Chereads / Dragon Ball: Gamer / Chapter 8 - Chapter 8: Forgiveness

Chapter 8 - Chapter 8: Forgiveness

With a firm grip on the ravine's wall, Goku clung on until Gohan reached him, swiftly swooping in to rescue him and even capturing the still-attacking snake in the process. As they emerged from the ravine, Goku's body gave way, and he collapsed to the ground, his trembling knees unable to bear the strain of the first formidable challenge in his new life.

Wincing at the realization, he acknowledged that this was merely the beginning, and compared to the trials his counterpart had faced, it was relatively tame.

Recalling the experience only fueled Goku's determination to become stronger. He understood that if he possessed greater strength, he could have effortlessly overcome the challenge without facing such perilous circumstances.

However, alongside the fear that lingered within him, there was an undeniable sense of excitement. The prospect of future battles and conflicts stirred a deep passion within Goku. This enthusiasm stemmed not only from his Saiyan physiology but also from his inherent love for combat, akin to any devoted Dragon Ball fan.

Having gained a deeper understanding of himself, Goku experienced a profound realization. Unlike before, where his concerns were primarily focused on the potential consequences, he now felt a newfound sense of relaxation and anticipation for what lay ahead.

This shift in perspective filled him with excitement, knowing that the future held not only challenges but also opportunities for growth and adventure.

Observing Gohan placing the paralyzed snake beside him, Goku rose to his feet. He listened to Gohan's remark after getting up and notice the concern in his voice.

"How are you feeling right now, Goku?" Gohan asked, his concern evident by his expression as he noticed Goku's recovery from his illness.

Goku took a moment to assess his condition, appreciating Gohan's genuine care. With a smile on his face, Goku responded, "I feel much better now, Gramps. Thanks to your help, I've regained my strength and spirit."

"Sorry I couldn't get there sooner, you almost fell, but luckily you're a Saiyan, so you were able to use your tail to propel yourself," Gohan said with a wry smile.

Goku chuckled in response, grateful for his Saiyan heritage. "No worries, Gramps. I guess being a Saiyan does come in handy sometimes. I'm glad I could use my tail to save myself. It's amazing how our unique abilities can help us in the most unexpected situations."

Gohan looked towards the trembling snake and posed a question to Goku, "Yeah. What do you want to do with it?" He pointed towards the serpent, leaving the decision in Goku's hands.

Goku's focus shifted to the snake, it's fear evident in its demeanor. He couldn't help but recall the unread messages from the system, which had taken a backseat during his immediate struggle. Notably, the once-crimson glimmer in the snake's eyes had now vanished.

As Goku's gaze settled upon the ravine where the encounter took place, he made a profound observation. Nestled near the spot of his near-fatal fall was a clutch of eggs. A surge of empathy coursed through him, illuminating the snake's attack as an instinctive act of protection for its offspring.

Having already grasped the snake's intentions, Gohan observed Goku closely, anticipating his response to this revelation. It was a pivotal moment, testing the depths of Goku's character. Would he be consumed by vengeance and hatred or exhibit the capacity for forgiveness and compassion?

Goku hesitated, fully aware of the challenge inherent in forgiving someone who had endangered his life. Gohan discerned the weight of Goku's internal struggle through this moment of contemplation.

Taking a moment to reflect, Goku carefully considered the situation. Despite the snake's initial hostility, he couldn't dismiss the fact that it had been defending its unborn children. A surge of empathy and a yearning for a peaceful resolution surged within him.

"Grandpa, let's release the snake back into its natural habitat," Goku spoke with empathy in his voice. "It appears to have been guarding its unborn children, and perhaps it deserves a chance to live. We need not inflict harm upon others if we can find a peaceful resolution."

At that moment, Goku's innate compassion triumphed over the desire for revenge. He chose forgiveness, acknowledging the profound instinct that had driven the snake's attack. Gohan, witnessing this decision, felt admiration for Goku's ability to prioritize the lives and well-being of others.

Relieved by Goku's choice, Gohan smiled and nodded approvingly. Recognizing the qualities necessary for martial arts training, he knew that Goku had exemplified them through this act of forgiveness.

With newfound respect for Goku, Gohan resolved to teach him the ways of martial arts. This pivotal moment solidified Goku's character and paved the way for a future of growth, discipline, and a pursuit of justice tempered by compassion.

Gohan had used this incident as a test, knowing that if Goku had impulsively killed the snake without considering the defense of its offspring, he would not have proceeded with teaching him martial arts. It would have indicated that Goku's path would be consumed by vengeance and hatred, endangering innocent lives in the process.

However, Goku's hesitation before making his decision and his ultimate choice to forgive the snake showcased his compassion for a creature protecting its young. It revealed Goku's capacity for empathy, solidifying Gohan's belief that he had made the right choice in selecting Goku as a student.

