But.
His second attempt still ended in failure.
However, he managed to maintain his Super Saiyan form five seconds longer than the first time.
After Dende helped him "recharge," Licks took Tarble's advice and began his third attempt.
This time, at last, he wasn't forced to return to his normal state.
To be safe, he tried a fourth time as well.
And, of course, he succeeded in mastering the Super Saiyan transformation.
Meanwhile.
Vegeta had only just flown home when he sensed Licks's energy suddenly surge—and remain stable for quite some time. A faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
In private, they had asked Licks what he had been through all these years.
Since Licks had been so conscientious, faithfully carrying out his duty despite being on a remote planet and always making Tarble's safety his top priority, they wanted to know more.
According to Licks, the last time he and his other companion, Tomato, faced a formidable enemy, they had fought with all their might to protect Tarble, and Tomato had perished along with the enemy.
Vegeta was grateful to both Licks and Tomato.
Licks also told him that after that, Tarble had become fanatical about training.
Of course, Vegeta couldn't simply take Licks's word for it.
Afterward, he sought out Tarble alone and learned that things had indeed happened as Licks had said.
From then on, he raised Licks's standing in his eyes.
He came to regard him as half of a family member!
Because he knew that, under normal circumstances, Saiyans wouldn't obey orders from a fellow Saiyan weaker than themselves.
Much less risk their lives to protect them.
In the past, he would definitely have sneered and said, "There's no need to protect a weakling."
But now, he only felt grateful.
And the way to repay him was simple: help Licks master the Super Saiyan form as quickly as possible.
However, he had noticed all along that Licks's strength was improving more slowly than his own had back then.
With ordinary training methods, there was no way Licks could meet the basic requirements for becoming a Super Saiyan in such a short time.
So he had planned to ask Dende for help on the day Tarble successfully became a Super Saiyan.
Besides, under normal circumstances, people were most vulnerable to a fatal blow when caught off guard.
That was why he had struck Licks and seriously injured him without discussing it with him beforehand.
He had also guessed that Licks would become furious.
And anger was the key to successfully transforming into a Super Saiyan, as far as he knew.
It killed two birds with one stone, and Dende was there. What was there to be afraid of?!
After landing inside the Super Villa, Vegeta glanced back toward Kami's Lookout and murmured, "You earned this."
"Whether you hate me or resent me."
"I, Vegeta, fear nothing!"
"Work hard and become even stronger!"
Then he headed slowly toward the dining room.
In the light of the setting sun, his shadow stretched far longer than he was tall.
Meanwhile.
The Z Fighters on Earth had also noticed the change in Licks's energy.
They had assumed Licks wouldn't be able to transform into a Super Saiyan anytime soon.
They hadn't expected him to master it in only four attempts.
It was far beyond anything they'd imagined.
At Kame House.
Krillin faced toward Kami's Lookout, a trace of envy flashing in his eyes.
"Master Roshi, Saiyans really do have talent that ordinary people can only dream of, haha!"
His laughter carried a hint of envy, bitterness, and self-mockery.
In less than two months, Tarble and Licks had both become Super Saiyans.
A little over a month ago, not just Krillin—even Chiaotzu, the weakest of them all—had been much stronger than Tarble and Licks.
But now?
The veteran fighters had been overtaken.
He felt that their training speed was even faster than Son Goku's.
Still, he guessed it was because they were training in the Gravity Chamber.
But even after guessing the reason, he couldn't help but sigh with genuine feeling:
Saiyans really were freakishly talented!
Android 18 was inside the house preparing dinner, or she would surely have offered him a few words of comfort.
After hearing him, Master Roshi glanced sidelong at Krillin, then turned his gaze away.
He gazed up at the starry sky, a profound gleam in his eyes.
"Different people lead different lives.
"The same goes for the path of cultivation.
"Why must you compare yourself to Saiyans?
"Krillin, you have your own life, too!
"Look back. Aren't you hundreds, even thousands of times stronger than you used to be?"
At this, he deliberately paused, then glanced at Krillin again.
Krillin looked utterly astonished, as if he were lost in a daze.
Seizing the moment, Master Roshi continued, "If you want to surpass others, you must first surpass yourself."
"Krillin, all these years have passed."
"Do you still remember what your original reason for training and becoming stronger was?"
"Of your generation, I've only seen Goku, Tien Shinhan, Piccolo, and Vegeta stay true to their original intentions."
"What about you, Krillin?"
"Do you still remember yours?"
With that, he turned and slowly walked into the house.
"On life's long road, nothing is more precious than staying true to your original intentions."
"Nothing more precious..."
Hearing those words behind him, a bright glimmer appeared in Krillin's drifting gaze.
He murmured softly, "My original intention..."
After sensing that Licks had also successfully become a Super Saiyan, Tien Shinhan, Chiaotzu, and Yamcha all marveled that Saiyans were freaks.
After their astonishment, Tien Shinhan and Chiaotzu continued their training.
As for Yamcha, he went right on living his lazy life.
At Son Gohan's home.
Piccolo formally said his farewells to Son Gohan and prepared to leave.
Son Gohan looked at Piccolo's turned back, reluctant to part. "Uncle Piccolo, are you going to train, too?"
They had only been reunited for a little over a month, and now they had to part again. Naturally, he felt reluctant.
Strictly speaking, Piccolo meant more to him than his biological father, Son Goku.
He wasn't his real father, but he might as well have been.
During Son Gohan's most impressionable years, Piccolo had taught him everything, from how to fight to how to become a worthy warrior.
Most importantly, Piccolo had also risked his life to save him twice.
The first time had been on Earth, and the second on Namek.
Whenever Son Gohan was in danger, Piccolo was always the first to appear before him.
He could never repay that bond and kindness, and he didn't know how he could even begin to do so.
But he knew even better that defeating his father, Son Goku, had always been Piccolo's dream.
Although Piccolo had kept up his training, the difference in talent remained.
So he had never managed to achieve his goal.
Piccolo was far more than just his master.
What Son Gohan didn't know was that Piccolo was just as reluctant to part.
The reason he walked slowly instead of powering up and flying away was so he could stay a little longer.
Before you continue