Goku goes back in time

The morning sun shone brightly through the windows of Orange Star High as the class buzzed with excitement. Posters had been placed all over the hallways, each one stamped with a familiar blue logo: the symbol of Capsule Corporation.

"Attention, everyone!" the teacher announced, clapping her hands for order. "As you all know, our field trip this Friday will be to the renowned Capsule Corporation headquarters in West City! I expect everyone to behave and show their best manners."

The moment the announcement ended, the classroom erupted.

"No way! The Capsule Corp?! That's, like, the most high-tech place on Earth!" Sharpner practically shouted.

"I heard they have labs that can make anything—like actual teleporters and spaceships!" Erasa said, stars in her eyes.

Videl raised an eyebrow, arms crossed. "I've seen a few of their gadgets in police briefings. Some of their stuff is more advanced than the military's."

In the back row, Gohan and Trunks exchanged uneasy glances.

Trunks leaned toward Gohan, whispering behind his textbook. "This is going to be awkward."

"You think?" Gohan whispered back. "I grew up there half the time... Bulma's basically like a second mom to me. And your younger self lives there."

"I know," Trunks muttered. "I'm praying we don't run into myself."

The teacher handed out the group assignments, and once again, fate had a sense of humor.

"Group 5," she read aloud, "will be Gohan Son, Trunks Briefs, Videl Satan, Erasa Lamont, and Sharpner Cross."

Videl looked over at Gohan and narrowed her eyes, noticing his reaction.

"What's with the look, Gohan?" she asked, sauntering over. "You seem... anxious. Never been to West City before?"

Gohan scratched the back of his head nervously. "Haha, no, I've been. Just… a bit overwhelmed. Capsule Corp is pretty big."

Trunks forced a calm smile. "Yeah, it's uh… intimidating. You know?"

Erasa peered at both boys, her eyes squinting with suspicion. "Are you two hiding something?"

"N-no," Gohan stammered. "Just… really excited. That's all."

Sharpner grinned. "You better not embarrass yourselves in front of Bulma Briefs. I heard she's a genius and a total knockout."

Gohan rolled his eyes while Trunks coughed awkwardly. "Please don't talk about her like that…"

The bell rang before the conversation could get more uncomfortable.

Later That Day – Outside the School

As students filed out, everyone chatted about what they were most excited to see on the trip. Videl lingered behind, pretending to scroll through her phone while glancing at Gohan and Trunks walking ahead.

"They're definitely hiding something," she whispered to herself.

Just then, Erasa caught up beside her. "You noticed it too, huh?"

Videl nodded. "They're too nervous for guys visiting a research facility. I'm starting to think they have more ties to Capsule Corp than they're letting on."

"Well, duh," Erasa said. "Did you forget Trunks' last name? I looked at the sign-up sheet. He's listed as Trunks Briefs."

Videl's eyes widened slightly. "Wait… Briefs? As in Bulma Briefs?"

"Exactly. So he's probably her cousin or nephew or something. But that still doesn't explain Gohan."

Videl frowned. "No. But it connects more dots. Gohan's been hanging around Trunks since forever, and if his dad really is that Son Goku guy from the Red Ribbon archives…"

She didn't finish the sentence. Erasa didn't press.

The Capsule Corporation gates loomed large in the afternoon sun, casting long shadows across the neatly paved courtyard. As the students from Orange Star High School disembarked from their transport, a collective gasp echoed through the crowd.

"Whoa…" Sharpner muttered, craning his neck upward at the high-tech dome-shaped building. "This place is insane."

"I heard they make entire houses fit inside those little capsules!" Erasa said, practically vibrating with excitement.

Gohan and Trunks stood quietly among them, trying not to draw attention to themselves—something they both knew was going to be impossible soon.

And it didn't take long.

The sliding front doors of Capsule Corp hissed open with a mechanical whoosh, revealing two imposing figures standing tall and proud. The first had wild black hair tied into a loose ponytail and a signature scouter perched on his eye. The second was bald, brawny, and wore a suit several sizes too small for his bulk.

