Inside Bulma's private laboratory at the Briefs' estate in West City.
Various unidentifiable precision instruments glowed with a faint blue light, and the air was filled with the subtle smell of machine oil.
But at this moment, the atmosphere in the lab was exceptionally bizarre!
"Huh—?! Y-you're my future son?! And my future husband is... Vegeta?! How is that possible!!!"
Bulma's exclamation nearly blew the roof off the laboratory.
Her beautiful large eyes were wide as saucers, her finger trembling as she pointed at the blue-haired boy before her, who called himself Trunks and claimed to be from the future.
Her face was written all over with an absurd sense of "You've got to be kidding me."
She sized Trunks up, down, left, and right, trying to find even the slightest resemblance to herself or Vegeta.
Hmm... the hair color is a bit like mine, and the face shape... does it look a little like Vegeta when he's being a jerk?
But... but this doesn't make any sense at all!
After a long moment, she finally recovered slightly from her extreme shock. Seeing the completely serious expression on Trunks's face, which didn't seem fake at all, she spun around like a frightened rabbit and threw herself into Whitley's arms.
"Waaah—! Hubby! You're not allowed to change your mind! You're not allowed to not marry me! We're going! Right now! Immediately! To register our marriage!!!"
Bulma buried her face deep in Whitley's chest, her arms wrapped tightly around his waist.
Her voice was choked with sobs and thick with panic, as if her husband would run away if she were a second too slow.
Whitley was stunned at first by his girlfriend's sudden "proposal," then he couldn't help but let out a low chuckle.
He amusingly held Bulma's trembling shoulders, his other hand continuously stroking her soft, short blue hair, and comforted her. "Silly, what are you thinking? You're the smartest scientist in the world. Have you forgotten the 'parallel universe' theory?"
"Parallel... universe?" Bulma's aggrieved voice came muffled from his chest.
She looked up, teardrops from her earlier panic still on her cheeks, but her expression suddenly froze.
That's right! Parallel universes!
In this world, the one she loved was Whitley!
How could that ill-tempered, bad-natured, and short Vegeta possibly compare to her perfect husband!
So... Trunks hadn't traveled back in time to the "past," but had, by sheer coincidence, crossed the barrier of a parallel universe and arrived in another universe that seemed similar to his own, but was fundamentally worlds apart!
Yes! That must be it!!!
Bulma suddenly pulled away from Whitley's embrace. Although there were still tear stains on her face, her eyes were instantly bright and full of spirit.
She nodded heavily and muttered to herself with an "I've finally cracked the case" expression, "That's right! That's it! Trunks is my child from another parallel world! The me from that world probably... uh, had bad taste and actually fell for Vegeta?"
Having figured out the key point, Bulma instantly felt a weight lift from her shoulders. Her earlier panic was swept away, replaced by the excitement of solving a mystery and a little curiosity about the taste of her "other self."
Whitley smiled and patted the instantly revitalized Bulma's shoulder, signaling her to explain the situation to the still-bewildered Trunks.
Only then did Bulma fully come back to her senses. She quickly wiped her face with the back of her hand, cleared her throat, and tried to put on a big sisterly demeanor.
She began to explain to Trunks in detail what a parallel universe was, and how he was likely not in his original timeline, but had arrived in a parallel world with a completely different development.
After a great deal of effort, when the skeptical expression on Trunks's face slowly turned to doubt, and then finally to shock and realization, Bulma secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
This felt more tiring than staying up for three consecutive days doing experiments.
But seeing Trunks, who had now understood, his eyes instantly losing focus as he sank into a state of immense confusion and silence, Bulma's heart, which had just settled, couldn't help but rise again. A trace of sympathy flashed in her beautiful eyes.
No matter what, the blood flowing in this boy's veins was indeed that of her "other self" from a parallel world.
In a sense, he was half her child.
Thinking of the future Trunks had briefly described, ravaged by terrifying androids and filled with despair and death. Thinking of the hardship her other self had endured, supporting the lab alone in that environment, desperately searching for hope... Bulma felt a tightness in her chest.
