The air was still.
Dust hung heavy in the windless canyon. Raditz's broken body lay crumpled on the rocky floor, and next to him—Goku, chest pierced through, his orange gi soaked in blood.
Krillin stared at the sight, bruised and battered, leaning on a jagged rock for support. He felt hollow. Cold. Afraid.
"He actually died. Even knowing what would happen... watching it unfold in real time feels worse than anything I imagined."
Gohan sobbed as he ran toward his father's body. Piccolo stood silently over Raditz, arms crossed, expression unreadable.
Then... a beep.
Raditz's scouter crackled to life.
> "Raditz, your power reading just vanished. You're dead, aren't you?"
"Tch. Weakling."
"So Earth has fighters that strong... interesting."
The voice was cold. Calculated.
Krillin's heart dropped. Vegeta.
Another voice chimed in—deeper, rougher, filled with anticipation.
> "Hehehe. Let's go there next! If they have Dragon Balls that can wish the dead back to life... I want that!"
The first voice again—colder.
> "Fine. We'll arrive in one year. Try not to kill them all before we land, Nappa."
Static. Silence.
Piccolo crushed the scouter with a flick of his fingers.
"Looks like we have one year," he said grimly.
"One year until the real monsters arrive."
---
Later That Day – Kami House
Bulma's hovercar landed near the pink house on the beach. She and Master Roshi ran out, their faces etched with worry. When they saw Gohan and Krillin... and no Goku... their expressions fell.
"No..." Bulma whispered. "He didn't make it?"
Krillin nodded somberly. "He held Raditz down so Piccolo could finish it."
Roshi closed his eyes and removed his sunglasses. "That fool... he always throws himself headfirst into danger."
Krillin spoke up, trying to stay composed. "But listen, it's not over. We heard it—through Raditz's scouter. Two more Saiyans are coming, even stronger than him. They'll be here in one year."
Bulma paled. "A year?!"
"That's not all," Krillin added, glancing at Goku's body. "They mentioned the Dragon Balls. They know about them now."
Before the weight of those words could settle—
A flash of light.
Kami descended, his expression serious.
"I've come for Goku's soul," he said.
"W-what?" Gohan stepped forward, scared.
Kami knelt beside Goku's body. "There may yet be a way to help him train in the Other World—under a being far stronger than me. King Kai."
Krillin's eyes widened. "Right. King Kai. That's how Goku gets strong enough to fight Vegeta."
"I'll take his soul to the Other World for now," Kami continued. "His body will remain here until the Dragon Balls revive him."
Krillin stepped forward. "Kami... before you go. I need to ask you something."
Kami raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
---
Later – The Lookout
As the others returned home, Krillin—his body still sore and cracked—stood on the Lookout, speaking earnestly with Kami.
"I remember... a special room. Where time flows differently. One year inside is one day outside. The Hyperbolic Time Chamber."
Kami looked surprised. "You know of that place? It is not meant for the faint of heart. The conditions are brutal, even for seasoned warriors."
"I'm not faint of heart," Krillin said firmly. "Neither is Yamcha. Or Tien. Or Chiaotzu. If we want to survive what's coming... we need more than regular training."
Kami turned his back, thinking. "The chamber is dangerous. If your will breaks inside, you may lose your mind... or your life."
Krillin clenched his fists. "I'll take that risk. Because the world will die if I don't."
After a long silence, Kami finally said:
"Very well."
---
The Next Day – Z-Fighter Training Begins
Just like in the anime, Piccolo took Gohan into the wilderness to begin his brutal training. Tien, Chiaotzu, and Yamcha prepared for intense solo training across various terrains.
But Krillin?
Krillin went straight to Yamcha.
"I have a way to get a year's worth of training done... in just one day."
Yamcha blinked. "Come again?"
"Follow me," Krillin said.
---
Inside the Hyperbolic Time Chamber
The moment they entered, Yamcha collapsed.
"What the hell?! It's like... breathing steam through a mountain!"
Krillin gritted his teeth, already dripping with sweat. The endless white void was disorienting. The gravity pulled at their bones. The air was heavier, hotter, and every movement was like swimming through molasses.
But Krillin didn't stop.
He threw a punch. Then another. Then launched into shadowboxing, fueled by adrenaline, pain, and the knowledge of what was coming.
Yamcha watched him, amazed. "You're already moving like a martial artist twice your level... What's gotten into you?"
Krillin stopped and looked at him.
"I've seen what's coming, Yamcha. And we're not ready."
His eyes were fierce.
"We have to be better. Or we die."
---
Meanwhile – Afterlife, Snake Way
Goku jogged across the endless golden road.
Sweat trickled down his face, but he was grinning.
"Alright, King Kai... I'm coming."