Dragon Ball Nu

Volume 3: Chapter 1

One year has passed since the announcement of the return of the World Martial Arts Tournament. Our heroes have been preparing rigorously for the upcoming tournament. Which heroes will try to enter the tournament? How will they fair? What new adventures lay just on the horizon? Find out this time on Dragon Ball Nu.

"Gohan, what do you think am I ready to enter the World Martial Arts Tournament?" Goten and Gohan breathing heavily from their current training session Goten clearly have grown an inch or so and looking a little more confident in his own ability.

"Goten… you have gotten a lot stronger. I'm impressed with just how far you've come in a year. I think you're ready for the tournament." Gohan wiping sweat from his brow.

"Alright!" Goten jumping in the air with joy. "It's just sad I haven't been able to learn Super Saiyan yet…" Goten then thinking to himself. 'If I could go Super Saiyan maybe I could give my big brother a real challenge.'

"Don't worry about it Goten I was a few years older than you before I was able to finally transform." Gohan wanting to cheer up his brother. "I tell you what Goten the tournament is coming up and we can register I believe starting tomorrow how would that sound?"

"That would be great… I just hope Mom thinks I got enough school work done so I can go." Goten suddenly feeling unsure about himself. "I gotta go Gohan! I better make sure I have everything done or Mom isn't gonna let me go!" Goten rushing back home to make sure all of his work is finished.

'Gohan, hey Gohan!' A familiar voice calling out to Gohan.

"Dad?!" Gohan looking up into the school. "I haven't heard your voice in a while! How are you?"

'I'm doing great! I've been watching and heard you were entering the World Martial Arts Tournament and Goten may be entering too!' Goku excited speaking to his once again through King Kai in the Other World.

"Yeah, Goten has grown a lot. He is really strong for his age. Although I shouldn't be surprised." Gohan laughing and taking comfort in hearing his father's voice again.

'I sure wish I could meet him.' Goku pausing solemnly for a brief moment. 'How's your Mom been?'

"She's been… good. She just hasn't been the same since you died. She actually has let Goten and I both train as long as we make sure to keep balancing it with school." Gohan thinking of the week before the Cell Games relaxing with his father. "I think I have tried to also give Goten the same balance of training and relaxing we had before Cell. I think it is pretty important."

'That's my boys. You've made me proud son. I know the Earth is in safe hands.' Goku feeling more and more torn about his decision to stay dead. Goku removing his hand from King Kai's back and speaking to the Kai alone. "King Kai, I'm starting to think I should just had let them wish me back. I'm missing out on my sons' lives." Shaking off his feeling and refocusing on Gohan. 'I bet you guys are way stronger now.'

"Well, I mean I tried for a long time to master the ki control technique you and Pikkon wanted me to learn, but I decided instead I was going to push Super Saiyan 2 further and see just how far I can push my limits."

'Oh, nice! I've been actually just staying in Super Saiyan as my base now for the last year or so. I figured after you and I trained together I should train up this form so I never have to waste energy to transform again. Similar to what Pikkon wanted you to do with your base.'

"You're more committed than I am then. Hahaha. I didn't want to go walk around with blonde hair all of the time. Especially with how Mom feels about it." Gohan laughing at himself. "Cardoon actually had the same idea I think Vegeta said Cardoon's been in the Full Power state for about four months now. I'm not sure if Vegeta is doing the same."

'You know Vegeta. He's a hard trainer, but never can quite tell what he's thinking. Do you think Vegeta is as strong as you now?'

"Honestly Dad, I don't know. Vegeta and I have never had a real reason to fight so I've never had to go all out against him." Gohan curious about the question himself. "I know Piccolo, Vegeta, and I are by far the strongest three fighters on the planet. Goten and Trunks have grown a lot and Android 18 is pretty strong, but I think they are all still just a little behind us."

'Gohan, you have made me proud son.' Goku pausing hesitant to ask his next question. 'Gohan, do you think Goten would like to try to talk to me in the way we do? Or do you think it would freak him out?'

"I don't know Dad… I tell you what. I'll talk to him about it and we can ty to talk the three of us sometime."

