Combat Power

Yamcha was still filled with bewilderment over what he had just experienced. Hearing this, his face flushed red and then turned pale, and he apologized sheepishly, "I'm sorry, it's my fault. I shouldn't have broken into the Gravity Chamber without permission."

"Hey! You guy, is this just a matter of breaking in?!"

Seeing that Yamcha still hadn't realized the severity of the situation, Raditz could only look at him sternly and say, "Wanting to become stronger is a good thing, but you have to walk the path one step at a time. There are no shortcuts in the Gravity Chamber; you must adapt slowly from low to high."

"Like you did—turning it to the maximum the moment you walked in—to put it bluntly, that's suicide!"

Yamcha was speechless and lowered his head. He knew that his reckless behavior had not only nearly cost him his life but had also caused trouble for others.

His previous pride and the sense that he had achieved success in his training were completely shattered after walking the line between life and death.

"I understand," Yamcha said in a dry voice. "Raditz, thank you for saving me."

Seeing that Yamcha had truly taken the lesson to heart, Raditz's tone softened slightly. "Get some good rest. You can use the Gravity Chamber if you want, but you must proceed gradually."

Yamcha nodded and stood up unsteadily. His thoughts were drifting, and remembering something, he couldn't help but ask, "By the way, Raditz, how did you save me just now? In that state I was in..."

"Oh, this." Raditz took out a Senzu Bean. "A miraculous healing medicine, obtained from Korin."

"You met Korin?!" Yamcha's eyes widened, his tone full of shock.

He had learned of the legend of Korin Tower from Master Mutten. He knew that meeting Korin required climbing Korin Tower, and such a tall tower felt too daunting; he had never had the courage to attempt it.

Looking at Raditz's confident and composed face, a mix of unwillingness and helplessness stirred within Yamcha.

I really have been completely surpassed.

Yamcha barely closed his eyes that night.

Early the next morning, he went to say goodbye to Bulma.

"Leaving so soon? Won't you stay for a few more days?" Bulma was somewhat surprised.

"Yeah, no," Yamcha shook his head. "I plan to continue my training. My previous cultivation seems far from enough."

Bulma looked at him, then glanced at Raditz in the Gravity Chamber not far away, seemingly understanding something. "Alright then. Don't forget about the Martial Arts Tournament; everyone will gather at my place when the time comes."

"Of course I won't forget."

Seeing that Yamcha was leaving, Raditz also came out to say hello.

"Leaving?"

"Yeah." Yamcha nodded, his expression much steadier than the night before. "I've thought about it. I'll skip the Gravity Chamber for now; it's not something I can handle at my current level."

"I'm going to go back to doing some basic training." He paused, then asked with some embarrassment, "Or, perhaps I should try climbing Korin Tower. What do you think?"

By now, Yamcha no longer viewed Raditz as just a teenager, but as a peer with rich martial arts experience.

"That's a good choice, but you must be careful. I nearly lost my life several times when I climbed it; it's not an easy test," Raditz said solemnly.

"I understand." Yamcha took a deep breath. "Thanks, Raditz. See you at the Martial Arts Tournament."

"See you at the Martial Arts Tournament."

Watching Yamcha and Puar disappear into the horizon, Raditz turned and returned to the Gravity Chamber.

"I didn't expect Yamcha to want to climb Korin Tower already. Did I overstimulate him last night?" he muttered to himself.

According to the original story, Yamcha didn't challenge Korin Tower until the three years of training following this tournament, which meant this was several years ahead of schedule.

"I've already warned him. I hope he knows his limits."

Days passed in a cycle of dull, painful, yet fulfilling training.

Raditz's life returned to a repetitive routine.

Fortunately, with only one month left until the start of the Martial Arts Tournament, Raditz had basically adapted to the ten-fold gravity environment.

Although he still couldn't move as freely as he did under normal conditions, he could complete his full training regimen without feeling strained.

The training is temporarily coming to an end. It's time to see where I stand, Raditz thought.

He hadn't used a Scouter in a long time. Ever since he became able to detect the ki of others at close range on his own, he had been intentionally training his sensitivity in that regard.

Based on my current feeling, it should be around 500.

It was indeed as he had estimated; the difference was negligible.

Raditz had reached this combat power long ago, and it hadn't increased for quite some time.

Even though he trained every day, pushing his body to its limits and even to the brink of death, the increase in his combat power after recovering with a Senzu Bean was minimal.

The Saiyan ability to double their combat power after recovering from the brink of death seemed to have lost its effectiveness.

Perhaps it has to do with my age, Raditz mused.

His current body was, after all, still in its teenage years and hadn't fully matured. He had already reached the upper limit of his current potential.

However, to deal with the current troubles on Earth... it's enough!

During the final month, Raditz didn't continue his training. Having been in a state of physical tension for so long, he needed to relax his mind and allow his body to recover from the long-term extreme pressure.

Seeing Raditz "freed" from the Gravity Chamber, Bulma couldn't help but tease, "Yo, you finally decided to come out of your castle? Young master!"

"Hahaha, don't mention it. If Miss Bulma has a request, I'll certainly be at your beck and call," Raditz said, scratching his head with a sheepish grin.

"Hmph! You'd better be."

Having lived at Bulma's house for so long, he truly hadn't spent many days having fun with this "landlady" young miss. Feeling a bit guilty, Raditz lowered his posture.

For the next month, he accompanied Bulma shopping, strolling through the streets, and watching movies; he accompanied her everywhere and fulfilled every request.

The results were immediate. Judging by her light steps and the little tune she hummed, he had done a decent job as her tool-man playmate.

When there was only one day left until the Martial Arts Tournament, Bulma's house began to liven up.

The first to arrive was Krillin. Seeing him again, he looked much more toned than before.

"Long time no see, Raditz! You look like you've gotten a lot stronger!" Krillin seemed to have sensed the aura radiating from Raditz.

"Krillin, you've gotten stronger too, haven't you?" Raditz didn't deny it and replied with a smile.

He couldn't suppress his ki, and that violent aura constantly manifested, which was indeed a bit eye-catching.

Before long, Master Roshi arrived with Launch and the others. He was still wearing those sunglasses and a floral shirt, looking every bit the lecherous old man.

"Ohoho, Bulma is as beautiful as ever!" He habitually flirted, earning a sharp glare from Bulma.

But when Master Roshi narrowed his eyes to examine Raditz and Krillin, a flash of surprise crossed his face, and he nodded with satisfaction. "Not bad, not bad. It seems neither of you has slacked off on your training, especially Raditz."

Goku and Yamcha had not yet arrived. According to Master Roshi, they would head directly to the tournament site from their training grounds.

Early the next morning, the group boarded a plane together and headed toward the island where the Martial Arts Tournament was being held.