The Oozaru, seeing it in person was really something else, a different sensation from seeing it in a video. To watch such a tempered young boy change into such an unrestrained beast would normally inspire primal fear, however, what others feared, I admired.
With a year being required to make another wish with the dragon balls and no one no longer in need of a wish, Goku decided to travel to Kame House in order to train.
"Flying nimbus!" Goku yelled loudly.
Like a bolt from the blue, the flying nimbus rocketed from a distant place, arriving in mere moments in front of Goku.
Approaching Goku, I asked, "I'm not really interested in going to the city, mind if I go with you to Kame House?"
Looking towards me, Goku quickly responds, "Sure, hop on!"
Definitely not pure of heart, gonna need to find a way there without the nimbus, I thought to myself.
"I guess it wouldn't hurt to try," I say, approaching the nimbus I attempt to place a hand on it, but it's as if nothing is there, "Yeah, not happening, I guess part of my training will be making my way to master roshi."
Bulma steps out of their vehicle, calling to me, "Adder!"
Looking in her direction I wait for her response, soon she continues, "We can take you to the turtle hermit!"
I'd like to, but I need to do this, I thought to myself.
"That's alright, I'm far too weak, there's no guarantee he'll even accept me as I am currently," I said in response.
As Goku begins to hover upward, he stops upon hearing this, looking down at me he says, "What? You're not weak, you showed me that awesome stance of yours."
What a nice kid…
"Thanks, but I need to do this," I retort.
Shrugging her shoulders, Bulma replies, "I'll never get you fighting types."
As all parties depart, I limber up and begin my trek toward the ocean.
***
Two weeks, or at least about that long, many days have passed since our separation, and albeit gradually, I've finally reached the sea.
"What a pretty sight, I would've loved to see something like this in my past life," I say calmly.
"I'd love to say I'm fit to swim across this vast area and reach Kame House before long, but that would be ignorant of me," I say tiredly.
Sitting down by the beach, I eat some berries I'd found earlier, before downing a bit of rainwater I'd collected a few days ago.
"God I want a steak…" I say longingly.
After a few minutes of sitting by the water, I stand, filled with new energy.
"Ultra instinct… I don't need strength to master it, but I'd need to be insanely talented to reach it," I speak aloud, musing over details, "Ultra ego is also a choice, I like the concept driving it."
Chuckling lightly to myself, I cast away thoughts of either, "Nah, let's not jump the gun, I got a long way to go, so how about we take a first step forward first before we start running."
It made me happy to be recognized by a man I respect, Goku, I won't let you get ahead of me…
***
While Goku and Krillin train on Kame House, I've grown quite accustomed to life on the beach, taking a note out of their book, I spend my time training under the effects of tremendous weight, as of current I've made it up to what I'd estimate to be sixty pounds, and its effect is… noticeable.
Dropping to my knees, I finish training for the day, with the sun setting I pull the weights off of my arms and legs, feeling a great burden literally lifted off of my shoulders.
"God this really takes it out of you…" I say through heavy breaths.
Chuckling to myself, I clench my fists, "But I can feel the difference, I used to feel heavier, but I've both slimmed down and toned up."
I still need to learn ki though, that's the key to even greater strength…
Jumping in place, I notice that my body feels more spry than usual, throwing a few punches I'm invigorated by my process.
"Now, for the most important thing of my training…" I say seriously.
After a short run inland, I find my target, a pterodactyl.
Bingo…
"Hey, bastard!" I yell loudly.
Turning its head to face me, I soon notice two more pterodactyls come out from behind a large cliff face.
"Good, I wouldn't want this to end too quickly," I said cockily.
The first one approaches from in front of me, taking a large swoop at me with its talons. Jumping up I kick it in the face, throwing its head to the side, and soon landing back on the ground.
Whoa, not even I expected that I thought to myself in glee.
Assuming Baki's stance I wait patiently as its friend approach from the skies, swooping down with its jaws opened wide.
Pivoting on my heel, it goes careening past me.
Thanks for showing me that one Goku…
As the other approaches it throws its talons up in tandem with its sharp teeth.
An assault from top and bottom isn't bad, for a wild beast…
Jumping up I narrowly avoid its talons before poking the beast in its eyes, blinding the creature, following it with a knee strike beneath its chin.
Soon talons slash across my back, throwing me forward into another pterodactyl.
Rolling off the top of the pterodactyl, I feel blood trickle down my back.
Fucking wild beast, you got some good tricks…
Calming myself, I assume the stance once more, while the pterodactyl on the ground pulls itself up, its friend lunges toward me.
Please land, I thought to myself anxiously.
Spinning around I kick at the creature's face with my heel, knocking it out.
Finally standing up, the creature is forced into a one-on-one with me.
Throwing a fist up, I goad it, "Come on, if you wanna die."
