After the brutal battle with Raditz concluded, Lisette carefully retrieved Goku's lifeless body and made the solemn journey to the afterlife. The weight of what lay ahead pressed heavily on her mind—it was absolutely essential that Goku undergo training under King Kai. Not just for the Kaio-ken technique, but especially for the Spirit Bomb. Without mastering these abilities, the challenges ahead would prove insurmountable.
If Lisette possessed the power to defeat every enemy single-handedly, such roundabout measures would be unnecessary. But she understood her limitations all too well. After all, she was merely an Earthling, she could never become a Super Saiyan.
Against someone like Frieza, victory might be possible if she struck before his final transformation. But when it came to Cell or Majin Buu? The very thought sent chills down her spine. Those monsters operated on an entirely different level.
Having Goku grow stronger served as the ultimate insurance policy. The alternative, becoming so overpowered that she robbed the universe's heroes of their opportunities to develop, could lead to catastrophic consequences down the line. What good would her strength be if the universe crumbled because she'd stunted everyone else's growth?
Though according to the original timeline, Goku wasn't supposed to die at all.
"What do you think, Lord Enma?" Lisette asked, her voice carrying the weight of cosmic responsibility. "Would you approve Goku's attempt at the Snake Way?"
The massive oni rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his ancient eyes studying the deceased Saiyan. "Hmm, Son Goku. His achievements are certainly impressive. But are you certain about this path? He could have entered Heaven peacefully, yet you're asking him to endure such trials."
Of course it's the right choice, Lisette thought grimly. If Goku simply went to Heaven without training, not only Earth but the entire universe would eventually face annihilation.
Meanwhile, the future hero remained blissfully unaware of Lisette's cosmic concerns, his attention turning to more immediate matters. "Hey, uncle!" Goku called out cheerfully. "Before I arrived, didn't some guy named Raditz show up and cause trouble?"
"Hmm? Ah, that was your brother." Enma's expression darkened. "He certainly became violent, but I managed to subdue him personally."
Goku's eyes widened with genuine amazement. "Wow, you're incredible! Hey, Kami, maybe this guy should train me instead?"
Lisette quickly shook her head, though her expression remained carefully neutral. While Enma certainly possessed formidable strength, enough to handle someone like Raditz, his power was largely brute force. He lacked King Kai's vast arsenal of techniques and training methods. Even with a full year of training under Enma, there was no way Goku could develop the skills necessary to compete with elite Saiyans.
"No, that wouldn't be wise," Lisette interjected smoothly. "Lord Enma is incredibly busy managing the affairs of the afterlife. He simply doesn't have time to train you properly. So please, Goku, proceed to King Kai's planet as planned."
"Well, unfortunately she speaks the truth," Enma agreed with a heavy sigh. "However, Earth's Guardian, if it's training you're concerned about, couldn't you handle it yourself? Surely that would be sufficient for a Saiyan?"
Just when everything seemed to be falling into place, Enma made this unhelpful suggestion. While it was true that Lisette might be capable of making Goku stronger than King Kai could, the Spirit Bomb remained beyond her ability to teach. Combat power could be addressed later, she could even create techniques similar to the Kaio-ken if necessary. But the Spirit Bomb could only be learned from King Kai himself.
More importantly, establishing the connection between Goku and King Kai was crucial for future events.
"You overestimate my abilities, Lord Enma," Lisette replied with practiced humility, effectively ending that line of discussion.
She deliberately ignored Goku's curious comment about her potentially being stronger than he realized, offering only a cryptic smile in response.
"Well then, Goku," she said with finality, "do your best out there. When the time comes for your resurrection, I'll return to retrieve you."
"Eh? Oh, yeah..." Goku began, but before he could voice any second thoughts, Lisette gave him a firm push that sent him tumbling down the Snake Way.
The quickest way to avoid unwanted complications was simply to end the conversation.
With Goku's spiritual journey now underway, Lisette returned to Earth and immediately set her next plan in motion.
Back at Kami's Lookout, the weight of impending disaster settled over the floating sanctuary like a suffocating blanket. In exactly one year, two Saiyans would descend upon Earth with power that dwarfed even Raditz's fearsome strength.
Lisette stood at the edge of the Lookout, her divine senses allowing her to feel the planet's life force, billions of innocent souls going about their daily lives, completely unaware of the cosmic sword hanging over their heads. The responsibility was staggering.
Originally, the previous Guardian would have handled their training. But the mantle of Earth's protector now rested squarely on Lisette's shoulders. Up until now, she had maintained a careful distance, observing events from the sidelines. That luxury was over.
What lay ahead was an inflationary spiral of battles where a single misstep could result in Earth's complete annihilation. If she continued playing the passive observer, she would quickly be left behind, powerless when the critical moments arrived.
