Inside the Gravity Chamber, the dull clang of metal echoed.
Nappa was doing squats with a barbell twice his body weight. Veins bulged across his bald head, and beads of sweat hit the floor one after another. His movements were clumsy, and each time he rose, a growl slipped through gritted teeth, but he never stopped.
Son Goku stood in the doorway, watching silently.
Another companion, perhaps...
The corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
Good. The more of us there are on the path to strength, the better.
After the matter with Vegeta and Nappa was settled, Earth enjoyed a brief period of peace.
But "peace" was only for ordinary people.
For the Z Fighters, the shadow Vegeta had left behind weighed on everyone's hearts. No one dared relax.
Krillin practiced the Destructo Disc over and over on the training ground, Yamcha's energy blasts blew distant rocks to pieces, and even the usually composed Tien Shinhan had tripled his training.
Watching them, Son Goku knew:
Vegeta wasn't the end. Frieza is still behind him... and even stronger enemies lie ahead.
I can't stop, either.
West City, underground training room.
Son Goku sat cross-legged, floating three feet above the ground. A faint golden aura swirled around him, flickering wildly.
I'm so close...
He closed his eyes and furrowed his brow slightly.
My mental power is already at its limit. One more bit and it'll overflow. But somehow... I'm still just a little short.
The golden aura flickered violently a few times, then faded completely. Son Goku slowly descended, his feet landing on the metal floor with a faint sound.
He opened his eyes and looked down at his hands.
It's been two days since Vegeta left. He said that one day he'd surpass me.
*Back then... I told him that day