"Yo! Kids!" bellowed the bald one with a grin. "Welcome to Capsule Corp!"

Gohan's heart sank. "Here we go…"

Raditz and Nappa, now the official Head of Security at Capsule Corporation, strode forward like proud older brothers preparing to give a speech to the next generation.

"Hey!" Raditz called out with a booming voice, waving a gloved hand. "Look who it is—Gohan, and Trunks!"

The crowd blinked in confusion.

Gohan forced a smile. "Uncle Raditz… maybe tone it down?"

But Raditz was already gesturing toward the class dramatically. "Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to Bulma Briefs' eldest son—this fine young warrior here: Trunks Briefs!"

Trunks paled instantly.

"And over here," Nappa chimed in, slapping Gohan hard on the back, nearly knocking him over, "is Gohan Son, the godson of Bulma herself! Pretty much grew up here!"

Several students gasped.

"Wait, what!?" Erasa exclaimed, eyes wide.

"Trunks is Bulma's kid!?" Sharpner gawked.

"No way…" Videl whispered, narrowing her eyes.

"Why didn't they say anything before?" Erasa asked, turning to Gohan.

Gohan looked to Trunks. Trunks looked at Gohan.

"…Surprise?" Gohan said awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck.

Before the awkwardness could die down, Raditz smirked and leaned in toward Gohan, wrapping an arm around him in mock secrecy. "Sooo, Videl, huh? You two look awful cozy together."

Gohan turned bright red. "What!? N-No! It's not like that!"

Videl crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "Tch."

"C'mon, kid," Raditz grinned, elbowing Gohan. "She's strong, sassy, and practically glued to your side. What's not to like?"

Nappa barked a laugh. "You're one to talk, Raditz. What about Trunks over there and that Erasa was it girl?"

Erasa blinked. "Wait, me?"

Trunks turned a shade of pink that could rival Bulma's hair. "W-Wait! It's not like—!"

"I knew it!" Nappa slapped his knee, laughing even harder. "Young love in the air!"

"Shut it, cue ball!" Sharpner growled. "If anything, I—uh… I mean, we're all just friends!"

Erasa turning to Sharpner. "You were saying?"

"NOTHING," Sharpner snapped, clearly annoyed and suddenly very quiet.

Gohan gave Trunks a half-laugh. "Well, that's one way to make an entrance."

Videl, meanwhile, was watching everything unfold with narrowed eyes, her detective brain piecing more things together.

Son Gohan. Tied to Capsule Corp. Raised here. Godson of Bulma Briefs.Trunks Briefs. Eldest son? That would mean Bulma had her when she was practically a child… or… she lied about her age.

"Something doesn't add up…" she muttered.

Raditz, unaware of the tension he stirred, cleared his throat and addressed the class more formally. "Alright, puny humans, listen up! You'll be escorted by our staff to see some of the wonders Bulma's tech geniuses have cooked up. No touching anything that glows, spins, or talks. Got it?"

Nappa held up a small capsule. "Also, who wants to see an entire house pop out of a pill?"

A bunch of students raised their hands excitedly.

"I love this job," Nappa whispered to Raditz with a grin.

As the students started filing into the building behind a tour guide, Erasa walked next to Gohan and Trunks.

"So, Trunks… Bulma's your mom?" she asked casually.

Trunks sighed in defeat. "Yeah. Sorry for not mentioning it earlier."

"That explains so much," she said. "Like why you're good-looking, the blue hair, and super chill."

"Wait—'good-looking?'" Trunks blinked.

"Nope! Not repeating that!" Erasa said, skipping ahead quickly, her cheeks red.

Trunks blinked again. "…Did I hear that right?"

Gohan snorted. "She does like guys with swords."

Trunks groaned. "I hate you."

As they entered the pristine halls of Capsule Corp, Gohan smiled to himself. Embarrassing family members aside, he knew this was just the beginning of another weird, wonderful chapter in their journey.