Chapter 28

The sky was clear, a brilliant blue stretching endlessly above, while the land below flourished in vibrant greens. The air was filled with the chirping of birds, the rustling of leaves, and the pitiful screams of a certain long-haired Saiyan.

Naruto Uzumaki stood atop a large boulder, arms crossed, his golden cloak fluttering in the breeze. A satisfied smile played on his lips as he observed the scene before him—his disciples had truly blossomed into proper warriors.

Not the pure, innocent children they once were.

No, they were refined, efficient, and slightly sadistic little hellions now.

"Please stop! I surrender!"

Raditz's voice was hoarse, raw from his own screams. His body was battered, his armor cracked and dented, and his long, wild hair was matted with dust and sweat. He barely had the strength to stand before a brutal kick to his ribs sent him soaring into the air like a ragdoll.

A moment later, another kick from the opposite direction sent him flying right back.

Like a ball in a deadly game of catch.

And his tormentors?

None other than Goku and his son, Gohan.

They had intercepted his pod, destroyed his scouter, and now they were teaching him the consequences of messing with Earth.

Naruto raised an eyebrow as he observed Gohan. The young Saiyan's face was twisted in anger, his small fists trembling as he rushed at Raditz once more.

A powerful uppercut sent Raditz tumbling into the air.

Before the older Saiyan could regain control, Gohan appeared above him, hands glowing with energy.

"You called my dad an idiot!" Gohan roared, his aura flaring wildly. "Take this!"

With a furious Kamehameha, he blasted Raditz into the mountainside, shaking the entire area with the explosion.

Naruto whistled, thoroughly impressed. "Kid's got a temper. I like it."

Goku, on the other hand, scratched the back of his head. "Maybe we overdid it a little…"

Raditz groaned, barely conscious, his body half-buried in the rubble. His vision blurred, his pride shattered, and his confidence nonexistent.

"This… this can't be happening…"

He had come to Earth expecting an easy mission.

Instead, he had been beaten, humiliated, and tossed around like garbage.

His younger brother—whom he thought would be weak—was stronger than him. His nephew—a mere child—was a terrifying little monster.

And the blond man watching everything like it was entertainment?

Raditz didn't know who he was, but something about him terrified the Saiyan.

As he drifted into unconsciousness, one final thought crossed Raditz's mind.

"…Vegeta and Nappa need to see this…"

"AAAAH!"

Raditz bolted upright, sweat pouring down his face, his heart pounding against his ribs like a drum of war. His breath came in ragged gasps, his body trembling as his mind replayed the horrors he had endured.

"Thank God… It was just a dream…" he muttered, his voice fragile and broken. He had just witnessed a nightmare, a vision of absolute despair, where he had been reduced to nothing but a plaything for his younger brother and his son.

But then…

"What was a dream?"

A voice—cheerful, friendly… and terrifying.

Raditz froze, his blood running ice-cold. He felt as if he had been pushed off the cliff of hope and straight into an abyss of despair.

Slowly, as if moving too fast would confirm his worst fears, he turned his head.

There he was.

Son Goku.

Standing at his bedside, arms crossed, smiling as if everything was normal.

Raditz swallowed hard, his body betraying him with an involuntary shudder.

"This isn't real," he whispered. "This can't be real."

But it was.

Everything came flooding back—the pain, the humiliation, the sheer terror. He clenched his fists, fighting the urge to scream again.

Goku, noticing Raditz's reaction, sighed and sat down beside him.

"Relax, I will not hurt you." His voice was cheerful, lighthearted—like a friendly older brother. "You were an enemy, and we had to be cruel for many reasons."

Raditz barely heard the words; his mind was still reeling.

But the tone… It was almost like… mercy?

"R... Really?" Raditz croaked, his voice hoarse.

Goku nodded, smiling. "Yes, and you can join us to become strong. How about that?"

He held out his hand.

Raditz stared at it—hesitant, confused, wary.

Could he really trust this? Could he even consider rebelling?

His body gave him the answer.

Just the thought of fighting back sent Goosebumps crawling over his skin like spiders.

"I… can become strong…" The idea was tempting. But the memory of his helplessness crushed any thought of rebellion.

Raditz lowered his head, fists clenching. Even Nappa wouldn't stand a chance against them. But Prince Vegeta… surely he was stronger… right?

He sighed. "Fine… I'll join you."

But just as a sliver of hope crept into his heart—

He saw him.

Standing by the door.

Son Gohan.

The boy's dark eyes locked onto his, devoid of warmth.

Raditz felt his soul leave his body.

His muscles locked up, his throat dried, and his entire being screamed at him to RUN.

The only problem?

His body refused to move.

This wasn't just fear.

This was primal terror.

This child…

He is death incarnate.

Gohan didn't blink, didn't smile—just stared.

Raditz knew exactly why.

Because Raditz had made the mistake of insulting Goku.

And Gohan had made him pay.

Goku, oblivious to the tension, turned to Naruto. "Master, could you lead us to stronger foes?"

Naruto grinned, stepping into the room like a silent wraith. His presence made the air heavy, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement.

"Of course… but let's ask for Gohan's opinion first."

All eyes turned to the young Saiyan.

Gohan crossed his arms, his expression serious. "I think we should strengthen ourselves through the game first."

Naruto nodded, intrigued. "Explain your reasoning."

Gohan stood firm, his voice confident. "Master, is it possible to just let us fight enemies directly?"

