A quiet breeze swept through Mount Paozu as the sun rose over Goku's home. The mountains bathed in soft golden light, a rare moment of peace before the storm. One by one, Earth's warriors gathered on Goku's property, responding to the call.
Goku stood near the entrance of the house, arms crossed and grinning as the Z Fighters arrived. Gohan sat beside him, sipping water, his aura calm but charged with hidden strength.
Krillin: "Wow... the gang's all here again. Just like before Namek—except now, I feel like we're about to blow past what we ever thought was possible."
Nappa (grunting): "No kidding. This energy in the air... even weaklings like Yamcha are starting to feel like real warriors."
Yamcha (rolling his eyes): "Gee, thanks, Nappa. I'll remember that when I'm carrying your big bald head out of the gravity chamber."
They all laughed, but then turned as Piccolo descended from the sky, landing with a focused scowl.
Even without flaring his energy, his presence was heavy. His aura was calm, but vast—like a storm waiting for a reason to erupt.
Tien (squinting): "Piccolo... you've changed."
Krillin (in awe): "That's Kami's ki… but also not. You feel… complete."
Piccolo (flatly): "I am. Kami and I have become one again. The being I was meant to be."
Even Vegeta, leaning against the wall with arms crossed, narrowed his eyes.
Vegeta: "His power… it's beyond mine. Hmph. Infuriating."
Goku (cheerfully): "Good! That's what we need. All of us getting stronger."
As the group settled, Goku stepped forward and clapped his hands.
Goku: "Alright, everyone. Here's the plan. We're going to train for a whole year inside the Hyperbolic Time Chamber—one year in there is just a day out here. But first, I've got something that'll give us a serious head start."
He motioned to a large black capsule marked with divine seals. He pressed a button, and a massive reinforced vault opened, revealing a glowing crystalline fruit on a pedestal. It radiated energy unlike anything they had seen.
Raditz (blinking): "That's not normal food... is it?"
Goku: "This is a Fruit from the Tree of Might. The real one. I asked Shenron to give me an unlimited supply, sealed here in my personal training dimension. Each bite boosts your strength ten times. Gods crave this stuff as dessert."
Chichi (eyes wide): "And you're just... handing them out?"
Goku (grinning): "Yep. But just one per person. Any more than that and you might blow up."
Master Roshi (whistling): "Well, alright then... it's like the Fountain of Youth for martial artists."
Everyone took one, hesitantly at first, then all at once. The moment they bit into the fruit, they felt it—a sudden burst of unimaginable vitality.
Bulma (gasping): "I can feel the world... like I'm floating!"
Yamcha: "I just broke my own scouter with my power level!"
A sudden surge of energy lit up the sky as everyone's aura exploded into view. The ground cracked under their feet. Vegeta's hair fluttered in the shockwaves.
Vegeta (thinking): "So this is what Kakarot's been keeping hidden…"
Goku raised his voice, smiling.
Goku: "Now that you've all tasted what's possible, it's time for the real grind. Inside the HBTC, gravity's 10x Earth's... and we can adjust that even higher. The place is endless, and time flows differently. You'll sweat, scream, maybe even cry—but you'll come out reborn."
Piccolo: "We train in pairs. Rotate every few weeks. No slacking."
Vegeta: "We don't need rules. We need results."
Goku (smiling, then serious): "And we will get them. The Androids are coming, and we have to be ready. No matter how strong we are now… it won't be enough."
As the group prepared to enter the chamber in shifts, Raditz pulled Goku aside.
Raditz (quietly): "Brother. You really think we'll need all this power? Even after Frieza?"
Goku: "I don't know what's coming next. But I do know it's more than just androids. Trunks didn't tell us everything. I'm sure of it."
Raditz (nodding): "Then I'll be stronger. Stronger than ever."
Across the yard, Nappa was already dragging dumbbells twice his size.
Nappa: "If that damn fruit didn't do the trick, this chamber better. I'm gonna leave as a god."