Her eyes darted around, and she suddenly hugged Whitley's arm, her beautiful and charming body clinging to him like she had no bones. She started to shake him vigorously, her voice sweet and drawn out as she whined, "Hubby~~~ Look, the 'me' from Trunks's world is having such a miserable time~ Living in fear every day, not even having enough to eat, and being hunted by terrifying androids... You're the great, omnipotent Lord God of Destruction~ Please help them~ Please~ I'm begging you~~"
As she spoke, she looked at Whitley with her large, watery eyes full of expectation, shaking his arm even more forcefully, as if she would keep shaking until the end of time if he didn't agree.
Whitley felt a little dizzy from Bulma's sudden coquettish assault. Seeing her "I'll cry if you don't agree" expression, his heart instantly melted.
He smiled helplessly and turned his gaze to Trunks, who was looking a little flustered and blushing slightly at Bulma's actions.
After a moment of thought, he nodded and said, "Alright, alright, stop shaking. You're going to shake your husband's bones apart."
He pinched Bulma's cheeks, which she had deliberately puffed out, and turned to Trunks. "Okay, you, come with me."
A triumphant smile of a successful scheme instantly bloomed on Bulma's face, and she made a cute goofy face at Whitley's back.
She knew her man was a sucker for this routine; he just spoiled her like that.
After the two left the lab, she lowered her head and refocused her attention on the flashing screen on her workbench.
The first fleet of transport ships was set to depart for the God of Destruction's Realm in a week, and there were still many details she needed to finalize personally.
She would also have to communicate with Whis again later to ask him to keep an eye on these unmanned transport ships, lest they get lost on the interstellar routes or get hijacked by some clueless space pirates.
On the other side, Whitley took the still-conflicted Trunks to the gravity room in the estate's backyard.
The high-strength alloy walls gleamed coldly under the lights. The spacious open area in the center of the room and the scattered training equipment all revealed the extraordinary nature of this place.
Seeing Trunks, who seemed to still be processing the concept of a "parallel universe" and looked a bit reserved and at a loss, Whitley smiled, trying to lighten the mood. "No need to be so nervous. Just as Bulma said, this world is indeed not the same timeline as yours. So you don't have to worry about causing any accidents."
He paused, his tone becoming serious. "I will guide your training later and teach you how to become stronger. That way, when you go back, you should have enough power to eliminate those androids."
Trunks's head shot up, his eyes flashing with disbelief and immense surprise.
He hesitated for a moment, but finally bowed deeply to Whitley and said excitedly, "R-really? Thank you so much, Whitley-san!"
"You're welcome."
Whitley waved his hand and walked to the control panel in the center of the gravity room. As he operated it skillfully, he said, "First, let me see what your foundation is like."
Before his words faded, he pressed the start button.
VMMMM—!
An invisible, immense pressure instantly descended! The air in the room seemed to become thick and heavy!
Trunks felt his body sink, as if several heavy weights had been placed on him in an instant.
His breathing became a little ragged, and his knees bent slightly, but he quickly stabilized himself with his excellent physical conditioning.
"Oh? It seems your foundation is quite solid, but you probably haven't undergone gravity training before, have you?" Whitley observed his reaction and nodded. "Then let's take it step by step. Now... let's start with ten thousand push-ups to warm up."
"T-ten thousand?! Push-ups?! As a... as a warm-up?!"
Trunks's eyes widened in disbelief, looking at Whitley, his excited voice cracking. "Y-you must be joking, right, Whitley-san?"
Ten thousand push-ups? Under several dozen times gravity? Is this really a warm-up and not a death sentence?
Whitley saw his surprised expression and suddenly felt playful.
He deliberately imitated Vegeta's usual arrogant and punchable demeanor, crossed his arms, lifted his chin slightly, and let out a cold snort. "What? You can't even handle this much training? Hmph! It seems that staying in a trash environment for too long has made your bones soft."
He deliberately used a taunt, his tone full of disdain. "If you can't even do this... then forget it. You can just take the time machine back and bring the Bulma of the other world to live here. You can just stay in this world from now on, and let that broken world be destroyed!"
These words pierced Trunks's heart like sharp needles!
The images of innocent people being slaughtered by Androids 17 and 18 like cats toying with mice...
That figure, like an older brother, who had always stood in front of him, covered in wounds, and who had ultimately sacrificed himself to protect everyone...
Gohan...
"NO!!!"
Trunks roared, the last trace of hesitation and retreat in his eyes instantly replaced by a strong resolve!
He said no more. His eyes became incredibly firm, and without a word, he dropped to the ground with a "thud."
