Author's Update: I have finally finished writing the roadmap all I have to do now is go over it one last time, maybe make an edit here and there and I'll start on regular chapters again.

Chapter 31

Path of the Turtle

A day passes and both Kakarot and Chichi land on Master Roshi's island. It was the first time Kakarot had been here, it's very small, only fitting one pink two floor house with the words "Kame House" on the front of the house, right above the door. Roshi felt Kakarot arrive with Ki sensing and exited the house. He let out an intrigued, "Oh-ho."

He then said, "It fits you like a glove."

In response Kakarot tightened his belt while admitting he liked the feel of it. Kakarot was now wearing a red martial arts Gi reminiscent of the ones Krillin and Yamcha wore. Kakarot, however, wore no blue undershirt, his Gi showed the top part of his chest, much like it did the other students. He wore no wrist cuffs, but he did wear blue lace-less boots. On the left side of his shirt was a small circle with the kanji saying the word Turtle in it. The same kanji was located on the back of the shirt, but it was bigger, and it covered a good chunk of his back. Lastly wrapped around Kakarot's waist was a blue belt which was tied in a knot at the front of him. Outside his new attire, Kakarot still had the bandanna replica his father gave him tied to his right arm. Chichi wore her regular outfit, she stood next to Kakarot with her hands behind her back.

Kakarot said, "It feels right, let's get started."

Roshi put a hand forward and said, "First things first youngin'. Right now, your strength is well beyond me or any of my students. You also have plenty of experience in battle. I saw that for myself when you fought my students with the skill of a seasoned warrior."

Roshi put his arms behind his back and said, "I can't offer you much in the way of power, not yet at least. What I wish to impart on you isn't strength or speed but a new mindset."

Kakarot listened intently as Roshi continued, "You're used to a very different world than me. You regularly engage in brutal warfare and from what I know of your former allies, I'm willing to bet that you had few to rely on."

Kakarot nodded in agreement, his life as a Saiyan was a constant struggle. It's only recently that his relationship with his brother fostered enough trust to rely on each other. Before that, if Kakarot was in a pinch he was on his own. Despite how inhospitable it was, that environment benefited him, great strife helped him grow as a warrior in both power and experience thanks to his alien genetics. Roshi wished to impart on him the experience of a martial artist rather than that of a conqueror.

Roshi cleared his throat before saying, "The way of the Turtle Hermit emphasizes the endless journey to grow stronger. You don't seek perfection, you seek to overcome the you of yesterday. To break your limits through rigorous training and a healthy work ethic."

Roshi then said, "In order to familiarize yourself with what it's like to be a martial artist of the turtle school. I'd like us to go on a journey to Korin Tower and then Kami's Lookout. When we reach the end of this journey your real training will begin. On the way I will enrich you in the tales of my students' struggles to become what they are today."

Kakarot nods and says, "Alright, let's go."

Kakarot was about to fly off when Roshi frantically said, "Wait, wait, I-I need a ride."

Kakarot blinks in surprise, he thinks to himself, "Why? doesn't he know how to fly? Even Chichi knows how."

Kakarot nodded in confirmation and then looked at him for a moment but after realizing Roshi wasn't saying or doing anything about it his eyes opened wide. He then scowled at the old man. A few minutes later, Kakarot is now carrying Roshi on his back while muttering, "Lazy old coot. Learn the damn technique before I…"

Kakarot trailed off with Chichi giving him a nervous look as they flew in the direction Roshi specified. A half an hour later and the group is flying directly over a large green forest. Roshi suddenly points his walking stick at a large white pole in the ground ahead of them. He says, "That's Korin Tower, set down at its base. I have someone I'd like you to talk to before we continue."

They landed at the bottom of the pole which was in the middle of a small Indian village. Two individuals watched from below as they landed. The two were people of Indian descent, they wore brown, dark purple and red Indian clothes and had face paint in a rectangle pattern. They looked at Kakarot suspiciously until they saw Chichi and Roshi. They smiled upon seeing them, the older one said, "Great Master, it's so nice to see you."

Roshi smiled at the two before greeting them, "Greetings Bora, Upa, how are you today?"

Upa said, "Good."

