Just as Bajitena hovered on the verge of a complete breakdown, a firm voice cut in.
"I believe that once Miss Bajitena recovers her past-life memories, her personality definitely won't be as awful as Dad's used to be."
Trunks stepped in front of Bajitena, his expression more serious than it had ever been.
Bajitena stared blankly at his back.
She hadn't expected him to keep standing up for her again and again.
"Recover her past-life memories?"
For many on Earth, it was the first time they'd heard that secret.
The Earth fighters exchanged glances, all wearing strange expressions.
The Vegeta they remembered had pride strong enough to pierce the heavens. If he ever regained his memories and recalled the scene of being bullied into tears… he'd probably die of rage on the spot.
Everyone looked at each other, suddenly regretting all the "exposés" they'd just blurted out.
"Sorry, Trunks. We didn't know Bajitena still had to recover her past-life memories. Otherwise we wouldn't have said all that."
"It's fine." Trunks shook his head. "Dad really was like that back then. But I believe if she lives with all of us for a while, she'll change."
Bajitena looked at Trunks, something stirring quietly in her chest.
So… this is what it feels like, being defended.
Warmth rose up, washing away the shame and fury from before.
"Hmph…" Bajitena turned her head away. "W-what's the point of saying all that! The past has nothing to do with me. Even if I recover my memories, I'm still me. I'm not some Prince Vegeta!"
She said it loudly, stubbornly.
But inside, that resistance she'd felt toward Trunks… was already gone.
The way he'd defended her just now was annoyingly kind of cool.
And besides… if it meant gaining power…
Accepting this "son" didn't seem so impossible after all.
Having made up her mind, Bajitena cleared her throat and forced herself to act casual.
"H-hey… Trunks. Come here."
Trunks walked over, confused.
Bajitena took a deep breath. "From now on… if you dare call me 'Miss Bajitena' again, I'll kill you!"
The moment she said it, she clenched her fists so hard her knuckles went white. Her heart pounded like a drum.
Trunks froze for a split second.
Then he stepped forward, straightened his posture, and toward the girl who was more than a head shorter than him saluted with perfect sincerity.
"Understood, Dad!"
The instant Trunks said "Dad," Bajitena felt something explode inside her.
A power so pure it felt like it had always belonged to her only now the shackles around it had shattered completely.
Golden aura surged skyward.
The Super Saiyan form that used to require drugs now happened naturally, as effortless as breathing.
And the amplification of her strength was greater than any transformation she'd ever achieved before.
"T-this… this is…" Bajitena stared down at her hands, feeling the endless torrent of power roaring through her body, disbelief written all over her face.
It was exactly what Latiliss had described.
Pure bloodline. A broken ceiling. Potential unleashed.
And she'd gotten it… just by acknowledging an Earth "son."
"Wow! That's some incredible ki!" Goku's eyes lit up. "Bajitena, you got so strong all of a sudden!"
Piccolo's gaze turned heavy. "So does that mean anyone who becomes related to Earthlings can easily obtain the purest Saiyan bloodline?"
"Seems like it," someone muttered.
Levos watched Bajitena plant her hands on her hips and throw her head back in that signature "Saiyan prince" laugh, and he couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry.
"Hahahahaha! This is the power a Saiyan prince is supposed to have! Kakarot come on! This time, I'll definitely knock your teeth all over the ground!"
"Wait !"
No one had time to stop her. Bajitena shot forward and swung a fist at Goku.
The next second, Bajitena flew backward and tumbled across the ground, one eye instantly swelling into a bruised half-moon.
"Damn it, damn it, damn it!" Bajitena pounded the ground with her tiny fists like a furious child.
"S-sorry, Bajitena!" Goku apologized quickly. "I thought you really got strong enough to match me all at once."
Before she could even struggle, Goku scooped her up and carried her back toward Bulma so she could be treated.
Bulma strolled over with a grin, reached out, and pinched Bajitena's puffed-up cheeks, stretching them outward.
"Awww. Who knew Vegeta's reincarnation would be this cute?"
"Y-you… let go of me!" Bajitena struggled with everything she had only to realize that no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't break Bulma's grip.
"Mom, stop teasing her," Trunks said helplessly.
Bajitena trembled with rage, tears starting to shimmer at the corners of her eyes again.
Damn it!
Why is it that even after getting stronger, she still gets bullied by this Earth woman?!
"Wait!" Bajitena blurted out, suddenly catching something. "Trunks what did you just call her?"
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