Months had passed since Goku began his intense training under Kami and Mr. Popo. During this time, Goku had learned and copied all the techniques Kami and Popo had to offer. From advanced energy manipulation to ancient martial arts, Goku absorbed everything like a sponge, pushing his limits daily. But now, he was starting to feel restless. He knew there had to be a way to push his strength even further in a shorter period, especially with the upcoming World Martial Arts Tournament.
One day, after another long session of training, Goku approached Kami and Mr. Popo. "Hey, Kami, Mr. Popo, is there a way for me to get even stronger quickly? The tournament's coming up soon, and I don't want to just win—I want to blow everyone away!" Goku grinned, the excitement of battle always clear in his voice.
Kami and Mr. Popo exchanged glances. They knew Goku's hunger for improvement was boundless, but increasing one's strength so dramatically in a short period wasn't easy. Kami scratched his chin thoughtfully.
"I see," Kami said, looking over at Mr. Popo, who gave a knowing nod. "There is one place, but it's dangerous. Time moves differently there, and not everyone can withstand the intense conditions. You could train for a year in there, but only a day will pass out here. It's called the..."
"H-hyper-whatchamacallit?" Goku cut in, feigning ignorance with wide, innocent eyes. "That sounds like a cool place! I had no idea something like that existed. Can I use it? Please? Pretty please?"
Kami blinked. Goku was acting so innocent and clueless that it was hard to suspect anything, even if his timing was suspiciously perfect. Mr. Popo, however, seemed a bit more skeptical. "Goku, are you sure you're ready for this? Inside, there's extreme heat, intense cold, and heavy gravity. You'll have to survive in conditions harsher than anything you've ever experienced."
Goku put his hands behind his head and laughed, "Yeah, sure! That sounds perfect! I'll wear my new weighted clothes and use the gravity belt Bulma's working on. Plus, I can use my new technique to materialize food whenever I'm hungry. I'll be just fine!"
Kami hesitated for a moment, but seeing Goku's enthusiasm and determination, he eventually nodded. "Alright, Goku. But remember, you can't stay in there for more than two years. After that, the door will close permanently, and you'll be trapped inside."
"No problem! I'll only be in there for, what, a day or two? I'll be out before you know it!" Goku reassured them, his infectious optimism overriding any doubt.
The door to the Hyperbolic Time Chamber creaked open, and Goku stepped inside, immediately feeling the crushing weight of the intense gravity and the strange, white emptiness that surrounded him. Time inside the chamber passed differently, and Goku knew that every second he spent here would make him stronger.
For nearly 48 hours—just shy of two years in the chamber—Goku trained relentlessly. He pushed his body to the absolute limit, perfecting his new techniques, mastering the use of his weighted clothing and gravity belt, and pushing his speed, strength, and ki control far beyond anything he had ever imagined. The intense isolation and harsh environment only fueled his Saiyan instincts, driving him to break through his limits.
By the time he left the chamber, Goku had undergone a transformation. Though physically he hadn't changed much, since Saiyan growth spurts happened after age 15, he felt like an entirely different fighter. His power had grown to unimaginable levels, making him one of the strongest people in the world, if not the strongest.
With a smile on his face, Goku returned to the lookout, greeted by Kami and Mr. Popo. "Wow! I feel amazing!" Goku exclaimed, stretching his limbs. "That was incredible! I can't wait to test this out in the tournament."
Kami observed Goku with a thoughtful expression, while Mr. Popo remained silent. After a moment, Popo spoke up. "Kami, is it alright that we taught him everything? He's grown so much, but I wonder..."
Kami gave a soft smile. "It's more than alright. After Goku asked for the wish to copy techniques, I started using divination to see glimpses of his future. He will be Earth's greatest protector. It's only right that he becomes the strongest possible."
After leaving the lookout, Goku decided to visit Grandpa Gohan. As he flew toward his old home, he couldn't help but think about how much stronger he had become. But he also knew that he needed to see Gohan and let him know about his progress. When Goku arrived, he noticed two people training with Grandpa Gohan outside the house.
Krillin was there, sparring with another figure—a young man with a scar on his face and long hair. Goku landed quietly, not wanting to disturb their training. As he watched, Krillin dodged a punch from the man and retaliated with a swift kick.
"Whoa!" Goku said under his breath. "Krillin's gotten strong!"
After a few moments, Krillin spotted Goku and waved excitedly. "Hey, Goku! You're back!" Krillin ran over, wiping sweat from his forehead. "You're not gonna believe what happened while you were gone!"
Goku raised an eyebrow. "What happened?"
Krillin puffed out his chest, clearly proud of himself. "So, there was this desert bandit causing trouble, right? And Grandpa Gohan let me fight him! His name's Yamcha. He thought he could take me down, but guess what? I totally beat him!"
Goku's jaw dropped. "Yamcha? You fought Yamcha?"
Krillin nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! He was pretty tough, but I took him down after a long fight. Gohan's been training him ever since, and now he's here with us. Can you believe it?"
Goku stared at the man sparring with Grandpa Gohan. "Yamcha, huh?" he muttered to himself. In his mind, Goku had thought Yamcha would remain in the desert forever, stealing and living his rogue life. But here he was, training under Grandpa Gohan. Goku couldn't help but feel completely dumbfounded by this turn of events.
As the sparring session ended, Grandpa Gohan walked over, wiping his hands on his robe. "Goku, you've returned!" He smiled warmly.
Goku nodded. "Yeah, I'm back, Grandpa. You've got quite the group here, huh?"
Gohan chuckled. "Things have been busy. Yamcha's learning a lot, and Krillin's coming along nicely. But enough about them—let's have a talk, in private."
With that, Gohan led Goku into the house. The two sat down in a quiet room, away from the others.
"Now, Goku," Gohan said, his tone more serious, "I know you've been training hard. I can sense your power—it's remarkable. But there's something we need to discuss. Something about your future."
Goku blinked, confused. "What do you mean, Grandpa?"
Gohan leaned in closer, his expression grave. "I've been thinking about what's coming, and had krillan told you all the thinks ?"