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Slowly rising from the bed, Harry lifted his hand and gathered his ki into his palm.
A pale white energy shimmered there, its shape shifting slightly under his control.
It didn't have any real destructive power yet—but it showed how much finer his control over his own ki had become.
"Not to the point of doing whatever I want with it," he muttered, "but after a couple days of practice, my understanding of ki has really leveled up. The more I use it, the more natural it feels—like my body's remembering it on its own. I can feel the energy flowing through me, strengthening my muscles, meridians, even my organs."
As he spoke, Harry moved his hands in slow circles, almost like a martial artist practicing some ancient cultivation technique.
And funny enough, it actually worked. The flow of energy inside him felt smoother—like still water suddenly stirred into motion.
"Not bad… my strength's definitely climbing since I broke through that bottleneck. I'd say my power level's hit around eleven hundred now—maybe even higher."
Curious, he reached for his scouter. Making sure to keep his ki contained so it wouldn't leak out, he checked the number.
1150.
A satisfied smile spread across his face. "Looks like I'm on the right track. To make this much progress in just two days… before, that would've taken months. Guess it's true—pressure makes you stronger. We Saiyans really do grow when pushed to the limit."
After a few more seconds of quiet satisfaction, Harry consciously reined his energy back down. Not to 350 like before—now he could only suppress it to about 360.
The difference wasn't huge, but it was natural. Gradual, steady growth drew less attention—and was easier to hide—than a sudden leap.
Then a familiar presence brushed against his senses. He froze. "Hmm? That ki… Aunt Gine?"
He extended his awareness a bit further—and caught another, stronger signature.
Raditz was home too.
Just as he registered that thought, a knock knock knock! echoed from the door, followed by Gine's gentle voice:
"Harry, time to eat!"
He hurried to open the door, smiling apologetically. "Sorry, Aunt Gine. I didn't sleep well last night and ended up resting all day—I didn't realize it was this late."
Gine smiled knowingly. "I figured as much. I bet you were up half the night waiting for Bardock to come home, weren't you? Our little Harry's growing up—got his own worries now."
That made him a little embarrassed. "N-no way! You're overthinking it, Aunt Gine."
She laughed softly, eyes crinkling. "Alright, alright, I'll stop teasing. Oh, by the way, Raditz just got back too. You two haven't seen each other in a while—he's dying to know how much stronger you've gotten."
Her tone was bright and full of warmth. Her husband was back, her eldest son was home, and the house was lively again. To her, Harry was practically family anyway—half a son in all but blood.
"Raditz, huh? I'm curious myself," Harry replied lightly as they walked toward the next room. "Last time I saw him, his power level was already at five hundred. After training with Prince Vegeta's squad for a few months, I bet he's grown a lot."
They chatted casually as they entered the living area.
Meanwhile, Raditz was standing beside Kakarot's incubation pod, pacing around it as he stared at his little brother floating inside.
It wasn't his first time seeing him, but being gone for two or three months made the moment feel fresh again.
"Still so tiny, huh, Kakarot? When are you gonna grow up?" he murmured with a helpless chuckle. "And your power level's the same as before—just two. Not even a flicker of change."
He couldn't help feeling a little disappointed.
But then he shook his head. That didn't matter.
So what if his brother was weak? Raditz was the older one. He'd protect him no matter what. If Kakarot couldn't become a fighter, he'd just take a supporting role—Raditz would handle the rest.
Right now, he wasn't the bitter, twisted man he'd become years later. His family was whole, his heart was steady, and Bardock's lessons on responsibility still echoed strong within him.
"Grow fast, little brother," Raditz whispered softly, pressing a hand against the glass. "No matter what happens in the future, your big brother will always protect you."
Maybe it was coincidence—or maybe something deeper—but the baby inside the pod stirred.
Kakarot's tiny body twitched… and then, slowly, his eyes opened.
For a heartbeat, the two brothers locked eyes.
Raditz's face lit up. "He opened his eyes! He really opened his eyes!"
His shout drew everyone nearby. Bardock, Gine, and Harry rushed in, surprised.
Bardock and Gine beamed with pride, thrilled at both their sons—one protective, one newly awakened. Harry, standing off to the side, couldn't help thinking to himself how different this version of Raditz was from the one history remembered.
The pure-hearted older brother, full of warmth and a sense of duty—it was hard to imagine what kind of world could twist that into arrogance and cruelty later on.
When Kakarot soon drifted back to sleep, the group quietly left the room.
At dinner, the atmosphere was lively.
"Looks like traveling with Prince Vegeta's team really did you good," Bardock said, smiling proudly from the head of the table. His earlier worries—of Raditz being spoiled by the elite class—were gone now.
"Heh, well, of course," Raditz said with a grin. "Kakarot's my little brother. Taking care of him is only natural, right, Dad?"
It wasn't an act—he meant it.
Bardock nodded approvingly, and Gine's eyes shone with joy.
Even with their huge power gap, the brothers got along. No arrogance, no resentment—just family.
"You know," Harry said with a teasing smile, "you actually surprised me, Raditz. I thought you'd come back all cocky and full of yourself."
Raditz clicked his tongue. "Tch, you talk like you're some kind of grown-up. Why do I have to turn out the way you expect, huh?"
"..."
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