Gohan was finally asleep. His breathing had gone slow and steady, the kind that told Goku the boy was really out this time. The house was still. Only the sound of wind pushing against the windows and the faint creak of the wooden floor filled the air. Chi-Chi lingered a moment longer, fixing the blanket around Gohan's shoulders before stepping back. Her movements were quiet but sharp, the way they always were when she was still angry or afraid. When she left the room, Goku stayed behind for a while.
He looked down at his son, still unable to wrap his head around the power he had sensed and seen explode out of such a small body. The same power that had blown Garlic Jr. and that dark portal apart. Whatever it was, it was gone now, replaced by the soft, gentle ki that Gohan always carried. Peaceful. Pure.
Goku sat at the edge of the bed and let out a breath. The air in the room felt thick, like it was still holding onto what had happened. He reached out, brushing a hand over Gohan's hair. "You did good, kid," he thought. "Real good."
He'd come home too late. That part stuck with him. The place had been a mess when he arrived, walls cracked, furniture broken, the front door smashed off its hinges. Chi-Chi was furious, but more than that, she was shaken. He could tell she'd fought. He'd seen the marks on the floor, the scuff of her shoes near the table. She'd tried to protect Gohan until she couldn't anymore. Thinking about that made something in his chest tighten. He'd promised her, after the tournament, that this kind of thing wouldn't happen again. That their home would be safe. But safety didn't last long in his life. Not for people close to him.
He looked out the window. The moon was high, hanging low between the peaks. The night air carried the smell of pine and rain. Somewhere far below, water from the stream rolled softly through the valley. The world was calm again, but it didn't feel the same. There was something restless about it now. Maybe that was just him.
He thought about the fight, about how quickly everything had changed once Piccolo showed up. They hadn't said much to each other, but for once, they hadn't needed to. It was strange, fighting alongside someone he had been training to stay ahead of. Stranger still that he didn't hate it. Then, in that final moment, when Garlic Jr. had opened that swirling void, Gohan had saved them all. No plan, no training, just a burst of raw energy that didn't make any sense.
Not even to Goku.
He'd felt the shock of it deep in his bones. That wave of power wasn't something he could explain. It hadn't been just ki, it was like everything Gohan had ever felt exploded all at once: fear, anger, love, everything. Goku had seen fighters lose control before, but this wasn't that. This was something hidden waking up.
He looked back down at Gohan, still asleep, small and quiet. It was strange to think all that power could fit inside someone so gentle. Stronger than him? Absolutely. But could Gohan harness it? Hard to tell yet. But it was there. Waiting. Sleeping again, just like now.
He smiled. It wasn't a nervous smile. Just tired. Proud. Maybe even a little excited. Gohan was special. He'd known it from the start, but now he was sure. The thought made his heartbeat quicken a little, the way it did before a new challenge. He wondered what kind of person Gohan would grow into, what kind of fighter he could become, if Chi-Chi ever let him, that is.
The thought of her made him glance toward the doorway. He could hear her moving around the house, slow and quiet. She hadn't said much since they got back. That wasn't a good sign. When Chi-Chi went silent, it usually meant she was holding everything in: anger, worry, all of it. He'd have to talk to her soon, but not here. Not in front of Gohan.
Goku stood up and gave one last look at his son. "You rest up," he murmured, though his voice was barely above a breath. "You earned it."
He walked out, sliding the door closed behind him. The sound of it clicking shut was soft, final. In the hallway, the light from the small lamp cast long shadows against the wall. Goku stopped for a moment, feeling the stillness of the house settle around him. It was hard to keep still. His body still buzzed from the fight. He could feel his muscles itching, his energy humming under his skin. That was normal for him—after every big fight, he always felt like he could go again. But this time, the excitement wasn't about himself. It was about Gohan.
He turned toward the kitchen. The smell of tea drifted faintly through the air. Chi-Chi was waiting, no doubt. He'd face her next, the worry, the questions, the scolding he probably deserved. But before that, he let himself grin one last time.
Gohan. His boy.
That power.
Unbelievable.
The fire had burned low, leaving only a dull orange glow that flickered across the kitchen walls. Chi-Chi sat at the table, a cup of tea between her hands. It had gone cold a long time ago, but she still held it, as if the warmth might come back if she just waited long enough.
Goku walked in quietly. His steps were light, almost cautious. "He's asleep," he said after a moment.
Chi-Chi nodded. "Good." Her voice was steady, but her eyes were tired. "He needs the rest."
Goku stood there for a bit, not sure whether to sit or keep standing. He rubbed the back of his neck and finally lowered himself into the chair across from her. The wood creaked under his weight.
"You should rest too," he said softly.
She shook her head. "Can't."
"Still thinkin' about what happened?"
"I'm trying not to."
Goku frowned a little, watching her. "I know it was bad. I'm sorry I wasn't here."
Chi-Chi didn't answer right away. "... You couldn't have known," she said finally. "And you came for him. That's what matters."
The quiet stretched out again, long enough for Goku to start fidgeting with the edge of the table. Then he took a breath. "Chi-Chi, there's something I didn't tell you yet. About what Gohan did."
Her eyes flicked up. "You said he was scared."
"He was," Goku said, nodding. "But he also… he did something amazing. Garlic Jr. had me and Piccolo beat. We couldn't stop him. Then, Gohan just let out this power. Big enough to knock Garlic into that portal thing he opened. Saved us all."
Chi-Chi stared at him, searching his face. "You're serious."
"Dead serious." He grinned, the memory lighting him up again. "It came outta nowhere, like, like a mountain bursting open. I didn't even know he had that kind of strength in him."
