Kaito slowed as he approached the collection of life signatures, finally locating the small, red-roofed house. He descended, landing a respectful distance away. He deliberately kept his Ki so suppressed that, to a scouter, he was nonexistent, but to someone like Goku, he registered as a deep, chilling void, a pressure that defied understanding.
He found them outside. Goku, unmistakable in his orange Gi, was practicing a rapid series of unarmed katas in the yard, completely focused and joyful, his movements creating small pressure waves in the grass. Beside him, a small, black-haired boy with a hat that held the Four-Star Dragon Ball, Gohan, was playing with a small dinosaur toy.
The moment Kaito crossed the perimeter of the yard, Goku stopped mid-kata. His head snapped up, his eyes instantly locking onto the newcomer. His playful focus vanished, replaced by the instinct of a seasoned fighter.
"Wow!" Goku exclaimed, taking a small step in front of Gohan. "I didn't sense you flying until you were right here! You're really good at hiding your power."
Gohan nervously clutched his toy, sensing the sudden, heavy change in the air around his father.
"It's a pleasure, Goku. And this must be Gohan." Kaito's voice was calm, contrasting sharply with the tension he was radiating. "My name is Kaito."
Goku's frown deepened. "How do you know my name? And why are you here?"
"I know a lot of things," Kaito replied, his tone serious. "I know that in about one week, a tall man with long hair, wearing alien armor, is going to land on Earth and turn your world upside down."
Goku's fighting instinct was immediately piqued. "Alien? Is he strong?"
"Stronger than anything you or Piccolo have ever faced," Kaito confirmed. "And he's not the only one. He's just the first scout for a threat that could wipe out the planet if you follow the path you're currently on."
Kaito took a slow, deliberate step forward, projecting only the slightest increase in his Ki's weight, not its magnitude, a qualitative shift that spoke volumes.
Goku flinched, not from fear, but from the sudden, inexplicable pressure that settled over him. It was a sensation of standing at the bottom of the ocean. He tried to sense Kaito's power level, but his mind recoiled. It was completely blank, yet the pressure was undeniable.
"You're... you're not even trying to fight me," Goku stated, marveling. "But you feel heavier than the time I trained with Kami."
"I am here to offer you a way to bypass the disaster that's coming," Kaito continued, cutting to the chase. "I can teach you and Piccolo how to sense power that operates outside the limits of this planet, and how to control your own power to an extent you haven't yet dreamed of."
Goku's natural excitement for power started to win over his suspicion. "Sense power outside the planet? That sounds incredible! If you can teach me that, then I'll train with you, Kaito. But you're going to have to tell me: how much stronger are you than me right now?"
Kaito met his gaze steadily. "Let's put it this way, Goku. If you threw your full power Kamehameha at me, I would simply let it hit. And you would need to apologize for making a mess of the yard."
The silence was broken by a loud, angry voice.
"Goku! Who is this stranger, and why is he bothering our son and his studies!" Chi-Chi stormed out of the house, apron flying, ready to unleash her wrath.
"Chi-Chi, hold on," Goku began, slightly distracted.
"It's quite alright, Mrs. Son." Kaito interrupted smoothly, executing a polite, disarming bow that instantly threw the enraged mother off balance. "My apologies, Mrs. Son. I am Kaito, a martial arts master and an old associate of your husband's adoptive grandfather. I just needed to speak to Goku about a grave threat to the Earth that requires immediate training."
Chi-Chi paused, staring at the polite, well-dressed young man who spoke with such earnest confidence. "An associate of Grandpa Gohan's?" she muttered, her anger deflating slightly. "Well, fine! But if I hear any explosions or see any broken dinosaur toys, I'm holding you responsible, Master Kaito. Dinner is in an hour!" She retreated, shooting Kaito a long, suspicious look.
Kaito turned back to Goku, his expression serious. "She's a fierce guardian. Now, Goku, we have less than ten days. The time for small training is over. I know where Piccolo is training, and we need to form an alliance immediately. Do you trust my judgment?"
Goku scratched his head, but his eyes were blazing with eagerness. The hint of alien threats and the unimaginable pressure Kaito projected were enough. "You know Piccolo's hiding spot? Okay, Kaito. Lead the way!"
[...MISSION PREP COMPLETE. NEXT OBJECTIVE: ALLIANCE FORMATION...]