On a new day, sunlight streamed through the gray skies of the future timeline, falling on the neat rows of houses in the base camp.
Whitley, a powerhouse who could theoretically destroy a galaxy with one punch, was at this moment wincing, his movements a little stiff as he struggled to climb out of a messy bed.
He felt as if his waist had been run over by a hundred Beeruses, so sore it almost didn't feel like his own.
After all, last night's situation had been truly... intense.
He carefully moved his body, afraid of waking the three powerful women still deep in their dreams.
Looking at the exceptionally tragic battlefield, Whitley's heart was filled with both satisfaction and lingering fear.
Whitley did his best not to disturb them, tiptoed to the door, and gently turned the handle.
After nearly ten hours of fierce battle, his stomach was completely empty. All he wanted now was to sneak out and find something to fill his constantly wailing stomach.
But just as one foot had crossed the threshold, and he was secretly congratulating himself for not waking anyone...
Suddenly, something unexpected happened!
A soft, cool little hand suddenly reached out from the shadows beside him and grabbed his wrist!
"What the hell?!"
Whitley was instantly so scared he jumped, his scalp tingling.
With his ability to sense ki, how had he completely failed to notice someone at the door? How was this possible?!
In the nick of time! Whitley's bodily instincts surpassed his brain's thoughts, and Ultra Instinct almost triggered automatically!
His wrist retracted at an incredible angle and speed, narrowly avoiding the hand.
Only then did he get a clear look. When he saw who it was, he let out a sigh of relief, but then his heart was filled with confusion.
"No. 21? Why is it you?"
Whitley lowered his voice, looking at No. 21, who was wearing a maid outfit, her flaxen hair a little disheveled, and her eyes red and swollen like a rabbit's.
"What are you doing hiding here?"
No. 21 didn't speak, just stared at him with her large eyes filled with grievance and anxiety, her small mouth pouting as if she were about to cry.
She didn't answer Whitley's question, just stubbornly grabbed his sleeve with her small hand and pulled him forcefully away from the bedroom.
Whitley was baffled by her actions, wondering what this was all about now.
But seeing her pitiful appearance, he couldn't bring himself to pull away and just let her lead him to a corner a little further away.
"What on earth happened?"
Whitley bent down, trying to make his voice sound gentle. "Why are you so upset? Did someone bully you?"
No. 21 still didn't speak, just shook her head vigorously. She pulled Whitley's hand and, without another word, walked quickly towards her own room.
Whitley was completely fogged.
Upon entering the room, No. 21 slammed the door shut behind her, then leaned back against it, her chest heaving violently, as if she could no longer hold back her suppressed emotions.
The next second, like a cannonball, she lunged into Whitley's arms, wrapping her arms around his waist. She buried her face deep in his chest, and her muffled, choked voice came out, "Lord Whitley! Are you... are you abandoning No. 21?!"
Whitley was even more baffled by this sudden question. He subconsciously held the delicate body in his arms and gently patted her back to comfort her. "What are you talking about? When did I say I was abandoning you? Where is this coming from?"
No. 21 lifted her head from his chest, her tone urgent and accusatory. "But... but... but last night, Lord Whitley, when you were... at that time... you didn't even notify No. 21!"
The more she spoke, the more aggrieved she felt, and tears began to fall. "And the room door was even locked! I tried everything, I fussed all night, but I couldn't open it! Sob sob sob... Does Lord Whitley find No. 21 to be a nuisance? Do you not like No. 21 anymore..."
Only then did Whitley finally get it!
So she was jealous! And she had been locked out by Vados, feeling like she had been excluded from the group!
He remembered that last night, because the commotion was really too loud, he had been afraid of disturbing the others in the camp and had simply let Vados use her divine power to set up a barrier that insulated the inside from the outside.
Let alone No. 21, probably no angel could have heard what was happening inside.
Looking at No. 21 in his arms, who was sobbing so hard her shoulders shook, Whitley felt both amused and pained.
He sighed. What could he do? He had to pay the love debts he had incurred, even if he had to do it on his knees.
He took out a green Senzu Bean from his bathrobe pocket. It was the one Bulma had left over from last night. He had subconsciously picked it up from the bedside table this morning.
