Yajirobe was snoring loudly in his darkened room, blissfully unaware of the world around him. Suddenly, the door creaked open, letting a sliver of harsh light spill into the room.
The rotund warrior groaned and rolled over, using his pillow to shield his eyes from the intrusive light.
"Hey, tummy! It's time to go!" came a harsh voice, cutting through.
Yajirobe didn't move, hoping the intruder would go away. It took him a moment to recognize the voice, and when he did, he nearly wet himself.
Desperate to avoid confrontation, he pretended not to hear anything.
But then he heard the unmistakable sound of a ki blast charging up.
With a terrified yell, Yajirobe leaped from his bed just as it exploded into a pile of ashes.
Vegeta stood in the doorway, a menacing smirk on his face. "Come with me. It's time we put your skills to the test."
Yajirobe looked confused. "What skills? I don't have any skills."
Vegeta's eyes narrowed. "Don't act so ignorant! You know exactly what skills I'm talking about!"
"You mean... Ragon-smelling skills? Haha! That was a joke, you idiot!"
Vegeta's expression darkened as he lifted his palm, forming a tiny, threatening ball of energy. "In that case, I suppose I don't need you..."
Yajirobe quickly raised his hands in surrender. "Wait! Wait! Of course, I can smell Ragon! I was just trying to trick you into believing otherwise!"
Vegeta's smirk returned as he let the energy ball dissipate. "That's better. Actually, you just reminded me of something Nappa used to say."
"What?"
"That tricks are for kids."
...
Vegeta and Yajirobe were currently navigating the bustling corridor of the massive building. Scientists and soldiers hustled past them, engaged in their own activities.
"Hey, Saiyan," Yajirobe said, breaking the silence.
Vegeta didn't slow his pace. "What is it?"
"Nice armor."
"Humph."
"Can I get one too?"
"No."
Yajirobe crossed his arms, muttering under his breath.
"I heard that," Vegeta snapped, his eyes flashing dangerously.
Yajirobe nearly jumped out of his skin. 'Geez, does he have super hearing too?'
Vegeta smirked inwardly. Putting this fool in his place was going to be entertaining.
They soon emerged from the building into a large open hangar. Before them stood two spacepods, with Brob and Crab performing last-minute checks.
"Are they ready?" Vegeta asked, his tone demanding.
"Yes, they are, Prince Vegeta," replied Crab. "By the way, prince, where's Nappa?"
"He's dead," Vegeta said flatly.
Both Crab and Brob froze, stunned into silence. They exchanged uneasy glances but wisely chose not to ask further questions.
Vegeta strode towards his spacepod, only to notice Yajirobe lagging behind, staring at the pod with a mix of dread and suspicion.
"Where are we headed to?" the rotund warrior asked.
Vegeta's patience was wearing thin. "Get inside your pod, or I'll kick you in!"
"Easy, easy," Yajirobe said, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he clambered into his pod with all the grace of a beached whale.
The two settled into their pods and sealed the doors. With a powerful hum, the spacepods launched, rocketing into the black void of space.
Brob and Crab watched them depart.
Crab stroked his chin thoughtfully. "I wonder...did Nappa die from an adverse reaction to that hair-growing cream?"
Brob sighed and face-palmed.
...
Vegeta pressed a button on his remote. Following it, his and Yajirobe's pods filled with a sedative gas.
The prince wasn't really sure about the 'Ragon-smelling skills' of Yajirobe. Still, after what he had seen on his visit to Earth..healing beans, the vast jump in powerlevels in one year..and what not..he didn't put it past the fat man to actually have Ragon-smelling powers.
Whatever the case, he would find out soon. They were currently headed to the planet he and Nappa had visited on their way to Earth. It would take them eight months to get there.
Soon, the sedative gas began to take its effect and the prince drifted off to a deep sleep.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2 months later... (Three months post the fight on Earth)...
King Gai's planet
The blue master was reading a newspaper as always (don't ask me how he gets one) when a familiar spaceship landed in front of him.
