Chapter 80: Obtaining the Four-Star Ball
"Brother Franklin, how is it? Did Gohan show any changes?"
Seeing the curious looks from the three of them, Franklin gave a faint smile. "There are changes, but they won't show for now. It'll probably take a few years for the effects to become obvious."
"Ugh, that's such a pain. Can't you be a bit more specific, Brother Franklin?"
"Yeah, Lin, what you said was way too vague. I don't understand a thing."
Goku's curious, eager eyes made Franklin a little helpless. Lala beside him was also urging impatiently.
He glanced at Krillin and Gohan—both staring at him full of curiosity. Franklin paused for a moment to gather his thoughts.
"Goku being a Saiyan… I'm not sure if I've explained this to you before. I'll say it again now. The Saiyans are said to be a very powerful warrior race.
For various reasons, they've fallen into decline. Their home planet, along with most of the Saiyan race, has been wiped out.
Right now, there are fewer pure-blooded Saiyans in the galaxy than you can count on one hand, and Goku is one of them.
I don't know why they were so strong in the past, but I do know a bit about why they'll be strong in the future.
Saiyan bloodlines can keep evolving, and the direction of that evolution is basically fixed.
As Goku continues to grow stronger, you'll see it for yourselves. But Gohan's case is different.
Because of the human bloodline's adaptability and limitless potential for growth, the Saiyan bloodline, now fully broken down and absorbed, no longer has just a single evolutionary path.
As for how exactly it will evolve, I can't say. The world is vast, and I can't predict what he'll experience in the future."
Hearing Franklin's explanation, Krillin sighed quietly. He was human too, and the potential projected by human bloodlines was unprecedented.
How far could he grow in the future? What path should he take to grow stronger? Krillin felt a little lost.
Goku, on the other hand, excitedly scooped Gohan into his arms.
"Come on, thank Uncle Franklin. This is a huge gift. Feels like we're never going to repay him."
"Thank you, Uncle Franklin! I'll work really hard. When I grow up, I'll be stronger than Uncle Franklin and protect him!"
Looking at Gohan's serious and adorable face, Franklin smiled and nodded.
"Since you said that, I'll hold you to it. Cultivation in the future will be tough—no slacking off. I'm really looking forward to that day."
"Lin, you still haven't talked about me. I took that pill—what's going on with me now?"
Seeing Lala's curious expression, Franklin waved his hand.
"I'll tell you about your bloodline after we get back. Your situation is too special. If Father-in-law finds out I've been talking about something this sensitive in front of others, the consequences will be unpredictable."
Franklin's serious and stern tone made Lala shrink her neck a little. Thinking of her father's temper, she gave up entirely.
"I got it. Don't forget when we get back. I'm really curious."
Seeing her curious but also slightly cautious expression, Franklin chuckled. "Of course I won't forget. I have a feeling Zastin has already reported what happened. Father-in-law will probably question me personally."
Seeing Goku and Krillin's equally curious looks, Franklin explained, "Lala's from Planet Deviluke. Her father… he's a universe-level powerhouse. He could probably wipe out Earth with a single slap."
Hearing this, Krillin—who had already learned a little about the situation—felt his scalp go numb.
"Yeah, best not to talk about this casually. Uh, Brother Franklin, didn't you have something to discuss with Goku? Maybe we should talk about that first."
Goku didn't fully get what was going on, but the moment he heard Franklin had something for him, his eyes lit up.
"Brother Franklin, just say the word. I'll help you with anything."
Franklin didn't beat around the bush. "For a number of reasons, if I want to keep getting stronger, I need Shenron's help. So this time, I came mainly to borrow the Four-Star Ball."
Hearing that it was something so simple, Goku immediately took off Gohan's hat, removed the Four-Star Ball, and tossed it straight to Franklin.
"The other six are with Bulma, right? Brother Franklin, do you know where Bulma is?"
As he said this, something seemed to occur to Goku. He glanced at Franklin, then at Lala beside him.
"Oh, right, Brother Franklin, why aren't you with Bulma? Did you two fight? Is Lala your new girlfriend? I've never seen her before."
Goku's blunt words made Krillin scratch his shiny bald head awkwardly.
"No, she's my fiancée. We were already engaged before I even met Bulma. I've been time traveling—you know that, right?"
Goku tilted his head and thought for a bit, then nodded. "Yeah, I remember hearing something about that."
Franklin continued, "The way I exist now isn't quite what you imagine. My understanding of you, Goku, only goes up to after the first time the Dragon Balls were used."
Seeing Goku still confused, Franklin elaborated, "That was when you learned you could transform into a Great Ape—the time I cut off your tail.
After that wish was made, I returned to the present. Everything you experienced with me after that, I haven't gone through yet."
Only then did Goku finally get it. "I thought Brother Franklin was just hiding his power all this time. So that's how it is."
Realizing what he'd just said, Goku quickly covered his mouth, scratching his head sheepishly.
"Uh, I remember… Brother Franklin, I wasn't supposed to say that, right?"
Seeing Goku's "big brain" moment, Franklin helplessly waved it off. "Doesn't matter. I've already pieced together a lot. I'm going to find Bulma now. Do you want to come along?"
Goku's eyes lit up, and then he shot into the air, flying at high speed into the villa.
"Uh… Krillin, what's Goku doing?"
Krillin chuckled. "He's married now, has a kid. When he goes out, he has to check in with Chi-Chi. That was your idea, remember? You said Goku should take care of his family more.
He hasn't slacked off on training these past few years. And with your financial support, things at home are better. His relationship with Chi-Chi has stayed pretty good."
No sooner had Krillin finished than two figures flew out of the villa. Chi-Chi, youthful and radiant in her bright, casual home clothes, full of energy and spirit, gave Franklin quite a surprise.
It was a sharp contrast to the worn-out image of Chi-Chi in his memories from a few years after their marriage. It seemed the financial support had made a difference.
"Brother Su, it's really you. Thank you so much for everything these years. Even Goku's blockhead of a brain has started to wise up. I really can't thank you enough."
Franklin smiled. "It was nothing. I'll be counting on you to keep looking after Goku in the future."
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