A deep silence hung over The Lookout as Kami stood motionless beneath the clear sky. The air shimmered around him with divine pressure, and a booming voice echoed inside his mind.
King Kai (telepathically): "Kami! We have a major situation! It's about Frieza!"
Kami blinked in surprise. "Frieza? The name rings no bell."
King Kai: "You wouldn't know him, but he's the most feared tyrant in the universe. He rules over dozens of planetary systems—and now, he's set his sights on Namek."
"Namek?" Kami repeated, his brow furrowed.
King Kai (serious tone): "Kami… you are from Namek. So is Piccolo. You two are Namekians—a peaceful, wise race with a strange gift: the ability to create Dragon Balls. Frieza intercepted a signal from a damaged scouter—he heard the word 'wish' and connected the dots. Now he's planning to use the original Dragon Balls to become immortal."
Kami's staff trembled slightly in his grip. "So that's why I felt so different all my life…"
King Kai: "You don't have time for identity crises now, old friend. Frieza is heading to Namek, and he'll be there in 60 days. We must act."
Kami: "What must I do?"
King Kai: "Gather the strongest warriors on Earth. Send them to me. I will train them personally."
At Goku's Home
The breeze swept gently across the Son family home as Goku meditated on the porch. Chi-Chi tended to the garden while Gohan and Raditz sparred in the open yard.
Kami: (telepathically): "Goku! Chi-Chi! Gohan! Raditz! Z Fighters! Listen up!"
Everyone froze mid-action.
Kami: "Frieza knows about the Dragon Balls. He's heading to Namek. You need to train immediately. Come to The Lookout. Kami is preparing the path to Other World."
Goku: "So he still found out… but it's fine. We're stronger now."
The Lookout
Within the hour, Earth's warriors gathered: Goku, Chi-Chi, Gohan, Master Roshi, Raditz, Krillin, Yamcha, Tien, and Chiaotzu.
Kami: "King Kai awaits. I'll open the path now. It will take you to the Other World."
With a divine chant, a shimmering portal emerged.
Goku (to the others): "This may feel strange at first, but don't hold back. Run straight."
They all vanished into the light.
Snake Way and King Kai's Planet
Thanks to their previous training and Goku's coaching, the group cleared Snake Way in just a few hours. Even the gravity of King Kai's planet didn't slow them down much—they were already used to far greater pressure from HBTC.
King Kai (impressed): "You guys are crazy strong already! I didn't expect Earthlings to push this far so fast."
Chi-Chi (grinning): "We don't mess around."
Training began immediately.
They focused on three things: strength conditioning under intense gravity, Ki control through spiritual resonance, and advanced techniques.
The first new skill: Kaioken—the energy amplification technique.
Krillin, Yamcha, Tien, Chiaotzu, Roshi, and Raditz managed to master Kaioken x2.
Chi-Chi reached Kaioken x3, though King Kai warned her against going higher due to risks.
Only two students were allowed to learn King Kai's prized technique—the Spirit Ball:
Goku, with his mastery of energy flow and control.
Gohan, who King Kai called a natural prodigy, rivaling even ancient legends.
Days passed in intense meditation and combat simulation. King Kai's world echoed with energy bursts, laughter, and the occasional explosion.
Goku's Home – The Day After Returning from King Kai's Planet
The Son household was filled with energy. Gohan excitedly recounted his experience on King Kai's planet to his mother, flailing his arms while demonstrating Kaioken. Chi-Chi smiled patiently as she cooked, her gi sleeves rolled up and her hair tied in a practical bun.
Goku stood outside with his arms crossed, gazing up at the clear blue sky.
Goku (thoughtfully):"Frieza… We got strong, but I still feel like it's not enough. Just to be safe…"
Later That Day – HBTC Entrance
Goku led the Z Fighters back to the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.
Goku:"We've still got around 9 days before we need to leave for Namek. One day out here is a year inside. Let's get the most out of it."
Yamcha (grinning):"Back into the pressure cooker, huh?"
Raditz (smirking):"You all better keep up this time."
Inside the HBTC – The Final Year of Training
The chamber roared with activity—energy blasts, shouts, grunts, and the occasional Kaio-ken! resonated in the void.
Goku led the group through brutal training rotations:
Gravity resistance drills
Ki synchronization sparring
Meditation for stamina and inner clarity
Combat sparring under heavy pressure
Chi-Chi's Turning Point:
For the first six months, Chi-Chi pushed herself harder than ever. Her power rose quickly, but she eventually felt her progress slowing.
Chi-Chi (to Goku, after sparring):"I've hit my wall, Goku. I want to focus on supporting Gohan… and you."
Goku (softly, resting his forehead on hers):"That's okay. You've done more than I ever expected. Thank you."
Chi-Chi took up a support role afterward—cooking, managing rest periods, and helping Roshi with technique planning.
Time Skip 11th Month in HBTC
The void-like white world hummed with rising energy. Gravity in the chamber was cranked up beyond standard Earth levels. Even breathing felt heavy.
Goku stood calmly at the center, arms folded across his chest, wearing a weighted gi. His eyes were serious, yet a slight grin played on his lips.
Goku:"Alright, everyone. Let's see how far you've come."
Across from him stood the entire Z Fighter squad—Krillin, Yamcha, Tien, Chiaotzu, Master Roshi, Raditz, Gohan, Piccolo… and even Chi-Chi, who had rejoined for this match to test her limits.
