The Calm Before the Storm

Leaving the Lookout

Piccolo demands to know why Goku refuses the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. Goku explains the environment is too harsh on the body and that rest would serve him better. Vegeta interprets this as an admission of weakness. Goku dismisses the notion, calling excessive strain pointless torture rather than training, but offers the remaining hours to the others. When Vegeta bristles at the implication that Goku's power surpasses his, Goku confirms it plainly. Vegeta takes visible offense. Goku bids everyone good luck and flies off with Gohan toward Earth's surface.

Korin's Assessment

On the way down, father and son stop at Korin Tower. Yajirobe immediately declares he wants nothing to do with the tournament. Korin observes that Goku seems remarkably calm for someone facing such a threat and speculates he discovered something valuable inside the Time Chamber. Goku laughs it off without confirming or denying. He asks Korin to compare Cell's power level to his own and begins raising his ki. The surge nearly tears the tower apart, forcing Korin to yell for him to stop. Goku reveals that what he showed was roughly half his full power. Korin is astonished but, after consideration, judges Cell to be slightly stronger still. Gohan is stunned. Goku nods, confirming his own estimate matched the reading. He thanks Korin and teleports away with Gohan.

Vegeta's Frustration

On the Lookout, Tien wonders whether Goku and Gohan were truly Super Saiyans given how natural they appeared. Vegeta deduces the strategy: staying accustomed to Super Saiyan at all times pushes battle power higher while minimizing bodily strain. He senses Goku's surge from the tower and seethes, lamenting that every time he catches up, Goku widens the gap again. He barks at Piccolo to hurry into the chamber.

Goku and Gohan teleport to Kame House and collect Chi-Chi. Goku outlines the plan: three days of rest, three of training, then three more of rest. Chi-Chi screams when she sees Gohan's golden hair, convinced he has become a delinquent.