...
Three months passed quietly.
The day of Vegeta's trio invading Earth drew ever closer, and the atmosphere across the planet grew increasingly tense.
But Gran felt none of it.
Today...
he grabbed his fishing rod, ready to head out.
Just as he stepped outside, Bulma followed behind him.
"Why are you trailing me again?" Gran asked, stopping in the courtyard and glancing back.
"I'm not following you," Bulma replied, shaking her head.
Puzzled, Gran shifted slightly to the side. Sure enough, Bulma walked right past where he had been standing.
"Lord Gran, I've got something to take care of. Don't wait for me at dinner," she said over her shoulder before rising into the air and flying off.
…?
Gran frowned.
That clingy "cat owner" was acting strangely today.
He turned to look at Whis and Beerus lounging on deck chairs nearby, hoping for an explanation.
The two master and servant completely ignored him.
"…Fine."
Shaking his head, Gran left the Briefs estate with his fishing rod.
Out on the street, a few Earthlings passed by, occasionally glancing at him.
"Doesn't that guy look a bit like those golden-haired warriors?"
"Yeah, kinda… but his hair and style are different. Probably just a resemblance."
"Yeah… probably…"
Their murmurs reached Gran's ears, and the corner of his lips lifted slightly.
Good thing he transformed—like Son Gohan did during his "overpowered high school life"—when he played the Dragon-slaying hero role. Otherwise, he'd be mobbed every time he stepped outside.
Ignoring the chatter, Gran sensed the surrounding auras and headed west.
Along the way, rod in hand, he cast his line whenever he spotted water. Anyone watching would think he was a hardcore professional angler.
By midday, he had already left West City and entered a forest.
A river ran through it, with a waterfall cascading down from above.
Gran pushed through the trees, reached the riverbank, and began fishing.
A gentle breeze stirred the leaves, producing a soft rustling sound.
Before long, just as Gran reeled in his fifth large fish—each one as big as Piccolo—two voices drifted from the forest.
One was youthful and clear, the other deep and cold:
"Kid, Earth will face a crisis soon. If you don't train seriously, do you want to die?"
"But Uncle Piccolo, I am training seriously~"
"Seriously my ass! You're either catching cicadas or chasing butterflies. That's 'training' to you?"
"But the butterflies are really pretty~"
"You!"
"Don't worry, Uncle Piccolo. My dad's super strong. He'll definitely protect us."
"You brat, didn't I tell you? Son Goku abandoned you. If I hadn't picked you up, you'd already be dead. Remember this—one day, you're going to take revenge on him!"
"You're lying! My dad would never abandon me!"
"You… you're really trying to piss me off!"
Hearing the exchange, Gran couldn't help but chuckle.
Ever since he became a God of Destruction candidate, the history of this timeline had shifted.
At first, he thought Vegeta and the others might never come to Earth.
But now, with their arrival just three months away, reality proved that history was slowly correcting itself.
Just like now—
Originally, Piccolo only took Gohan after Raditz killed Goku.
But the "self-correcting force" of history had led Piccolo to abduct Gohan during Goku's time on King Kai's planet.
That corrective force… was truly fascinating.
"Huh?"
A moment later, as little Gohan stepped out of the forest, he spotted someone by the river.
Next to that person lay five massive fish—each as large as his Uncle Piccolo.
"Uncle Piccolo, there's someone here!" Gohan pointed at Gran and shouted.
"Hm?"
When Piccolo took Gohan a year ago, he hadn't seen Gran up close. He had only overheard his voice during a conversation with Goku.
So he didn't recognize him.
Seeing a stranger, Piccolo instinctively stepped in front of Gohan, shielding him as he sized Gran up.
He looked human—dressed oddly, with a ring on his hand.
As for his aura…
Nothing.
Piccolo's heart jolted.
Every living being had an aura.
Even masters like Goku, who could suppress theirs, still leaked faint traces at close range.
But this man—
There was absolutely nothing.
"Who are you?" Piccolo demanded coldly, keeping Gohan behind him.
By the riverbank, Gran reeled in his line and slowly turned around.
"Oh?"
Seeing Piccolo protect Gohan, Gran's smile deepened.
The Son family's babysitter had officially come online.
"I'm asking you—who exactly are you?" Piccolo pressed, his tone wary.
"Me?"
Gran glanced at the fishing rod in his hand and smiled.
"Can't you tell? I'm just a fishing enthusiast."
A "fishing enthusiast," huh?
Piccolo curled his lip inwardly.
Still, sensing no hostility, he relaxed slightly.
"Kid, we're leaving," Piccolo said, lifting Gohan as he prepared to depart their usual hideout.
"Wait."
Gran's voice suddenly stopped him.
Piccolo's body tensed instantly.
What does this guy want?
"That little guy seems hungry," Gran said calmly, pointing at Gohan. "Eat first before you go."
"Grrr…"
Right on cue, Gohan's stomach growled loudly.
Piccolo's face darkened.
Couldn't this kid wait a little longer to get hungry? He really deserved a smack on the butt!
Turning back to Gran, Piccolo saw the man's calm expression—
as if his words were not to be refused.
"…Fine."
After a moment, Piccolo sighed.
He couldn't read this man at all.
And with someone this mysterious—
it was better not to make an enemy.