In the end, he could only let out a long sigh, filled with confusion, and returned silently to the depths of the Lookout with Mr. Popo.
The existence of Vitelli was like an unstoppable sword hanging over his head, leaving Kami, who had guarded the Earth for so long, unable to find peace.
But... at the very least, if his other half were to break the seal and attempt to rule the world again, it was now an impossibility.
This brought him a small measure of comfort.
In the backyard of Brief Manor in West City.
Vitelli was shirtless, his skin shimmering with a healthy glow under the sunlight as sweat trickled down his lean, muscular frame.
Vitelli was effortlessly holding up a massive alloy block, estimated to weigh over five tons, with one hand, performing squats as if it were a foam toy.
Every descent and rise carried a sense of powerful grace, while the specially reinforced alloy ground beneath his feet trembled slightly.
"Hoo..."
After finishing ten thousand squats, he set the alloy block down; the impact between the metal and the floor produced a dull thud and kicked up a spray of debris.
Vitelli wiped away the sparse sweat, looking at the metal that now felt light as a feather to him, and sighed helplessly.
Without the suppression of a Gravity Chamber, this level of conventional weight training had become negligible for him, now that his battle power was approaching one hundred thousand; it didn't even count as a warm-up.
He could feel that his growth in strength seemed to have hit a plateau.
His gaze drifted to another corner of the yard.
Dr. Brief was busy with several robots, surrounding a massive, partially formed metal capsule.
Various complex pipes and circuits connected to it emitted a faint humming sound. That was the Gravity Chamber currently under construction.
I hope the doctor can speed things up, Vitelli thought to himself.
He knew Dr. Brief had done his best, but limited by Earth's current technological level and his own constant urging, this prototype Gravity Chamber could only reach a maximum of three hundred times Earth's gravity.
But for his current stage, that was enough. After all, his battle power was still some distance from his expectations, and thirty times the gravity of Planet Vegeta would be enough for him to rediscover the pressure of training and the joy of progress.
Moreover, this was just a transitional piece; he was absolutely certain that the future Bulma would be able to build him a Gravity Chamber with even more powerful effects and advanced technology.
Thinking of this, his appreciation for the Brief family grew a little more.
Dr. Brief seemed to sense his gaze, looked up, and pushed his glasses, just in time to see Vitelli effortlessly setting down that terrifyingly huge rock.
He opened his mouth in shock, his wrench nearly slipping from his hand.
"Oh! My heavens! Vitelli, this... this is too exaggerated! That's a five-and-a-half-ton solid alloy block! What kind of alien boyfriend did Bulma bring home?"
Dr. Brief felt his proud scientific worldview being shaken once again, while simultaneously realizing that he was truly getting old, struggling to keep up with this rapidly advancing era.
"I'm home!"
A cheerful voice broke the busyness of the backyard.
Bulma, who should have been in class at the university, had returned at this hour!
She flew straight toward Vitelli, who was replenishing his energy, like a happy butterfly.
Vitelli's mouth was stuffed with food, his cheeks bulging, as he looked at the suddenly appearing Bulma in surprise:
"Ni... zhumo hui feili?"
Bulma lifted her chin proudly, hands on her hips:
"Hmph! With me on the job, what could possibly go wrong? I finished all the exams for this semester's courses ahead of schedule, and I've earned all my credits! The professors were all conquered by my genius! So, of course, I could come back early!"
Seeing his stuffed mouth and greasy corners of his lips, she felt both annoyed and amused, naturally pulling out a tissue to gently wipe him clean.
"And another thing, don't talk when you have food in your mouth! Honestly, you're just like a little kid..."
As she wiped, Bulma's gaze fell on Vitelli's handsome profile, watching his cheeks slightly puffed from the food and his focused chewing, and her heart skipped a beat.
She couldn't help but stand on her tiptoes and plant a quick kiss on his face.
"Mm?!"
Vitelli was stunned by the sudden ambush.
Bulma immediately changed the subject with a giggle:
"Are... are you full? You look like you haven't had enough. Do you want me to go back to the kitchen and make you some more?"
Vitelli looked at Bulma's generous and adorable demeanor, shaking his head to indicate it wasn't quite enough, then nodding, his eyes filled with anticipation for food.
"Hmph! Just wait!"