Gritting his teeth, he began the arduous task of ten thousand push-ups under several dozen times gravity!
Whitley saw the fighting spirit that instantly erupted from the boy and a faint, satisfied smile appeared on his lips.
Tsk, honestly, does he only listen when I act like that jerk Vegeta?
It seems this kid is just susceptible to this kind of taunt!
In the following time, the gravity room became Trunks's "purgatory."
Whitley showed no mercy.
Like the strictest of drill sergeants, he coldly watched as Trunks struggled to complete the seemingly endless ten thousand push-ups under ten times gravity.
When Trunks finally finished the last one with trembling arms and collapsed to the floor, not wanting to move a single finger...
Whitley just glanced at the control panel.
VMMMM! The gravity was instantly adjusted to fifty times!
"Get up. Ten thousand push-ups were just the appetizer. Next is ten thousand full-power punches, aiming straight ahead. Each punch must create a sonic boom." Whitley's voice was calm and steady, but it carried an unquestionable tone.
Trunks did not complain, just took a deep breath, got into a stance again, and began a new round of torture.
After the punches, before he could catch his breath, a dangerous ki light began to flicker between Whitley's fingers. "Next is reaction training. I will attack you with energy blasts. They're not powerful, but it will hurt if you get hit. Dodge with all your might until I say stop."
Pew! Pew! Pew!
Several thumb-sized white light projectiles shot towards Trunks like a storm, forcing him to desperately squeeze out his potential in his exhausted state.
When Trunks once again collapsed heavily to the ground, exhausted and grazed by the light projectiles, panting like a fish out of water, his eyelids almost too heavy to lift, Whitley finally stopped his attack.
He walked up to Trunks, crouched down, and a brilliant smile, which looked like that of a demon to Trunks, appeared on his face. "Hmm, that's about it for the first stage of the warm-up. Here, this is a Senzu Bean. Eat it and we'll continue with the next stage of training."
Senzu Bean?!
Trunks's dazed eyes instantly focused a little.
He had heard of this magical bean; the Gohan of his future had told him about it. It was said that just by eating one, no matter how severe the injury or fatigue, one could instantly recover!
Unfortunately, in his world, both Korin Tower and Kami's Lookout had long been reduced to ruins by the androids, and the Senzu Bean had naturally become the stuff of legend.
He struggled to lift his arm and took the small green bean from Whitley. He hesitantly put it in his mouth and carefully chewed and swallowed.
The next moment, something incredible happened!
A surging life force instantly flowed through his limbs!
All the fatigue, muscle soreness, and the wounds from the light projectiles vanished in the blink of an eye!
He even felt that he was in better condition than before the training! And he could clearly feel that his physical strength had visibly improved through the hellish training!
This feeling... is this what it means to get stronger?!
Immense surprise and a strong fighting spirit instantly filled Trunks's heart!
He leaped up from the ground, feeling the replenished power within him, and proactively looked at Whitley, his eyes burning as he asked, "Whitley-san! Shall we continue with the same training?"
Whitley was surprised to see him fully recovered and even more motivated, and raised an eyebrow.
Then, an even more "amiable" smile appeared on his face. "Yes, we'll continue training. However..." he dragged out his words, looking at Trunks's expectant eyes and said slowly, "...we need to change the method a bit, add a little 'fun.'"
In the following time, Trunks truly experienced what it meant to be in "deep water and scorching fire," what "demonic training" was!
Single-finger handstand push-ups, thirty thousand!
Rapid full-power punches, fifty thousand! The speed had to be even faster than before!
And what made his scalp tingle the most was the reaction training.
The number of light projectiles Whitley released went from a sparse four or five at the beginning to a dense barrage that sealed off almost all escape routes!
And the power of the light projectiles had also clearly increased!
Trunks could clearly feel that even if he were just lightly grazed, he would definitely lose his ability to fight in an instant!
"Don't worry, you have Senzu Beans anyway, you can be fully revived in an instant."
Whitley said, his words sending a chill down Trunks's spine as he leisurely controlled the storm of light projectiles. "If that doesn't work... there are always the Dragon Balls. Even if you accidentally get killed, it's easy to revive you. Train without fear!"
Trunks: "???"
Is... is that something to be reassured about?! Whitley-san, isn't your teaching method a bit too wild?!
But he had no time to complain. The overwhelming barrage of light projectiles forced him to squeeze out every bit of his potential to dodge. His mind had to be highly focused; any moment of distraction could mean the experience of "death."
