These gods were less reliable than the last. Rhode's internal monologue was a symphony of exasperation as he listened to King Kai's grand, theatrical pronouncements. The chubby, blue comedian before him was a far cry from the stern, focused mentor of Turles's timeline.
And yet... King Kai possessed abilities that were undeniably miraculous, even by divine standards. His psychic powers, his ability to locate beings across galaxies, his esoteric techniques—all of it was valuable. So Rhode swallowed his annoyance and put on his most charming smile.
"Lord Kai," he said, the flattery dripping like honey, "I've heard so much about your incredible abilities. Would you consider teaching me a few?"
"Ah ha!" King Kai puffed out his chest, swelling with self-importance. "It is true that I, the great North Kai, possess many wondrous arts! But I do not simply give such knowledge away. The cost is high. Very, very high. Unless..." He paused dramatically, fixing Rhode with a look of supreme challenge. "Unless you can meet my conditions."
Rhode's eyebrow twitched. "Conditions?"
"Three!" King Kai declared, holding up three stubby fingers. "Three of the finest, most gut-busting, knee-slapping dad jokes you can muster!"
Rhode stared.
Silence.
A long, profound silence.
This is the great cost. Dad jokes.
He sighed internally, but his face remained placid. He had been through worse. He delivered three perfectly crafted, cringe-inducing puns.
King Kai's reaction was instantaneous and explosive. He doubled over, slapping his knee, tears streaming from his eyes, howling with laughter. It was a comedy of errors, and Rhode was the straight man.
When the hysterics finally subsided, King Kai, wiping tears from his eyes, happily agreed to teach. The instruction was... an experience. King Kai's methods were as eccentric as his personality, but the techniques themselves were sound. Within half a day, Rhode had grasped the core principles, his preternatural comprehension turning divine rambling into actionable knowledge.
As they rested, Goku, Chi-Chi, and Gohan, their emotional reunion complete, approached.
"Rhode," Goku said, his voice carrying a depth of gratitude that transcended his simple nature. "Thank you. For everything. Gohan told me what you did."
"It was nothing," Rhode replied with a wave. "I'm his elder, in a way." And it was true. In his timeline, he had held the infant Goku, watched Chi-Chi grow. The connection was real, even if this Goku was a stranger.
Goku's eyes sparkled with that familiar, insatiable light. "Gohan said you're from another world. That you knew me as a kid." He grinned, a challenge flickering in his gaze. "Rhode... want to fight?"
Fight. Rhode assessed the request. Goku's power was carefully contained, but he could feel it—a deep, surging ocean that rivaled his own. The years in Other World, sparring with the greatest warriors of history, had forged him into something formidable. Super Saiyan 2 was almost a certainty. Super Saiyan 3 was a possibility.
A genuine thrill ran through Rhode. An opponent of equal, perhaps greater, caliber. A test of everything he had learned. But the pull of home, the memory of Aira's worried eyes, tugged at him.
Soon, he promised himself. First, I find the way back. Then... maybe I return here for that fight.
Feeling Goku's strength, Rhode thought silently.
After all, when this world's Goku died, he had only recently transformed into a Super Saiyan and had no concept of Super Saiyan 2.
Therefore, Rhode thought that even with Goku's talent and comprehension, without the influence of life-or-death crises, without any references, and creating his own path, developing Super Saiyan 2 from a perfected Super Saiyan within ten years would be quite remarkable!
Moreover, the current Goku had also raised his base power to such a level.
While thinking, a smile appeared on Rhode's face: "Yes, but I'll choose the location!"
"No problem!"
Seeing Rhode agree, Goku's face immediately showed unconcealed joy.
"Wait a moment!"
Having agreed to Goku's request, Rhode immediately carefully sensed the spatiotemporal nodes around him.
This time, he didn't plan to simply cross into an uncertain world through a spatiotemporal node as before. He wanted to find a spatiotemporal node and then, using his battle with Goku, directly break through it.
Through multiple Crossing experiences and his research on spatiotemporal nodes, Rhode had already understood that breaking through a spatiotemporal node would create a passage connecting numerous parallel worlds.
Once this happened, coupled with his faint perception of the main world, he would certainly be able to successfully return to the main world.
"Alright, Goku, follow me!"
For the current Rhode, searching for spatiotemporal nodes was incredibly simple. After finding one in an instant, he said, placing his hand on Goku.
However, before leaving, he suddenly remembered something and immediately condensed his ki into a sound, leaving some information for Gohan.
This information included methods to revive Goku, the matter of Majin Buu, and the existence of the Supreme Kai, among other things.
Rhode himself was rushing to return to the main world, so the remaining matters could only be left to Gohan.
"Mr. Rhode!"
Hearing the voice in his ear, Gohan was startled. However, when he looked up, Rhode and Goku had already disappeared from King Kais Planet.