Ten times Earth's gravity had been normal back on Planet Vegeta.
I was used to that.
But twenty times Earth's gravity… that was harsher than I expected.
My body felt heavier, every step pressing against the floor like I was wading through deep water. My movements slowed, but my strength itself didn't fade. If anything, it forced me to be more deliberate.
Today wasn't about my limits, though.
It was about theirs.
Goku and Krillin stood in front of me, shoulders squared, eyes sharp.
"This isn't our usual training," I told them. "I want you both to come at me together. No holding back."
Goku grinned. "Two against one, huh? Sounds fun!"
Krillin swallowed but nodded. "W-We'll give it everything!"
"That's the idea."
They lunged at the same time.
Krillin came in low, fast. My tail snapped forward and struck his midsection—but he blocked just in time, arms crossing as the impact sent him tumbling backward across the floor.
Goku was already there.
I sidestepped his punch and leapt back, creating space between us.
"Again!" Goku shouted.
They rushed me a second time.
This time I caught them both—Krillin's kick in my right hand, Goku's fist in my left.
For a moment, I strained against them under the crushing gravity, my muscles screaming as the invisible weight pressed down on my body. Goku and Krillin pushed back with everything they had, unaware of the burden I was carrying.
Then I swung my arms and threw them away.
They skidded across the ground, barely managing to stop themselves.
Goku was back on his feet in an instant, charging straight at me—while Krillin stayed behind.
"Change your tactics!" I called out.
Just before Goku reached me, he sidestepped.
A flash of light surged past him.
"Kamehameha!"
Krillin's beam roared toward me.
I planted my feet and focused my ki into my palm, stopping the blast head-on. The beam exploded against my hand, energy scattering in all directions.
But I didn't have time to relax.
Goku was already on my left.
"Kamehameha!"
Two beams in a heartbeat.
With no room to dodge, I released a pulse of ki from my body.
The shockwave shattered both attacks and blasted Goku away with them.
When the light faded, both of them were on one knee, breathing hard.
Spent.
I walked toward them and crossed my arms.
"That was good," I said honestly. "If your power levels were any closer to mine, I might've lost that."
Krillin's eyes widened. "R-Really?!"
Goku laughed, wiping sweat from his face. "Then we just have to get stronger next time!"
I smiled faintly. "That's the spirit. For now, clean up and get some rest. You've earned it."
They nodded, already talking excitedly about what they could've done better as they headed off.
That night, I returned to my work.
Blueprints. Data. Simulations.
I searched for ways to make my robots stronger, more adaptable… maybe even give them a hint of personality.
But even without that, my hands were already full.
Sometimes, I found myself wishing there was a technique that could let me clone myself—just so I could keep up with everything I wanted to do.
I wasn't racing against a deadline.
Yet it still felt like I was falling behind in a race I didn't even remember signing up for.
I stared at the glowing screens in the quiet room and let out a slow breath.
There's still so much to build…