The white marble tiles of Kami's Lookout gleamed in the afternoon sun, the platform hovering silently above the Earth.
Despite its peaceful appearance, tension hung thick in the air as the Z Fighters gathered in a loose circle, their expressions grim.
Bulma paced nervously, checking her watch for the third time in as many minutes. "Three days," she muttered. "Just three days until that Cooler guy arrives."
Piccolo stood at the edge of the Lookout, his cape billowing in the high-altitude wind as he stared into the distance. "Three days to prepare for what might be our final battle."
Vegeta scoffed, arms crossed over his chest. "Speak for yourself, Namekian. I have no intention of dying to that demon."
"Easy to say," Krillin remarked, sitting cross-legged on the tiles. "But King Kai made it sound like Cooler's even stronger than Freeza."
"He probably is," Vegeta stated, his expression darkening. "Cooler has always been from what I heard in rare rumours trying to surpass his bro- no, sister," Vegeta slightly shuddered at the thought, and the image Nappa previously imparted into his mind of Toji and Freeza... doing it.
He kind wanted to claw his brains out.
"Freeza was born stronger. That's why she was chosen to lead the empire despite being younger."
Goku, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, finally spoke up. "Vegeta, you mentioned something about Zenkai boosts during our trip here. Can you explain how they work again- I'm still a bit confused?"
The Saiyan prince threw Goku an annoyed look, but did so anyway.
"The Zenkai boost isn't as simple as just getting stronger after healing as many Saiyans previously believed- even myself - until recent circumstances." Vegeta began, uncrossing his arms. "It's based on two primary factors: the severity of damage taken and who the Saiyan is trying to surpass and what they know of their power."
"Surpass? Wait, isn't this what you told Toji when you first came to Earth?" Gohan asked, his young face scrunched in concentration.
"Yes, brat," Vegeta replied, though without his usual venom.
"A Saiyan's body adapts specifically to overcome the power that defeated it. When Toji gave me that senzu bean after our battle, I could feel my power growing to match a fraction of what my body sensed from him- sensed from how much force was used against me."
"That's why your power level jumped so dramatically," Piccolo observed. "You weren't just healing from injuries – you were adapting to a specific opponent."
"Precisely," Vegeta nodded. "My power increased because my body was trying to catch up to Toji's. But there are limits. No matter how many times I nearly die, I can't suddenly jump to his level. My body first needs to adapt to the power obtained."
"So that's why Toji wanted to beat you up during our trip to Namek, it was to let you sense his power, and then to let you heal," Bulma realized. "He was trying to maximize your Zenkai boost!"
"A strategy I might have appreciated being consulted on first," Vegeta grumbled.
Nappa, who had been standing slightly apart from the others, grunted in agreement. "That's why Saiyan training was always so brutal. We weren't just building strength – we were forcing adaptation."
"Yes, and now with myself, and Nappa able to sense Ki, our bodies are able to now know from our souls, what the true power is of our opponents, and not simply getting to know it from the force of their blows."
Piccolo at the mention of sensing suddenly stiffened, his antennae twitching slightly. "We should extend our ki sense then," he suggested. "If we focus, we might be able to track Cooler's approach and you'll know what you Saiyans will know what your up against better than when we were on Namek during all the chaos."
"Good idea, who knows, maybe he's gone faster or something. King Kai did say he couldn't always keep an eye on Freeza- I bet the same thing with this Cooler," Goku agreed, closing his eyes.
"Everyone, concentrate. Reach out as far as you can. It's best we all try and sense, to know more accurately."
One by one, they closed their eyes, extending their awareness beyond the Lookout, beyond Earth's atmosphere, into the cold vastness of space.
At first, there was nothing but the familiar signatures of life on Earth, then...
"There!" Vegeta hissed, his face contorting. "Do you feel it?"
They did.
A massive, malevolent presence moving steadily toward Earth. Cooler's ki signature was overwhelming – a vast, dark ocean of power that seemed to dwarf the galaxy itself.
(And to dwarf something with sheer Ki volume- meant being able to easily destroy it.)
