"So that means… in the future world, besides Androids 17 and 18, there was actually an even more terrifying ultimate Android—Cell?!"
After learning almost the entire truth, Trunks' eyes filled with shock.
He had always believed that the crisis was caused only by Androids 17 and 18. He never imagined that, behind them, there had been another hidden enemy.
Thinking of this, Trunks felt a surge of relief. According to his father, the future Cell had traveled to the past—and had already been destroyed.
Which meant that his father now possessed the strength to deal with all enemies.
And yet, at the same time, it felt unbelievable.
Based on what had happened in the past… how could his father have defeated Androids 17 and 18?
And how had he managed to eliminate the even more powerful Cell?
His expression shifted rapidly.
Logically speaking, if the past had already changed, then the future should have changed as well…
So why hadn't it?
Vegeta immediately saw through Trunks' confusion. Without overthinking it, he gave a simple explanation, sharing the time travel theories he and the past Bulma had discussed and researched.
Only then did Trunks suddenly understand.
Even though this was his first time encountering such concepts, his ability to accept them was astonishingly high.
After all, he was Bulma's son.
"So… the timeline you were actually trying to go to should have been the one Cell came from. It's just that, for some unknown reason, you ended up in our timeline instead."
Trunks let out a bitter smile.
Although Vegeta had avoided certain key words, Trunks still grasped the most important point.
His father had not come specifically to save them.
It was a coincidence.
By sheer chance, he had arrived here and saved Gohan.
Vegeta looked at him but did not explain further.
Because that was the truth.
Some things only become more complicated the more you try to justify them.
"There's no reason to stay here," Vegeta said calmly. "Let's go. Carry Son Gohan and we'll leave. We're going to find your mother."
Hearing this, Trunks immediately dispelled the faint sense of loss in his heart.
No matter what, the fact that his father from the past had come to this timeline was a blessing—for him, for this world, and especially for his mother.
He nodded eagerly. But just as he moved, Vegeta added another reminder.
"Power down from Super Saiyan first. In Son Gohan's current condition, he won't survive even your careless touch."
It was an unmistakable critique. Trunks' control over his power was far too crude, and he could easily cause secondary injury to Gohan.
Trunks instantly realized his mistake. He did not feel offended at all; he knew his own shortcomings. He began focusing on controlling the power inside his body.
Even though he had never done it before, reverting from the transformation was not difficult. With a bit of thought and experimentation, it was achievable.
After restraining his ki, Trunks quickly figured it out and returned to his normal state.
As weakness washed over him, he took several deep breaths before stabilizing himself.
"Remember the feeling of transforming," Vegeta said. "Even though you weren't fighting, your energy was constantly draining while you were a Super Saiyan. Your control is sloppy, which means even after transforming, you can't maintain peak strength—or sustain it for long."
No matter what, Trunks was his future son. Vegeta offered a few more pointers.
"Yes. I understand, Dad," Trunks replied seriously, committing the words to memory.
Growing up, he had never had Vegeta by his side. He had never known what fatherly care felt like.
And now, at this moment, receiving guidance and concern from his father from the past filled his heart with joy.
Vegeta was not just giving advice—he was giving him hope.
As Trunks carefully lifted Son Gohan, Vegeta placed one hand on the boy's shoulder, locked onto Bulma's ki, and vanished instantly.
The moment Vegeta arrived in this timeline, he had sensed all the energy signatures across the planet.
That was how he had reached the battlefield in time to save Son Gohan—and to witness Trunks' Super Saiyan awakening.
Naturally, he had already located Bulma as well.
Because of the Androids' persecution, Bulma had long since left West City with Trunks. They were now living in a remote southern coastal mountain region.
To avoid being detected by Androids 17 and 18, she had personally built signal jamming devices throughout the area.
It was hard to imagine how Bulma had endured all these years alone in this future world.
For most of that time, it had been just Bulma and Trunks, relying on each other to survive. For several years in between, even Son Gohan had not seen them.
In truth, this future timeline was far more brutal than what the original story had depicted.
...
"Th-this is…? We're… home?" Trunks froze in disbelief, still holding Son Gohan.
The scene before him was painfully familiar.
The round house standing there was the place he and his mother had lived in for years.
"There's no need to look so shocked," Vegeta said calmly. "It's just Instant Transmission. Lock onto a target's ki, jump through space—and no matter how far it is, you arrive instantly."
He understood Trunks' amazement and explained it plainly.
In the past, when Vegeta first learned about Goku's Instant Transmission, he had been shocked too.
But back then, he had not experienced it firsthand, nor had he dwelled on it.
Now was different.
This time, he had felt it—and it was Vegeta who had used it.
"Instant Transmission? That's incredible. An amazing technique."
Seeing Trunks' exaggerated reaction, Vegeta smirked.
"What? Want to learn it? I can teach you."
"Really?! You would, Dad?!"
The sudden joy nearly made Trunks forget that Son Gohan was still in his arms.
Vegeta nodded, about to say more—
When the round house door suddenly opened.
A familiar figure, looking worn and exhausted, stepped out—and froze.
"Trunks? Gohan? What… what happened—"
Bulma's first reaction upon seeing Trunks and the unconscious Son Gohan was panic.
But in the next instant, when her eyes landed on Vegeta's tall figure—
Her mind went blank.
She almost failed to finish her sentence.
Vegeta.
Even after more than ten years, she recognized him instantly.
How could she not?
This was her husband.
The sight of Vegeta caused memories to surge uncontrollably through her mind. Her eyes welled up, and tears streamed freely down her face.
Meeting the gaze of this future Bulma, Vegeta took a deep breath—
And slowly exhaled.
~~~~~~
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