From this point forward, she had to stand as their equal and grow stronger alongside them.
Yet she also had to be careful not to overstep her bounds. The delicate balance required was truly maddening.
"God," Mr. Popo's calm voice interrupted her brooding. "I have brought the warriors as you requested."
"Thank you for your efforts, Popo." Lisette turned to face the assembled group.
Four figures stood before her: Krillin, Yamcha, Tien Shinhan, and Chiaotzu. As for Yajirobe... well, his absence was no great loss. He would contribute little to the upcoming battle with the Saiyans, and honestly, Lisette was confident she could handle Vegeta single-handedly if necessary.
As long as they avoided careless mistakes, the Earth's defenders would not lose, it was a battle they were virtually guaranteed to win. The challenge lay not in victory, but in achieving it while minimizing casualties and maximizing her teammates' growth.
If mere victory was the only goal, Lisette could simply obliterate Vegeta and Nappa before they knew what hit them. But considering the battles that would follow—Cell, Majin Buu, and threats even beyond those, she needed these warriors to become stronger.
More than that, as fellow Earthlings desperately chasing in Goku's footsteps, they deserved her support.
"Welcome, everyone. Thank you for coming on such short notice." Lisette greeted them with a warm, reassuring smile.
"Uh, th-thank you for having us!" Krillin stammered, his cheeks flushing red as he bowed awkwardly.
Right, he did wish to be popular with women, Lisette recalled with amusement. Despite his serious demeanor, he was quite the romantic underneath. Of course, he would eventually win the heart of Android 18, this was probably the last time she'd see such an innocent reaction from him.
"I'm sure you've already heard the basic details," Lisette began, her tone growing more serious, "but one year from now, powerful aliens called Saiyans will attack Earth. You will spend the next year training here in preparation for that battle."
"The Saiyans..." Tien Shinhan's voice was tight with barely controlled fear, cold sweat beading on his forehead. "From what we heard, even Goku and Piccolo working together could barely defeat just one of them. And even then, it cost Goku his life..."
The three-eyed warrior's words hung heavy in the air. Son Goku and Piccolo represented Earth's two greatest fighting forces. Until just days ago, the idea of those eternal rivals joining forces was unthinkable. The notion that they would fight together and still lose one of their number was beyond their worst nightmares.
And the Saiyans arriving in a year would be even stronger than Raditz.
"That's precisely why we're here," Lisette acknowledged. "However, words alone cannot convey the true scope of what we're facing. So before we begin your training, I'm going to have you actually fight a Saiyan."
The four warriors erupted in shocked exclamations, their voices overlapping in a cacophony of disbelief.
Fight the Saiyans to prepare for the Saiyans? The paradox was mind-boggling, and they couldn't tell if she was serious or if this was some elaborate test.
"This way. Follow me." Without offering further explanation, Lisette led them deeper into the temple complex.
Some things were better experienced than explained.
Their footsteps echoed through ancient corridors as they descended into the heart of Kami's Lookout. Eventually, they arrived at a dimly lit chamber dominated by an enormous pendulum clock that swung with hypnotic regularity.
"W-where are we?" Krillin whispered, his voice barely audible above the clock's steady rhythm.
"This is called the Room of Spirit and Time," Lisette explained, her voice taking on an almost mystical quality. "In this place, the boundaries between past, present, and future blur together. I'm going to send your spirits back in time to face actual Saiyans. Don't worry—even if you die there, you won't suffer any real harm here."
The explanation did little to ease their apprehension, but Tien Shinhan stepped forward first, his warrior's pride overriding his fear. "Interesting. Kami, please send me back."
"Yeah, my fists are itching for some action!" Yamcha added with forced bravado, though his tense posture betrayed his nervousness.
Perhaps because the true inflation of power levels hadn't yet overwhelmed the series, both warriors still maintained absolute confidence in their abilities. Krillin and Chiaotzu, not to be outdone, also stepped forward with determined expressions.
After confirming their resolve, Lisette had the four warriors stand in the chamber's center, directly beneath the massive pendulum.
"Close your eyes and let time flow through you," she instructed, her voice becoming ethereal. "The room will guide your spirits to the past."
The opponents they would face would be a low-ranking Saiyan warrior of approximately Raditz's level, accompanied by a Saibaman. While she wanted them to understand their enemies' strength, throwing them against overwhelmingly powerful foes would only crush their spirits.
At Raditz's level, a fight was at least possible. With luck and teamwork, they might even manage to defeat one of their opponents.
Now all that remained was to wait for their return.
The Nightmare Planet
When Krillin and the others opened their eyes, they found themselves standing on an alien world that seemed torn from their worst nightmares.
