Oath of Transcendence

He paused, his gaze suddenly becoming exceptionally serious.

"It's rare to encounter a formidable opponent, but it's just as difficult to meet a friend who needs help."

Son Goku grinned, his signature bright smile, as clear as a sunny day, without a trace of shadow, only full of excitement and enthusiasm.

His eyes were frighteningly bright, as if two golden flames were dancing within them, reflecting the gentle and eternal glow of the Supreme Kai Realm.

"Because he is Saiyan."

Goku's voice wasn't loud, but it was incredibly firm, as if every word exploded from the depths of his heart.

He tilted his head slightly, his gaze seemingly piercing through the ceiling of the Lookout, looking towards another distant time and space.

"And... he let me see it."

He paused again, his fist clenching unconsciously, his knuckles making a crisp clicking sound.

"A realm I never even imagined before, higher, farther, stronger. That feeling... it's like the first time I became Super Saiyan, even more awe-inspiring!"

He let out a "hey!" and sprang up abruptly from the smooth Lookout floor, creating a gentle breeze.

He patted off non-existent dust from his orange martial arts uniform with swift and powerful movements.

After standing up straight, his demeanor changed instantly. Gone was the somewhat nostalgic calm from before; he became as if he were about to charge into battle at any moment, full of fiery energy ready to be unleashed.

His smile deepened, an expression that held boundless anticipation and absolute confidence.

"One day," his voice echoed clearly in the empty Lookout, "I will surpass him. I will."

Old Kai leaned on his cane, quietly watching this warrior whose fighting spirit seemed never to be extinguished.

His wrinkled face softened, and a hint of undisguised satisfaction flashed in his eyes, like the gentle morning light illuminating a calm lake.

He shook his head slightly, and his silvery-white beard trembled slightly.

"You..." The old Kaiōshin's voice was old and gentle, filled with the emotion of many years.

"Starting from tiny Earth, you fought your way to Planet Namek, battling Frieza... From legend to reality, you mastered the power of the Super Saiyan, and later broke through to Super Saiyan 3... All along, you were constantly breaking down the 'impossible' wall."

He paused for a moment, his gaze seeming to travel through time, seeing every thrilling battle and moment of growth in the past.

"Maybe... no, actually, judging from the way you've always been, you might actually be able to achieve what you call 'transcendence' one day."

Son Goku's smile vanished, replaced by a serious expression.

He turned to face the Old Kai, gave a proper bow, and his orange hair fell down.

"Old Kai- shin," he said, his voice filled with heartfelt respect, "Thank you for taking care of me and guiding me all this time."

Old Kai raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Leaving so soon?"

"Hmm." Son Goku stood up, nodded heavily, and his eyes suddenly became sharp.

"There's still a lot waiting for me on Earth. Chi-Chi's probably worrying about living expenses again, Gohan and the others still need sparring partners..."

Suddenly, as if he had thought of something fun, the corner of his mouth curled up, and his smile became more mischievous and eager.

"And... I also have to go help that Vegeta guy."

"Help Vegeta?" Old Kai raised his eyebrows even higher. "Help him with what?"

"Help him break through to Super Saiyan 4!" Goku said confidently, his eyes gleaming.

"With his temper, if he just keeps practicing by himself, I don't know how long he'll keep it up. I can't wait any longer, I really want to fight him in that form as soon as possible!"

Old Kai paused for a moment, then suddenly seemed to have heard something particularly funny and couldn't help but laugh out loud. His aged laughter echoed throughout the Lookout.

"Hahaha... Help Vegeta? That Saiyan Prince pride is bigger than a star and whose temper is more stubborn than God of Destruction? Goku, do you think he'll obediently and gratefully accept your 'help'? He'd be more likely to jump up and yell at you for meddling."

"I know," Goku's smile only grew brighter.

He raised his hand, extended his index and middle fingers together, and gently placed them on his forehead, the movement as practiced as breathing.

"So—" he blinked, a mischievous glint in his golden eyes, "I've already decided to help him in the way he can best understand and that he 'likes' most."

Old Kai couldn't help but ask, "In what way?"

Son Goku grinned, his white teeth gleaming, his fighting spirit almost overflowing from him, causing even the surrounding air to slightly distort.

"It's simple—" he drawled, his tone as casual as if discussing lunch, but the content was entirely different, "Beat him until he submits."

After saying that, he slightly tightened the two fingers pressed against his forehead.

Buzz!

It wasn't a deafening roar like the sky collapsing and the earth splitting apart, but rather a strange humming sound in the space, as if the air was suddenly compressed and then released.

Centered on his fingertips, a blinding white light exploded out, instantly engulfing his figure.

The light wasn't dazzling, but the fluctuations in space were extremely strong, directly elongating and blurring his outline until it turned into a stream of light.

The next second, the light contracted and disappeared.

In the center of the Lookout, only the empty floor remained, with faint ripples of energy still lingering in the air, along with the surging fighting spirit of Son Goku, as if it hadn't yet dissipated.

Old Kai didn't move; he remained standing there, leaning on his cane.

He stared at the spot where Goku had disappeared, watching the air slowly return to calm, without saying a word.

Outside the Lookout, a refreshing breeze, unique to the Supreme Kai Realm, gently blew in, ruffling his long beard and the hem of his robes.

After a long time, a complex and indescribable expression appeared in his eyes, which had witnessed the changes of the universe.

He lowered his head slightly and murmured softly to the empty Lookout in a voice barely audible to himself, "This universe... with warriors like these, with hearts like these... perhaps, unexpected hope can truly be born."

The breeze carried this whisper away, merging it into the eternal glory of the Lookout.

--

Earth, West City, Capsule Corporation.

The afternoon sun slanted into the spacious courtyard, bathing the lawn in a warm golden light.

Several large trees cast dappled shadows, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves.

Some small burn marks from the energy burst remain in a corner of the training ground.

Suddenly, the air trembled slightly, and a familiar figure appeared without warning in the center of the courtyard.

Son Goku stepped onto the soft grass, his orange-red martial arts uniform standing out brightly in the sun.

He raised his hand to shield his eyes from the somewhat glaring light, looked around, and immediately his face broke into that carefree smile he always had.

On the steps not far away, Vegeta sat in the shade of a tree.

He leaned against a pillar, arms crossed, his dark blue, tight-fitting Battle Suit clearly outlining the lines of his muscles.

His posture was tense, his chin was stiff, and his brows were furrowed tightly, as if he were pondering something important.

As soon as Son Goku's aura appeared, Vegeta's body tensed slightly, but he still slowly turned his head.

Their eyes met briefly in mid-air.

Vegeta's pupils contracted slightly, and a complex expression flashed in his eyes, which always burned with pride and fighting spirit—there was resentment, anger, a brief wavering, and even something else that was not easily noticed by anyone and was hidden deep in his heart.

Sunlight shone on half of his face, while the other half remained hidden in shadow, making him even more enigmatic.

"Kakarot."

His voice was deep and cold, like ice hitting a stone slab.

"Vegeta!"