During this time, Whitley also continuously increased the gravity.
From fifty times to seventy times, and then from seventy times to ninety times!
When Trunks had slightly adapted, he unhesitatingly cranked it up to one hundred times!
Trunks's daily routine during this period was a bitter struggle in this despairing training intensity.
His body's limits were broken again and again, and then his battered body would quickly recover and become stronger under the miraculous effect of the Senzu Beans.
During this period, Vegeta and Goku also visited the gravity room.
When Vegeta came in, he saw Whitley "drilling" Trunks.
His cold eyes flickered slightly, and he stood by and watched silently for a while.
To Whitley's surprise, this tsundere prince actually stayed without a word and trained with them for two days.
He even took advantage of a moment when Whitley left for a meal to, seemingly expressionlessly but actually quite patiently, teach Trunks some advanced techniques for ki application and how to exert force.
All in all, when Whitley leisurely strolled back to the gravity room after his meal, he clearly felt that Trunks's training efficiency had improved significantly, and there seemed to be... a genuine smile on his face?
"Oh?"
Whitley looked at Trunks curiously, then glanced at Vegeta, who was pretending to train seriously but was actually listening intently, and couldn't help but tease, "It seems a certain prince gave you some private lessons while I was away? What new things did you learn that made you so happy?"
The corners of Trunks's mouth turned up unconsciously, his tone filled with excitement and gratitude. "Father... I mean, Mr. Vegeta taught me many efficient techniques for using ki, and... and..." he paused, glanced at Vegeta, and seeing no objection, he continued, "He also taught me how to create an 'Artificial Moon'! Mr. Vegeta said it's a secret technique that only the Saiyan royal family can master!"
"Artificial Moon?"
Whitley's eyes lit up with great interest upon hearing this technique.
He stroked his chin and looked at Vegeta, who was pretending to be struggling with the gravity and acting as if he hadn't heard anything, and asked, "Hey! Vegeta, that technique sounds very interesting! How about you teach it to me too? I suddenly have an idea, something very special. When I succeed in my research, I can share this new technique with you."
Vegeta just glanced at Whitley coolly, let out a cold snort from his nose, and threw a tsundere-like response, "Hmph! I've already taught Trunks. If you want to learn, ask him yourself!"
After speaking, as if to cover something up, he suddenly increased the gravity to a higher setting and began an even more frantic session of basic training.
Trunks trembled a little under the suddenly increased gravity. After gradually adapting, he couldn't help but smile at his "father's" behavior.
Then he explained the principles and energy circulation for creating an Artificial Moon to Whitley in detail.
Whitley closed his eyes and quickly simulated it in his mind. After a moment, he nodded in understanding. "I see, so it's using a specific frequency of ki to condense reflective particles to simulate Blutz Waves... interesting."
He temporarily filed away this new knowledge, then clapped his hands to bring Trunks's attention back. "Alright, new lesson begins. Today's training item is—offense!"
"Offense?" Trunks was a little confused.
Whitley walked to the center of the field, stood casually, and beckoned to Trunks. "Attack me with every method you can think of. Fists, feet, ki blasts, even... throwing things is fine. As long as any of your attacks can touch my body even once, you succeed."
Trunks took a deep breath, his eyes sharpening.
He had seen Whitley's posture when fighting that God of Destruction and knew how difficult this seemingly simple request actually was.
The next moment, he let out a low roar and shot forward, launching a frantic assault on Whitley with all his might!
But unfortunately, no matter how swift his attacks were, how tricky the angles, or even when he was pushed to transform into a Super Saiyan, his body surging with a violent golden aura, his attack speed and power increasing dozens of times... he still couldn't even touch the hem of Whitley's clothes.
Whitley's figure would always, at the most extreme moment, easily dodge with the smallest of movements, even with a leisurely smile on his face.
Vegeta, watching from the side, especially after Trunks's fierce assault as a Super Saiyan was still ineffective, couldn't help but feel the flames of battle ignite in his own eyes.
Whitley keenly caught his gaze and shouted with a smile, "Hey! Vegeta, watching is boring. You join in too!"
Vegeta immediately crossed his arms habitually and let out a disdainful snort. "Hmph! I have no interest in cooperating with others!"
But his body was quite honest.
