Hearing Gine's rhetorical question, Talot quickly realized he had gone too far.
He waved his hands hastily, steadied his emotions, and said, "Nothing happened. I was just surprised to hear that Uncle Bardock would be back so soon. I thought it would take a few more days."
"That's right, I thought you were cooking up something strange in that little head of yours," Gine teased, pretending not to care.
Talot was indeed special, and she had realized it ever since he was a young child.
Typically, Saiyan children with decent combat power and potential would focus entirely on their growth as warriors. They would aim to reach greater heights, just like her elder son, Raditz, who had dedicated himself to proving his worth. Ever since he became a follower of the prince, Raditz rarely came home, visiting only two or three times a month.
However, Talot was different. Not only was he mature beyond his years, but his intelligence was also far superior, even compared to adults. His IQ alone set him apart from his peers and even from some elite Saiyan warriors. Though genetic memory inheritance was commonplace for all Saiyans, Talot's intellect was exceptional, even among high-level warriors.
"Aunt Gine, please carry on with your work. I'll go see Kakarot in the room," Talot said hurriedly.
Afraid that continuing the conversation would reveal too much due to his mood swings, Talot quickly made an excuse and left the room.
Gine nodded, but after he disappeared from her sight, a trace of confusion flashed in her eyes.
She couldn't explain why, but she had felt something odd about Talot today. Although his behavior wasn't overtly strange, something seemed off.
"Maybe I'm just overthinking it, or perhaps this kid really is growing up," Gine mused before returning to her tasks.
---
When Talot entered the inner room, the first thing his gaze landed on was the incubation pod in the corner of the room.
Inside the pod lay an infant who, despite being only six months old, looked considerably larger than a human child of the same age. Even with a combat power of only 2, his physique reflected his Saiyan heritage.
"Here we are again, Kakarot," Talot murmured softly. "But it's a pity you're still asleep."
Smiling faintly, Talot approached the pod, his thoughts drifting. Each visit filled him with both awe and nostalgia.
After all, the child sleeping inside was no ordinary Saiyan. He was Kakarot, the eventual hero who would change the fate of countless lives.
To anyone else, this infant was just another low-level warrior with minimal potential. But Talot knew better. As someone who had lived through the events of Dragon Ball in another life, he understood the significance of this child.
Memories of his past life came flooding back. Among them, one scene stood out above all others: Kakarot's first transformation into a Super Saiyan. That moment had left the entire anime world in awe.
What had once been an unforgettable moment in fiction had now become reality.
Overwhelmed by excitement, Talot eventually took out a scouter. Although he already knew Kakarot's combat power, he couldn't resist verifying it again with his new device.
Beep, beep, beep...
[Combat Power Reading: 2]
The result was the same as always. Kakarot's combat power was still only 2.
However, the scouter provided additional data, including threat level and basic biological details.
Talot ignored the supplementary data and smiled. "Soon, you'll be sent to Earth, and your story will begin," he thought to himself.
There was no need to worry about Kakarot's future. Talot was well aware that as long as he refrained from interfering, the plot would proceed as it always had. Kakarot's destiny was secure.
He would grow up carefree, make a large group of friends, and embark on adventures to gather the Dragon Balls. In the process, he would transform into one of the universe's most powerful warriors.
"Sometimes, I envy you, Kakarot," Talot whispered. "If I could, I'd trade places with you. But now, I've found my own purpose."
With that, Talot turned and left the room without hesitation.
As he closed the door behind him, he failed to notice the faint movement of Kakarot's eyelids. The baby's closed eyes twitched slightly, almost as if he had heard the conversation.
---
After leaving the room, Talot chatted briefly with Gine before bidding her farewell and heading home.
His house, located next door to Bardock and Gine's, was modest but functional—perfect for someone living alone.
"Finally, that oppressive feeling of instinctive fear is gone," Talot sighed in relief as he entered his home. "That means those two beings must have left Planet Vegeta."
The thought brought him some comfort. After all, Beerus and Whis were far beyond what any Saiyan could comprehend or challenge.
"Once Bardock returns, I'll have a clear confirmation of where the timeline stands," Talot thought as he leaned back on his bed.
Though he had some information about the plot, Talot knew better than to act rashly. There were too many variables in play.
For example, two primary timelines came to mind when considering the events surrounding Bardock.
The first was the original Dragon Ball Z timeline. In this version, Bardock gained the ability to foresee the future after an encounter on the planet Kanassa. His visions ultimately revealed Frieza's plan to destroy the Saiyan race.
The second timeline was introduced later and diverged significantly. In this version, Bardock discovered Frieza's intentions during a mission to the planet Cereal. This prompted him to send Kakarot to Earth before the destruction of Planet Vegeta.
Based on his observations, Talot believed he was currently in the original Dragon Ball Z timeline. Kakarot was only six months old, and the year was 737 A.D.—the same year Planet Vegeta was destined to be destroyed.
"I guess all I can do now is wait and see," Talot muttered.
For now, his focus was on observing the timeline and determining his next steps.