Whitley unhesitatingly popped the Senzu Bean into his mouth and swallowed it with a few crunches.
Instantly, a warm current flowed through his whole body!
His body, which had felt as if it had been hollowed out, was as if it had been injected with vitality. Every cell was cheering!
The fatigue and soreness receded like a tide. His waist was no longer sore, his legs no longer hurt. His whole person was instantly revived to full strength, so energetic that he even wanted to go another round with Vados and the others!
Feeling the surging power within his body again, Whitley looked down at No. 21 in his arms, a slightly mischievous smile on his face. "You silly girl, how could I not want you? I was just a little tired just now... thinking about things. Now..."
He deliberately dragged out his words. Looking at No. 21's small face, which had gradually stopped crying and was now blushing with anticipation, he gently pinched her cheek. "Are you ready? This next round of battle... might be a little... intense, you know?"
No. 21's eyes instantly lit up. She nodded eagerly, her face blooming with a smile that was a mixture of shyness and excitement.
She gently broke free from Whitley's embrace and took a small step back. Then, like an ordinary girl preparing to present herself, she stretched her body a little nervously but with great anticipation.
Her large, sky-blue eyes stared at Whitley with an alluring gaze, and she said in an exceptionally soft voice, "No. 21... is always ready to serve Lord Whitley!"
And so, in the early morning sunlight, in No. 21's room, the moving music began to play.
...
On the other side, Bulma had also sleepily walked out of the master bedroom.
She stretched and yawned, while rubbing her still-sore waist and muttering, "Honestly... I can't mess around with Vados and the others like that again... It's too tiring. That girl No. 18 can go back after she wakes up, and Vados can go back to sleep, but I still have other things to do..."
She was preparing to go to the portable lab to do a final fuel check and refill for the time machine, to ensure that the return journey would be flawless.
But just as she was passing by No. 21's room, Bulma's footsteps involuntarily stopped.
"Hmm? Th-this is..."
She pressed her ear to the door. Although the soundproofing in the room was good, if she listened carefully, she could still vaguely hear No. 21's suppressed but pleased, subtle cries of surprise.
Followed by her husband Whitley's magnetic voice. "That's right... just like that... you have to remember this knowledge point... yes, keep your legs straight too... these are all knowledge points that will be on the test!"
Bulma was stunned for a moment, then rolled her eyes speechlessly.
A "here we go again" exasperated expression appeared on her face. She shook her head and sighed, not bothering to pay any attention to the two's "diligent study" so early in the morning.
Anyway, she was already used to her husband's exuberant energy in certain aspects, and No. 21's almost obsessive attachment to that guy Whitley.
"Honestly... is this guy a perpetual motion machine?"
Bulma muttered under her breath. She rubbed the small of her back and said helplessly, "It's completely different from what they show in the movies... How can this guy be completely fine and continue 'teaching' so early in the morning?"
She decided that out of sight was out of mind and continued to walk towards the lab.
However, just as Bulma's front foot had left, another figure silently appeared at the door of No. 21's room.
It was Future Bulma!
She was now crossing her arms, her face filled with obvious displeasure and a hint of resentment.
That "party" last night, and no one had called her! They were all on the same side, so why was she excluded? It wasn't fair!
She snorted lightly at Bulma's departing back, a hint of determination flashing in her eyes.
If you're not going to invite me, then I'll just have to join in on my own!
Thinking of this, Future Bulma took a deep breath, her face showing a hint of "I have nothing to lose" determination.
She reached out and pushed open No. 21's door, then quickly slipped in and, with a backhand, locked the door from the inside!
Whitley and No. 21, who had been in the middle of their dedicated "lesson," were both startled by this sudden intruder.
Whitley's surprised voice came from the room, muffled. "Huh?! Y-you... how did you get in..."
Then, his voice seemed to take on a hint of panic. "Wait... don't move... that knowledge point of yours is wrong... it's dangerous! I'll guide you..."
And then, the original duet in the room was suddenly joined by a new harmony.
...
By the time Goku, Vegeta, Dr. Hedo, and the others saw Whitley in the camp's dining room, it was already lunchtime.
Whitley's face was a little pale, and one hand was subconsciously supporting the small of his back as he walked out of the room with slightly unsteady steps.
He looked just like someone who had just crawled out of some super-high-intensity training, or even a little worse.
No. 21, who was following behind him, was radiant and full of energy.
Her long flaxen hair was smooth and shiny, and her small face was flushed with satisfaction. She followed Whitley's every step, and from time to time, she would secretly reach out to try and support him, only to be irritably slapped away.
What was even more eye-catching was Future Bulma, who came out a little later. At this moment, her face was also glowing with a moist luster.
Her whole person looked like a flower that had just been watered.
It was an extremely stark contrast to Whitley's seemingly wilted appearance.
Goku, that insensitive guy, was the first to come up.
He circled Whitley twice, his face full of curiosity and confusion, and stared at Whitley's pale face. "Whitley, did you secretly do some super-amazing training last night behind my and Vegeta's backs? How come you look exactly like I did when I was training the Kaio-ken with Lord Kai? You look terrible!"
Vegeta, on the other hand, stood not far away with his arms crossed, watching coldly.
Hearing Goku's words, he sneered, his eyes sizing up Whitley.
His sharp eyes undisguisedly revealed a "hehe, you had this coming" and "I won this time" meaning.
After all, he only had one Launch at home. No matter how much she tossed and turned, it wouldn't be as bad as Whitley, who had to face several women who were as fierce as tigresses.
Whitley directly ignored Vegeta's provocative gaze.
He irritably glanced at the approaching Goku, reached out and pushed his furry head away, his tone a little tired and impatient. "Alright, alright, stop your wild guessing! I didn't secretly train last night! Last night... and this morning, I was doing some... very important things that consumed a lot of my mind and stamina! You, an idiot who only knows how to fight and eat, wouldn't understand!"
Goku wasn't angry about being pushed away. He just said "oh," but his face still held a suspicious expression.
It was clear that he didn't fully believe Whitley's words.
In his simple mind, the reason Whitley could always maintain such great power was that he must be secretly doing some unknown training behind his and Vegeta's backs!
Otherwise, why would Whitley's strength always be a cut above his and Vegeta's?
That must be it!
On the other side, Dr. Hedo looked at the beautiful women of various styles surrounding Whitley. He looked at Gamma 1 and Gamma 2 standing on his left and right, and subconsciously touched his own round, fat face.
A strong sense of bitterness and a slight inferiority complex instantly welled up in Dr. Hedo's heart, and he was so crushed that he almost curled into a ball.
The calm Gamma 1 at his side was the first to notice Dr. Hedo's low spirits.
He tilted his head and asked in a concerned voice, "Doctor, I've detected an abnormal fluctuation in your emotions. What happened? Are you feeling unwell?"
Dr. Hedo shook his head with a bitter expression, waved his hand weakly, but couldn't say a word.
This feeling, he simply couldn't explain it to these two innocent guys!
The more humane Gamma 2 reacted a little faster.
He pulled on No. 1's cape, signaling him not to ask any more questions, and then he sidled up to Dr. Hedo, trying to comfort him in his energetic voice. "Don't worry, Doctor! Even if no girls like you, you still have me and No. 1! We'll always be by your side, Doctor! Please cheer up, a future full of justice is still waiting for us to explore, Doctor!!!"
His voice was exceptionally loud, almost echoing throughout the entire dining room!
Instantly, Whitley, Goku, Vegeta, and even Vados and Bulma, who had just walked in, all focused their gazes on Dr. Hedo.
Dr. Hedo's face "whooshed" red, and he was practically steaming!
He quickly and clumsily clapped his hand over Gamma 2's mouth and roared with a mixture of shame and anger, "SHUT UP!!! I KNOW, I KNOW!!! Y-you... don't be so loud, you idiot!!! Who needs you to comfort me about this!!!"
This embarrassing scene actually diluted a lot of Whitley's own awkwardness and drew a few chuckles from the crowd.
...
After lunch, everyone rested for a while. The two Bulmas were working together to make the final adjustments and refueling of the time machine.
When everything was ready, it was time for everyone to leave this devastated future timeline and return to the main timeline they were familiar with.
Everyone was in the center of the camp, preparing to board.
And at this moment, the most touching scene was the farewell between Future Bulma and her son, Trunks.
