Dragon Ball: Mori's tales

The wedding was a beautiful and joyous occasion. Friends and loved ones gathered to celebrate the union of Goku and Chi-Chi, the once-tomboyish princess of Fire Mountain. After years of training, battles, and countless adventures, Goku finally found himself in an entirely new chapter of life. Laughter echoed through the venue as Goku stood next to Chi-Chi, both beaming with happiness. His friends—Krillin, Bulma, Yamcha, Tien, and even Master Roshi—cheered as the ceremony concluded.

As the festivities began to wind down and Goku mingled with his friends, Kami approached him quietly. Just before the wedding, Kami had attempted to seal Piccolo once and for all. Goku, however, had stopped him, refusing to let Kami end Piccolo's life. Goku believed that Piccolo deserved a chance at redemption, much like how the old Demon King's path had come to a close through their battle. Kami, with a somber expression, respected Goku's decision. He knew there was wisdom in the young warrior's compassion, even if it was risky.

As the night drew to a close, Mori approached Goku, his face thoughtful and serious. It was time for him to say goodbye, as he had always preferred to walk his own path, free from the burdens of destiny that seemed to follow Goku. Standing a short distance from the rest of the group, Mori caught Goku's attention, motioning for him to join him away from the others.

Mori took a deep breath, his voice quiet but laced with something deeper. "Goku, those three—no, four—years we spent training together… they really made me see you as more than just a friend. I see you as a brother."

Goku smiled warmly at him, his usual carefree demeanor shining through. "Yeah, Mori, you're my brother too. But… you seem troubled. What's on your mind?"

Mori chuckled a bit, shaking his head. "It's not about who you are, Goku. It's about *what* you are." His tone was serious now. "You have a tail, you have extraordinary strength that no human can match… not without years of intense training. I've been thinking about it a lot, especially after these last two Earth-threatening battles we had. Both Demon King Piccolo and his offspring were powerful, but they claimed to be 'demons,' something beyond what we humans are capable of. We spent years training, pushing ourselves to the absolute limit just to stand a chance against them."

Goku's confusion deepened as he listened. "What do you mean, Mori?"

Mori's voice grew louder, the tension rising between them as he continued. "Look at you, Goku! You train for a year, and you become leagues stronger than your old self. I had to train day and night just to keep up with you, even when you slept! I pushed myself beyond my limits just to make sure I could stand next to you. And what's worse? Even then… I barely managed to surpass you."

The people nearby—Krillin, Bulma, Tien, and the others—noticed the shift in Mori's tone. They exchanged worried glances as the tension between the two warriors began to draw their attention.

Mori clenched his fists, taking a step closer to Goku. "You're not human, Goku. So tell me—what are you, really?"

Goku's eyes widened. He didn't know what to say. He had never thought about it, never questioned his nature. "I'm… I'm just me. I'm Son Goku," he said, trying to defuse the situation with a smile.

Mori shook his head, growing more frustrated. "No! That's not what I'm asking! You can't be human. You eat a massive meal, take a nap, and wake up stronger than ever. That's not normal. And… be honest with me, Goku," Mori's voice dropped, filled with a mixture of anger and pain. "You let me win that fight in the tournament earlier, didn't you? I never actually surpassed you, did I?"

Goku's smile faded, and he looked down, guilt washing over his features. He knew he couldn't lie to Mori. Slowly, he nodded.

Mori's face twisted with frustration and disappointment. His hair fell over his eyes, casting a shadow across his face. Without warning, he threw a punch at Goku's face, raw anger fueling the strike. Goku raised his arm just in time, blocking the attack with a loud thud.

"Mori!" Goku exclaimed, surprised by the sudden aggression.

The others saw what was happening and rushed toward them. "Wait, what's going on?!" Bulma shouted.

Krillin and Tien sprinted forward to stop them, but Mori's ki exploded outward, sending everyone flying back with the sheer force of his energy. Yamcha, Launch, and even Kami were pushed back by the surge.

Mori glared at Goku, his eyes filled with fury. "Fight me, Goku! Show me the truth!"

Goku narrowed his eyes. He didn't want to fight his friend, but Mori's intensity left him no choice. The ground beneath them cracked as their energies collided. Goku rushed forward with incredible speed, delivering a series of fast punches aimed at Mori's chest. Mori dodged the first few strikes but took a hard hit to the side of his ribs, gritting his teeth as the impact sent a shock through his body.

Mori retaliated with a flurry of kicks, each one swift and precise, forcing Goku to leap back. Goku countered by powering up, his aura surging as he charged at Mori with a powerful right hook. Mori blocked the attack, but the force of it sent him skidding back across the ground, his heels digging into the dirt.

The crowd watched in stunned silence as the two warriors clashed. Ki blasts flew through the air, creating explosions of energy that shook the earth. Each time Mori seemed to gain the upper hand, Goku would effortlessly counter with even greater power. Mori's frustration grew, his attacks becoming more desperate.

"Damn it!" Mori roared, launching himself at Goku with everything he had. He threw a powerful punch aimed at Goku's face, but Goku easily caught his fist, holding him in place.

"You've gotten really strong, Mori," Goku said, his voice calm despite the chaos around them. "But this isn't the way."

Mori's eyes burned with anger. "Then what is the way, Goku?! Tell me! How can I keep up with you when you're not even like the rest of us?"

With a shout, Mori broke free of Goku's grip and powered up to his maximum, his aura raging around him like a storm. He charged at Goku with everything he had left, but Goku calmly sidestepped the attack, delivering a swift punch to Mori's gut. The impact knocked the wind out of Mori, sending him crashing to the ground.

Mori struggled to get up, his body battered and bruised. He pounded his fist against the earth in frustration. "Damn it! Damn it!" he shouted. "You're not human… You're something else."

Goku stood over Mori, offering him a hand. "I don't know what I am, Mori. But you're strong. Stronger than most people I've ever met."

Mori looked up at Goku, panting heavily. "If you're not human, then there's no telling how strong the beings out there are… beings beyond Earth. I need to get stronger, Goku. I need to surpass everything that's out there."

Goku nodded, understanding the fire burning inside his friend. Mori stood up, his breath heavy, and wiped the blood from his mouth. "I will conquer the damn stars. I'll find out what else is out there, and I'll surpass it. I *have* to. It's my destiny."

Five long minutes passed as Mori stood in silence, calming his breathing. Finally, he approached Goku, his anger subsiding but his resolve stronger than ever. He extended his hand, and Goku took it.

"Next time we fight, Goku, I won't lose," Mori said, a determined glint in his eye.

Goku smiled, pulling Mori into a tight hug. "I'll be waiting."

With that, Mori turned and flew off into the night sky, leaving the Earth behind as he set his sights on the stars. The crowd watched in silence as his figure disappeared into the horizon.

And so, the chapter closed, not with a wedding or celebration, but with a vow—to face whatever lay beyond the stars.