Chichi then said, "It's been a while Upa."

Upa smiled and said, "Yeah, last I saw you; you were much smaller."

Chichi said back, "You were pretty small yourself."

Upa then asked, "Where's Krillin, I was hoping to see him with you Master Roshi."

Roshi said back, "He's doing some special training, I'll send him over so you two can have a reunion."

Upa smiled and said," Thanks, we just came back with some fish, would you like some?"

Upa gave his father a smile, and Bora returned it. Roshi however, shook his head and said, "Sorry to say we're here on business."

Bora took note of Kakarot and asked, "Have you taken on a new student? He's a fierce one."

Roshi smiled at the comment and said, "So you noticed."

Bora nodded and said, "He has an air about him, it makes his presence distinct to me."

Bora looked at Kakarot and asked, "Are you a warrior by chance?"

Kakarot paused for a moment before plainly saying, "Yes."

Upa got a chill while looking at him, something about him was unnerving. Roshi cooled his nerves by saying, "Don't mind him Upa, he's here to learn."

Upa nodded after which Roshi said, "Upa would you be up to recall your first meeting with Son Gohan and Krillin. As well as what happened afterwards?"

Roshi added, "I would like Kakarot here, to hear it."

Upa nodded and sat down at an already set up campfire, everyone did the same with Kakarot focusing on what Upa was about to say. I was a child when I met them, my father was teaching me about catching fish when a nearby volcano erupted. Shortly after I found an orange ball with four stars on it."

Kakarot noted, "A Dragon Ball."

Bora said in mild surprise, "So you know about them, that will make an explanation later down the line unnecessary."

Upa continued, "Some soldiers came to our village later that day, they were after the orange ball we found."

Chichi grimly said, "The Red Ribbon Army."

Kakarot raised an eyebrow at that name and asked, "Was this army from another nation?"

Roshi shook his head and explained, "No, the Red Ribbon Army was a group of mercenaries unified under one banner, a Red Ribbon, hence the name. They were well organized, having multiple divisions with powerful leaders commanding them and were feared all around the world."

Chichi added, "They viewed my father as a threat, so they attacked our home. We only survived because Master Gohan and Krillin came across their assault while searching for Gohan's Dragon Ball, it was a treasure to him."

Roshi added even more to this, "Gohan and Krillin wound up colliding with them multiple times during their journey for the ball Upa here, found, but I'll let him tell that part."

Upa nodded but this time Bora continued the story, "The soldiers tried to force us to give them the ball. I refused them, I felt they had ill will. They tried to take the ball, so I killed them in order to protect Upa and the ball."

Upa's face dropped as he said, "While father was disposing of the bodies one of them snatched me while inside an iron- I mean an airplane."

Upa scratched the back of his head and said, "Sorry, I'm still not used to big city contraptions yet."

Kakarot said, "Don't worry bout it, continue."

Upa nodded and continued the story, "I was kidnapped by a tiger-man. He tried to negotiate with my father for the ball but that's when Mr. Gohan on a golden Cloud appeared and took me from him."

Kakarot raised an eyebrow as he repeated the word, "Golden Cloud?"

Kakarot looked at Roshi for a possible explanation, Roshi immediately elaborated, "It's the Flying Nimbus, it was mine but when I reunited with Gohan so many years ago I decided to gift it to him."

Kakarot gave Roshi the side eye as he repeated the word with more irritation in it, "Flying Nimbus. He had a cloud."

Upa continued, "Krillin then destroyed the plane with a Kamehameha Wave while Mr. Gohan returned me to my father."

Bora continued with the story again, "After introducing themselves we learned of Gohan's status as a master martial artist and why the Army wanted the Dragon Ball."

Upa then said, "They told us all about the Dragon and that Gohan just wanted the ball for sentimental value while the Red Ribbon likely wanted world domination."

Bora's face darkened as he said, "That's when we had the misfortune of meeting "him"."

Roshi also had a grim look on his face as Upa explained the next part, "A man known as Mercenary Tao showed up, he called himself a hitman and he was after the Dragon Ball as well as the lives of Mr. Gohan and Krillin."

Kakarot arched his eyebrows in a serious manner as he muttered, "A Merc."

