congratulations to the newlyweds before stepping out into the cool evening air. Waiting outside was Piccolo, his expression as serious as ever.
"Hey, Gohan, make sure your mother and Goten get home safely. After that, meet me on the lookout," Piccolo instructed, his tone telling Gohan this is serious.
"Okay, no problem. Is something wrong?" Gohan asked, concerned with Piccolo's wellbeing.
"I guess we'll see," Piccolo replied cryptically.
Gohan escorted his family home, but he couldn't help but carry this confusing feeling with him the entire way home. Goten had fallen asleep in his mother's arms after his first big outing with the group. Gohan dropped off the week's worth of leftovers in the fridge and headed right back out the door. Chichi was weary too, so she insisted on staying awake until Gohan returned from his meeting with Piccolo. Despite his reassurances, a mother's instincts couldn't be easily set aside.
Despite the very first meeting between Chichi and Piccolo being the famous 23rd World's Martial Arts Tournament where Piccolo was out for her late husband's life, she has come to see Piccolo as an older brother to Gohan.
Summoning his Nimbus cloud, Gohan made his way to the lookout. Upon arrival, he found not only Piccolo but Dende, both wearing unusually serious expressions.
"There isn't a new threat to the planet, is there?" Gohan joked, but the somber look on their faces silenced his laughter.
"Gohan, is everything okay?" Dende asked, concerned that Gohan's family responsibilities are weighing him down.
"Of course! Everything is fine, why wouldn't it be?" Gohan replied, a hint of defensiveness creeping into his voice.
"I know you've been lacking in your training. Piccolo told me you lied to Vegeta and said you were keeping up," Dende continued. "Instead, you've been busy supporting your family and studying."
"Not to get hostile, but is it an issue to help out my family?" Gohan shot back, irritation flaring. That response alone made it clear that Gohan was getting fatigued by all the work he's doing.
Piccolo stepped in, his voice calm yet firm. "No, it's preferable that you're doing this. But why lie to Vegeta? Do you seek his approval for something you're not even doing?"
"I don't hope for anything from Vegeta. He has his own family and issues; I don't want to add to his worries," Gohan explained, his frustration simmering just beneath the surface.
"Vegeta doesn't ask you for that reason. He may have turned over a new leaf, but don't think for a second he genuinely cares for anyone aside from Bulma and Trunks. He asked because he can see you've been slacking. You should have been honest," Piccolo admonished.
Gohan nodded, knowing he wouldn't fully divulge his reasons for avoiding the truth. He left the lookout, feeling a mix of shame and resolve.
When he returned home, he gently awakened Chichi. She willingly retired to bed, comforted by the fact that her son was home safe. Gohan entered his room, glancing at Goten, who was blissfully asleep. His father's gi lay crumpled on the floor, a reminder of what had been lost and who he is trying to become.
Clutching the fabric, Gohan's heart ached. The weight of his father's absence pressed heavily on him, especially after the fight with Bojack. He felt a profound obligation to step into Goku's shoes—not just as a warrior but as a protector of his family and a rival for Vegeta to keep him on edge. The world was his responsibility now, but the burden felt overwhelming for a 13-year-old who just wants to be a scholar.
Before putting the gi away, he whispered a prayer. "Father, I miss you so much. I know it sounds selfish, but I wish you were here. You said threats to the planet happen because of you; I'd rather face that danger together."
With that thought lingering in his mind, he tucked the gi away and climbed into bed, determined to shield his brother and mother from worry, even if it meant shouldering the weight alone.
The next morning, Gohan and Goten shared leftovers from the wedding, a comforting reminder of the joyous occasion. Raindrops tapped against the window, casting a nostalgic veil over Gohan's thoughts. Ironically, the dark sky reminded him of Namek, the planet where darkness only takes over if they use their dragon balls.
"Hey, Mom, I think I'm going to take a space trip soon," he announced casually. With his mother and Goten having a week's worth of food, he figured he take this time to do some galaxy watching in an effort to strengthen his astrology prowess.
"It better be for actual research this time, and not to fight the baddest people in the universe!" Chichi replied, a teasing lilt in her voice.
Chichi had come to understand Gohan's dreams, realizing he sought knowledge for himself rather than to fulfill her ambitions. This made her more supportive, though still protective. After finishing their meal, Gohan packed his things, pausing to glance at his closet. He retrieved his father's gi, a symbol of both legacy and longing.
Arriving at Capsule Corp, Gohan found the training room occupied by Vegeta. As he approached, he couldn't help but admire the prince's dedication to his craft. Vegeta had undergone a transformation of sorts, returning to his warrior ways after grappling with loss.
"Hey, Vegeta! Still as sharp as ever, even in 200x gravity!" Gohan exclaimed, a smile breaking across his face.
"How about it? Want to go for a sparring round?" Gohan proposed, half-joking, hoping Vegeta would decline.
"Sure thing, but not in those stupid clothes. Go put on some armor; I have a spare in the capsule compartment near the gravity controls. Up it to 250x while you're at it," Vegeta replied, his eyes glinting with challenge but also curious as how bad Gohan has been slacking off on his training.
Gohan was a bit weary of 250x gravity while being on a three year training hiatus. Nevertheless, he wore the saiyan armor, reminiscent of the one he wore in the time chamber, and took his stance, visibly nervous to take on the prince of the saiyans.
