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Chapter 73 - