One week later, on the outskirts of West City, at Capsule Corporation's private aerospace launch facility.
A massive spaceship stood quietly on the launch platform, its design far beyond the imagination of the current era.
Its sleek, silver-white body flowed in elegant curves, the surface coated with a nearly invisible energy membrane capable of absorbing and converting cosmic radiation. Under the sunlight, it shimmered with a soft, pearlescent glow.
Instead of bulky rocket boosters, several anti-gravity engines along its sides and rear emitted a faint blue light.
On the hull, two graceful words were painted in Earth's common language:
Hope.
"Wow!"
Goku tilted his head back, his mouth wide open in amazement.
"Bulma, this is way bigger than the ship we used last time!"
"Of course it is."
Dressed in a sharp white jumpsuit, Bulma couldn't hide the pride on her face.
"This is the flagship of Capsule Corporation, built with our most advanced technology."
"The interior living quarters are designed to match a seven-star resort. Fully automated service robots can handle anything you need."
"Oh, right. Krillin, I installed what you asked for."
She tapped the controller on her wrist. A section of the ship's armor slid open silently, revealing a heavy alloy door.
"The core training chamber can simulate up to 500 times Earth's gravity."
"You can also freely adjust temperature, humidity, and atmospheric composition. Lava baths or icy environments, it's all up to you."
Krillin nodded in satisfaction.
Now this was the kind of training environment he needed.
Compared to this, King Kai's planet with its ten times gravity felt like walking on clouds.
Among the crowd seeing them off, Chi-Chi held Gohan's hand, her eyes red with tears, carrying an enormous bag.
"Gohan, listen to your mother. When you get there, you must keep studying. I packed all your textbooks and exercises from elementary school to college. You must complete at least one hundred pages every day!"
Gohan looked at the bag, which was taller than he was, and his face immediately fell.
Krillin stepped forward, gently patting Chi-Chi on the shoulder, offering a calm and reassuring smile.
"Don't worry, Chi-Chi. I've already contacted the organizers of the 'space summer camp' over there. They believe in balancing study and rest, focusing on all-around development."
"This trip is mainly to broaden the kids' horizons, expose them to new experiences, and even learn advanced alien cultures. It'll be good for Gohan's future."
"Really?"
Chi-Chi looked uncertain.
"Of course."
Krillin answered without hesitation.
"And everything is covered. Food and lodging are included. I heard the meals are top-tier, with high-grade alien beast meat every day. Great for growing kids."
"Look at my son Trillin. He grew up eating well, and now he's strong and healthy."
Beside him, Trillin puffed out his chest and flexed proudly.
Hearing that it would benefit her son, Chi-Chi finally softened. She wiped her tears and gently pushed Gohan toward Krillin.
"Then… I'll leave Gohan in your care. Make sure he doesn't just play around. His studies must not fall behind."
With the biggest concern settled, everyone began boarding the ship.
The interior left both Goku and Piccolo stunned.
A spacious, brightly lit main hall, soft and luxurious sofas, and behind the bar stood a robot in a formal suit, elegantly mixing drinks. A subtle fragrance lingered in the air.
This did not feel like a warship at all.
It felt like a flying palace.
"Attention, passengers. The Hope is about to launch. Please take your seats. Anti-gravity engines activating."
With the gentle voice of the onboard AI, the ship vibrated slightly, then rose smoothly and silently into the sky.
Within seconds, it broke through the atmosphere, leaving the blue planet far behind.
Weightlessness set in.
"Wow! I'm floating!"
Gohan laughed excitedly, flailing his arms as he drifted.
Trillin, more experienced, moved like a fish through water, spinning effortlessly through the air in playful acrobatics.
He even made a silly face at Piccolo, who sat cross-legged in the corner, trying to maintain his composure.
A vein twitched on Piccolo's forehead.
He attempted to meditate, to sense the distant presence of his homeworld in the vast cosmos.
But the noise from the two children made it nearly impossible.
Krillin lounged lazily in the captain's seat, while Bulma sat beside him, skillfully operating the control panel.
"Dear, the course is set. Estimated arrival at Planet Namek in six days. Autopilot engaged."
"Good work."
Krillin squeezed her hand before closing his eyes and focusing inward on the system interface.
