Calling Goku excited about the upcoming World Martial Arts Tournament would have been an understatement.
From the moment he woke up, his energy was practically overflowing. Every movement had purpose, every question somehow circled back to the tournament.
"Are you sure you're not joining?" he asked again while stretching, his grin as wide as ever.
I sighed softly. "As much as I'd like to fight you on a public stage, I'd rather do it here—where everything's controlled."
I gestured around us. The training room hummed faintly, its surface ready to absorb any stray ki blast.
"This place lets you go all out," I continued. "No holding back. No worrying about the audience. Especially not with your Kamehameha."
Goku scratched his head. "Yeah… but fighting a robot still feels kinda lonely."
He glanced toward the training machine I'd built for him. "It doesn't react like a real person. No personality. It's like I'm just… training by myself."
I smiled faintly. "In a way, you are. But I'll see if I can improve that."
His eyes lit up immediately. "Really?!"
I nodded. "Eventually."
Besides sparring with me, Goku continued training with Krillin and the robot, pushing himself daily. His growth was steady—almost frightening—but he was still Goku. He fought not just to win, but to understand.
---
The surveillance drones finally returned with useful information.
Tien.
I found him deep in the mountains, training alone with Chiaotzu nearby. His movements were sharp, disciplined—focused.
"I won't waste your time," I said as I landed. "Would you and Chiaotzu like to join Goku and Krillin's training?"
Tien studied me carefully before shaking his head.
"I appreciate the offer," he said slowly, "but I need to grow on my own. After Master Shen… I can't rely on others yet."
I respected that.
"Then let me help in another way," I offered. "I'll show you what you'll be facing in the tournament."
He hesitated, then nodded.
I released a controlled amount of my ki—matching what I expected Goku to display during the tournament.
Tien's eyes widened.
"So that's… his level."
"It will be," I confirmed. "Plan accordingly."
He exhaled slowly, determination hardening his expression. "Thank you. This helps more than you know."
I gave a short nod. "Good luck."
And with that, I left him to his training.
---
The last person I sought out that day was Piccolo.
I found him meditating in silence. He didn't open his eyes when I arrived.
"What do you want?" he asked calmly.
"Nothing urgent," I replied. "I was nearby."
There was less hostility in his voice than before. A subtle change—but noticeable.
After a pause, he spoke again. "You fought someone recently. I can feel it. Your ki pressure reached even here."
I tilted my head slightly. "And yet, that wasn't my full power."
He opened one eye, skeptical. "You expect me to believe that?"
"I've never lied to you," I said simply.
He closed his eye again, silent.
"You train Goku," Piccolo said after a moment. "Yet neither his ki nor yours reaches me. Strange… unless you're hiding it."
"We have a room," I explained. "It absorbs ki—and masks it completely."
That finally caught his attention.
I studied him for a moment, then asked, "Would you like to join us?"
His answer was immediate. "No."
I expected nothing less.
"Then hear this," I said before leaving. "To Goku, fighting is how he understands people. How he talks to them."
I paused. "Maybe that's his Saiyan blood."
Piccolo remained silent.
"Go all out when you face him," I added. "He will."
And with that, I took to the sky, heading home—knowing that when the tournament began, nothing would remain the same.