Gohan (nervous, but excited):"Are we really doing this, Dad?"
Goku (smirking):"Don't hold back, Gohan. Come at me with everything you've got. I'll do the same."
Piccolo (to the group):"Don't try to fight him alone. We overwhelm him together."
Chi-Chi (sternly):"Goku's grown more than any of us. This might be our last chance to truly test ourselves."
The atmosphere grew heavy as energy began to rise.
Tien and Yamcha were first to move, flanking Goku with precision strikes from both sides.
Tien (shouting):"Solar Flare!"
A brilliant flash lit the chamber—Goku's vision vanished for a second.
Yamcha:"Wolf Fang Barrage!"
Goku, temporarily blinded, leaned into his other senses. With flawless timing, he ducked and spun, countering Yamcha's blows and knocking him back with a swift palm strike to the chest.
Suddenly, Chiaotzu locked Goku in place using telekinesis.
Chiaotzu:"Now!"
Krillin and Roshi leapt in together, launching a double Kamehameha.
The twin energy beams roared toward Goku—
But Goku calmly shouted while powering up:"HAAA!"
He vanished from their sights. The beams exploded into nothingness.
Before anyone could react, Krillin was flipped into the air, Roshi caught by the wrist and gently tossed aside like a feather.
Chi-Chi powered up, blue aura crackling as she activated Kaioken x3, straining her body.
Chi-Chi (shouting):"This one's for the years I had to beg you to farm!"
She launched a flurry of rapid jabs, each one sharp and accurate. Goku blocked and weaved—not countering, just smiling.
Goku (chuckling):"You're holding back."
Chi-Chi (gritting her teeth):"Not anymore!"
She pushed to Kaioken x5, and her punches became blurs. Goku was finally forced to defend with effort.
Piccolo appeared above, arms charged.
Piccolo:"Special Beam Cannon!"
The spiral beam blasted down. Goku flickered from sight, dodging by inches, then zipped forward, tapping Chi-Chi's shoulder gently and knocking her unconscious with a pressure-point strike.
Piccolo narrowed his eyes.
Piccolo (thinking):"Even together… we're still not enough…"
Raditz threw a Power Ball above them all
Then roared, aura turning deep red as he forced his body to transform.Oozaru Raditz stood tall, his power exploded.
Raditz (growling):"Kakarot! This is our real test!"
Gohan screamed, tail pulsing and fur enveloping him.
Oozaru Gohan, slightly smaller, stood at Raditz's side.
The two Great Apes charged Goku. The chamber shook.
Goku (smiling):"Alright then…"
He powered up. The white floor cracked beneath his feet as he unleashed Kaioken x2. Although he really did not need to, he was setting up the stage for an image he was forming for the Z fighters.
Fists collided with claws. Blasts of red and gold filled the chamber.
Goku ducked under Gohan's wild swings, leaping into the air and planting a knee into the ape's gut. With a spin, he landed a punch against Raditz's snout, sending him tumbling.
Tien, Krillin, and Yamcha re-entered the fray, unleashing all their energy in coordinated Ki blasts, trying to buy time.
Roshi activated Bulk Up and Kaioken, joining them in a rare moment of direct combat.
Despite their numbers, strategy, and transformations—Goku stood tall. Bruised(wink wink), yes. Breathing heavier, yes. But still unbroken.
One by one, the others collapsed to their knees or hit the ground, completely exhausted.
The Oozaru forms faded as Raditz and Gohan reverted, panting heavily.
Gohan (wheezing):"We… still couldn't…"
Goku (walking over and helping him up):"You've all gotten strong. Real strong. But Frieza isn't like me. He won't hold back."
Chi-Chi (recovering):"Then we need to push harder."
Piccolo (eyes closed):"…Agreed."
They all sat together, catching their breath.
Krillin (grinning through the sweat):"Remind me never to piss you off."
Yamcha:"Man… I was sure we had you during that beam combo."
Goku (smiling softly):"If I didn't power up when I did, you might've."
Raditz (gritting his teeth):"Kakarot… You're still ahead. But not for long."
Piccolo (nodding):"This fight… showed me something. We're close. Just not there. Yet."
Goku:"Then we keep going. Every bit of training matters. On Namek, we'll be facing the worst the universe has to offer."
He stood, reaching a hand out to Gohan and Raditz.
Goku (firmly):"No more holding back."
Outside the Chamber – Capsule Corp Hangar
Bulma gave the ship one final diagnostic.
Bulma:
"Namek's systems are alien tech, but I managed to translate and optimize them. Six-day voyage to Namek, max."
Kami nodded approvingly.
Kami:
"Good. Then we are ready."
Day of Departure
The Z Fighters stood in formation. Their uniforms, reinforced with new fabrics, gleamed in the sun. Gohan clutched a small capsule pouch Chi-Chi had prepared—food, medicine, and his favorite bedtime scroll.
Chi-Chi (to Gohan):
"You behave. No unnecessary fights."
Gohan (grinning):
"I'll do my best!"
Goku (to Raditz):
"You ready?"
Raditz:
"Born ready."
Piccolo (nodding):
"Hmm"
They boarded the ship, the engines whirring to life.
The ship blasted into the sky, tearing through clouds and leaving behind a trail of golden light.