Gain of Strength

Goku raced through the skies, his heart pounding and his mind consumed by a fiery rage. The Flying Nimbus carried him swiftly across the landscape as he followed the signal of the Dragon Ball on his radar. He clenched his fists as the memory of Krillin's lifeless body flashed in his mind—his best friend was gone, and Mori had been left for dead. He wouldn't let the monster who did this get away.

The radar beeped faster, indicating that the creature was close. Soon, Goku spotted Tambourine soaring through the air just ahead. Without hesitation, he leaped off the Nimbus and charged toward the green-winged monster.

Tambourine glanced back just in time to see Goku hurtling toward him with a furious expression. "You!" Goku shouted, his voice filled with fury. "You killed Krillin!"

Tambourine smirked, showing no sign of remorse. "Ah, so you're here for revenge, huh?" he mocked. "How pathetic."

Goku launched a barrage of punches and kicks at Tambourine, attacking with everything he had. But Tambourine dodged each strike effortlessly, his movements almost casual as he evaded Goku's attacks. With a swift counter, Tambourine delivered a powerful kick to Goku's stomach, sending him crashing into the ground below.

Goku gritted his teeth, picking himself up. He wiped the dirt from his face and charged again, refusing to give up. But Tambourine was simply too strong. After a brutal exchange of blows, Goku lay on the ground, bruised and exhausted, his body trembling with pain.

"Is that all you've got?" Tambourine sneered as he prepared to finish Goku off with a final blast of energy.

Just as he was about to fire, a voice echoed in the distance. "You won't get away with this!" It was Master Roshi's voice. He arrived just in time, buying Goku a chance to escape and regroup. The events unfolded just as they did in canon: Goku, though defeated, refused to give up and continued his quest to find Tambourine and later confront Demon King Piccolo.

---

Meanwhile, in a different part of the land, Mori's body floated lifelessly in a lake. His clothes were soaked and tattered, and his breathing was faint. The boy slowly regained consciousness, gasping for air as he realized he was drifting on the water's surface. Pain radiated from his injuries, but he forced himself to swim toward the shore.

With great effort, Mori crawled onto dry land and collapsed onto his back, his chest heaving with each breath. He took a moment to assess the damage, his muscles screaming in agony. The memory of Tambourine's ki blast still burned in his mind. But even through the haze of pain, he remembered something important—his grandmother's secret healing beans.

"If I can just… get back to the village," Mori thought, gritting his teeth as he forced himself to his feet. His movements were slow, every step a struggle. He staggered forward, beginning a long and arduous journey toward his hometown. It took him five hours of traveling, with many moments where he felt like collapsing, but eventually, Mori made it. 

The village gates came into view, and with a sigh of relief, Mori's vision blurred as he stumbled forward, collapsing at the entrance. The last thing he saw before losing consciousness was the familiar sight of his grandmother's house in the distance.

---

Mori awoke with a start, his eyes snapping open to find himself lying on a bed. His body was wrapped in bandages, and his grandmother, Kara, stood beside him with a worried look in her eyes. Next to her was his father, Daichi, his face a mixture of relief and concern.

"Mori, thank goodness you're awake!" Kara exclaimed, holding out a small green bean. "Here, take this. It will help you recover."

Mori took the Senzu bean from his grandmother and swallowed it quickly. Almost immediately, a surge of energy coursed through his body, the pain vanishing as his wounds healed completely. He sat up, flexing his muscles and testing his strength.

"It worked," Mori said, feeling as good as new. He looked at his father and then at his grandmother. "I have to get stronger… There's a powerful threat out there. That monster that attacked me, he wasn't the only one."

Daichi and Kara exchanged a glance, surprise and concern etched on their faces. "What exactly happened, Mori?" Daichi asked, his tone serious.

Mori recounted the events that had transpired after the tournament—Tambourine's sudden appearance, the brutal fight, and how Krillin had been killed right before his eyes. The room fell silent as the weight of the situation settled in.

"We have to be prepared," Mori said, his eyes filled with determination. "Please, Dad, I need you to teach me your ultimate technique. I have to be strong enough to protect everyone."

Daichi's expression hardened. "Very well, if this threat is as dangerous as you say, then we'll have to push your training further than ever before." He turned to Kara, who had already left the room and returned moments later carrying a small jar filled with a strange, glowing liquid.

"This is a special elixir," Kara explained. "It will enhance your strength and power, but the process is painful. Brace yourself."

Mori nodded, steeling himself as he took the jar from her hands and drank the liquid in one gulp. Almost immediately, his entire body was wracked with unbearable pain. He dropped to his knees, clutching his sides as his muscles throbbed and burned. The agony lasted for ten minutes, each second feeling like an eternity. But just as suddenly as it had begun, the pain faded away, leaving behind a strange sense of renewal.

Mori stood up, feeling different—stronger. He looked down at his hands and saw that his muscles had grown slightly, his frame was a bit taller, and his energy felt boundless. "I… I feel amazing!" he said with a hint of awe.

"Good," Daichi said, giving his son a firm nod. "Now, let's get to work."

---

For the next three days, Mori pushed himself harder than ever before. Daichi's training was grueling, filled with intense sparring sessions, strength exercises, and ki control techniques. Mori's improvement was swift, his newfound power allowing him to learn a powerful ki blast technique from his father—a devastating move that could potentially turn the tide in any battle. 

But it wasn't just his physical abilities that grew. Mori spent hours meditating, honing his mind and sharpening his senses. As he meditated on the morning of the third day, he felt something strange—a dark, malevolent ki clashing with a familiar presence. It was Goku.

Mori's eyes snapped open, his heartbeat quickening. He could feel Goku's energy, but there was another power—something sinister and overwhelming. Without a second thought, he shot up from his meditative stance and rushed toward his father.

"Dad, I have to go," Mori said urgently. "Goku is fighting someone strong, and I can't ignore it."

Daichi studied his son for a moment, then gave a solemn nod. "Go, Mori. Be careful."

Without another word, Mori took off into the sky, his aura flaring around him as he flew at top speed toward the source of the dark energy. As he drew closer, the air seemed to grow heavy with an ominous presence, and soon, the scene came into view.

Goku was struggling against a tall, green figure who was different from the one Mori had encountered before. This new opponent had an even more menacing aura, his very presence exuding power and malice. It was none other than Demon King Piccolo.

Mori landed beside Goku, his fists clenched and his eyes fixed on the monstrous figure before them. "Wassup, Goku," he said casually, reaching out for a fist bump.

Goku, despite the situation, managed a small smile and returned the fist bump. "Mori… You're okay. Glad you're here."

Together, the two young warriors turned their attention toward Demon King Piccolo, their bodies tense with anticipation. The dark clouds seemed to swirl overhead, mirroring the looming battle ahead.

This was no ordinary fight. It was a clash of destinies, and Mori was determined to see it through to the end.