Chapter 10: Training with Energy

Friday 20th October Age 791

The events of the previous night had left Noca feeling so wiped out that he managed to sleep all the way until the next morning. Even when Holline had fallen asleep she too managed to go all the way to the next morning, in that same spot as well. Noca was still sleeping inside Android #17's coat with Holline laying right beside him. In the night, when he returned to the two youngsters, #17 had placed a blanket over the two of them to keep them warm and comfortable. The android himself didn't even sleep that night and stayed in the same spot, watching over them.

It was about 6am when Noca finally shifted and opened his eyes. He immediately noticed Holline was asleep next to him and smiled to himself, but things started to come back to him. He was drifting back to sleep again when his thoughts went to Dazir and Yento. His eyes snapped back open and he sat up to see #17 sitting there, watching him.

It didn't take the boy long to realise that he wasn't wearing any clothes and only a big coat. He started to feel self-conscious and wrapped the coat tightly around him.

"What happened? Where are Dazir and Yento?" Noca asked immediately. He then looked to Holline, still asleep, and down at himself. "And what happened to my clothes?"

"You remember nothing?" #17 asked. Noca shook his head. #17 looked away, clearly thinking deeply. Noca stood up, causing Holline to shuffle a little. He immediately went to walk to his bag and seemed to be off balance, stumbling and falling down. #17 stood up and caught him. "Careful, it'll probably take you a second to adjust."

"Thanks, I need to put some clothes on," Noca said, getting to his bag and pulling out a random plain t-shirt and some jogging bottoms. Holline started to yawn and stretch and finally opened her eyes. She looked around and saw Noca and #17 were both awake and standing. She didn't say anything, but upon seeing Noca she was suddenly wide-awake. She stood up and drew the attentions of both. She saw the look of confusion on Noca's face and could have sworn that #17 looked a little anxious. Holline had to admit, to herself, that she was a little nervous to be around Noca now but hoped for some sort of explanation.

"You alright, Holline?" Noca asked. Holline opened her mouth to speak but found she couldn't find the words she really wanted to say. Noca looked down and saw her ripped trousers and the dried blood. "What happened? Is that from yesterday? What did they do?"

Noca was getting a bit riled up but as he started to move towards her, he lost balance again and this time hit the ground. He stood up, awkwardly and seemed angry.

"What is going on?!" Noca yelled, at himself more than anyone else, even though it did cause Holline to flinch slightly. Noca noticed it. "Ok, seriously, what happened last night?"

Noca looked at #17 and seemed really confused, worried, and a little bit scared. #17 sighed.

"Until last night had you ever looked at the Full Moon before?" #17 asked. Holline perked up, not expecting #17 to just flat out explain everything, but Noca didn't need any deception.

"What has that got to do with anything? No, I hadn't seen a full moon before, why?" Noca answered, he didn't appreciate whatever secrecy was going on. Holline stepped up to be next to Noca and took his hand. She pushed past her anxiety to be beside her friend for something that must be difficult. Noca looked to her and quickly back to #17.

"Saiyans have an ability, well many abilities, but this one specifically features the full moon," the Android started. Noca, with a furrowed brow, looked on. "They turn into something called an Oozaru, a giant ape-like creature. Somehow whatever power comes from the moon can turn a Saiyan into this thing."

Noca nodded along. He may be young but even he could see where this conversation was going. He even felt Holline squeeze his hand a little bit.

"Last night you looked at the full moon for the first time, and you transformed into one of those things," #17 dropped the bombshell that simply and Noca didn't know what to say. "It certainly scared Dazir and his goons."

Noca nodded and turned to Holline again, this time with more concern.

"Did I cause that?" Noca asked her, motioning to her leg.

"I fell down while running," Holline said, hoping that would make Noca feel better, but he continued to make sense of the situation.

"Running from me?" He said, pulling his hand away and stepped away, still losing his balance a little. He put his head in his hands and stood in silence for a few seconds. "Did anyone die?"

"No," Holline answered quickly, not wanting Noca to get onto that train of thought again. Noca shook his head, looked up, and turned back to face #17. He wobbled again and seemed really frustrated with himself.

"Why don't I remember it?" Noca asked.

"It is possible to learn how to control that form, but I imagine it takes a lot of practise," #17 explained. "For your first time I imagine it was too much to take, so you become the beast and you were no longer you. Your mind couldn't handle it."

Noca nodded.

"How did you stop me? How did I turn back?" Noca asked, clearly having more questions.

