Dragon Ball Governed
Chapter 23
"Wishful Thinking"
11 years.
It had been 11 years since the Earthlings had to endure the monstrosity that the two Saiyan murderous brought. A lot of time had passed since then, though 11 years in the long run isn't all that much when it comes to the big picture of matters. The millions of lives lost caused an enormous ripple effect, one that hadn't stopped to this day; the economy had plundered, which resulted in more poor people, and safety procedures had elevated to an all time high. There wasn't a single street one can pass by without seeing a figure of authority. Despite that, unity amongst people of all different kinds had been flourishing. Within a few more years, everything would begin to start being normal again.
Regardless, those who tried to forget simply couldn't. Everyday going out in the world, the aftermath of the tragedy was always there in different forms: rebuilding or struggle.
And for those that remained inside, they still couldn't get over it.
Thanks to the media.
On television, a blue anthropomorphic dog was seen seated at his desk with his glasses hanging low. The stressful years had taken its toll on him since his natural blue fur could be seen with obvious greying spots. Many hated him for his lack of success in protecting the world, though many also respected him for his resolve in putting the pieces back together. He did what he could and that was all that mattered in the eyes of most.
"This day shouldn't be given any glorifying introduction," the king of Earth started off. "We know the tragedy that bestowed itself upon us and you all know that I and my men are doing their best to keep on forward. Every year since then, we've been able to come with some good news. Last year we've managed to employ new jobs despite the heightened amount of people gone into poverty. This year, we're starting DAASA; Defending Aeronautics and Space Administration. We will be keeping track of what comes in and out on the planet as we try to learn how to make ships and satellites capable of surviving out in space long enough to keep watch over us."
The television had been shut off.
Katayude tossed the remote over on the soft leather couch in the living room. On any other day, when not fishing or cooking, he'd be watching television, but today was no casual one. He was dressed in an all black stroller suit with notch lapels, and a dark red tie to match. With the living room now totally silent, he placed his hands under his baggy eyes and just sighed.
"We all knew this day was coming, son."
Katayude looked through the reflection of the black screen of the television to see it was Dr. Briefs. The man usually lived right nearby on the same island in his capsule corp home, though today was a special occasion. Katayude already knew it was the scientist by his voice, though he had to see him. Instead of Dr. Briefs being in his usual white lab coat and two button T-shirt, he was also dressed in a suit. Like Katayude, Dr. Briefs wore an all black zoot suit with a fedora.
He wasn't one for fashion. Being without Panchy really made him stick out like a sore thumb when it came to his choice of clothes.
"Yeah," Katayude turned around. "I just didn't expect him to pass so soon. I figured that he had another decade at the least."
Dr. Briefs nodded his head as he came from a place of understanding. He didn't expect Omori to pass away so soon either but being the elder man that he was, experience taught him that life came with all kinds of surprises. "Yeah, me too." Briefs approached Katayude from behind to give the man a reassuring pat on the back. "Come on, let's go. They're about to bury him."
Just outside, with Omori's tombstone directly next to his late wife's, everyone that had held him dear surrounded him.
Katayude came to greatly respect the man after they conversated with one another for the very first time. Upon having a heart to heart about the struggles he's endured after his wife's death, Katayude couldn't help but be sympathetic toward him. When together, the two would often fish and thanks to Omori, he learned a great deal about science. He was somewhat like a father figure to him. He respected Tokunoshin Omori so much that he even had his four subordinates of the police force, Aosa, Hiiki, Hondawara, and Mozuku.
Aosa left tulips on the tombstone as he spends a lot of his hobby time growing such. Hijiki left a written calligraphy letter dedicated to the old man. Hondawara left origami figures there and Tagomoro Katayude left tie bears on the tombstone as well.
Another man there, Dr. Briefs, also very much appreciated having Omori around as company. Many times, Dr. Briefs found it extremely hard to work together with any other scientist since the majority were far below him in intelligence. He only saw himself working with his daughter, but once he and Omori began to work on projects together, they just began clicking. They helped one another see things differently. It was just unfortunate that it took the alien invasion to bring them two together. He wished that they had met under different circumstances. He left Omori a pack of cigarettes on his tombstone; an inside joke between them two.
Tights just knew she had to be there. She had went through a lot and faced danger more than once alongside Omori and the two always came out together on top, with the help of Jako, an elite intergalactic policeman. Them growing an uncle and niece type of bond was just ineluctable. That was exactly how Bulma looked at him as well. Bulma left him a golden clock while Tights had roses and a rocket to boot.
And speaking of Jako, the man had took a break off duty to attend this ceremony as well. Despite his people doing memorials and burials very differently, Jako uncharacteristically bit his tongue and respected the dead man that was Tokunoshin Omori.
"Rest in peace, old timer. Now he can happily live in the otherworld with his wife."
