Three Years

One day, Goku was training intently when he suddenly heard Popo calling him over.

Goku got up and walked over to Popo. Popo held out his hand. "Goku, don't move. I need something." As soon as he finished speaking, Popo gently plucked a hair from Goku's head.

Goku rubbed his head and asked in confusion, "Popo, what do you need my hair for?" But he quickly thought of something, his eyes lighting up. Could it be the Water of Life? Does Popo want to use it to clone another 'me'?

A moment later, Popo emerged from the Lookout with someone beside him who was exactly the same height and build as Goku, with a mask covering his face. Goku stared at the clone in amazement. The Lookout sure has endless tricks!

He loosened up his limbs a little, secretly wondering just how strong this masked man was.

Popo stood quietly to one side, his eyes fixed on the clash between Goku and the masked man. Their movements matched, as did their speed and strength. When Goku threw a punch, the masked man swiftly countered from the same angle. Blow after blow landed solidly, sending shockwaves through the surroundings and kicking up clouds of dust.

As he fought, Goku tested his opponent's limits. He found that no matter what move he used, the masked man could perfectly imitate it and strike back.

This fierce exchange of offense and defense completely ignited Goku's fighting instincts.

Watching from the side, Popo grew increasingly shocked. He had never imagined that Goku's potential could be so astonishing—that in such a short period of training at the Lookout, he could display strength beyond anything Popo had imagined.

Goku accelerated again, his punches carrying razor-sharp Ki Blasts as they drove straight at the masked man. Yet the masked man still caught every strike without leaving a single opening.

Goku spotted a flaw and threw a fierce punch. The mask flew away, revealing a face identical to his own. Goku took a look and secretly felt rather pleased with himself. I'm pretty handsome, aren't I? But not wanting to give himself away, he feigned surprise. "Huh? Why does this guy look exactly like me?"

Popo smiled faintly and explained, "This is a 'Goku' created using the Lookout's Water of Life. He has your appearance and strength, and he is your opponent for this training."

Goku observed him quietly, fully aware that this duplicate did not possess all of his power. From their exchange just now, he had already sensed it: the duplicate's Power Level was roughly equivalent to his own when he had twelve times the Gravity Bracelets activated.

Goku smiled slightly. Looks like the Water of Life may be miraculous, but it isn't perfect. It can only replicate someone to a certain extent.

During the time Goku continued fighting the duplicate, he studied its movements while analyzing his own shortcomings and immediately correcting them. Through day after day of sparring, Goku gradually reached a whole new level in both mindset and technique. The duplicate was like a mirror, exposing the flaws in Goku's fighting and helping him improve himself bit by bit.

That day, Goku's heart was as calm as the sky. Every distracting thought and emotion had been cast aside, and his entire being seemed to merge with heaven and earth. Seizing that moment of enlightenment, every punch and kick he made became perfect and precise in both Ki control and combat movement. Not even the slightest motion wasted any strength.

At that moment, Goku completely suppressed the duplicate.

Goku could not help reflecting that this change would make his future battles far more enduring. He would no longer be left panting after only a few exchanges. He thought of how the Dragon Ball fighters in the original story often exhausted too much stamina in battle because of poor Ki control.

Time flew by, and Goku's training at the Lookout entered an even deeper stage.

Meanwhile, far away at Kame House, Yamcha and Krillin were also undergoing Master Roshi's strict guidance.

Every day, they faced linked training in stamina, speed, and combat skill, constantly breaking through their individual limits.

Yamcha and Krillin grew more united through their training, urging each other onward and improving rapidly, especially during the physical conditioning and reaction tests assigned by Master Roshi.

Master Roshi was pleased with their progress, but whenever they became smug, he would increase the intensity of their training and deny them any chance to slack off.

Master Roshi knew full well that the World Martial Arts Tournament was drawing closer, and everyone was working hard for the competition.

Yamcha and Krillin were confident in their progress, but they also knew that Goku was tempering himself in an even higher realm.

The three years of training at the Lookout left a deep impression on Goku. That time not only greatly improved his strength, but also brought tremendous growth in his control over Ki and the tempering of his state of mind.

Still, Goku was somewhat disappointed that he had only grown a few centimeters taller. I'm already fifteen and still a Little Dot. How am I supposed to find a girlfriend in the future?

When bidding farewell to Kami and Popo, Goku thanked them for all their help.

Popo nodded calmly, while Kami gave a light wave of his hand, his expression carrying hopes for Goku's future.

After saying goodbye, Goku gripped the Power Pole and flew down toward Karin Tower.

Master Roshi, Bulma, Yamcha, Krillin, and Launch were already aboard the plane bound for the World Martial Arts Tournament island. The plane was preparing to take off at the airport.

Yamcha and Krillin nervously discussed the results of their training. Bulma stared intently out the window as though pondering something, occasionally chatting with Master Roshi, while Launch sat beside them, smiling as she listened.

Goku returned to Karin Tower. When Korin saw him, he carefully examined Goku and was startled to find that not a trace of Ki leaked from his body. He seemed like an ordinary person.

In an approving tone, he said, "Goku, your training at the Lookout has been remarkably effective. Even I admire your control over Ki!"

Goku scratched his head with a grin and exchanged a few pleasantries with Korin.

With a thought, he called for the Somersault Cloud. Although Goku had now mastered flight, he still felt that riding the Somersault Cloud was more carefree and dashing, with its own unique kind of cool.

The Somersault Cloud came at his call. Goku nimbly jumped aboard and waved farewell to Korin. "Korin, thank you for taking care of me! I'll come back to see you again!"

Goku sat on the Somersault Cloud as the breeze swept past his ears and the blue sky and white clouds rapidly drifted behind him.

He silently reflected on his growth. Thinking that he could now withstand training with the Gravity Bracelets set to fifty times gravity, Goku could not help smiling. The way I am now, I could beat Vegeta senseless!

Goku estimated his Power Level at around—over the past three years, the focus of his training had been martial arts and insight into Ki, the foundations of martial arts.

The images of friends like Bulma, Krillin, and Yamcha surfaced in his mind again, filling Goku's heart with warmth.

They had not seen each other for three years. Had they all grown stronger too? Goku could not wait to fight alongside them and see how much each of them had improved.

He took a deep breath and shouted in his heart, World Martial Arts Tournament, here I come! Everyone, I'm back!