"Hey, Vegeta! Don't get so worked up! "We've already defused, haven't we? And I will try better when we fuse next time." Son Goku scratched the back of his head and laughed goofily as he spoke while trying to placate Vegeta as if he were coaxing a child.
But Vegeta wasn't buying it. Hearing Goku's carefree tone only made his face flush redder. He stomped forward and roared, "There won't be a next time! You'd better explain to me right now. Why the hell did it take so long for us to defuse?!"
Vegeta's face was crimson with rage. To him, this was the greatest humiliation yet.
Even the last time he and Trunks fused with the Potara earrings, nothing like this had happened. Yet with the Fusion Dance, this ridiculous situation occurred!
Goku tilted his head, wearing the same confused expression. Clearly, he didn't know either.
"Maybe it's because of the time rift . . . Dad, Goku Oji San," Trunks said, sharing his theory.
Goku's eyes lit up with sudden understanding. "Oh! So that's it! Then doesn't that mean that if we drag our enemies into a time rift, we can fight as Gogeta for much longer?"
His face beamed as though he'd just discovered a new continent. When it came to battle, his tactical wit always shone through, showcasing his intelligence.
Trunks, however, was sweating. "Well, you could say that, but maybe you should look at Dad's face first."
He turned to glance at Vegeta, who was on the verge of exploding.
The next instant, Vegeta roared in fury and transformed into Super Saiyan 4.
"Kakarot! You'd better drop that idea right now! Otherwise, I won't mind settling this with you in a fight!"
Vegeta's outburst only ignited Goku's fighting spirit.
"Aw, Vegeta, what's the big deal? You sound like you really want to fight me. After all these years, maybe it's finally time to see who's stronger!"
The two immediately squared off, eager for battle.
To everyone else—Future Bulma, Videl, and the others—the scene of the two bickering warriors was both exasperating and awe-inspiring.
Videl nudged Gohan and whispered, "Are your dad and Trunks' dad always like this?"
Gohan chuckled awkwardly. "Yeah, they've always been this way. But when a real enemy shows up, they'll fight together without hesitation."
Videl sighed, her gaze drifting toward Future Bulma.
She remembered Bulma telling her that, in this timeline, Vegeta spent his entire life chasing after Goku while he was alive.
That obsession made him harbor deep resentment toward Goku. But after Goku died in this world, Vegeta lost all will to fight and it was his neglect of training that led to his death at the hands of an Android.
Videl's thoughts were interrupted by a sudden burst of laughter.
Future Bulma had let out a genuine, heartfelt laugh.
Videl realized that she hadn't seen Bulma laugh like that in ages. But, as she watched, she noticed a glimmer of tears in the corner of Bulma's eyes.
Though subtle, Videl noticed them.
She understood.
Being able to see her lost husband and her dearest old friend again was a precious miracle. It was just like how Videl herself would feel if she could see Gohan again.
Even if they weren't from the same timeline.
Future Bulma's brief laugh drew the attention of the two warriors in the middle of their standoff.
Goku turned his head and suddenly froze.
Standing before him was a blue-haired woman he knew all too well.
"Ah?! Bulma! What are you doing here?"
After speaking, Goku ran right up to Future Bulma and circled around her, looking her up and down. Finally, he asked in shock, "Wait, why did you get older?!" Didn't you use the Dragon Balls to stay young? How come you've aged a bit?!"
Bang!
A fist slammed down on Goku's head, causing him to stop. Vegeta barked from behind him, "You idiot, Kakarot! This isn't our world's Bulma!"
Vegeta was clear that this Bulma was different from his own, both in appearance and aura.
Future Bulma smiled politely and extended her hand. "Hello, Son Goku San. It's been a long time. I'm this timeline's Bulma. And Vegeta San, it's good to see you again."
Goku grabbed her hand with a grin but asked curiously,
"Nice to meet you! But I've got a question: Where are this world's me and Vegeta?"
Goku got straight to the point.
Future Bulma answered without hesitation. "Dead."
"This world's you died of heart disease. Everyone else was killed by the Androids..."
Future Bulma then laid out everything that had happened in this timeline, leaving nothing hidden from Goku and Vegeta.
Goku was stunned as he listened to her words.
The history of this world had started out almost the same as their own, but after Goku's death, Vegeta hadn't stepped up to shoulder the burden.
In this world, Trunks had been killed as well. There had been no resistance or later battles. Even villains like Babidi had been able to run rampant.
Goku couldn't help but feel deep respect for Vegeta when he thought about it.
If Vegeta hadn't defeated the Androids and turned the tide in their timeline, their world would have ended up like this one.
"Vegeta." Goku turned, his face far more serious than usual with no trace of his goofy smile.
"What is it, Kakarot?" Vegeta was still in a foul mood.
But then, in the next moment, Goku spoke words that caught Vegeta completely off guard.
"Thank you."
Those three words struck right into Vegeta's soul. It was the first time he'd ever heard Goku express such solemn gratitude.
Vegeta, of course, put on an act of indifference before speaking. "Did you take the wrong medicine or something?"
He brushed it off on the surface, but inside, he understood very well. If Goku had realized it, how could he not?
From Future Bulma's explanation, he had also pieced together the truth. Goku wanted to thank him for single-handedly destroying the Androids.
Vegeta's blunt response embarrassed Goku a little. Still, it was Goku, so he just laughed it off. If their roles had been reversed, Vegeta would have turned beet red by now.
Yet, Vegeta wasn't unreasonable. He stepped forward to stand in front of Gohan.
"Yes, I did kill the two Androids. But Cell and Bojack? Gohan and I defeated them together."
So the person you should thank isn't just me, Kakarot."
The next moment, Vegeta's sharp gaze shifted to Trunks.
Trunks froze, thinking to himself:
(What's with that look, Dad…?)
(End of chapter.)
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