"Frieza, the self-proclaimed Emperor of the Universe, is a monster of pure malice," King Kai explained, his voice grave. "He and his army have extinguished more lives than stars in some galaxies. He is the galaxy's greatest villain." Seeing the serious expressions on both Rhode and King Kai's faces, the weight of the name finally settled on Goku.
"Originally," King Kai continued, "Frieza was considered nigh-invincible. If what Rhode says is true, and he's been hiding even greater power... Goku, even if you pushed the Kaio-ken to its absolute limit, you wouldn't stand a chance."
"This..." Goku's brow furrowed. He tried to imagine Rhode's staggering base power, then multiply it several times over. The scale was incomprehensible. He couldn't even make a dent right now.
But then, a lightbulb went off. A bright, hopeful grin spread across his face. He turned to Rhode. "Rhode! Since you're so strong, why don't you just go beat up that Frieza guy? He's a bad guy anyway!"
While Goku loved a good fight, the thought of such an entity setting its sights on Earth, on Chi-Chi and Gohan, was a chill he didn't want to entertain. Protecting his loved ones came first.
Rhode fell silent for a moment. Did I over-share? Have I altered this timeline's necessary crucible?
But then he reasoned it out. Goku's drive was intrinsic. With the right guidance and knowledge of the peak he could reach, he would still strive for it. If anything, Lord Frieza should be the one worrying.
"I'm just a visitor in this world," Rhode said, his tone final. "Frieza is your enemy. It's a battle you must win." He saw the flicker of anxiety in Goku's eyes and added, "Don't worry. Frieza won't turn his gaze to Earth for a while yet. You have time. Use it."
"Oh, really?" Some of the tension left Goku's shoulders, but the monumental gap remained.
Thinking quickly, Goku bowed deeply, a gesture of profound respect. "Rhode! Please... guide my training!"
"I can point you toward the path," Rhode agreed. He had no reason to refuse this earnest student, and it cost him little. "But how far you walk it is up to you. My time here is short."
"That's enough for me!" Goku's eyes shone. Even a map was better than wandering in the dark.
"Very well. King Kai, we'll take our leave."
Before the Kai could utter a farewell, the space around Rhode and Goku twisted, and they were back on Earth, the air rich and familiar.
Rhode turned to Goku. "I'll impart the relevant methods to you directly. You begin your training. We can discuss any issues later."
"Okay! I can't wait!"
Rhode placed a hand on Goku's forehead. Using a refined application of his psychic abilities, he began a direct data transfer. Not just training regimens for base power and Oozaru control, but the conceptual frameworks—the three conditions for Super Saiyan, glimpses of the ascended states beyond, the philosophical underpinnings of breaking limits. It was a compressed lifetime of advanced Saiyan cultivation theory.
"Th-this is..." Goku staggered slightly as the flood of information settled, his eyes wide with awe and newfound understanding. He looked at Rhode not just as a powerful ally, but as a true master.
"Master this, and Frieza will be within your reach," Rhode said. "But the path of strength has no true end. The rest, you must discover for yourself." With a wave of his hand, a silvery spatial gate shimmered into existence. "Inside is a Hyperbolic Time Chamber. Go train there. When you emerge, it will be time for me to depart. A day inside, two at most. Are you willing?"
"Thank you, Rhode!" Without a second's hesitation, Goku stepped through the portal.
"One more thing," Rhode called after him. "If you need to rest, use the leftmost unused residence. There are provisions inside; ration them wisely."
The gate sealed shut, leaving Rhode alone. He had given this timeline's Son Goku the keys to his own destiny. Now, it was time to collect the last pieces of knowledge he sought from the Earth's warriors, and then begin the delicate, uncertain work of finding his way back to the stream of time he called home.
Seeing Goku disappear into the shimmering portal, Rhode gave a few final, terse instructions about the chamber's environmental controls before sealing the spatial gate shut.
With Goku taken care of, Rhode turned his attention to his own agenda. He first found Bulma, requesting she use Capsule Corp's resources to prepare a sizable batch of nutrient-dense, long-lasting rations and water to restock the Time Chamber's supplies. Efficiency was key.
Then, he sought out the Earth's warriors.
Each possessed a unique, honed skill: Krillin's Kienzan, Tien's Tri-Beam and Four Witches Technique, Yamcha's Spirit Ball, even Chiaotzu's telekinesis and Piccolo's regenerative abilities and techniques like the Special Beam Cannon. Rhode had much to learn.
But he was not coming empty-handed. His power was a given, but more importantly, his analytical mind and vast reservoir of theoretical knowledge from Yardrat and his own research allowed him to offer something in return. For each warrior, he could pinpoint inefficiencies in their energy usage, suggest refinements to their techniques, or propose entirely new avenues for their unique styles of combat.
Given his pivotal role in resolving the Tree of Might crisis, the goodwill was already established. The exchange was not one-sided but a true collaboration. With his preternatural comprehension and precise ki control, Rhode assimilated their techniques at a staggering pace. In under a day, he had not only learned them but understood their underlying principles well enough to perform them himself.
He even sought out Master Roshi, who, now understanding Rhode's character and power, did not hold back. He taught Rhode the one technique he had withheld from him and Aira in their own world due to their unfamiliarity: the *Mafuba*, the Evil Containment Wave.
It was a profound, dangerous sealing art. A perfect trump card for enemies who could not be defeated by raw force. Yet, its drawbacks were severe: the need for a specific container, the ritualistic talisman, the immense risk to the caster. In a fast-paced, life-or-death duel, it was cumbersome. Needs refinement, Rhode noted, filing the thought away for future research in his own timeline.
Finally, with a playful bribe of a glossy "art" magazine, he tracked down Oolong and then cross-referenced with Puar (via Yamcha) to learn the *Transformation Technique*.
Bang!
In a puff of smoke, Rhode's form shifted, his height shrinking, his skin turning green, antennae sprouting from his brow. He had become a perfect replica of Piccolo.
A wave of intense satisfaction washed over him. It wasn't just an illusion. He could feel the subtle differences—the unique cellular structure of a Namekian, the way their ki circulated, their heightened regenerative potential. The Transformation technique wasn't mere mimicry; it was a temporary, profound biological rewrite.
Just as I suspected, he thought, his mind already racing with the implications. This changed everything. The utility of being able to, even briefly, assume the physical and potential biological attributes of another race or object was staggering. It was a tool for infiltration, for accessing unique physiologies, for solving problems in ways brute force never could.
He had gathered all the pieces he'd come for. The library of his capabilities was now significantly expanded. It was time. The final step—the most uncertain one—remained: piercing the veil between timelines and finding his way home.