"Yes," Son Goten nodded, looking up at Bardock and asking curiously, "Mister, you are..."
"Who are you?" Son Gohan followed up immediately, a hint of caution still lingering in his eyes.
"Don't call me 'mister'," Bardock said, reaching out again to gently pat Son Goten's head, a warm smile appearing on his face. "I am your grandfather."
"Grandfather?" Son Goten looked bewildered. He turned to look at his older brother, Son Gohan, and whispered, "Big brother... Dad's dad is called 'grandfather', right?"
Son Gohan: "..."
Son Gohan opened his mouth, for a moment not knowing what to say.
"You're our grandfather?" Son Gohan finally snapped out of it. He looked at Bardock, his expression stunned and his eyes full of disbelief.
"Mm-hmm." As Bardock spoke, he reached out and patted Son Gohan's head as well. The warmth of his palm carried the uniquely rough texture of a Saiyan.
Son Gohan was momentarily dazed, his brow furrowing slightly.
I heard from Uncle Vegeta that when Frieza destroyed Planet Vegeta, didn't Grandpa and Grandma both turn into space dust along with the planet?
Are you really my grandfather?
"Grandpa is still alive?" Son Gohan scratched his head, his tone carrying a bit of uncertainty as he followed up quickly. "I heard that... back then, Planet Vegeta..."
One couldn't just claim a relative out of nowhere.
If it weren't for the fact that this man looked so much like his father and carried a strange, inexplicable sense of familiarity, Son Gohan probably wouldn't have uttered the word "Grandpa" so easily.
"Back then, I realized Frieza was going to destroy Planet Vegeta, so I took the initiative to challenge him." Bardock took a deep breath, his tone growing heavy as a flash of the tragic past crossed his eyes. "However, I was no match for him at all. In the end, I was sucked into a time rift torn open by the Planet Buster he released."
"A time rift?" Son Gohan blinked. He was no stranger to that term.
He had heard his father, Son Goku, mention things about time rifts before.
When Son Goku and Merus were fighting in the Sacred World of the Kai, a time rift had suddenly opened, and Vegeta had even been accidentally sucked into it.
"When I woke up again, I found myself on Planet Vegeta 1,000 years in the past." Bardock's voice dropped a few notches as he slowly raised his head to look at the distant sky, his expression gaining a bit more gravity and weariness.
"Planet Vegeta 1,000 years ago?" Son Gohan was momentarily stunned, his eyes full of surprise.
Beside him, Son Goten also scratched his head, his small face written with confusion, clearly not understanding the concept of time spanning a millennium.
"At that time, it wasn't called Planet Vegeta; it was known as Planet Plant," Bardock explained patiently. "Originally, we Saiyans lived on Planet Sadala. Later, Planet Sadala was destroyed in a civil war, and it was King Vegeta I who led the Saiyans to conquer Planet Plant and rename it Planet Vegeta."
Son Gohan had a moment of realization; so the history of the Saiyans had such a past.
"Grandpa, then what number is the current Uncle Vegeta?" Son Goten blinked his innocent large eyes and asked curiously.
"The fourth," Bardock answered succinctly.
Son Goten nodded thoughtfully, seemingly trying to digest this information.
"So Grandpa came from 1,000 years ago," Son Gohan had basically come to believe the identity of the man before him, and his attitude became much friendlier. "But how did Grandpa get back to the present?"
"I was flying above Planet Cereal at the time," Bardock recalled. "For some reason, a time rift suddenly tore open in the sky, and I was sucked in before I could react. By the time I came to my senses, I had already appeared in the Sacred World of the Kai."
"Was it the Lord Supreme Kai who sent Grandpa here?" Son Gohan quickly pieced the logic together and asked.
"Yes." Bardock nodded, his gaze turning toward the direction where Son Goku was training. He sighed, "After being away for over thirty years, I didn't expect Kakarot's sons to be this big already..."
Hearing this, both Son Gohan and Son Goten couldn't help but grin, their faces showing a bit of shyness.
"I don't know your names yet." Bardock's gaze fell on Son Goten, his face full of doting affection—this child looked exactly like Kakarot did when he was little.
"My name is Son Goten," Son Goten looked up and answered brightly.
"Son Gohan," Son Gohan followed up with his own name.
"Hmm, strange names... never mind," Bardock muttered to himself.
A brief silence followed.
"Is your father training over there?" Bardock turned to look at the still-meditating Son Goku. He didn't go over to disturb him, instead turning back to ask the two children.
"Yes, Dad is working hard on his training," Son Gohan nodded in response. "In a few days, it'll be the match against Universe 6."
"The match against Universe 6?" Bardock was momentarily stunned and mused, "I've never heard of any 'Universe 6'."