Bulma walked up to the tombstone and crouched down. She kissed the palm of her hand, which she then used to touch it. Over these past 11 years, the girl had officially become a young woman, now sitting directly at 21 years old. She wore a dark violet Qipao dress that stopped just a bit before her knees. It was tight and revealed her nice curvaceous figure. Her purple hair was down to her very shoulders and in curls as she wore golden hoop earrings and red lipstick with a touch of mascara.
She was drop dead gorgeous.
After standing back up on her two feet in her purple high-heels, she turned around to face everyone who dressed rather elegantly to attend this occasion. "Everyone, I have to let you know that this is going to be good-bye...at least for a little bit."
This caused everyone to tilt their heads like confused dogs. What did she mean "good-bye"? After spending 11 years on the island, did Bulma finally decide to leave the nest? Everyone with the exception of her father didn't understand the sudden announcement. And today of all days.
"And just what are you up to?" Jako stepped up and asked.
Bulma dug inside the purse that she had been carrying the entire morning. She then proceeded to pull out two orange balls, both with a different number of stars on them. "As some of you know, I found this in the attic long ago." Bulma then reeled in one of the balls to get a close look at the shiny orb. "I did some research and apparently these things can grant wishes."
"You're kidding!" Jako exclaimed.
Bulma shook her head. "No. Legend says that I need all seven gathered around together before I say the password needed to summon the wish-granting dragon. I have 2 but just need the other five."
"Where are they?" Tights asked.
"Scattered," Bulma answered her older sister. "All over the world." The purple haired woman then smirked. "Good thing I have a Dragon Ball tracker."
Katayude and his associates were all left aghast. They couldn't fathom how something so mystical could actually be real - and on their world of all places.
"It sounds like a legend to me," Katayude voiced out. He then took off his glasses and looked at her with a dead expressionless look. "Are you serious about scouting the entire world just to find these things?"
Bulma nodded her head. "Dead serious."
As much as Katayude would prefer to stay there and mourn the loss of a great friend, he knew that he'd be no good man if he just let some young female go off by herself out in the world. He knew of the many dangers and chances are, Bulma wouldn't last a week out on her own doing free travel. "Then I'm going with. You're going to need somebody to protect you along the way."
"Well, why can't Jako be the one to go, too?" Tights suggested as she patted her old friend on the back.
Jako laughed in a weird manner as he scratched his head. As much as he liked Bulma, he couldn't. "I already got lectured pretty badly the last time I was on this planet for an extended period of time. If I do that again, I might get fired."
"Are you serious?" Tights asked.
Jako confirmed so by moving his head.
"When will you be ready to go?" Katayude asked.
"Right now," Bulma told him. She knew that time was of the essence, so the sooner that she got to collecting the Dragon Balls, then the sooner she'd be able to get her wish.
Dr. Briefs was the only one who didn't bother questioning anything. Bulma was a grown woman at this point and she was far beyond intelligent enough to make her own decisions. He walked toward her and gave his youngest a wide hug. "Please be safe, dear."
Bulma reciprocated the sign of affection and hugged her father just as tight as he did her. Tights joined as well to make sure that her sister knew that she also cared. After what felt like 5 minutes, Bulma's father and older sister finally pulled away.
The two looked back for a moment before turning back to her. They just had to know: "What are you going to wish for?"
Bulma fell silent. She initially wanted to keep this a secret as she went off to travel so that she could surprise everyone, but seeing the insane concerned look on Tights' and Briefs' face was something she couldn't resist acquiescing to. She leaned in and whispered so that only they heard her.
"I'm going to wish for mom to come back…"
Living the life of a hermit had its ups and downs.
A pro was that thoughts and actions could be freely let out and done without having to fret over any outside judgement. Though a con was that the lack of social interaction could genuinely make things a bore, having the single soul wander in their own mind for the majority of the time, despite also sometimes wanting to have other forms of diversion.
Roshi used to live that lifestyle of a hermit, despite having a talking turtle as his companion.
But he wasn't truly alone anymore.
In the livingroom of his home, Roshi sat in a lotus position next to a chabudai table where there were seven different meals cooked. Sushi, eggs, and a glass of water, for everyone.
Not a single day passed by that Roshi didn't think of the horrible night in which his past friends and rivals had been killed right before him. The old man had went through survivor's guilt before, but not to such an extreme magnitude. Regardless, he knew the only best solution for himself would be to move on and that's what he tried to do.
He also swore that he'd look after the students of those who had fallen.
So he's had some company for some time; on and off to be exact.
Three young boys that were students of Orin. After the disappearance of their master for what felt like days, everyone in the school had grown worried. Many left but only three stayed and remained loyal: Krillin, Kaston, and Liban. Kaston and Liban didn't necessarily take a liking to Krillin while at the temple, but after sticking around for a while under Roshi, they set aside their differences and got along before Roshi came ahead to take them in. The trio all had bald heads and six incensed burns on their foreheads. One was tall and lanky looking while the other was short and chubby. Krillin himself was just a midget, though he wasn't to be underestimated in combat.
