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With Babidi's crisis resolved, this world finally began to return to its proper course.
In just two short days, under Future Bulma's direction, the city was already stirring back to life, regaining its former prosperity.
Future Bulma's laboratory.
Trunks and Bulla stood nearby, watching attentively as Future Bulma worked on restoring the time machine.
Bulla tilted her head, studying her mother curiously.
"Mom, there's something I want to ask you."
Future Bulma paused mid-repair and looked up. "What is it?"
Bulla skipped closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "Since you were able to turn yourself into an android… why didn't you make yourself younger while you were at it? In my timeline, my mom even used the Dragon Balls just to look younger!"
Her words startled Future Bulma. So even with the same soul, different timelines gave rise to very different choices.
Bulma chuckled softly. "Back then, I was in too much of a rush. It never even crossed my mind. Later, I got used to it… and honestly, I couldn't be bothered to change."
Her tone was casual, but her answer carried the weight of her role. In this ravaged world, she had become humanity's leader. A stern, dignified appearance suited her far better than youthful vanity.
"But Mom, you probably did it because deep down you were afraid," Bulla pressed with a sly smile. "Afraid that if you got old, Dad wouldn't like you anymore. Saiyans stay young for a very long time, after all!"
Future Bulma's heart gave a sudden jolt.
Vegeta, again.
This wasn't the first time Bulla had mentioned him. She had already shared stories of how her father had saved their own world.
Now, for the second time, Bulma was hearing tales of a Vegeta from another timeline.
The Vegeta she once knew in this world had been arrogant, prideful, always looking down on others. The kind of man who would never bow, never bend. But in Bulla's words, her father was something else entirely, still rough around the edges, but a man with hidden gentleness, a hardened warrior with the heart of a father.
Future Bulma smiled faintly, though it was tinged with helplessness. She had never once tasted that kind of tenderness from Vegeta.
"Well," she said quietly, "if I ever get the chance, I'd like to meet this version of Vegeta you speak of."
Of course, deep down she knew the truth. Her Vegeta had died more than a decade ago.
She shook off the thought and shifted the topic. "At any rate, the time machine should be ready by today."
It was a testament to her genius that in less than two days, she had practically restored the machine to working order, a feat that should have taken much longer.
"I originally estimated three days, but it seems I won't need that long." Future Bulma placed her hands on her hips, gazing up at her completed handiwork with satisfaction.
"Mom, you're amazing!" Bulla said with sparkling eyes, raising her thumb in praise.
"Right, big brother?" she turned expectantly toward Trunks.
But Trunks sat in silence, chin propped on one hand, gaze distant, lost in thought.
Seeing no reaction, Bulla pouted, then playfully waved her hand in front of his face. "Brother, what are you thinking about?"
Trunks blinked, snapping out of his daze. "It's nothing… just something I can't quite figure out."
"What is it?" Bulla asked, tilting her head in curiosity.
Trunks stood, his expression hardening as he turned toward Future Bulma. "Mom, this world is no longer the same as ours. But I have one question."
He fixed her with a sharp gaze. "After you defeated the androids, why didn't you try using the Dragon Balls to bring everyone back? With your ability now, you should have been able to locate New Namek."
His words cut straight to the heart of the matter. Even Bulla froze at the thought, her playful expression fading into quiet contemplation.
Future Bulma let out a long, weary sigh.
"I did try," she admitted softly. "But… I couldn't find it."
"The reason," Future Bulma said grimly, "is that before Frieza's army invaded Earth, they tried to reach New Namek and resurrect him. But the Grand Elder chose to take his own life."
"As a result, they failed… and in their frustration, they exterminated every last Namekian."
"When I finally reached New Namek, the Dragon Balls were already gone."
At those words, Bulla's nose stung, her chest tightening.
In her previous life's world, New Namek too had been nothing but a silent graveyard.
Hearing Future Bulma's explanation, the pieces clicked together in her mind. Whatever befell New Namek here… the same tragedy must have struck her world as well.
Trunks, meanwhile, sank deeper into thought.
If there was still a way to restore this world, to bring it closer to the life they had back home, there was only one path left.
They would need to find Planet Cereal.
"Mom… I think you might be able to use-- "
But just as Trunks was about to reveal the secret of the two-star Dragon Ball, the world outside erupted. A blinding radiance burst through the window, flooding the night in an ocean of light.
The light was brighter than the noonday sun.
Everyone's heads snapped toward the glow. A heartbeat later--
BOOOOOOM!
The deafening blast split the heavens. West City was thrown into chaos once again, swallowed by the storm. Massive shockwaves tore through everything in their path. Smoke churned into the air. The fragile refuge humanity had only just rebuilt was razed in an instant.
Bulma's eyes narrowed, fury flashing across her face as she stared into the inferno outside.
Her heart twisted with dread.
At the same time, Mai and Android 16 moved in unison, stepping forward.
"What happened?!" Videl's voice rang out from across the room.
Behind her stood Gohan, who only moments ago had been reluctantly recounting to her the love story of the main world's Gohan and Videl.
No one could have foreseen such sudden devastation.
The cause didn't matter anymore. What mattered was uncovering what, or who, was responsible.
Future Bulma shot into the air, ready to rush outside. But Trunks caught her by the wrist, stopping her cold.
His gaze was razor-sharp, locked on the world beyond the shattered window. His voice carried the weight of command.
"Leave this to us, Mom."
He turned his head toward Gohan. "Gohan, let's go."
Gohan was already braced for battle. His reply was calm, resolute. "I'm with you, Trunks."
They exchanged a single nod, then launched themselves into the sky.
"Hey! Brother! Gohan! Wait for me!" Bulla shouted, leaping after them without hesitation.
The sky was choked with gray. Amid the ruins of the city floated a lone figure, his body completely concealed beneath a black cloak, tearing through everything in his path.
Only when two shadows appeared at his back did he finally turn.
His eyes, hidden beneath the hood, fixed curiously on Trunks.
"Oh? You again."
(End Of This Chapter)