The rising ki on his body and his deadly stare at Whitley completely betrayed his heart's desire to fight, to challenge, and to become stronger.
After Whitley once again easily dodged Trunks's full-power attack and shot him a provocative "you're not good enough" look, Vegeta's fragile pride and competitiveness finally overwhelmed his tsundere nature.
"Damn it! You asked for this, Whitley!"
Vegeta let out a low roar, his aura exploded, and he instantly joined the fray, forming a pincer attack on Whitley with Trunks!
The result... was, of course, a foregone conclusion.
Not only did Vegeta fail to land a single hit on Whitley with Trunks, but he was also thoroughly "mocked" by Whitley, who kept his arms crossed and looked completely at ease.
"Oh my~ Vegeta-san, did you forget to eat breakfast? Your punches feel so soft, no strength at all."
"Too slow! Is this really your top speed? A turtle is faster than you, Vegeta-san~!"
"Oh? Angry now? The aura you're putting out is quite impressive, but... what's the use if you can't hit anything? Vegeta-san~"
Whitley's trash talk was like a demonic sound, constantly messing with Vegeta's mentality.
Taking advantage of a moment of distraction, Whitley even, in an extremely "vile" manner, suddenly stuck out his foot and, with precisely controlled force, kicked him right on his pert butt!
Pfft—!
Vegeta completely did not expect Whitley to use such a move. He instantly lost his balance and staggered forward several steps, almost falling flat on his face.
"WHIT—LEY—!!!"
Vegeta stabilized himself, his entire face instantly flushing red.
Veins popped on his forehead, and his teeth ground together! Extreme humiliation and anger overwhelmed him!
"HAAAAAAAA!!!!!!"
He no longer held back. The deeper power within him was completely unleashed!
The dazzling golden aura instantly expanded, and tiny blue arcs of electricity began to dance within it. His hair became even more spiky and rigid—
He had directly entered the stage of Super Saiyan 2!
"I'm going to kill you!!!" Vegeta roared, charging at Whitley like a golden bolt of lightning with overwhelming anger and astonishing speed!
"Whoa! Super Saiyan 2! So scary!"
Whitley's words were fearful, but his expression was still that punchable grin.
He didn't even unclasp his arms from his chest, just slightly moved his feet, his body swaying like a willow in the wind, easily dodging Vegeta's full-power, rage-fueled lunge.
Then, in the instant between Vegeta's old force being spent and his new force not yet generated, Whitley's right hand, which had been crossed over his chest, finally moved—
He just casually extended a single finger.
And gently poked forward.
Tap!
With a light sound, the finger, imbued with a strange power, accurately poked Vegeta's forehead.
Vegeta's violent momentum and speed seemed to freeze in an instant!
He was horrified to find that his body was completely unresponsive. His forward momentum was easily neutralized by an unfathomable power!
Then Whitley's finger pressed down slightly.
Thump!
Vegeta was completely unable to resist. He was slammed to the ground by an incomprehensible force, his cheek even having an intimate contact with the cold, hard alloy floor.
And that wasn't all!
Whitley's finger did not leave but pressed Vegeta's head down and began to... rub it back and forth?!
Yes, just like using an eraser to rub out pencil marks, he gently, and with extreme humiliation, rubbed Vegeta's head back and forth on the ground several times!
A literal, physical rubbing!
"Aaaaargh! Let go of me! Bastard! I'll kill you!!"
Vegeta's roar of shame and fury was muffled by the floor, sounding indistinct but full of despair.
Trunks, in his Super Saiyan form, had long been dumbfounded by the sight.
He was frozen in a punching posture, his mouth agape enough to fit an egg.
Finally, when Whitley had "played enough" and let go, Vegeta sprang up from the ground like a spring.
His face was as black as the bottom of a pot, his hair was disheveled, and there were clear red marks and a bit of dust from the floor on his forehead and cheek.
He stared deadly at Whitley, his chest heaving violently, his eyes looking like they wanted to eat him.
But in the end, he didn't say a word, just let out a forceful "Hmph!" with all his might. His aura flared, and he rushed out of the gravity room without looking back.
He even slammed the door shut with a loud "BANG."
That departing figure, no matter how you looked at it, exuded a sense of grief, indignation, and... a loss of will to live.
Trunks looked worriedly in the direction Vegeta had disappeared and couldn't help but ask Whitley in a low voice, "Um... Whitley-san... doing that... wasn't it too much of a blow to Father? He seems... very angry."