Meanwhile, Chichi and Gohan stood together, watching the warriors roar and warm up.
Gohan (smiling): "It's like we're back on Namek… only stronger."
Chichi (grinning): "Let them have their fun. We'll show them we're not just cheering from the sidelines."
Bulma (panting, stumbling slightly): "I'm... not doing the chamber thing, right?"
Goku (laughing): "Nope. You just enjoy that power boost. Maybe lift a dumbbell or two."
Bulma (mock-glare): "Smartest woman alive, not weightlifting champ!"
Time flows differently in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, and while only a day passed outside, a full year of grueling training had come and gone for Earth's greatest warriors.
Inside the vast white void of the chamber, a warm breeze swirled—oddly peaceful considering the immense power radiating from its occupants.
Goku stood with arms crossed, hair spiked upward in calm focus as he supervised the final session of the rotation. Master Roshi, surprisingly more serious than usual, floated midair, watching his students with sharp eyes.
Nearby, Chichi was busy near a makeshift kitchen setup—though her aura flared with the strength of a seasoned fighter. She was equal parts chef, mother, and warrior, balancing her time cooking rich meals, offering warm encouragement, and occasionally jumping into training with Goku and Gohan.
Master Roshi (smiling to himself):"Who would've thought I'd be overseeing the strongest martial artists in the universe. My students have come a long way."
Goku (grinning):"Yup. They really pushed themselves. I'm proud of them. Even Bulma."
Bulma's Transformation
She'd resisted at first. Training? Flying? That was for meatheads. But after Goku and Chichi tag-teamed her into light Katas and Ki control excercises, then taught her how to fly, Bulma's curiosity took over. She began with physical training, then helped optimize the healing pods with better ki-absorption tech.
Bulma (floating, sweating):"I can't believe I just did fifty reps... in mid-air."
Chichi (laughing):"You're doing great, Bulma! You're not just brains anymore!"
Bulma (huffing):"Yeah, yeah... next thing you'll have me firing Kamehamehas."
A Week Later
The chamber's endless white void hummed with tension. The air, once calm, now sizzled with pure, overflowing energy. The warriors had pushed themselves beyond mortal limits for an entire year—and now, it was time to test their strength against the man who led them all.
Goku.
He stood at the center of the space, calm, smiling, the golden glow of Super Saiyan already illuminating the area like a second sun.
Before him, his challengers had assembled.
The Four Super Saiyans
First, Vegeta, already cloaked in his golden aura, stepped forward confidently.
Vegeta (smirking):"Kakarot, this day has been a long time coming."
To his right, Raditz and Nappa—now with wild, golden hair and sharp blue eyes—stood shoulder to shoulder, grinning with pride.
Raditz:"I never thought I'd reach this… legendary power. I owe it to your guidance, brother."
Nappa (laughing):"And this strength… it's intoxicating!"
Finally, Gohan, younger but no less fierce, ignited his own Super Saiyan aura.
Gohan (serious):"Dad… I've trained harder than ever. I want to see how far I've come."
Goku nodded, his smile soft but proud.
Goku:"Then show me."
Kaioken United
Behind the Saiyans, the Earthlings stepped forward—bodies crackling with red energy, every muscle pushed to its limits.
Yamcha:
"Hey don't forget about us!"
Tien:"Kaioken… x15!"
Krillin:"We won't hold back!"
Yamcha, Roshi, and Chiaotzu followed suit, their Kaioken auras flaring, battle cries echoing through the void.
It wasn't just raw strength—it was skill, will, and unshakable teamwork.
Master Roshi (gritting his teeth):"Let's see what experience can do against power!"
Master Roshi pushing Bulk up and Kaioken x15
Lastly, Piccolo stepped forward, arms crossed.
He didn't glow with red nor gold—not yet.
Piccolo (calmly):"I won't use Kaioken immediately. I've spent this year getting used to my new power. I'll fight with what I've mastered."
Goku raised an eyebrow. "Still playing strategist, huh?"