"Grandpa, I know, I know!" Son Goten immediately started shouting excitedly. He ran over to Bardock, gesturing wildly as he explained, "The universe is huge! I heard there are twelve universes in total, and we belong to Universe 7!"
"Really? There's such a thing?" Bardock raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. He asked again, "Are the people from Universe 6 strong?"
"I don't know," Son Goten shook his head, only having a partial understanding of these things himself.
"How about this..." Bardock looked at the curious eyes of the two children and felt a sudden impulse. He patted Son Goten's head, a mysterious smile appearing on his face. "Grandpa will let you see a realm you've never seen before."
"A realm we've never seen before?" Son Goten's interest was instantly piqued. He rubbed his small hands together excitedly, his large eyes sparkling with expectation as he stared intently at Bardock.
"Grandpa, can we see it now?" Son Gohan was also quite expectant.
After all, watching their father sit in meditation was indeed a bit boring.
Grandpa said there was a realm they had never seen; what could it be?
"Let's go somewhere further away," Bardock suggested, pointing toward the depths of the mountain forest. "So we don't disturb Kakarot's training."
Son Gohan and Son Goten naturally had no objections.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Three figures soared into the air simultaneously, flying toward the deep mountains like three streaks of light, leaving a whistling wind in their wake.
Soon, Bardock led Son Gohan and Son Goten to a remote area deep in the mountains.
The ancient trees here reached for the sky, and strange rocks were scattered about. There was only the crisp sound of birdsong and the rustling of leaves in the wind.
"Grandpa, hurry and show us that realm you said we've never seen!" Son Goten grew even more expectant, his eyes beginning to glow as he urged impatiently.
"Well then... watch closely." Bardock took a deep breath, and the aura around him suddenly surged.
The next second, a brilliant golden light erupted from Bardock's body, and his hair instantly stood tall, turning a radiant gold—it was the legendary Super Saiyan form!
Son Goten: "..."
Son Gohan: "..."
The two brothers looked at each other, their faces suddenly written with speechlessness.
Could the 'realm we've never seen' that Grandpa mentioned be... Super Saiyan?
"This is a Super Saiyan!" Bardock's face was full of a proud smile as he looked at the two children and asked, "I wonder if you've heard the legends about the Super Saiyan?"
The corners of Son Gohan and Son Goten's mouths twitched, and for a moment, they were at a loss for words.
Bardock: "????"
Bardock was momentarily stunned, looking at his two grandsons in confusion.
Why weren't they surprised at all?
Could it be... they could do it too?
"Grandpa, we're already at Super Saiyan 6 now," Son Gohan scratched his head a bit awkwardly and said softly. "This one of yours... can only be considered Super Saiyan 1."
"Wha... What!?" Bardock was instantly aghast, his eyes widening. His face was written with shock and disbelief.
What Super Saiyan 6?
What is this child talking about?
Why don't I understand this at all?
"It's my dad," Son Goten added from the side, his small face full of pride. "Dad can already turn into a Super Saiyan 6!"
Bardock was even more shocked, his mouth hanging open, unable to speak for a long time.
What kind of concept was Super Saiyan 6?
"It seems I really have fallen behind the times," Bardock laughed self-deprecatingly. But immediately after, he clenched his fists tight, a hint of unwillingness flashing in his eyes as his expression grew even more serious. "However, Grandpa didn't stop at just a regular Super Saiyan..."
Snap!
The moment he finished speaking, the golden light around Bardock suddenly changed, turning into a searing fiery red.
At the same time, Bardock's hair shifted directly from gold to a fiery red like a flame, and a divine and powerful aura radiated from his body.
"Super Saiyan God?" Son Goten looked at this scene in awe and said with some surprise.
"It feels a bit different..." Son Gohan rubbed his chin, observing carefully. "Why is Grandpa's hair standing up in his Super Saiyan God form?"
In Son Gohan's memory, when his father and Uncle Vegeta turned into Super Saiyan Gods, their hair stayed in its natural downward state.
"You... you even know about the Super Saiyan God?" Bardock was truly stunned this time.
Bardock had originally thought that by showing off his Super Saiyan God form, he could give his two grandsons a good shock.
As it turned out, not only did they know about this transformation, they could even spot the subtle differences.
"Can Grandpa transform again?" Son Goten's excitement hadn't faded at all; instead, he grew even more expectant and followed up quickly.
Bardock nodded slightly, a mysterious look flashing in his eyes.
"Is it blue?" Son Gohan asked tentatively.
Bardock: "????"
Bardock was stunned again, completely not understanding the question.
What did "blue" mean?
"The sky is blue," Bardock answered instinctively, looking up at the sky with a bit of a lost expression.
Son Gohan: "..."
Son Goten: "..."
