The morning started the same as it had for weeks. A calm breeze, a warm sunrise, and the smell of Master Roshi's questionable breakfast drifting from the kitchen. I didn't feel like going out for bounty hunting today, so I stayed on the island.
After we finished eating, Goku walked up to me with that eager sparkle in his eyes.
"Raditz! Let's have a match! And don't you dare hold back—I can feel how strong you are!"
I raised an eyebrow. "Do you want me to go all out in strength, or all out in effort?"
He tilted his head. "What's the difference?"
"If I use my full strength, the fight ends too quickly and neither of us has fun. But if I match your power level and use my full effort, I'll fight seriously without overwhelming you."
Goku immediately pointed at me. "Then I wanna try the first one! I know there's always someone stronger… but I didn't think it'd be my big sister! I wanna get used to that feeling!"
I sighed, amused at how genuine he sounded. "Very well."
I released my full power in a sharp surge that rippled across the island. Goku's mouth fell open.
"W-Whoa… that's huge!"
Even I was surprised. Three thousand? I hadn't done anything special besides practice control and refine my movements. Yet my strength kept rising.
I suppressed my power back down to Goku's level.
"Remember," I warned him, "I'm matching your strength, not my skill. My technique stays the same."
"Got it!" Goku grinned, bouncing on his feet.
And the fight began.
Even at equal power, I had the advantage. My reach was longer, my body heavier, and my footing more stable. Goku was slightly faster—barely—but I could smother his momentum just by taking half a step in the right direction.
He tried tackling my left leg. I casually sidestepped and tagged him with a light kick that sent him tumbling across the sand.
"Ow!" he groaned, then laughed. "You're good!"
"You're creative," I admitted. "But creativity doesn't change physics."
Despite the unevenness, he was enjoying every second. His laughter made me loosen up too. After a while, we flopped down on the sand, breathing lightly from exertion.
Goku stared up at the sky. "I never thought I had family left alive… not after what I did to Grandpa Gohan." His voice dimmed. "I didn't know. I really didn't."
"You didn't do it on purpose."
I kept my tone firm but steady. "Your instincts took over because you didn't know how to control your Oozaru form. That's why we train—to make sure something like that never happens again."
He was quiet for a moment before looking at me. "So… where are we from? Where were you all this time?"
I told him the truth—about our homeworld. About planet Vegeta. About the Saiyan race.
"Our planet was destroyed," I explained. "A meteor wiped out most of our people. The survivors scattered across space. You and I… we're two of the last."
His eyes widened. "Are there others as strong as you?!"
"Stronger," I said plainly. "Many were stronger than me."
He sat up, fists clenched. "I wanna meet them!"
I snorted. "Then you'd better train. They won't even acknowledge you unless you're at least as strong as I am now. Good thing your training with Master Roshi starts tomorrow. First, build your strength. Everything else comes later."
We talked for hours—about our past, our people, our future. Goku soaked in every word.
Then something fast approached from the ocean.
A small boat.
Rowed by a bald child.
He paddled furiously, launched himself into the air, attempted a dramatic landing… and buried his head straight into the sand.
I burst out laughing. Goku pulled him out by the ankles while he coughed up sand.
Master Roshi stepped forward, resting his staff on his shoulder.
"This island's too small for real training," he said. "We're heading somewhere better. Your training starts tomorrow."
Goku practically vibrated with excitement. I'd never seen him smile so wide.
Another day. Another adventure waiting.