Two were from Tsuru and his brother Tao: Chaotzu and Tien-Shinhan. At very young ages, they were being trained to be brutal fighters. They were learning to manipulate ki before their masters passed. Roshi picked up where they left off and allowed them to excel. Chaotzu and Tien were inseparable. Wherever Tien went or whatever he did, Chaotzu had to go and do it, too. They had an extreme work ethic, working and training hard day in and out whenever requested. Roshi was fond of their relationship and even encouraged it, for some day their bond could come in handy during any given situation.
And last but not least, the only female of the group. She always kept her jet-black hair in a bun and never went a day without wearing her master's gi, despite having trained with the likes of Karin and even Kami. Tien took combat seriously, but she took it to an entirely different level. Whenever she wasn't resting, eating, or using the bathroom, she was either training or meditating. Roshi had made attempts at telling her that it's okay to take a break once in a while though she wouldn't listen. After her father's death, fighting was all that she knew. She could be rather hard-headed, just like Gyumao. But her fiery spirit and dedication in the Martial Arts would be her key to success.
Chi-Chi was her name.
All seven had begun training with Roshi at different stages of their lives; Tien was nine years old when he was taken in. Krillin and his orin peers were all six. Chi-Chi was five and Chaotzu, four. The first few year and a half they learned everything they needed to from Muten Roshi, until they had then been brought to Karin. All of them trained for months at a time before being sent to Kami. Luckily for them, they never had a run into with the two Saiyans when they came to collect. All of them had just recently come home with Roshi after all this time.
It was just like old times with them sitting around and eating. They were a real family.
Chi-Chi was the first to finish her meal, as well as her cup of water. Subsequent to putting the drink down, her eyes motioned directly over to Roshi. "Master…"
Roshi was in the midst of placing some sushi in his mouth with chopsticks as he paused to look over to her. "Hm?"
Chi-Chi had asked this question once before, though when she was very little. Back then she didn't quite get what he meant until she continued to train and progress at exponential rates. After having completed training amongst the divine creatures of this world, she just had to know.
"Do you think I can take on the people that have killed my father now?"
Everyone stopped eating and fell silent. This was a question that they all had asked themselves as well, though they never bothered to ask. But of course, Chi-Chi had to be the brave one.
Tien sipped on a glass of water before chipping in. "That's a good question to ask now. We've bested the best of this world, master. Do you think that we're on their level now?" Whether it was yes or no, Tien was willing to accept it for what it was. Roshi was the only one who truly got to witness their power, so if there was any person to ask at the current moment, it'd be him.
The elder Martial Artist slowly put down his last piece of sushi and just grabbed at his glass of ice-cold water. Everyone was staring at him hard. They were expecting him to cough something up, so he figured why not. But doing this would have to make Roshi think about the horrible energies that manifested from the two of them that day and compare that to the current powers of his pupils. Just thinking about it made him want to puke but he'd do so for his students if they really wanted to know.
Chi-Chi and the others were all patient. Liban continued eating as he also awaited an answer.
Finally, he opened his eyes after 2 minutes of keeping them closed so that he could focus. He took one second to look at each of them before he opened his mouth to respond to Chi-Chi's question. "No." He then grabbed at his last piece of sushi and began munching on it.
Chi-Chi's brow had furrowed. Was that really it? No? After all that time of thinking about it, that was all he had to say? "And that's all?" Chi-Chi asked him. "We've endured brutal sessions of training since we were little. We've broken barriers that none other could even imagine to accomplish. We're basically gods amongst men and all you can say is no?"
"They're too strong.'
Chi-Chi had to hold back a growl. "They have power, so what? We have both power AND technique. You've told us that's what they lack, right? Technique? We have both. Both trumps one. And even if they are strong, working together, we could take em!"
Roshi could see that his student's words were beginning to get to the others as well. Tien admired Chi-Chi for how strong-willed she was and the others greatly admired her as well. If there was anybody to take the first step into anything without hesitation, it was Chi-Chi.
"With all due respect," Tien started, "I see where you're coming from, but if Muten Roshi says that we aren't ready, then we aren't ready to take them. He has experience, knowledge, and wisdom over all us combined. Master's words aren't to be taken lightly."
Chi-Chi closed her mouth and just remained quiet. While she wanted to act out on anger, doing such would be against the training that Kami had put her through. She was far more a hot-head than anyone else. Controlling not only your movements but emotions is what made one a true Martial Artist. Chi-Chi, despite having completed various forms of training, still had to learn.
She stood on her two feet and walked up the stairs to go sleep on one of the seven cots in a single room.
After everyone else was finished eating, they all did the same.
But sleep was the last thing on her mind. Chi-Chi, subsequent to laying down, had closed her eyes and meditated for two hours straight. Though her mind was clear, the young woman couldn't help but continuously thinking about fighting those that took her only last relative at a small age.
Lying right by the window of the room, her eyes wandered off to the bright half-moon on the planet. It was indeed a very lovely sight and made her clear skin sparkle like a sun shining on silver chains.