"Well, it's not permanent, it lasts as long as the full moon is in the sky, but we had to stop you sooner," #17 continued. He sighed. "This will answer the question about why your balance is off. I had to cut off your tail."

Noca's eyes went wide and he turned to look at his backside but lost balance in the process and fell to the ground again. He jumped up very quickly.

"My tail is gone?" Noca questioned, feeling quite a bit shocked. He looked back to #17. "I don't have a tail anymore?"

"It's entirely possible for it to grow back at some point, but that depends on the person, I think," #17 explained as best as he could, "I don't know, it might never grow back."

Noca stood there for a few more seconds thinking over all the information he was given and looked back to Holline who smiled weakly. Noca sighed and turned back to face #17 with a small smirk.

"It's ok, I guess. I'll adapt to it," Noca said. He sat down and still seemed to be processing everything. "So, what's next?"

"Well, I'm going to stay with you for a bit," #17 said, standing with his arms folded. Holline looked to him with an enquiring look and Noca looked up too. "You used Ki energy last night, but you yourself haven't demonstrated that ability, so I think I'll teach you."

"Teach me?" Noca questioned and looked to Holline and then back to #17.

"Yeah, why not? You could be an effective fighter if you really get a handle on things," #17 explained. "Let's make sure you get your balance back first."

Noca chuckled but was soon distracted by something and brought a hand to his stomach.

"You alright?" Holline asked.

"Yeah, but have we got any food? I'm starving," Noca said, looking at both of them. #17 shook his head and smirked, walking away. Holline chuckled and sat beside him, taking out her capsule to get them some food. Before he went any further, #17 stopped and turned back.

"I'm going to scout ahead a little bit, find a good route for us to take," He said, and then looked specifically at Noca. "We'll head out tomorrow morning and we'll beginning training the day after, take today to rest up."

Noca nodded and smiled. He was enthusiastic about beginning some form of proper training, even it wasn't going to be with Son Goku just yet, it was still hopefully going to be enough to get him to a good standard when he finally did reach Goku.


Saturday 21st October Age 791

As soon as Noca was up and awake the next morning he noticed that #17 was already waiting for him. They were going to get into it as soon as they could. No sense in delaying it any further. After a whole day of rest, it was time for their training to start, and #17 wasn't planning on simplifying or making things too easy for the kid. It was important that he learn how to control things.

Holline was still sleeping so the two of them headed away from the camp a little to somewhere more open for what the Android had planned. Noca was nervous and #17 could tell.

"Let's get started, sit down," #17 instructed. Noca slowly sat on the ground and crossed his legs. #17 remained standing.

"Observe," he said, holding his hand out and forming a small energy ball just inches above his palm. "This is Ki energy."

Noca leaned forward a little, his eyes transfixed on the ball.

"That's cool," Noca said, smiling a little. #17 scoffed and pushed the ball towards Noca. It wasn't powerful, but it did manage to push Noca onto his back. Noca sat up quickly, "What was that for?"

"That's just one way to use Ki, but it isn't necessarily the most effective way to use it," #17 explained. "As an Android this doesn't apply to me, I don't manipulate Ki the same way a normal human, or Saiyan, would."

"That energy can be most effectively used to help amplify your battle power. At the moment, your battle power is fuelled primarily by your emotions and instinct. But when you learn to have a grip on the energy you hold within you could potentially be a formidable opponent."

Noca nodded along.

"I can't specifically explain how you personally can bring out that energy, but you have it inside you," #17 continued. "You just need to search within, find where its hidden, and tap into it. Bring it out."

There was a pause as Noca's brow furrowed and he started to think on those words. He looked down at his hands and stared at them, until #17 spoke again.

"Noca, I want you to try and form a small energy ball," #17 requested, "That's what I aim for you to have done by the end of this first session."

Noca looked up and his eyes went a little wider as he contemplated how he would even attempt that. He shifted on the ground and took a breath.

"Take your time and relax. Search within and I'm sure you'll find what it is that feeds you your energy," #17 explained as he moved and took a seat on a rock to watch.

Noca was completely silent aside from his steady and quiet breathing. He had closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths and tried with all the might he thought necessary to perform this task. He had learned that meditation was effective for training and focus before a fight, it was still very new to him, but it was all he could do in that moment.

