Dragonball Z: Becoming the brother of Goku

Are the Yardratians food lovers?

As Raditz found himself amidst the intriguing Yardrat culture, the sight of Master Rep's curious eyes left Raditz feeling somewhat helpless. "I only have two loaves of bread left," he sighed.

"Bread? What's that?" Rep couldn't contain his curiosity and eagerly extended his hand. "Well, no matter what it is, give me a taste. After all, you'll be cooking for me in the future."

The wise man was indeed wise, even orchestrating food arrangements for the future.

Raditz's mind was primarily focused on paying his 'tuition fee', so he sighed and retrieved the bread from his capsule, reluctantly parting with his precious ration.

Master Rep, upon receiving the bread, displayed an expression of satisfaction, finally revealing the demeanor of a true teacher. He positioned himself beside Raditz, his voice assertive. "Let the lesson begin. Firstly, the art of instant movement is intrinsically linked to the spirit. The stronger and purer your spirit, the more adept you'll become at employing instant movement. Thus, before we delve into its intricacies, it's imperative to strengthen and refine your spirit. The most effective method to accomplish this is through the 'Virtual Forest Maze.' You must navigate it until you successfully exit."

"The Virtual Forest Maze?" Raditz inquired.

"Precisely," responded Rep. "Within this labyrinth, every step demands an immense amount of mental energy and subjects you to formidable shocks. It's the ultimate training ground for enhancing your spirit. On average, it takes a year for individuals to traverse this maze. Remarkably, it took me only three months when I accomplished the feat, setting a Yardrat speed record."

Rep's tone was matter-of-fact, lacking any boastful undertones.

A year? Three months? Raditz thought, reflecting on how time-consuming the process was. It was no wonder why even someone as talented as Goku took a year to learn instant transmission from the Yardrats.

"Please, sit down, and we'll begin," Rep instructed.

Raditz complied, crossing his legs, preparing himself mentally for the challenge ahead. He could feel his mental energy being drawn towards the maze, as if a massive magnetic force was pulling it in all directions.

Currently stationed at the maze's center, Raditz faced eight different paths surrounding him. Among them, only one led to the correct exit, and this was compounded by the presence of various other deceptive pathways. It would be a daunting task to escape without dedicating substantial time.

Without hesitation, he selected a path and took his first step. His mental energy morphed into a spectral form, advancing down the chosen corridor. For the first five meters, he encountered no obstacles as the blue-tinged walls on either side emitted faint light, emanating distortions which attempted to disrupt his mental projection.

In the past, this level of interference would have incapacitated him. However, his rigorous training and subsequent transformation had bolstered his mental fortitude. The undulating ripples of illusion were like turbulent waves crashing against a sturdy rock, whereas his spirit remained the serene river, calmly resisting their tumultuous influence.

Focusing intently, Raditz pushed onward, his mental projection advancing ten meters further.

Rep, observing from the sidelines, was utterly astonished. "This is incredible! To traverse such a distance on your initial attempt!"

His mental presence pervaded every nook and cranny of the maze, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of the situation. However, even he hadn't anticipated that Raditz would easily cover more than fifteen meters in a single effort. In contrast, Rep's initial attempt had taken him only twenty meters before the maze's intense forces had forced him to retreat.

The tranquil yet chaotic atmosphere within the maze persisted. Despite its eeriness, Raditz persevered, pressing on while grappling with the maze's challenges.

At twenty-five meters, Rep was rendered virtually speechless.

He couldn't fathom how a Saiyan, an extraterrestrial visitor to Yardrat, could outperform native Yardrats on their home turf. To appreciate Raditz's remarkable feat, it was crucial to understand that Rep's initial attempt had been cut short at a mere twenty meters, beaten back by the maze's fierce counterforce.

Raditz sat down, bathed in sweat, panting heavily. He was drained, as if every ounce of energy had been siphoned from his body. His clothing clung to his skin, soaked in perspiration, and his thoughts seemed distant, as if echoing through a cavernous void.

"Master Rep, how did I do?" Raditz inquired between breaths.

Rep, still recovering from his astonishment, struggled to respond. "Well, it's... um... not bad, but not quite satisfactory. It's... well, average."

"Average? If I'd known, I would've given it my all!" Raditz exclaimed.

"Wait, you mean you weren't using your full strength?" Rep's eyes widened, his wrinkled face furrowing.

Raditz confirmed, "That's right. I wanted to conserve some energy, thinking I'd achieve better results later."

Rep, taken aback, let out an exclamation of surprise. He hadn't expected this response from Raditz. His throat cleared as he said, "I see. Very well, let's try it again."

Raditz felt compelled to push himself further. He was eager to discover the full extent of his capabilities, regardless of Rep's guidance. His first experience with summoning his strength had occurred during his battle with Bondlers, and it had tapped into his innate survival instincts, elevating his spirit to a higher level—this marked his second such occasion.

Closing his eyes, Raditz unleashed his immense mental energy, transforming it into a spectral form that surged forward along a chosen path. This time, the blue walls lining the corridor had no opportunity to launch their chaotic onslaught. His rapid advance saw him bypass the walls, which were unable to respond in time.

Rep, unable to find the words, watched in astonishment as Raditz's spiritual projection quickly branched off into three different directions, each path traversing a considerable distance within the maze.

Upon reaching the junction, Raditz paused and attempted to calculate his next move.