Five levels underground lay the most restricted core of Capsule Corporation.
The massive gravity training facility had been divided into seven independent chambers. Each one was equipped with top-tier medical pods and food synthesizers, ensuring survival under even the harshest conditions.
"Listen carefully, everyone."
Krillin stood before the central control console. Behind him, a massive holographic screen displayed each person's current physical data.
"We have six months before the Saiyans arrive. During that time, there are no rest days, no entertainment. You eat, you sleep, and you train. That's it."
His voice echoed through the vast hall, firm and unquestionable.
"The gravity system here can go up to 300 times Earth's gravity. But I suggest you start at double gravity. Unless you want to flatten yourselves into paste."
Yamcha swallowed hard.
"Three… three hundred times? Even King Kai's planet is only ten times gravity, right?"
"We're not fighting ordinary Saiyans. We're fighting elite warriors among them."
Krillin pointed at the data on the screen.
"Yamcha, your energy control is too scattered. Too many flashy techniques, not enough focus. From today onward, you train one move only, the Spirit Ball."
"But the Spirit Ball's power is limited…" Yamcha protested weakly.
"That's because you've been using it wrong."
Krillin cut him off.
"What I want you to do is integrate the explosive principle of the Kaio-ken into the Spirit Ball. Not your body using Kaio-ken, your energy sphere using it."
"Using Kaio-ken… on the Spirit Ball?"
Yamcha froze, as if a door to an entirely new world had just opened.
Krillin's eyes sharpened.
"Exactly. Compress it. Then compress it again. Push it until it becomes an unstable miniature bomb."
"As long as you can control it and keep it from exploding in your own hands, one hit from that will bring down even Nappa."
Yamcha's eyes lit up.
If he succeeded, he would no longer be the guy stuck throwing the same old Wolf Fang Fist in the background.
Krillin then turned toward Tien.
"Tien, your physical condition is second only to Piccolo. Your Tri-Beam is incredibly powerful, but it drains your life force."
"I want you to learn how to offset that with energy recovery techniques within a month. Think of it as draining and refilling at the same time."
Tien nodded thoughtfully. "Understood."
"And Piccolo…"
Krillin looked toward the green Namekian standing in the corner with his arms crossed.
"Your Special Beam Cannon takes too long to charge. In the gravity room, Gohan and Trin will take turns pressuring you. You'll have to charge it while moving at high speed and taking hits."
Piccolo snorted. "That's exactly what I want."
Krillin then glanced at Launch, who was casually wiping down her gun nearby.
He paused for a moment, then decided she needed proper training too.
"Launch."
"Guns are useless against anyone with a power level over 100. They might as well be water toys."
Krillin gathered a small amount of ki in his hand, wrapped it around a coin, and flicked it forward.
Boom!
The coin pierced through three layers of reinforced steel, leaving behind a glowing, molten hole.
"Coat your bullets with ki. Or better yet, use ki itself to propel them instead of gunpowder."
Krillin spoke calmly.
"I want you to become a 'Ki Marksman.' As long as your energy is strong enough, your gun becomes a high-caliber sniper cannon."
Launch's eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Now that sounds fun, baldy!"
…
For the next six months, the underground facility was filled with screams, explosions, and the constant hum of gravity machines.
"Ahhh! My back is breaking!"
That was Yamcha, struggling under ten times gravity while trying to stabilize his rampaging Spirit Ball.
"Trin! You little brat, stop kicking me!"
That was Piccolo, getting ambushed mid-charge.
"Rat-tat-tat-tat!"
That was Launch, firing relentlessly as every bullet trailed blue energy flames and obliterated training targets.
Krillin was not idle either.
Inside the 300x gravity chamber, he performed what looked like the simplest, yet most grueling training of all, basic punches and kicks.
He was attempting to perfectly merge the absolute power of the Saitama template with refined ki control.
System notification appeared.
"Kaio-ken principle simplified analysis: 100% complete."
"New skill generated: Passive Overclock."
"Effect: Maintains the body in a low-level Kaio-ken state at all times, between two to five times output. No burst required. Minimal side effects. Consumes additional stamina."
"Host stamina is infinite. Consumption ignored."
Time passed quickly.
The day before the Saiyans' arrival finally came.
The training chamber doors slowly opened.
Everyone stepped out.
Their clothes were torn, their bodies covered in scars, but their eyes had completely changed. Each of them carried the presence of a true warrior.
Yamcha casually tossed a Spirit Ball the size of a ping-pong ball in his hand. The space around it subtly warped, radiating terrifying heat.
"Kaio-ken Spirit Ball. Complete."
Tien's aura had become deep and restrained, like an immovable mountain.
Piccolo's cape had long since been reduced to scraps, yet he stood like a drawn blade, sharp and deadly.
Behind him stood Gohan and Trin. The two boys had shed much of their childishness, replaced by the resolve of fighters.
"System, scan everyone."
Streams of data flashed across Krillin's vision.
"Piccolo: Power Level 3,500. Burst unknown."
"Tien: Power Level 2,800."
"Yamcha: Power Level 2,100. Spirit Ball peak output exceeds 4,000."
"Gohan: Power Level 1,800. Rage multiplier not calculated."
"Trin: Power Level 1,900."
"Krillin: Power Level 15,000. Passive Overclock active. Sacred Buddha Form not activated."
"Good."
Krillin nodded, satisfied as he looked at his transformed companions.
These numbers already surpassed everyone from the original timeline except Goku.
Even if Nappa arrived now, there was a real chance he would be taken down by Yamcha alone.
"Everyone, tomorrow is the day those two aliens arrive."
Krillin stepped forward, clenching his fist.
"They think Earth is a helpless planet. Something to conquer, something to trade."
A sharp, almost feral smile spread across his face.
"But tomorrow, we'll teach them something different."
The light reflected off his bald head as his gaze turned cold.
"This is hell. Welcome."
"Yeah!"
Their roar shook the underground facility, their fighting spirit surging skyward.
Far out in space, two spherical pods tore through the darkness, trailing blazing tails as they hurtled toward the blue planet at terrifying speed.