He remained sitting with his eyes closed and his hands held out in front of him. He looked inside, deep in his own body and tried to find that place. He began to shut off from the surroundings, aside from the sound of the birds in the trees, the wind passing by his ears, and… strangely enough, the steady breathing of Holline as she slept. His range was wide, and he was incredibly aware of his surroundings even though his eyes were closed. It was a little distracting and Noca found his attention being pulled more to those noises than the task ahead.

He twitched a little as he brought his attention back and refocussed on his energy. He put his hands closer together and pushed his focus more and more in front of him. He started to breathe in but suddenly let that breath out and felt a warmth in front of him. His eyes snapped open and for a brief moment he saw the glow of an energy ball right in the middle of his hands, but Noca lost his focus almost immediately and suddenly felt light-headed.

He smiled and chuckled to himself, realising that he had done it. Even if it was only brief, he had begun to scratch the surface of a very deep well.

"That was it…" Noca said, his breathing gradually returning to normal. #17 walked forward.

"It was a good first step. But that's all it was. No breakthrough, just the start," #17 said, seemingly invalidating the small victory Noca had achieved. The Saiyan boy didn't appreciate that but understood that at the end of the day, it was such a small step. "But the more you practise, the easier it will become to tap in."

"Now that you know what you need to do to form that energy, I want you disregard using it to create attacks," #17 explained. Noca was perplexed by that instruction, he thought that's what the training was about. "I want you to focus instead on learning how to apply that to when you fight. To increase your strength in combat."

Noca nodded, he understood and was eager to get on with some more training. He slowly stood up and realised that the energy use had taken a lot out of him and he swayed for a second but managed to compose himself.

"Take a quick rest, sit and eat something, then we'll have a spar," the Android said, but as Noca went to walk off he was stopped by a strong hand on his shoulder. "My only rule for when we fight, I won't use my own Ki energy unless I feel you tapping into your instincts."

"What do you mean?" Noca asked.

"When you've fought before you had to rely on instinct to get you out of tough situations, but you need to learn how to control that power rather than let it control you, got it?" #17 explained. Noca could tell it was a very serious instruction, it was important. Noca nodded and walked off to grab something to eat before his spar.

Holline was already awake once Noca returned to the camp, although it seemed like she never even noticed he had gone anywhere. The two made a quick breakfast together while #17 remained over in the area they had been training in. It was a quiet breakfast. Holline was still half-asleep, and Noca was busy thinking about what he would need to do in the spar with #17.

He needed to try and fight without instinct, which in his young mind still made little to no sense. Trying to figure how to supress his own instinct when also having to focus on fighting against an opponent seemed like a lot to manage. And how was he meant to stop his own instinct from coming out and controlling his fighting strength. This didn't seem like a thing he was capable of doing and it only managed to bring on some anxious thoughts. The upcoming sparring session started to worry the young Saiyan.

Holline noticed he wasn't eating and seemed incredibly deep in thought. The expression on his face told more than Noca would admit and Holline definitely noticed. She leaned over and nudged Noca softly, bringing him back to the moment. She smiled and motioned to the food in front of him. Noca smirked back to her and started to eat.

Once Noca was finished with his food he knew it was time to go over and meet #17 for the sparring session. He made sure to invite Holline to come and watch the training, not wanting her to be left alone on her own all day. She accepted the invitation, excited to see Noca make progress with his training, even though the Saiyan was worried that he wouldn't make any progress that quickly.

The two youngsters arrived at the open area and saw that #17 was still standing in the open, apparently waiting for Noca. He looked up as the boy stepped into the open. Holline noticed a place for her to sit and watch and quickly rushed over by a large log and sat down. Noca gingerly walked over to #17 and stayed a bout 10 feet in front of him. The Android cracked his neck and smirked.

"Are you ready for this?" He asked, as he looked Noca up and down and noticed the boy was standing a little bit stiff. Noca took a breath straightened his back and loosened up his shoulders. He took a couple of steps back and moved into a stance. He stood side on with his left foot forward and his left arm up in a defensive position, with his right pulled back by his head, with the fist clenched. #17 scoffed. "Just make the first move when you're ready."

Noca started running forward towards the android. #17 smirked and, just as Noca swung for a punch, he jumped up over the Saiyan boy and kicked back into his head. Noca fell forward with a thud but managed to quickly get up and turn around only for #17 to move in front of him and plant a punch in his face. Noca was thrown back, landing on the ground again. He didn't get up straight away, looking up at #17 with a bit of a glare. The android winked and took a few steps back. Noca returned to his feet, moving back into his stance, slowly.

