"So that's what you mean!" Son Goku's eyes lit up, and a grin spread across his face. "That's great! I'll start training right away and try to get used to fifty times gravity as soon as possible."
He clenched his fist in front of himself, then turned and walked to the center of the training room. He planted his feet apart, bent his knees slightly, and assumed a standing stance.
Soro nodded, then left the Gravity Training Room.
The metal door opened and closed. His footsteps echoed up the stairs, gradually fading into the distance.
Piccolo gritted his teeth and stood firm downstairs, his back slightly hunched and sweat beading on his forehead.
His legs were still trembling slightly, but his gaze remained determined.
He planned to stay and train with Son Goku.
"Piccolo, are you sure you want to stay?" Son Goku turned to ask, his gaze settling on Piccolo.
"Of course." Piccolo glanced at Son Goku, the corners of his mouth dipping slightly as he lifted his chin.
He lowered his hands from his chest to his sides and assumed the same standing stance.
When Soro reached the upper floor, he saw that Son Gohan had changed into a different outfit.
He and Krillin sat facing each other on the floor of the lounge, legs crossed and hands resting on their knees, eyes closed as they meditated and trained.
Their breathing was slow and deep, and fine beads of sweat had formed on both their foreheads.
A few minutes later.
"Huff, huff, huff..."
Krillin and Son Gohan opened their eyes at the same time and panted heavily, their chests heaving.
Sweat ran down Krillin's bald head, while Son Gohan's bangs were soaked and clung to his forehead.
Both were exhausted. They leaned forward slightly, bracing their hands against the floor.
"Gohan, you're amazing!" Krillin exclaimed, turning to look at Gohan with a hint of admiration. "With Saiyan blood and Piccolo's special training, you've improved so much faster than me."
"But Uncle Krillin knows so many special moves. I really admire you!" Son Gohan grinned, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and showed two rows of white teeth.
As they talked, they happened to turn their heads and noticed Soro had come upstairs. He was leaning against the wall by the stairwell, arms folded, watching them.
"Oh, Soro's here." Krillin greeted him with a smile and sat up straight. "We can't keep up with the training downstairs, so we're training up here."
"Do as you like." Soro nodded, walked over to the main control panel, and sat down. He propped his legs on the console and leaned back in his chair.
"By the way... Soro." Krillin rubbed his bald head, scratching his scalp with his fingers as he looked at Soro. "I've been wondering about something. Where did that guy named Vegeta go? Wasn't your Saiyan home planet destroyed a long time ago?"
"He probably went to one of the planets ruled by Frieza," Soro replied calmly, his gaze fixed on the ceiling.
"Frieza?" Krillin leaned forward slightly, looking curious. "Who's that?"
"An evil guy who calls himself the Emperor of the Universe." Soro sighed and shook his head.
"The Emperor of the Universe?" Krillin's mouth twitched, his pupils constricting slightly as an uneasy smile crossed his face. "So, is this guy really strong?"
"Yeah, he's definitely strong." Soro nodded, shifting his gaze from the ceiling to Krillin. "His power level is apparently over a hundred million."
Krillin's pupils shrank. His body froze, and his mouth fell open, his jaw nearly dropping.
"Y-you said what?" Krillin sprang up from the floor. He stumbled when he landed, his pale face filled with utter terror. "A power level over a hundred million?"
Son Gohan scrambled to his feet too, his little face pale and cold sweat running from his forehead down his temples.
His lips trembled, and he instinctively took a step back.
A power level of a hundred million?
Krillin and Son Gohan looked at each other and saw the same fear in each other's eyes.
"You're joking, right, Soro?" Krillin looked as if he were about to cry, his face as white as a sheet and his lips trembling. "You have to be joking, right?"
"I never joke!" Soro answered with a stern expression, looking Krillin directly in the eyes.
Krillin: "..."
Krillin's mouth twitched violently. He swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing.
Son Gohan: "..."
Son Gohan clenched his little hands around his pant legs and opened his mouth, but couldn't say a word.
The two stared at each other for several seconds, their gazes meeting before they both looked away.
Their lips moved, then closed again.
Terrifying!
Absolutely terrifying!
With a power level that high, was he trying to defy the heavens?
"A power level of a hundred million..." Krillin's mouth twitched, and his voice came out dry, as if he were talking to himself. "My power level isn't even ten thousand, is it? Could he kill me just by farting?"
"More or less," Soro said with a nod.
Krillin didn't want to talk anymore.
He lowered his head, braced his hands on his knees, and stared at the patterns on the floor.
Could you at least not be so blunt?
You could've comforted me a little.
"Is this Emperor of the Universe named Frieza the big boss behind Vegeta?" Krillin looked up and asked.
"Not exactly." Soro shook his head and tapped the main control panel twice. "Back when Planet Vegeta still existed, the Saiyans were combatants in the Frieza Force. They were responsible for wiping out the people on planets, then selling those planets to other aliens at a high price."
"The Saiyans were truly evil!" Krillin sighed, hands on his hips. Then he suddenly realized what he'd said and hurriedly waved his hands with an awkward smile. "Soro, I didn't mean you. You're different from those Saiyans."
"The Saiyans were wiped out because of it." Soro sighed, his gaze growing distant as he looked out at the stars beyond the porthole.
Krillin stared blankly at Soro, his lips parting slightly.
Suddenly, he thought Soro's words sounded so noble!
"Soro, did you ever go on expeditions to other planets and attack their people?" Krillin asked cautiously, lowering his voice.
"The only planet I've ever been to is Atlantis Planet." Soro slowly shook his head, then turned his gaze back to Krillin. "That planet was basically my home. I got along well with the people there."
"You said last time..." Colin's interest was piqued. He rubbed his hands together, fingers brushing as he asked eagerly, "There are a hundred cat-eared beauties on that planet. Is that true?"
"Those hundred cat-eared beauties were the top hundred most beautiful people on the planet." Soro smiled, the corners of his mouth curling up. "I'd planned to get a few more, but I just didn't have the energy."
Krillin: "..."
Krillin's mouth twitched. His eyes widened, and his mouth opened, then closed again.
A hundred beauties!
An image appeared in his mind.
Soro surrounded by a hundred cat-eared beauties, their laughter and chatter filling the air.
What were you thinking?
Before you continue