The two brothers were once again at a loss for words. It seemed Grandpa knew nothing about the subsequent transformation forms.
"What else can Grandpa turn into?" Son Gohan asked in a different way.
"There is also the Super Saiyan God that surpasses the Super Saiyan God," Bardock said, and the aura around him surged once more.
Streaks of crimson lightning suddenly erupted from within Bardock, crackling around his body. His hair stood even taller than before, and the red aura around him became even more violent.
Crackle... Crackle...
The electric snakes danced wildly, and the air seemed to be torn apart, making a piercing sound.
Son Gohan's eyes widened; this power was indeed quite a bit stronger than the previous Super Saiyan God.
Son Goten, however, scratched his head with a look of confusion.
So it wasn't Super Saiyan Blue after all...
"Following your naming convention, this should probably be called Super Saiyan God 2," Bardock said, looking at the changes in his body and smiling with satisfaction.
Son Gohan and Son Goten both nodded vigorously, their eyes finally filled with pleasant surprise.
They hadn't expected their grandfather to be able to transform like this. As expected, there were realms they had never seen before!
"Can you transform again, Grandpa?" Son Goten asked excitedly, leaning in and looking up with his small face.
Bardock: "..."
The smile on Bardock's face faded slightly. After a brief hesitation, he shook his head gently.
"You're so amazing, Grandpa!" Son Goten was still thrilled, clapping his small hands.
"I can tell that both of you possess very powerful energy as well," Bardock said, looking at his two exceptionally talented grandsons, a hint of fighting spirit flashing in his eyes. "How about you two team up and spar with your grandfather?"
"The two of us teaming up?" Son Gohan was taken aback, looking at Bardock with some surprise.
"Grandpa, are you serious?" Son Goten grinned, his small face full of an itching-for-a-go expression. "Big brother and I are very strong, you know!"
"Come on, attack me together!" Bardock showed no fear. Instead, he beckoned to the brothers, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"In that case, Grandpa, I won't be polite," Son Gohan said, and the aura around him instantly surged.
Rumble!
Powerful energy exploded from within him. His silver-white hair stood tall, and his muscles expanded, radiating a wild sense of pressure—it was his Beast form!
The entire mountain forest trembled under this massive energy. Fallen leaves on the ground were swept up into storm after storm, and the surrounding trees groaned under the overwhelming weight.
Seeing Son Gohan's transformation, Bardock's mouth couldn't help but twitch.
What is going on?
How can Gohan's energy be this strong?
And what is this strange transformation?
Silver-white hair... I've never seen anything like it!
"Grandpa, this is my Beast form," Son Gohan explained with a smile, feeling the power racing through his body.
"Beast form?" Bardock was stunned. It was the first time he had heard the name. He carefully sensed Son Gohan's aura and nodded. "Indeed, I can feel an aura like a wild beast racing within you."
"That's where the name comes from," Son Gohan nodded, settling into a fighting stance.
"My turn, my turn!" Son Goten chuckled, unable to wait any longer to start his transformation.
Son Goten's body changed rapidly. Red fur covered his body, a tail grew out, and his eyes became sharp—it was the Super Saiyan 4 transformation!
Bardock was dazed once again.
What kind of strange transformation is this now?
It felt as if the Saiyan had shed their flashy radiance and returned to their true self, yet it contained a primal and powerful force.
"Grandpa, I call this Super Saiyan 4!" Son Goten grinned and stretched his limbs, his joints making a series of popping sounds.
"Super Saiyan 4?" Bardock nodded thoughtfully, observing Son Goten's form. "It feels like you're using the power of the Great Ape."
"This transformation evolved further based on the Great Ape," Son Goten explained with a nod.
"However, looking at the energy intensity," Bardock sensed their auras and gave a candid evaluation, "Goten, the gap between this transformation of yours and your brother Gohan's isn't just a small amount."
"Grandpa, I'm not finished yet," Son Goten said defiantly, his aura climbing once more.
In the next second, blazing red flames erupted around Son Goten. Even his originally black hair turned crimson. A divine aura intertwined with primal power.
Bardock was aghast once again.
Isn't this the aura of a Super Saiyan God?
This kid Goten can also become a Super Saiyan God?
No wonder they could say the name Super Saiyan God so easily...
It seems I've really fallen too far behind.
"This is Super Saiyan 5.5!" Son Goten puffed out his chest, a proud smile on his face, seemingly very satisfied with this self-invented name.
"Super Saiyan 5.5?" Bardock was stunned, his brow furrowing slightly in confusion.
Where did a '5.5' come from?
It even has a decimal point?
This naming convention is far too casual.
"Goten, what 5.5? What nonsense are you talking about?" Son Gohan turned to look at Son Goten and couldn't help but ask with a frown.
