📖 CHAPTER 23 – Preparing
The sun barely peeked over the horizon, painting the sky in pale gold. The island was still quiet, save for the gentle lapping of waves and the soft rustle of palm leaves. But the calm of the morning belied the storm of effort about to unfold.
I stepped onto the beach, barefoot, muscles tense, energy coiling within me. Without exoskeleton or wings, my body was already at a thirty percent disadvantage in durability compared to my fully evolved form. But that wasn't enough. Not nearly.
Future enemies—Saiyans who could destroy planets, beings whose power dwarfed even what I had faced so far—loomed in my mind. Every drop of sweat, every muscle fiber, every beat of my heart was a promise: I would not be caught unprepared.
Goku and Krillin were already there. Goku bounced on the balls of his feet, practically vibrating with excitement. "Alright! Let's train!" he shouted. Krillin's face was more cautious, wary of the intensity in the air, adjusting his stance, trying to anticipate what was coming.
Master Roshi approached, turtle shell strapped to his back, eyes behind dark sunglasses glinting in the sunlight. "Today, I will push you all to the edge of your stamina. If you survive, your bodies—and your minds—will grow stronger than ever. Are you ready?"
Goku's grin stretched wide. "Yes!" Krillin swallowed nervously, while I only nodded, focusing on the energy in the air, on the rhythm of the waves, on the sand beneath my feet. I already knew what I had to do.
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Sand and Shells
Roshi tossed weighted turtle shells toward us—heavier than yesterday, each one loaded with extra mass. Goku groaned but caught his with sheer determination. Krillin staggered, nearly losing balance.
I caught mine easily, adjusting my stance. Even with thirty percent base strength reduction, the shell felt almost natural in my hands. Each step, each pivot, each squat was perfectly balanced. My muscles worked like an orchestra in motion, tendon, sinew, and bone coordinating instinctively. I moved the shell in patterns Roshi suggested, then added subtle variations to push beyond the limits of balance and endurance.
Goku struggled to keep up, sweat dripping from his brow, but laughed with each exertion. "Wow… this is tough!"
Krillin gritted his teeth. "I… I need to keep up…"
I adjusted slightly, letting them observe the flow rather than dominating. My body absorbed the strain, heart rate stable, Ki flowing naturally, stamina regenerating silently.
Blue Launch hovered at the edge of the beach, a soft smile on her lips. Blonde Launch sneezed sharply, muttering, "I can't believe how… capable he is," though her gaze betrayed growing admiration.
Roshi walked closer, observing quietly. "Hmm… form is consistent. Timing, coordination… acceptable at this stage. They're responding well to the drills."
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Water and Air Drills
Next, Roshi instructed a swim. Weighted shells strapped to our backs. The current was strong, waves pushing against us. Goku shot forward, spitting water and laughing. Krillin struggled, every stroke a fight to maintain pace.
I moved differently. I let my body flow with the water, instinctively using currents, adjusting strokes and breathing, minimizing resistance. Even with extra weight, I surged forward like a predator gliding through a stream. Every kick, every pull of my arms, each breath precisely timed. Fatigue barely touched me, while Goku and Krillin gasped with effort.
Roshi stood at the shore, observing each swimmer's posture and breathing. "Keep steady. Watch your form," he called calmly.
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Combat Simulation
After the swim, it was time for sparring drills. Goku and Krillin were paired with me individually, then together. The beach became a storm of sand, wind, and kinetic energy.
Goku attacked first—fast, unpredictable, raw power in every move. I flowed with him, no thought, no hesitation, letting my muscles and intuition guide me. The thirty percent reduction in strength and durability forced me to rely on technique and efficiency over brute force. Each dodge was precise, each counter measured, each landing grounded and ready for the next movement.
Krillin followed, more cautious, but relentless. I adjusted subtly to maintain the rhythm, pushing him to improve while maintaining my own speed. Even combined attacks from Goku and Krillin were no match for careful positioning, fluid dodges, and instantaneous adaptation.
Sand exploded beneath our feet, fists and feet connecting with air, occasionally striking the ground. Energy pulses radiated from our movements, stirring the waves and rustling palm leaves.
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Observation and Growth
Blue Launch stepped closer, bringing water and fruit, her gaze soft but intent. Blonde Launch watched sharply, sneezing in irritation but eyes flicking repeatedly toward me, curious and analytical. Both girls had subtle interactions now—offering assistance, lingering near, noticing the precision and flow of my movements.
Goku laughed breathlessly. "I've never fought someone who keeps up so… evenly! This is amazing!"
Krillin, red-faced and panting, muttered, "How… how is he still… not tired?"
I flexed my fingers and legs, letting the muscles reset in microseconds. Even without armor, even without wings, my body responded faster than theirs could imagine.
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Pushing Beyond
Roshi announced the final drill: endurance and combat integration. Goku and Krillin would attack simultaneously, alternating patterns, while I moved freely to adapt. No rules. No rest. Each minute stretched into hours. I dodged, countered, and repositioned instinctively, muscles burning but energy cycling silently. My awareness sharpened with every attack.
Goku, laughing and exhilarated, shouted, "Alright! Let's see what you've got!"
Krillin's attacks were sharper now, refined from earlier observation. Blue Launch/Blonde Launch stood at the shore, tension and fascination growing with every strike.
I shifted stance midair, moving with the waves of sand and wind, energy pulses integrating with my steps. Every strike, every dodge, every pivot felt like it was written into my body by evolution. Fatigue was a ghost. Efficiency was reality.
By the end of the drill, Goku collapsed into the sand, grinning despite exhaustion. Krillin sank down nearby, panting heavily. I stood, calm, chest rising slightly, muscles tense but unshaken.
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Blue Launch handed me a towel, eyes soft, a quiet smile on her lips. Blonde Launch, though still guarded, muttered under her breath, "Tch… frustrating, but… impressive." Their subtle attention lingered, delicate tension building into something more than admiration, something unsaid yet intimate.
The sun dipped toward the horizon. Sweat mixed with salt, sand sticking to skin. Every participant felt the aftershock of exertion and energy.
I looked toward Goku and Krillin. "We cannot stop here," I said calmly. "There are stronger opponents ahead. I must push further."
Goku grinned, eyes shining. "I'm in! Let's get stronger together!"
Krillin nodded, still panting, still exhausted, but determined. "Yeah… let's do it."
Roshi leaned back, sipping tea, sunglasses reflecting the gold light. He made no grand declarations, Just a teacher watching his students grow.
And I stood on the island, between the waves, the girls, and two eager warriors, knowing that the next level of training would define everything.
The currents of the island had shifted once more, subtly, irreversibly—and the anomaly was ready to rise beyond limits.
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