"Have you really decided, Trunks?"
Future Bulma looked at her son, who had unknowingly grown taller than her, her tone filled with reluctance and worry. "Are you really deciding to stay in this timeline?"
Trunks looked at his mother's face, which had become young again due to the Dragon Balls and looked almost identical to his memory of his mother when she was young, and was silent for a moment.
A moment later, Trunks's eyes became firm! He nodded heavily. "Yes, Mom, I've decided. This world... the people here have already experienced too much suffering, from the androids to the appearance of Cell MAX... despair has washed over this world again and again. Although the current crisis has been resolved, who knows if a new threat will appear in the future. I want... to stay here. In case... in case an enemy attacks again, at least I'll be here to stand up and block them for a while!"
Bulma looked at the determined Trunks and was at a loss for words for a moment.
Seeing this, Dr. Hedo walked over with Gamma 1 and Gamma 2.
He first looked at Future Bulma with some hesitation, but finally, he mustered his courage and said firmly, "Pl-please rest assured, Miss Bulma! With me and the Gammas here, we will definitely do our best to assist Trunks in protecting this world! I promise you, he will definitely be fine!"
Gamma 2 also immediately stepped forward, put his arm around Trunks's shoulder, and assured Future Bulma with full confidence. "That's right, that's right! Don't worry, ma'am! Leave Trunks-kun to me and No. 1! We're partners in justice! The next time you two meet, I, No. 2, in the name of justice, guarantee that Trunks-kun will be alive and kicking!"
Gamma 1, who had been silent all this time, also took a step forward after seeing the doctor and No. 2 speak, and gave Future Bulma a solemn nod.
Although he did not speak, the promise in his eyes was crystal clear.
Future Bulma looked at her son's resolute eyes, and then at Dr. Hedo and the two Gamma androids standing in front of him, who were all very reliable despite their different personalities. The stone that had been hanging in her heart finally settled.
Her son had truly grown up and had his own responsibilities.
"Trunks."
Future Bulma called out softly.
"Don't worry, Mom,"
Trunks, in turn, comforted his mother, a reassuring smile on his face. "I'll be more careful in the future. And with Dr. Hedo and the Gammas here now, we can look out for each other. There definitely won't be any big problems."
Future Bulma nodded and said no more.
She walked up and, just as she had when Trunks was a child, she reached out and gently straightened his hair, which had been messed up by the wind, and then silently stepped to the side.
At this moment, she clearly realized that her son, the boy who had once needed her to nag him about everything, had truly grown up and become a warrior who could stand on his own and protect others.
Seeing this, Whitley stepped forward at the right time.
Under Trunks's expectant gaze, he reached out and patted Trunks's shoulder firmly, a smile of encouragement on his face as he cheered him on. "Good lad! You've got guts! I believe you can definitely protect this world! Remember, a man must do what he says!"
His tone shifted, and he became extra serious. "But you also have to remember! If you really run into trouble and an enemy that you can't handle on your own, absolutely do not try to be a hero! You must remember that you can come and find us at any time! We will always be your strongest backup! Do you hear me?"
Trunks felt the strength from his shoulder and the concern in his words, and his eyes couldn't help but get a little hot.
He nodded vigorously and replied in a loud voice, "Yes, Whitley-san! Your teachings, I will definitely remember them firmly!"
Whitley nodded and then took out two capsules from his pocket and handed them to Trunks.
Trunks took them with some confusion.
"This is a little something from all of us. Take it."
Whitley smiled and didn't explain much. His figure flashed, and he retreated back into the crowd.
Then Goku bounced over with a grin, put his arm around Trunks's shoulder, and whispered a few sentences in his ear.
Trunks's expression first turned to surprise, and then to pleasant surprise. He continuously nodded at Goku, saying words of thanks.
After everyone had come up one by one and said their simple goodbyes to Trunks, the last one to go was Vegeta.
The proud Saiyan prince walked up to Trunks with an expressionless face.
He did not speak, just stood there silently, and the atmosphere was a little stagnant for a moment.
Just as Trunks was a little at a loss for what to do, Vegeta suddenly moved.
He raised his fist and, not too hard, but definitely not lightly, he punched Trunks in the chest.