Naruto smirked. "You're worried about the strength of this world?"

Gohan nodded. "Yes. Except for a few individuals and those with special techniques, there aren't many who can push us. It's better if we choose our fights wisely."

Naruto closed his eyes, considering. "If that is your wish, then I will allow it. But… take some time to travel and learn real-life skills in both the game world and your own. Interact, observe, and learn."

Goku nodded, his usual grin returning. "That sounds fun!"

Raditz remained silent.

Then, Naruto's gaze locked onto him.

"And what about you, little lamb?"

The words sent a chill down Raditz's spine.

His entire world seemed to expand and contract under Naruto's gaze.

The weight of reality crashed down upon him.

There was no denying it anymore.

Raditz was no longer in control of his destiny.

His world had changed.

And he had no choice but to accept it.

Wang Lin's eyes shot open, his entire being trembling as if struck by lightning.

The pain—unbearable, suffocating, consuming—had reached its peak. His soul felt like it had been torn apart, his body on the verge of collapse. Any ordinary person would have succumbed.

But Wang Lin endured.

His will was like iron, his determination unshakable.

And then—

BOOM!

A surge of power erupted from within, shattering the invisible chains that had bound him.

Like a dam breaking under an unrelenting flood, pure, untainted energy surged through his veins, illuminating every corner of his being.

The darkness that once threatened to drown him? Gone.

Replaced by a tsunami of joy, hope, and unfiltered power.

It was exhilarating, intoxicating—unreal.

He couldn't contain it.

"YES!"

The cry tore from his throat, raw and unfiltered, as he clutched his fists, reveling in the sheer, overwhelming strength now coursing through him.

Wang Lin could barely hold himself back.

He needed to test this newfound strength.

Without hesitation, he rushed out of his house, his feet barely touching the ground. He made his way to the outskirts of the village, his heart pounding with anticipation.

"Let's see what I can do!"

Taking a deep breath, he bent his knees and leapt with full force.

WHOOSH!

The air roared past him as he soared twenty meters into the sky, his body weightless, his senses heightened.

"Unbelievable!"

Gravity pulled him back down, but he was ready.

His fist clenched, his body coiling with power.

BOOM!

His punch landed—and the earth shattered beneath him.

A massive crater formed where he struck, sending shockwaves through the land.

Wang Lin stared at his unscathed hand, then at the destruction below.

"I… did that?"

A slow grin spread across his face.

He wasn't done yet.

With a burst of speed, he dashed toward the mountains, his feet barely touching the ground. The world blurred past him, the wind howling in his ears.

Kilometers passed in mere moments.

Finally, he skidded to a halt, dust swirling around him.

His breath was steady, his body buzzing with untapped energy.

This… was power.

And it was only the beginning.

Wang Lin clenched his fists.

He knew about cultivators—beings of immense strength who could shake mountains and split seas. But he had only just started, and he already had such power.

It was unheard of.

But he knew the answer.

"Master must have strengthened my Ki… and the training regime has done wonders."

Just then—

"Congrats, Lin."

A voice.

A familiar voice.

A voice filled with warmth, amusement, and pride.

Wang Lin turned instantly, his eyes lighting up. "Master!"

There stood Naruto Uzumaki, his golden eyes gleaming, his presence commanding yet welcoming.

Without thinking, Wang Lin rushed forward and hugged him tightly, a rare gesture from someone as reserved as him.

To him, Naruto was more than just a teacher.

He was family.

"Thank you, Master." His voice was filled with deep respect and gratitude.

Naruto chuckled, ruffling Wang Lin's hair. "No problem. And here—"

He raised his hand, a small scroll appearing in his palm.

"A gift for you."

Wang Lin took it with wide eyes, sensing the unique energy contained within.

"A skill that suits your dark element talent."

Wang Lin listened intently.

"It's called Shadow Paralysis."

Naruto smirked. "It's a skill from a friend's clan. Use it wisely, and don't let me down."

Wang Lin nodded fiercely, determination burning in his eyes.

"I will live up to Master's expectations… or die trying!"

Naruto's expression darkened slightly.

"No. That's not how it works."

His voice held a weight Wang Lin had never heard before.

Naruto placed a hand on his shoulder, his grip firm.

"It's better to live another day and try again than to die pointlessly."

Wang Lin froze, absorbing the words.

Naruto's gaze softened.

"Sometimes, you will have to bend the knee—not out of weakness, but for the good of your people and yourself."

He leaned in slightly, his voice lowering.

"Remember the disgrace, let it fuel your fire, and when the time is right—rise."

His eyes gleamed. "Then, and only then, let them know what they did wrong."

Wang Lin's hands clenched around the scroll.

"I… I understand."

He didn't. Not fully.

But he would.

Naruto studied him for a moment before stepping back.

He could see the fire in Wang Lin's eyes.

But there was still one more thing.

For a moment, he considered offering to accompany him—to protect him, to watch over him.

But he didn't.

Because he knew.

"This pain, this struggle—it will make you unbreakable later on."

Naruto took a deep breath. "Good luck, Lin."

He turned, his voice calm but firm.

"Train some more in the virtual world before setting out. I've added a pure combat option."

Wang Lin bowed deeply, his resolve hardened.

"I will follow Master's command."

As Naruto vanished into the wind, Wang Lin tightened his grip on the scroll.

The world was vast.

The path ahead was uncertain.

But one thing was clear.

He was ready.

And soon, the world would know his name.

Wang Lin had begun his journey.