#17 didn't waste time or give Noca the chance to prepare and kicked him in the gut, knocking him back into the ground. Noca was gripping his stomach and writhed in pain for a second.

"You didn't give me a chance to get ready," Noca exclaimed, standing back up, but instantly feeling the pain again and wincing.

"A real opponent wouldn't give you that chance," #17 informed the boy before sweeping his legs out from under him and watching Noca hit the ground again. #17 then moved swiftly and planted a strong punch into the ground right beside Noca's head. Noca closed his eyes as the punch shot down towards him.

Noca opened his eyes and looked to the side. He was surprised #17 didn't hit him.

"I'm not going to make this easy for you, otherwise you'll never learn," the android instructed, standing up and turning his back on the boy. "Maybe I should just let you rest."

Noca growled and jumped up to his feet, darting forward with a punch aimed for the back of #17's head. #17 turned around swiftly and caught Noca's fist inches from his face. He smirked.

"You need to think about your attacks before you make them," #17 pulled the boy closer to him and sent a knee crashing into Noca's gut. The young Saiyan coughed and dropped to his knees once #17 let go. The Android stepped back and looked down on Noca.

"Stop hurting him!" Holline shouted out. #17 scoffed and looked at the girl.

"This is what training looks like," He told her. Noca stood up again and yelled as he aimed a punch at #17 unguarded gut. The android looked back and easily stepped away, letting Noca miss. The boy turned around, clearly agitated by the way the session had been going. He had something to prove. He swung another fist but #17 avoided it again, simply by stepping back. Noca yelled again and there was a hit of aura around him that #17 picked up on as the boy jumped up and threw a punch into #17 face.

The android caught Noca's wrist, kicked the boy in the gut again and threw him back. Noca crashed into the ground and rolled away, stopping in a heap, unable to get up. He tried but every time fell down flat.

"I told you not to let your instinct control you, but to learn to control it," #17 said, clearly disappointed in what he had seen. "Clearly you're not ready for this just yet."

With that, the Android turned his back on the kids and walked on away from the battle area.

"I'm going to scout ahead to find our next clear route, you two stay at the camp," #17 ordered before walking off beyond the trees. Noca continued to struggle to get to his feet and Holline had to run over to help him out.

#17 was right, maybe he wasn't ready, for any of it.


Wednesday 25th October Age 791

A few days pass by and Noca continues on with his meditation training. After the bad sparring session with #17 there was a lot he had left to learn, so going back to his meditation training was seen as the best to try and get in touch with his energy control a bit better. He was still fairly new to meditation but had tried it a few times by this point and was getting used to the relaxed state of mind.

That was until he was usually distracted by the odd sound around him, or Holline trying to get his attention. It was a frustrating time, but he kept at it.


Monday 30th October Age 791

#17 started trying to draw Noca more into the sparring after his time meditating and getting a better grasp on the fact that there was energy within him that he needed to tap into. It was still a difficult time with Noca letting his frustration get too much control of him and his instincts not doing what he wanted, meaning that his attacks were sloppy and easy to read. #17 would typically stay a few steps ahead of Noca and was constantly outpacing the young Saiyan.

Noca's anger at himself would only grow and he would easily tire himself out.


Friday 3rd November Age 791

Most of the days were blending together more and more with Noca repeating the same things. Meditation, sparring, energy training. Those were the main activities that controlled Noca's time on his travels. It was starting to feel like he was getting a grip on bringing out some of his abilities, but it wasn't easy. It took an intense amount of concentration from the young Saiyan and the meditation sessions were having a clear effect. Even the sparring was feeling better with Noca able to match some of #17's moves, that was until the android would step it up showing that Noca still had so much further to go.

As for actual energy and Ki control, Noca was learning how to create small energy balls, but couldn't maintain them for very long, and he was still unsure of how to bring out his aura but was very aware of its existence.


Thursday 9th November Age 791

After a decent sparring session, Noca was tired and hurting. It was late and the trio were relaxing by the fire. Holline was turned away from the other two, sleeping, while Noca was waiting for his injuries to pass. He was aching, but he accepted it was all part of the training. He would be much better off for it. #17 was just sitting there looking at the boy, questioning things in his head.

"Did you know that Saiyans get stronger after every battle?" #17 asked, seemingly out of the blue. Noca looked up, intrigued.

"Really? How do you mean?" Noca asked.