Chichi then asked, "Have you had experience with Mercenaries?"

Kakarot nodded and said, "Every now and then a "target" would find out my squad was on their way, and they would hire outside help. Other times Freeza would play a game by hiring someone to compete with us during our "expeditions."

Kakarot was attempting to be careful with his wording, he didn't want Bora and Upa to know about his unsavory previous occupation. To distract from this Roshi said, "Mercenary Tao was a notorious assassin, called the best on the planet… worse yet he was the brother of a rival to our school of martial arts. He was hired by the Red Ribbon to get the Dragon balls and kill Gohan and Krillin for their meddling in their affairs."

Chichi added, "Tien was once part of that school."

Roshi nodded and said, "Yes, he was part of the Crane school. Old Shen was a buddy of mine once upon a time, but the rise of Demon King Piccolo changed that. Tien eventually broke off from his old master after finding out his motivations were digressed from his own."

Roshi spoke with a melancholy tone upon mentioning Shen. He shook his head and said, "Nevermind old history, please continue with the story."

Upa immediately said, "Sorry Master Roshi."

He then cleared his throat and said with a heaviness to his voice, alluding to unfortunate events, "F-father fought him against Mr. Gohan's warning."

Bora added, "I didn't care for this Tao, he spoke of killing as if it was the same as going for a walk. I should have realized the danger he represented with that clue alone."

Bora let out a dejected sigh and said, "I didn't listen to Gohan and so Tao killed me with my own spear."

Kakarot mentally noted, "Obviously they revived him later, but this Tao sounds even more bloodthirsty than Vegeta, that's a difficult feat to accomplish."

Upa explained the rest seeing how Bora was dead during the following events. Roshi however, interjected, "I'll help with the story from here, Krillin told me the whole altercation after the fact."

Roshi then said, "At the time Krillin wasn't a match for Tao however, Gohan was another story."

Upa added, "That's right, when Tao tried to attack Krillin, Mr. Gohan stepped in. From where I was standing Tao didn't stand a chance. He tried every trick he had from faking a surrender to throwing out a sword."

Roshi said with a smile, "Of course he would, Gohan was by far my strongest student… at the time that is. From what Krillin told me, Tao couldn't touch him, even his prized Dodon Ray was powerless."

Kakarot raised an eyebrow at this which Roshi noticed and said, "Yes, the Dodon Ray was a Crane school technique. Tao bragged about mastering it but it didn't help him against Gohan."

Upa's tone darkened as he continued, "Unfortunately things didn't go our way from that point on. Tao used something called a Super Dodon Ray on Krillin. Mr Gohan was only able to get to him in time to shield him from the attack… it… it killed him."

Chichi said with a dim tone, "That was Master Gohan's first death."

Roshi then said, "The blast knocked Krillin unconscious, when he woke up, their Dragon Balls, even the Four-Star Ball, were gone along with Tao."

Upa then said, "Tao took them after confirming that Mr. Gohan was dead. I was lucky he left without killing me too."

Roshi then said, "Krillin was heartbroken, we all were but according to him he took a trip up Korin Tower because Bora had told him about the Sacred Water, a magical liquid that could awaken your latent potential."

Upa added, "Yeah, it's a legend here but Krillin really did climb the tower and drink the water… too bad it was fake."

Kakarot stuttered, "Fake?"

Roshi let out a laugh before saying, "It was a pretty good hook to get any aspiring martial artist who actually manages to climb the tower to do his training."

Kakarot said back, "Training?"

Roshi then said, "Yes, it was just a lure. Someone who wants the water and climbs the tower will face Korin. Korin will dangle the supposedly super water in front of them and tell them to chase him until they are fast enough to take it from him."

Kakarot paused and said, "So it's just tap water."

Roshi shrugged before saying, "Well, that's not exactly true, not false either. You see he dangles the tap water in front of the people who climb the tower while keeping the real thing locked away, it exists but he knows better than to use it."

Roshi saw the burning question that was bugging Kakarot so he answered him without having to be asked, "This water is actually capable of bringing out your latent potential but only if you have it. If you don't have anything to unlock then it just kills you, it's like poison. Only providing benefits to a select few. Don't consider using it unless you think you absolutely need the strength, because it might not offer anything."

