Chapter 71: Lock In

Each hour brought the Away Team closer to the inevitable clash with Frieza, and each day saw new developments.

With the excitement of liftoff fading, the team settled into their new reality—hurtling through space toward Frieza Planet 304. Yet, the weight of the mission hadn't dulled Goku's ever-present desire to push himself. The Saiyan warrior was already buzzing with restless energy, his mind racing with ways to train even in the limited space aboard the ship.

It wasn't long before an idea sparked between Goku and Ino, both eager to put their abilities to the test.

"Ino," Goku began, his tone casual, "you've got those mind powers, right? You can, like, talk to people in their heads and stuff. What if we used that to train without needing space? Like... fighting in our heads."

Ino, standing on the observation deck, arms crossed as she gazed out into the void of space, raised an eyebrow. She had sparred with Goku before—years of fighting and being alongside him meant she had witnessed firsthand just how powerful the Saiyan was.

But this was different.

"Image training?" she repeated thoughtfully, her sharp mind already calculating the possibilities. "It's... not a bad idea. A way to simulate battles without the risk of blowing a hole in the ship."

Goku grinned, already bouncing on the balls of his feet. "Exactly! We can fight in our heads, go all out, and push each other without worrying about collateral damage. Plus, with your telepathic powers, we could make it look super realistic."

Ino tilted her head, smirking at Goku's enthusiasm. "I didn't expect you to come up with something like this, Goku," she teased lightly. "Guess you've been getting sharper after all these years."

"Hey," the Saiyan grinned sheepishly, scratching the back of his head, "I may not be the smartest guy in the universe, but when it comes to fighting, I pick up things quick."

Ino closed her eyes, focusing her chakra. "Alright, let's give it a shot. I'll link our minds, and we'll see how well you do in an arena where I'm virtually a god."

Goku's grin widened, his Saiyan instincts flaring. "A god you say? We'll see about that."

Ino smirked, her confidence as sharp as ever. "Don't underestimate me, Goku. You might be in for a surprise."

Just as the telepathic link began to form, the door to the observation deck slid open, revealing Hinata. Her presence immediately shifted the atmosphere. She stepped into the room, her indigo hair flowing behind her. Her lavender eyes locked on the two of them, and her expression remained calm despite what she was seeing.

"Ino. Goku," Hinata greeted softly, though she clearly noticed the close proximity between them.

Goku turned to his wife with his usual carefree grin. "Hinata! We're about to try something new—image training. Ino's gonna use her mind powers, and we'll spar in our heads. No need to worry about breaking the ship."

Hinata nodded, though her gaze lingered on Ino for a moment longer than necessary. It had only been a few days since Ino had fiercely fought both her and Sakura during that heated session, emotions still fresh. Though they were teammates and bound by the mission, the memories of that battle were still prevalent.

Ino, sensing the tension, offered a half-smile, her confidence never faltering. "It's just a training technique, Hinata. If you want, we could try it together sometime too."

Hinata's eyes flickered with a glimmer of challenge, but she kept her composure. "Perhaps. But I'll watch for now," she said, stepping closer to Goku's side.

The quiet weight of history hung in the air, but Goku, ever oblivious to the finer nuances of interpersonal tension, only smiled wider, purposefully oblivious to the friction. "Alright! Let's get started, Ino."

Ino, closing her eyes, linked their minds effortlessly. Instantly, the two of them were transported into a vast, ethereal battlefield—surrounded by towering mountains and a dark sky that crackled with energy. The landscape was raw and unforgiving, much like the intense power radiating between the two of them, specifically Son Goku.

"This is what it looks like inside your mind?" Goku asked, eyes wide with awe.

Ino gave a sly grin, her voice echoing within their shared consciousness. "Welcome to my world, Goku. Let's see what you're made of."

The battle began with a fury, Goku charging forward with a speed that seemed impossible to match, but Ino held her own. Every movement felt real, every strike precise, as they clashed in a whirlwind of power and technique. Ino's telepathic abilities allowed her to anticipate Goku's attacks with startling accuracy, while Goku's sheer raw power kept her on the defensive.

Outside the mental battlefield, Hinata observed quietly, her sharp eyes never leaving the two of them. She could sense the energy between them, not just in their image training but in their unspoken affinity that had simmered for years.

Ino definitely loved Goku, even to this day it was evident. Oh well.

As the battle within their minds raged on, Goku's voice cut through the air, excitement lacing every word. "This is awesome, Ino! You're giving me a real run for my money!"

Ino, panting slightly, smirked. "I told you not to underestimate me, Goku."

Back in the real world, Hinata stood with her arms crossed, a subtle smile playing on her lips. Despite everything, she trusted Goku completely. And watching him push his limits, even in this new form of training, reminded her of why she loved him.

No matter the challenge, Goku always found a way to grow stronger.

In one of the ship's quieter quarters, Naruto lay sprawled out on a couch, deep in a nap that seemed far too casual for someone en route to fight a galactic tyrant. His one arm dangling off the side of the couch, his peaceful expression almost childish despite the gravity of the mission. This wasn't carelessness—Naruto had learned over the years that rest was as important as training.

His ability to sleep through stress had silently become a super powerful asset.