Trunks was stunned by this sudden punch.
Vegeta still didn't say anything. After the punch, he just turned around and, without looking back, was the first to board the time machine and shut himself inside.
Everyone who saw this instantly understood.
This person was a typical example of being too proud to show his feelings. He was clearly very reluctant to leave, but he could only express it in this awkward way.
Whitley looked at Trunks's dazed and slightly lost expression and quickly walked over to comfort him with a smile. "Don't overthink it. That's just Vegeta's personality. He's not used to showing... hmm, his vulnerable side in front of so many people. What his punch meant was 'stay alive, don't die.' It's his special way of caring. He's very reluctant to leave you in his heart."
As if to confirm Whitley's words, Vegeta's furious roar immediately came from the time machine. "Whitley!!! You bastard, if you say any more nonsense, do you believe I'll kill you?!!"
Whitley shrugged at Trunks, a playful smile on his face as he lowered his voice. "See? He's reacting so strongly, he must be shy."
Trunks looked at his father's indistinct profile through the time machine's window, then at Whitley's mischievous smile. He finally showed a smile of relief and understanding and nodded heavily. "Yes! I understand, Whitley-san. Thank you."
He looked at the time machine and said loudly, "Dad, Mom, Whitley-san, Bulma-san, Vados-san, Mr. Goku... everyone, take care!"
Under the reluctant gazes of Trunks, Dr. Hedo, and Gamma 1 and 2, Whitley's group gradually entered the time machine.
Everyone waved vigorously at Trunks and the others outside through the transparent hatch.
"Alright, everyone, check your seatbelts! We're preparing for departure!"
Bulma announced loudly from the main driver's seat.
Future Bulma sat in the co-pilot's seat, looking at her son's figure outside the window with a complex expression, and silently fastened her seatbelt.
Everyone followed suit.
Under the gaze of Trunks and the others, the time machine, which was parked in the center of the camp, began to emit a low hum.
The body of the machine began to vibrate and slowly ascend. When it reached a certain altitude, the entire body was suddenly enveloped in a dazzling white light!
The light flashed and was gone!
When the strong light dissipated, the sky was empty.
Whitley and the others, along with the time machine, had completely disappeared from this future timeline.
They... were gone.
Dr. Hedo patted the shoulder of Trunks, who was staring at the sky in a daze, and said in a gentle tone, "Let's go, come back to my base with us. That will be your new home from now on. We'll live together and protect this world together."
Trunks came to his senses and nodded, a resolute expression returning to his face.
He remembered the two capsules Whitley had given him before he left and reached into his pocket to take them out.
"Huh? Trunks-kun, Mr. Whitley gave this to you? What's inside?"
Gamma 2 instantly came over, his gaze curiously fixed on the two capsules.
Trunks shook his head in a daze. "I don't know what's inside either."
He skillfully pressed the buttons on the capsules and then tossed them onto the empty ground in front of him.
"Poof!" "Poof!"
After two light sounds, as the smoke dissipated, two items, one large and one small, appeared before them.
"Th-this is!"
Trunks looked at the things on the ground in surprise.
The smaller item was a rather simple-looking small cloth bag.
Trunks bent down to pick it up and opened it. Inside, there were more than ten round Senzu Beans!
"These are Senzu Beans? There are so many!"
Gamma 1 calmly analyzed, "This is a very precious strategic supply."
And the other item surprised everyone even more.
It was an egg-shaped machine!
Its shape was seven or eight-tenths similar to the large time machine they had just seen off, but this one was much smaller, looking like it was for one or two people.
"This is... a time machine?! Is... is it the one No. 21 was in before?"
Dr. Hedo took a few steps forward and carefully examined the machine, his tone filled with surprise.
He walked around the small time machine, reached out and touched the cold metal outer shell, and a complex expression gradually appeared on his face.
He turned to look at Trunks and said with emotion, "It seems... what that Mr. Whitley said to me before... was probably not a joke, but... in a sense, the truth."
"Huh? Doctor, what do you mean by that?"
Trunks looked at Dr. Hedo in confusion, not quite understanding his meaning.
Dr. Hedo retracted his gaze from the time machine and said to Trunks with a wistful look, "That Mr. Whitley, when he first met me before the battle with Cell MAX, he introduced himself like this..."