Upa went on with the story, "Krillin came back but he didn't know where Tao was… he wanted to avenge Mr. Gohan."

Roshi then took over the story, "Luckily he wasn't a fool, he didn't charge for the balls in hopes of finding Tao near them. Instead… he told us of what transpired and asked us to help him avenge Gohan."

Roshi admitted to being against the idea, "I…wasn't fond of the idea. I thought Gohan wouldn't want his students charging headlong into danger for revenge, but my students were stubborn… and grief stricken. Yamcha viewed that old man as his own Grandpa… as did Chichi here."

Chichi gave Kakarot a depressed look.

Roshi let out a breath before saying, "So I joined them if only to watch out for them."

Roshi then let out one more sigh before saying, "Then we destroyed them, we attacked the Red Ribbon Armies base of operations. Despite the odds we faced, we managed to achieve a complete victory. Krillin and Yamcha worked well together, and I acted as support. I was surprised by Krillin's growth, it's only later that he told me he climbed Korin Tower and mastered his training."

Kakarot then said, "What about Tao?"

Roshi answered immediately, "Krillin attempted to fight him on his own, Krillin was able to keep up, but it wasn't enough. It's when Yamcha joined him that they managed to defeat him. They wanted to kill Tao, but I knew that would create complications with Shen, so I managed to talk them out of it."

Roshi's expression turned grim as he said, "But Tao was a fool, he tried to use an explosive, but Krillin was quick enough to throw it back in his face. We destroyed the Red Ribbon Army and Tao. We would have to deal with the consequences of killing Tao later with Tien, even if it was Tao's fault. In the end we managed to revive Bora and Gohan, as you have already surmised."

Kakarot nodded. Roshi finished up the story by saying, "In the end the Turtle School made it through a battle that each of us individually would have struggled with. This lesson I'd like to impart onto you my new pupil. Rely on your friends, your fellow students and your allies. If a challenge is too difficult alone, don't tough it out when you have people you could rely on, if Krillin had acted stubbornly and rashly, he would have joined Gohan in death."

Kakarot gave him a troubled look, but Roshi decided it was time to move on. Roshi said, "We can discuss this later, we have a tower to climb."

Roshi turned to Chichi and said, "This might benefit you since you never climbed the tower."

Before they left, Upa asked, "Master Roshi, will Kakarot be attempting the training with Korin?"

Roshi gave him a hearty laugh before saying, "Oh no, my boy he's much too powerful to find it challenging enough to get any results. I'd say he's well above even me or any of my other students."

Upa and Bora were stunned by this revelation as they gave Kakarot one last stare, now understanding a little more why he had such a threatening aura about him.

Chichi steeled her resolve and they soon said goodbye to Upa and Bora after which they climbed the tower. It only took half an hour to climb the tower thanks to the groups higher than average physical capabilities, though Chichi was winded after the climb. Kakarot gave her a pat on the back after which she gave him a "peace" sign and flashed a smile at him. The group found themselves in a circular room with stairs leading upward to an upper floor. It's then that Kakarot sees a fat man in a light red robe with a katana strapped to his belt and a short white humanoid cat holding a wooden walking stick. The cat person had a wise look about him, but the fat man was scared of something.

Roshi immediately introduced the two, "Kakarot allow me to introduce them, the round man with the sword is Yajirobe and the cat is Master Korin."

Kakarot blinked at the cat who waved and simply said, "Yo."

Kakarot scratched the back of his head while giving them a confused look before saying, "Should probably try n' get used to this."

Kakarot's gaze shifted to Yajirobe who flinched in response. Kakarot was confused by this reaction, but a new question occurred to him that replaced that one, "You seem somewhat capable, goin' by yer' Ki. Why didn't I see you a month ago?"

Korin let out a laugh, his voice was rough but low, "Ha! That's cause this moron never showed up, he kept down here gobbling up my Senzu Beans."

Kakarot blinked again, looking at Yajirobe who said in retaliation, "H-hey if Krillin and the others combined couldn't do a thing to him, what makes you think I could have made a difference?"