"Just... ten more minutes, dattebayo," he muttered in his sleep, his hand twitching as if he were still dreaming of ramen or perhaps another battle with his brother in Sasuke.

He would've dreamt about women, but he needed clarity first.

Meanwhile, in the ship's gravity room, Sasuke was hard at work. The gravity had been cranked to fifty times Earth's normal weight, a punishing level that would crush an ordinary person, but for the Uchiha, it was just another challenge. Sweat poured down his face as he trained relentlessly, the weight pulling on his every move, forcing him to push his limits.

His Rinnegan flared briefly as he completed a series of lightning-fast hand signs, sending a stream of black flames toward a moving target. The Amaterasu struck true, incinerating the dummy in seconds, but Sasuke wasn't satisfied. He clenched his fists, pushing himself harder. This wasn't about power—it was about focus.

The battle against Frieza would require everything he had, and there was no room for error.

In the back of his mind, he thought of Naruto, napping without a care in the world. Sasuke smirked to himself, the faintest hint of amusement breaking through his stoic exterior. Typical Naruto. But in a way, Sasuke envied his brother's ability to relax so easily.

Elsewhere, in a lounge area near the observation deck, Sakura and Lee found themselves seated across from each other. There was a shared understanding—a mutual desire to be better, stronger. In the wake of recent events, particularly Sakura's feelings surrounding Naruto and Ino, there was much left unsaid.

Sakura was nursing a drink, her eyes distant as she swirled the glass absentmindedly. Lee, sitting cross-legged on the floor, noticed her unease. He hadn't been close to Sakura, but he figured he had as much time as ever.

"How are you feeling, Sakura-san?" Lee asked, his voice full of genuine concern.

Sakura looked at him, surprised by the question. It wasn't often that people asked how she was doing. Normally, she was expected to hold everything together, especially with Goku, Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata at the forefront of everyone's mind.

"I don't know," she admitted, her voice soft but honest. "Everything's been so... messy. Between Ino and Naruto... and then the mission coming up, it feels like everything is spinning out of control. I hate feeling like I'm not strong enough to handle it all."

Lee's expression softened. "Sakura-san, you're one of the strongest shinobi in Konoha. But... even the strongest people need to lean on others sometimes. You don't have to do everything alone."

Sakura smiled weakly, but it was clear she wasn't convinced. "I need to get stronger, and fast. I can't... I won't be a liability when we face Frieza. I've been feeling that way for far too long."

Lee's eyes brightened with determination. "Then I'll help you. Together, we'll get you to a place where no one can ever doubt your strength—not even you."

Sakura blinked, surprised by his offer. She had always admired Lee's tenacity, his unyielding dedication to improvement. "You'd really help me?"

"Of course!" Lee grinned, his eyes blazing with energy. "We'll train hard, just like I did under Gau-sensei. You'll surpass your limits, Sakura-san. I promise."

For the first time in a while, she felt a sense of hope. "Thank you, Lee," she said softly, her voice filled with vigor. "I won't let you down."

Meanwhile, in the ship's engineering bay, Bulma was hunched over a console, her fingers moving swiftly as she ran diagnostics on the ship's systems. Vegeta, off to the side with his arms crossed, scowled in her direction. He had been pacing around the ship, restless and irritated. He hated being confined to the ship, hated being at the mercy of humans and their technology.

And especially being in the vicinity of Kakarot.

Bulma, sensing his presence but choosing to ignore him at first, sighed loudly. "Y'know, Vegeta, if you're just gonna stand there brooding, you could at least try to be useful."

Vegeta's scowl deepened. "I don't do menial labor, woman. I'm a Saiyan prince, not a lackey."

Bulma shot him a glare. "Well, your royal highness, maybe you should try not standing around like a grumpy statue for once. It might do wonders for your mood."

Vegeta's eyes narrowed, and for a split second, his pride flared up—he could crush her in an instant if he wanted to. But... he didn't. There was something about her sharp tongue, her complete lack of fear around him, that kept him from acting on those darker impulses. Instead, he smirked, his tone turning mocking.

"You're quite bold, for someone so... fragile," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Bulma raised an eyebrow, unfazed. "And you're quite rude for someone who relies on Earthlings to survive. Without us, you'd be stuck on some barren planet, probably getting tortured by Frieza."

Vegeta's smirk faltered for just a moment, before he masked it with indifference. "Hmph. As if I needed your help."

Bulma snorted. "Yeah, sure. Keep telling yourself that, tough guy."

"Alright, Goku," Ino said, her voice slipping into his mind this time as effortlessly as breathing, "I'm linking everyone else in. Try not to freak out if it feels a little weird."

After hours of experimentation, they both narrowed down how exactly the telepathic training method operated. With that being said, a pulse of chakra spread out like a web, touching the minds of Naruto, Sasuke, Hinata, Sakura, and Lee.

Instantly, they found themselves in a mental construct, a simulation shaped by Ino's unparalleled telepathic prowess. It was a vast, open space that seemed to be infinitely large, the sky filled with roaring, windless chaos.

"Whoa..." Naruto looked around, feeling the floor beneath his feet as though it were real. "This is... freakin' cool!"

Hinata's eyes scanned the endless horizon, impressed. "This will be... different. I've never fought without using... well, any real force."

The rules of the image training were simple: no one could truly be hurt, but they could feel the impact of every blow.

