Goten Chapter 11

Author's Note: Sorry, I couldn’t upload Goten on Saturday—I was busy. As for Kaito, I’ll be uploading a chapter by the end of tomorrow.

Goten Chapter 11

Goten nodded. "Yeah, we’ve been training with Master Roshi for six months now," he confirmed.

Trunks clenched his fists, looking determined. "I also want to help! Can I join you?" he asked, looking directly at Gohan.

Gohan blinked in surprise, then awkwardly looked at Bulma, unsure of what to say.

Trunks turned to his mother, pleading with her. "Mom, please! You know I’m half-Saiyan, just like them. I can help!"

Bulma let out a deep sigh, shaking her head. "It’s too dangerous, Trunks."

"But Mom!" Trunks pleaded, his voice desperate. "It would just be training! I swear I won’t go and fight the androids!"

As the argument between Trunks and Bulma continued, Goten fell deep into thought. "We need a way to go back in time… to get the location of New Namek. But if we defeat the androids too soon, Bulma won’t have a reason to build the time machine." He furrowed his brows, thinking harder. "If I remember correctly, Bulma only started working on the time machine after Gohan’s death. But I’m not planning on letting him die. We need him. And honestly… I’ve grown attached to him." Goten frowned, realizing the problem. "That would mean Bulma won’t build the time machine…"

…

Goten was deep in thought, his mind racing. ‘How am I going to get Bulma to build a time machine?’ He tried to think of ways to convince her. ’If we’re going to survive in this timeline, we need the time machine. But how am I going to convince her? Even Mom and Gohan still haven’t talked about the Dragon Balls in front of me, so I should know that the Dragon Ball existed…’

His thoughts then shifted to the androids. ‘There’s no way they’ll let us live next time. I bet they’ll be out to kill the next time we meet. I’m not even as strong as Gohan when he goes Super Saiyan yet… I need to get stronger fast.

We could go to the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, but how am I going to explain that to them? I can’t just tell them, ‘Hey, let’s go to the Lookout.’

Then, another idea hit him. Wait… didn’t Bulma build a gravity chamber for Vegeta? Maybe she still has it. And if I remember correctly… Gohan never trained under increased gravity in this timeline.

Just then, Goten was pulled from his thoughts when he heard Trunks pleading with Bulma.

"Mom, please! You have to let me train with Gohan!" Trunks begged, his voice full of desperation. "I can’t just sit around while they fight the androids alone!"

Bulma let out a long sigh, rubbing her forehead. After a moment, she relented. "Alright, Trunks," she said, giving in. "I’ll let you train with Gohan."

Trunks’ face lit up in excitement. He jumped up and hugged Bulma tightly. "Thank you! Thank you!" he cheered.

Bulma quickly put a stop to his celebration by holding up her hand. "But under one condition," she said firmly. "I don’t want you picking a fight with the androids before you’re ready."

Trunks nodded seriously. "I understand, Mom. I won’t do anything reckless."

Bulma then turned her sharp gaze toward Gohan, her expression serious. "And I trust you not to let him recklessly run off to fight the androids like you did today," she said, her tone making it clear she wasn’t playing around.

Gohan rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Yeah… don’t worry about it, Bulma. I learned my lesson."

Goten chimed in, his voice deadpan, "Yeah, that’s good—because I don’t think the androids will let us live next time." He gave Gohan a flat stare.

Gohan looked down for a moment before nodding. "Yeah… I know that," he admitted.

Goten then turned to Trunks, his expression serious. "And Trunks," he said, crossing his arms. "Fighting the androids isn’t going to be easy. They were literally toying with both me and Gohan, and we barely survived. I doubt they even used half of their full strength."

Pilaf, who had been quiet up until now, swallowed nervously. "A-Are they really that strong?" he asked, looking shaken.

Goten nodded and said, "If I had to guess, I’d say they’re at least three times stronger than Gohan in his Super Saiyan form. And that’s just one of them. If both of them fight together, even if Gohan was a match for one, he’d still lose."

In his mind, Goten calculated the numbers. If I remember correctly, the androids had a power level of around 400 million, while Future Gohan was somewhere between 200 to 250 million before he died. If I had to guess, this Gohan is probably around 150 million right now.

