Far away, at the other end of the universe.
A blue planet floated silently against the black backdrop of space, its atmosphere like a thin veil, radiating the soft glow unique to life.
Mountains, streams, wastelands, green fields, villages, cities... countless different landscapes coexisted in harmony on this planet, forming a vibrant picture.
This beautiful planet was called Earth.
A barren stretch of Gobi Desert.
Even the air warped in the extreme heat.
In midair.
Piccolo floated there, his legs crossed.
His heavy white cape hung straight down.
His eyes were closed.
Every rise and fall of his chest stirred a tiny vortex of air around him.
Several vultures circled high overhead, not daring to land.
They were instinctively afraid of the motionless figure.
A massive boulder below suddenly gave a muffled crack.
It shattered without warning.
He slowly opened his eyes, his expression solemn and resolute.
"Son Goku."
"You'd better enjoy this last bit of peace."
The sea breeze blew through the window, carrying a salty, damp scent.
On a small island set apart from the world.
The living room was a complete mess.
"Krillin! Hurry up and give me the remote!"
Wearing a floral shirt, Master Roshi had thrown aside his cane and was sprawled across the sofa, both hands clamped tightly around Krillin's pant leg.
"No way! Master Roshi, you spent all day yesterday watching aerobics shows!"
"Today it's my turn to watch the World Martial Arts Tournament tapes!"
Bald-headed Krillin held the remote high above his head with both hands, refusing to let go.
"You've watched those lousy tapes hundreds of times already!!"
Master Roshi lost his patience and stuck out a foot to trip Krillin.
"This is training! I'm gaining insight into martial arts by watching masters fight! You taught me that yourself!"
Sea Turtle lay on a mat in the corner, leisurely munching on a lettuce leaf.
He had long since grown used to this farce that played out on schedule every day.
Bang!
The door was kicked open.
Bulma walked in carrying two large bags of snacks and drinks.
She looked at the two of them rolling around on the floor fighting over something, having made a complete mess of the living room.
"The two of you are hundreds of years old combined. Can't you be a little more mature?"
Bulma slammed the plastic bags onto the table.
Deep in the mountains, a thousand miles away.
A massive torrent of water crashed down from a hundred-meter-high cliff.
Its deafening roar drowned out everything else.
On a moss-covered boulder in the middle of the pool.
Tien Shinhan stood shirtless beneath the terrifying pressure of the water.
Countless streams of water pounded his shoulders and back.
"Hah!"
Tien Shinhan rapidly formed hand seals, then thrust both hands upward.
Boom!
A visible surge of force erupted upward from his hands.
The falling waterfall was forcibly cut off by the force for one second.
Water exploded in every direction.
At the edge of the pool.
Chiaotzu floated in midair, happily clapping his little hands.
"Tien! You've gotten stronger again!"
Tien Shinhan let out a long breath, then leaped ashore and landed steadily.
He grabbed a towel from a nearby rock and vigorously wiped the water from his face.
"It's not enough."
"Goku should be training hard right now too. I absolutely can't let him pull too far ahead of me."
Launch's voice came calling from a path in the distance.
"Tien! Chiaotzu!"
"Food's ready. Come back and eat, okay?"
Tien Shinhan and Chiaotzu exchanged a glance.
Her hair was blue.
Then they would go eat.
Mount Paozu.
"Hah!"
A thick, solid log split cleanly in two in midair.
The pieces crashed onto the grass with a clatter.
Son Goku stood bare-chested, holding a battered, rusty axe.
Sweat ran down his sturdy back muscles.
He casually tossed the axe beneath a tree and raised the back of his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead.
"That should be enough firewood for today."
A wooden baby carriage stood beneath a towering old tree nearby.
A little one with a brown tail was sitting inside.
The little one clutched a rattle tightly in his hands, babbling and blowing bubbles.
Son Goku walked over in a few strides and crouched down.
He reached out a rough finger and poked Son Gohan's chubby cheek.
Son Gohan giggled and reached out with both little hands to grab his father's finger.
Goku lifted his son out of the carriage and raised him over his head.
"Da, dada~"
The wind blew through the woods on Mount Paozu, rustling the leaves.
Life here was simply quiet and peaceful.
Every day, aside from chopping firewood, he caught fish in the river or went into the mountains to bring back a couple of wild boars or dinosaurs for an extra meal.
Smoke rose from the wooden house's chimney.
Chi-Chi's voice came through the window.
"Goku! Stop playing around! Bring Gohan inside to wash his hands and eat!"
"There's your favorite grilled fish today!"
Goku sniffed hard, his mouth practically watering.
"Smells so good!"
"Coming!"
He put Gohan back in the carriage and pushed it toward the house, full of anticipation.
The scene now shifted to the top of a desolate cliff in a remote western region.
Three figures appeared out of thin air, landing steadily on the hard rock.