The pterodactyl suddenly tenses up before quickly flying off in fear.
"I get I am scary, but that's just rude," I say with a shrug.
Suddenly I am struck from behind, sending me rocketing into a nearby rock face.
What the fuck was that, I thought to myself with frustration.
Fishing myself out from the rubble I feel for broken bones, finding none.
Shit, I was lucky, I thought to myself.
Looking to see my new adversary, I am face to face with a T.rex
Grinning, I stand up from the rubble, limbering up for a moment, "Let's step into the realm of true superhumans shall we."
Lunging forward I dive under its legs, causing it to spin in confusion, struggling to locate me.
Squatting, I jump upward, striking the creature in the stomach.
My fist is the only thing that was hurt, barely managing to bruise the surface.
Hard as a damn rock, isn't the stomach supposed to be a weak point, I thought to myself.
Dropping back to the ground I hold my fist in pain before the T.rex is on the move, trying to stomp on me.
Narrowly avoiding its feet, I step backward, before trying to jump at its right leg with a kick.
Like stone, I stop instantly on contact, my leg numb with pain.
What is this thing made of, I thought to myself.
The T.rex brings a foot down on me, unable to dodge I have to grab its leg, barely managing to stop it from crushing me.
Blood seeps from my nose as I push with all my might, forcing it off of me, giving me time to slip out from under it.
Jumping backward I escape from its underbelly, distancing myself some several dozen feet.
"You're tough big guy, it's almost a shame a big beautiful creature like you has to die," I taunt.
As if it understood my provocation, it rushes toward me, jaw wide open.
Bingo double, I thought to myself with a chuckle.
Jumping with great force, I find myself on top of the beast's head. Promptly it begins to angrily thrash its giant head in an attempt to shake me off.
Not happening big guy, you're mine! I thought to myself with a loud laugh.
Wrapping my legs as best I can around its neck, I bring my fist up high, before plunging it into the creature's right eye.
Just as I thought, your eye's plenty fragile, I thought to myself.
The breast roars loudly for the forest to hear, a throe of agony and anger. Ripping my fist out of its eye socket, I jump backward, standing on its back.
"I'm getting excited, let's see who can last longer, a one-eyed beast or a half-beaten human!" I taunt.
Jumping into the air I draw my arm back, and plummeting downward I deliver a single powerful strike to the beast's spinal cord, forcing the creature to the ground.
From it, a great tingling pain flourishes in my right hand, but the beast isn't done yet.
Shakily standing up, it throws its back into a mountain, forcing a hasty leap from its back.
The beast fumes with anger as it slowly pulls itself from the crumbling cliff face. Rushing towards me its attack is clear as day.
"Guess we're done playing now," I saw sharply.
Lunging forward I leap to its side, clenching my hands together into a single conjoined fist, which I promptly bring down on the creature's neck with all my might.
Immediately the beast goes limp, falling to the ground, and its last breath leaves its body.
Letting out a big puff of air, I stand atop the beast in triumph.
Suddenly a realization strikes me, "Shit, how am I gonna eat this monster, I'm not Goku."
Yeah, I'm not Goku, but I know where Goku is, I thought to myself with a smirk.
Clenching my fists I assess myself, my strength, my skill, my durability, "Yeah, I'm probably ready."
Pulling out a stone knife, I carve away at the beast's flesh, taking the best cuts from it before I leave the rest to the buzzards.
"It was a good fight…" I say before leaving.
***
Swimming with all my might, I spend the next several hours working myself to death, burdened with the meat of the T.rex, I eventually arrive.
"Eh, Goku my boy, do you know this roughed-up young man?" Master Roshi asks at our sudden meeting at the front door.
Goku rounds a corner, spotting me, "Adder!"
Laughing as he approaches me, he continues, "You finally made it!"
Master Roshi adjusts his glasses before he asks, "You've been expecting him?"
"Whenever I left Bulma and everyone Adder said he'd come with me, but it took quite a while," Goku says with a chuckle.
I ask, "Out of curiosity what's today?"
Master Roshi responds after looking at a clock, "March 14th."
"March 14th!" I say shocked.
"When did Goku arrive here?" I ask further.
Pondering the question for a moment, Master Roshi eventually responds, "I'd say about five months ago."
Jesus, time flies, I thought to myself.
"You know you look way stronger than before Adder!" Goku comments.
A bit taken off guard by this, I respond, "Really, I'm glad, I worked my ass off these past five months."
Interjecting, Master Roshi asks, "So what brings you here young man."
Finally remembering, I turn around, showing the large cut of T.rex meat on my back, "Well I had more than I could realistically eat, so I figured I'd share."
A bit shocked at first, their shock grows suddenly, Goku being the first to ask, "Adder, your back!"
Remembering my wound, I explain, "Oh yeah, I kinda forgot about it, now that you mention it, it kinda stings a little, but it's not that bad."
