Another sunrise bathed the Lookout in golden light.
The once-quiet platform was now filled with the sounds of intense training. Goku's companions were drenched in sweat.
Krillin, weighted down with heavy gear, was doing one-handed push-ups.
"1,301… 1,302…"
Drops of sweat struck the heated stone floor and evaporated in the sunlight.
Tien and Yamcha sparred fiercely nearby, exchanging blows and blocks in rapid succession. Chiaotzu, also wearing weighted gear, ran laps around them without stopping.
Everything seemed harmonious.
Except for Raditz.
He lay alone in a corner of the Lookout, watching their "basic training" with open disdain.
"Idiots…"
"Kakarot actually wants me training with these weaklings?"
To him, training alongside such feeble Earthlings was humiliation.
For the first couple of days, he had followed the routine, thinking perhaps there would be something advanced later. After all, Kakarot had trained here under Mr. Popo for three years.
But a full week had passed.
Push-ups. Running. Sparring.
Nothing more.
He felt insulted.
Just then, a calm voice spoke behind him.
"Mr. Raditz."
He startled and turned around.
Mr. Popo stood behind him silently. Raditz hadn't sensed him at all.
"When did you get there?" Raditz snapped.
"Training requires persistence," Mr. Popo said evenly. "You haven't completed today's basics."
Raditz scoffed.
"You call that wriggling around 'training'?"
He pointed at Krillin and the others.
"Saiyan warriors don't need childish tricks. I need higher power levels, not this nonsense."
Mr. Popo's expression didn't change.
"Without a solid foundation, your upper limit cannot rise."
"Foundation?" Raditz barked. "I don't need a foundation! I need power!"
His voice rose, nearly hysterical.
Krillin and the others stopped training.
"I knew it," Krillin muttered. "There's no way he'd train like us."
Tien nodded slightly. "He's strong. And arrogant."
Yamcha clenched his fists. "If he doesn't want to train with us, he can leave."
Silence fell across the platform.
Mr. Popo asked calmly, "Do you think I am weak, Mr. Raditz?"
Raditz grinned, baring his sharp teeth.
"Prove me wrong."
Mr. Popo stepped into the center of the training ground.
"Please. Show me the Saiyan way."
Raditz's smile turned cruel.
"Don't blame me if you die."
Mr. Popo bowed slightly. "I take responsibility for myself."
Krillin whispered nervously, "Have you ever seen Mr. Popo fight?"
"No," Krillin admitted. "But Goku said he's incredible."
Raditz glanced at them.
"You heard him. If I kill him, it's not my fault."
Mr. Popo stood quietly, hands at his sides.
"Please begin."
Raditz exploded forward, his fist tearing through the air toward Popo's face.
Before his punch could land—
SMACK.
His own face took the hit.
Raditz flew backward.
He steadied himself, clutching his cheek in disbelief.
Mr. Popo hadn't moved.
"When did you—?"
"Your mind is restless," Mr. Popo replied calmly.
Raditz roared and attacked again, faster this time, fists splitting the air.
"Too slow."
A second slap landed.
Then a third—harder.
Blood appeared at the corner of Raditz's mouth.
Krillin and the others stared in stunned silence.
Enraged, Raditz gathered Ki in his hands.
"Die!"
An energy blast formed.
"Stop!" Krillin shouted.
But before the attack could fire, Mr. Popo vanished.
A single finger tapped Raditz lightly on the back of the head.
Every ounce of strength left his body instantly.
He collapsed to his knees.
"This… impossible…"
He could accept losing to Kakarot.
But losing to someone he had dismissed as insignificant?
Unthinkable.
Mr. Popo stood before him.
"Will you train properly now?"
Raditz lunged one final time.
Mr. Popo caught his fist effortlessly.
The grip was crushing.
Raditz's worldview shattered.
He dropped to his knees, sweat dripping down his chin.
"…What are you?" he muttered.
"I am Kami's attendant," Mr. Popo answered. "I have learned much over many years. If you wish to train, join them. If not, you may leave."
Raditz was silent for a long moment.
Then he walked toward Krillin and the others.
Without a word, he took his place.
The arrogance in his eyes was gone.
He resumed the very exercises he once mocked.
For the first time in his life, Raditz trained not to prove superiority—
But to surpass himself.
Among Saiyans, no elder had ever patiently guided the next generation. Strength was forged only through blood and survival.
Now he understood.
Kakarot's growth… it wasn't luck.
If he trained the same way—
He could surpass Nappa.
Maybe even more.
As sunset painted the sky, Mr. Popo gathered them.
"Combat is not only sight. From now on, I will teach you to sense Ki."
Night fell.
Everyone went to rest.
Everyone except Raditz.
He remained on the platform, continuing his basics long after exhaustion set in.
No one ordered him to.
This was the first time Raditz trained for growth rather than pride.
Inside the Lookout, Goku watched quietly.
"Thank you, Mr. Popo. Those slaps woke him up."
"It was your idea," Popo replied.
Goku smiled faintly.
"Saiyans worship strength. Words don't work. Only power does."
Mr. Popo blinked.
"So that's why you trained under me?"
Goku laughed.
"Let's just say… I follow what's worth learning."
Kami and Mr. Popo exchanged a glance and smiled.
"Alright," Goku said. "If Raditz's pride swells again, call me."
He leapt off the Lookout.
Kami murmured, "That boy sees far ahead."
Popo nodded. "He would make a fine Guardian—if he wanted to."
…
One month passed.
The 20x gravity chamber no longer challenged Goku.
He returned to Capsule Corporation.
This time, a massive spaceship dominated the courtyard.
Dr. Brief greeted him, pipe in mouth.
"Almost finished. Come take a look."
Goku stepped inside, eyes wide.
"It's huge! You could hold a tournament in here!"
"You said bigger is better," Dr. Brief chuckled.
Goku examined the central gravity unit.
"It's done?"
"Up to 100x gravity," Dr. Brief confirmed. "But going from 20x to 100x required entirely new materials. We had to redesign nearly everything."
Goku's eyes lit up.
"So I can use it tomorrow?"
Dr. Brief frowned slightly.
"Do you understand what 100x gravity means? If you weigh 60 kilograms, that becomes six tons. You could die."
"I'll increase it gradually," Goku said confidently. "I'm already comfortable at 20x."
Dr. Brief smiled.
"Besides, reverse-engineering Saiyan tech has given us huge breakthroughs. If we share these patents, Earth's technology could leap forward. Maybe even toward infinite energy."
"Infinite energy?" Goku echoed.
"Yes. That's humanity's ultimate research goal. Though I doubt I'll live to see it."
Goku's expression turned thoughtful.
Infinite energy…
Could that be related to the technology Dr. Gero would one day use?
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