Resolve and Confusion
When he said this, his voice sounded like it was being forced out from the depths of his throat, hoarse and low, each word carrying an undeniable determination and an almost overflowing fighting spirit.
Qi Heng had his back to him, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly. The curve was as faint as a ripple on the surface of water, fleeting and impossible to grasp.
"That's good."
He finished speaking and strode out of the Capsule Corporation's technologically advanced arched doorway without pausing.
His figure was quickly swallowed up by the crowded people outside and the deepening twilight. He reached the corner and disappeared completely as if he had never been there.
Vegeta was the only one left in the courtyard.
The sun had long since sunk below the horizon, and the last rays of light were swept away by darkness.
Night fell like a tide, completely engulfing his tall figure.
He remained standing there, like a statue, completely unmoved.
Only his eyes burned like fire in the darkness.
"Kakarot..."
He murmured the name, the sound seeping from between his clenched teeth, carrying a bloody hatred and an almost obsessive obsession, burning with a frightening intensity.
"I won't lose to you..."
He slowly raised his trembling fist, placed it in front of his eyes, and stared intently, as if trying to see through the flesh and blood to the Saiyan royal blood flowing within him, and to see the unfathomable, about-to-explode power.
"... Never!"
The last three words turned into a low growl, suppressed to the extreme, and then suddenly exploded.
A violent burst of energy erupted from him, causing the already cracked ground beneath his feet to shatter again, sending stones and dust flying everywhere!
Golden flames suddenly burst forth from his body. Although he hadn't yet transformed into the legendary form, they were already as hot and dazzling as flames, illuminating his surroundings and the indomitable, madly burning light in his eyes, a light that refused to give up and wanted to surpass everything.
The flames continued to burn, illuminating this empty and dilapidated courtyard, and also lighting up the starting point of this lonely yet proud path leading to the strongest.
Supreme Kai Realm.
The sky was an unbelievably deep blue, without a single cloud in sight.
A gentle breeze rippled across the grass, creating emerald green waves, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of grass and earth.
In the distance, several old trees stood quietly, their branches swaying gently in the wind, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
Son Goku sat cross-legged on the soft grass, his eyes closed, his breathing steady and long.
He had deactivated his Super Saiyan 4 form and reverted to being that small, black-haired boy, wearing a loose orange gi and with a small build.
Yet he possessed a composure that seemed completely out of place for his age, like a quiet mountain, the strength hidden within him impossible to fathom.
The battle he had with Qi Heng three days ago—which was practically a joke—if it could even be called a "battle," had been branded into his mind like a brand.
He didn't even see how Qi Heng made his move; he only remembered an overwhelming aura, capable of crushing stars, rushing towards him, after which his consciousness went blank.
That wasn't a battle at all; it was a complete and utter crushing defeat.
The "Beijing" level power that Qi Heng casually displayed was like an insurmountable chasm, blocking his path in martial arts.
"Beijing..."
His lips moved slightly as he murmured the name of this distant, almost illusory unit of energy, a bitter smile slowly creeping onto his lips.
That smile held no discouragement, only a clear understanding of the enormous gap between them.
"How long would I have to train... before I could even see his back?"
He muttered to himself, his voice so soft it was almost carried away by the wind.
"Long time."
An old, slow voice suddenly came from behind him, breaking the silence on the grass.
Hearing this, Son Goku slowly turned around.
The Old Kai, leaning on his ancient wooden staff, staggered across the grassland, step by step.
His purplish skin was somewhat dull in the sunlight, his long white beard swayed gently with his steps, and every wrinkle on his face was etched with the marks of time and wisdom.
"Old Kai- sama."
Son Goku nodded, moved aside, and made room for him.
Old Kai didn't stand on ceremony, slowly sitting down and placing his scepter across his knees.
He squinted, gazing at the distant horizon, his eyes seeming to pierce through the clouds and reach even further.
After a moment of silence, he spoke, his voice low and deep. "Goku."
"Um."
"That guy named Qi Heng..." Old Kai paused, as if pondering how to phrase it, "How much do you know about him? What exactly is his background?"
Son Goku shook his head, and the ends of his black hair swayed along with it.
"He said he was Saiyan from another dimension. Other than that, I don't know anything. His ki... was particularly outrageous, unbelievably strong, yet it felt very distant."
"Other dimensions...parallel universes..." Old Kai muttered to himself, his thin fingers rubbing back and forth on his scepter.
A flicker of understanding crossed his deep eyes, only to be quickly replaced by a deeper confusion.
"No wonder... no wonder even I can't sense his past at all, nor can I see his future trajectory... a blank, a chaotic void. He's like a pebble thrown into a pond in this world, creating only ripples in the present, with no origin and no clue where he'll go. Because he simply... doesn't belong to this river of time."
A gust of wind blew by, and the grass blades bowed their heads, making a rustling sound.
In the distance, the strange flowers and plants of the Supreme Kai Realm swayed gently in the wind, emitting a hazy light.
Son Goku listened quietly, his hands resting on his knees, his fingertips slightly clenched.
He suddenly looked up, a rare serious expression appearing on his childish face, his blue eyes clear and resolute. "Old Kai, do you think... it's still possible for him to return to his original world?"
The Old Kai remained silent for an even longer time after hearing this.
He looked up at the ever-blue sky, which never changed from day to night but was always bright, as if trying to find the answer within it.
After a long while, he slowly let out a long sigh, a sigh filled with helplessness and exhaustion.
"I don't know." His voice was a little hoarse. "The secrets of parallel universes, about time travel and stability... those are forbidden knowledge from a higher realm, knowledge only angels understand. I..." He looked down at his wrinkled hands and gave a bitter smile. "I'm just an old guy sealed in an old sword, who's been muddled for five million years. These things are far beyond my capabilities."
Son Goku didn't ask any further questions.
He also turned to look at the end of the meadow, where golden light flowed like liquid, bathing the whole world in warmth.
The sunlight shone on his still-youthful profile, yet it outlined an unusually resolute contour.
That gaze seemed to pierce through the silence before them, looking towards the unknown challenges in the distance.
"No matter what," he suddenly spoke, his voice soft but firm, "I will help him. If he needs it, I will definitely help him find his way back."
"Hmm?" Old Kai was clearly a little surprised. He turned to the side and stared carefully at Son Goku's expression, as if trying to find any hint of a joke or reluctance, but he only saw absolute composure and determination.
Old Kai raised his white eyebrows, his face full of doubt. "Why? Goku, have you forgotten? He easily defeated you; that wasn't even a contest. You... don't mind?"
Son Goku withdrew his gaze, looked at Old Kai, and suddenly grinned, revealing his signature sunny and untroubled smile.
That smile instantly dispelled all the previous heaviness and contemplation.
"Hehe." He scratched the back of his head. "So what? He's so strong, unbelievably strong, isn't that the most exciting thing? Besides, he doesn't look... like a bad guy. He's lost here, he must be homesick too."