"This… this is the aura Goku has after becoming a Super Saiyan.
This pressure… compared to Vegeta back then, Goku is definitely not weaker."
Tien's voice shook uncontrollably.
Not just his voice.
His entire body trembled.
As he stared at the golden figure surrounded by blazing light, thousands of memories surged through his mind.
Their fights in the World Martial Arts Tournament.
Their years of training together.
Their battles against invading enemies.
Enemies.
Friends.
Comrades.
Even now that he was dead, the bond remained.
A sigh escaped him.
Admiration.
Reluctance.
A final acceptance.
What else could he feel?
Even though the training of these past months had pushed his power to nearly five hundred thirty thousand, enough to match Frieza's first form…
He was still nothing.
Once, he had fallen behind.
Now, he could not even see the horizon where Goku stood.
He no longer possessed the qualifications to stand on the same stage.
If Goku threw one casual punch at full power, Tien would die instantly.
Even a glancing blow might erase him.
Yamcha felt the same despair.
"I always believed that as long as I kept training on King Kai's planet… even if I never surpassed Goku, at least I could narrow the distance a little. I never expected the gap to grow so wide that there is no end in sight. Super Saiyans… they are too strong. We Earthlings… we have no advantage at all."
His voice carried grief and frustration.
He had trained harder than he ever had in life.
He had pushed himself past every limit he knew.
Yet Goku transformed once… and everything collapsed.
His efforts suddenly meant nothing.
He was happy for Goku.
Yet he mourned himself.
He recalled their early adventures, their shared dangers… and finally lowered his head with a tired sigh.
Once, they stood side by side.
Now, he was not even worthy to stand behind him.
Chiaotzu trembled beside him.
"Ever since the Saiyans came to Earth… everything has changed."
He too understood painfully well.
The universe had become a battleground for monsters and gods.
What could someone like him contribute?
Even Yamcha, who was far stronger than before, could no longer keep up.
He, even weaker, had already been erased from the story.
His eyes dimmed with hidden resentment.
He wanted power.
He wanted to matter.
But reality was cruel.
Piccolo stood at a distance, arms crossed, eyes sharp and silent.
His jaw tightened.
A flicker of frustration flashed across his face.
But it vanished instantly.
Piccolo did not allow weakness.
Hmph. Even if you have become a Super Saiyan, do not think I will let you leave me behind forever. I am not an Earthling. I am a Namekian. Now that I know my true origin, I am not the old me. Our Namekian race… is not inferior to Saiyans.
Piccolo shouted in his heart.
The gap enraged him.
But it did not break him.
He would not admit defeat.
He would not lose to a Saiyan again.
Even though he was dead, this did not restrain him.
King Kai's little planet was not the limit of the afterlife.
His strength now outclassed everyone here except Goku.
It was time to move forward.
He could leave this world.
Fight the villains in the depths of Hell.
Temper himself through constant battle.
That was the path of a warrior.
Behind them, King Kai let out a long sigh.
"It seems catching up to Goku will not be easy for any of you. If you do not find the correct path, you may never see another major breakthrough in your lives."
The four fell silent.
Even the Ginyu Force stood still, listening without breathing.
In their hearts, Goku now stood on a peak too distant to imagine.
Tien finally gathered the courage to speak.
"King Kai… do you have a method? A way for us to grow stronger?"
Yamcha, Chiaotzu, and Piccolo all snapped their eyes toward King Kai.
Even Jeice, Burter, Guldo, and Recoome leaned closer without making a sound.
Every warrior desired strength.
King Kai's small planet had already multiplied their power many times.
If there was more beyond that…
"There is a path," King Kai said slowly.
"Before now, none of you were qualified. But with your current strength… and the fact that you died protecting Earth… your accumulated merit is sufficient."
"Merit?"
"A higher level of training?"
"Something beyond this planet?"
"You mean… an even greater world exists?"
"A Kai above all the North, South, East, and West Kais? A Grand Kai?"
They forgot even Goku's dazzling transformation for a moment.
Strength pulled them forward like a magnet.
A new road had opened.
Hope returned to their eyes.
King Kai nodded slowly.
"Yes. You are ready to meet him. The Grand Kai."
~~~~~~
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