The battlefield was still heavy with the aftertaste of destruction. Smoke curled upward from broken rocks and shattered trees, the echoes of Raditz's defeat fading into the distance. The silence now was almost unnatural—like the world itself was holding its breath after such chaos.
Rudra stood there, chest rising and falling, heart pounding louder than the crickets in the night grass. He had done it—he had interfered in Dragon Ball's history directly. And now, there was no stepping back.
Lying in front of him, Son Goku groaned weakly. His body bore burns, scratches, and the deep ache of battle, yet there was still light in his eyes. Without hesitation, Rudra stepped forward, kneeling beside him.
He pressed his palm against Goku's chest, channeling his ki the way he had practiced in secret. The golden warmth flowed from Rudra into Goku, just like that legendary moment when Goku himself once spared Frieza.
Goku's body shuddered. His eyes widened. And slowly—so slowly—he rose onto one knee.
"W-What…?" he muttered, panting, pain still etched on his face.
But he was standing.
Piccolo, arms crossed and face shadowed, frowned. He hadn't wanted to lift a finger to help, yet when he saw Goku struggling, something inside him clicked. With a scoff, he stepped forward and shoved Goku's arm across his shoulder.
"Don't get the wrong idea, Kakarot," Piccolo muttered. "If you die here, the Earth loses its only fool strong enough to keep things interesting."
Despite the sharpness in his voice, his movements were steady, almost careful. Goku smiled faintly at that.
Then, his eyes turned toward Rudra.
"Hey," he said, voice hoarse but warm. "What's your name? I'm Son Goku."
Rudra blinked. For a moment, it hit him how surreal this all was. He had admired Goku for years, as a fan behind a screen. And now, here was Goku, battered and smiling at him, introducing himself like they were equals.
Swallowing the knot in his throat, Rudra forced a smile.
"Oh! Sorry for the late introduction. My name is Rudra. And… I'm a fighter too. Just like you."
Goku's smile widened. Despite the pain, he extended his hand forward with that pure, innocent energy only he had.
"Hey! You really did a great job in the fight. Nice to meet you, Rudra!"
For a moment, Rudra's chest tightened. This was the man who turned enemies into friends—Frieza, Vegeta, even Majin Buu. To have Goku extend his hand to him was… overwhelming.
He reached out and shook it firmly.
"Same here. It's… good to finally meet you."
But before the warmth of the handshake could settle, another voice sliced through the air like a blade.
Piccolo's sharp eyes narrowed.
"Enough of this." His voice carried suspicion like venom. "Who are you really, Rudra? How did you know about Raditz? About his allies? Don't play dumb."
The silence that followed was heavy. Even the distant wind seemed to pause.
Rudra's mind raced. Of course—Piccolo wouldn't trust him. Why would he? He had appeared out of nowhere, fought with knowledge that should have been impossible. One wrong word now could shatter everything.
He forced his expression calm, though inside, anxiety chewed at him.
Before he could craft a careful reply, Goku broke the silence with a soft laugh.
"Piccolo, come on. We can ask questions later. Right now, let's just be glad we're still alive."
He patted Piccolo's arm weakly. "Besides, if Rudra wanted to harm us, he wouldn't have healed me. Right?"
Piccolo didn't answer immediately. His gaze stayed fixed on Rudra, cold and piercing, as if trying to dig straight into his soul. Finally, he let out a low grunt and turned away.
"Tch. We'll see."
Goku, however, grinned as always.
"Don't mind him, Rudra. That's just Piccolo. He acts scary, but deep down he's a good guy."
Piccolo's eyes twitched. "Say that again and I'll fry you where you stand, Goku."
Despite the threat, Goku chuckled, and for the first time, Rudra felt the strange rhythm between them—the rivalry, the grudging respect, the unspoken bond.
---------
The battlefield had finally quieted, but the air still buzzed with unease. Just then, a familiar hovercar descended nearby. Out stepped Bulma, Master Roshi, and Krillin, rushing toward the battered warriors.
