Turles held Bulla as he watched the two Bulmas bicker back and forth. "Alright, Bulma, it's time to head back."
Future Bulma fell silent. Indeed, they didn't belong to this timeline. She forced a smile. "Then... I wish you eternal happiness. Come visit us whenever you have the chance."
"We will. But before we go, I have a gift for you."
Turles' eyes flashed with a faint red light. Instantly, Future Bulma felt a surge of vitality coursing through her. It was as if her body had suddenly de-aged by more than a decade.
She stood in a daze, watching the silhouettes of Turles and the others fade away, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts.
When Trunks returned and saw no trace of Turles or the others, he knew they had gone back. He felt a pang of loss, but when he looked at his mother, he froze. "Mom... you... you look so much younger!"
Future Bulma smiled, though tears welled in her eyes. "He really is a kind man..."
"Alright, Trunks. From now on, it's just the two of us. Remember what Turles said: only strength can protect what we hold dear. There are also a few things I need to start researching... after all, I'm much better at this than that old fogey Gero, aren't I?"
As Bulma turned and walked into her laboratory, Trunks suddenly had a bad feeling. He felt like his mother was planning something—something big.
Original Timeline, West City.
Turles and Bulma were staring at Vegeta as if he were a rare specimen in a zoo, making him feel like he was about to explode.
"Hey! Turles! And you, woman! What's with those looks?"
"Vegeta, you better be gentler!" a voice barked. "This is my sister and my brother-in-law!"
Vegeta's aggressive posture instantly wilted. He clicked his tongue and looked away. "Tch. Troublesome woman."
Turles couldn't help but marvel at the sight. Vegeta had indeed ended up as a "live-in son-in-law" for the Briefs family. However, his partner in this timeline wasn't Bulma, but her older sister, Tights. According to Tights, the two had ended up together after Vegeta unintentionally saved her.
And so, Vegeta lived the comfortable life of a Capsule Corp husband. Except for the fact that his wife was Tights, everything else seemed to follow a familiar pattern.
Time flowed like a river, and soon the day the Androids were destined to appear arrived.
In the gardens of the Briefs estate, Bulma was currently "educating" the little brat Bulla. Yes, the adorable toddler from before had successfully evolved into a certified troublemaker. She spent her days chasing the cats and teasing the dogs, acting nothing like a typical young girl. Today, she had even snuck away with Trunks—the son of Tights and Vegeta—to play with him.
The scene that followed was so chaotic that even the world-weary Turles could only stare in shock.
Bulla looked at Bulma with a pitiful expression, occasionally casting pleading glances toward Turles for help.
Turles opened his mouth to intervene but shut it instantly when he saw the "murderous intent" in Bulma's eyes.
He couldn't win. He absolutely couldn't win against her.
"Bulla, you've really outdone yourself! Is your brother Trunks a toy to you? Did I not buy you enough dolls?" Bulma yelled. "Look what you did! You dressed Trunks up like a frilly porcelain doll! And why did you sneak him out of the house? Do you have any idea how worried my sister was?!"
Bulla looked up at Bulma, trying to act cute. "Mama, I'm sorry. I won't do it again..."
She turned her big, watery eyes to Turles. "Papa..."
"Honey, maybe we should..." Turles started.
"No! This time, Bulla must be taught a lesson, or who knows what she'll grow up to be!"
Bulma raised her hand, ready to deliver some "tough love."
Turles could only give Bulla a look that said you're on your own, kid. In this house, Bulma was the ultimate authority.
"The Androids should be appearing about now. I'm going to go check it out..."
With those words, Turles vanished, leaving Bulla to face her mother's wrath. As Bulla felt Bulma's fiery gaze and saw the feather duster in her hand, she swallowed hard. This shouldn't hurt that much, right?
Over the past two years, Turles had changed significantly. Most notably, his base power level had reached a staggering 10 billion. Even without dedicated training or "attribute farming," he had reached a level where he could walk through the universe unchallenged—at least until the Gods of Destruction appeared. After all, he still had Super Saiyan 4 up his sleeve.
Furthermore, with the help of the Miracle Power of the Dragon Balls and his System, he had created a private Pocket Dimension. It was a habitable space currently under constant construction by a legion of tireless robots. He planned to move his family there eventually. Earth was too dangerous; enemies were always trying to blow it up, and honestly, who could deal with that stress?
Once the Pocket Dimension was ready, he could transfer his family there at the first sign of trouble. With the System's concealment, no one—not even Zeno or the Grand Priest—would be able to find them.
On the other side of the world, Son Goku and the others were confronting two mysterious figures.
"Interesting," one of the figures said. "You actually knew we would appear here."
"You're the Androids?" Goku asked.
"Indeed, Son Goku. Do you remember the Red Ribbon Army you destroyed as a child? We are the Androids created by Dr. Gero specifically to kill you."
"Red Ribbon Army?" Goku scratched his head, looking confused. "Did that happen?"
"Hmph. Arrogant as always. But soon, you will be dead."
Android 20, who was actually Dr. Gero himself, let out a cold laugh. "19, go! Give them a proper greeting!"
"Hehehe. I have data on all of your battles. You are no match for 19!"
However, as Android 19 engaged Goku, Dr. Gero's expression slowly shifted to one of confusion and dread. What was this golden form? And why was Son Goku so incredibly powerful?
He had spent the last few years performing self-modifications in a secluded mountain laboratory, completely ignoring news from the outside world. Driven by his obsession with revenge, he had emerged without knowing anything about the existence of the Super Saiyan transformation.
"Gohan, you've grown so much stronger over the years," Piccolo remarked from the sidelines. "I feel like I'm no longer your match."
"I've been working hard, Piccolo-san," Gohan replied with a modest smile. "With Uncle Turles and Aunt Bulma's help, my mom stopped forcing me to study all the time. I've had much more time to train. I've spent the last two years training with my dad, getting ready to take down these Androids."
Piccolo smiled proudly. To him, Gohan was special.
Meanwhile, watching Android 19 being treated like a punching bag by Goku, Dr. Gero began to slowly retreat. It seems I'll have to activate Androids 17 and 18... what a shame they aren't fully completed yet...