And thus, they began.

Naruto immediately surged toward Sasuke, wind chakra laced into his fists. Hinata and Sakura formed an unexpected duo, and they faced Goku, whose eyes lit up with excitement. Lee watched for a split second before launching himself toward Ino, eager to test her limits for the first time since before he died over a year ago.

The clash of fists and feet echoed through the construct as everyone went all out, pushing themselves further than they could in normal training. The speed was incredible, each fighter moving like streaks of light across the battlefield.

Goku grinned as he deflected Hinata's strikes, each one coming in a blur of precision and force. "You're getting quicker!" he called out, his voice carefree as he spun around and tried to catch her with a backhand, but Hinata slipped out of range with graceful acrobatics.

Meanwhile, Sasuke and Naruto were exchanging a flurry of blows, their elemental techniques clashing violently. Naruto's Rasengan met Sasuke's Chidori with a resounding BOOM, lighting up the mental landscape with blue-white energy.

"Hah! You'll never get the drop on me, teme!" Naruto said with a defiant grin, sweat beading on his brow as they locked hands and struggled for dominance.

"Your moves are predictably unpredictable," Sasuke hissed, his Sharingan spinning wildly. He twisted and brought his knee up, slamming into Naruto's stomach and sending him flying back, only for Naruto to catch himself mid-air with wind-enhanced chakra.

All the while, Ino and Lee were engaged in an intense duel of skill and willpower. Lee, who had been intensely focused on refining his Kaioken since their voyage began, had activated the fourth level of the technique, his muscles bulging and a red aura flaring around him. His movements became blindingly fast, and his strikes were sharp, but Ino's Seventh Gate, a green aura blazing around her along with her blankly white eyes, was a sight to behold.

In no universe is Ino even close to Lee's strength... except in the mental department where Ino reigned supreme over everyone. Each movement was poetry in motion, and her telepathic skill allowed her to predict his attacks with uncanny accuracy.

"Your spirit is burning bright, Lee!" Ino called out, effortlessly weaving through his strikes. She ducked under a spinning kick, flipping over him and then aiming a precise palm strike at his back. "But you're going to need more than that to keep up with me!"

Lee gritted his teeth, pushing the Kaioken even further. "You... haven't seen anything yet!"

As the first day continued, Vegeta's activities within the Gravity Room were a storm of grunts, blasts, and shouts of fury. The entire ship trembled whenever the prince increased the gravity or smashed against the reinforced walls. He remained seethingly focused, barely taking breaks except to gulp down water before diving back into the grueling environment. Goku joined him intermittently, and every time he did, the temperature of the room seemed to rise with their growing rivalry. The clashing of fists against flesh, the sonic booms of Ki-blasts meeting resistance—it was an ever-escalating war of wills, and they reveled in it.

Outside the Gravity Room, Lee made full use of any time available, pushing his body to its limits. Goku often trained with him, offering insights despite his lack of direct experience with Kaioken. "You can't brute-force it, Lee," he said during one of their sessions. "The Kaioken's... well from what I can tell, is kinda like dancing. You gotta move with it, not fight against it."

Hinata would join them during breaks, her hands guiding Lee's movements, helping him keep his balance under the crushing gravity. She was silent, but her hands spoke volumes as they corrected Lee's stance, his flow of chakra.

"You need to... breathe into it, Lee-san. Let the technique move you."

Sakura soon joined them in the Gravity Room, tapping into her own potential and power. The Byakugō no Jutsu on her forehead glowed as she fought back against gravity's punishing force. Each punch she threw was like a gunshot, each kick a cannon blast.

She trained like a woman possessed.

"Grr... I should have thought of this sooner!" Sakura's voice was filled with frustration as she shattered the floor with a stomp, the cracks crawling along the Gravity Room's titanium surface. Her self-ridicule was loud, but she didn't let it deter her; she only pushed harder, harder than she had ever pushed herself before. "If we're going to survive, then I... I have to get better!"

Before the day concluded, in a final bout of image training, Goku and Ino were a fierce pairing. They sparred almost in sync, testing the others' limits in different battles. Goku's physical prowess was second to none, but Ino had a unique edge. Every time she locked eyes with Goku, the mental onslaught would begin—an illusionary landscape of fears, desires, and doubts. She would slip into his mind and pull at its threads, forcing Goku to confront parts of himself he rarely accessed.

"Heh... so, this is how you fight nowadays, huh?" Goku said, grinning as his mental projection fought through a storm of memories. He was standing in a whirlwind of flickering visions—his childhood, his battles, the deaths of friends, even falsified thoughts of the calamities that were potentially at play. He faced each one, not with fear, but curiosity and a growing understanding.

"You're pretty tricky, Ino! I gotta give you that."

Ino's laugh echoed through the mental arena. "I told you, Goku. Strength is about the mind too! And right now..." She pressed a finger to her forehead, the pressure within Goku's mind building. "I'm the queen of this battlefield!"

Despite his carefree nature, Goku showed flashes of brilliance—adapting rapidly to the mental attacks and shifting his focus into pure, unyielding will. Still, Ino kept her lead, proving just how much she had honed her craft beyond the physical realm.