"Because this transformation of mine is stronger than Super Saiyan 5, but weaker than Super Saiyan 6, so I named it Super Saiyan 5.5," Son Goten grinned, thinking his idea was quite clever.
"Goten, do you really think this transformation is stronger than Super Saiyan 5?" Son Gohan held a different opinion, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness.
"It's not stronger than Super Saiyan 5?" Son Goten was taken aback, the smile on his face instantly freezing.
"Of course not," Son Gohan nodded with certainty.
"That's probably compared to Dad's Super Saiyan 5..." Son Goten scratched his head thoughtfully and muttered in a low voice. "I feel like if I became a Super Saiyan 5, it wouldn't be as strong as this transformation."
"Call it whatever you want," Son Gohan shook his head helplessly, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
Bardock: "..."
The air fell into a brief silence. Bardock really couldn't keep up with these two children's train of thought.
"You two little rascals, attack me together!" Bardock took a deep breath, temporarily pushing down his confusion. He beckoned to Son Gohan and Son Goten, the fighting spirit reigniting in his eyes.
"Grandpa, then we won't be polite!" Son Goten grinned and was the first to charge forward as a streak of red light, launching a fierce assault on Bardock.
Son Gohan hesitated for a moment, ultimately not stepping forward immediately.
I'll see what Grandpa's strength level is like first.
Maybe Goten alone will be enough to win easily.
Son Goten's fists rained down on Bardock with dense intensity, each punch carrying the whistling sound of the wind.
Bardock calmly raised his arms, precisely blocking all of Son Goten's attacks with unhurried movements.
However, Bardock's heart was filled with immense shock.
This kid isn't very old, but his strength is certainly not low.
He's much more powerful than I imagined.
Snap!
After launching several attacks, Son Goten suddenly leaped backward, creating some distance from Bardock.
Immediately after, Son Goten jumped high into the air, spinning half a turn and delivering a heavy kick toward Bardock.
Bardock raised his arms again to block it steadily. Feeling the force transmitted through the leg, he nodded and evaluated, "Not bad!"
"As expected of Grandpa, you're so strong!" Son Goten was both surprised and delighted. A flash of excitement crossed his eyes as he increased his attack speed and power once more. His fists and kicks alternated in an increasingly sharp offensive.
Bardock still didn't strike back, simply parrying all of Son Goten's attacks like an immovable mountain.
In fact, while easily catching all of Son Goten's attacks, Bardock even beckoned to Son Gohan on the side. "Gohan, you join in too."
"Al... Alright, Grandpa," Son Gohan nodded, his heart full of admiration for Bardock.
Grandpa is truly amazing.
He's actually catching Goten's fierce attacks so easily.
It seems Grandpa is even more powerful than I thought.
Whoosh!
Son Gohan turned into a silver-white streak of light, rapidly charging toward Bardock and delivering a powerful punch to his chest.
Sensing the immense power carried by Son Gohan's fist, Bardock's expression became more serious. He hurriedly raised his arms in a cross-block.
Boom!
Son Gohan's fist slammed heavily into Bardock's arms.
Bardock felt his arms go numb as a powerful shockwave spread through them. He couldn't help but gasp.
Gohan is quite a bit stronger than Goten!
Rat-tat-tat!
Just as Bardock was momentarily dazed by the force of that punch, Son Goten seized the opportunity to charge in again. He launched an even more fierce assault, his fists and kicks falling like a torrential downpour.
Son Gohan also coordinated from the side, delivering heavy strikes from time to time. The two worked in perfect harmony, attacking from the left and right.
Facing two opponents at once, Bardock found himself with more than he could handle for a moment. His parrying movements gradually became hurried.
After several more rounds of intense exchange...
Boom!
Son Gohan spotted an opening and delivered a sudden side kick.
Bardock hurriedly crossed his hands and just managed to block Gohan's kick.
But the power of this kick was simply too great. Bardock was instantly sent sliding backward, his feet grinding against the ground and leaving two long, deep furrows. Debris from the earth was sent flying.
Shua!
Son Goten seized this gap. His figure flickered and vanished from the spot, reappearing behind Bardock in the next instant. He clenched his fist and swung it with all his might.
Bardock's expression tightened. Sensing something was wrong, he hurriedly forced his body to twist and block.
Boom!
Son Goten's fist, carrying infinite power, actually broke through Bardock's hasty defense and struck him squarely in the chest.
Bardock felt a sharp pain in his chest. His body stumbled back several steps uncontrollably, nearly falling over. A trace of blood also seeped from the corner of his mouth.
"Goten, take it easy!" Seeing this, Son Gohan immediately glared at Son Goten and leaned in to scold him in a low voice.
To be continued…
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