Korin pinched the bridge of his nose at Yajirobe's comment. Kakarot frowned at him, thinking to himself, "He's a coward, but even Raditz would show up for fights he didn't want to take part in. He'd use me as a reason not to get involved but still."

Right then another question popped into his head, "Your Senzu Beans? You're the one who makes 'em?"

Korin nodded and said, "I have a special garden where I grow 'em but ever since Tubby here, moved in, uninvited I might add. He's reduced their numbers by a large margin, I was only able to give the guys one each, a fat lot of good that did but that's beside the point."

Roshi cleared his throat before giving Korin a bow and saying, "It's been a long time, Master Korin."

Korin returned the greeting, saying, "You too, Roshi. Been a while since you made the climb and in record time too."

Roshi chuckled at the compliment but then pointed at Kakarot and Chichi and said, "It was more of them than me, I was actually having a hard time keeping up."

Korin said back, "So it seemed, hmmm."

Korin gave Chichi a brief look before turning to Kakarot and giving him a longer stare. Kakarot was unsure why he was being examined so much more thoroughly or even why Korin did it to Chichi, but he let the moment pass. Korin then said to himself, "Ah…how nostalgic."

Kakarot was confused by that response, but Korin ignored the reaction and said, "Alright, enough reminiscing. Ok Roshi, I'm guessing you wanted me to inform him on Krillin and the others training up here so long ago?"

Roshi nodded and so Korin began talking about Krillin's first climb up the mountain, "Krillin climbed the tower to gain the strength to avenge Gohan. He spent a full week here before finally getting the water. It doesn't sound impressive…until you consider Roshi here took a full three years to get it."

Roshi scratched the back of his head as he scrambled for a response, "H-hey now, I had the time!"

Korin hit back with, "That's because you got a few extra years from that Divine Bird and the Fountain of Youth I might add!"

Roshi grumbled at the response but while this happened something dawned on Kakarot. He suddenly asked, "If the army had a full week, then why didn't they make their wish. They shoulda' had time."

Another questioned popped into his head, "Come ta' think of it why did Tao stay for a week. He's a Mercenary, wouldn't he have another job to go do?"

Roshi answered him, "Oh, you see the last ball was hidden in a special case which disguised its location, it couldn't be found in a week."

Roshi then threw a handout while saying, "But that's a different tale we don't need to get to right now. From what Tao said when my students fought him, the army hired him to protect the balls just in case something happened to them while they searched for the last one."

Kakarot nodded, understanding the explanation. Korin finally continued, "In the following months Yamcha climbed the tower and succeeded in getting the water in half a week. Then the whole Demon King Piccolo fiasco happened and Tien and Chiaotzu climbed it to prepare for fighting the new Piccolo."

Roshi then said, "You see, here on earth we train to gain strength. We didn't gain strength with fights alone. Battle for us was simply a test of one's skill, rather than a test of survival. Here the constant chasing Korin as well as additional climbs when he would throw you off would contribute to your endurance, stamina, speed and strength."

Kakarot absorbed the information before noting the value of training. Previously he hadn't really given it much thought since he was constantly on missions or recovering from said missions. Kakarot finally noted that he would have to see how much progress he can make through training. Roshi then said, "Alright, I think it's time to leave for Kami's place. There, your real training will begin."

Kakarot and Chichi waved goodbye to Korin and Yajirobe as they flew above. Kakarot was surprised to find that Kami's Lookout was located directly above Korin Tower. Kakarot noted a red pole connecting the two of which they followed to the top. On the way Kakarot asked, "Hey, old man. What's with this pole?"

Roshi chuckled and said, "Oh that? That's the Power Pole, it was a staff I asked Korin for. He refused at first but by the time I finished my training he finally gave it to me. When I took on Gohan as a student I gifted it to him. Eventually it made its way back here, as you can see."

Chichi added, "It's a magical pole, it's able to grow at will. That's why it's long enough to connect Korin Tower and Kami's Lookout."

That made sense to Kakarot who thought to himself, "That makes more sense, thinkin' about Roshi and this Gohan carrying around this pole at this size was given' me a headache."

