Inside Dr. Brief's laboratory at Capsule Corp.
Bulma and Dr. Brief had taken Android 16 apart and were working together to repair him, marveling at his intricate design as they worked.
Bulma also discovered the bomb inside his body—and removed it while she was at it.
Seeing how busy they were, Goku asked:
"Bulma, is it difficult to repair him? How long will it take?"
Dr. Brief adjusted his glasses.
"Don't worry. We'll have him fixed within two days."
"Two days…" Goku muttered thoughtfully.
"In that case, I won't wait here. I'll take Gohan to the Hyperbolic Time Chamber at the Lookout to train."
He raised a finger.
"It should take about one day—two at most."
Bulma nodded casually.
"Go ahead. No need to report to me."
Then she turned to Krillin.
"Hey, Krillin—help me move that quantum stabilizer."
Krillin nodded.
"Oh, sure! Bulma, I can't really help in battle against Cell… but I can help you here. Just tell me what to do."
Bulma smirked.
"That's exactly what I was thinking. Go get me two drinks."
Krillin: "..."
Capsule Corp Garden Area
Android 18 sat quietly in a pavilion, enjoying the view.
Her short golden hair shimmered softly in the sunlight, making her a striking sight.
Chi-Chi walked over with a plate of fruit.
"Goku said you're basically like a normal human. Want something to eat?"
18 nodded slightly.
"Thank you."
She peeled a lychee and took a bite.
Her eyes lit up instantly.
"So sweet!"
Chi-Chi smiled.
"If you like it, have more. You're family now."
18 felt a little touched and nodded.
"Then I won't hold back… You know, I haven't eaten anything for years."
Chi-Chi sat beside her, surprised.
"Really? Didn't you get hungry?"
18 shook her head.
"No. I have an infinite energy reactor inside me, so I don't need food."
Chi-Chi blinked in amazement.
"An unlimited energy source? That won't explode, right?"
18's expression stiffened slightly.
"Probably not… but…"
"What?" Chi-Chi asked, peeling another lychee.
18 replied:
"Dr. Gero also implanted a bomb inside me… for control."
"What?!"
Chi-Chi instinctively scooted a bit farther away.
At that moment, Goku walked over.
"18, I'm taking my son to the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. We'll be gone for one or two days."
"I won't be able to protect you during that time, so don't go out carelessly."
18 smiled faintly.
"Relax. I'm not some helpless girl."
Chi-Chi chuckled.
"Don't worry. Lunch and I will stay with her. You just focus on training."
From the kitchen, Launch poked her head out, her blonde hair swaying.
"Yeah! If anyone causes trouble, my gun will handle it!"
18 smiled lightly at her.
Future Gohan stood beside Goku, watching Chi-Chi's gentle demeanor.
A trace of warmth flickered in his eyes.
"In this world… Mom is always smiling. She must be happy…"
He turned to Goku.
"Dad, when do we leave?"
"Right now."
Goku patted his shoulder, then winked at 18 and Chi-Chi.
"Wait for good news!"
Both of them replied together:
"Good luck!"
Inside the Hyperbolic Time Chamber
A vast, endless white space.
Goku and Future Gohan had already trained here for nearly ten months.
Although both were Gohan, the future version was 20 years older.
With age came slightly slower learning ability—but that wasn't the real issue.
The real problem was his mindset.
Regret. Guilt. Trauma.
These emotions haunted him—even in his sleep.
Goku knew this was holding him back.
So over these months, he had been guiding not just his training—but his heart.
"RAAAH!"
Gohan exploded with golden aura, his hair standing upright, lightning crackling around him.
But his face twisted in pain—he couldn't fully control it.
"Steady your breathing, Gohan!"
Goku, also in full-power Super Saiyan form, guided him.
"Don't let the power control you—you control it!"
"When you master it completely, you'll reach Super Saiyan 2!"
Sweat streamed down Gohan's face. His muscles trembled.
"I… I can't do it, Dad! This power is too strong!"
Goku placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Believe in yourself!"
"Your body is strong enough. Take the leap."
"And besides… even if you die here, I can revive you with the Dragon Balls."
Hearing that, Gohan's eyes welled up.
Having someone to rely on… felt incredible.
But in his world, his father was gone.
No one could back him up.
If he wanted to protect that world—he had to become strong himself.
He closed his eyes.
Images flashed through his mind:
His mother's smile…
Bulma's optimism…
The ruined, devastated future…
But then—
A different scene appeared.
This world.
A warm, peaceful life.
His mother smiling.
His younger self laughing.
His family… happy together.
His heart calmed.
Hope surged within him.
When he opened his eyes again—
His golden aura became purer.
Lightning crackled more intensely.
Goku's eyes lit up.
"Congratulations. You did it."
Gohan stared at his hands in disbelief.
"So… this is it? I really did it?"
Goku nodded.
"Yes. You did."
Gohan smiled brightly.
"That's great! Dad, can we go out now?"
Goku checked the time.
"No."
"You need to master this form completely."
"In your future… you'll be fighting alone. You can't afford a single mistake."
Gohan nodded seriously.
"I understand."
At that moment—
Goku roared.
His aura surged again, golden energy mixed with fierce lightning.
He took a fighting stance and beckoned with his finger.
"Gohan… come at me with everything you've got in this form!"
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