The winds of the Lookout carried the lingering weight of what had just happened.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on the spot where Vegeta had walked away, his pride shattered, his rage unspoken.
Bulma crossed her arms and exhaled sharply.
"Humph… Vegeta is just too stubborn sometimes!"
Her voice broke the silence, laced with frustration but also with a hidden trace of worry.
Goku chuckled lightly, scratching the back of his head as his golden aura faded.
"Looks like Vegeta got more than just one shock today."
The atmosphere shifted slightly with Goku's words, but the tension never left.
---
Piccolo's voice cut through, sharp and demanding.
His eyes narrowed at the mysterious Saiyan standing calmly before them.
"And if even Goku's Super Saiyan 2 form wasn't enough to defeat Cooler… then how exactly did you manage to kill him?"
The question drew everyone's attention immediately. Krillin, Yamcha, and Tien leaned closer, waiting. Even Bulma's frustration was momentarily forgotten.
The young Saiyan—still calm, his posture steady—turned to Piccolo. His gaze was unwavering.
"Well…" he began. His tone was matter-of-fact, carrying no arrogance, only truth.
"I mastered the Super Saiyan form. That's the difference. Goku, at the time, hadn't even mastered Super Saiyan 1. So even when he pushed himself further into Super Saiyan 2, he still couldn't defeat Cooler."
The words landed like thunder.
Goku blinked, surprise flashing across his face.
"What? You… mastered Super Saiyan?"
The boy nodded without hesitation.
"Yes. Once you master the form, it no longer drains you the way it normally does. The power becomes natural, stable. And with that stability… even an enemy as strong as Cooler can be defeated."
---
Goku's eyes lit up with excitement, almost childlike curiosity sparkling in his voice.
"Hah! That's amazing! I actually wanted to ask you… how did you do it? How did you master Super Saiyan?"
The boy's expression remained serious, his words clear and precise.
"The best way is simple. Keep the transformation active for twenty-four hours. If you can't maintain it even for one hour, then it just means you need more training. You have to make the form second nature, as natural as breathing."
Goku's jaw dropped slightly.
"Woah… so that's the trick, huh? Heh, that's a really good idea!"
His excitement grew, his fists tightening with anticipation. The thought of mastering Super Saiyan thrilled him.
---
Krillin, however, felt a heavy weight settle over him. His shoulders sagged, and his voice came out strained.
"Goku… just how strong are you planning to get? Compared to you, I'm thousands of times weaker… I can't even imagine reaching that level…"
His words trembled with discouragement, and for a moment, silence followed.
Then Goku's expression softened. He stepped forward, smiling warmly at his old friend.
"Don't say that, Krillin! Look at Rudra. His power level is way lower than yours, but even then, he's able to stand up against strong opponents. Strength isn't just about power levels—it's about spirit and training. If you keep pushing yourself, I'm sure one day you'll be just as strong as me!"
Krillin blinked at him, taken aback. His lips curled into a weak but genuine smile.
"Goku…"
Rudra stood quietly, observing, but inside he felt a rush of warmth at Goku's words. Goku's unshakable faith in his friends… it was one of the things that made him so different.
---
Just then, Goku suddenly snapped his fingers, his eyes widening as something came to mind.
"Oh yeah! Speaking of strength…"
He turned toward the mysterious Saiyan, his expression curious but serious now.
"You. Where did you come from? And how did you become this strong?"
The question hung in the air like a blade.
Everyone's eyes turned to the young man. Piccolo's suspicion sharpened, Krillin's curiosity burned, and Bulma's heart raced.
The boy's calm expression did not falter. He simply shook his head.
"I can't tell you that. Not now."
Gasps rippled across the group.
"But," he continued, his voice firm, "I promise you this. Exactly Three year from now, I will tell you everything. All of it. My name, where I came from, and why I'm here. You'll know the full truth."
The Lookout fell silent again, the weight of his promise sinking deep.
---
Goku tilted his head, puzzled but trusting.
"Three year, huh? Well… I guess I can wait. But you'll really tell us everything then?"
The boy nodded without hesitation.
"Yes. That's my word."
But then his gaze sharpened, his calm voice carrying urgency.
"However… there is something I must tell you now. The reason I came here in the first place. The warning I have for all of you."
The Lookout seemed to grow colder. Even the wind slowed, as if the world itself leaned in to listen.
Bulma's eyes widened, her voice trembling slightly.
"A… a warning? About what?"
The boy's expression turned grim.
"The future."
Rudra's heart skipped a beat. He clenched his fists at his sides. He knew exactly what was coming, but he kept his face neutral, pretending to be as confused as the others.
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