Chapter 31: A Warrior's Return

A/N: In this chapter, we've officially unveiled the two strongest humans in this world!

From the next chapter onward, the original Dragon Ball plot will completely break away. The hints have already been dropped in the previous chapters.

No chapter will be released on Sunday.

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After the tournament, Goku made his way to Grandpa Gohan's house, eager to share the news. The excitement of the matches still buzzed inside him, even though he finished in second place. As he arrived, Gohan greeted him with a warm smile, his old face lighting up with pride.

"Grandpa, I got second place!" Goku exclaimed, rubbing the back of his head with a sheepish grin.

Gohan chuckled, patting Goku on the shoulder. "Second place, huh? I'm proud of you, Goku. It's not always about winning—it's about learning from every battle."

Goku nodded eagerly. "I know, Grandpa. That's why I want to spar with you again. I've got some new tricks, and I've gotten a lot stronger."

Gohan chuckled. "You always want to fight, don't you? Alright, let's see what you've got."

The two warriors moved to the open field, the familiar scene of countless battles between them. Goku had faced his grandfather many times before, and though he'd won some matches, most ended with Gohan emerging victorious. This time, though, Goku felt different. His power had grown immensely, and his new techniques gave him an edge.

As they squared off, Goku knew Gohan's power level was at 25,000—a force to be reckoned with. Despite his strength, Gohan had remained humble, training diligently and mastering every technique Goku had shared with him over the years, including the Breathing Technique. This was why Gohan was the strongest person after Goku.

The fight commenced, and Goku couldn't help but smile as they exchanged blows. Gohan's movements were sharp, precise, and powerful, but Goku could tell he was holding back, just as he often did in the past.

"You're still holding back, Grandpa!" Goku teased mid-fight. "But don't worry, this time I'm not going all out either."

Gohan smirked, landing a solid punch to Goku's side. "I know, Goku. You've gotten a lot stronger, but it's not about raw strength, is it?"

Goku nodded, a serious expression on his face. "You're right, Grandpa. It's about control, precision, and experience. That's why I've been working hard to perfect my techniques."

For the rest of the day, they continued to spar, neither giving an inch. Despite the gap in their power levels, Gohan still held his own, thanks to the techniques and strategies Goku had taught him. The fight was intense, but it was also fun—a bonding moment between the two.

As the sun began to set, Goku and Gohan sat down, panting and sweating, but smiling. "You've taught me so much, Grandpa," Goku said. "You're still the best teacher."

Gohan beamed with pride. "And you've become the best student. Keep training hard, Goku. The world will need your strength soon enough."

The next day, Goku bid farewell to Gohan and set off towards the Ox King's village. He had a promise to keep—to visit Chi-Chi and her father, and of course, to secure the next Dragon Ball. When Goku arrived, the sight of the towering Ox King brought back memories. The large man was ecstatic to see him, but there was a slight mischief in his eyes.

"Ah, Goku! You've come just in time," the Ox King roared, his laughter echoing through the village. "We've caught a big bird for the wedding feast!"

Goku's eyes widened as he remembered the events from his past. He knew that the bird the Ox King had captured had swallowed the six-star Dragon Ball, which meant the Red Ribbon Army would be coming soon.

"Uh, Ox King, before you roast that bird, can I take a look at it?" Goku asked.

The Ox King laughed heartily. "Sure, Goku. Anything for you!"

Goku examined the bird and, sure enough, the six-star Dragon Ball was inside. With a quick move, he retrieved the Dragon Ball, carefully hiding it away in his pack. "Thanks, Ox King! I'll take care of this."

Goku stood before the Ox King, ready to leave the village. He glanced at the large man, sensing his increased strength. 

"How's your training been going?" Goku asked casually, though his curiosity was piqued. 

The Ox King smiled, his confidence evident. "Thanks to your help, Goku, my combat power has risen to over 1,000. And with the Barrier Technique, I can protect the village from any danger."

Goku nodded, impressed but kept silent about his thoughts. Over 1,000? he mused internally. That's good, but will it be enough when the Red Ribbon Army shows up? I can't tell him yet… it might cause unnecessary worry. I'll handle them when the time comes

Goku smiled, reassured that the Ox King could handle himself. Chi-Chi, meanwhile, was busy gathering flowers for their wedding, unaware of the impending danger. Goku watched her from a distance, his heart swelling with affection, but his mind alert to the threats looming on the horizon.

As the day wore on, Goku's instincts sharpened. He knew the Red Ribbon Army would arrive soon, but he didn't want to completely alter the course of events. He needed to keep the timeline intact—if things deviated too much, the knowledge he had of future events might become useless.

"I'll let the Red Ribbon Army come, but this time, I won't hold back," Goku muttered to himself. "No more sending them to jail. Only death will stop them now."

Suddenly, Goku's radar picked up another signal. It was Emperor Pilaf's gang, closing in on the Dragon Ball's location. However, Goku had already hidden the ball in a nearby lake, making it difficult for Pilaf to find it easily.

Goku's memories of the original events played out in his mind: Emperor Pilaf would try to steal the ball while disguised, and the Red Ribbon Army would attack the village. But this time, Goku was prepared.

As the evening drew near, Goku noticed Emperor Pilaf's crew trying to sneak into the village, dressed in ridiculous disguises. He chuckled to himself but kept his focus on the bigger threat—the Red Ribbon Army.

Soon, the sky darkened with the arrival of the Red Ribbon Army's forces. Goku, now ready for battle, stood at the village's edge, his resolve firm. "This time, there's no escape."

With the six-star Dragon Ball secure and the village protected, Goku prepared to face the Red Ribbon Army head-on. He knew this fight would be different—this time, there would be no mercy.