King Gai jumped to his feet with a wide grin. This was Goku's ship!
Bubbles, the monkey, was hopping with joy as well.
However, much to their surprise, a certain green-skinned fighter stepped out.
King Gai's jaw dropped. Was this Piccolo? But how could he still be so young after all those years? Or was it another Namekian?
Piccolo stepped out of the spaceship, his eyes scanning the surroundings. Memories of his father, the Demon King Piccolo, filled his mind. He could feel his father's will pushing him forward. Piccolo's determination to avenge his father had driven him to this place, where Goku had trained for the Saiyans and gained immense power. His secret motive was to surpass Goku, defeat him, and ultimately destroy him.
He approached King Gai, his thoughts racing. He needed this training, but he couldn't reveal his true intentions. He had to play it smart.
Piccolo grinned as he saw the blue master. "So you are King Gai.."
King Gai looked serious. "So, you know me. What brings you here, stranger?"
Piccolo frowned, maintaining his confident demeanor. "I have come here to train. I want you to train me to become stronger than Goku was when he trained here."
Gregory, the cricket, had arrived as well. "King Gai doesn't train for free, you know."
Piccolo ignored him, focusing on King Gai. He couldn't afford any distractions.
King Gai looked on solemnly. "Actually, if you don't have anything to pay me, I may still train you... but on one condition."
Gregory looked shocked. "You can't be serious, King Gai!"
Piccolo narrowed his eyes, his thoughts racing. What kind of condition could this be? He couldn't let anything stop him now. "What is that condition?"
King Gai smirked as his sunglasses sparkled. "You have to make me laugh."
Piccolo was shocked. "What?"
Bubbles, the monkey, was jumping in his place. "Haa-haa-oo-oo-ee-ee!"
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mount Paozu
Goku and Tien stood in front of each other. Both of the fighters had completely healed and had decided to keep up with their training, in case the Saiyan Vegeta ever decided to return.
Tien was thankful to Goku for allowing him to stay in his house. As much as he would have despised the idea some years ago, training with Goku was a much better option than training all by himself.
With a yell, both the fighters dashed towards each other and began to rapidly trade blows.
Tien was finding it hard to get through Goku's defenses even though the Saiyan was clearly holding back.
Goku was rapidly dodging and blocking. He was impressed by how much Tien had improved since the last time he fought him. Finally, Goku ended their minor scuffle by elbowing Tien on the chest, sending him back.
Tien was panting. The three-eyed fighter bent forward and concentrated. Soon a pair of extra-arms sprouted from his back. He smirked as he looked at his opponent. "It's time for round two."
Goku smirked. "Sure."
. . .
Ox King was watching at the battle from the window. "Wow. Look at the both of them go." The sound of their attacks colliding could be heard all the way inside the house.
Chichi was currently preparing lunch. "Good old Goku. Always itching to have a fight."
Chichi had been really upset when Khami messaged her that it may take almost 16 months for Gohan to get back. She had been able to see him for barely a couple of weeks, and here he was again out of her sight for another year.
Still, she had no way out of this except for having patience. She remembered a verse of scripture she had come across: And verily God is with the patient...
Meanwhile, Ox king chuckled as he watched Goku and Tien trade blows. The next generation had got so ahead of them. It was amazing for him.
"Here, daughter," he said. "Bring me some of those vegetables so I can cut them for you."
"Thanks dad."
. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .
Meanwhile, on King Gai's planet...
Piccolo stood against a tree, his gaze fixed on the ground as he wrestled with his frustration. He had come here driven by a singular, burning goal. The notion of having to make King Gai laugh felt utterly absurd compared to the seriousness of his mission. Yet, the reality of the situation demanded this strange form of submission, and Piccolo's mind churned with thoughts of how he might accomplish it.
King Gai stood with his hands behind his back, his patience evident. "I am waiting..."