Bulma frowned, concern deep in her features. "Even after all these years, are they really that strong, Gohan?"

Gohan sighed, his expression grim. "Yeah, what Goten said is true, Bulma. They were just toying with me. If it weren’t for Goten’s quick thinking, we’d both be dead."

Hearing that, Trunks clenched his fists. "Is there even a way we can defeat the androids if they’re that strong?" he asked, frustration evident in his voice.

Goten rubbed his chin thoughtfully and muttered out loud, "If only there was a way to get stronger faster… like training in increased gravity or something." He purposely hinted at it, hoping that Bulma had the gravity chamber.

Bulma blinked, processing what he had just said. "You mean… a gravity chamber?" she asked. "I had one built for Vegeta. He used to train in it almost every day before the androids came."

Gohan’s eyes widened in realization. "I remember that!" he exclaimed. "Dad used one too—on his way to Namek! He got exponentially stronger using it. He was able to go toe-to-toe with Frieza after training in it!" He quickly turned to Bulma. "Bulma, do you still have the gravity chamber?"

Bulma sighed and shook her head. "I did… but it was destroyed when the androids attacked Capsule Corp."

Goten sighed, feeling disappointment creep in. Well, there goes that plan…

But then, Bulma tapped her chin thoughtfully. "But… I think I can have it rebuilt in about two weeks. I should have the scraps lying around, so it should be easy to put together."

Gohan’s face lit up with a wide smile. "Thanks, Bulma! That’s going to help us a lot!"

Goten grinned, thinking, That’s great! This could really help us!

Then, out of nowhere, a small voice spoke up.

"Can… I join you guys?"

Everyone turned in shock to see Videl standing there, looking serious but slightly nervous.

Gohan blinked in surprise. "What?"

Videl clenched her fists, her eyes filled with determination. "Can I train with you as well?" she asked firmly.

Gohan scratched the back of his head, looking a bit unsure. “Eh… Videl, no offense, but I don’t think—”

Before he could finish, Videl cut him off, her voice firm. “The androids have taken everything from me,” she said, clenching her fists. “I want to be able to defend myself and help fight back against them.”

Gohan’s expression softened as he looked at her. He could see the determination in her eyes, but also the pain. After a moment of silence, he nodded. “Alright… you can join us,” he said. “But I’ll warn you—it’s not going to be easy.”

Videl nodded resolutely, already prepared for the challenge ahead.

Just then, a loud rumbling echoed through the room, catching everyone’s attention.

Everyone turned to look at Goten, whose stomach had just made the offending noise.

Goten frowned, rubbing his belly. “Man, I’m really hungry,” he complained before shooting a glare at Gohan. “I abandoned dinner because of you, Gohan.”

Gohan smiled sheepishly and rubbed the back of his head. “Yeah… sorry about that,” he said. “Let’s get going. I’m sure Mom saved our dinner.”

Goten nodded but then turned to Videl, his expression thoughtful. “Wait, what about her?” he asked. “She said she didn’t have anywhere to go.”

Then he looked back at Gohan. “Should we bring her with us?”

Before Gohan could answer, Bulma spoke up.

“She can stay here,” Bulma said. “There are spare rooms in Capsule Corp, and I could use some extra help around anyway.” She smiled gently at Videl. “If you want to stay, I’d be glad to have you.”

Videl’s eyes softened, a hint of relief washing over her. She bowed her head slightly. “Thank you so much,” she said sincerely. “I promise I’ll help however I can.”

Trunks, eager to begin, stepped forward and asked, "Hey, what about my training? When are we going to start?"

Gohan rubbed his chin, thinking for a moment. "Well, we can start tomorrow," he said. "I can take you both to Master Roshi and get you started on the basics."

Bulma blinked, her expression turning to surprise. "Wait… Master Roshi?" she asked. "Are you telling me that old perv is still alive?"

Gohan nodded casually. "Huh? Yeah, Master Roshi is still alive. Me and Goten have been training under him for the past six months."

Just then, Goten’s stomach rumbled again, louder this time. He groaned, rubbing his belly. "Come on, Gohan! I’m starving!"

Bulma chuckled. "We have some food here if you want, Goten."

Goten shook his head. "Thanks, Bulma-san, but Mom has already made dinner, and she’s probably waiting for us," he said. Then, looking back at Gohan, he added, "Come on, Gohan!" as he started walking toward the exit. "I’m sure Mom’s worried sick."

