Krillin and Bulma, with the help of a scouter, had managed to locate everyone and bring them to Kami's Lookout. Excitement filled the air at the prospect of training under Kami especially for Yamcha, who had grown bored playing baseball and was eager to fight again. Yajirobe, on the other hand, wasn't nearly as enthusiastic.
"Hey Krillin, who's this friend of yours?" Tien asked as they gathered together.
"This is Alex," Krillin introduced. "He trained under Master Roshi, same as me."
They exchanged greetings, sizing each other up in typical martial artist fashion.
"Tell you what," Yamcha said, cracking his knuckles. "With all of us fighting together, those Saiyans don't stand a chance in hell."
"That's right," Tien agreed. "Especially if we get to train with Kami. We'll be more than ready."
As they waited for Kami to appear from inside the temple, a sense of determination settled over the group.
---
Meanwhile…
Raditz dragged a dead dinosaur twice his size through the forest and into the cave.
"Woman! Come out! I brought food!" he shouted.
Launch stepped out, brushing her hands on her skirt. "Oh my! That's a huge one. But you know I can't cook something that big all at once. We'll have to cut it up."
"No need," Raditz said, raising a hand. "I'll cook it my way."
"No!" Launch quickly intercepted, grabbing his arm with both hands. "Last time you did that, the whole thing turned into charcoal!"
"I'm a warrior, not a chef! We eat what we get!" Raditz grunted. But seeing Launch's stubborn expression, he reluctantly helped her chop the dinosaur into pieces.
He'd never admit it out loud, but Raditz had grown quite fond of her cooking. Launch's leg had mostly healed by now, yet she chose to stay with him. He had grown used not just to her calm demeanor, but even her fiery blonde side. Strangely, he didn't mind her temper. For the first time since his childhood, he was beginning to enjoy life.
---
At the Lookout…
Kami introduced himself and Mr. Popo, and with that, the training began.
Their first task was meditation intense mental and spiritual discipline to learn energy sensing and refine ki control. Combat training followed, with Mr. Popo as their main sparring partner. Despite his appearance, he outclassed all of them, including Alex, who was the strongest among them.
Then came endurance training. They were given weighted clothing and drilled with high-speed movement exercises around the Lookout. Since Alex had already adapted to the weights Goku had given him, his new outfit was double the weight.
While Mr. Popo guided the physical training, Kami mostly observed. When he spoke, it was to clarify doubts and offer rare, deep insights.
And so, their training continued.
---
Six Months Later…
"It's been six months since we parted," Piccolo said, standing before Gohan in a wide field. "You've gotten a little better. Think you're ready for the next level of training?"
Gohan didn't respond. He simply dropped into a fighting stance.
"Good. With that attitude, you just might make it. Come at me with everything you've got!"
Gohan charged in, throwing punches and kicks. Piccolo dodged them easily and swatted Gohan away with a single arm.
"Try again."
Gohan sprang back up and attacked again. Piccolo vanished and reappeared behind him, knocking him to the ground with a kick.
"Keep your eyes on the enemy."
"But you disappeared! I couldn't see you!" Gohan complained, sitting on the ground.
"If you can't see the enemy, feel their energy," Piccolo said.
"That's a lot easier said than done," Gohan muttered as he got up. Piccolo immediately fired twin energy beams from his eyes, blasting Gohan to the ground.
"Next time you find time to whine, think about what you should do instead and do it."
And with that, their training resumed.
---
Back at the Lookout…
The Z Fighters continued their training under Kami and Mr. Popo. Today was sparring day.
Alex dodged Krillin's attack and jumped back only to be punched from the side by Tien. Unable to dodge, Alex blocked the blow with crossed arms, sliding back across the floor. Before he could recover, Yamcha rushed in from behind, but Alex swept his legs and followed up with a kick to the stomach, sending Yamcha flying.
As Yamcha struggled to stand, Chiaotzu aimed a finger at Alex and fired a Dodon Ray. Just when it seemed to hit, the energy beam passed through an afterimage. Alex reappeared behind Chiaotzu and struck him down with a crushing axe handle.
