Rayden thought for a moment before speaking.
"Goku, while I can't help you train directly, you could ask the gods. Since they're deities, they should know better places for you to train."
He continued, "You can also ask Bulma to repair Raditz's spaceship and turn it into a gravity chamber. Training under increased gravity will definitely boost your strength faster!"
"My current power level is the result of training in such a gravity room."
Goku and Piccolo didn't really understand where Rayden's strength came from, but that didn't matter. As long as it helped them grow stronger, there was no need to explain too much.
In fact, this might even help everyone improve more quickly!
> (Gravity Room Note: In the original Dragon Ball story, Goku trained in a gravity chamber while traveling to Namek. After just a few days, his base combat power increased from 8,000 to 90,000. Gravity training accelerates strength development dramatically.)
Since Goku hadn't died this time, it was unclear whether the gods would still allow him to train with King Kai. So, it was best for Goku to go and ask them himself.
---
"Dad!"
At that moment, Son Gohan finally woke up. The moment he saw his father, he rushed over and hugged him tightly.
Goku smiled and gently rubbed Gohan's hair. "It's alright now, Gohan. We're safe."
Then, he looked toward Rayden and spoke to Gohan. "It was Rayden who saved us."
"Thank you, Uncle Rayden!" Gohan said sweetly, his manners impeccable as always.
Just as everyone was about to leave, a loud buzzing sound came from above.
Buzz～～!
They looked up and saw a helicopter descending from the sky.
"Goku!"
"Goku!"
Two familiar faces peered out the window—one was a beautiful young woman with light blue hair, and the other was a bald man with no nose but a cheerful smile. It was Bulma and Krillin.
These were Goku's old companions. Bulma had once journeyed across the world with him in search of the Dragon Balls, while Krillin had trained with him under Master Roshi.
Bang!
The helicopter landed, and three people got out: Bulma, Krillin, and Master Roshi. Following close behind was Roshi's old turtle companion.
"Goku, I'm so glad you're all safe!" Krillin shouted excitedly as he ran to greet him.
"Where's that damn Saiyan?" he asked, looking around cautiously.
Goku scratched his head and chuckled. "Raditz has been taken care of. Rayden defeated him."
"What? He's dead? That's great news!" Bulma exclaimed with a cheer.
"Wait a minute... wasn't Raditz supposed to be defeated by you and Piccolo?" Krillin asked, confused. "Who's Rayden?"
Goku pointed to the young man standing beside him. "He's the one who defeated Raditz."
"Him?"
Everyone looked at Rayden, puzzled. Although he was tall and striking, his energy didn't seem that strong. How could someone like him defeat such a powerful enemy?
"Goku, what's really going on?" Krillin pressed, looking skeptical.
Realizing there was no point in hiding anything, Goku explained everything.
"Piccolo and I gave it our all, but we still couldn't beat Raditz. Then... Rayden stepped in."
"What?!"
Everyone gasped in disbelief.
"I can't believe there's someone even stronger than you, Goku," Bulma said in shock.
Master Roshi nodded thoughtfully. "There's always someone better out there."
---
Goku continued with a serious expression.
"In a year, two more Saiyans are coming to Earth. I'm heading to the temple to train with the gods. Does anyone want to come with me?"
Krillin shook his head. "I think I'll go back to Kame House and train there."
Piccolo scoffed and turned away. Although he was technically connected to the gods, their personalities clashed too much. He wasn't about to go to the temple.
Rayden smiled. "I've got my own plans."
Seeing that the others were occupied, Rayden decided it was time to leave.
"I'll be heading out too. See you all in a year!"
"Goodbye, Rayden!" Goku called, waving enthusiastically. "And next time we meet, we have to spar!"
Whoosh!
Rayden shot into the sky and vanished into the horizon.
---
Just then, Goku slapped his forehead as he remembered something Rayden had told him.
"Right! I need to ask Bulma to convert Raditz's spaceship into a gravity chamber!"
He immediately turned to her. Bulma's eyes lit up with excitement.
"That's a brilliant idea! I'll get started on it right away and let you know when it's ready!"