And much to her dismay, she saw a burning figure coming down in the atmosphere of her planet. She had seen a shooting star or two before, but they were objects that one could only catch for a split second. This was something that came down at a constant rate of speed. She closed her eyes to feel out for the energies far ahead.
Though faint, she felt a dark presence with it. There was more than one person. Despite not being able to make out their exact power, Chi-Chi knew for a fact that they had evil in their hearts.
She jumped out of her bed and onto her feet. A deep feeling in the pit of her stomach told her. "It's gotta be…"
"Did you feel that, too?"
Hearing Chaotzu whisper in the dark room as everyone else snored had caught Chi-Chi's attention. She looked over to her long-time friend and nodded. Chaotzu needed not to ask what was going on in her mind as the same thing was going on through his.
"We have to check it out."
Chaotzu wasn't all too sure about that. He looked around at everyone else sleeping. They were all pretty much young adults at this point, but Chaotzu knew that Muten Roshi would want to know if they're going to get themselves into something.
"Chaotzu…" Chi-Chi whispered. "If anything - and I mean anything - happens to us, we will simply notify them."
"It can't just be us two…"
Chi-Chi very much agreed with that. If they were to try and bring anyone else along, she had to know that they wouldn't tell. Knowing how each and every single one of her peers were, the woman knew for a fact that Krillin and Tien would be sure to tell Roshi about anything potentially going on.
But Kaston and Liban? They'd tag along no problem.
A curl of the lips formed on Chi-Chi's young face.
If this is what I think it is...then it's do or die.
Mount Pazou was a beautiful area to bestow the eye upon. Despite having visited Earth numerous times in the past eleven years, Turles had yet touch down in this vicinity. He turned around to face Kakarot, who was now just about his height.
Kakarot and Turles were literally the spitting image of one another, even though they weren't father and son. While they lacked the immediate blood-line, they were of the same lineage at the end of the day.
Turles handed Kakarot a little pouch while he held onto another one. "You know the drill by now. Wait for me as I go ahead to collect."
"Of course."
The now sixteen year old Saiyan watched as Turles flew off prior to walking over to the edge of the mountain he stood on. Directly below him was a little road in which he could only assume that people used to drive on through their vehicles. Everytime he had come back here, Kakarot had the urge to destroy and cause havoc. The people here were simply far too weak and easy to kill, but as he grew older, he learned what Turles really meant by the little deal he had all those years ago. He couldn't kill anybody here. Nowadays it wasn't any fun just killing any old weakling anyway. Kakarot yearned for more excitement. Unfortunately, as he grew stronger, it was becoming rather difficult to find such out and about in the Universe with his growing strength.
With his eyes scrutinizing over the beautiful landscape that was Mount Pazou, his ears perked up. From coming here on more than one occasion, Kakarot quickly noticed that this certain sound happened to be that of a car. Looking to his left, he saw lights passing on by. He walked backward, let the darkness swallow him up, and kept his eyes peeled.
Seeing that he had something to possibly entertain him as he waited for Turles, Kakarot decided to follow.
Unbeknownst to him, Kakarot had pursuers of his own.
The young adolescent Saiyan made sure to stay up high. Thanks to his amazing vision, he could see the vehicle perfectly from well over a few thousand feet in the air. Whichever turn that the car made, Kakarot followed diligently. He didn't stop until they stopped by an old shack.
Out from the car, two people exit: one female and one male. Kakarot quickly read over their power-levels before frowning in disgust. Once they made it inside the little shack, Kakarot slowly descends down, not doing as much as making a single peep. He was as quiet as a mouse.
Bulma and Katayude go through some decorational items in the abandoned home before she finally pulls out a small, orange ball with four red stars on it. She squeals in excitement upon having found another one. "It's the second one we've found today!"
Katayude had been skeptical about the genuinity regarding the Dragon Balls, though he'd be lying if he said that he didn't enjoy this little adventure. Back where they found the first orange star Dragon Ball, they ran into a pig who was terrorizing a village. Katayude got local police to take him in and they all retrieved a Dragon Ball as an award.
"We've already got four of these bad boys," Bulma excitedly exclaimed. "All we need is three more before we can set them up and make our wish!"
Wish? Those things have the power to make wishes come true? Kakarot's tail began wagging side to side. With excitement coming over him, he decided to make a move. Turles just might take a liking to this. Kakarot turned around from the side and entered the shack.
"Hey."
The unexpected greeting had startled both Katayude and Bulma. The latter of the two fell over while the former stood firm with his hand gripped tightly around the grip of his pistol.
"Who are you!?"
Katayude spoke more so in a demanding tone than that of a casual one - one that'd insinuate a question being asked.
"Who I am is of no importance," Kakarot answered. "But what I want...does." He then extended his hand out. "Orbs, please."
"Sorry, no can do, buddy!" Bulma shouted as she got back up on her two feet. "After I use these, you'll have to wait a year!"
