In the spring of AGE 739, at Mount Paozu, the morning mist had yet to lift. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows across the streets of New Vegeta City. After two years of construction, this Saiyan settlement had grown from a humble cluster of wooden huts into a fully equipped small town. Neat stone-and-wood houses lined its broad streets. At the town center stood a council hall; to the east lay a large training ground, to the west, fields and orchards, and to the north, a research district and a spaceport. More than a hundred and thirty Saiyans lived here in peace and prosperity. The men handled training, patrols, and resource-gathering expeditions; the women managed the household and, under Selipa's leadership, worked in research and technology; the children studied basic subjects each morning and trained for battle each afternoon. Kashu stood at the center of the training ground, arms hanging naturally at his sides, eyes closed as he practiced the Meditation Technique. He was eight years old and already nearly 1.4 meters tall. His long black hair was tied loosely behind his head with a strip of cloth. His features were delicate, but his eyes were far too steady for a child. Two years ago, he had fled to Earth with 120 Saiyans and used the Dragon Balls to wish for the Super Hyperbolic Time Chamber and the ability to travel between parallel worlds. For the past two years, he had guided his people's training by day and pursued intense cultivation inside the Hyperbolic Time Chamber at night. Though only two years had passed outside, he had spent more than ten years inside. His base power level had surpassed 50,000, and his Legendary Super Saiyan First Grade transformation raised it to four million. That made him no weakling in the universe, but Kashu knew that compared with Frieza's 120 million, he still had a long way to go. "Big brother!"
A clear voice called from behind him. Kashu opened his eyes and saw Son Goku (Kakarot) running toward him barefoot. Six-year-old Son Goku had a round face, big eyes, and a head of unruly black hair. A goofy grin seemed to be permanently plastered across his face. His power level had already reached 3,500, second only to Kashu among the Saiyans his age.
"Kakarot, have you finished today's training?" Kashu asked. "Done! A hundred-kilometer weighted run, a thousand push-ups, a thousand sit-ups, and a hundred Ki Blast shots!" Son Goku counted on his fingers. "Big brother, can I skip my lessons today? I want to go catch fish!" "No. Your lessons are important too." Kashu ruffled his younger brother's hair. "Besides, there's an important decision I need to tell you about today." "What decision?" "Starting tomorrow, we're going to Kame House to train under a master." "Kame House? Where's that?" "It's Master Roshi's home. He's one of the strongest martial arts masters on Earth. I'm taking you and a few other kids to learn Earth's martial arts."
Son Goku tilted his head, thinking it over. "But big brother, aren't you the strongest?" "Being strong isn't the point. The point is learning different ways to fight," Kashu said. "Master Roshi has a lot of unique insights into understanding and using ki. We can learn from him. And—Krillin will be going too." "Krillin? The bald one?" Son Goku's eyes lit up. "He's going too?" "He's already there. Master Roshi agreed to take us as his students." "That's great!" Son Goku jumped up. "Then let's go!" "Tomorrow. Finish your lessons today first." Son Goku's face fell, but he obediently nodded.
Kashu took Son Goku back to the council hall, where several people had already gathered. Gore sat beside the long table discussing supply allocations with Bardock. He was twenty-two, with short black hair, a resolute face, and a dark blue Battle Suit. After two years of training and adjustment, his power level had risen from 12,000 to 35,000, making him a mainstay of the settlement. Lanno leaned against the window, chatting cheerfully with a few young Saiyan women. He was twenty-five, with curly brown hair and a faint scar on his face that did nothing to diminish his charm. His power level had climbed from 11,000 to 28,000, but his real value lay in his engineering skills—all the settlement's equipment and spaceships depended on him for maintenance. Luo Ling stood at the training ground's entrance with her arms crossed, coolly watching the distant mountains. She was twenty-three, tall, with short dark red hair and an air that warned everyone to keep their distance. She was one of the rare female Elite Warriors among the Saiyans. Her power level had risen from 18,000 to 100,000, and three months ago, she had successfully attained Super Saiyan, with golden flames and a power level of five million. She had become the settlement's second strongest, surpassed only by Kashu. "Kashu, are you sure you want to train under that old Earthling?" Luo Ling asked without turning around. "I'm sure," Kashu said. "Master Roshi may not have a high power level, but his understanding of ki far surpasses ours. Luo Ling, would you like to come too?" "No," Luo Ling said coldly. "I have no interest in bowing to the weak." "Learning isn't the same as bowing. If you change your mind, you can come anytime." Luo Ling snorted and said nothing. Gore looked up. "Kashu, how many people are you taking?" "Kakarot, Gelin, and a few other kids who want to come," Kashu said. "I'll leave things here to you and Father." "Don't worry." Gore nodded. "Uncle Gore, please take good care of Mom for me!" Son Goku ran over and grabbed Gore's hand. "I will, Goku." Gore managed a rare smile. "Listen to your brother and train hard. When you come back stronger, you can spar with me." "Okay! It's a promise!"
Before you continue