Whitley looked in the direction Vegeta had left and shook his head, giving Trunks a meaningful smile. "You underestimate Vegeta. That guy's resilience is much stronger than you think. This little blow... heh, it might even motivate him to hold a grudge and become even stronger. He's the Vegeta who will never admit defeat, after all."
Then, as if nothing had happened, Whitley clapped his hands and brought Trunks's attention back. "Alright, let's not worry about that tsundere for now. Let's continue! The training just now isn't over!"
Trunks looked at Whitley's "kind and amiable" smile and couldn't help but swallow. He instantly threw his sympathy for his "father" to the back of his mind and once again devoted himself to a new round of "hellish training."
...
On the other side, Vegeta, in a full power-up, rushed back to the Saiyan camp in the northern wilderness, bringing with him a cloud of dust and a low-pressure aura.
BANG!
He kicked open the simple metal door to his room, then kicked it shut with another loud bang.
Raditz, who was in the kitchen studying a new recipe, and Nappa, who was dozing on the sofa he had just earned money to buy, were both startled.
They looked at each other, not daring to say a word to provoke the clearly enraged Vegeta.
Vegeta was now sitting alone in his room, his arms crossed, his face so gloomy it could drip water.
The humiliation of defeat, the anger of being toyed with, and the deep-seated feeling of "no matter what, I can't catch up" were gnawing at his heart like vipers.
He replayed the battle in his mind over and over, wondering what he was lacking, and how he could possibly touch Whitley's seemingly casual yet unfathomable realm.
He thought about it from morning until evening.
Just as he was at the peak of his frustration and annoyance.
Suddenly! A slightly arrogant and brash female voice came from outside his window. "Hey! Shorty over there! What are you doing looking all dejected by yourself? That's not like you!"
Vegeta had already sensed her approach, but she was just a piece of trash with a battle power of less than ten; he couldn't be bothered to pay her any mind.
He didn't even turn his head, just sat with his arms crossed, showing the window the back of his head, exuding a cold "stay away" aura.
The blonde Launch outside the window actually didn't get angry at Vegeta's dismissive attitude.
Instead, she grinned and said in an even more flamboyant tone, "Stop trying to act cool! Let's go, I made a killing today, I'll treat you to a big meal!"
Vegeta heard this and glanced out of the corner of his eye—
Launch was straddling her cool-looking motorcycle. Several bulging bags with money signs printed on them were hanging from the handlebars, their origin highly suspicious.
Hmph! This foolish Earth woman.
Vegeta was about to let out a cold snort and refuse as usual, but when his gaze inadvertently swept over Launch's eyes, which were shining with genuine and straightforward expectation, the refusal that was on the tip of his tongue somehow got stuck.
He was silent for a few seconds, and finally, he just replied in an extremely stiff and dry tone, "...I doubt you can afford it!"
Instead of being deterred, Launch laughed loudly and started the motorcycle, the engine instantly letting out a huge roar.
She coolly flipped her long golden hair and gestured to Vegeta with her head. "Don't worry, don't worry! It's just a meal, I can still afford it! Get on! At worst... I'll just go 'get' some more funds after we eat!"
Vegeta: "..."
He looked up and down at this feisty, straightforward Earth girl with a smile so bright it was a little dazzling, and struggled internally for a moment.
In the end, perhaps because the atmosphere in the room was too suffocating, or perhaps because the pure enthusiasm in the girl's eyes had piqued his curiosity.
He finally stood up with a stern face and walked out the door very reluctantly.
Looking at the back seat of the motorcycle, which seemed a bit high for him, Vegeta hesitated for a moment, but finally sat down.
His hands didn't know where to put themselves.
Launch saw his awkwardness in the rearview mirror, suddenly turned around, grabbed Vegeta's wrists, and without another word, placed his hands on her slender yet powerful waist.
"Hold on tight! Big sis is taking you out for a good time!"
Launch laughed loudly and twisted the throttle. The motorcycle instantly let out a fierce roar.
The motorcycle, carrying the two of them, sped off into the distance under the dumbfounded gazes of Nappa and Raditz, who looked like they had seen a ghost.
It headed towards the brightly lit town in the distance.
On the back of the motorcycle, Vegeta was at first stiff, feeling the warmth and softness under his palms, and the faint smell of... gunpowder in the wind from the girl?