The sky above was a sickly mixture of purple and pink, like an infected wound stretched across the heavens. The ground beneath their feet was dark crimson, almost the color of dried blood, while twisted structures that might have once been trees reached toward the poisonous sky like the gnarled fingers of corpses. These plant-like formations were the color of rusted metal, completing the hellish landscape.
But it was the bodies that truly horrified them.
Scattered across the alien terrain were the corpses of the planet's native inhabitants, grotesque creatures that looked like a mad scientist's attempt to create humanoid cockroaches. Their naked bodies gleamed with an oily, viscous substance that made them appear perpetually wet, while their insectoid features were twisted into expressions of terror and agony.
"Ugh, what are these things? They're disgusting!" Krillin gagged, covering his nose against the stench of death that permeated the air.
"Are these the planet's natives?" Tien Shinhan wondered aloud, his three eyes scanning the battlefield with growing unease.
Kami had said their opponents would be Saiyans, but this scene of wholesale slaughter felt more like the work of exterminators dealing with pests. The clinical efficiency of the carnage was somehow more terrifying than random violence would have been.
"T-Tien!" Chiaotzu's high-pitched shriek cut through the air like a blade.
Everyone's attention snapped to where the small psychic was pointing, one of the creatures was moving!
With unsteady, shambling steps, it approached them with what appeared to be its last reserves of strength.
"...Per...centage...of...watts..." it wheezed in an alien language, its voice a wet rasp.
The meaning was incomprehensible, but the desperate tone was universal. The creature reached out with a trembling appendage, perhaps seeking help or simply companionship in its final moments.
"Mmm...mph..." it tried to communicate again, its alien vocal cords struggling to form sounds.
Whatever it was trying to say would remain forever unknown.
A brilliant energy blast came screaming from behind them, obliterating the creature's head in a spray of green ichor. The alien collapsed, its brief struggle for survival ended as abruptly as it had begun.
In its place stood a figure that would haunt their nightmares for years to come.
A large man in military-style combat armor dominated their vision, his presence radiating casual menace. He looked remarkably human except for one crucial detail, a brown, furry tail that swayed lazily behind him like a predator's. Beside him crouched a small, green humanoid creature, its red eyes glaring at them with undisguised hostility.
"Oh, how surprising," the large Saiyan drawled, his voice carrying the casual tone of someone discussing the weather. "I didn't realize there were other aliens on this planet besides the Cockroach people. Travelers, perhaps? What unfortunate timing."
His hair was cut in a practical bob style that framed a face made cruel by excess—pudgy cheeks, cold eyes, and a scraggly beard that gave him an unkempt, barbaric appearance. When he smiled, it was the expression of someone who genuinely enjoyed causing pain.
"I hold no personal grudge against you," he continued with mock courtesy, gesturing broadly at the carnage around them. "The inhabitants of this world are simply too ugly to live, so Lord Frieza ordered their complete extermination. Don't take it personally."
"Frieza?" Tien Shinhan couldn't help but ask.
"Oh, come now! You don't know Lord Frieza?" The Saiyan's expression shifted to one of exaggerated disbelief. "What kind of backwater corner of the galaxy do you people come from?"
The obese warrior sighed dramatically, then activated a device over his left eye,a green, technological monocle that began beeping softly as it scanned the four Earth warriors.
That must be a scouter, Krillin realized. The device that measures fighting power.
"Let's see here... combat powers of 206, 250, 177, and 92." The Saiyan's expression shifted to one of profound disappointment. "Tch. Are you really just tourists?"
"What?!" Yamcha's voice cracked with indignation.
The insult hit all four warriors like a physical blow. They weren't just random tourists, they were among Earth's elite fighters, skilled enough that their ranks could be counted on one hand. To be dismissed so casually, to have their years of training and dedication reduced to the level of sightseers...
It was unacceptable.
"You want to test that theory?" Yamcha snarled.
"Try saying that again!" Krillin added, his fists clenching.
"We'll show you what 'tourists' can do!" Tien Shinhan roared.
With synchronized fury, the three warriors launched themselves into battle while Chiaotzu retreated to provide psychic support.
The strategy was sound in theory: eliminate the smaller, seemingly weaker green creature first, then combine their efforts against the Saiyan. Against human opponents, it might have even worked.
But they weren't fighting humans.
The Harsh Reality
Yamcha led the charge with the fluid grace of a predator, his Wolf Fang Fist technique on full display. His hands curved into claw-like shapes as he struck with lightning speed, each blow designed to tear through flesh and bone. Combined with his natural agility, the assault was truly reminiscent of a wild beast in its element.
But for all its ferocity, every single attack was effortlessly countered.
The Saibaman, for that was what the green creature was, moved with casual ease, deflecting, blocking, and dodging Yamcha's best techniques as if they were moving in slow motion. There was no strain in its movements, no sign that it was even trying particularly hard.