Kakarot's blank face turned to that of a frown. "I nicely demanded you to give me the orbs. Don't make me force it off you."
Katayude pulled out his pistol and aimed it directly at Kakarot's head. He knew for a fact that the type of apparel he wore was some form of armor, so he aimed for the most exposed area. "And who's to say that you're in the position to be making demands? I have a weapon that can kill you aimed right between your eyes."
That last sentence was far too hilarious - so hilarious that Kakarot wanted to start rolling over on the floor and laugh his ass off. Just as a kid, he had been shot at with entire bombs as well as heavier artilerty. A single pistol weapon wouldn't do anything to him. Everything on this dump was delicate as far as he was concerned.
"Try me."
Kakarot began walking toward them.
BANG!
Kakarot remained with his hands positioned by his side for a split second and watched as the bullet came flying toward him. With perfect timing, he raised his hand and caught the hot bullet between the tip of his index and thumb finger.
Bulma and her companion were blinking one hundred times a second. Their brain began to fritz as it overworked itself in trying to figure out just how in the hell a person could catch a bullet so casually at such close range.
Katayude's mouth was so wide that his tongue was starting to become as dry as sandpaper. No matter what, he still couldn't wrap his head around what just happened. There was only one explanation - which was still unbelievable. "D-Did he just…"
Bulma herself was in utter disbelief at the otherworldly reflexes of this person. He got ahold of the speeding bullet like he was playing catch with an old man.
Kakarot flicked the bullet right back at the shooter without warning.
Tagomoro Katayude let out a yell so powerful that the glass cups and plates in the small home cracked. His gun had dropped to the floor as he had both hands up against the left side of his face. His entire body trembled, as well as his lips, which prevented him from speaking the only two words that came to mind.
Bulma yelled loudly and pointed at Katayude's ears that were on the floor. "Y-y-your…"
She passed out before she could even finish the sentence.
As did Katayude.
Kakarot chuckled. "That was easier than I thought."
With his mind on getting to the round, orange orbs that Bulma raved on about, Kakarot found himself unable to move his body for a split second. He slowly turned around, but what he found so unusual was that he was unable to do something so simple with no difficulty. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a little white pale-faced looking creature with big red dots on each side of his cheek with his puny hands out extended. He was sweating profusely and appeared to be trembling due to the sheer amount of effort he exerted in keeping Kakarot still.
Before Kakarot could make a move, Chaotzu had used his telekinetic powers to send the Saiyan directly through the roof of the shack and into the woods of Mountain Pazou.
Chaotzu fell over on his knees and gave out huges huffs and puffs. Chi-Chi ran up behind and brought Chaotzu back to his knees. "Are you okay?"
"Y-Yeah, I'm fine." Chaotzu flicked some sweat from his forehead. He couldn't believe that he even managed to do what he just did. The little guy looked up to Chi-Chi with genuine fear on his face. "He didn't even know I was behind him and I still could barely make him move. It took everything I had to send him away."
Chi-Chi knew for a fact that if Chaotzu had to muster up everything he could just to make that man move with his telekinetic powers, then he was definitely trouble.
After knocking a couple trees down, Kakarot recovered and came to an absolute halt. "Who in the hell was that? And why couldn't my scouter detect him?"
The shadows that were made visible thanks to the illumination of the half-moon helped Kakarot catch the sight of a wave of energy coming directly behind him. The Saiyan turned around and deflected the blast just right before it could hit without him knowing.
He looked up in the trees in hopes of spotting the person who attacked him, but no luck. The moment that his head turned over his shoulders, Kakarot had been met with a fist right in the cheek. The surprise punch had enough force behind it to send him off his feet and sliding through the ground.
He quickly hopped back on his feet and began looking around to see what was coming at him. Before he knew it, he had two people double-teaming him. Kakarot blocked the two fists coming at his face and then continued to block both the punches of Liban and Kaston.
Kakarot started to cackle as he caught the faces of the two people that had taken him by surprise. "You two come out of nowhere and actually manage to land a hit on me?" He parried a punch aimed for the face before decking Kaston in the chest, knocking him back over on his butt. Kakarot grabbed Liban by the arm, turned around, then reeled him in prior to ramming his elbow against the young man's gut, which caused him to puke a little. Still holding onto his arm, Kakarot turned back around to face him and rendered Liban an uppercut that had him falling right back down onto Kaston.
"The fact that you two were able to orchestrate this and land a strike on me means that you not only have smarts, but some power as well." He then started to read over their power-levels. "Let's see how strong you are." Kakarot's eyes got big at the readings of 810 and 900. "Ohohoho, where were you two when I was on this planet eleven years ago? You would have made for the perfect challengers!"
"So it was you…"
Kakarot turned right around, only to be met with another fist to the face. Kakarot prepared himself this time and stumbled back just a little bit. Imagine the look on his face upon realizing that a female was the one to connect a solid punch.