[Name: Krillin]
[Race: Human. Limiter Removal in Progress]
[Power Level: 22,000. Normal State, Overclock Mode]
[Stamina: Infinite. Saitama Template Trait]
[Charm: Locked at 199. Peak Human Limit]
[Saitama Template Integration: 40 percent]
[Skills: Serious Punch, Normal Consecutive Punches, Flight, Destructo Disc, Divine Healing, Kaioken Modified, Serious Series Sacred Form, Ki Resonance, Instant Transmission and more]
[Special Traits: Cosmic Adaptation, Near-Death Growth]
[Equipment: Subspace Storage Ring]
At 40 percent integration, he had unlocked a new passive ability.
Cosmic Survival.
As the name suggested, he could now exist in the vacuum of space just like Frieza, without relying on external support.
While his previous ability already allowed partial adaptation, this was its perfected form, requiring no energy consumption at all.
"Alright, kids. That's enough playing."
Krillin clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention.
"This is a long journey. We're not wasting time. Goku, Piccolo, bring the kids. We're heading to the gravity chamber for a warm-up."
Ten minutes later, inside the massive gravity training room.
Krillin immediately set the gravity to 100 times Earth's standard.
Thud!
The moment Goku stepped in, it felt like a mountain crashed down on him. He slammed face-first into the floor.
He struggled just to keep his body from being crushed flat.
Piccolo fared slightly better, dropping to one knee as his muscles trembled violently, sweat pouring down his back.
As for Gohan and Trillin, the two young prodigies showed astonishing adaptability.
Though clearly under immense pressure, they managed to stay on their feet, their faces flushed red.
Meanwhile, Krillin sat nearby on a conjured lounge chair, casually sipping tea delivered by a service robot.
"So? Not bad, right?"
"Krillin…"
Goku forced the words out through gritted teeth.
"How are you doing this? One hundred times gravity… my bones feel like they're breaking."
"You'll get used to it."
Krillin laughed.
"For me, this level is still too light. Just enough to stretch after a meal."
"Your goal is simple. Before we reach Namek, you should be able to move freely under this gravity."
He stood up and casually performed a full set of warm-up exercises, even jumping high enough to nearly hit the ceiling.
The sight struck deeply at Goku and Piccolo's pride as warriors.
For the next several hours, the room echoed with Goku's strained groans and Piccolo's controlled breathing.
Krillin, meanwhile, guided the two children, teaching them how to better utilize their energy under extreme conditions, all while planning the next steps.
Outside, the spaceship streaked through the cosmos, the stars forming a breathtaking river of light.
After a full day of training, everyone was exhausted and returned to their rooms.
Goku and Piccolo could barely walk, skipping dinner entirely.
Krillin took a shower and changed into sleepwear when the door to the master bedroom opened.
Bulma stepped in, wearing a semi-transparent purple lace nightgown, her expression a mix of shyness and anticipation.
"Dear… about that reward you promised…"
Her voice was soft, yet clear in the quiet room.
Krillin smiled, his fatigue gone in an instant.
He walked over, lifted her into his arms, and carried her toward the large round bed.
"Of course I remember."
He whispered softly near her ear, his breath making her shiver.
Bulma activated the panoramic simulation system.
The walls of the room seemed to vanish, replaced by the vast expanse of space.
Countless stars formed a glittering river across the sky. In the distance, a red supernova exploded, casting a mesmerizing glow.
It was their first true moment together during a real space journey.
"It feels… strange here."
Bulma wrapped her arms around his neck, her body floating slightly in the simulated low-gravity environment.
"Strange? I think it's perfect."
Krillin leaned down and kissed her.
Freed from Earth's gravity, their bodies felt lighter, more sensitive. Every touch was amplified.
The stars became their silent witness, and the occasional streak of a meteor seemed to celebrate their moment.
Bulma felt as if she were drifting through an endless ocean of stars.
And Krillin was the one guiding her, leading her toward an experience unlike anything she had ever known.
"Dear… I feel like I'm floating…"
"Then let's fly together."
Krillin held her firmly, steady and warm.
Their energies intertwined, forming a subtle resonance.
[System Notification: Skill "Ki Resonance" has mutated under special conditions. Vacuum simulation and low gravity environment.]
[Dual cultivation efficiency increased by 500 percent.]
[Companion Bulma undergoing passive enhancement. Cellular activity increased. Mental link deepening.]
Krillin felt the surge of power within him, along with the changes in Bulma.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
This journey through space was not going to be boring at all.