Mount Paozu.
A knot of grown men paced outside the house, nerves frayed.
From inside came Chi-Chi's howls, sharp enough to rattle roof tiles.
"Brat get out here already! You're wearing your mother out! Ah !"
"How is this happening? Gohan's birth went smoothly…" Goku, for once, had no goofy grin only a furrowed brow and worry written all over him.
"It's okay, Dad. He's fine little brother's just… more mischievous than I was. Don't worry." Gohan tried to soothe him, though his own face was tight.
"Mm." Goku answered absently, gaze still fixed on the door.
"Prince Vegeta, what do you think this little guy's power level will be?" Raditz, by contrast, was practically buzzing.
"Hmph. If I'm not mistaken, he should break ten thousand at birth," Vegeta said, the corner of his mouth rarely ticking up. "He was conceived after Kakarot broke through to Super Saiyan. And Earthling genes aren't simple they're like a catalyst for Saiyan blood. Just look at that brat Gohan."
As the Saiyan prince, he had once thought he'd never again see a newborn of his race. Reality had sprinted past his expectations: enemies dead, Saiyans revived in spirit, new bloodlines blooming. His mouth stayed proud, but his heart was pounding.
"Prince Vegeta, maybe we should each find an Earthling wife too?" Nappa's question hit him square in the chest.
"…It can be considered." After a long moment, Vegeta actually nodded.
"But we train here every day how are we supposed to meet any women?" Raditz grumbled.
"Strength first," Vegeta snapped. "Or do you want another extinction? If we aren't strong, that's where this path ends."
"N-no, that's not what I meant!" Raditz flapped his hands.
Since moving in at Mount Paozu and let's be honest cleaning up his act, Vegeta had climbed back into the top tier again. (Okay, with Piccolo's latest jump he'd technically be fourth, not that he knew.) Sparring plus talent had restored the prince's edge. Everyone respected him Goku included. For all Goku's genial air, even he admitted Vegeta's mind was razor-sharp; the prince spotted flaws before anyone. Of course, once Goku fell into a fight, he learned like lightning stealing strengths, fixing weaknesses usually leapfrogging again.
They were mid–small talk when
"Waaah!" A bright, healthy cry cut through the air. Son Goten had arrived.
Thousands of kilometers away, Piccolo deep in training stiffened. A bad premonition slid cold down his spine.
"…What now?" he muttered.
One month later, Mount Paozu.
"Prince Vegeta, you called it he really is over ten thousand!" Raditz stared at baby Goten dozing in Gohan's arms, shocked and delighted.
"Mm. From this day on, I, Prince Vegeta, abolish the old Saiyan caste system. No more elite, mid, or low class." Vegeta's voice carried real excitement.
Gohan rolled his eyes inwardly. Listen to him really acting like he runs the place. He didn't say it; no point poking the prince's pride.
"I heard what you three were discussing," Gohan added, smiling. "Sounds like everyone's thinking of settling down?"
Vegeta, Raditz, and Nappa all flushed. Silence fell.
"Age gets you. I get it." Gohan couldn't resist teasing.
"Tch. I do this for the prosperity of the Saiyan race. A sacrifice," Vegeta said, choosing perhaps the clumsiest excuse available.
"I have a plan. Want to hear it?" Gohan's tone turned mild.
"What plan?" Raditz asked, instantly alert.
"What's the Saiyan taste in women?" Gohan countered.
"Similar to Earthlings," Nappa said. "But Saiyan men favor strong personalities."
"Hmph. We're a warrior race we don't prefer wilting flowers," Vegeta added.
"Great. Two paths," Gohan said, ticking them off. "One: stay on Earth. Suppress your strength to human levels and go where people fight for a living martial arts dojos, the military join, challenge, learn. The dust of the mortal world tempers the spirit; Earth's martial arts are no joke. Just look at my dad. Two: I take you to the Galactic Patrol. Take missions. Temper yourselves across the universe. Both options let you train while increasing your odds of meeting the right person. Caveat: Patrol work can be dangerous. Earthbound training won't spike your power much, but you'll pick up technique and while dojos and the army skew male, you'll still meet plenty of strong-willed women. Your call."
"Finally! I pick the Galactic Patrol. I've been cooped up too long I need a real fight," Nappa barked, thrilled.
"The prince goes to the Patrol as well," Vegeta said exactly as Gohan expected.
"I'll stay on Earth," Raditz said and surprised them all.
Three sets of eyes turned on him. For Saiyans, the Patrol was the natural fit; and with a universe this big, how could you not find someone?
"Don't tell me you've already got someone in mind?" Gohan asked, curious. Vegeta and Nappa had the same thought.
Raditz shook his head. "I want to walk the path Kakarot walked. Gohan said it himself Goku's achievements started with his childhood on Earth."
"Idiot. The vast universe isn't better than one backwater planet?" Vegeta scolded.
"Vegeta," Gohan said, voice turning cool, "everyone chooses his own road. At least, around me, that's how it works."
"Hmph." Vegeta looked away.
"Done, then," Gohan said lightly. "Vegeta, Nappa I'll take you to the Galactic Patrol. Uncle Raditz, if you truly want Dad's road, go to Kami's Lookout. Ask Mr. Popo, Dende's attendant, to seal your strength. Then head to Kame House and find Master Roshi."
With that, Gohan took Vegeta and Nappa and blinked out.
Raditz angled toward the Lookout, resolve set.
And little Son Goten? Gohan tucked him back into Chi-Chi's waiting arms.
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