Piccolo:"Someone has to think."
In a blinding flash, Vegeta and Raditz were first to strike. Goku deflected their combined flurry effortlessly, his golden aura shielding him from their coordinated attacks.
Nappa came in from above with a double-fisted hammer blow—blocked with one hand.
Gohan blinked into existence behind Goku, unleashing a powerful kick—only for Goku to vanish, appearing behind Gohan with a soft tap to the back of his head.
Goku (grinning):"Nice try."
BOOM! The Kaioken warriors struck next—Krillin and Tien working in tandem with precise strikes while Yamcha and Chiaotzu unleashed waves of ki blasts.
Master Roshi, surrounded by a glowing red aura, darted in with astonishing speed, throwing a thunderous punch—which Goku caught without looking.
Piccolo (moving in):"Let's turn it up."
He clashed with Goku blow-for-blow, his strikes fluid, devastating, and precise. Even without Kaioken, his new fusion-enhanced strength made Goku take a step back—the first time during the fight.
Vegeta (shouting):"NOW!"
All at once, the four Super Saiyans, Piccolo, and the Kaioken warriors converged—launching an all-out, synchronized assault.
Fists flew. Beams collided. Explosions echoed through the void.
Goku, still in Super Saiyan, blocked, dodged, redirected, and only occasionally struck back.
When Krillin and Tien fired Kikoho and Kamehameha blasts, Goku sidestepped, leaving them to detonate harmlessly.
When Gohan and Raditz came in with synchronized kicks—Goku dropped beneath them, sweeping their legs with a ki shockwave.
Nappa powered up and charged like a beast, screaming:"I'LL CRUSH YOU!"
Goku simply raised a hand."Too slow."With a flick of his wrist, Nappa flew backward, skidding across the white tiles.
Seeing their attacks falter, Piccolo narrowed his eyes.
Piccolo:"...Fine."
He exploded in a red haze."Kaioken x15!"
Now supercharged, his speed and strength skyrocketed. He and Goku clashed once more—each blow sending shockwaves across the chamber.
Their fists collided mid-air, creating a vortex of power between them.Boom!
Piccolo (panting):"You're still holding back."
Goku:"Of course I am. I want you all to push beyond your limits."
One by one, the warriors began to tire.
Chiaotzu dropped first, his psychic energy burned out.
Yamcha and Krillin followed, exhausted but proud.
Tien collapsed after one last Shin Kikoho. Roshi, breathing hard, sat back with a tired chuckle.
Piccolo kneeled, his aura flickering out.
Raditz, Gohan, Nappa, and Vegeta stood as long as they could—but slowly, inevitably, their energy waned.
Vegeta clenched his fist.Vegeta:"Tch... damn it. He's still beyond us."
Goku lowered his arms, letting his aura fade.
Goku:"That was incredible. You've all grown so much. But there's still further to go. You were never meant to win today... but you were meant to realize how strong you've become."
Gohan (smiling):"I'll get there one day, Dad."
Raditz (grinning):"Next time… I won't lose."
Vegeta:"Hmph... this isn't over."
Goku addressed the group as everyone sat, sweat-covered and smiling, finishing Chichi's steaming bowls of miso soup and rice.
Goku:"You've all grown so much. Stronger than I ever imagined. But strength isn't everything. Control, awareness, and heart—that's what makes a warrior. And you've all proven you've got those."
Vegeta (smirking):"Hmph. I still haven't reached your level, Kakarot. But I'm not far behind. You'd better keep that lead while you can."
Raditz:"Same here. We're Saiyans. We were born to push limits."
Tien (grinning):"I used to think chasing you guys was pointless. But now? I think I can catch up."
Chichi (hands on hips):"You'll all need to eat well if you want to keep pushing yourselves. And don't forget—mental training matters too!"
Bulma (hovering slightly):"I'm going to need a nap and a gallon of water... but I can fly now, and that's all that matters."
Everyone laughed.