Bulma pulled out a pouch of Senzu Beans, tossing one immediately to Goku. "Here, eat this quick! You look like you've been run over by a freight train!"
Goku gulped it down, and within seconds his energy skyrocketed back to full strength. He cracked a smile, flexing his fists. "Heheh, that feels a lot better."
Meanwhile, Rudra strode over to the strange spherical pod Raditz had brought. With a flick of his wrist, he tore open the hatch. Inside, little Gohan tumbled out, frightened and confused. Goku immediately ran forward, scooping up his son in a protective embrace.
"Gohan!" Goku's voice trembled with relief. "Don't worry, Daddy's here."
Everyone's eyes, however, shifted toward Rudra—the mysterious man who had turned the tide of the battle. His presence radiated something none of them could quite place. Even Kami, observing from the Lookout through his telepathic sight, was shaken.
(What is this power…? He is not of Earth, yet… not quite like the Saiyans either. Who exactly is this Rudra?)
Krillin finally broke the silence. "Uh… guys… who is this guy? He just shows up, saves the day, and acts like he knows everything?!"
Bulma narrowed her eyes at Rudra, recognition flashing across her face. "Wait… no way. I know you! You're Rudra—the famous writer! The one whose sci-fi books I used to read in Capsule Corp library! What the heck are you doing here, in the middle of this?"
Everyone blinked in disbelief. Roshi tilted his sunglasses down. "A writer…? That's not exactly the resume I'd expect for someone who fights like that."
Rudra smirked faintly, keeping his tone light. "Let's just say… writing gives you imagination. Imagination leads to possibilities." He folded his arms, masking the truth. "And now, you've all seen with your own eyes. Aliens exist. Earth is not alone in the universe."
His words hung heavy in the air.
Bulma frowned, still studying him. "If you already knew about aliens, then… what are you after? Why get involved?"
Rudra chuckled, dodging the question. Instead, he pointed toward Goku. "The real concern isn't me. It's what's coming."
The Z Fighters leaned in as Rudra's voice dropped, serious now. "Raditz was just the beginning. Within six months, his allies will arrive. And they're not just stronger than him—they're over one hundred times stronger."
The color drained from everyone's faces.
"Wha—WHAT?!" Krillin shrieked. "One hundred times stronger?! Are you kidding me?!"
Even Roshi's usually calm expression wavered. "That's… beyond anything we've ever faced…"
Goku's grip on Gohan tightened as he frowned. "So, we'll have to train harder than ever before."
Rudra nodded. "Exactly. And if you want any chance at surviving… you'll need more than Earth's training. Goku… you must seek out the planet of King Kai. Train under him."
That single name made Kami's eyes widen in horror.
(Impossible…! How does he know about King Kai's world? Even among the gods of Earth, few have that knowledge… Who is this Rudra truly?)
Goku blinked, confused. "King Kai? Who's that?"
Rudra smiled faintly. "A master beyond your imagination. Only through him will you stand a chance against what's coming."
The group turned toward Kami instinctively. A moment later, his deep voice echoed telepathically.
"...Rudra speaks the truth. There is indeed such a path. Goku, I can guide you there… if you're willing to take the risk."
Goku's eyes lit up. "Of course I will! If it means protecting everyone, I'll do it!"
Piccolo, however, was silent, his sharp eyes fixed on Rudra the whole time. (This man… he's lying about who he really is. But what's his true goal?)
Breaking the tension, Rudra stepped back, his cloak swaying with the breeze. "That's enough for today. You all have questions, but answers can wait. Tomorrow… we meet at the Lookout. Prepare yourselves."
With that, he turned, walking away into the fading sunset. His presence left the battlefield quiet once more—except for the echo of his warning.
Enemies, one hundred times stronger, were on their way.
And the mysterious Rudra was right at the center of it all.