Kakarot finally arrived at Kami's Lookout, it looked the same as when he left outside of all the damage being fixed. Kakarot even landed in the same spot he arrived at the first time around. There he saw Kami and Popo who had clearly been waiting for them. Kami smiled upon seeing Kakarot. The god of Earth, Kami, was as mysterious to Kakarot now as he was when he helped him revive his brother. Kakarot couldn't wrap his head around the man.

Kakarot believes he's more than shown how much of a threat he was to the Earth. Defeating their strongest warriors, taking a miracle wish from these heroes. A wish that, had he not won, it would have been used to revive people who were wrongfully murdered by his brother of all people. Kakarot could understand Krillin's caution about him. He could even understand Tien's mistrust and outward hostility toward himself. Kakarot's friendship with Chichi was born out of friendly interactions with each other. However, Kami was different.

Kakarot has only met him once and it was at the battle with the Earth's defenders, when he stole their wish. Kakarot couldn't understand why Kami, who he had given nothing but reasons to mistrust him, would treat him as if they were close friends. Through this interaction Kakarot hoped he would get a clue since asking him directly hadn't given him a satisfactory answer.

Once Kakarot landed Kami greeted him with a kind smile, "Greetings Kakarot."

Kakarot gave him a simple wave after which Kami said, "And it's nice to see you too, Chichi and Master Roshi."

Chichi returned the greeting and Roshi said in response, "You know why we are here, correct?"

Kami nodded but then said, "But I would like to hear what Kakarot's answer is."

Kakarot raised an eyebrow at the question, Kami then said, "I want to know why you want to train on earth, under masters who are many times weaker than you. Why submit yourself to physically weaker individuals when you grew up valuing strength?"

Kakarot gave Kami a troubled look before his expression hardened as he answered the question, "I grew up under false beliefs, worshiping strong individuals who committed great atrocities. I looked up to them based on false beliefs and because of those beliefs I became conceited. I believed my way of living was superior to everyone else's. That constant pressure changed my brother, if he had not taken a stand on Prune then no one would have died here. I need to make amends for my arrogance and the lives I've taken in the name of the Saiyans, here and beyond."

Kakarot raised his hands to his face and continued as he examined his hands, "I see now that it's not might that I need to develop further, nor battle experience."

Kakarot then clenched his hands into fists and looked Kami in the eyes as he said, "What I need is the wisdom of true masters of life and the compassion I experienced from the people of this world. I need to grow as an Earthling rather than a Saiyan."

Chichi clapped in response, Roshi gave him a proud smile and lastly Kami said with a smile, "Good, that shows growth. People do not often change for the better if they do not acknowledge their faults."

Kami then gave him a serious expression and said, "However, you need more than my favor to progress."

Kami then shifted his gaze to the building near them after which he said, "You need their approval before I can take you on as a student. After all you will be training alongside them, trust is key."

Everyone looked in the direction Kami looked and saw Chiaotzu, Krillin and Tien exiting the building. They approached the group a few feet apart from each other. Kami looked at them and asked, "You, as my faithful students, will you tell me how you feel about Kakarot joining your ranks?"

Krillin gave his opinion first, "When he first returned, I'll be honest. I was scared, not just for Chichi but for all of us. He was impossibly strong, possessed some of our best techniques and as I found out recently, has the potential to surpass his limits simply by recovering from serious injuries. If I were to put a word to describe him, it would be a nightmare."

Krillin's expression softened and he then said, "But after overhearing how he came to be here and what made him the way he is, I changed my mind. I know that there is a good chance that he was either lying or telling Chichi half-truths to get her to trust him. But I believe he was serious, something about his words sounded like they were coming from the heart."

Krillin then looked at Kakarot who returned his gaze, he then said, "If you want to join us, I won't stand in your way but if you betray us in any way then don't expect me to give you a second chance. I've been working on a new technique after our fight, don't expect wasting my trust will end well for you just because you're powerful."

Next Chiaotzu gave his opinion, "The truth is I'm still not sure about him. It's hard to believe someone so strong would want to become a student to someone weaker than him. But If he really wants to change, I don't want to take that away from him just because I'm too scared to give him a chance."

Lastly everyone looked at Tien who had a stern expression. He finally gave his opinion, "Alright, here's my answer."