Kakarot's back slammed into a tree trunk. Due to it shaking a lot, a bundle of leaves came falling down simultaneously. Some even got in his hair. The Saiyan looked over his little audience and chuckled. The fact that he wasn't able to see them coming - it amazed him.
"How did you get behind me without my scouter detecting you? How in the hell do all of you do it?"
Chi-Chi, now having confirmation that Kakarot took part in killing her father, new she had to keep her anger in control. By answering his question, it'd be somewhat of a distraction at least. "All you know is raw power. We have power and technique on our side, idiot. We can hide our chi at will while you and your friend stick out like a sore thumb. We don't need high tech gadgets to sense someone's power."
Pipipip
From the little guy, Kakarot got a power-level of 1,000 and the female had the highest out of all them, ranking at a battle-power of 1,430. The powers resonating from all these individuals were nowhere near Kakarot's but all together, they could give him a run for his money. A pleasing smile came over the young man's face as his tail began to wag and his heart started to beat hard against his chest.
"So it would seem that I would need to pick up on that…" Kakarot mused. Being able to hide my power just might come in handy one day.
"You're going to pay for what you did," Chi-Chi warned.
Kakarot looked over his shoulders, expecting to see the short, chubby one and the tall, lanky guy together. Upon turning around, he saw the two bald-headed Earthlings right beside Chi-Chi and the pale-faced creature.
Kakarot began to move his mouth at quick rates, though silently to where the others wouldn't hear. He memorized all their power-levels and quickly did the math to calculate how they would all fare against him as a whole.
I only hold a battle power of 3,000 and these weaklings all come up over 4,000 as a single unit. I need to watch myself. "Well, what are you waiting for? Defeat isn't bestowed upon those that don't make an attempt at trying just to fail!"
Chi-Chi sneered. She could feel the sheer power vibrating from this character. Even in their suppressed states, her, Chaotzu, Liban, and Kaston all overpowered Kakarot. Despite being found out by the others, she knew she had to do this.
"We're going all out!"
As if on cue, everyone's battle power had began to rise that instant. Kakarot's scouter continued to go off. In near shock, he couldn't believe that they were also capable of increasing their powers so dramatically as well. He read each of their powers at their peak state before they came toward him at once.
950, 1,140, 1,330, and 1,680 equal over 5,000! Whatever the case, I can't let them all gang up on me. Despite the worry that came with their increased battle-powers, Kakarot was full of excitement."Come on!" The Saiyan blocked a direct elbow that came from Chi-Chi. Before he could retaliate, she stomped directly on his foot and kneed him in the stomach in an effort to reel herself back from Kakarot.
He didn't feel as much as a single tickle and laughed it off. "That's it? Hah!"
Pipipipi
AGAIN!?
Kakarot turned his head over to where the reading was coming from. There Liban was, crouching down and charging an attack. Blue energy radiated from the very palm of his hands.
"And they can increase their powers through attacks!" Liban's power-level had jumped from 1,140 to 2,110 and rising!
Kakarot had a quick flashback to the moment where he was facing off against that crane hermit, Tsuru-sennin. Prior to using his signature move, his power had tripled! No doubt, the Earthlings were weak, but their technique wasn't to be underestimated.
Everyone then began to chant the very same attack.
"KAME...HAME…"
One was ahead of him, one on his left and right side, and the last right behind him. They're smart. Kakarot admired how they managed to back him in a corner, though it didn't mean he was going to back down from it. After all, he welcomed a challenge. It mattered not if he failed this round, for if he did, then he'd have something to put him right back in the game.
The sixteen year old warrior raised his left hand, charging it with crackling purple energy. He aimed it for Liban, challenging him directly with his own attack. Chi-Chi and Chaotzu were still generating more and more chi, so he took the opportunity to fight off Kaston as well by firing an attack to the other side of him with his right hand.
Kakarot looked directly at Chi-Chi and winked right at her. At this point, he knew he was going to be out-classed, but Kakarot grew to love damage in battle. All it did was make him stronger anyway. He did a little pounce off his feet and positioned his chest right above the ground, aiming both of his feet directly at Chaotzu, who had two energy waves coming at him from Kakarot's boots.
"HAAAA!"
As soon as Chi-Chi fired off her Kamehameha, Kakarot opened wide like a dentist would tell him, unleashing a great bit of energy directly from his mouth. As primal as this move was, Kakarot loved the occasions in which he did it.
He was taking on four different people from four different angles all by himself. Kakarot pushed his body as hard as he could to hold them back. He was initially managing to hold off Liban and Kaston, though with the combined efforts of Chaotzu and Chi-Chi, losing this multi-beam clash was an inevitability.
Once the attacks closed in, Kakarot closed his eyes with a gracious smile before he had been overwhelmed by all of them. Despite screaming in agony because of the pain, he could be heard maniacally laughing out loud to the heavens. It seemed that the worse the pain, the more that Kakarot laughed.
Everyone could hear Kakarot's laughter, even after he was caught up in the explosion, lying down in a heap of smoke.
"I-Is this guy a masochist or something!?"