Piccolo clenched his fists, trying to maintain his composure. His pride and his purpose felt at odds with this ludicrous requirement. He suddenly remembered something from his past—an incident involving a video game he had seen some Earth children playing. As a child, he had watched them with disdain and, in a fit of irritation, used his eye lasers to destroy their game screen, causing them to flee in terror. The memory was bittersweet but also a potential key to his current dilemma.
Piccolo sighed, reluctantly turning to face King Gai. With a forced grin, he said, "Do you know of a video game called Mario?"
King Gai raised an eyebrow, nodding. "Yup. I have played it."
Piccolo's internal struggle intensified. How had King Gai managed to access such an Earth game on this remote planet? It seemed almost absurd, but desperation drove him. He needed to make King Gai laugh, and if it meant dredging up an old memory for a half-hearted joke, so be it.
"Don't I look like a Yoshi?"
King Gai peered at him through his sunglasses, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. For a moment, he was silent. Then, unexpectedly, he burst out laughing.
Piccolo felt a surge of conflicting emotions. Part of him was relieved that he had succeeded, but another part was seething with irritation. He had just compromised his dignity for this ridiculous request. "Now that I have fulfilled your condition, it's time you begin to train me!" he declared with authority.
King Gai, regaining his composure, nodded with a smile. "Bubbles!"
The monkey, who had been watching quietly, bounded over to his master's side.
"First we will see if you can catch Bubbles," King Gai said, nodding toward the monkey. "Run away, Bubbles!"
Piccolo's teeth clenched in frustration as he saw the monkey dart off. His patience was wearing thin. He felt the weight of his mission pressing down on him, and here this supposed master was making a joke out of it.
King Gai, noticing Piccolo's reluctance, raised an eyebrow. "Huh? Why are you still standing?"
Piccolo's anger flared. "I don't have time for this... monkey business."
King Gai laughed again, finding amusement in Piccolo's irritation.
For Piccolo, the situation was infuriating. Still, he hoped the end would justify the means.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .
Gohan, Krillin, and Yamcha darted across the spaceship, their forms streaking through the air as they practiced their maneuvers. Their energies were carefully suppressed to avoid any accidental damage to the vessel. Their movements were a blur of speed and precision, colliding and separating with practiced skill.
Mr. Popo, seated comfortably in a chair, observed their efforts with a critical eye. "Amateurs..." he muttered under his breath, his tone tinged with both amusement and disdain.
The intense training session came to a brief halt when Krillin was sent sprawling to the ground, rubbing his cheek with a mix of surprise and admiration. "Wow, Gohan," he said, his voice reflecting his respect for the younger fighter's skill.
Yamcha, who had also been knocked down, winced as he rubbed the side of his abdomen. Despite his discomfort, a smirk of approval crossed his face. "That was impressive, Gohan. Keep this up, and you might just catch up to me someday."
Krillin scoffed, shaking his head. "Catch up? Gohan's already more than a match for us. It's hard not to feel a twinge of jealousy." He marveled at the fact that Gohan's innate Saiyan heritage allowed him to achieve in months what it had taken him, Yamcha, Tien, and even Goku years to develop. The boy's potential was staggering.
Krillin couldn't fathom how formidable Gohan would become as he matured. The strength and skill he exhibited at such a young age suggested he could surpass even the greatest warriors of their time.
Gohan, catching his breath, flashed a wide grin at Yamcha's praise. "Thanks!"
At that moment, Mr. Popo approached them, his presence commanding attention. "Do you really believe that training with your energies suppressed will help you get stronger? While it sharpens your skills and senses, it won't significantly increase your fighting power. If you truly want to enhance your abilities... follow me."
The three fighters exchanged puzzled looks, their curiosity piqued. They wondered what Mr. Popo had in mind.
The three complied, following Mr Popo as he led them through a coridoor of the spaceship. As the three stepped forward, a faint hum began to rise behind the door Mr. Popo had approached.
Whatever was coming next… wasn't meant for the weak.
To be continued...