Dr. Hedo imitated Whitley's solemn tone at the time. "'My name is Whitley. Strictly speaking, I am Trunks's father!'"
"HUH?!!"
Trunks's eyes widened, and he had no idea how to react.
Father... Whitley-san... he... he really said that at the time?
Dr. Hedo looked at Trunks's shocked appearance and patted his shoulder. "Treasure this sentiment, Trunks-kun."
Trunks was silent.
He lowered his head, looking at the heavy bag of Senzu Beans in his hand, and then at the small time machine beside him, which was enough for him to go and seek help.
These two gifts, one was a precious resource to protect his life, and the other was a bridge that connected the two timelines, representing that he would always have a way out and a support.
This deep and unspoken care and support was far beyond any words.
After a long while, he slowly raised his head and looked at the gray sky where Whitley and the others had disappeared, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
He unconsciously muttered to himself, "Father...?"
...
Meanwhile, in the main timeline, at the Briefs' estate in West City.
In the dining room, Whis was leisurely teasing the chubby, pink Majin Buu. He was so bored that he was actually trying to teach Buu how to eat pudding with a fork.
And Marcarita was sitting at the side, watching this scene with boredom.
Suddenly, the two of them turned their heads at almost the same time, their gazes turning towards the front yard of the estate.
The two of them exchanged a look, and a hint of understanding flashed in their eyes.
"It seems they're back," Whis said with a smile.
"Indeed. Let's go, I can't wait any longer," Marcarita stood up gracefully.
The next second, the figures of the two of them blurred and then disappeared from the dining room.
Left behind was only Buu, who was holding a fork and tilting his large head, looking around in confusion. "Huh? Wh... is? Marca... gone?"
In the front yard of the Briefs' estate, the time machine, which had been modified by Bulma and was now massive, had just landed steadily on the lawn.
The hatch had not yet opened, and the people inside had not yet had time to unbuckle their seatbelts.
But at this moment, two figures, accompanied by a soft stream of light, appeared out of nowhere in front of Whitley.
Whitley was startled by this sudden situation. His ki instantly rose, and his eyes also became sharp.
But when he saw clearly that the visitors were Whis and the angel of Universe 11, Marcarita, whom he had met once at the Tournament of Power and who had silver twin-tails, he let out a sigh of relief, and the ki in his body also subsided.
"It's you, Whis..." Whitley said with some irritation. "Whis, and this... Miss Marcarita, right? What's going on? You suddenly appeared and scared me! Are you in such a hurry to find me..."
Before Whitley could finish, Whis smiled and interrupted his next question.
His voice was still unhurried, but the words he spoke made Whitley freeze. "Whitley-san, this is by order of Lord Zeno~"
Whis bowed slightly in respect for the divine decree, and then continued, "You are required, Whitley-san, to immediately bring a specialty of Earth to Zeno's palace for an audience with Lord Zeno."
Hearing this, Whitley was completely stunned, his face filled with question marks. "What happened? If I heard you correctly... bring an Earth... specialty?"
Whis smiled and did not directly answer his question, just looked at him with a "you'll find out when you get there" expression.
But Marcarita, who was standing beside Whis, took a step forward at this moment.
She crossed her arms, lifted her chin slightly, and looked Whitley up and down with her somewhat arrogant and scrutinizing gaze. Then she said in a tone as if she were announcing something important, "Hmph! Be honored, you candidate God of Destruction named Whitley!"
Her voice was clear and carried a unique, arrogant rhythm. "From this day forward, we are close partners! You'd better not hold me back!"
At the side, Vados, who had originally just been watching the show, saw her smile instantly fade upon hearing Marcarita's declaration.
Her light purple eyes narrowed slightly, and her gaze lingered on Marcarita for a few seconds, as if she were thinking about something.
But in just a few short seconds, a flawless smile reappeared on Vados's face.
But deep in that smile, there seemed to be a new, imperceptible... amusement, as if she had found a new toy?
And Whitley was already thinking.
Should I bring instant noodles, or just a few bags of rice to meet Lord Zeno?
After all, when you talk about Earth's specialties, it should be the most common and practical things for Earthlings... right!
...
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