Bulma gave him a playful, coquettish glare, then hummed a tune in high spirits and walked briskly toward the kitchen.
Not far away, Dr. Brief, holding a glass of red wine, caught the eye of Mrs. Brief, who was sitting on a garden lounge chair watching the scene with a smile. Both saw relief and a hint of amusement in each other's eyes.
Mrs. Brief even waved at Vitelli from afar, pointing to the sumptuous food on the table to signal him not to be shy and to eat more.
These two old folks are really open-minded, Vitelli couldn't help but sigh. If this were back on Earth in his previous life, the girl's parents would have broken his legs.
Time flowed by rapidly in this warm, plain, and love-filled daily life.
Training, spending time with Bulma, having dinner with Dr. Brief and Mrs. Brief, and occasionally strolling through West City to properly experience life on Earth in the Dragon Ball world...
Vitelli had never imagined that he, having transmigrated into a Saiyan of the warrior race, could actually live such a peaceful and comfortable life.
Bulma's intelligence, passion, and occasional bouts of stubbornness were all things he found sweet and endearing.
The open-mindedness of Dr. Brief and his wife, and their unconditional acceptance of him as their alien son-in-law, also gave him a sense of warmth and belonging he had long been missing.
In such a comfortable environment, a year passed by as quietly as sand slipping through fingers.
Dr. Brief's Gravity Chamber had long been completed and put into operation.
Although it was only set to three hundred times Earth's gravity, the results were exceptional.
Vitelli poured almost all his energy into it, aside from time spent with Bulma and eating, constantly tempering his body and ki amidst high pressure and extreme conditions.
Bulma also kept her promise; when not busy with her studies, she began researching how to improve the Gravity Chamber, with the goal of breaking through to five hundred times gravity or even higher.
After a year of grueling training, Vitelli's combat power soared like a rocket!
Although there was no scouter for precise measurement, based on his control over his ki and his perception of his own physical strength, he conservatively estimated that his combat power had firmly broken through the one-million mark!
If he unleashed his full power, mobilizing every ounce of strength within his body, his combat power might approach or even exceed three million!
Three million combat power! While it required a burst of ki to reach, this was already sufficient as a foundation for transforming into a Super Saiyan. What he needed to do now was push himself to the limit so that his base combat power exceeded three million! Based on his experience from his past life, he was confident he could achieve the transformation naturally without relying on extreme rage!
He also knew that he had not truly experienced the cruel battles on the edge of life and death, and his power still lacked sufficient tempering and real-world testing, but he was already very satisfied with reaching this level.
After all, in the early stages of Dragon Ball, this was power enough to crush everything. If Frieza showed up, he would even dare to walk up and slap him a few times!
A peaceful life was certainly beautiful, but the Saiyan genes deep in his bones that craved battle and validation would occasionally stir.
And on Earth, there happened to be a stage where he could vent this desire a little—the World Martial Arts Tournament!
When Vitelli saw the advertisement on television and in the newspapers that the "21st World Martial Arts Tournament is about to open grandly," a thought filled with mischievous intent bubbled up uncontrollably.
"The World... Martial Arts Tournament?"
Vitelli rubbed his chin, looking at the martial artists on the poster striking various powerful poses, a playful smile curling the corner of his mouth.
"Perfect, my training has hit a bottleneck and I need some fresh, stimulating activity. Besides..."
A hint of nostalgia and a trace of imperceptible mockery flashed in his eyes.
"It's time to let these Earth martial artists see what true power is!"
When Bulma learned of his idea, she didn't stop him; instead, her eyes lit up with excitement:
"You're going to participate in the World Martial Arts Tournament? That's amazing, Vitelli! You're so strong, you'll definitely win the championship! I'll go to the venue to cheer for you personally! Let everyone see just how handsome my boyfriend is!"
She couldn't wait to see Vitelli shine on the ring.
Thus, with Vitelli's mischievous desire to "bully the kids" and Bulma's enthusiastic full support, a name was quietly added to the registration form for the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament—Vitelli.
(Don't ask how he registered; the answer is an app! Dragon Ball technology, kid!)
Chapter 10: The World Martial Arts Tournament!
Papaya Island near South City.
This usually quiet vacation island was now bustling with noise and excitement.
