Inside a massive research lab in a sprawling estate, Bulma paced around a round spaceship. Dr. Briefs studied the figures on a computer and exclaimed in amazement, "What advanced technology! It may be small, but it's stocked with all the nutrients a person needs. You can even sleep inside to lower your vital signs, so you can survive without eating or drinking!"
"Of course it's advanced, Dad. It's alien technology. Earth still hasn't developed the technology to explore the universe," Bulma replied as she worked on modifying the ship.
Korin Tower
"Hey, Yajirobe. Take this Senzu Bean to Goku so he can recover quickly. Goku may be the only one who can keep Vegeta in check! If you eat it, I won't mind letting Vegeta come see you," Korin said to the fat man sitting on the ground.
"Fine! I'll deliver it. I don't want to see that Saiyan anyway. He's terrifying!" Yajirobe said.
As he spoke, he tossed out a Hoi-Poi Capsule. With a bang, a sleek aircraft appeared! The barrel-shaped man climbed aboard, and the aircraft nearly sank to the ground under his weight.
Hospital
Krillin and Master Roshi had already left. Only Gohan and Chi-Chi remained.
Gohan sat at the desk like a well-behaved child, doing his homework. Though he was half Saiyan, his dream was to become a great scholar! Maybe his Saiyan blood had only given him a powerful body, without the will of a warrior. That was probably why he later became Scholar Gohan. Otherwise, what chance would Vegeta and Goku have had?
In the Majin Buu Saga, after Old Kai unlocked his hidden potential, Gohan could easily overpower Super Buu with one hand! But Goku's Super Saiyan 3 form could only go toe to toe with Fat Buu, and seemed to be losing!
Yet a powerful fighter had been worn down into Scholar Gohan by his mother—a woman. Women really did slow a man's sword arm, didn't they?
Chi-Chi watched Goku with a pained expression. He was wrapped up in a machine that looked like a medical pod, bundled up like a mummy. The doctor beside him said, "It's incredible. Every bone in his body is broken, yet he's still alive—and full of energy. An ordinary person would have been six feet under by now!" The doctor was quite the comedian.
Before he could say more, a creature wider than the doorway turned sideways and squeezed inside. Everyone looked closely. It was Yajirobe!
With his fingers curled, he flicked a green bean into Goku's mouth. "Sun Wukong, Korin sent me to give you this Senzu Bean!" Goku opened his mouth and swallowed it.
The doctor cried out in alarm, "Hey, hey, hey! What did you just give him? He can't eat anything right now! This could—" Before he could finish, Goku leaped out of bed and landed on the floor. With a shout, he snapped all the bandages wrapped around him. His naked, muscular body was completely healed! The doctor's jaw practically dropped off, while the nurse behind him covered her eyes with both hands, her cheeks turning red. Who knew what naughty thoughts were going through their heads! Haha.
Chi-Chi hugged Goku through her tears. "Goku, you're finally better. I was so worried about you..."
Goku, completely lacking tact, hugged Chi-Chi with one arm and scratched the back of his head with the other. "Chi-Chi, where's my gi? I want to train. Vegeta's already gone to the Lookout. He's definitely looking for the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. I've been in there before! By the time he comes out, I'll be even further behind!"
Chi-Chi scolded him, "You jerk! I've been so worried about you and taking care of you, and the first thing you do when you get better is go train!" As she spoke, she let go of Goku, walked over to a cabinet, and took out an orange gi for him.
"Come on, Chi-Chi. I'm fine now, so don't worry," Goku said as he got dressed.
"Dad, I want to go too. I want to fight," Gohan said, gazing at Goku with a determined look.
"You're not going, Gohan. You're going to study hard and become a great scholar! I can't control your father, but I won't let you follow his example!" Chi-Chi snapped.
Gohan's eyes grew moist. Thinking of Uncle Piccolo's disappointment, he couldn't hold back his hurt. He shouted at Chi-Chi, "Mom, I hate you!" Then he ran out.
Chi-Chi stared after Gohan, frozen in place. "Gohan, you've turned bad. Now you're even daring to insult me." She turned and yelled at the uncomfortable-looking Goku. "This is all your fault! My Gohan has turned out this way because of you. After we got married, you never cared about the family. I wanted to raise Gohan to be a success, but now he's gone bad because of you!"
Wiping away her tears, Chi-Chi continued to berate Goku. She had been married to him for five years, and he hadn't brought home a single cent or earned a penny. He ate so much, too. They could only live in the mountains, relying on the mountains and rivers for food. All he ever did was train—and he had even died for a year! The crushing pressure and the burden of raising Gohan had made Chi-Chi age quickly. She hadn't even bought makeup in years!
Goku looked helplessly at Chi-Chi. All he could manage was, "Sorry, Chi-Chi. I'll go find Gohan and make him apologize to you!"
