Goku finally recovered after eating the senzu beans. His body, which had been battered and bruised, returned to its peak condition. Standing tall, he bowed slightly to Kami and the others.
"Thank you for the help, Kami-sama. Now, I'll head to King Kai's planet," Goku said, his cheerful grin back on his face.
He looked at the rest of the fighters, his comrades who had stood beside him through countless battles. "Everyone, take care and good luck with your training. I know you'll get stronger."
He paused in front of Piccolo, his expression softening. "Piccolo… thank you. I know you'll protect Earth while I'm away."
Piccolo didn't respond. His sharp eyes remained fixed—not on Goku—but on Rudra. It was clear that the green warrior's attention was consumed by this mysterious fighter.
Unbothered, Goku chuckled and waved goodbye. In the next instant, with Kami's help, his form shimmered and vanished as he began his journey toward King Kai's distant planet.
A heavy silence settled among the remaining Z Fighters. The presence of Rudra, and the unanswered questions surrounding him, weighed heavily on everyone's mind.
It was Master Roshi who finally broke the silence. Adjusting his sunglasses and stroking his beard, he asked the question that had been burning in everyone's thoughts.
"Rudra… how were you able to fight like that without using Ki? And not only that—you could fly, too! Your Ki pool is extremely low, yet you fought toe-to-toe with Goku. How is that possible?"
All eyes turned toward Rudra. Krillin, Tien, Yamcha, and even Chiaotzu leaned forward, curiosity shining in their eyes.
Rudra smiled faintly. "Because I don't use Ki. I use something else… something called Chakra."
The word fell like a stone into still water, rippling confusion through the group.
"Chakra?" Krillin repeated, his brow furrowed. "What's that supposed to mean? Is there really another type of energy besides Ki?"
Even Piccolo finally spoke, his voice sharp and demanding. "Explain. What is this Chakra?"
Before Rudra could answer, Bulma suddenly gasped as a memory surfaced. "Wait a minute! That word—Chakra—it was in that old Naruto series you once made, wasn't it? Back then, people didn't really take it seriously because it was considered just fiction. Are you telling me it's real?"
Bulma wasn't a fighter, but she had studied Ki enough to understand the fundamentals. If Rudra was claiming there was an entirely different system of energy, then that changed everything.
Rudra chuckled softly, shaking his head. "No, Bulma. The 'Chakra' in my Naruto series was just fantasy—merely energy used for ninjutsu and illusions. The Chakra I'm talking about now… is something very different."
Piccolo narrowed his eyes. "Then stop playing games. Speak clearly. We're not fools here."
Rudra's smile faded. This time, he spoke with calm seriousness. "Chakra is spiritual energy. It is born when body and soul are balanced through yogic meditation. The greater the Chakra, the stronger and more resilient one's soul becomes."
The air grew heavier at his words. Even Master Roshi, who had lived through centuries of martial wisdom, looked astonished.
Krillin's jaw dropped. "Wait—so this… this Chakra actually strengthens the soul? That's insane! Does that mean even ordinary humans like us could learn it?" His voice was full of excitement, his eyes wide with hope.
Rudra's lips curved into a warm smile. "Yes, humans can indeed learn it. Monks and sages have practiced this path for centuries. Through meditation, they gather Chakra and unlock seven stages—seven gates—that connect them with the divine consciousness. Once achieved, their soul ascends into higher realms. So yes, Krillin, even an ordinary human can learn."
"Whoa…" Krillin whispered, almost trembling with excitement.
But Piccolo's voice cut through, skeptical yet slightly tense. "You said humans. Only humans? What about other races?"
Rudra glanced at him and simply nodded. "Yes. Only humans can unlock the seven stages."
Piccolo's frown deepened. His pride bristled at the thought that humans, the weakest race in terms of raw power, could access such a formidable path while he, a Namekian, could not.
Sensing Piccolo's disappointment, Rudra spoke again, his tone softer. "But don't misunderstand. Even you can practice meditation. By balancing your body and soul, your control over Ki will greatly improve. You may not unlock Chakra stages like humans can, but you can still elevate your power by mastering inner balance."
Piccolo's eyes widened slightly. He didn't show it outwardly, but Rudra had struck a chord. He had always balanced brutal physical training with mental discipline. Deep down, he knew there was truth in Rudra's words.
Rudra's gaze grew distant for a moment. He thought of the original timeline, where Goku had achieved Ultra Instinct by letting go of emotions, allowing his body to react freely. That principle was no different from the spiritual detachment monks and sages practiced.
He also remembered how, in Dragon Ball Super, Vegeta had witnessed Jiren's overwhelming power and sought to increase his own focus through meditation. Clearly, the seeds of this path already existed within the universe.
"Yes, it is possible here too," Rudra continued, "but not in the same way as me. At best, others can only balance body and soul to gain more precise control over their Ki. But true mastery—the seven stages of Chakra—that path is closed. Only I can walk it."
His words carried weight, like a final judgment.
The group exchanged glances. Some were filled with awe, others with doubt, but none could deny the truth that Rudra radiated.
Rudra sighed inwardly. He knew why it had to be this way. "Zalama created this system solely for me," he admitted in thought. "A path carved only for my growth. If others could achieve what I can, then mortals might even rival the Angels."
For now, the mystery of Chakra was revealed—but its depths remained a secret known only to Rudra.
The Z Fighters stood in silence, each one processing what they had just learned.
For some, it sparked excitement. For others, it created unease.
But for all of them, one thing was certain—Rudra was no ordinary fighter. He was a being walking a path none of them could fully comprehend.