He sighed softly and finally relaxed, his hands firmly holding Launch's waist.
In the front, Launch, who was enjoying the feel of the wind on her face, felt the hands on her waist become natural and even tighten slightly. A triumphant and extremely proud, radiant smile appeared on her face.
Deep inside a certain blonde big sister, she was laughing wildly with her hands on her hips. 'Hahahahahaha!!! I knew it! No one can resist my charm!!! This shorty is no exception! Pwned!'
...
On the other side, in the gravity room of the Briefs' estate.
Whitley looked at Trunks, who had once again collapsed from exhaustion and whose eyes were a little dazed even after being revived by a Senzu Bean, and felt that today's training was about enough.
Just then, the door to the gravity room was pushed open, and Goku walked in, rubbing his stomach and greeting them. "Yo! Whitley! Is Trunks still training? Bulma said dinner is almost ready. She said there's a super-sized portion of roast meat today!"
Whitley's eyes lit up when he saw Goku.
He pulled Goku over and pointed at the panting Trunks. "You're just in time. I'm handing this kid over to you for a couple of days. Help me guide his ki techniques and combat skills."
"Huh? Me?" Goku pointed at his own nose in surprise, but then a ready smile appeared on his face. "Sure, sure! Trunks, after dinner, I'll train with you! Let me see what level you're at now!"
After arranging for Goku to take over Trunks's subsequent training, Whitley left the gravity room.
He found Bulma, who was still busy, nibbling on an energy bar while wrestling with the data on her screen.
Looking at his girlfriend's focused and serious profile, a gentle look flashed in Whitley's eyes.
He walked over and, ignoring how busy she was, held her face in his hands and planted a heavy kiss on her smooth cheek and another on her slightly parted lips.
"Mmph! What are you doing! Can't you see I'm busy!"
Bulma blushed after the sneak attack and playfully punched him, but her eyes were full of sweetness.
"I'm going to the God of Destruction's Realm for a bit, I have some business with Whis," Whitley said, smiling and ruffling her hair. "Don't work yourself too hard."
"I know~ come back soon!" Bulma waved, her attention quickly returning to the complex data stream before her.
Whitley smiled, sensed the ki of the God of Destruction's Realm, and with a thought, swoosh! his figure vanished from Bulma's lab.
The next moment, he had appeared in the tranquil God of Destruction's Realm, which seemed to exist outside the universe.
A gentle breeze blew across the green grass, and the giant orange-red star in the distance hung in the sky like a backdrop.
Whis was currently sitting elegantly at a small round table, a fine tea set before him, seemingly having just brewed a fragrant pot of black tea.
"Oh my~ what a rare guest, Whitley-san."
Whis put down the teapot, his face wearing his usual gentle smile. "Why do you suddenly have the time to come to the God of Destruction's Realm? Could it be... that you've grown tired of the leisurely life on Earth and wish to... fulfill your duties? Help out with some work?"
He took a gentle sip of his tea and said in a slightly teasing tone, "What a pity, Lord Beerus had a rare bout of diligence yesterday and has already taken care of most of the backlogged work. Ohohoho~"
Hearing the word "work," several dark lines appeared on Whitley's forehead.
He looked helplessly at the black-bellied angel before him and said irritably, "I'm not here for work! You're overthinking it, Whis!"
He stated his purpose directly. "Open up that 'Hyperbolic Time Chamber' of yours. I have a new idea I need to test, and the different flow of time in there is more convenient."
Whis elegantly put down his teacup, his smile unchanging, and quietly looked at him without speaking.
Whitley was speechless and said with some resignation, "Fine, fine! Put it on my tab! I promise to treat you to a super-feast next time you go to Earth! State banquet standard, how's that?"
Only then did Whis nod in satisfaction, his smile becoming a little brighter. "Oh my~ how could I~ then it's a deal~"
He tapped his staff lightly on the ground.
VMMMM!
A spatial rift with shimmering edges silently appeared in the air before them.
Behind the rift was the other-dimensional space that Whitley had entered and trained in before.
Without a word, Whitley flashed and went straight in.
He couldn't wait to test whether that form, which existed only in his imagination and the vague memories of his previous life—Super Saiyan 4—could become a reality in this world.
He still had his tail, after all!
And not long after Whitley entered the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.