It felt as if the entire universe was being compressed by his approach, the pressure of his energy palpable even across such a distance.
Krillin collapsed onto his backside, his face pale with shock. "That's... that's impossible," he whispered, voice trembling. "He's at least 7000 times stronger than Vegeta! Even someone twice as strong is almost impossible to beat, but this..."
"We're doomed," he finished weakly.
Gohan's small frame was shaking, but he remained standing. "How... how did Toji fight both him and Freeza at the same time?" he asked, his voice barely audible. "And force Cooler to flee?"
"Don't compare yourselves to the likes of him," Vegeta snapped, though sweat beaded on his forehead from the effort of keeping himself steady, at finally truly sensing the powers of these monsters. During Namek not having done so in fear of losing hope there and then as well.
"Toji is a freak of nature. He doesn't follow the same rules as the rest of us."
"Vegeta's right," Piccolo agreed, opening his eyes and breaking his concentration. "Toji's just different. He's human, but It's almost like he's built from something else. Comparing ourselves to him is pointless and unwise. It will only weaken our resolve- leading to our deaths."
Goku's expression was unusually serious as he opened his eyes. "Cooler's even stronger than I imagined. We'll need every advantage we can get."
Bulma stepped forward, reaching into her pocket. "Speaking of advantages," she said, pulling out a small capsule. "My dad improved the gravity chamber while you were gone. This one can go up to 500 times Earth's gravity."
She handed it to Goku, along with a small case. "And here are a couple hundred food capsules. Should last you ten years, even with your appetite."
Goku's face lit up with genuine gratitude. "Wow, Bulma! Thanks a ton! This is going to help so much!"
"We need to divide responsibilities," Piccolo stated, bringing them back to the matter at hand. "Time is limited."
"Kakarot and I will train in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber," Vegeta declared, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Piccolo nodded. "I'll train Gohan outside. It won't help much against Cooler, but I refuse to sit around doing nothing."
"Same here," Krillin agreed, though his expression remained grim. "Even if we're... well, useless against someone that powerful."
"I'll hold the fort in case Cooler arrives sooner than expected," Nappa volunteered, surprising everyone. "I can stall him with my Great Ape form – though not for long. Maybe a minute at most, and that's only because the freak hates Saiyans and will probably torture me before killing me."
Goku suddenly snapped his fingers. "We should probably stock up on more Senzu Beans! I'll go talk to Korin."
Before anyone could respond, he enveloped himself in Ki and flew into the sky downward Kami's Lookout to Korin's place.
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Korin's Tower stood like a needle piercing the sky, its white structure extending impossibly high above the ground.
Within its curved top level, Master Korin was tending to his prized Senzu plants when Goku arrived directly in front of him through sheer speed.
"Gah!" the white cat exclaimed, nearly dropping his watering can. "A little warning next time, Goku!"
"Sorry, Korin," Goku said with an apologetic grin, rubbing the back of his head. "We're kind of in a hurry. Do you have any Senzu Beans?"
Korin set down his watering can and hobbled over to a small pot on a shelf. "I've been working overtime this past month," he explained, removing the lid to reveal a small pile of green beans. "Got 32 of them here. Had to keep Yajirobe from eating any – that was the real challenge."
From somewhere deeper in the tower, Yajirobe's voice called out defensively: "I heard that!"
Goku counted the beans, adding them to his own pouch. "That makes 38 total with the 6 I still have. This is perfect, Korin! You're a lifesaver!"
The cat master twirled his staff thoughtfully. "I've sensed what's coming, Goku. These beans might make the difference between life and death."
Goku's expression sobered. "I know. We're going to need every advantage we can get."
"The beans will help," Korin agreed, "but don't rely solely on them. Natural healing is still important."
"Right," Goku nodded, enveloping himself in Ki again. "Thanks, Korin! I owe you one!"
"You owe me several hundred at this point," the cat muttered as Goku flew away.
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When Goku arrived back at the Lookout, he found the others waiting expectantly.
"Got them!" he announced, holding up the pouch. "38 Senzu Beans total!"
