Chapter 3

The desert night was a tapestry of stars, their cold light casting faint shadows across the dunes. Yhwach stood motionless outside the capsule house, his tall figure a dark silhouette against the moonlit sand. His crimson eyes, ever vigilant, scanned the horizon, searching for... something. A premonition, perhaps, or merely the restlessness that came with power constrained.

The air shifted, a sudden gust carrying the acrid scent of reptilian musk. Yhwach's eyes narrowed, his body tensing imperceptibly. In the distance, a dark shape blotted out the stars, growing larger with each passing second.

With a screech that shattered the night's silence, a massive pterodactyl descended upon the capsule house, its leathery wings stirring up a sandstorm. Its yellow eyes fixed hungrily on the structure, sensing the warm bodies within.

Yhwach's hand moved in a blur, blue energy coalescing into a gleaming bow. An arrow of pure reishi formed, humming with barely contained power. The pterodactyl, focused on its prey, never saw the strike coming.

The arrow pierced its throat, a clean shot that severed spine and arteries in one devastating blow. The creature's shriek of pain was cut short as it plummeted to the ground, crashing into the sand mere feet from where Yhwach stood.

The commotion roused the capsule house's occupants. Goku burst out, his tail bristling with excitement, while Bulma peered cautiously from behind the door before ignoring the commotion and going back to sleep.

"Whoa! What happened?" Goku exclaimed, his eyes wide as he took in the fallen pterodactyl and Yhwach's impassive form.

Yhwach dispelled his bow, the blue energy dissipating into the night air. "A minor disturbance," he said, his deep voice betraying no emotion. "Nothing to concern yourself with."

Goku approached the fallen creature, his nose twitching. "It smells good," he said, his stomach growling audibly. "Can we eat it?"

Yhwach raised an eyebrow, a flicker of amusement crossing his stoic features. "If you wish. It would be a shame to waste such... providence."

As Goku set about preparing the unexpected meal, Yhwach's mind turned inward. The soul fragment within the young Saiyan pulsed faintly, resonating with the power Yhwach had unleashed. It was growing stronger, feeding on Goku's innate strength and the latent energy Yhwach had infused into him.

"Hey, Yhwach," Goku called out between mouthfuls of roasted pterodactyl, "that was amazing! How'd you do that? Can you teach me?"

Yhwach regarded the boy, weighing his options. A demonstration, perhaps, would be enlightening—for both of them.

"Very well," he said, moving to stand in the open area before the capsule house. "A brief sparring session, to gauge your abilities."

Goku's face lit up with excitement. He leapt to his feet, falling into a fighting stance that spoke of years of training. Yhwach noted the boy's form, the way his tail provided perfect balance, the gleam of anticipation in his eyes.

"Ready when you are!" Goku chirped, bouncing on the balls of his feet.

Yhwach nodded once, then moved. To Goku's eyes, he seemed to vanish, reappearing behind the young Saiyan in a blur of speed. Goku reacted instinctively, his tail whipping around in a defensive sweep.

But Yhwach was already gone, materializing to Goku's left. A hand shot out, not striking, but grasping Goku's arm with implacable strength. With a twist and a pull, he sent the boy flying, only to catch him mid-air with his other hand.

"Impressive reflexes," Yhwach said, setting Goku down gently. "But you rely too heavily on physical strength. True power comes from within, from the very essence of your being."

Goku's eyes were wide with wonder and a hint of frustration. "How do you move so fast? It's like you're everywhere at once!"

A ghost of a smile touched Yhwach's lips. "With training and focus, you too could achieve such speed. The power lies dormant within you, waiting to be awakened."

As they continued their sparring session, Yhwach carefully modulated his strength, pushing Goku to his limits without overwhelming him. With each exchange, he felt the soul fragment within the boy pulse stronger, resonating with the power Yhwach wielded.

By the time the first rays of dawn painted the desert sky, both Goku and Yhwach were covered in a fine sheen of sweat. Bulma emerged from the capsule house, yawning and stretching.

"You two are up early," she remarked, then froze as she took in the fallen pterodactyl and the signs of their sparring session. "What in the world happened out here?"

Before either could respond, a new voice called out, weak and rasping: "Water... please... water..."

All eyes turned to the source of the plea. A large sea turtle lay in the sand, its shell cracked and dry, its eyes glazed with exhaustion.

Goku, ever compassionate, rushed to the creature's side. "Bulma, quick! Get some water!"

As Bulma hurried to comply, Yhwach stood back, observing the scene with keen interest. A sea turtle, this far inland? The coincidence seemed... unlikely.

No sooner had they revived the turtle than a new threat emerged from the desert haze. A humanoid tiger, muscles rippling beneath striped fur, approached with a gleaming sword in hand.

"At last," the tiger-man growled, his eyes fixed hungrily on the turtle. "I've been tracking you for days. Your shell will make a fine bowl!"

Goku immediately took up a defensive stance before the turtle, his tail lashing angrily. "Leave him alone! He's our friend!"

Yhwach watched the confrontation unfold, noting the way Goku's power flared protectively. The soul fragment within the boy resonated with his emotions, growing stronger by the moment.

As the tiger-man lunged forward, sword raised high, Yhwach made a split-second decision. With a gesture, he summoned a shield of blue energy before Goku and the turtle. The sword struck the barrier with a resounding clang, sending vibrations through the air.

The tiger-man stumbled back, eyes wide with shock. "What sorcery is this?"

"Leave," Yhwach commanded, his voice low and threatening. "This turtle is under our protection."

For a moment, the tiger-man hesitated, his grip tightening on his sword. Then, with a snarl of frustration, he turned and fled into the desert.

Goku turned to Yhwach, his eyes shining with admiration. "That was amazing! You gotta teach me how to do that!"

Yhwach merely nodded, his mind already turning to the implications of this encounter. The turtle, once recovered, spoke of a master who lived on an island to the south. A master who might have knowledge of the Dragon Balls.

As they prepared to escort the turtle back to the sea, Yhwach's thoughts raced ahead. Each step of their journey seemed guided by an unseen hand, leading them towards a destiny even he couldn't fully grasp.

The group set out across the desert, the turtle balanced precariously atop their hover car. Yhwach sat in silent contemplation, his crimson eyes fixed on the horizon. Whatever lay ahead at the home of this mysterious master, he would be ready.

For in the grand tapestry of fate he was weaving, every thread, every encounter, was a potential tool to be used in his ascension to true power.