Suddenly Tien disappeared, surprising everyone except for Kakarot who puts a handout just in time to catch a stray punch aimed for his face. Everyone looks at Kakarot and sees Tien standing in front of him having fired off a punch at Kakarot's face, though it was caught before it could reach its target. Kakarot and Tien exchanged a glare. Tien then says in an intense tone, "I refuse!"

Everyone stared as Tien then said, "And it isn't just about getting Yamcha killed. How can I trust you when you hesitate at the worst possible moment?"

Kami grimaced thinking to himself, "I knew this would be a problem, Tien is the least trusting among us given Kakarot's hand in Yamcha's death. What will you do Kakarot? I can't wave this away, all of them need to agree for your training to bear any fruit."

Chichi attempted to say something but was cut off when Kakarot said, "Everyone, stand back. We'll air out our differences the old fashion way."

Everyone gave each other a stare before getting clear of the presumed combat zone. Tien said in response, "Don't expect a fight to be enough for me to trust you."

Kakarot said back, "I ain't gonna beat you, beating you to a pulp ain't gonna prove anything, other than I'm stronger."

Tien raised an eyebrow and said, "Then what do you plan to do?"

Kakarot stepped back and tensed his body as he let out a yell and in turn his body bulked up. He then said, "I'm gonna show you how serious I am!"

Tien scowled at him and disappeared before reappearing clear across from Kakarot. He dashed forward and brought down an assault of jabs on Kakarot's chest. Kakarot weathered the assault, staying in a defensive posture. Tien disappeared and reappeared at Kakarot's side delivering a kick to the side of his ribs. Kakarot didn't budge so Tien disappeared again, reappearing above him raining down a barrage of Ki blasts. Kakarot crossed his arms and then spread them apart as he let out a yell.

A Ki barrier appeared around Kakarot which absorbed the barrage. Tien stopped his assault after seeing it was fruitless. He then said to himself, "That's about what I expected, no normal means is going to work on him."

Tien then yelled out, "Fine then, show me your resolve!"

Tien disappeared but this time Kakarot pointed his index finger in a seemingly random direction. Right then both Kakarot and Tien yelled, "Dodon Ray!"

Tien appeared where Kakarot was pointing and both of their respective Dodon Rays collided, canceling each other out. Tien bit his lip and thought to himself, "So he mastered my Dodon Ray when he was away. That's impressive even for him."

He then said out loud, "You aren't using your full power?"

Kakarot said back, "Like I said, my goal ain't ta' beat ya. It's to show you I'm serious about trainin' alongside you all. What happened with Yamcha was unfortunate, but I didn't hesitate for no reason."

Tien gave Kakarot a mildly confused look before returning to his scowl. He then said, "You'll have to prove it."

Kakarot scowled at him and said, "I will!"

Suddenly both Kakarot and Tien began to repeatedly disappear and reappear. Each time they did so they both fired off an equal power Dodon Ray. Each time the attack canceled each other and so a pattern formed. After a minute of that Tien appeared in the air while preparing his Neo-Tri-Beam. Kakarot appeared below him, standing in the middle of the Lookout. Chiaotzu suddenly yelled, "Tien, that's enough! That's going too far!"

Krillin agreed, "Yeah, Tien! I know you're stubborn, but this is getting ridiculous, you used to not be so good yourself!"

Tien yelled back, "This isn't about not believing he can change! I doubt his resolve, not his morality!"

He then said to himself, "After this I'll hear him out."

Chichi then yelled at Kakarot, "Kakarot, please get out of the way! I-I don't want to-?"

Kakarot cut her off, "It's fine. You don't need to worry; this is the deciding moment. I'll survive!"

Kakarot then yelled out bursting forth his light blue Ki, he then yelled, "I'm ready!"

Right then Tien began to gather his Ki and the hole he made with his hands began to glow yellow before he yelled, "Kikoho!" (Neo-Tri Beam).

