"So the blood sacks are stuck with us for a year."
I chuckled at that. "And there it is." I looked at the others who were staring at me. "So… training."
"Right," Goku said, clenching his fist and holding it up to his face. "Its time we prepare for Raditz's return!"
Tien rubbed his chin. "Chiaotzu and I can head out and find a place where we can practice our moves. When you are ready, Kayos, you can find us and let us ask that scroll a few questions."
"And I guess I should begin researching that Temple of the Repentant Miser," Krillin said with a frown, kicking at the ground. "Now… where could that be."
"I expect all of you to be stronger by the time I see you again," Piccolo said coldly, glaring at all of his in equal measure. "If you expect me to be the one to save you all you're in for a painful surprise. I'm willing to save the Earth but if you fall to Raditz that's your fault."
"Oh, don't worry!" Goku exclaimed happily. "We'll all make sure we are ready for him!"
"So, we meet back in a year!" Bulma chirped.
"RIGHT!" the Z Warrirors declared, all tensing and ready to fly-
"Hold up!" Chichi called out, grabbing onto Goku's arm with one hand and Krillin's in another. "…why are you all going your separate ways?"
"Uh… to train, Chichi," Goku said, confused.
"Yeah," Krillin echoed. "I need to find that temple."
"Right and it makes sense for you to fly off when you KNOW where it is… but why go racing off now?" She looked at the others. "And why are all of you leaving?"
"To… train," Tien repeated slowly.
Chichi's eye twitched. "I get that but why aren't you training TOGETHER!?"
The Z Fighters all stared at her in confusion and Chichi let out a weary sigh.
"Okay… so Goku and Piccolo… you two are roughly at the same level of power and strength, right?"
Piccolo frowned at that. "I'd say I'm far stronger than him-"
"NOW IS NOT THE TIME FOR BOASTING!" Chichi screamed, getting right in the Demon King's face. Piccolo leaned back, eyes wide in shock and, I had to admit, a bit of fear. Not that I blamed him. Chichi might not have been a saiyan and might have gone to rust a bit when it came to her fighting (she had complained rather loudly on our trip to Capsule Corp about being out of shape and needing to get exercising again; I didn't know if she noticed how Goku lit up at that but she'd realize soon enough that not training was the biggest mistake she'd ever made) but she still had the fires of a warrior in her. "Now then… Goku and Piccolo are roughly at the same level in terms of ability and power. So doesn't it make more sense for you two to training TOGETHER?"
"What?!" Piccolo cried out. "Train with him!?"
Goku though considered that, tapping his chin with his index finger. "Actually, that isn't a bad idea. I bet there is a ton I could learn from you, Piccolo! And you from me."
"Like his moves if you decide to finally settle things," I whispered to Piccolo, having moved to stand near him as Chichi scolded the Namekian.
That gave Piccolo pause and he began to mull over Chichi's suggestion. "I… suppose there is merits to that."
"And Tien, Krillin, and Chiaotzu, the same applies to you three," Chichi commented. "You can work together to strengthen yourself. Maybe even have 3 on 1 fights with Goku or Piccolo." She smiled. "Unless you don't think you can manage."
'Oh, she and I need to spend some time together!' I thought with glee, watching as Chichi pressed just the right buttons to rile the Z Warriors up.
"We can manage just fine!" Krillin declared. "And when I find that new technique I'll have to move up to work with Goku and Piccolo!"
"Only because I'll surpass them," Tien said firmly, Chiaotzu nodding in agreement.
Chichi turned to Bulma. "And if you come with all of us then you can come up with new ways to help these boys train."
Bulma nodded, having realized a good idea when she saw one. "Yeah… knowing them they'd just keep punching and kicking each other. I can make machines that can push them even further."
I took my chance to chime in. "It also will offer us all some protection. Raditz will honor the deal most likely but who knows what else is lurking out there. Plenty of old enemies that would enjoy taking you guys down and if you are all alone and get injured that could slow things down."
Krillin gulped at that. "Yeah… not feeling like meeting Yamcha so soon!"
"And," Isco stated, "considering that only Kayos here can read the Scroll-"
'So the little bugger caught that… heh, good for him.'
"-You will need him around to answer questions. And rather than us traveling about finding you all it will be easier if we all stick together."
"Exactly," Chichi said with a smile. "All of us. Master Roshi can make sure you boys don't forget the fundamentals and I'll make sure-"
"Wait, you are coming too?" Master Roshi exclaimed.
"Of course I am," Chichi stated. "I might have dedicated myself to being a wife and mother but I DID fight in the last Tournament… I know how to hold my own. And I can make sure none of you push yourself too far." She narrowed her eyes. "Is that going to be a problem?"
"Well… heheh… not at all," Roshi said nervously.
"Well I think its great!" Goku declared. "It will be nice for all of us to be together!" He wrapped an arm around Chichi and her glower at Roshi turned into a soft smile. "So… when do we get started?"
"I think that all depends on Bulma," I chimed in.
"Me?" the young woman asked.
"Yeah. Capsule Corp must have some land sitting around not doing much. Maybe a research facility?"
Bulma considered that. "Hmmm… I'd have to ask my dad but there were a few large islands that we had set up some stations on to do testing. I could find one that doesn't have a ton of wildlife so we wouldn't have to worry about causing too much damage-"
"Or ones with a lot of vicious wildlife to test ourselves again," Tien asked.
Krillin's eyes went wide at that suggestion. "Uh… I don't know about that…"
I watched as the gang began to discuss things, making plans and coming up with strategies.
'Well… you wanted to change things and now you have. Goku won't learn under King Kai so he's not going to have the Kaioken in his backpocket. Chichi being with us is a plus but it also might hurt Gohan's growth. Krillin and Tien hopefully will get stronger but Bulma and Master Roshi might end up in the crosshairs.' I shook my head. 'Yeah… you've changed things. The only question is will it lead to better things… or worse.'