đ Chapter 7: The Unforeseen Variable
Tommy stood on the plateau of Mt. Unknown, the cool night wind ruffling his hair. He felt a profound sense of empowerment. He was still weak by Dragon Ball standards, but he was no longer helpless. He had double the Ki, E-rank control, and the most crucial non-combat skill in the universe: Ki Sensing.
He focused his Ki Sensing once more on the signature zooming towards Goku's location.
[Bulma (PL 3). Location: Northwest Continent. Speed: Rapid, technological propulsion.]
The signal was distinct. Bulma was flying, which meant she was in her airplane or an early model Capsule Corp vehicle. She was going to arrive in the general area near dawn.
Tommy had two options:
Wait: Explore the Star Gate and risk being discovered by Bulma and potentially changing the timeline dramatically by being the one she finds instead of Goku.
Leave: Descend the treacherous steps immediately and position himself away from Goku before Bulma arrives.
"System, what's behind the Star Gate?"
[Star Gate: Functions as a teleportation gateway to other System-unlocked locations. It is currently the only egress point from the Training Grounds.] [Available Destination: Earth: Kami's Lookout (Inactive). Current Status: Locked. Requires Godly Ki interaction to activate.]
Kami's Lookout was locked. Tommy realized this place was a sanctuary designed only for training and a quick exit to the real world. He had to use the staircase again.
"Time to leave," Tommy decided. The priority was maintaining the main timeline while secretly augmenting his own power. He needed Goku to start his journey as intended.
The descent was far easier than the climb, primarily because of his restored stamina and his newfound ability to manipulate his Ki for subtle physical augmentation. He used small bursts of Ki energy to cushion his falls and propel himself over the huge steps.
He reached the base of the mountain well before dawn. The massive Stone Gate was still slightly ajar, and the Mega Four-Star Ball still sat heavily in the dirt outside, pulsing faintly.
[Son Goku (PL 10) Status: Asleep (Tucked into a nest of dinosaur bones).]
Tommy crept silently out of the cavern, flashlight beam focused. He saw a small silhouette curled up near the remains of the Giant Horned Dinosaur. Goku was a tiny, oblivious powerhouse.
Tommy's immediate goal was to move the Mega Dragon Ball and close the gate.
He knelt next to the colossal four-star ball. It was far too heavy for his PL 6 strength.
"System, can I use Ki to lift this?"
[Affirmative. Requires a dedicated Ki channel. Estimated Ki drain: 15 KE.]
Tommy had 20 KE. This would be nearly all his power, but it was necessary.
He channeled the energy, imagining it wrapping around the massive ball like invisible ropes. His face strained, and the veins in his neck popped, but slowly, the huge, sacred object lifted an inch off the ground.
He moved it about fifty feet away from the gate, tucking it behind a large cluster of brush and rocks, hiding it from view. He released the Ki with a grunt of exhaustion.
[Ki Energy (KE): 5/20]
He then focused his Ki again and, with a powerful, controlled push, channeled it into the side of the Stone Gate. The massive rock structure groaned and slowly slid back into place, sealing the entrance with a loud thump that echoed across the plains.
The thump was enough to stir the young Saiyan.
"Huh... what was that?" Goku mumbled, sitting up and rubbing his eyes, his gaze fixed on the now-sealed mountain.
Tommy was fifty feet away, crouched behind a boulder, his heart pounding. He had to move before Goku focused his attention.
He focused his Ki Sensing outward, searching for Bulma.
[Bulma (PL 3) Status: Approaching rapidly. ETA: 5 minutes.]
"I'm out of time," Tommy thought, bolting away from the sealed mountain and the confused boy.
He ran towards the nearby Jingl-Town, the same direction he'd run the day before. He needed a place to hide, re-energize, and, most importantly, obtain a proper suit of clothing that didn't look like an Earthling from a future era.
Tommy reached the edge of Jingl-Town just as the sun began to peek over the horizon. He bought a simple, black tunic and trousers from a roadside vendor with his remaining Zeni, swapping his t-shirt and jeans for something more appropriate to the early Dragon Ball world.
He found a secluded spot in the central market, near a well, and sat down to rest and recover his Ki.
Just as he settled in, the Ki signature he was dreading arrived.
A small, futuristic airplane descended, kicking up dust in the town square. The hatch opened, and a young girl with bright blue hair, wearing a vest and carrying a large, futuristic capsule, hopped out.
[Bulma (PL 3) Status: Annoyed, Focused on Search. Current Target: Son Goku.]