Goku was simple-minded, so the best plan he could think of was to make a quick getaway!
Chi-Chi was utterly disappointed in Goku.
After going outside, Goku spotted Gohan crouching beside a crooked tree and walked over slowly. He patted Gohan on the head. "Gohan, don't talk to your mom like that. She's worried about you and doesn't want you to get hurt. Seeing me injured already scared her."
"Dad, but I want to go to Namek too. I want to do my part," Gohan said, looking at his father with determination.
"Okay. If you can convince your mom, I have no objections!" Goku said.
After the battle, once Vegeta and Bulma had left, Goku had heard what Piccolo said. He wanted to see Piccolo's homeworld too, and fight powerful aliens. He still didn't know that Frieza was on his way to Namek!
The Lookout
Inside the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, only an hour or two had passed in the outside world, but more than ten days had gone by inside!
In an open field, Piccolo was fighting Vegeta. Vegeta attacked him with Prince Tactics, while Piccolo dodged the incoming energy blasts at high speed. He held two fingers to his forehead like a blade, gathering energy. It was his signature move, the Special Beam Cannon.
Time passed, and Piccolo finally finished charging. He kept dodging as he took aim at Vegeta, waiting for an opening between Vegeta's attacks. Then he shouted, "Take this... Yah!" A beam of light, not especially thick, shot toward Vegeta, surrounded by yellow energy coiled like a spring!
Vegeta smirked. "Hmph. I don't even need to dodge a move like that!" Though he spoke confidently, his body tensed slightly. He raised one hand with utmost seriousness, palm aimed at the beam. It looked as though he intended to take it head-on!
As Chairman Mao once said, we should despise the enemy strategically, but take them seriously tactically!
Piccolo snapped, "Don't underestimate me! My power has increased greatly over the last two days. Try blocking this one! If you die, don't blame me!"
Neither would back down verbally, but Piccolo poured all his strength into the attack. The beam struck Vegeta's palm with tremendous penetrating force, pushing him backward despite himself! The burning sensation in his palm exhilarated Vegeta.
When the dust settled, Vegeta's palm was charred and smoking. Piccolo panted heavily.
"Not bad. In such a short time, your power level has risen from around 2,000 to 15,000. You're even stronger than Sun Wukong now. But don't let your guard down. If he recovers from his serious injuries, his power will increase dramatically too. We Saiyans unleash some of our potential whenever we recover from the brink of death," Vegeta said.
"Why are you helping me?" Piccolo asked.
"Don't read too much into it. This prince just wants good whetstones for future battles. You're one, and Kakarot is another," Vegeta replied haughtily.
"Also, when you get to Namek, ask your people about your origins. Your race might have an extraordinary history, considering you can create something as incredible as the Dragon Balls," Vegeta added.
"Hey, Vegeta. Thanks..." Piccolo said reluctantly.
He was grateful. Vegeta had shown him a way to catch up to Goku. Defeating Sun Wukong was still an obsession of Piccolo's.
"Alright. It's my turn to train now. I've learned those methods you taught me for controlling and steadying my energy. Fighting you won't make me any stronger now. Train on your own. You can leave if you want," Vegeta said.
"Yeah. Don't worry about me. I have my own way of training," Piccolo said.
Piccolo sat cross-legged in the air, arms folded across his chest, and closed his eyes to meditate.
Outside,
Goku had already brought Gohan to the Lookout. Gohan later apologized to Chi-Chi and explained things to her for a long while. Chi-Chi had no choice but to agree.
"Are you here to train too?" the Guardian of Earth asked.
"Yes, Guardian. I'm here to train, and I'm bringing Gohan with me," Goku said.
The Guardian replied, "You'll have to wait another ten-plus hours. Vegeta and Piccolo only just went in, and they set their time for a full day."
"Piccolo went in too? Alright. Hey, Mr. Popo, you're here too! I'm starving. Could you make me something to eat?" Goku said as he spotted Mr. Popo approaching.
"Of course. Follow me," Mr. Popo said.
Goku and Gohan followed Mr. Popo toward the dining room.
In space
A massive fleet of spaceships flew toward Namek. In the largest ship at the center, a petite figure sat in a small, delicate hover pod, swirling a glass of red wine in his hand. "How much longer?" he asked his underlings. "I can hardly wait!" The thought of finally achieving his wish for eternal life filled him with excitement!
"Lord Frieza, it will take another four months to arrive," one frightened soldier replied.
Whoosh! A beam of purple light pierced the soldier's chest. "Increase our speed. Give it everything you've got!" Frieza said wickedly.
The terrified underlings hurried about their work, increasing their speed another notch. Even so, it would probably take about three months at the earliest.
Before you continue