Chapter 31: We Can Finally Fight Together, and a New Mission Appears!

"Is this what it feels like to have Saiyan blood?" Krillin muttered, clenching his fist tightly. A wave of raw energy surged through his body, filling him with strength unlike anything he had ever felt before. "It feels… incredible."

He flexed his arms, letting his aura ripple outward in faint golden waves. There was no discomfort, no rejection—his Earthling body had fully accepted the Saiyan bloodline. It was as if it had always been a part of him, just waiting to be awakened.

More importantly, his power had skyrocketed. The fusion of Saiyan blood didn't just give him a boost—it catapulted him beyond his previous limits. The increase in strength was even greater than the double-power bonus he'd received from the last hidden quest reward.

For the first time, Krillin truly understood why Goku and the other Saiyans loved fighting. The feeling of boundless strength, the intoxicating rush of battle potential—it all made sense now.

"No wonder so many of the Earth's fighters have slowly stepped back," Krillin whispered, glancing at the horizon as if seeing the battles of the past flash before him. "No wonder even Piccolo has been less involved lately."

Saiyan blood wasn't just strong—it was on a completely different level.

From a distance, Piccolo, Tien, and the others watched Krillin with mixed emotions. There was awe, pride—and a bit of envy.

"Krillin has Saiyan blood now," Piccolo said, folding his arms. "His future strength will just keep rising. He won't have to sit on the sidelines anymore."

Tien nodded solemnly. "Since the days of fighting Cell and Majin Buu, we've all been more like spectators than warriors."

"Yeah," Yamcha added. "Every time things get serious, it's always Goku, Vegeta, and the other Saiyans standing on the front lines. The rest of us… we do what we can, but we're usually just backup."

"But now Krillin's different," Piccolo continued. "He's got the potential to stand beside Goku again. Maybe not right away—but someday soon."

Even if Krillin's current strength hadn't yet caught up to Goku or Vegeta, the seed was planted. The potential was there.

Most people might think staying out of danger was a good thing—letting the strongest handle the threats, hiding behind Goku and the others. But to warriors like Krillin, Tien, Piccolo, and even Yamcha, it wasn't that simple.

They were fighters. They had trained together, fought side by side, bled and survived through war after war.

They didn't want to be protected.

They wanted to protect.

They had seen the burden that Goku carried on his shoulders each time a crisis loomed—Frieza, Cell, Buu, the androids, even threats from other universes. He had always stood at the center of it all, fighting with everything he had, often alone.

As his friends and brothers-in-arms, they couldn't stand the idea of watching Goku suffer and bleed without being able to help.

"I finally get to fight with you again, Goku!" Krillin shouted, eyes gleaming with excitement and emotion. "Not just support you—but stand with you!"

The others smiled. For Krillin, this was more than just power—it was redemption for the years he'd felt left behind.

He remembered the early days, back when he and Goku trained together under Master Roshi. There was a time when he had even been stronger than Goku. They had sparred, eaten together, laughed, and dreamed of becoming powerful martial artists.

But as time went on, as alien threats arrived and the battles became more and more cosmic, the difference between them grew vast.

From the arrival of Vegeta and Nappa, to the epic clash on Namek against Frieza, to the android crisis and the horror of Majin Buu—Krillin's role had grown smaller and smaller. Sometimes he was reduced to little more than moral support, watching his friends fight and die while he stood by helplessly.

Each time Goku was struck down, each time he was beaten bloody—Krillin's heart ached. He had wanted to help, to fight by his brother's side, but the gap had grown too wide.

But now…

Now that gap had closed.

No longer just a human. No longer just an Earthling martial artist.

Now, Krillin carried the fire of a Saiyan in his blood.

"Krillin," Goku said, walking up to him, "you've always fought with me, you know?"

Krillin smiled gently but shook his head. "Goku, you don't understand. I mean truly fight—with no limits. No holding back. That kind of fight."

Goku grinned. "Alright, alright."

Just then, Gohan chimed in, eyes wide with curiosity. "Uncle Krillin! If you have Saiyan blood now, can you transform into a Super Saiyan too?"

Krillin scratched his head. "That… might take some time."

Gohan tilted his head. "But it took me a while too. I guess it makes sense."

Vegeta smirked from the side. "I know a way to trigger the transformation faster."

Everyone turned to look at him.

"What is it?" Gohan asked.

Vegeta's eyes narrowed, shifting toward Android 18.

At first, he had intended to direct that look at Goku—his eternal rival. But then he remembered something important: he still couldn't beat Goku. So instead, he settled on provoking someone weaker—someone whose rage could be more easily provoked.

Krillin immediately understood what Vegeta was planning.

Of course. One of the fastest ways to unlock the Super Saiyan transformation was through rage—true, heart-wrenching fury. That level of emotion could shatter inner barriers and ignite the transformation.

Vegeta clearly intended to make Krillin angry by threatening Android 18—his wife.

Krillin tensed, stepping protectively in front of her.

"Vegeta, I know what you're thinking. But forget it. I'm not going to let you hurt her just to force a transformation."

Vegeta shrugged. "Suit yourself. In that case, you'll just have to figure it out on your own."

"Then that's what I'll do," Krillin replied with conviction. "I'll earn it. The right way."

The tension broke, and Goku chuckled. "You'll get there, Krillin. You always do."

As the atmosphere lightened, the group began preparing for their next steps. After all the chaos of recent battles and with Bulma's birthday party over, things had finally calmed down.

But everyone knew that peace in their world never lasted for long.

Krillin, more motivated than ever, resumed his training with renewed intensity. Every punch he threw, every kick he landed, was driven by the desire to grow stronger—to stand beside Goku, to protect his family, and to never again feel helpless.

Elsewhere, Tien and Yamcha were also beginning to train again, inspired by Krillin's breakthrough.

Even Piccolo was back at it, meditating atop a tall plateau with his arms folded and eyes closed.

Everyone was waiting.

Waiting for the next threat to emerge.

Waiting for the next mission to arrive.

And then…

Ding!

A soft mechanical sound echoed in Krillin's mind.

> "New Thug Mission Detected. Would you like to accept it?"

His eyes widened. A mission?

He had been waiting for this.

With his heart racing and a determined grin forming on his face, Krillin whispered, "Yes."

It was time to put his new strength to the test.

And this time, he wasn't just a backup fighter.

He was a warrior reborn.

He was Krillin the Saiyan.

And his story was just beginning.

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