'That would be great!' Goku nearly jumping into the air from just the mention of the idea. 'Promise me, you'll keep working hard and take care of Goten and your Mom for me.'

"I promise Dad." Gohan remembering Goku's strength and face in his mind.

'Thank you. Well, I hope I talk to you again soon!' Goku removing his hard from King Kai's back regretfully. "My sons… they really are incredible."

Meanwhile at Capsule Corp. Vegeta, Cardoon, and Trunks all are continuing their own training.

"Dad, do you think I'm finally strong enough and can enter the World Tournament with Goten?" Trunks training alongside the other two Saiyans at higher levels of Earth's gravity than anyone would expect out of a child.

"Trunks, I think if you want to waste your time entering this tournament then fine. I will not be entering though. I don't think any human who would enter this tournament could challenge me, and if I wanted to fight strong opponents I would just fight Gohan, Cardoon, or even… Piccolo." Vegeta feeling disgusted to even mention fighting Piccolo being an opponent.

"That's fine with me. I plan on beating Goten and anyone else who I get put up against." Trunks arrogantly speaking of his own strength.

"Oh really? So you will be able to take on Gohan? I heard he has decided to enter the tournament as well." Vegeta smugly taunting his son to see how arrogant he really is.

Trunks freezing. 'Gohan is entering? Why wouldn't Goten tell me that?' Shaking his head. "I don't know if I could beat Gohan but I may be able to find a way to get a sneaky win if I fight smart."

"Oh really? You do know Gohan has a lot of fighting experience. How do you expect to catch him off guard?" Vegeta wanting to hear his son's plans.

"I can't share all of my secrets, but I have learned some new moves that I could use." Trunks pretending to be sly and cunning. "Goten and I have learned some new techniques from training."

"Oh yes. Techniques from Piccolo and Krillin isn't that right?" Vegeta laughing. "And you don't think Gohan will expect you to attempt to pull some of those secrets out if you have to face him?"

"Well what would you suggest I do?" Trunks snapping at his father for the lack of faith Vegeta is showing in Trunks.

"Now that's an interesting question." Smirking to Trunks. "Trunks, I would suggest you come up with your own special technique that may actually catch Gohan off guard."

"Really?! Dad, can you help me create a new technique?" Trunks looking at his father wide-eyed.

"I suppose I could help you, but we don't have much time before this tournament." Vegeta thinking for a moment. "Oh yes, the tournament begins in one week. I guess that means we better get to work."

"Alright!" Trunks leaping into the air with excitement. "I get to train with my Dad!"

"Vegeta… I believe I am going to enter the tournament as well. I think it would be a good test of my new found strength." Cardoon interrupting Trunks's celebration.

"Very well." Looking at his son. "Trunks, looks like you'll have some competition. So let's go train somewhere else so Cardoon doesn't know all of your strategies."

"Right." Trunks snapping into attention as he follows his father to begin their training session.

Meanwhile off in the distance on the outskirts of the galaxy.

"Babidi, we have been recruiting warriors for the last year. How long until we are able to enact our plan?" Dabura growing impatient with Babidi's long set plan.

"Dabura, it's no wonder the demon realm has never been able to retaliate against the surface world." Babidi rolling his eyes. "I have only been able to summon two of your strongest demons to assist our cause." Looking over at the crew of monstrous creatures gathered from around the galaxy.

"What are we waiting for?" Dabura finally snapping at Babidi. "We have strong fighters of different races who all hold an immense grudge against the Supreme Kai! What more could we want?"

"Well Dabura, I've been using my magic to scout out other forces out there that might be able to stop us and there is a magic out there I keep sensing that may be able to cripple our forces."

"Where is this energy coming from?"

"This magical energy I sense is coming from the Northern Quadrant of the galaxy and it is growing stronger as if being gathered. Once I pinpoint this magical source we will destroy it and then nothing will stand in our way." Babidi cackling. "Once gone our forces should be the strongest in the galaxy."

What is this magical force being gathered that Babidi senses? When will he decide to strike? What contestants will enter the World Martial Arts Tournament? As our heroes prepare for the tournament the answers to these questions and more will be revealed. Stay tuned for the next chapter of Dragon Ball Nu.