Korin Tower
"Why do you want to become stronger?" Korin asked as he looked at Krillin and Chi-Chi. "Aren't you two already powerful enough?"
Krillin answered without hesitation.
"I want to surpass Goku."
Chi-Chi nodded firmly.
"If I can't keep up with Goku, I won't be able to walk the same path as him."
Korin blinked.
"…Alright then. As long as your intentions are clean, I'll let you try. But to drink the Ultra Divine Water, you have to snatch the bottle from me first."
Krillin and Chi-Chi exchanged a glance.
"There's a catch like that?"
"Of course. Otherwise it wouldn't be training." Korin smirked. "Come on, both of you at once!"
They lunged in immediately, thinking it would be simple. But they were wrong. Korin's speed left them in the dust, and his height gave him an annoying advantage. No matter what angle they tried, they couldn't get close.
Still, after a whole day of chasing, they noticed a change. The altitude and thin air no longer left them gasping after just a few moves. They were moving faster, reacting sharper.
The real training… was in the chase.
Both started to suspect—maybe the Ultra Divine Water was a myth. The effort was what made them stronger.
Krillin, remembering Goku climbing the tower under triple gravity, gritted his teeth. He refused to be left behind.
He tapped his gravity band—3x.
Chi-Chi, who had been considering it all along, followed suit.
Their movements grew sluggish, and the difficulty increased immensely—but the gains were even greater. Every adjustment to their gravity settings was pushing their limits.
The next morning, Goku arrived at the tower's top again—and joined the chase.
Korin took one look at Goku's gravity band and called time-out.
"…That old Turtle Hermit really lucked out with you three."
"You know Master Roshi?" Krillin asked, surprised.
Korin chuckled. "Your movements gave it away. Three hundred years ago, he climbed this tower too. Took him three years to get the water."
The trio shared an awkward smile. Initially, none of them planned to stay that long. But now?
With the gravity bands, Korin's agility, and their teamwork… this was the perfect training ground.
Soon, they all started increasing their gravity bit by bit—3.1x, 3.2x… always at their limit, but never too far past it. Bulma's device allowed for fine control, and they all made use of it masterfully.
Bulma, meanwhile, didn't stay on the tower. She returned to West City, busying herself with research. Every few days, she'd bring food and check on their progress, using Senzu Beans only sparingly.
—
Seasons passed. Three years later…
Goku could now handle 10x gravity. Krillin and Chi-Chi had reached 8x. But it wasn't just raw strength—sparring with Korin sharpened their reflexes, reactions, and instincts far more than simple climbing or lifting ever could.
Bulma watched their progress with pride. She didn't need a scouter to know—they were now ten times stronger than they had been at this point in the previous timeline.
Chi-Chi especially had grown. In the old timeline, her martial arts were basic. Now? She could probably slap past versions of herself into next week.
Even Krillin had reached the point where, if Raditz showed up now, he could crush him without help.
And Goku? Far, far beyond that.
But one question still bothered Bulma…
If Goku never died, how would he meet King Kai? Learn Kaiōken? Spirit Bomb? Would missing those steps prevent Super Saiyan entirely?
Then again… was there a way to leap directly to Super Saiyan?
She recalled how each transformation had required rage—Krillin's death, Goku's, Gohan's…
Even Vegeta's came from being furious at himself for falling behind.
"…Maybe," she muttered, "the fastest path to Super Saiyan is watching someone die."
But then—Krillin's death had triggered it the first time. What if it didn't happen again?
Would she have to die to trigger it?
'Would he feel the same way… if it were me?'
She shook her head, scolding herself.
"Don't be ridiculous. There's still time. Just let things unfold naturally."
Their growth was incredible, and they hadn't even started adulthood yet. Events that once felt inevitable… might not even happen now.
No one had to die on Namek this time.
—
Sunset, Korin Tower
Training ended. The trio collapsed, sweating, onto the floor.
Chi-Chi was taller now—her figure elegant and strong. Goku and Krillin, though, were still short. They'd grown a little, but not much.
"Whew… I'm beat." Chi-Chi panted, wiping her forehead. "Say, Goku, Krillin… don't you think your growth's kinda slow? Could the gravity be stunting it?"
"I dunno," Goku mumbled, half-asleep.
Krillin sat up with a scowl.
"Wait, what?! You mean I might not grow because of training?! That's messed up!"
Just then, Bulma arrived.
"Relax, it's not the gravity."
The three looked up in surprise.
"Bulma?"
She smiled.
"Girls just mature earlier, that's all. In a couple years, you guys will shoot up."
Krillin exhaled in relief.
"Phew… that explains it."
He glanced at Goku.
"At least we're the same height, for now."
Bulma gave him a bittersweet look. Goku was a Saiyan—he wouldn't grow until much later, but when he did, he'd spurt up nearly overnight.
Krillin… not so much.
Still, growth was growth.
Unless he made a wish to Shenron, this was probably as tall as Krillin was gonna get.
She quickly changed the subject.
"So, the World Martial Arts Tournament is in a few days. Are you guys planning to keep training here, or head down?"
Korin perked up.
"Please go. You three are monsters now. If you didn't wear those bands, I couldn't even touch you anymore! Training here won't help much anymore. You're stuck in a loop. Time to leave the comfort zone and find new challenges."
The three looked at one another and smiled.
Krillin stood first.
"Let's go. Chi-Chi, Goku, we've got a tournament to win."
"Of course!" Chi-Chi said. "I'll swing by home and see my dad first. Then I'll head straight there."
Goku nodded.
"I'll check in with Master Roshi and head back to Mount Paozu. Then—straight to the tournament."
"You coming with me, Krillin?"
Krillin blushed and looked at Bulma.
"Uh… actually… Bulma, can I borrow your plane? Just for a bit?"
Chi-Chi gave him a teasing smile.
"Aw, Krillin! Gonna visit your girlfriend before the tournament?"
Bulma grinned.
"Of course he is! Gotta see little Sno! So? You two held hands yet?"
"Bulma!" Krillin turned beet red. "Don't mess with me!"
"I only visited her village once over New Year! We're just friends!"
"Friends, huh?" Chi-Chi teased.
Krillin covered his face.
"You two are impossible…"
Goku, watching his friend squirm, smiled softly.
He was genuinely happy for him.
But a troubling thought slipped into his mind…
'If Krillin's with Sno… what about Android 18?'
She wasn't just powerful and beautiful—she was loyal, kind in her own way, and arguably the best wife in the whole series.
Even now, Goku wasn't sure he wanted to see her end up with anyone else.
But… Chi-Chi. Bulma.
They'd poured years of their heart into him.
How could he just… walk away from that?
If he ever chose someone else, he might get obliterated before he could explain.
Still… he couldn't help but pray.
'Please let 18 be a good person in this life…'
Bulma caught him daydreaming and pinched his cheek.
"Goku~ What are you dreaming about? You're drooling!"
"Wha—No I'm not!" He wiped his mouth, flustered.
She laughed.
"Kidding! Now come on—time to eat! After that, let's get moving!"
"Okay!"