Bulma was here. The adventure had officially begun.
Tommy watched the scene unfold from his hidden vantage point. Bulma pulled out her Dragon Radarâa distinct pinging soundâand started moving through the town.
Tommy quickly focused his Ki Sensing on his own body, trying to minimize his signature.
[Internal Ki Signature minimized. External Ki Signature reading: PL 6 (Faint).]
Bulma, relying entirely on technology, walked straight past Tommy's hiding spot without even glancing his way. Her radar was focused on the higher, more persistent reading of Goku, who was still out near the mountain.
Tommy sighed in relief. He was safeâfor now.
He watched as Bulma, tracking the signal, left the town and headed toward the plains. The classic, canonical story was about to start: Bulma meets Goku, the Dragon Radar is mistaken for the Dragon Ball's signal, and the quest begins.
But wait...
Tommy's Ki Sensing, which was far more accurate than the Dragon Radar, picked up something the radar could not: two faint Ki signatures heading into the plains.
The first was Bulma. The second was faint, but traveling close to her and moving silently.
[Ki Signature Detected: Plains Thief (PL 8). Status: Stalking, Intent: Theft.]
The Plains Thief was a slightly higher PL than Tommy and significantly higher than Bulma. He likely planned to ambush the young girl for her high-tech vehicle and gear.
Tommy had two conflicting priorities:
Maintain the timeline: Bulma must reach Goku. Interfering here could change their initial meeting and potentially stop the quest before it starts.
Moral imperative and safety: A thief stealing Bulma's capsule might delay the search for the Dragon Balls for weeks or even months, throwing the entire future into chaos. Plus, he couldn't just watch her get robbed.
I have to intervene, but stealthily.
He couldn't use a Ki Blast; it would draw too much attention.
Tommy stood up, channeling his remaining 15 KP into an idea he'd seen Krillin use. He quickly channeled Ki into his feet and jumpedânot high, but fastâsprinting across the back streets, using his increased speed to cut Bulma and the stalker off.
He was running blind, relying only on the Ki signatures pinging in his head.
He rounded a corner onto a dry, dusty trail that Bulma and the thief were about to cross. He quickly picked up a handful of small, sharp stones.
Bulma's PL 3 signature was ten feet away. The thief's PL 8 signature was just behind her, closing in, silent and predatory.
Tommy took a deep breath, channeled his Ki into his arm for a powerful, but not obvious, throw, and flung the handful of stones like a projectile weaponâbut aimed at the ground just in front of the thief's feet.
The attack, powered by his internal Ki, hit the dry ground with surprising force, kicking up a blinding cloud of dust and small debris.
The thief let out a startled cough and staggered backward, momentarily blinded. Bulma, who walked right past the cloud, was completely oblivious, focused on her beeping radar.
"Stupid dust cloud!" the thief cursed, rubbing his eyes. He stopped the pursuit, worried about running into whatever caused the sudden eruption.
Tommy flattened himself against the wall, depleted but satisfied.
[Ki Energy (KE): 2/20] [Plains Thief Defeated (Indirect Contribution)! KP Gained: 8]
The thief's signature began to retreat, moving back towards the mountains.
Bulma's signature continued its path unimpeded, moving rapidly toward Goku.
Tommy smiled weakly. He had successfully protected the timeline's integrity while secretly earning Ki Points and saving the day.
"Okay, System," he whispered, leaning against the warm stone wall. "I'm broke and exhausted, but I'm ready for the next move."
He checked his inventory. He had 23 KP now. Not enough for flight, but getting closer.
He focused on the plains, using his Ki Sensing to see the two signatures meet. The familiar, joyous blast of Ki from Goku when he got excited. The annoyed spike of Ki from Bulma. The timeline was back on track.
Tommy had to find a way to meet Bulma and Goku laterânot as a random weakling, but as an established, capable fighter.
He needed a dojo. He needed a mentor.
"System, where's the closest strong Ki signature that isn't Piccolo or a villain?"
[Search Initiated... Scanning...] [*Result: Master Ki Signature Detected. Location: Small island far to the South-East. Power Level: 139.] [Note: Signature is actively suppressing power. True PL may be higher. Target is currently observing the sky.]
PL 139. That was a veteran fighter, strong enough to take on King Piccolo, but not yet strong enough to attract the Saiyans. It was a perfect mentor.
"Master Roshi," Tommy grinned. "Looks like I'm heading to the Kame House."