"Cooler?" At the mention of Cooler, Talot tensed.
Salari and Raditz, who were nearby, both froze in surprise.
Now that they thought back, nearly two years had passed since that battle.
Yet even so, the memory of that battle remained vivid in all three of their minds.
"Yes, if we trace it back, this all started after your battle with Cooler. It seems he took an interest in your Instant Transmission ability. Since then, he's remained in the North Area, secretly investigating and searching. Just recently, his men captured a Yardratian, and Cooler learned about Instant Transmission. Now, he's set his sights on Planet Yardrat."
As North Kai mentioned that Cooler was targeting Planet Yardrat, Talot's expression changed multiple times, and a cold gleam flashed in his eyes.
The Grand Elder Pybara and Chief Pybama of Planet Yardrat had treated them well. Now that Planet Yardrat was about to suffer an invasion from Cooler, there was no way he could sit by and do nothing.
Thinking back to the original work, where Cooler also learned Instant Transmission, even though it had nothing to do with him, now it has something to do with him.
"Hmph! I thought we wouldn't run into each other for a while after that battle. Looks like I have no choice but to act. Lord North Kai, when exactly will Cooler arrive at Planet Yardrat?" Talot's eyes flickered. For him, if Cooler truly intended to invade Yardrat, then this battle was inevitable.
Over the past two years, his strength had steadily increased. With his current power, unless Cooler had also made a dramatic leap, he wouldn't be a match for him.
"Based on the speed of his spaceship, he'll probably arrive at Planet Yardrat in about half a month," North Kai said after a moment of contemplation.
"Half a month… that's enough!" Upon learning the exact timing, Talot clenched his fists tightly.
Half a month, neither too long nor too short, was just right.
This will be perfect for his training, allowing his body to return to its peak combat condition. Then, he can absorb the Tree of Might's fruit.
"Brother Talot, have you really decided to fight Cooler?" Salari asked, with a trace of worry in her voice.
After all, Cooler's power level exceeded 400 million, an insurmountable barrier for them.
"Yeah." Talot nodded.
Raditz, standing nearby, clenched his fists. "Only half a month… but I'll do everything I can to break through and become a Super Saiyan!"
"You don't all need to be so anxious. Haste makes waste. Besides, I plan to go alone for this battle," Talot said.
"Alone?" Salari exclaimed.
"But…" Raditz had something to say but knew that even if they went, they wouldn't be of any help, just a burden.
Without Super Saiyan, and without power level breaking past 100 million, they were still insects!
The room fell silent, then North Kai suddenly spoke again: "Talot, I must remind you, Cooler's strength has likely increased since your last battle. Are you confident you can defeat him?"
Cooler had become even stronger.
Salari and Raditz's expressions changed dramatically. This was not good news, it meant they were even further behind.
Upon hearing this, a knowing look appeared on Talot's face.
As an absolute powerhouse, once someone like him senses a threat to his position, they would inevitably improve themselves to some degree.
Even if the increase wasn't enormous, it would definitely surpass his previous strength.
The only question now was, what level had Cooler's power level reached?
After all, in the original work, Frieza, after being resurrected in the Super era, underwent only four months of training. Yet not only did he achieve his golden transformation, his power rivaled Super Saiyan Blue.
Talot didn't think Cooler's strength have reached such a level, otherwise, it would be beyond absurd.
After all, Frieza's transformation in the Super era was also the result of accumulation over time, filled with countless details and internal factors.
Cooler had always thought Talot was dead, so even if his power had improved, it was likely just due to the mental stimulus from that encounter, not through actual training.
There's a saying, for a universal emperor-level being, being told to train is an insult to their belief in their own invincibility.
"No matter how much his strength has increased, things are different now. In half a month, I'll be even stronger," Talot said.
After such a long period of accumulation, it was time for an explosive breakthrough.
Besides, having mastered the combined powers of Super Saiyan and Great Ape, he was no longer the same as before.
"Just as I expected. For you, this matter will only serve as a trial. What I can tell you is that after transforming, Cooler's power level should exceed 500 million," North Kai said.
He had always been very satisfied with this disciple, especially since Talot had always faced hardship head-on.
"Hmph. Back then, I hadn't even achieved the Super Saiyan transformation, yet I dared to fight Cooler. If I were to fear him now, that would be truly unacceptable." Talot replied with a laugh.
Then he looked toward Raditz and Salari.
"Next, it's time to absorb the Tree of Might's fruits. Once we're done absorbing, you two can attempt your breakthroughs." Taking out the Tree of Might's fruits, Talot distributed them to Salari and Raditz.
They ate the fruit one by one, rather than just dividing them up, because the Tree of Might had already withered. Once the fruit was exposed to the air, its energy would quickly dissipate.
North Kai swallowed hard, clearly tempted.
The Tree of Might's fruit not only had a terrifying enhancement effect, it was also incredibly delicious.
Of course, no matter how effective it was, he didn't ask for any more. After all, these were the key to his disciples' breakthroughs.
One point worth mentioning was that after eating two Tree of Might's fruits, North Kai had clearly become far, far stronger.
To Talot, it didn't feel like North Kai had gained new strength, but rather that his original power had been partially restored.
...
And so, the phase of absorption, training, and breakthrough began.
The half month passed swiftly.
Not only Talot, but Salari and Raditz each consumed twenty Tree of Might's fruits.
Though the effects diminished over time, the improvement was still significant.
Salari and Raditz both broke through power level of over 2 million.
Salari reached 2.4 million, and Raditz reached 2.5 million.
With the help of the fruit, Talot's power level also climbed to 4.8 million. Now, he was undergoing his final breakthrough. Once completed, his power level might break through the 5 million mark.
In the hands of Talot, Salari, and Raditz, the fruit had been well used. If Turles had eaten them instead, it would have been a complete waste!
Not only would the power gained not be retained, but the fruits' enhancement will be nothing more than a temporary boost.
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