Day 2 saw the routine intensify. Vegeta was relentless, pushing the Gravity Room to its limit, setting it to 150x Earth's gravity. The air was thick, like syrup, every movement demanding more strength than the last. He refused to ask Kakarot to join him at all, but damnit he did anyway, trading blow after blow with Vegeta until the room itself felt like it would explode from the clashing within.

At one point, Vegeta growled, sweat dripping down his face, mixing with the blood from a cut on his lip. "Kakarot! Quit messing around and show me what you're really made of!"

Goku wiped his face, the pressure of the gravity seemingly nothing to him as he smiled. "But Vegeta... I am showing you. And you still can't keep up." With that, Goku's aura flared—a white-hot flash that sent Vegeta flying back into the wall with a boom.

Goku's power was an ocean, and Vegeta, despite his pride, found himself sinking.

Elsewhere in the ship, the shinobi were engaged in their own training. Naruto sat cross-legged, trying to center himself, his Rasengan swirling in his hand as he tried to focus on more than just power—he was searching for clarity. Beside him, Sasuke closed his eyes, tapping into his inner strength, letting the Sharingan peer beyond the surface of his chakra and into its depths.

By the end of the second day, the tension was both mounting and dissipating in waves. The crew pushed through mental barriers, strengthened their bodies and minds, and prepared for what would be the fight of their lives. The void of space stretched on infinitely, but within that ship, the heat of their drive and fury burned brightly.

Each day was one step closer to facing Frieza.

And so, the preparation raged on.

Day 3 began with a strong sense of urgency and focus. The ship sped deeper into the cosmos, and everyone aboard seemed to feel the looming presence of Frieza closer with each passing hour. Training had become less about improving and more about pushing through pyschological barriers, desperate to bring every ounce of power they had to the surface.

With two days left, they had to maximize every second.

In the Gravity Room, Vegeta and Goku were once again going at it. This time, the dial was cranked to an earth-crushing 200x gravity. Each movement felt like swimming through molten lead, but neither Saiyan backed down. In fact, Vegeta seemed to be thriving on the agony, his defiance against Kakarot's power fueling his determination.

Every punch, every block, and every energy wave sent shockwaves that made the room feel like it was on the brink of collapse.

Vegeta's power had grown exponentially due to the constant warring with someone even stronger than himself. He had taken every one of his losses to heart, sharpening his instincts and refining his techniques.

He no longer just fought purely with rage; he began to fight with precision and intent alongside it. And it showed.

"Your power... Kakarot..." Vegeta spat, holding his ground as Goku's foot slammed into his forearms, a shockwave rippling out. "I'll surpass it. Soon enough... you're the one who's gonna kneel."

"Heh," Goku chuckled between heavy breaths, beads of sweat rolling down his face. "You're talking pretty big, Vegeta. But words won't mean much when I do this!"

In an instant, the younger Saiyan flickered out of view, appearing behind Vegeta in the blink of an eye. His knee drove up into Vegeta's back, and the prince's eyes widened in shock as he was catapulted forward, but he twisted mid-air, using the gravity to his advantage, and rebounded toward Goku with a roar.

The battle was vicious, brutal, and unrelenting. And yet, it was evident that something had changed—Vegeta wasn't just fighting out of pure spite anymore; he was starting to savor it. The drive to get stronger, to match Goku blow for blow, and then utterly surpass him.

By the end of their session, they collapsed on the ground, panting but with a mutual respect that, while unspoken, was undeniably there. As they both ate from the split senzu bean, they both felt their bodies surge with renewed energy, and Vegeta's Zenkai kicked in, pushing him to a level where he could finally look Goku in the eye as a near-equal.

Goku wiped his mouth after eating his half of the bean, smirking at Vegeta. "Heh... Guess you're not so terrible after all, Vegeta. Glad to have you aboard."

Vegeta scoffed, turning away from the other Saiyan. "Don't flatter yourself, Kakarot. I'm not here to play second fiddle to anyone. I'll be the one to kill Frieza... and then kill you right after, especially if you get in my way."

The final Gravity Room session ended with the dial set to a crushing 250x gravity, with the two Saiyans blasting their way to the edge of their limits and beyond.

Meanwhile, outside the Gravity Room, Hinata found herself with Sakura, who had set herself a new mission: ensuring they were as prepared as possible to heal anyone in need when the fighting started. Sakura's own experience with medical ninjutsu was vast, but she had rarely had a chance to pass on what she knew, and she found an unexpected satisfaction in teaching Hinata.

"Your chakra control is great, Hinata," Sakura said, her voice steady as she demonstrated a delicate healing weave. Her hands moved in a careful dance, coaxing chakra into a faint green glow that hovered over a shallow cut on her arm, closing it with precision. "But you need to focus it more. You're wasting too much energy letting it spread. Make the chakra... almost like a thread. Direct it exactly where it's needed."

Hinata nodded, brow furrowing in concentration as she mirrored Sakura's movements. Her own chakra control had been honed through countless hours of taijutsu and Tenseigan training, but healing was different—more nuanced, more... forgiving. A necessary art. As she focused on her chakra threads, they became more refined, pinpointed to a much smaller area, like the edge of a blade, mending the small cuts Sakura intentionally made.

"Good... that's it," the rosette said, a gentle smile on her lips. It was strange for her, this bond she formed with Hinata. Watching her relationship with Goku, Sakura found herself yearning for that kind of partnership—fiercely supportive, fiercely loving, and above all real.

