Chapter 57: Goku's Growth
After buying the necessities, Franklin and Bulma were walking back when they suddenly heard the sound of rapid gunfire. The two exchanged a glance and quickly ran toward the source of the noise.
"Brat, just wait—our boss will be here any minute. Then you're done for!"
"You bad guys! You didn't pay for your stuff, and you even hurt the shopkeeper! When your boss comes, I'll teach you all a lesson together!"
Seeing Son Goku facing off against several men in black holding AKs and wearing rabbit ears, Bulma was about to rush in when Franklin held out a hand to stop her.
"Don't be hasty. Let's see how he handles it himself. From now on, his adventures will be his own. If we solve everything for him, it'll only hurt him in the long run."
Seeing the calm, confident expression on Franklin's face, Bulma relaxed a little and stepped back into the shadows beside him to quietly observe how Goku would deal with the situation.
Just as the tension was about to boil over, a strange white car shaped like a rabbit slowly pulled up. The rear door opened, and an elderly rabbit-man stepped out.
After a brief exchange with his men, he smiled and walked toward Goku.
"My apologies, young man. My subordinates don't know any better. We'll go pay the shopkeeper right away. I heard he was injured—I'll personally cover his medical expenses. My name's Master Rabbit. May I ask how I should address you, little brother?"
As he spoke, the rabbit-man flipped forward with surprising agility and extended his right hand toward Goku.
"Come on, let's shake hands to seal the deal. I'll take care of the mess my men made right away."
Seeing the rabbit's outstretched hand, Goku stepped back warily, putting some distance between them and raising his Power Pole defensively.
"Are you trying to make peace? Or are you plotting something?"
The rabbit-man frowned slightly at Goku's guarded demeanor.
"You're an outsider, passing through here, right? You hurt my men just to stand up for justice?"
"Of course! Those guys are bad people—they must've been doing evil things all the time. You're their boss, so you can't be any good either! Brother Franklin said people like you can't be trusted, not a single word! Leave the money you owe, and get out of this town, or I won't show mercy!"
Seeing this, Franklin smiled faintly and nodded. "Good—he's cautious. Looks like I don't need to worry about him being tricked that easily."
"Not so sure," Bulma said, shaking her head. "Goku's still too simple and kind-hearted. You'll see."
A bad feeling rose in Franklin's chest.
Looking at Goku's youthful face, the rabbit-man bowed his head in thought, then looked up again with a gentle smile.
"What you said makes sense, little brother, but it's a bit rude, don't you think? Didn't your Brother Franklin ever teach you that when a bad person admits his mistake, you should forgive and let them go? Shake my hand, and I'll leave this town with my men and never return."
"Really?"
"Of course. We truly realize our mistake. Come on, little brother—shake hands, and we'll go."
Goku scratched his head, thought for a moment, then stepped forward, about to take the rabbit-man's hand. Franklin slapped his own forehead.
In the next instant, his divine sense swept over the area. Goku froze, instantly sensing danger. He jumped back, pulling his hand away just before contact. Countless vines burst from the ground, entangling the rabbit-man and his followers. The earth split open into a dark abyss, swallowing them whole.
"Brother Franklin, you're here!"
Goku ran up with a bright smile, only for Franklin to flick him sharply on the forehead.
"You can't trust bad guys! Why'd you fall for it again?"
Goku looked at him innocently. "But he said he realized he was wrong! If bad people know they're wrong, doesn't that make them good people? You can trust good people, right?"
Franklin was speechless. Beside him, Bulma burst out laughing. Goku's bizarre logic really left him helpless.
"Goku, did it ever occur to you that he might've been lying about being sorry?"
Goku's expression turned to startled realization—so that was possible too?! Franklin rubbed his temples in frustration. This kid was way too easy to fool.
"Remember this: never intend harm to others, but always guard against it. Don't blindly trust what anyone says, whether they're good or bad. If they're truly good, they won't mind you doubting them. But a bad person will only get angry when you don't fall for their lies. And if you really can't tell the difference, then just follow your heart—no matter what they say, do what you think is right."
Goku nodded, half-understanding, and Franklin didn't press further.
"Let's go. That problem's solved—time to find the last Dragon Ball."
As they walked back, Goku was unusually quiet. Bulma looked like she wanted to say something but hesitated.
"Bulma, what's wrong? If you've got something to say, just say it."
After a long silence, Bulma finally spoke. "Franklin, do you remember what you said—after we get the Dragon Ball from Fire Mountain, you'd tell me why you didn't go get it yourself?"
Hearing that, Franklin paused. He'd completely forgotten about that. Back then, he'd been physically weak and had just learned the Kamehameha, so the thought had slipped his mind—until Bulma mentioned it now.
"Oh, right. I did forget. The truth's simple—I was planning to steal the technique."
"Steal? What do you mean?"
Seeing Bulma's confusion, Franklin reminded her, "The Kamehameha—it's an extremely powerful attack. I was planning to secretly learn it by watching Master Roshi perform it. But I didn't expect he'd actually teach it to me outright."
"But how did you know Master Roshi would come to Fire Mountain and use the Kamehameha? At first, weren't we planning to borrow the Bansho Fan?"
Franklin realized the slip in his words. Seeing Bulma's suspicious expression, he said seriously, "Actually… I know a lot about the future—and I've even changed quite a few things."
Bulma leaned closer, eyes full of doubt, touching his forehead. "You don't have a fever. What nonsense are you talking about?"
Franklin gently moved her hand away. "I'm serious. Just think of it as me having a power to foresee the future—and by changing certain things, I can make the future more favorable for me."
Bulma finally understood, though she stared at Franklin as if he were some kind of monster.
"Your ability is way too overpowered. That's practically invincible!" she said, but then suddenly narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"You said you wanted me to use the Dragon Balls to wish that when I turn twenty-six, I could go back to being fifteen again, right? And you also know the future's course…"
Her eyes locked firmly onto his.
"Franklin… are you from the future?"
As she said that, a new realization seemed to dawn on her, and her voice trembled slightly.
"Franklin… Frank… lin…"
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