章節 52: 52. The Tail Returns
Chapter 52: The Tail Returns
The sun was still climbing higher in the sky, casting its light across the deck of the Going Merry. It was supposed to be another calm day, but nothing could have prepared Goku, Zoro, and Gin for what they had just witnessed.
Goku—his body still aching from exhaustion, his stomach full from his monumental breakfast—paused mid-step on the deck, his eyes wide as he felt the familiar sensation of something swaying behind him. The tail.
Zoro's jaw dropped as he pointed at it. "What the hell is that?" he exclaimed, his voice a mix of shock and confusion.
Gin, just behind Zoro, raised an eyebrow, his tired eyes wide. "That... wasn't there before," he muttered, disbelief clear in his tone. He looked between Goku and the brown tail flicking behind him, clearly struggling to comprehend what he was seeing.
Goku, his excitement rising, turned toward the two men, grinning ear to ear. His heart was racing. This was it. The moment he had been hoping for, even if he hadn't known it was possible. His tail had grown back. After all these years—after the events with the moon, and training with Kami—he had thought it was impossible for him to regrow his tail. But here it was, swaying behind him as naturally as if it had never been gone. The memories from his old life as Eto Shapan, a fan of Dragon Ball Z, flooded his mind.
He couldn't help but laugh. "It's my tail!" he said with pure excitement, completely unaware that Zoro and Gin were struggling to understand.
Gin blinked a few times, as though the sight alone had thrown his thoughts into disarray. "Your tail?" he asked incredulously, his mind scrambling. "You had one before?"
Goku, still grinning, nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! I was born with it! It was cut off some time ago, but I guess I never really thought it would grow back. I mean, I always assumed it couldn't after—well, after my training with Kami." He trailed off for a moment, remembering the last time his tail had been removed, a few years prior.
Eto Shapan, the person who was living in Goku's body, immediately recalled the day the tail had been permanently severed during his training with Kami in Dragon Ball. The moment was still fresh in his memory. He'd been confused at the time why he even had a tail in the first place. Unaware of his Saiyan heritage at the time. But now, staring at the brown tail that had miraculously sprouted again, he couldn't contain his excitement. Maybe the people who had brought him here, into this world, had known how to trigger its regrowth. Perhaps they had manipulated things in a way that allowed this transformation.
His mind raced with possibilities. Could this mean that he could now achieve the Great Ape transformation again? Maybe the Golden Great Ape form too. And wasn't there some theory about how the tail played a crucial role in unlocking certain transformations—like the transformation where Saiyans broke through their limits? Eto Shapan remembered vaguely hearing about the Super Saiyan 4 transformation, a form achieved only after becoming an Oozaru. The mere thought of it made his pulse quicken.
There was no time to waste. The possibilities were endless, and for the first time in a long time, Goku felt the familiar rush of excitement fill him from head to toe.
"I can't wait for the full moon!" Goku exclaimed, not bothering to hide the grin on his face. "Next full moon is going to be a big surprise." His voice was laced with mischief, and his eyes sparkled with excitement.
Zoro furrowed his brow. "What the hell does the full moon have to do with it?" he asked, looking thoroughly confused.
Gin, equally puzzled, turned his gaze from Zoro to Goku. "Yeah, what's that about?" he asked, the confusion evident in his voice. They were both trying to figure out what kind of lunacy Goku was spouting.
Goku chuckled, rubbing the back of his head with an innocent grin. "Ah, it's a little... complicated. But trust me, there's going to be a surprise under the next full moon. You'll see!"
Both Zoro and Gin exchanged wary glances, though neither pressed further. There was something about Goku's grin and the energy around him that told them they wouldn't get the full story anytime soon. It was a little unnerving, but then again, Goku was always full of surprises.
But for Goku—or rather, Eto Shapan—the possibilities now seemed endless. His mind flickered to the techniques, the transformations he had seen in the Dragon Ball Z series, and even the legendary Oozaru form. If his tail had truly regrown, maybe the key to reaching those higher levels of power was back in his hands.
In his mind, he reviewed the information he had learned from watching Dragon Ball Z. There were so many theories and concepts he had forgotten about or simply hadn't considered in years. The Great Ape transformation, where a Saiyan could transform into a massive, uncontrollable beast under the full moon... It had been a defining feature of Goku's early years, and the thought of regaining that power thrilled him. Then there was the Golden Great Ape form, a far rarer version that, as he recalled, could potentially unlock an even greater level than before.
Goku's excitement was palpable as he practically bounced on his feet. Super Saiyan 4, he thought. The mere mention of it sent a thrill of anticipation coursing through him. That form was one of the most powerful transformations in Saiyan history, and it was said to be closely tied to the Great Ape transformation—specifically, the tail. If he could unlock that potential now, what else could he accomplish?
Zoro, who was still eyeing him suspiciously, finally broke the silence. "So... you're saying there will be a big surprise the next full moon?"
Goku hesitated, giving Zoro a mischievous grin. "Something like that, yeah. But trust me, it's gonna be amazing. You'll see." He didn't elaborate further, but his eyes shone with unspoken promises of the incredible feats he could achieve with his newfound power.
Gin raised an eyebrow but shrugged, taking another sip of his coffee. "Alright, if you say so."
The two of them exchanged glances again, but the conversation was starting to shift into another strange Goku-related topic, so they didn't push for more details.
Gin, in a rare moment of curiosity, couldn't help but ask something that had been bugging him. "Hold up, Goku. I've been hearing you say 'Saiyan' now and then. What does that mean? You keep talking about your family like it's something special, but what exactly are you talking about?"
Goku paused for a second, then shrugged. "Ah, it's just a part of my family history. My family is from a long line of warriors—well, that's all I can really say about it for now. It's just... it's who I am. You know, like how there are different races in the world, like you and me, and other folks. My people are warriors. Nothing too special."
Zoro, looking deep in thought, nodded. "Alright, so you're saying your family's just... warriors. Got it."
Gin didn't press further, and Goku was relieved. He couldn't afford to reveal too much—not yet, anyway. They didn't need to know about his otherworldly origins or how he was different from the Goku they saw now. For now, the tail, the full moon, and whatever transformations awaited him would have to suffice as an explanation.
With that, Goku turned and walked away from the two men, heading toward the side of the ship to take in the fresh air. His heart was still racing with excitement, but he knew he had to focus on the now. His tail had returned. It had to mean something—something big. And whatever the future held, he was ready for it.
[A/N: Read 15 to 20 chapters ahead available on patreon.com/saiyanprincenovels]
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