I'm working with an idiot

Max was glad they were working with him on this.

And the plan was simple.

Get stronger. Fight for dominance in the tournament. Make amends publicly so everyone sees Piccolo has turned over a new leaf. Then work with the others to break through their preconceived notions of being 'strong enough' for earths standards and bring them up to speed for the upcoming threats.

Yes... Simple.

But first Max had to deal with one issue.

The teen Goku who is 15... Is an idiot.

Oh not by book smarts... Well okay kinda in book smarts too. But in common knowledge.

Max brought this up to Kami and made sure Goku could have some more education for the future. Enough to where he can actually use his head more in a fight. But not enough to corrupt his innocence so he can still use the nimbus cloud.

The things Max endures for the sake of his budding friendships with the moron.

Needless to say Max was enjoying himself thoroughly in this world.

The strength he felt. The training he got. The feeling of satisfaction every time a blow landed on Goku and showed he was improving as they got faster week by week.

But he could do without one event.

After their first six months training together. Kami and Popo figured they could get a taste of the Room of spirit and time.

They went in... A year older Goku and Piccolo came out.

And Goku looked way more mature mentally.

Piccolo might have told him some health class basics while also helping Goku with his math, languages, history, and science subjects in their breaks between training in that room.

Goku now knew... The birds and the bees.

And man he was shocked to remember about Chichi and what she expects of him in a marriage.

Let's just say Max was able to give him a view on marriage that was about making it work, communication, and showing care and affection to your partner so they can feel you on their side. Goku took it all to heart

And Max was able to breathe a sigh of relief when Goku didn't turn into Roshi... But he still wanted to check out books about it for the sake of, "Training my marriage skills to have a big family!"

As Goku put it.

Let's just say Kami fainted after hearing that and Popo could help but chuckle hard.

Max was purple form embarrassment for that one.

But they did get stronger. Having a friend help each other train the full year makes a world of difference.

Max checked his PL number. And was pleased to see he had risen to a solid 650. That gravity in the hyperbolic time chamber is nuts! Just one year with their current power levels and they went to the point where they were twice as strong as they were in the beginning of Z!

But they had way more to go.

He endured another 6 months of training before approaching Kami who was coming back to the look out with the 7 dragon balls floating around him. He looked to Piccolo who now looked like your average 9 year old in size thanks to he time chamber accelerating his aging and goes, "You have your wish ready nephew?"

Max shakes his head and chuckles a bit, "Yeah I do. This will help out in the long run. For everyone we have on our team."

He walks to the dragonballs and does the chant. Shenron appears and roars out, "I AM THE ETERNAL DRAGON STATE YOUR WISH AND I WILL... WAIT... DIDN'T YOUR PREVIOUS VERSION KILL ME BEFORE? ARE WE DOING THIS AGAIN?!"

Max face faults while Kami chuckles and answers for him, "No shenron. This is a business we both agreed on. He won't do anything to you as he is very different to his predecessor. Go on."

Shenron nods and finishes his question.

Piccolo yells out, "Shenron! I wish for you to unlock the potential of every member of the Z fighters who fight to defend earth from otherworldly threats! Can you do so for spouses and children that come from the fighters as well?"

Shenron nods and yells out, "I CAN DO THIS EASILY. PLEASE THINK OF ALL OF YOUR ALLIES IN THE CURRENT Z FIGHTERS AND I WILL UNLOCK THEIR TRUE POTENTIAL."

With a quick mental list Shenron roars out as many lights escape his mouth and cascade around earth.

Tien and Chiaotsu who were meditating suddenly gasp as their bodies are enveloped in light and power up.

Yamcha suddenly goes form pulling a bus with difficulty. To suddenly pulling it as if it was a fully loaded cart instead of for weight.

Krillin who was unleashing a Kamehameha wave. Suddenly launched it as twice it's usually power.

And Chichi who was training with her dad suddenly feels her muscles tighten up with power as her chi unlocks and accidentally kicks her father through three walls of rebar reinforced concrete walls. He was okay but Chichi was now excited to grow stronger than before.

Goku suddenly shouts as his energy spikes hard and he grows stronger than before.

Max watches his body glow and emerge stronger than before as he feels his power skyrocket and sees his power level reach 1300 all of the sudden.

Shenron then says, "YOUR WISH HAS BEEN GRANTED. AND AS THE NEPHEW OF MY MASTER WHO IS MAKING AMENDS FOR HIS FATHER I GIFTED YOU YOUR WISH PLUS A LITTLE EXTRA FOR YOURSELF TO DEFEND THIS WORLD AND THESE PEOPLE FROM FUTURE EVIL. USE IT WELL YOUNG GUARDIAN! FAREWELL!"

Max went wide eyed as Shenron disappeared and went across the globe.

He flaxes his fists and his arms before expanding his senses to his ki. Inside it he sees the gift. A young tree that is flourishing within himself. A tree of life that will grant him power when needed to aid in his defense of the world it is tied to.

He grins as he activated the first level of it and turns yellow instead of of the namekians usual green.

Kami steps back in wonder as he feels a bit of true celestial ki come from his nephew. While Popo is grinning at the growth of the up and coming guardian.

Goku grins excitedly as he sees Piccolos strength skyrocket. Piccolo grins back and points at Goku with a vicious smirk promising a hard battle, "Hey Goku! Think you can take me now?!"

He goes into his stance and Goku gets into his own. Then Goku answers with a very Goku line. "I think so. And even if I can't I'll push myself to reach you and then reach beyond you! So don't think you'll be ahead of me forever!"

Piccolo grins as they rush each other and the punches fly.