Suddenly a massive block of yellow Ki dropped down on top of Kakarot kicking dust up, obscuring Kakarot. Tien waited a moment while breathing hard before he suddenly disappeared. A path in the cloud of dust starting from the outside made to the center. Suddenly a shockwave coming from the center pushed the dust outward, clearing everyone's vision. Right then everyone got a clear view of Tien having landed a punch to Kakarot's forehead. Kakarot didn't flinch, Tien was covered in sweat and breathing heavily. Kakarot also had a few beads of sweat, they stood in a crater, lucky the blast didn't cut through the Lookout like it did the last time he fired it.

Tien returned his fist to his side, stood up straight to Kakarot's height and asked, "Why did you hesitate…?"

Tien paused as he attempted to catch his breath, he continued, "Back when you allowed Piccolo to believe you were at his mercy. Why did you hesitate when he fired at Yamcha?"

Kakarot took a deep breath before letting it out and saying, "I was stunned by how impressive he was."

Tien blinked at the response, his gaze finally softening into a surprised expression. Kakarot then elaborated, "I've only seen something like that one other time, and it lagged my reaction time."

Tien blinked again before returning to a stern look, but it wasn't as menacing looking as it was before. Tien asked, "What was the first time and why did it surprise you so much?"

Kakarot then said, "I grew up in a squad that only looked out for themselves. I learned to look out for myself because I knew no one else was gonna save me. That was until my coward of a brother, a man who had left me for dead on multiple occasions, stood his ground against someone who was well beyond him. He took the worst beating I had ever seen him take, and he just kept getting up. It was all to keep him from finishing me off when I put myself out of commission because of my own doubts about completing my mission."

Kakarot then said, "That friend of yours did the same thing for Chichi. He stood his ground against an attack that would… and did kill him. All to protect Chichi, that's not something I can scoff at. I was stunned by his bravery and impressed by his resolve."

Tien's expression dipped into a mixture of uncertainty and unease before finally relaxing. He finally said, "Alright but when he gets back, I need you to tell him that. It'll lift his spirits after being dead for so long."

Kakarot smiled back and said, "Yeah, I will."

Kakarot then gave him a serious expression and said, "I promise I'll help in reviving everyone who died because of me and my brother, that includes Yamcha."

Tien gave Kakarot a hard stare before saying, "You better keep it."

Kakarot then said, "I will."

After that bout ended everyone returned to the two of them. Tien immediately gave Kami a half bow and said, "I apologize, I damaged the Lookout again!"

Kami with a nervous frown said, "It's fine, so long as you give your answer."

Tien then said after straightening his back again, "I did, I'll accept him so long as he keeps his promise to Yamcha."

Kakarot nodded again saying, "I wish to train among you."

Kami smiled and said, "You will, your training will be catching up on the techniques and training methods, starting with…"

Right then Kami pointed a finger at Kakarot which fired off a small yellow beam which enveloped Kakarot's person. Suddenly several new articles of clothing appeared on Kakarot. He now wore a blue undershirt much like Krillin's and two wristbands, one on each wrist. Kakarot looked at the new clothes he was wearing and immediately noted something important as he moved his body.

He said in surprise, "These… are…weighted. Even… my shoes?"

Kami explained, "You see Roshi's method of training is carrying weighted turtle shells while doing unconventional exercises. My method is similar, while you train under me you will wear weighted clothes which will help improve your physical abilities. Something like this will even benefit you despite your already phenomenal physical abilities."

Kakarot then smiled and asked, "When do I start?"

Kami said in response, "Right now."

Author's Notes: Hello, I hope this chapter impressed some with the interesting twists with the Red Ribbon Army arc which will show significant changes when we eventually get to the Android Arc, after all Goku wasn't here to destroy it, the Turtle School as a whole were. Anyway, as a heads up I wanted to inform you that the next chapter will kick off the main plot. However, my roadmap wasn't as complete as I thought it was, IE: The next two or three chapters may take longer to make and publish than recent chapters so please bear with the wait. Good news being, I already have a good idea of how the arc will progress anyway so it will just be figuring out how to get from point A to point B. Anyhow, if anyone feels like it, please leave a review talking about the chapter. Thank you for reading and onto Power Levels:

Power Levels:

Kakarot: 5,000

Chichi: 2,000

Roshi: 650

Krillin: 3,500

Tien: 3,000

Chiaotzu: 1,100