Kakarot coughed up blood but he continued to laugh. The pants he wore had been torn. Pieces of his armor was cracked and ruined, as well as his scouter, though the Saiyan couldn't care less. He felt like he was going to die but he loved it.
Slowly, Kakarot began to reach inside his armored chest-plate. Even though he had none in his pouch, Kakarot kept one out just in case for moments like these. He pulled out a green bean.
Chi-Chi was quick to catch on. "He's got a senzu!"
Before anybody could react at all by keeping Kakarot down, said Saiyan warrior shot right up from the ground, elbowing Chaotzu in the face. He had got a broken nose and ruptured kidney due to the brutal kick that had followed. Chaotzu was on the ground, rolling over in pain.
Kakarot wiped the blood coming from his lip and looked at his now tainted hand. For some reason the Earthlings couldn't understand, Kakarot found the sight of his own blood humorous...and delectable? They all shuddered once he licked it off.
"Saiyan blood shouldn't be wasted so much," Kakarot muttered under his breath. He eyed every single one of them. "The more you spill, the stronger it'll only make me." He then grinned. After clenching his fist and tensing his body, Kakarot tried to channel the ki that he had deep down inside. Being the quick learner that he is, the Saiyan managed to keep his ki at the same amount it was prior to eating the senzu bean. Showcasing his heightened power was nothing short of an intimidation tactic.
And it seemed to work.
With the shaking that Kakarot's growing power caused, everyone in the area had to either plant their feet in the ground or hold onto something stuck deep down to keep their balance. As he powered up, Kakarot's dark laughter echoed out into the far, far away lands of Planet Earth. He always felt great after eating a senzu and having grown stronger, but he never imagined it'd feel so good to be able to channel his power and increase it as he was doing now.
Hahahahahahaha, what a rush!
Kakarot jerked up and let out a brief yell as he reached his maximum power. The strong winds he pushed off his own body blew down some trees in the area, breaking entire rocks as well.
"If I had to guess, I'd say that my power's doubled." He then extended his hand out to Chi-Chi. "It's really too bad that I can't kill you."
Chi-Chi didn't get the chance to say anything before Kakarot pushed her back into a couple trees with a kiai push.
"Chi-Chi!" Kaston and Liban cried out.
Kakarot dashed in for Kaston in hopes of knocking him down as well.
The Saiyan was suddenly kneed directly in the back of the neck with enough power behind it to have the front of his face smashed right down into Earth's soil.
It was none other than Tien, who was accompanied by Muten Roshi and Krillin.
Kakarot got right back up on his two feet with his fist cocked back. He wasn't even surprised to see more people coming for him at this point. The only thing he knew that he was going to come out of this battle victorious. "The more, the merrier. Heh!" Kakarot formed a ball of energy in the palm of his hand, moved said chi ball to his other hand and channeled more ki out of that palm, enlarging the ball of energy by ten times.
Learning to do what the Earthlings did, Kakarot was getting a feel for being able to increase his own power through charged attacks. It proved rather strenuous given that his entire body was full of veins, but the Saiyan didn't stop until he felt he had enough power to shock them all. "You won't die, but I'll be damnned if any of you are able to walk again after this!" Kakarot cocked his hand back.
"TAIYO-KEN!"
Kakarot's attack fell short and cancelled out as he instinctively grabbed at his eyes. A flash of light shone so bright that Kakarot's eyes felt as if they were on fire. He fell down to his knees, clutching his face as he continuously punched at the ground in pain. Sure, he loved the pain that came with damage to the body, but the eyes?
That is so unfair! Kakarot growled. I don't have my damn scouter so I can't re-OH, Wait!
Kakarot immediately recalled the words that came from that female's mouth. "We don't even need objects to sense someone's power."
So that's it, huh? They try to sense it?
With the pain going through his eyes waning down, Kakarot took in deep breaths and tried to focus. He tried to sense out for anybody in the area. After a full minute of doing this, nothing happened.
The Saiyan then opened his eyes and began to look around. Everything was blurry but he could tell that there wasn't anyone or anybody surrounding him. Kakarot was upset that he didn't continue to fight, but he couldn't help but smile.
"Next time I face off against these fools, they better be stronger. Because I'm coming with everything I've got." Since he no longer had to concern himself with those abnormal Earthlings, Kakarot set his focus elsewhere. "Now to where I left off…"
Kakarot rocketed into the skies, far above the trees. He briefly looked around and spotted the shack he was at just mere moments ago. He flew right over there in an effort to catch them. Once he saw that the car was still there, he grinned. He shot down right through the hole that he crashed earlier and landed with a great force-so mighty that it shook the entire shack.
There wasn't a single soul in there. The Saiyan looked down and saw that there was fresh blood drippings around. Despite the people not being there, he crouched down to pick up Katayude's ear. Looking over the detached body part, Kakarot began to contemplate.
He sniffed it for a moment before he took a bite out of it. He chewed and chewed on it before turning over and puking it out. "G-Gah!"