"Hey, Goten, wait for me!" Gohan called out, nodding to Bulma and the others before following after his brother.

He turned back one last time and smiled. "Thanks again for everything, Bulma."

Then, looking at Trunks and Videl, he added, "I’ll come for you early tomorrow." He waved to everyone. "Bye, guys!"

With that, Gohan turned and ran out the exit, following Goten.

Bulma and the others followed them outside, watching as they left Capsule Corp.

As soon as Gohan stepped outside, he sensed that Goten had already taken off without him.

Looking up, he spotted his brother as a golden streak in the sky, already speeding toward Mount Paozu.

"That little—" Gohan muttered before quickly taking off after him.

A while later, Gohan finally caught up, flying beside him. "Hey, wait up, Goten!" he called out.

But Goten only smirked, looking over at him playfully—before increasing his speed even more.

"Seriously?!" Gohan grumbled before chasing after him.

Before long, they arrived at Mount Paozu, landing just in front of the Son house.

Goten walked up to the door and swung it open. "Mom, we’re back!" he called out.

Inside, Chi-Chi was sitting at the table, her head resting on her folded arms. The moment she heard Goten’s voice, her head shot up, and she immediately rushed toward them.

She pulled both of them into a tight hug, her body shaking as she held them close.

"Oh, my babies!" she cried. "Both of you are alright!"

Goten, his face squished against her shoulder, tapped her back weakly. "M-Mom… can’t breathe!" he wheezed.

Chi-Chi hugged them tightly, her body trembling. "Oh, my babies! Both of you are alright!" she cried.

Goten, his face squished against her shoulder, tapped her back weakly. "M-Mom… can’t breathe!" he wheezed.

Chi-Chi immediately let go, but as soon as she did, her expression shifted to pure rage. She turned to Gohan first, placing her hands on her hips.

"What were you thinking, Gohan?! You rushed off without even thinking! What if you got killed?!" she yelled. "I can’t lose you both! Do you have any idea how worried I was?! I thought… I thought I’d never see my babies again!"

Her voice cracked, and she clenched her fists. "The radio said that Parsley City was completely destroyed! My heart stopped—I thought I had lost you both until Bulma called and told me you showed up at her house all injured!"

She then grabbed both their ears and yanked them hard, making them wince in pain.

"What if one of you died?!" she scolded. Then, her angry gaze shifted to Goten. "And you, mister! What were you thinking?! You are far too young to be fighting the androids!"

Goten, wincing in pain, shouted, "I’m sorry, Mom! But I couldn’t just let Gohan face the androids alone!"

Gohan, gritting his teeth through the ear-pulling, managed to say, "I’m sorry, Mom… I promise not to do that again."

Chi-Chi finally let go and crossed her arms with a huff. "It better be!"

Goten, rubbing his sore ear, grumbled under his breath, "Stupid Gohan…"

Just then, Goten’s stomach rumbled loudly, breaking the tension.

Chi-Chi sighed and looked at both of them. "Go wash up, and both of you take a bath—you’re filthy!" she ordered. "I’ll reheat the food while you clean up."

….

A while later Goten walked into the living room, towel in hand, still drying his hair.

Chi-Chi was already waiting at the dining table, setting out the reheated food. She looked up as Goten entered. "Come, sit," she said.

Moments later, Gohan joined them, and the brothers sat down. Chi-Chi handed them bowls of food, watching as they dug in hungrily.

As they ate, Chi-Chi leaned forward slightly and asked, "So… what happened? How did you both escape from the androids?"

Gohan paused, his grip on his chopsticks tightening slightly. He lowered his gaze. "It was… Goten," he admitted. "He saved us from the androids."

Chi-Chi’s eyes widened, and she looked at Goten in shock.

Goten, swallowing a mouthful of food, casually added, "Yeah, I used a distraction to get Gohan and Videl away, and then I fled."

Then, with a mischievous grin, he threw in, "Oh, and by the way, Videl is Gohan’s new girlfriend."

Gohan was caught completely off guard, choked on his food, coughing violently.

Chi-Chi paused mid-bite, her chopsticks frozen, and shouted, "WHAT?!"