"Chiaotzu!" Tien shouted.
He and Krillin charged in. Tien reached Alex first and aimed a punch at his face, but Alex leaned to the side, barely dodging. He kneed Tien in the stomach and vanished, reappearing in front of Krillin with a kick to the face that sent him crashing.
Only one fighter remained Yajirobe, still munching on chips.
"We don't have to do this, you know," Yajirobe said seriously, squinting.
"What are you talking about? It's a sparring match, not a death battle," Alex replied.
"I guess I don't have a choice. Time to show you what you're up against."
Yajirobe charged. One second later, he was face-down on the floor.
---
After the sparring session, Kami and Mr. Popo gave each of them feedback.
Meanwhile, Alex approached Kami. "Hey, Kami. Can you tell me the location of the Saiyan Raditz?"
"I can," Kami said, narrowing his eyes. "But why?"
"Honestly... I feel like I've learned all I can here. Training's become routine. Sure, I'll still improve, but not enough. I need a new training partner."
"You believe he can help us fight the Saiyans?"
Alex shrugged. "You know the answer better than I do. you tell me."
"I've been watching him. He seems to have grown fond of a certain woman… But I don't know if that's enough," Kami said with a heavy tone.
"Well, I'll take my chances. If he refuses, then I'll deal with it. But for now, I need to try. So, where is he?"
Kami closed his eyes, then opened them. "I'll tell you."
"Thanks, Kami. I'll see you soon."
With that, Alex ran to the edge of the Lookout, leapt off, and flew into the horizon.
---
At the Alba Corporation
"Work hard, study well, and eat and sleep plenty."
Alex recalled Master Roshi's words. For the past week, he had been resting at the Alba Corporation, enjoying his time with Mellon. The two had officially started dating, and for once, life felt calm.
But now, Alex had made up his mind it was time to confront Raditz.
"Hey Alex, can I come with you? I'm bored here," Mellon said as he prepared to leave.
"You know it's better to be bored and living here than to face an exciting death out there," Alex replied.
"But you'll be there too," Mellon said as if it were obvious.
"Don't be stupid, Mellon. I don't want you getting in my way and distracting me," Alex said as he lifted off the ground.
"I'm not stupid! I'm not some damsel who runs into the middle of a fight after everyone tells her not to. I'm not done get down here!" Mellon shouted.
"Bye, Mellon. I'll be sure to call you from time to time," Alex said with a grin, ignoring her protests as he vanished into the sky.
---
At the Cave
Raditz was out hunting, a routine he had gotten used to. Alex landed near the cave, where blue-haired Launch was hanging clothes on a line strung between two trees.
"Hello," Alex greeted as he walked up.
Launch turned, slightly startled. "Hi... Do I know you?"
"I'm Alex. I'm here to see Raditz," he said.
"Oh? Are you a friend of his? I'm sorry, Raditz is out hunting right now over that way." She pointed toward a mountain ridge.
"Thanks. I didn't catch your name, by the way," Alex added.
"You can call me Launch. Nice to meet you."
"Launch? You're the Launch?" Alex blinked, taken aback. He'd known Raditz was living with someone, but hadn't expected her.
"Do you know me?" she asked.
"Yeah, actually. I've heard a lot about you from Master Roshi and Krillin."
"Ah, so you're Roshi's new student. I see. Why don't you come in? I'll make you some tea," she offered kindly.
"I appreciate it, but I'll have to pass for now. Thanks, though," Alex said with a polite nod, then took off in search of Raditz.
---
Deep in the Forest
Thanks to his training with Kami, sensing ki was second nature now. It didn't take him long to find Raditz, who was currently chasing a dinosaur through the trees.
Before Raditz could strike, Alex dropped in front of him.
"Hey Raditz. How've you been?"
Raditz stopped. "You… What are you doing here? Got tired of living and decided to throw your life away?"
"I'm not here to die. I'm here to talk. But I know you won't listen unless I beat some sense into you so let's do this."
"Hahaha!" Raditz burst into laughter, but the humor faded from his face in an instant.
"There won't be anyone to save you this time. I'll show you what a real Saiyan is."