Goku nodded. "Thanks! Until then, I'll head to the Heavenly Temple."
"Somersault Cloud!"
In response to his call, the yellow cloud zoomed toward him. Goku jumped onto it and waved goodbye.
"Bulma, Master Roshi, Krillin... I'll see you all later!"
With that, he sped off toward the temple.
Bulma turned to Gohan, sighing. "Goku, you're just going to leave your son behind again? Whatever. I'll take you home, Gohan."
But before Gohan could walk to Bulma, Piccolo grabbed him.
"Ah! What are you doing?! Let me go!" Gohan cried out, struggling.
Without warning, Piccolo knocked Gohan unconscious with a light strike.
"I'm taking him with me," Piccolo said coldly. "See you in a year."
Everyone stared in shock.
"What do you want with Gohan?" Krillin asked, rubbing his bald head nervously. "You're not planning to eat him, are you?"
"Don't be ridiculous," Piccolo snapped.
He glanced down at the sleeping boy in his arm.
"This kid has incredible potential. With training, he'll become a warrior strong enough to help defend the Earth when the Saiyans arrive. So I'm taking responsibility for his training."
Bulma, Master Roshi, and Krillin looked unsure.
"Well..."
"That seems a little sudden…"
"Shouldn't you ask Goku or Chichi first?"
Piccolo growled, "There's no time! Keep complaining and I'll kill you!"
Whoosh!
He took off into the sky with Gohan in tow.
Bulma sighed and pulled out a capsule, storing Raditz's spaceship inside.
"I'm going home to work on the gravity room," she said. "You two explain everything to Chichi!"
Krillin's face turned pale. "W-What? Chichi's going to kill us!"
Just imagining Chichi's wrath made him break into a cold sweat.
After a moment of thought, he groaned.
"Forget it… I'll explain later. Maybe in a year..."
---
Meanwhile, high above the Earth, the gods of the Heavenly Temple had been watching everything unfold.
Rayden's appearance shocked them. His power was tremendous.
What puzzled them most was that someone so powerful would choose to remain hidden.
> "Why would someone with such strength hide their abilities?"
If Rayden could hear their thoughts, he would've laughed out loud.
> "Hide? What's the point? I'm still weak compared to what's coming."
Whether he hid his strength or not, the outcome was the same.
Thankfully, Rayden wasn't a villain.
---
Da-da-da~
Goku arrived at the Heavenly Temple on his Somersault Cloud.
As soon as he saw the god, he rushed over eagerly.
"God, more Saiyans are coming in a year! Is there a place we can train to prepare?"
"With our current power levels, we won't stand a chance."
The god nodded, already aware of the situation.
"Goku, I recommend you train with Lord King Kai. That opportunity is something only you can grasp."
He turned to Bobo, who stood quietly nearby.
"Bobo, inform Yamcha and the others. I will personally oversee their training here."
Bobo nodded without expression. "Yes, Lord."
Preparations to defend Earth from the Saiyan invasion had begun.
Soon after, the god guided Goku into the underworld, where he would journey to meet King Kai.
---
Meanwhile, far to the north, Rayden had arrived in the freezing wilderness.
Still wearing his thin summer clothes, he shivered but resisted the cold using his own ki.
He had chosen this harsh environment for one reason—training.
While refining his ki, Rayden also pushed his body to its limits.
He ran up snowy mountains with heavy weights, swam while pushing massive icebergs, and dove deep into the sea to toughen his body.
From an initial diving depth of just 1,200 meters, he now reached nearly 15,000 kilometers underwater.
He died several times along the way.
> "The feeling of being crushed by deep-sea pressure is... indescribable."
Luckily, his system had a resurrection function.
After nine months of relentless training, his body had reached a whole new level.
Rayden summoned the system in his mind.
"System, show me my personal stats!"
A mechanical voice echoed in his consciousness.
Ding!
Host: Rayden
Age: 22
Race: Earthling
Skills: Ki Perception, Ki Blast, Flight, Kamehameha, God-Level Martial Arts
Items: 3 Senzu Beans
Combat Power: 12,620
Øóffer going on for diamond tier
pàtreøn (Gk31)