A young girl with blue hair rounds a corner, at first, I think it's Bulma, but I quickly remember her name, accidentally blubbing out, "Launch, huh."
"You know Launch to Adder!" Goku exclaims.
Damn it! I thought to myself angrily.
Pausing for a moment, I quickly correct myself, "Launch? I said lunch, you hungry?"
Seemingly instantly forgetting what I said, Goku replies, "Oh boy am I!"
Glad he likes food, I think to myself.
"Oh my, you're so beaten up, let me help you with that!" Launch says endearingly.
Eh, so be it, having a pretty girl tend to my wounds isn't so bad, I thought to myself.
Almost walking in without thinking, I stop myself and ask, "May I come in?"
A bit taken aback by this, Master Roshi obliges, "Certainly, a bit of courtesy goes a long way around here."
***
With my injuries tended and finally a bit of good home-cooked food in my stomach I feel at the top of the world. After only a week of rest I'm at my peak, only of course after Master Roshi so graciously let me stay at Kame House.
"Let's fight Adder!" Goku yelled.
A bit stunned by this, silence befalls everyone at Kame House, soon I respond, "Sure thing, let's head outside."
"Don't think I'm gonna go easy on you, I've been busting my ass every day to catch up to you," I announce.
"It's okay, I'm not gonna get mad if I lose!" Goku exclaims
Goku assumes his iconic pose.
Nice, glad the kid is going with his own thing, now, let's do this, I thought to myself excitedly.
Assuming Baki's stance, I ready myself.
"Wow, you've really changed Adder, you're like a whole different person!" Goku shouts in excitement.
"Is Krillin here to watch?" I ask.
Lounging about on a chair, Krillin and Master Roshi are watching the proceedings.
It feels a bit unfair with the age gap, but I shouldn't underestimate Goku, I thought to myself anxiously.
Rushing forward Goku throws a punch toward me, pivoting on my left foot I dip out of the way. Throwing a knee up into his stomach he is tossed into the air.
Jumping up I go to bring my hands up to swat him back down, but he stops my fists before they can connect, punching me in the chest I am thrown back to the sandy shores of Kame House.
Goku drops down from the air, planting a kick where my face was before I managed to sweep his legs out from under him. Grabbing his ankle, I toss him across the island, running after him immediately after.
Digging his hands into the sand, he stops himself, and simultaneously throws up sand, limiting my vision.
Expecting a punch from my sides I put my arms outward, suddenly Goku comes barreling through the sand, kicking me in my stomach. Instantly Goku kicks me in the chin, throwing my head up, before following it up with a headbutt to the nose.
Goku leaps backward, his excitement is easily visible from how antsy he is.
"That hurt my head, you're even stronger than I thought you were," Goku comments.
Tasting blood, I am surprisingly calm, "As have you, you've been putting in hard work here."
Placing a finger on the side of my nostril, I blow my nose, shooting out blood, "Let's keep going, I feel like I'm on the cusp of something."
"Now hold it you two!" Master Roshi says, barreling between us.
Dumbstruck we both stare on as Master Roshi berates us, "I'm happy you both are having so much fun, but maybe take this somewhere else, I only got so much island you know!"
Laughing to myself, I concede, "He's right, we were going pretty hard at it on this little island, do you know a bigger area then Master Roshi?"
Sighing, Master Roshi points to the horizon, "The sun is going down, you'll need to continue this tomorrow."
"Ah, but Master Roshi!" complains Goku.
"No buts! You boys have training tomorrow, you can't go getting yourself all worn out fighting Adder," Master Roshi demands.
As Goku returns inside for the day, I approach Master Roshi, "Sorry about that Master Roshi, I got a bit carried away myself, I'm older so I should know better," I say in an embarrassed tone.
"Don't kid yourself, to play well is an important rule to follow when one is part of the turtle school, you're doing me a big favor by giving them goals to aspire towards," Master Roshi replies.
I'm a bit stunned at this comment, taking a moment to reply, "I'm happy to help."
Staring off into the sunset, Master Roshi says, "I can tell you're getting close to harnessing ki."
Alright, unexpected, I thought to myself.
"Really? It's felt far away for so long, but during that fight, I was starting to feel something," I say in return.
"This old man might be able to help you get that final push you need," Master Roshi says.
Okay, this seems a bit off-script, did I really impress him that much, I thought to myself with confusion.
Staying silent, I eventually respond, "How so?"
Turning to face me, Master Roshi responds in earnest, "I know you aren't that wet behind the ears young man."
I'm a little intimidated, I know what Roshi is capable of, but despite that, I still can't help but feel like he can flip it on me instantly, I thought to myself with anxious excitement.
But still, I thought to myself.
"Well you know I gotta fight you, this is exactly the sort of thing I've been looking for," I respond in earnest.