"Just, when a Saiyan is heavily injured, or brought to the brink of death, they can get a power boost that is permanent. As a warrior race, they always have to stay strong," #17 explained, with Noca watching and listening intently. "They all take pride in their strength. But you don't seem to come from that kind of Saiyan family dynamic."

Noca looked off and scoffed.

"You're right, I don't. I had some martial arts training, but nothing serious. I was never made to think that someday I would have to fight for my life," Noca said, looking deep into the fire, but it only made him think back to the day that started it all. He shook it off and looked back to #17 smiling weakly. #17 raised a brow. "I just had what I could consider a normal life…"

"What do you want out of life?" #17 asked.

"That's a heavy question," Noca said, clearly confused.

"Everybody has something they want, what do you want?" #17 asked again. Noca chuckled lightly and looked back at the fire before remembering why he looked away in the first place. He looked back to #17.

"I don't know, I haven't thought that far ahead I guess," Noca answered. Looking down at the cup in his hand. He was trying to avoid the question. Meanwhile, over to the other side, lying facing away, Holline wasn't asleep, and was listening to the conversation.

"Really?" #17 questioned, looking at Noca. Staring at him. Noca slowly looked up awkwardly, starting to feel uncomfortable.

"Ok, I need to find Goku and…" Noca started, #17 interrupting immediately by chuckling.

"No, that's something you need to do. That's something you've been told to do," #17 said, leaning forward. "What do you personally want out of your life?"

"Look, it's a hard to question to answer when you're thirteen years old. I don't know," Noca said, getting agitated and breathing heavily, some of that emotion swelling up inside of him. He looked deep into the fire. "Up until recently I just wanted to live a normal life, surrounded by the people I care about, the people I love. Just be happy. And I still want to be happy."

#17 listened to everything Noca was saying, trying to gauge who he really was.

"Some people want to have a great job or something, I don't have a job I aspire to, I lived in a village with little resources for that kind of thing, and I never imagined I'd be one day going to a city," Noca explained. He continued to stare into the fire, his eyes watery, and focussed. "Now I genuinely want to train and become powerful… and find whoever is responsible for my mother's death."

#17 could see now, Noca had never had a clearer mind, he was focussed solely on one thing, and he was crying. Holline was listening as intently as she could without making a noise.

"I want to find them and kill them," Noca finished, taking a deep breath and seemingly waking up from a trance. He was filled with an intense awareness. He looked over to #17, the android seemed to understand him. Noca did his best to stop himself from crying anymore and nodded sombrely. "I want them dead."


Wednesday 15th November Age 791

It was about midday, Holline was in the camp preparing a lunch for herself and Noca. The young Saiyan, meanwhile, was in a sparring session with the Android. Noca had much better movement, his speed and focus were increasing. He still had a long way to go, but the improvement he had made was incredible. At least, it was incredible in his own eyes. #17 knew he was capable of much better but couldn't deny that he was proud to see how far he had come in such a short space. The sparring session managed to come to a halt with them both standing. Obviously #17 was holding back, but he was glad to see that Noca had matched his level. They both stood about fifteen feet part. #17 was relaxed with a small smirk on his face. Noca had an intense stare but his breathing was a bit heavy.

"You've done very well today, you've come far," #17 said, giving Noca some positive reassurance, which wasn't a regular occurrence. Noca took it as a win.

"Thanks, it's because of your training," Noca said, maintaining a polite composure.

"Go rest up," #17 said, motioning towards their camp. They were a lot closer to the mountains at this point and knew that once they had made their way around them, they would practically be in the clear with an open path to West City. Well, not quite that simple, but the journey was going to be a lot easier after the mountains. #17 watched as Noca walked off into the trees towards their camp and he seemed to be in thought.

Noca reached the camp and saw that Holline had prepared their food. He was pleased with that because the training session had taken it out of him.

"Thanks, Holline," Noca said as he sat down and started eating, rapidly. Holline chuckled and started to eat her own. #17 finally walked over and Holline handed him some food. #17 took it and stood still for a minute still in thought.

"Everything ok?" Holline asked. #17 looked at Noca as the Saiyan looked up from his food.

"You should go the rest of the way on your own," the android said, dropping that bomb in the middle of lunch.

"What?" Holline exclaimed. "No, I'm staying with him."

"Holline, you don't understand, he needs to do this. It's important. All of this, you, me, we're distractions. Without us he can adapt and have complete focus in his training," #17 explained. Holline clearly didn't like being called a distraction, standing up to argue back.