"Thank you, Sakura," Hinata replied quietly. "This... this is a game changer."

Sakura's smile widened for a brief moment, but her eyes darkened as she recalled her ex-boyfriend. "Yeah... four hands are better than two, right? That way if it all goes to hell... we'll make sure everyone gets back alive."

Hinata nodded in agreement. She wasn't one to talk much about her emotions, but there was a strength within her that Sakura admired. And if she could contribute to that, even a little, then it was worth it.

During the latter part of the day, Naruto, Sasuke, and Lee found themselves embroiled in an all-out war of their own once the main characters exited the Gravity Room. They collided like titans, each strike of Lee's being matched by Naruto's Six Paths chakra-infused blows and Sasuke's lightning-enhanced counters.

"Lee, you're still crazy fast!" Naruto shouted, catching a fist but still being pushed back by Lee's sheer strength.

Lee's aura burned with both the Kaioken and Gates activated, his movements like a hurricane tearing through everything in his path. "My flames know no limits, Naruto!" he declared, each punch like a thunderclap, each kick sending tremors through the room. But despite his power, he fought with a grace and focus that belied his explosive energy.

Sasuke grit his teeth as he activated his Sharingan, tracking both Naruto and Lee with deadly precision. "Hn. If you think you can outlast me, you're dead wrong!" He moved like a serpent, his Chidori blade slicing through the air, seeking to counter Lee's brute strength with pinpoint strikes. Naruto, caught in between, balanced the raw might of the Kyuubi's chakra and his own taijutsu skills to fight back against both his opponents.

But they weren't just dealing with each other; they were dealing with Ino, who took this as the perfect opportunity to unleash her telepathic torment. Each of them felt her presence in their minds, pulling at their fears, memories, and insecurities like strings. The battlefield in front of their eyes would blur and twist, illusions bleeding into reality.

"Fight back, Lee!" Ino taunted mentally, and for a moment, Lee saw his own reflection shattered, his face warped into one of defeat. "You're not good enough. You never will be. You'll fail, just like you failed everyone before. Just like you failed to win my heart."

Lee's eyes blazed, but not with doubt; with righteous fury. He roared as the Kaioken flared around him, breaking through the illusion like shattering glass. "I am more than enough!" With renewed vigor, he landed a devastating blow to both Sasuke and Naruto, his speed becoming untraceable even to the Sharingan.

Naruto and Sasuke struggled against their own mental demons, the former finding himself weighed down by images of past failures, of people he'd let down, of his uncertain future with Sakura. The latter's own inner turmoil surfaced—the hatred he'd buried, the pain of Itachi, the weight of avenging his clan. It all burned behind his eyes, and for a moment, both were on the edge of being overwhelmed.

But Lee... he endured. And that endurance paid off as he took advantage of their hesitation, landing a spinning kick that knocked Naruto and Sasuke to the ground, ending the session in a victorious stance, his Kaioken aura crackling like a red flame.

Ino, though she was the cause of so much chaos, found herself smiling. "Guess you win, Lee. For now." But her eyes lingered on Sasuke and Naruto for a moment longer, especially Naruto. She knew their demons well, but it was... different seeing them up close. And despite everything that had happened between Naruto, Sakura, and herself, there was still something that... she couldn't quite let go of.

Day 4 arrived with a stark contrast: the calm before the storm.

Goku and Vegeta spent the day pushing their bodies to the absolute limit per usual, with Vegeta finally managing to meet Goku's full power head-on in their final confrontation. Every clash, every move seemed destined to tear the ship apart, and it was only thanks to Bulma's enhancements in the composition of the chamber itself that the Gravity Room survived. And when their final clash was over, both Saiyans stood across from one another, sweat-soaked and bruised, but smiling—Goku with joy, Vegeta with a dark determination.

"I'll admit it," Vegeta finally muttered, his voice low. "Your wretched, laughable existence... has driven me to new heights I would've never fathomed. The fact that a clown like you, a low-class warrior, could challenge me... is inconceivable. Curse you, Kakarot."

"Right, right," Goku replied nonchalantly, but his eyes showcased excitement. "I'm just me Vegeta. That's all I can be."

Meanwhile, as the fourth day unfolded, Sasuke knew it was the perfect time to address what that had been lingering between them for too long. While the Saiyans hogged the Gravity Room, the Uchiha had his own battle plan: reuniting Team 7, not in body, but in spirit.

He found Naruto first, lounging in one of the ship's common areas, arms behind his head as he stared aimlessly at the ceiling.

"Oi, dobe," Sasuke said, his voice firm but not harsh.

Naruto tilted his head, recognizing the serious tone instantly. "Teme?"

Sasuke didn't waste any time. "Come on. We're gathering the team. It's time for a real tune-up."

Naruto groaned. "Tch, can't a guy get a nap in peace before we fight some intergalactic warlord?"

"Stop whining," Sasuke said, rolling his eyes. "You and Sakura need this. I need this."

Naruto raised an eyebrow, surprised at Sasuke's openness. He sat up, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright, alright, lead the way, Captain Uchiha."

Sasuke gave him a sideways glance, ignoring the jab, as they made their way toward Sakura, who was in the ship's medical bay, organizing the equipment. She looked up as they entered, her hands pausing on the vials she was handling.

