The sudden appearance of Raditz and Trunks above the Lookout immediately drew attention from its residents.
When Dende and Cargo spotted Raditz, they hurried over with warm greetings. Both Guardians had grown notably calmer since assuming their divine responsibilities, as if maturing from children into adults overnight. Perhaps the previous Guardian's passing had inspired them to embrace the weighty responsibilities of protecting Earth with newfound maturity.
Mr. Popo followed with his characteristic gentle smile. Since the two young Guardians had taken office, he had devoted himself completely to providing guidance and support for their transition into divine service.
"Mr. Raditz! Mr. Trunks! What brings you here today?"
"We've come for intensive training, and I'm afraid we'll need to impose on your hospitality for some time," Raditz replied with a respectful smile. "I'd like to use the Hyperbolic Time Chamber."
Naturally, Dende and Mr. Popo had no objections to this request. The Saiyans had saved Earth countless times—access to the Time Chamber was hardly worth questioning. Beyond that, Raditz held the rank of Apprentice Supreme Kai, his divine status far exceeding that of Earth's Guardians. There was no reason to refuse a higher deity's request.
"The Hyperbolic Time Chamber?!" Trunks exclaimed in surprise, shaking his head with concern. "But everyone can only enter for forty-eight hours maximum, and I've already..."
He had suspected from the beginning that intensive training would involve the Time Chamber, but the established rules were absolute. Exceed the time limit, and you'd be permanently trapped inside. Raditz himself had explained this restriction previously.
But Raditz smiled with knowing confidence. "That was the old limitation—things are different now. As long as I'm present, the Time Chamber can be used for extended periods."
"Fundamentally, the time restriction exists because of spacetime energy limitations. Connecting two dimensions with different temporal flow rates requires tremendous energy—each person's natural reserves can typically sustain the passage for only two days. Exceed that threshold, and the dimensional gateway closes permanently. However, when someone reaches sufficient power levels, this rule becomes irrelevant."
"Is that really possible?" Everyone stared in amazement.
Even Mr. Popo looked bewildered, his dark eyes wide with confusion at this revelation.
After achieving the Mystic state, the Time Chamber's restrictions meant nothing to Raditz. Even if the passage sealed itself, he could use his dimensional abilities to tear open another gateway entirely.
"Mr. Popo, please make preparations. Trunks and I will be entering the Time Chamber together."
"Of course! I'll gather everything immediately."
Mr. Popo quickly retreated into the inner chambers to collect spare clothing and provisions for their extended training session.
Shortly afterward, Raditz and Trunks stepped through the portal into the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. The familiar sensations rushed over them immediately—the oppressive atmosphere, endless white void, and profound silence that seemed to isolate them from the entire universe.
"Starting today, you'll need to prepare yourself for intense hardship. Making significant progress beyond Super Saiyan 2 requires tremendous dedication and effort. If you can endure the training regimen, you'll emerge from this chamber with dramatically increased power."
"Yes, sir!" Trunks responded with fierce determination.
Raditz recalled his three grueling years of training with Vados in the God of Destruction's realm. Every single day had tested his limits, but that suffering had forged his current strength. No matter how exceptional the raw material, it required intensive refinement to become a masterwork. If Trunks could persevere through similar hardships, he would undoubtedly achieve remarkable breakthroughs.
With an abundant supply of senzu beans available, they could train without holding back. Raditz smiled grimly.
"Trunks, true combat mastery can only be developed through actual fighting. Starting today, we'll dedicate more than half our training time to intensive sparring, using the remainder to analyze techniques and optimize energy efficiency."
After assigning their training schedule, Raditz took only a brief rest before beginning the rigorous program. Trunks approached the challenge with unwavering dedication, never relaxing despite Raditz's demanding requirements. He gritted his teeth through complete exhaustion and even lost consciousness several times from the intensity.
Each senzu bean recovery brought noticeable improvement in Trunks's strength and refined his energy control techniques.
While training his student, Raditz also pursued his own development. The battles against Broly and Mira had provided valuable insights that he could now properly digest and integrate into his fighting style.
"Trunks, your ki perception remains insufficient. You must react instantly to energy fluctuations, or you'll never match my combat speed." Raditz delivered a sharp strike to Trunks's back to emphasize the point.
Trunks stumbled forward repeatedly, staggering several steps before barely regaining his balance. But Raditz had already repositioned for the next attack.
Another devastating blow sent him flying before he could react. Improving energy perception required detecting opponents' movements more accurately, but this demanded extensive practice—there were no shortcuts to mastery.
Which meant enduring countless beatings until his instincts sharpened!
"Focus your mind!" Raditz launched a ki blast to punish his student's wandering attention.
"Right!" Trunks rolled aside to avoid the bombardment while responding loudly. Rather than complaining internally, he felt frustrated by his slow progress.
Both warriors operated at Super Saiyan 2 level—theoretically equal strength—yet Trunks clearly sensed that Raditz's aura completely overshadowed his own. They weren't even competing in the same league. Every exchange, whether testing raw power or speed, resulted in Raditz maintaining absolute advantage.
Perhaps this represented the pinnacle Super Saiyan 2 state that Raditz intended to teach him? Trunks clenched his fists and assumed a ready stance, his determined eyes blazing with renewed resolve.
"Here I come again!" Raditz charged forward once more.
Trunks panted heavily as sweat poured down his face like rain, the moisture instantly evaporating in his golden flames. Though exhausted, he couldn't afford to stop. Each training session pushed him beyond his absolute limits, resulting in measurable improvement every time.
As Raditz attacked again, every pore on Trunks's body opened in heightened awareness. Energy... sense the energy! Coming from the front! He threw a punch forward, but while attacking, continued monitoring the surrounding energy patterns. No! That's wrong! The frontal assault is a feint—the real attack comes from behind!
The moment he realized this, Trunks spun around and swung his fist in a desperate cross-counter!
A crisp impact echoed through the vast white void as Trunks struck his target precisely. Raditz had stopped his momentum at the crucial instant, blocking the counterattack with perfect timing.
"Excellent! That's exactly right." Raditz couldn't help but offer genuine praise.
"Heh." Trunks flashed a satisfied smile, feeling slightly embarrassed by the compliment.
But immediately afterward, Raditz's expression turned deadly serious. "Now let's test your power!" He shifted from defense to overwhelming offense, layers of crushing pressure bearing down as tremendous force numbed Trunks's arm and instantly eliminated his ability to fight back.
A figure went flying backward as surging energy filled the entire dimensional space.
The training would continue indefinitely...