Paragus's body convulsed, and he snapped his head up, his wide eyes fixed on Trunks.
"Your Highness, what do you mean by that?" he asked, his voice shaking.
His dazed gaze swiveled to the other man, the one who was the spitting image of Broly.
He'd already noticed the man, but this one radiated a terrifying aura, a feeling of pure, overwhelming intimidation, like a beast wanting to devour you. He'd been awestruck from just a brief glance.
What Trunks had just said was unbelievable: this fiercely unruly man was actually the younger son he'd been separated from all those years ago.
"Your Highness means… this person who looks exactly like Broly is actually my other son?" Paragus stood there, stunned.
So Frieza hadn't been lying when he'd gloated before killing him; his son was still alive. And now, not only had Trunks revived him, but he'd also found his second son.
Paragus's respect for Trunks intensified. He never expected Trunks to give him so many incredible surprises.
"Your Highness! I can never repay your kindness! I, Paragus, am willing to obey your every command, in this life and the next!" He cried as he declared while dropping to his knees.
Trunks hadn't anticipated such fervent loyalty and emotion from the old man. Resigned, he simply agreed.
"Mm. Get up, I already know your resolve," Trunks said. "There's just one problem: this fellow doesn't seem willing to admit he's your son."
"In fact, he seems a little… disdainful of the idea," he added.
Trunks glanced at Z-Broly. Even badly wounded, the man wore an arrogant expression that seemed to challenge, 'What are you going to do about it?' Seeing him made Trunks's temper flare; he wanted nothing more than to smash the guy himself.
But he'd just established a benevolent image for Paragus, and hitting Z-Broly now might ruin it.
So, Trunks decided to let Paragus handle it. "Go and say hello to him," he instructed.
Paragus nodded and slowly approached Z-Broly, his eyes cautiously raking over the man.
"Child… do you remember me?" Paragus asked tentatively.
It was a stupid question, really. How could Z-Broly possibly remember him?
Z-Broly glared at the gray-haired old man with not a single spark of recognition in his eyes.
He'd grown up completely alone. After Bardock had sent him away from Planet Vegeta, he'd landed on a resource-rich planet. When he'd finally awakened, his violent nature had been unleashed. As a child, he'd slaughtered every native on that world.
He lived by himself on that vast, empty planet, with no one for company.
He had never once considered his origins. He didn't know why he was here or where he had come from. Besides, he felt he was born with extraordinary power, how could he possibly be the son of a frail old man? The very thought was ridiculous.
"What do you want, you stinking old man? Get lost," Z-Broly spat.
"Take one more step closer and I'll kill you."
Z-Broly glowered, his threat viciously clear.
Paragus flinched and instinctively backed up a few steps, he truly hadn't expected his son to be like this.
A pang of guilt struck him. If only he had taken Z-Broly with him when he fled all those years ago… perhaps the boy wouldn't have become this monster.
"It's me, Broly. Don't you remember?" Paragus tried, desperately hoping to awaken Z-Broly's memories.
But he didn't realize that this version of Broly likely had nothing to recall.
Trunks, watching the whole pathetic scene, was genuinely tempted to deliver a few corrective slaps to Z-Broly.
"Don't waste your effort, Paragus. This guy isn't like your elder son, he's just rotten to the core."
"Also, since your elder son is named Broly, I've named this one Z-Broly, to tell them apart."
"Looks like he genuinely can't remember anything from his past."
"Uncle Piccolo overheard your conversation with Frieza and told us everything."
"Now, let me ask again, what you told Frieza about West City… was that true?"
Paragus didn't dare hesitate. "Of course it's true. Since that's the case, I'll recount everything that happened from the beginning again. Maybe Z-Broly will remember something then."
With that, Paragus retold the entire harrowing story of what had happened back on Planet Vegeta.
Trunks listened, comparing it carefully, it was identical to Piccolo's report, not a single detail out of place.
"Well, do you remember now?" Trunks asked, glancing at Z-Broly.
Z-Broly just stood there, seemingly in a daze, lost in thought. It was almost comical to see this simple-minded brute actually trying to concentrate and recall his past using that pint sized brain.
Paragus watched him with a hopeful, expectant look, praying to whatever god that his son would remember.
However, Z-Broly remembered nothing. Instead, his face suddenly twisted into a sneer as he yelled at Paragus: "Foolish old man! A weakling like you dares call yourself my father?"
"Come any closer, and I'll kill you!" Z-Broly roared.
Even Super Broly couldn't stand to watch this anymore.
"Brother! How could you treat our father like that?!"
With that, Super Broly rolled up his sleeves, clearly ready to teach Z-Broly a painful lesson.
To be honest, Trunks was all for the idea.
But Paragus disagreed.
"Broly, no," he said, grabbing Super Broly's arm to stop him.
Just then, Porunga's booming voice echoed from the sky. "You still have one more wish remaining. Will you make it or not?"
The Dragon God sounded distinctly impatient; these mortals seemed to have completely forgotten his existence.
Elder Moori quickly translated the deep-toned voice. Trunks looked up at Porunga, and a sudden idea struck him. He'd had enough of this awkward family drama.
So he said to Moori, "Elder Moori, please tell Porunga to make the big guy lying beside me remember everything from his childhood."
Moori relayed the wish.
Porunga's eyes flared bright gold; the wish was instantly granted. Then his massive body dissolved back into the seven Dragon Balls. A strange, powerful energy suddenly surged into Z-Broly's mind. He clutched his head, roaring in agony.
A splitting pain tore through him, and then, those long-buried memories began to flood back.
(End Of This Chapter)
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