"What do you know? I'm his best friend and I'm staying!" She shouted. #17 wasn't fazed by her demeanour and looked at Noca. He had set his food down and was looking down at the ground.

"Noca agrees with me," #17 said. Holline made a confused face and looked over at Noca, sitting there, with nothing to say. A sense of calm on his face. Holline shook her head.

"No…" She uttered.

"Holline, I…" Noca started, but Holline shook her head again.

"No…" She said again, tears starting to form as she turned around and ran off to find somewhere to be alone. She barged past #17 who did nothing to stop her. Noca stood up and went to run after her but stopped next to #17.

"I'm gonna need some time to talk to her about this," Noca said. #17 nodded. Noca breathed a heavy sigh and followed on after his friend.

He moved on through the trees and came to see a little stream running through the woods and Holline was sitting on a rock beside it, clearly crying. Noca stood away for a minute, watching her, trying to figure out the best thing to say. He swallowed and walked out, making his presence known.

"Holline, I'm sorry," He said walking over and standing next to her. She didn't move or say anything, she just continued to sob. Noca sat beside her and put his arm around her. She turned and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug.

"I don't want to leave you alone," She said, though muffled by Noca's shoulder.

"I don't want you to leave, but I know why you should," Noca said, trying his best to assure her this isn't an easy decision. "I love having you with me, I love that you support me, but this…"

Noca pulled out of the hug and looked Holline in the eyes. They were red from crying and she had hair in the way. Noca brushed it away and smiled weakly.

"This is something I have to do alone," Noca said. Holline wiped away her tears and sniffled.

"I heard you the other night… talking about what you want to do…" Holline said, clearly anxious about bringing this up. Noca blinked a couple of times, starting to get emotional himself and he looked away, at the stream. "I understand."

"I don't want to kill anybody," Noca said, starting to get upset about it. "But I want whoever is responsible to die, and if that has to be by my hand then so be it."

Holline hugged Noca again and he returned the embrace.

"This isn't goodbye forever, Holline," Noca assured her. "We will see each other again. I will be coming back as soon as my training is complete."

"I know," Holline said through sobs.

"You will always be my best friend. I will miss you," Noca said, tightening the embrace. "I will always love you."

"I love you, too," Holline replied, still through her sobs, but she was starting to feel a lot better, but this was a hard moment for the red head. The two of them continued to sit in the position for a little bit until Holline finally stopped herself from crying. Noca walked her back to the camp and they started to gather their stuff. Noca kept what he would be needing, and the rest would go with Holline for the journey back.

"You probably have about two or three months of travelling ahead of you," #17 told Noca. "There will be a good path around the mountains. Should be simple enough to follow."

"Thanks," Noca said, smiling and holding his hand out to shake #17's. "Thank you for all your help. Probably wouldn't have made it this far without you."

A slight realisation hit Noca as he thought about actually being alone for the rest of this journey. #17 took his hand and shook it. Noca looked up.

"You'll be fine now," #17 assured him. "And don't worry about her, I'll look after her. She'll be safe."

"Thank you," Noca said, one last time. They broke the handshake, and #17 started to walk away but Holline stayed there for a second, just looking at Noca. She rushed up to him and grabbed him in a tight embrace again.

"Good luck. Be safe. I'm going to miss you," Holline said, she pulled back and planted a kiss on his cheek. Looked him in the eyes again and stepped back, holding back tears as best she could. "Bye."

"Bye, Holline," Noca said, smiling back at her. Holline walked back to #17 and the two of them walked away, she looked back as they went into the trees and finally out of view, leaving Noca standing there by himself.

The young Saiyan dropped his smile and took a deep breath. He turned around and walked away.

Meanwhile, somewhere far away, we return to a certain familiar Saiyan. Goku. Along with Piccolo and Uub.

"Goku, I don't know why you think this kid is someone," Piccolo said in a bemused fashion. "Plus, you already have Uub, he's a tremendous student."

"Yeah, he is," Goku agreed, chuckling. "I just need you to do this for me. Keep an eye on the kid, only intervene if you think it's absolutely necessary. Otherwise, don't let him know you're there?"

"Whatever, Goku. As long as it keeps you focussed on training the student you already have," Piccolo said as he grunted and flew away, leaving Goku alone with Uub. The Saiyan looked down from a ridge and watched Uub in a meditative state.

"This is gonna be interesting."


Characters Seen/Mentioned in this Chapter:

Noca (OC)
Holline (OC)
Android #17
Son Goku
Piccolo
Uub