"Excellent," Piccolo nodded. "That should be enough to heal any injuries during the battle."
"No," Vegeta suddenly said as he snatched the pouch from Goku's hand.
"These will be our key to succes. Kakarot and myself will take 34 of them. We're going to abuse the Zenkai ability we Saiyans possess- driving ourselves to near death constantly and healing with them." Vegeta explained as he looked sharply at Goku, daring him to contradict him and his ways.
"The remaining four will be for the battle." Vegeta said as he pulled out four Senzu Beans and threw them at Piccolo who caught them.
Seeing no one protesting, Kami stepped forward, his face lined with concern. "Before you enter the Time Chamber, there's something you must know."
Both Goku and Vegeta turned their attention to the Guardian of Earth.
"The Hyperbolic Time Chamber has strict rules," Kami explained, leaning heavily on his staff. "You can only remain inside for exactly one year of chamber time – which is 24 hours in the outside world."
His expression grew more severe. "If you stay even a moment longer, the door will vanish, and you'll be trapped forever."
"One year exactly," Goku repeated, nodding seriously. "Got it."
"Also," Kami continued, "the conditions inside are harsh. The temperature fluctuates between extreme heat and cold. The air is thinner. Gravity increases the further you move from the entrance."
"Perfect training conditions," Vegeta remarked with a predatory smile.
Mr. Popo stepped forward, gesturing toward a heavy wooden door set into the main building of the Lookout. "This way, please."
As they approached the door, Bulma rushed forward, grabbing Goku's arm. "Be careful in there," she said, her voice tight with concern. "And make sure you come out stronger."
Goku gave her his trademark grin. "Don't worry, Bulma. We'll be ready for Cooler when we come out."
Vegeta scoffed as they reached the door. "Just don't slow us down with your hesitation Kakarot. I have no intention of you going soft on me like you would your friends- this will be a year of constant near death battles, you got that. Don't make me waste time having to babysit you."
"Aw, come on, Vegeta," Goku replied cheerfully. "You should trust me, I'm not afraid of dying you know? Besides,"
Goku's expression turned a bit more vengeful as a smirk appeared on his face, "I can't wait to beat you up for what you and Nappa did to Tien, Chiaotzu and Yamcha. Don't think I'm satisfied with what happened till I break at least once everyone bone in your body. I'd like to do the same with Nappa, but you'll do for now."
Everyone looked at Goku as if he grown a second head.
"Hey... uh... Krillin. Don't you think Goku's been kind of different lately," Bulma whispered, leaning slightly towards Krillin next to her.
"Yeah, he has. Don't know why though. He hasn't been the same since we'd gone on our trip to Namek." Krillin whispered back.
"I have my own theories about that," Piccolo suddenly whispered from behind them, entering the conversation. "I remember distinctly when I was flying towards Raditz when he met Goku at the old man's place, hearing how Goku hit his head when he arrived on Earth. I think it has to do with that."
"What do you mean?" Bulma whispered back.
"I don't know if you remember, but during our trip, Goku and Toji sparred a couple times," Piccolo began. "He-"
"Wait," Krillin interrupted his tone a bit louder than he intended, causing him to lower it into a whisper again, "You mean when Toji hit Goku really hard on his head that one time? Punched him so hard his head made a dent in the Chamber."
Piccolo nodded, "I checked, and I saw a scar where he was hit from when his hair split away for a moment, Toji hit him right where his old injury was,"
Before their conversation could continue, Mr. Popo suddenly opened the heavy door, the sound catching everyone's attention, revealing a blinding white light beyond.
Goku and Vegeta exchanged one final glance before stepping through together.
The door closed behind them with a heavy thud that seemed to echo across the Lookout.
After a long moment of silence, Piccolo broke it.
"And now," Piccolo said grimly, turning to Gohan, "we prepare as best we can." Earlier conversation for a moment forgotten.
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(Author note: Hello everyone! I hope you all liked the chapter!
Do tell me how you found it.
Also, do tell me what you thought of Bulma, Krillin and Piccolo's conversation about Goku.
Well, I hope to see you all later,
Bye!)