In the God of Destruction's Realm, Beerus, who had been secretly grinding in the depths of his palace, suddenly shivered!
His figure flashed and he instantly appeared beside Whis.
He first looked around warily, his nose even twitching subconsciously, and then he asked in a nervous, low voice, "Whis! I just sensed that brat Whitley's ki?! Why did he suddenly come here? Could it be... he wants to officially take over the position of God of Destruction?!"
The thought made Beerus feel a chill down his spine.
Although he admitted that Whitley was strong, and his mastery of Ultra Instinct was even higher than his own.
But to make him retire now... that guy Champa would definitely laugh at him!
And... there was still so much delicious food in the universe he hadn't tasted yet!
Whis looked at Beerus's tense and nervous state, his elegant smile never changing, and deliberately took a slow sip of his tea.
Only after enjoying his own God of Destruction's rare predicament did he chuckle and say, "Please rest assured, Lord Beerus. Whitley-san is just here to borrow the other dimension to research and test a new technique. He's not here to take office, you don't need to be so nervous~"
"Phew—!!!"
Beerus let out a huge sigh of relief and even subconsciously wiped away non-existent cold sweat. "Researching a new technique... hahaha, good! Very good! It's a good thing for young people to be ambitious! Very good!"
He laughed dryly, trying to cover up his earlier loss of composure.
But as he looked up, he met Whis's eyes, which seemed to see through everything and were full of mockery.
Beerus's old face couldn't take it anymore.
He coughed awkwardly and his gaze darted around. "Well... since it's nothing... I'll just go back to sleep! Yes! Don't call me! I'll get up on my own when it's time!"
Without waiting for Whis's reply, his figure disappeared with a "swoosh," fleeing back to his God of Destruction palace at top speed.
Whis watched Beerus's almost-fleeing back and couldn't help but cover his mouth with his sleeve, letting out a delighted chuckle. "Ohohoho~ Lord Beerus, who has been lazy for countless years, is finally starting to show some signs of effort under Whitley-san's constant pursuit and stimulation. Is this a good thing?"
He tilted his head, seemingly genuinely pondering the question. "Hmm... should I prepare some kind of reward for the hardworking Lord Beerus? I heard that cats on Earth like dried fish. Should I ask Bulma-san to prepare some? Or... that cat food from Earth that cats are said to love? Such a difficult choice..."
The Oracle Fish suddenly popped its head out from somewhere, an expression of "I finally caught you" on its face, and pointed at Whis with its fin. "Whis! You're done for! You were just talking bad about Lord Beerus behind his back! I caught you! Quick! Bribe me with those delicious snacks you brought from Earth! Otherwise, I'm going to tell Lord Beerus right now!"
The smile on Whis's face did not change at all.
He slowly turned his head, his calm eyes looking at the gloating Oracle Fish in the fishbowl, and just watched it without speaking.
'Hiss! I forgot... Whis-san is... Lord Beerus's teacher!'
The Oracle Fish instantly remembered this fact, and its earlier arrogance quickly disappeared, replaced by a bit of nervousness. "Uh... well... I... I was just kidding..."
As it spoke, it quietly tried to slip away with its fishbowl.
"Oh my~ Oracle Fish-san~"
Whis suddenly spoke, his tone still as gentle as a spring breeze.
The Oracle Fish's body instantly froze.
Whis smiled and reached out, gently picking up the Oracle Fish's fishbowl and placing it on the small round table beside him.
His tone was very gentle, but it carried an undeniable command. "Just in time. I've been feeling that the tea I've been brewing lately seems to be~~ just a little bit off. Since you're so free, Oracle Fish-san... I'll have to trouble you with the tea-brewing for the next few days~"
The Oracle Fish: "!!!"
It was instantly stunned. It pointed a fin at itself in disbelief, then at the tea set, and stammered, "M-m-m-me?! I'm a fish! Whis! Look closely! I'm a fish! I don't even have hands! How do you expect me to brew black tea for you?! You're clearly making things difficult for me, the Oracle Fish!"
Whis maintained his harmless and elegant smile and shook his head gently. "I know this is very difficult for you, Oracle Fish-san. However... please do your best to overcome it. I believe that with your wisdom and ability, you will surely find a way, right?"
Watching Whis constantly size it up, as if he was ready to cook it if it dared to refuse...
The Oracle Fish: "...I'll do it!"
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