The morning mist still lingered over Mount Paozu, yet Son Goku was already drenched in sweat from training.
Wearing a set of gravity clothes weighing over a hundred pounds, he leapt through the mountains—
climbing cliffs, charging up waterfalls against the current,
chasing wild bears, provoking hornet swarms,
and blindfolding himself beneath roaring falls while dodging logs thrown down at him.
As a transmigrator, Goku knew roughly what path his cultivation should take.
Beyond raw physical training, he constantly pushed his reflexes, perception, and mental focus—
even practicing sensing in the deafening chaos of waterfalls.
Sometimes, he even had Violet or Launch help him test the threshold of Ultra Instinct.
The result? He got beaten up for days without his body showing even the slightest automatic evasion.
Launch had bluntly told him he wasn't training—he was just asking to get abused.
Realizing he had jumped too far ahead, Goku paused that line of training and refocused on perception and state of mind.
Though he never left Mount Paozu, the entire mountain had become his personal training ground.
When the mist finally cleared, Goku finished his morning session and headed for the peak.
His home was no longer the old broken shack.
Living alone with his grandpa, shelter had been enough—but now both Launch and Violet lived there too.
So on the way back, Goku had chosen a much larger capsule house.
With Bulma's help, it had electricity and running water—almost as comfortable as a city home.
The only inconvenience was shopping, which required flying out.
Fortunately, both Launch and Violet were excellent pilots.
Violet had already returned from hunting, and Launch was cooking.
The moment Goku walked inside, the rich aroma hit him.
"Whoa—what did you make, Launch? Smells amazing!"
Violet stepped forward, taking his sweat-soaked clothes with a smile.
"Got lucky today. I hunted a dinosaur."
Goku's eyes lit up. "That's perfect! Dinosaur meat is my favorite.
One of you hunts, one of you cooks—this is heaven!"
Violet laughed. "We only get to live like this because of you.
Go wash up—the food's almost ready."
"Got it!" Goku ran off.
Watching his back, Violet murmured,
"His clothes look smaller again… time to get him new ones."
Just then, Launch came out of the kitchen, loosening her apron.
"Food's ready. After we eat, let's go shopping.
It's getting cold—we need new martial arts outfits for Goku, and we should get some new clothes too."
Violet nodded. "Yeah. The fashion this year looks great.
Goku's grown up… maybe we can dress a bit more lightly now."
With Launch and Violet by his side, Goku lived a steady, disciplined life on Mount Paozu.
Day after day passed.
Three years flew by.
Goku had grown taller—now even a bit taller than Bulma and Launch.
Years of constant training had left his body solid and powerful.
…
As more and more fighters joined, the World Martial Arts Tournament changed from once every five years to once every three.
The day had come again.
Martial artists from across the country flocked to the arena.
Krillin had passed Korin's test the year before and claimed the Ultra Divine Water.
After another year of training, he was even stronger now.
Standing before the massive tournament gates, he smiled confidently.
"This year's champion will definitely be me."
Suddenly, someone called his name.
Krillin turned to see Master Roshi and Yamcha walking toward him.
"Master Roshi! Long time no see!"
Roshi laughed. "Krillin, you've gotten taller!"
Krillin scratched his head. "Well, people grow, right?"
Yamcha grinned. "Height aside, I'm more curious about your strength. Did you climb Korin Tower?"
Krillin puffed out his chest. "Of course. I got the Ultra Divine Water last year and trained another full year after that.
Unless something crazy happens, the champion is mine."
Yamcha smirked. "Don't be so sure.
Master Roshi said you and Goku trained under him for less than a year.
I trained for three whole years—and doubled my weights."
Krillin blinked. "Really? Then you must be strong."
"That I am."
Roshi clapped his hands. "Alright, alright. Go register already."
They did—but Krillin frowned.
He didn't see Goku anywhere.
"Strange… is Goku not coming this time?"
A sharp voice cut in.
"Well, well… I thought it was some old geezer. Turns out it's Master Roshi."
Roshi turned. "Oh? Crane Hermit. You're still alive?"
Crane Hermit sneered. "You're still just as annoying."
Roshi glared. "What are you doing here?"
Crane Hermit laughed. "Why? You can come, so I can't?"
"I heard your students made quite a splash last tournament.
So I brought mine this time—to show everyone what real martial arts look like."
He eyed Krillin and Yamcha mockingly.
"Sorry, boys. The champion belongs to my disciples.
If you don't want to embarrass yourselves, you should run now."
Krillin and Yamcha studied Tien and Chiaotzu silently.
Both could feel Tien's dangerous strength.
Roshi snorted. "Hah! Your Crane School trash thinks it can win?
What a joke—like a toad trying to eat a swan."
"You old turtle—!"
"And you, you senile crane!"
After some heated words, Crane Hermit turned to Tien.
"Let's go. Arguing with fools is beneath us."
He shot Roshi one last glare. "See you in the ring."
They left.
Yamcha asked, "Who was that?"
Roshi sighed. "Crane Hermit. He was once my fellow student.
He went down a dark path… now he's my mortal enemy."
Krillin clenched his fist. "What a rude old man."
Roshi checked the time.
"It's late. Why hasn't Goku arrived yet?"
Krillin said thoughtfully, "He won't skip it.
He's been living comfortably, sure—but he's never stopped training."
Just then, a helicopter descended from the sky, landing in the wide plaza before them.
Krillin's eyes lit up.
"That's Capsule Corp's helicopter! Goku and Bulma must be here!"
At that moment, two graceful young women stepped down from the aircraft.
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