Without warning, Vegeta appeared in Gohan's faced and sent him flying across the room. Recovering mid-air, Gohan retaliated, launching himself at Vegeta with a right fist that met a firm block. For three minutes, they exchanged blows in their base forms. It seemed they were equals in this state, which speaks to Gohan's drop off and Vegeta's improvement.
Then, Vegeta decided to escalate. "I know you weren't true to your word about training, but your potential will always allow you to close that gap no matter how hard you slack off. Let's test how much you're able to get away with while being a family man."
In a flash, Vegeta transformed into Super Saiyan 2, his aura flaring with sparks flying off his body. Gohan felt a rush of adrenaline; he hasn't felt a power this strong since Cell's reappearance to the battlefield three years ago.
"I guess we're going to the highest level! Let's do this!" Gohan shouted, channeling his energy to transform as well.
However, despite his best efforts, he could not tap into Super Saiyan 2. This is where his lack of training was painfully evident. Vegeta knew he was lacking, but he never thought he wouldn't be able to tap into a power that he created for himself. The prince decided to take the anger out in one blow and knocking out Gohan in one swift attack.
"I can't believe you're his son. The least you should be able to do is tap into the level you've previously achieved. Training is over; get out of my sight," Vegeta yelled, with an angry expression.
Feeling crushed, Gohan gingerly picked himself up, his heart heavy with the weight of expectation and failure. While a scolding from Vegeta was nothing new for him, this time felt as if he let Vegeta down. Gohan got up and hit the showers before heading to Bulma's office.
"I can't believe he did that! Don't listen to him, Gohan. Just focus on your studies and do what makes you happy!" Bulma reassured him.
But Gohan knew he couldn't ignore Vegeta's words. The responsibility to be the strongest and push Vegeta nearly come hand and hand when replacing Goku's roles.
"Thanks, Bulma," Gohan said quietly, his resolve hardening. "I'll find a way to balance both."
The warm afternoon sun filtered through the windows of Capsule Corp, shining right onto Gohan through Bulma's vision. "You know, for a moment, you kind of sound like Goku!" Her laughter rang out, filling Gohan with a mixture of pride and embarrassment. A soft blush crept across his cheeks—being compared to Goku was the highest honor in his eyes.
Outside the door, Vegeta stood, listening intently. Hearing that Gohan wasn't satisfied with his current strength brought out a small but rare smile from Vegeta. It was heartening to know that Gohan still carried a piece of Saiyan pride within him.
As Bulma busied herself with the final preparations for takeoff, Gohan decided to check in on Trunks, who was diligently training in the gravity room. As he entered, he couldn't help but be impressed.
"Wow! Just four years old and working on 20x gravity! Good job, Trunks!" Gohan exclaimed, a broad grin stretching across his face.
"Thanks, Gohan! I want to become strong just like my dad!" Trunks replied eagerly, determination sparkling in his eyes.
Gohan felt a wave of warmth; he had an almost protective affection for Trunks. Knowing what Future Trunks had faced, he felt an obligation to guide and mentor the Trunks he saw in front of him. It was one of the few things in his life that felt undeniably destined.
Just then, Vegeta entered the room, startling Gohan, who had been focused on Trunks. "Trunks, let's see you do the drone drill," he commanded, his tone both authoritative and encouraging.
"Okay!" Trunks shouted, excitement stirring within him as he was prepared to show off a bit in front of his father and Gohan. They dimmed the lights, and the atmosphere charged with heavy anticipation for the training drill. Trunks charged up and began taking out robots left and right with explosive close-range ki blasts.
With strength that dwarfed the limitless potential of Gohan at the same age and the technique and teachings of Vegeta, Gohan could see a future where Trunks becomes the world's strongest. When the lights returned, Gohan and Vegeta reentered the training room.
"Did you see me? I was awesome, right?" Trunks beamed, looking for validation from his two favorite fighters.
Gohan opened his mouth to praise him, but Vegeta spoke first, his tone critical. "I don't know. Someone who left a few robots intact by using shorter-range attacks instead of trusting in long-range ki blasts doesn't seem that awesome to me. I've seen you do better. You were just trying to show off for Gohan."
Trunks's excitement deflated, and he pouted, grabbing a towel to wipe the sweat from his brow. As Vegeta left the room, Gohan offered Trunks a supportive smile and a thumbs-up. In an instant, Trunks's mood brightened, the encouragement rekindling his enthusiasm.
Bulma signaled Gohan, indicating that preparations were complete, and he made his way to the launch area. "This is one of our newest models," Bulma explained, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "The instructions are crystal clear, and it's a self-pilot type! You can either enter a destination or just coast through space! You should have enough charge for a seven-day trip, but just in case, it uses solar energy as backup, so fly closer to the sun if you need more time, okay?"
Gohan nodded and the joy of exploring the galaxy began to overtake him. "Got it!" he replied, giving her a thumbs up before entering the ship. As the engines roared to life and he took off into the vastness of space, he gazed in wonder at the cosmos unfolding before him.
"Wow! I could go into space a million more times and never get tired of this!" Gohan exclaimed, his voice filled with awe.
"Yeah, I agree!" Trunks chimed in, his excitement palpable.
Gohan slowly turned his head hoping he was just hearing things, but his mind was not playing any tricks on him. Trunks had snuck onto the ship and Gohan was now responsible for the 4-year-old saiyan child throughout his journey in space.