Huge "World Martial Arts Tournament" banners fluttered in the wind, and martial artists, fighting enthusiasts, and curious tourists from all over the world packed the iconic circular ring in the center of the island.
The air was thick with the scent of sweat, popcorn, and feverish anticipation. Countless faces were flushed with excitement, and the sounds of discussion, cheering, and vendors hawking their wares wove together into a boiling ocean, all speaking to the glory of this quadrennial martial arts extravaganza.
Near the crowded registration area, a small bald boy and a spiky-haired boy with a long tail stood out.
"Goku!"
Krillin tugged at his companion, who was wearing an orange martial arts uniform and carrying a Power Pole, his face filled with confidence and eagerness.
"That guy you mentioned who has a tail just like you... this Vitelli, is he really that strong? You have to remember, we went through hellish training with Master Roshi!"
He clenched his fists, showing off his much more refined muscles. "I feel like I'm terrifyingly strong right now!"
Son Goku scratched the back of his head, his clear, large eyes filled with uncertainty as he said, "Hmm... I don't know about now. But a year ago, he was really fast. I didn't even see him move before he subdued me; I couldn't move my body at all, and then I lost."
He recalled that previous experience of having no resistance, a look of bewilderment still lingering on his young face.
"Ha! That must be because you were too weak back then!"
Krillin's confidence exploded the moment he heard that. He proudly put his hands on his hips and laughed, "It's different now! We are Master Roshi's prized disciples! After all this devilish training, my strength is incredible! If that Vitelli dares to show up, I'll knock his teeth out!"
He grinned, revealing a confident smile that said, "I am invincible."
"Oh."
Goku nodded blankly. He was always very direct when comparing strength, and he felt that if Krillin really fought Vitelli... he might lose quite miserably.
But before he could say anything more, a long, powerful hand with distinct knuckles reached out from the side like a ghost, without any warning, and precisely pinched his chubby cheeks, maliciously pulling them to both sides.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch—it hurts, it hurts!"
Caught off guard, Goku was in so much pain that tears almost welled up in his eyes, his hands flailing uselessly to pry off the large hand pinching his face.
Krillin was startled and quickly looked over.
He saw a tall, well-built young man with black hair, wearing a black combat suit, standing beside them.
The young man had a handsome face with a playful smile on his lips, and his eyes were fixed on Goku and Krillin with a look of amused scrutiny.
Behind him, a furry tail swayed back and forth with a rhythmic, leisurely motion.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, isn't this our little Goku?"
Vitelli's voice was filled with exaggerated surprise and thick mockery.
"Only a year apart, and you've suddenly transformed into a high-ranking disciple of the legendary God of Martial Arts, Master Roshi? How... kowaii ne~~~"
He deliberately drew out the final syllable, increasing the pressure of his grip.
"Let go! Who the hell are you! Get your hands off Goku!"
Krillin was shocked and furious. Seeing his good friend being bullied, his blood rushed to his head; ignoring the man's oppressive aura, he lunged forward, trying to pry Vitelli's hand away.
Finding that the man didn't budge an inch, he grew desperate, baring his small white teeth and making a move to bite Vitelli's wrist!
"Tsk!"
Vitelli frowned slightly; he had no desire to get the little bald kid's saliva on him.
With a flick of his wrist, he easily brushed off Krillin's assault and released his grip on Goku's cheek.
Goku immediately clutched his pinched, bright red face, glaring at Vitelli with puffed-up cheeks as he loudly complained in grievance: "Vitelli! You jerk! That pinched so hard!"
"Vitelli?"
Krillin rubbed his arm, which was still tingling from being shoved aside, his pupils shrinking at the mention of the name.
He looked up and down at the man before him—who seemed "plain and unremarkable" yet made him feel an instinctive, extreme sense of danger.
"You're that Vitelli?"
"Unless there's someone else named Vitelli... that would be me."
Vitelli clapped his hands together as if merely brushing off a bit of dust. A wild curve tugged at the corner of his mouth, and he looked down at Krillin with a disdainful gaze. "Just a plain and unremarkable Saiyan, that's all."
Krillin's competitive spirit was ignited by the man's arrogant attitude. Forcing down the sliver of unease in his heart, he crossed his arms, puffed out his chest, and pointed his noseless nostrils toward Vitelli:
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