It was simply on an entirely different level.
"Take this!" Krillin joined the assault from the opposite side, his own martial arts training evident in every precisely placed strike.
The two Earth warriors attacked in perfect synchronization, their combined barrage creating afterimages from the sheer speed of their assault. For a moment, it looked like they might actually be gaining ground.
Then the Saibaman casually raised one hand and blocked both of their frenzied attacks simultaneously.
Not only did it stop their assault, but in the same motion, it delivered crushing counterattacks to both their faces. The impacts sounded like hammers striking stone.
"Gah!" Yamcha staggered backward, stars exploding across his vision.
"Guh!" Krillin's head snapped back from the force of the blow.
Both warriors fought to remain standing, their pride refusing to let them fall despite the overwhelming difference in power. But the Saibaman was already moving to its next attack, driving a devastating kick into Krillin's solar plexus.
"Kuh..." Blood erupted from Krillin's mouth as he felt his ribs shatter like glass.
The kick hadn't just broken bones, it had pulverized them, sending sharp fragments into his internal organs. Krillin collapsed to his knees, clutching his abdomen as his consciousness began to fade.
The Saibaman leaped high into the air, then came down with both feet aimed directly at Krillin's neck. The impact was like a sledgehammer against kindling.
CRACK!
Spider-web fractures spread across the ground beneath Krillin's body as his neck snapped with a sound like breaking timber. His eyes went wide and vacant, his body convulsing once like a landed fish before going completely still.
The silence that followed was deafening.
"BASTAAAAARD!" Yamcha's anguished cry shattered the quiet as he clasped his hands together, pulling them back in the familiar stance of his master's technique.
"Ka...me...ha...me..." Energy began gathering between his palms, blue-white light building to dangerous levels.
"HA!" The Kamehameha wave erupted from his hands, a torrent of raw power that engulfed the Saibaman completely.
Without waiting to see the results, Yamcha immediately began charging his next attack. He gripped his right wrist with his left hand, focusing every ounce of energy he possessed into his dominant hand. A sphere of power formed, no larger than his palm initially, but growing rapidly as he poured more energy into it.
When it reached three meters in diameter, Yamcha took control, the massive energy sphere responding to his mental commands like an extension of his will.
"Spirit Ball!" he roared, sending the guided projectile racing toward where the Saibaman should be.
The green warrior emerged from the smoke and rubble of the first attack, apparently unharmed but now taking the fight seriously. It dodged the Spirit Ball with acrobatic grace, but Yamcha was ready for this.
With precise finger movements, he guided the energy sphere in a complex dance, the ball of power swooping and diving as it tried to catch the Saibaman off-guard. Even when the creature managed to evade the sphere itself, it would curve around and attack from a different angle.
There were only two ways to defend against a guided energy attack: either tank the hit or stop the person controlling it. The Saibaman, recognizing this tactical reality, began looking for an opening to strike at Yamcha directly.
That was exactly what the Earth warrior had been waiting for.
"Got you!" Yamcha snarled, directing the Spirit Ball to strike just as the Saibaman committed to an evasive maneuver.
The explosion was tremendous, shaking the very ground and sending up a pillar of smoke and debris that could be seen for miles. When the dust began to settle, Yamcha cautiously approached the crater his attack had created.
The Saibaman lay motionless at the bottom of the smoking pit, its green skin blackened and torn from the assault.
"Did... did I get it?" Yamcha whispered, his throat dry from exertion and fear.
He crept closer, every sense alert for signs of movement. The creature appeared to be either dead or unconscious—either way, it was finally vulnerable.
I should finish this while I have the chance, he thought, gathering energy for a final strike.
But that moment of victory had made him careless.
The instant Yamcha came within range, the Saibaman's eyes snapped open. With the last of its strength, it lunged forward and wrapped its arms around the startled warrior in an inescapable embrace.
"What—?!" Yamcha began, then saw the look of grim determination in the creature's eyes.
He understood immediately, but it was already too late.
The Saibaman's body began to glow with deadly light as it triggered its final technique, a suicide explosion that would obliterate everything within its blast radius.
"No, wait—!" Yamcha's desperate plea was cut short as the world erupted in fire and fury.
When the smoke finally cleared, there was nothing left of either combatant except scattered debris and the acrid smell of vaporized matter. Yamcha's last expression had been one of shocked regret, as if he couldn't quite believe that his journey would end this way.
The harsh lesson was clear: in the universe beyond Earth, raw power meant everything, and mercy was a luxury that could prove fatal.
---
Author's Note:
By the way, it's a secret between us that I was considering whether to make this Yamcha a reincarnated version until the very last moment. In the end, I decided to keep him as the normal Yamcha because it would have made the story too complicated.