...

After safely returning home with their gathered food, Gohan informed Goku that their official training would commence once he turned five years old. Until then, Goku was free to spend his time as he pleased, a period that would span two years into the future. With this newfound knowledge, Goku began his journey of gradually training his body.

Initially, Goku focused on familiarizing himself with his physicality. Having spent most of his life confined within a capsule, his body was unaccustomed to movement. Thus, he dedicated the next few months to gaining proper control and coordination over his limbs, taking deliberate steps to strengthen his connection with his form.

As time went on and Goku's mastery over his body improved, the system began posting quests for him to undertake as part of his daily training routine. These quests provided a gradual progression in difficulty, challenging Goku to push his physical limits further.

Gohan silently observed Goku's training regimen, content with the fact that it was light and manageable, as he didn't want Goku to overexert himself at such a young age.

Gohan understood the importance of allowing Goku to grow and develop naturally, both physically and mentally. Thus, he withheld any comments or interventions, trusting in Goku's innate drive. This period of training served as a foundation for Goku's future endeavors, setting the stage for the extraordinary feats he would eventually achieve.

After months of focusing solely on his physical training, Goku finally took the time to explore the messages he had received earlier when he arrived on this planet. Opening them up, he was greeted with a series of notifications indicating the growth of his skills and the creation of a new title for him.

[New Skill Gained: Acting]

[You have detected Bloodlust, your skill has leveled up along with Intuition and Sense Danger.]

[You have detected Bloodlust, your skill has leveled up along with Intuition and Sense Danger.]

...

〚Skill Tree

Gamers Body: Passive (Max) | Gamers Mind: Passive (Max) | Language: Passive (15) | Observe: Active (12) | Training: Passive (6) | Meditation: Passive/Active (7) | Intuition: Passive (3) | Danger Sense: Passive (4) | Bloodlust: Passive (5) | Acting: Passive (1) - Description: Enables seamless transformation into various characters through a convincing portrayal of emotions, mannerisms, and personalities. Effect: Creates immersive, realistic performances by adapting speech, gestures, and expressions with precision. Transitions are so seamless that even close observers may struggle to perceive the shift. The ability to portray characters with exceptional realism and authenticity improves by 1%.

[New Title Created]

|Title

Reincarnator | Protagonist Aura | Fate Breaker - Description: You have changed your fate from its original path, thus you are no longer bound by it. You can either change or allow fate to happen without any repercussions or resistance from fate, while there are certain exceptions, such as the fact that important events cannot be changed or that they will still happen differently. Effect: This title grants the user control over their fate.|

The first messages informed him that he had gained a new skill and that his existing skills, Bloodlust, Intuition, and Sense of Danger, had all leveled up. This indicated that Goku's ability to sense and perceive danger had become sharper, along with increased proficiency in harnessing his bloodlust.

The next message unveiled the creation of a new title, "Fate Breaker," accompanied by an intriguing subtitle. Goku read through the description, learning that this title represented his ability to deviate from the predetermined path of fate.

'This title will come in handy in the future when I want to change my fate and spend the rest of my life how I want to spend it rather than how some author wants me to spend it.' Goku couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement as he stared at the screen window displaying his new title. With the ability to shape his destiny, he looked forward to the adventures and challenges that lay ahead of him.

...

Over the next two years, Goku and Grandpa Gohan continued their routine of hunting, gathering food, and engaging in light physical training. While Goku familiarized himself with basic exercises like push-ups, sit-ups, and running, he also learned essential survival skills from his experienced grandfather.

Gohan's expertise in navigating and surviving in the wild surpassed anything Goku had learned from videos in his previous life, given the unforgiving nature of the Dragon Ball world.

Despite being an 80-year-old man, Gohan possessed extensive knowledge and practical skills that extended beyond martial arts. He taught Goku how to cook, build shelters, and adapt to the challenges of the wilderness. It was a valuable education for Goku, who had previously lived in a city and lacked the knowledge of surviving in the wild.

In line with the teachings of Master Roshi, Goku understood the importance of taking breaks from training to relax and enjoy life's simple pleasures. Following Roshi's advice, Goku would spend time playing with the animals in the vicinity of their home.

Monkeys became his preferred playmates due to their proximity and intelligence, providing Goku with a sense of ease and companionship. Unlike other intelligent animals, which were often predators, the monkeys brought playful and non-threatening energy to their interactions.

As time passed, Goku found himself growing fond of his new world. He relished in the joy of simply living and embraced the anticipation of future battles that would make this world a truly extraordinary place. The prospect of thrilling encounters and epic confrontations fueled Goku's enthusiasm, cementing his love for this vibrant and dynamic world above all others.