"Sakura," Sasuke said, his voice softer than usual. "We're doing a session. The three of us. It's time."

Her eyes flickered between Sasuke and Naruto, sensing the gravity of the moment. She sighed but nodded, standing up and dusting off her pants. "I figured this was coming."

The three of them moved to a quiet space compared to the chaos Goku and Vegeta were likely creating in the Gravity Room. Once there, Sasuke turned to face them both, his expression unreadable.

"We're about to face something none of us have ever dealt with before. We can't afford any baggage weighing us down. So, we're settling this, right here, right now."

Naruto's playful demeanor faded as he caught onto Sasuke's tone. "What do you mean by baggage?"

Sasuke's gaze shifted between Naruto and Sakura, a rare look of vulnerability flashing across face. "We've been through a lot together, but this team—us—has been fractured for a minute now. Ever since Piccolo Daimao, we've all had different priorities. Naruto, you've become one of greatest heroes of the village. Sakura, you're the best medical ninja alive. And I…" He trailed off, "I've become a father in the midst of burying my former self. But now, we have to face things together once more."

Sakura crossed her arms, looking down at the ground. "You're talking about more than just the mission, aren't you, Sasuke?"

Sasuke nodded. "Hai. This is about us, as a team and as people. You both know what happened between you, and it's hanging over our heads. It needs to be addressed. Now."

Naruto shuffled awkwardly. "Look, Sasuke… about that—"

Sasuke cut him off. "I don't care about the details. Whatever happened between you and Ino, that's between you two. But what I do care about is how it affects Sakura—and this team."

Sakura's hands tightened into fists, her voice low. "I've dealt with it, Sasuke. Naruto and I… we've already talked about this."

"But you haven't really talked about it, have you?" Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "I've watched the way you two act around each other. The tension's still there, and if we're going to face Frieza, we can't afford distractions. So, we're clearing the air. Now."

Naruto scratched his head, clearly uncomfortable, but there was no way out of this. "Yeah… I guess I've been avoiding it." He looked over at Sakura, his eyes sincere. "I messed up, Sakura. I didn't want to hurt you. But I didn't know how to handle… everything."

Sakura took a deep breath, meeting his gaze. "I know, Naruto. And I started to forgive you for that last week. But it still hurt. I wanted something different, something more, and… I guess I couldn't handle that you didn't."

Naruto's eyes softened. "I didn't mean to push you away. I just… I didn't understand why you didn't want the same things I did. But now I get it. And I'm sorry."

Sakura turned slightly, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. "I used to think… if I just waited, if I was patient enough, you'd come around and we'd have the same kind of relationship everyone else had. Look at Sasuke and Haku. I saw their love growing and I wanted that. I… I thought we could be that too."

Naruto blinked, his brow furrowing. "I… I thought the same thing at first, but I couldn't do it the way you wanted, Sakura-chan. I'm not good at waiting for things to happen. I saw Sasuke and Haku too. I saw how Shikamaru and Temari, hell even Neji and Tenten, had something different, something stronger because they didn't follow those rules. I wanted that with you… but I guess I went about it the wrong way."

There was a silence as Sakura processed his words. She glanced at Sasuke, who simply gave her a nod, a gesture of understanding. It was strange, how the boy she'd chased for years had someone else, a wife of his own. Sasuke had always been her dream, her ideal—but somewhere along the way, Naruto had grown on her.

Slowly but surely, his care, his loyalty, his warmth had become something she couldn't ignore. But it was never that simple.

"Y'know," Sakura began, her voice softer now, "I loved Sasuke for so long. I thought nothing could change that. But… somewhere along the line, it wasn't Sasuke I thought about anymore. It was you, Naruto. You always had my back, even when you didn't need to. But I wanted to keep things pure between us. I wanted to wait."

Naruto's face tightened with emotion. "And I couldn't. I didn't want to wait. I wanted to feel like I had you, like we were really together. I'm not proud of what happened with Ino, but it was never about replacing you."

Sakura looked at him for a long moment. The pain was still there, but his words carried a weight that resonated with her. She could see that he hadn't acted out of malice or disrespect.

He was just… Naruto.

Impulsive, impatient, and full of passion. And she had loved him for those very things.

"You hurt me, Naruto," she said finally, her voice steady but laced with emotion. "But maybe… maybe I didn't give you enough credit. I never really considered what you wanted, only what I thought was right."

Naruto's gaze held hers, unwavering. "Sakura-chan, I still love you. I always have. Nothing's changed about that. I want to make this right, somehow."

Sakura let out a long breath, the tension finally releasing from her shoulders. "We can't just go back to the way things were. But… maybe we can start over. One step at a time."

Naruto's face brightened, his usual grin returning, but with a new layer of sincerity. "I'll take that. One step at a time."

Sasuke, who had been watching silently, finally spoke. "Good. Now that this is settled, we can move forward as a team."

Sakura looked at him, smiling faintly. "You always know how to cut through the noise, don't you?"

Sasuke smirked. "Someone has to keep you two in line."

Naruto chuckled, and for the first time in what felt like forever, the tension between them eased. The three of them stood in silence for a moment, the air feeling lighter.

