The sun shone brightly over the Lookout as Rudra finished his words. His calm but firm tone carried weight in the silence that followed.
"On Earth, too," Kami added, stroking his beard, "there are monks who spend their lives in meditation. Their strength is not measured in battle, but in spirit."
Rudra nodded slightly, his golden aura flickering faintly around him. "That's true, Kami. And that's exactly what I want to share with you all. If the Z Fighters truly wish to grow, I can teach you not only to strengthen your ki but to awaken techniques that cannot be reached through brute force alone. If you follow this training… you may unlock powers you never imagined."
The words struck deep. Piccolo narrowed his eyes. Krillin swallowed nervously but stepped forward. Tien clenched his fists. Even Yamcha, usually doubtful, felt something stir inside.
One by one, they agreed.
"Yes," said Piccolo curtly.
"I'll do it too," Krillin added.
Tien gave a serious nod. Chiaotzu floated beside him, silent but determined. Even Yamcha muttered, "Well… if everyone else is doing it, count me in."
Finally, Master Roshi leaned on his staff, gazing at Rudra with wise, half-closed eyes. "Hoh-hoh… meditation, eh? I haven't walked that path in a long time. Perhaps… it's time again."
Rudra smiled faintly. "Good. Then follow me."
---
Into the Forest
The group took off from the Lookout, streaks of light across the sky as they followed Rudra. He led them far away, across mountains and rivers, until at last they descended into a deep forest where sunlight filtered gently through the tall trees.
They landed in a clearing. Birds scattered into the air at their arrival. The fighters looked around in confusion.
"Why bring us here?" Yamcha asked, scratching his head.
Rudra turned, his expression calm but firm. "Because this place is untouched by human noise. Here, nature's pulse is pure. To learn what I'm about to teach, you must be cut off from distractions."
He stepped onto a large rock at the center of the clearing and sat down cross-legged. His fingers folded gracefully into a hand seal. "Now," he said, "listen carefully. Whatever I do, you must copy exactly. Begin by sitting still. Fold your hands like this… close your eyes. Let breath and hunger vanish. Let thought vanish. Sit without moving, without eating, without drinking."
The fighters stared at him, wide-eyed.
"What?!" Krillin gasped. "No food? No water? That's impossible!"
Rudra did not open his eyes. "Impossible for mortals, yes. But we are not mortals anymore. With focus, the body can draw life from the very air itself. I can survive like this for two months without a single grain of rice. And so can you… if you commit."
A heavy silence followed.
Piccolo was the first to sit down, crossing his arms before mimicking Rudra's posture. "Hmph. I don't eat anyway. This will be easy."
Surprisingly, Master Roshi also lowered himself, folding his legs with slow, practiced grace. He closed his eyes without complaint, as though slipping back into a forgotten rhythm.
Seeing this, Krillin hesitated but eventually sat down. Yamcha followed, though his expression was already doubtful. Tien and Chiaotzu quietly joined, determined as ever.
Soon, all of them sat in a circle, eyes closed, the forest now echoing with only the rustling of leaves.
---
The First Night
Hours passed.
At first, there was peace. But as the sun dipped behind the trees, things began to change.
Mosquitoes buzzed in the humid air, circling Yamcha. He twitched, swatted, grumbled, and tried to stay still. But eventually, he yelped, slapping his neck. "Argh! I can't do this! These bugs are eating me alive!"
Breaking his meditation, Yamcha jumped to his feet and hovered above the trees. "Sorry, guys, but I'm out. You can keep your enlightenment!" He shot off into the distance.
Krillin groaned, sweat trickling down his forehead. "Heh… guess I'm next. Honestly, I don't think I'm cut out for this either. Maybe next time, Rudra." He got up sheepishly and flew away.
Chiaotzu glanced nervously at Tien. "Tien… this is really hard. I think I'll go too. You'll tell me what happens later, right?"
Tien's eyes remained shut. His voice was calm but firm. "Stay if you wish. Leave if you must. But I will not move."
Chiaotzu pouted, then reluctantly drifted away.
That left Piccolo, Roshi, and Tien still seated, motionless.
---
Awakening of Focus
As the night deepened, strange things began to happen.
Tien's body grew hot. Steam seemed to rise faintly from his shoulders. His ki swirled around him, condensing tighter than ever before.
Master Roshi, too, remained surprisingly still. The old man's usual foolish grin was gone, replaced by serenity. His aura shimmered faintly, like an ember long buried but never extinguished.
Piccolo's breathing slowed to almost nothing. His antennae barely twitched. He seemed to merge with the forest itself, silent and immovable.
Hours bled into the next day.
---
The Test of Dinosaurs
The forest trembled.
A herd of dinosaurs pushed through the trees, their massive forms crashing into the clearing. Their roars shook the ground. The Z Fighters opened their eyes — except Rudra, who remained perfectly still on his rock, unmoved.
Tien rose instantly, standing tall. "I'll handle this."
The beasts snarled, surrounding the group. One dinosaur inhaled deeply, then exhaled a stream of fire directly at Rudra.
Piccolo gasped. "Rudra—!"
But the flames washed harmlessly over him. His body glowed faintly, like stone untouched by wind. Not a single hair on his head was burned.
Tien froze, stunned. "He… he didn't even flinch…"
Another dinosaur lunged at Tien from behind. Without thinking, Tien raised a single finger and flicked.
BOOM!
The massive beast was hurled backward as though struck by a cannon, slamming into a mountain in the distance. The mountain cracked, stones tumbling down in an avalanche.
Tien's eyes widened in disbelief. He looked at his finger, trembling. "That… that wasn't possible. I didn't even use force. Just… instinct."
He felt it then — his ki, refined and controlled like never before. His body responded before his mind could even think. For the first time, he truly understood the meaning of Rudra's training.
Breathing heavily, he turned back to the dinosaurs. This time, he did not attack. He simply stood still. His aura pulsed with calm authority.
The dinosaurs growled, but something in Tien's presence made them hesitate. Slowly, one by one, they turned and lumbered back into the forest.
Tien lowered his hand. His heart pounded, but he smiled faintly. "I get it now… control. Pure control."
And without another word, he sat down again, closing his eyes.
---
The Survivors
The day stretched on.
Yamcha, Krillin, and Chiaotzu were gone.
But three remained: Piccolo, Master Roshi, and Tien. Each locked in silent battle with their own limits.
Above them, Rudra continued to sit, unmoved, his body glowing faintly like a star.
The forest grew quiet again.
And thus, their true training had only just begun.
---