Chi-Chi set her cup down, the porcelain clinking softly against the wood. "He's only four, Goku," she said quietly. "He shouldn't have that kind of power. He shouldn't have to."
"I know," Goku said quickly. "But it's there, Chi-Chi. And I think he should learn how to handle it. Just a little. Not fightin' or anything, just so he's not scared if it ever happens again."
She looked away toward the window. Outside, the night air shimmered faintly with moonlight. "He doesn't need to learn to fight," she said after a while. "He needs to learn to live. To read, to write, to grow up and have choices. You talk about strength like it's everything, but that's not the world I want for him."
Goku tilted his head. "What kind of world do you want?"
Chi-Chi hesitated, then spoke softly. "A quiet one. Where he wakes up in the morning, goes to school, and comes home safe every day. Where he doesn't have to worry about monsters or tournaments or… or dying young." She smiled faintly, sadly. "You were lucky, Goku. All those fights you got into, all those adventures, you always came back. But not everyone does. I couldn't bear to lose him to that kind of life."
Goku listened, eyes down. He didn't know what to say to that. He'd never thought of his old battles as something dark or tragic. To him, fighting had always meant living, moving forward, getting stronger, finding out what you could do. But he could hear the fear in her voice, and he understood that it came from love, not anger.
"I don't want him to fight," he said slowly. "Not like me. I just want him to be ready if something bad happens. That's all."
Chi-Chi turned back to him. "You really think something bad will happen again?"
He shrugged. "Hope not. But the world's big. You never know. It'd make me feel better if he knew how to take care of himself."
She gave a small, tired laugh. "You sound like your grandpa."
"Guess that's not such a bad thing."
"No," she said softly. "He was a good man."
For a while, the two of them sat without speaking. The fire popped, and somewhere outside, an owl called through the trees.
Then Chi-Chi sighed, her shoulders easing a little. "You know what I picture when I think about his future?"
"What?"
She smiled faintly. "Him sitting in a classroom. A big one, full of other kids. He's got his books open, his pencils lined up neatly, and he's listening to a teacher talk about science or medicine. He's nodding along, curious and bright. And later, when he's older, I see him in a white coat. A doctor maybe, or a scholar. Someone people come to for help, not someone who goes looking for trouble. That's the world I want for him, Goku. One where he uses his mind, not his fists."
Goku nodded slowly. "That sounds real nice, Chi-Chi."
"It could be real," she said. "If we keep him safe. If we don't fill his head with fighting and power and danger."
He smiled a little. "You always think ahead."
"Someone has to."
"I just…" Goku paused, thinking carefully. "I just don't think learning to protect himself will take that away from him. He's already smart, you know. Smarter than I ever was."
She looked at him, studying the way he said it, simple, proud, and true.
"I know you love him," she said softly. "I know you mean well. But every time you talk about fighting, you get this look in your eyes. Like the whole world opens up in front of you. And I can't help thinking one day Gohan will see that same look and want to follow it. That scares me, Goku. I don't want to lose him to that world."
Goku leaned forward a little, resting his arms on the table. "You won't lose him. I promise. I'll make sure he's safe. I just wanna show him what he can do. It doesn't have to be a big thing. Just small stuff. Balance. Breathing. Maybe throw a punch or two."
Chi-Chi raised an eyebrow. "A punch or two?"
"Okay, maybe three," he said with a grin.
Despite herself, she laughed quietly. The sound loosened something in the air between them. "You're such a kid sometimes."
"Maybe," he said, grinning wider. "But you like that about me."
She rolled her eyes but smiled anyway. "I must be crazy."
They sat there, the quiet settling in again, but this time, it was easier. Chi-Chi looked at him then, really looked, and saw the excitement in his face. His eyes were bright, the same way they'd been back when they were young, back when he'd talked about adventure and the thrill of pushing past his limits. But now that spark was different. Softer. It wasn't about chasing strength for himself. It was about their son. About sharing something he loved.
And that love, pure, simple, and kind. broke through her fear just a little.
"You really can't help it, can you?" she said quietly.
He tilted his head. "Help what?"
"Getting that look. Every time you talk about training Gohan, you light up."
Goku rubbed his neck, grinning sheepishly. "Guess I do. He's somethin' else, Chi-Chi. I can feel it."
She studied him for a moment longer, then sighed. "Alright," she said finally. "You can train him. A little. Nothing dangerous, and you keep it short, he still has to study. You understand?"
Goku's face lit up instantly. "Really? You mean it?"
"Don't make me change my mind," she said, though her tone had softened.
He grinned like a boy who'd just been told he could go fishing. "I promise! Just the basics. You'll see. He'll be fine."
Chi-Chi shook her head, but a small smile tugged at her lips. "You'd better not let it get out of hand."
"I won't," he said. "And I'll make sure he studies too. Cross my heart."
"You'd better," she said, but her voice was warm now, the edge gone.
Goku stood, his energy barely contained. "You'll see, Chi-Chi. He's gonna surprise you. He's already amazing."
"I already know that," she said softly.
He laughed, stepping around the table. For a moment, he rested his hand on her shoulder. She placed her hand over his, holding it there.
"You really love this, don't you?" she murmured.
"Yeah," he said. "I really do."
She turned to look at him, her eyes gentle now. "Just promise me something."
"Anything."
"Don't let him get hurt. Not like you have. Not ever."
He nodded firmly. "I promise."
Chi-Chi gave a slow nod, then looked toward the hallway. "Go on. Get some sleep before the sun's up."
Goku lingered for a moment, smiling at her before heading out. When he passed Gohan's door, he paused. The boy's ki was calm, steady, peaceful. Goku's grin widened. Tomorrow would be the start of something new—something small, something good.
He couldn't wait.