"Alright, Sasuke," Naruto said, raising his fists. "Team 7's back in action. Ready to see if you can still keep up?"

Sasuke smirked. "Don't get cocky, dobe. I've been married longer. I know a thing or two."

Sakura rolled her eyes, stepping between them. "Alright, enough talking. Let's get to work."

The three of them formed a triangle in the room, their familiar formation returning as if no time had passed. The energy between them, once strained, now felt stronger, more unified.

Later in the day after the Gravity Room became available, they launched into a fierce training session, pushing each other to their limits in order to reconnect. As they clashed and countered, the old rhythm of their teamwork began to emerge, more in sync than they had been in years.

By the end of it, they were drenched in sweat, but there was a shared sense of triumph in the air.

Sasuke wiped his brow, smirking at the two of them. "Looks like we've still got it."

Naruto, panting heavily, grinned. "Told you. Team 7, right?"

Sakura, hands on her knees, smiled through her exhaustion. "Team 7. Always."

On the fifth day, the artificial morning light inside the ship's common room glowed with an artificial warmth as Hinata stood in the kitchen area. For once, the vessel wasn't vibrating with the sound of combat, the clash of fists, or the roar of exertion.

Instead, the air was filled with the sizzling of frying pans, the aroma of spices, and the bubbling of broths. It was the last breakfast they'd share before war—an occasion that deserved something special.

Hinata moved gracefully around the kitchen, her loose lavender nightshirt hanging delicately over her frame, hinting at her bust and natural curves. It was simple, draping to mid-thigh, her skin glowing faintly from the lighting as her hair cascaded freely down her back. She wore no makeup per usual, no adornments; just raw yet radiant beauty.

Goku couldn't help himself—every glance at his wife made his heart race, a feeling that had only intensified since their marriage. Even in the midst of turbulence, the way she worked—careful, methodical, but never harsh—was mesmerizing.

He felt like the luckiest man in all of existence, and he wasn't shy to show it.

As Hinata carefully whisked eggs in one hand and flipped a strip of bacon with another, Goku sidled up behind her, wrapping his arms loosely around her waist and pressing a kiss to her cheek.

"Y'know," he murmured softly, "you're way too good at this. Don't know what I'd do without you." He chuckled as his breath tickled her ear, and she shivered slightly, a smile crossing her face as she leaned back into his warmth.

"You're distracting me, Goku-kun," Hinata said playfully, looking up at him with those calm, bright eyes. But she made no attempt to push him away; in fact, she tilted her head up and captured his lips in a tender kiss, quick and sweet. "Here, make yourself useful," she said, holding out a ladle. "Stir that soup—slowly, okay? It'll burn if you rush it."

Goku's smile widened, his carefree nature bubbling to the surface. "Right, slowly... I got this." He twirled the ladle dramatically, and Hinata stifled a laugh, nudging him back on task.

Across the common area, Sasuke sat cross-legged on the floor, his fingers gently tapping the hilt of his sheathed sword as he gazed silently at the scene. Seeing Goku and Hinata together stirred something bittersweet within him—a longing that curled around his heart.

He couldn't help but think of Haku, of the way she'd politely fuss over Sarada in the mornings, of the delicate brush of her lips against his own before he left for a mission. He hadn't realized how much he would miss her and their daughter until he saw Goku holding Hinata in that casual, unguarded way.

He closed his eyes and exhaled quietly, resolving to see this mission through to return to them.

But for now, the longing remained—a reminder of the life he had waiting for him back on Earth.

Across the room, Naruto sat at the table with Sakura, Lee, and Ino, watching the scene with a faint smile. There was no tension between him and Sakura anymore—at least, not the awkward kind. The conversation from the day before, their Team 7 training session, had begun to smooth the rough edges between them.

It wasn't perfect, but they were back on speaking terms.

He was back in the friend zone for now, but Naruto was determined to claw his way out, little by little.

Naruto leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms above his head. "Man, who would've thought Goku was the mushy type, huh?" he teased, giving Sakura a nudge.

Sakura rolled her eyes but cracked a smile. "If you think that's mushy, you should've seen the way Sasuke used to act with Haku a few years ago. He was all brooding, but the moment she walked in, it was like someone flipped a switch."

Naruto snickered, leaning forward. "I don't know, Sakura-chan. You were pretty bad back in the day. Remember how you used to stare at Sasuke with those heart eyes? Thought you were gonna pass out every time he said two words to you."

Sakura smirked, flicking his forehead. "Yeah, well, you didn't exactly help, you know. You were always making me laugh. I guess that's why you grew on me… eventually." She paused, her green eyes glinting with a teasing light. "Even though you were still annoying."

The lighthearted banter between them felt good—natural, like old times. The sting of betrayal still lingered in the background, but for now, Naruto and Sakura were beginning to find their rhythm again. It wasn't about fixing everything in one go. Naruto knew he had to prove himself in small ways, rebuild what they had, and show her that he could be more than the guy who'd hurt her. He was officially in this for the long haul, and the mission gave him a chance to do that.

Ino, seated across from them, watched the exchange quietly. She didn't say anything, but she noticed the shift between Naruto and Sakura. It wasn't hard to see that Naruto still had feelings for Sakura—strong ones. Part of her felt a twinge of something, maybe regret, but she pushed it down. The last thing she needed right now was to get caught up in more emotional drama when a war was looming.