Kakarot wiped his mouth from the vile taste and shook his head. Foreigners usually have a sweeter taste while raw. He spat out a bit of blood before he wiped his mouth and walked out the shack. "But now I know what you smell like. Heh." He then took off.
Tick tock, tock tick
If Turles had what the Earthlings called a watch, then he would have checked it for the thousandth time already. He had been inside the ship with a new supply of senzus for the past five minutes.
"I'm pretty sure I've made clear to that boy to be here and ready whenever I get back. We don't have all the time in the world. I'm ready to finally start what's long overdue."
Hearing the sounds of boots colliding with the metal floor of the ship had caught Turles' attention. He stood up from the seat he sat in and watched as the door ahead of him had slid open.
"There you a-" Turles paused and took a double take. Kakarot had bruises and dried blood all over with ripped pants. "What happened to you?"
Kakarot waived his hand. "You really missed out on all the fun, Turles. The Earthlings sure have improved."
"You were in a fight?"
Kakarot sat down in one of the chairs and nodded his head. "Yes. I faced four of them, all with battle-powers over 1,000. You could imagine the damage done when they ganged up on me."
Turles was finding it rather hard to belief that a race of people that average a battle-power of 1-5 can even manage to reach such levels. But by looking at his subordinate, Turles just knew that Kakarot's words must have been true.
"That's interesting. At the very least, you managed to get your worth out of it by having an increased battle-power, no?" Turles turned on his scouter and read the young warrior's power-level. "4,500?" He grinned. "Impressive. As expected, your power's grown more than the Earthlings combined."
So I'm actually doing it! Kakarot was unsure as to whether or not he was successfully holding his power back, but so far so good. He'd be sure to keep practicing from now on until he has it mastered.
Kakarot turned his head over to his mentor, who was headed into the pilot room. "I've a question."
Turles turned around. "Hm?"
"Where would your mind be if I told you that there is something far better than senzus that we can use for our endeavors?"
Turles' eye motioned off to the left of his head. Could there really be something out there greater than senzus? "Humor me."
Kakarot got back up on his feet. "Imagine being able to have any of your wildest dreams granted." He then snapped his fingers. "Just like that."
Turles' brow cocked. "Did you happen to encounter a genie out there as well for not following proper procedure?"
"I beg your pardon?" Kakarot then shook his head. "No, I'm serious. I followed some people out there today and eavesdropped on two Earthlings collecting some orbs that can grant them wishes. If we go hunt them down and gather them for ourselves, we can just wish for absolute power!" He then nudged Turles on the shoulder. "Now, doesn't that sound exciting?"
Turles turned around with a scoff. "Kakarot, believe nothing you hear and only half of what you see." He looked at the younger Saiyan over his shoulder. "Anything too good to be true just is, Kakarot. It's like the Super Saiyan myth."
Kakarot's head lowered. As a child, he was a strong believer in this fairytale, but as time went on, his belief weakened. He had yet to see a Super Saiyan, but a part of him strived to become the legend itself. If all it took was a really powerful Saiyan, then Kakarot could sure enough reach it. He strived to grow stronger in hopes of proving those who misjudged him wrong. He had a point to make.
"A myth. For ages, our people have been saying that a Saiyan can reach such legendary power by being strong enough. This folklore has been passed down for generations but nobody has definitely seen it yet." He pointed to his ears. "That's why I say believe none of what you hear." He then made a space between his middle and ring fingers. "And only half of what you here."
"Bu-"
"But nothing," Turles interrupted. "If I get a couple of rocks and toss them to you and claim that these rocks will allow you to change all of reality, you just need to get a set amount and collect them—would you really believe me?"
I really don't see how that analogy works out. Kakarot rubbed the back of his head, rather unsure. "Uh…"
"Exactly." Turles grabbed a pouch of senzu beans and dangled them in Kakarot's face. "This is our rise to power; I have yet to come across anything so mystical such as these beans. We don't need any wish granting objects when we have these for our rise to power. This was specifically made for us Saiyan warriors. With each and every battle, we grow more and more stronger. The harder we fight, the stronger we become."
Kakarot rolled his eyes. Here he goes again.
"I know I've reiterated myself many times before, but I'd be lying if I continued to change up the story every time I have to remind you. So don't get smart with me and take the beautiful hand we've been dealt in this Universe. With your increased power, we're finally strong enough to start our main quest."
"Really?"
Turles nodded with a grin. "Oh, yes. I've been grooming you long enough, Kakarot. I've a power of 7,000 and you 4,500. As Oozarus, the Ginyu Force would have trouble against us right now. But know that we'll be growing stronger with every opponent we face from now on. Are you with me?"
Kakarot's expression changed at that moment. He felt it extremely unfair of Turles to ask him if he is with him simply due to the fact that he's been since he was four years old. For 12 years he's been with this man and he hoped to have another 12 as they rise to power.
Kakarot subtly changed his demeanor and then smiled. "Of course I am."