Lee, calm and centered, sat beside Naruto while all of this happened. There was no restlessness to his demeanor—only contemplation. He held his emotions like a flame in the wind: controlled, contained. It wasn't that he didn't feel what everyone else felt, it was that he chose not to let it consume him.

He had loved Ino, in his way—tried to be there for her with everything he had. But she had chosen another path, and there was nothing he could do but walk his own.

And Bulma, observing all of them from the cockpit door, couldn't help but let out a boisterous laugh, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Kami, you kids are such a mess!" she teased, the corners of her lips twitching upwards in a smirk. "I haven't even known you all that long, but it's like watching one of those trashy romance dramas. Gotta say, it's entertaining."

"Quiet, woman," Vegeta growled, looking over his shoulder with that perpetual scowl of his. "The last thing I want is to be stuck listening to your idiotic gossip about these weaklings petty... drama." But the hint of amusement in his eyes belied his words; he was enjoying their discomfort far more than he'd ever admit.

Naruto shot Vegeta a half-hearted glare. "Oh yeah? And what about you, Mr. I'm-Too-Good-For-Everything? What do you know about relationships anyway?"

Vegeta's laugh was like a low rumble, the kind that shook your bones. "Hah! Far more than you, dumbass. The difference is, I don't let my emotions make me weak." He folded his arms smugly. "But seeing you all squirm like worms before a storm... it's pathetic."

Ino rolled her eyes, leaning back and kicking her legs up on the table defiantly. "Maybe you should loosen up sometime, Prince," she snapped back with venom. "You might actually be tolerable then."

Hinata, noticing the reading of the room, cleared her throat gently. "Breakfast is ready!" she called out, bringing over trays of pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, rice, and various other dishes—all prepared with Saiyan-sized portions in mind.

Naruto jumped up first, rubbing his hands together. "Finally, I'm starving!" He glanced over at Sakura and grinned. "Come on, Sakura-chan. I promise I'll save you the best stuff."

Sakura rolled her eyes again but stood up to join him. "You better. Or I'm shoving you into the Gravity Room with Vegeta."

Naruto barked a laugh as they walked toward the kitchen, side by side. "I can definitely take him. No problem."

"Yeah, sure," Sakura snorted, elbowing him lightly. "Keep dreaming."

The ease between them was back. Naruto didn't have to walk on eggshells anymore, and Sakura found herself softening, allowing herself to laugh at his antics like she used to. Maybe things weren't completely back to normal, but they were on their way.

Naruto's determination to win her trust—and maybe her heart again—wasn't lost on her. And maybe, just maybe, she'd let him try.

From the corner of the room, Sasuke observed them quietly, a small smirk playing on his lips. Team 7 wasn't broken. It just needed a little time to heal. He knew they would need each other for what was coming, and seeing them start to reconcile gave him hope that, when the time came, they'd all have each other's backs.

Goku, unable to contain himself any longer, immediately began piling his plate high, eyes sparkling as if he'd just uncovered treasure.

"Wow!" Goku exclaimed between mouthfuls, his joy almost palpable as he devoured the food. "This might be the best breakfast ever! I love it!" He leaned over after wiping his mouth, placing another quick kiss on her cheek. Hinata's cheeks flushed softly, but she kept her focus, encouraging everyone else to eat as well.

Vegeta sat at the far end of the table, eating in silence, but it was clear that he appreciated the food. Sasuke, however, hesitated for a moment before finally digging in, trying to drown the pang of homesickness with the savory flavors in front of him.

As they ate, the mood grew more sober. It was Goku who spoke up first, his tone uncharacteristically serious as he looked at everyone around him.

"Alright," he began, setting his plate down with a resolute thud. "Let's go over the plan one more time. We're gonna land on Planet Frieza 304, take care of Frieza, and get out. We all gotta have each other's backs out there, no matter what. That means... squashin' whatever grudges or beef you got. It's not worth dying over."

"Agreed," Hinata said quietly, her voice firm. "When we face Frieza, it won't matter who's right or wrong. We need to be a single force. Or we'll fall."

Naruto, looking between Ino and Sakura, nodded. "Hinata's right... if we don't focus on surviving... none of the rest matters." He turned to both women. "I know we've all got more stuff to work out, but let's put it behind us for now, okay?"

Sakura's eyes were still relatively hard, but she knew Naruto was right. "I promise to do my part as best I can. I'm not gonna let anyone die because of my feelings or whatever that's happened."

Ino folded her arms. "Yeah... war's got a way of putting things in perspective." She tried to sound casual, but there was more than a hint of regret lacing her voice. "Let's... just get this over with. I'm behind you guys, a hundred percent."

Bulma leaned back against the counter, wiping her hands on a towel. "You're all idiots, but at least you're idiots who know what's at stake. Now eat up. Once we're done here, it's game on."

Vegeta, sneering but still focused, added one last vicious barb as he looked at them all. "Don't get yourselves killed too fast, Earthlings. I'll need your heads to display as an example to those who oppose my future rule over the universe."

With that, they all ate in silence, the food filling their stomachs and steeling their nerves.

The plan had been set, the team formed, and all their drama... put on hold.

Whatever happened next, they were ready to face it.

Breakfast was over.

The war was now.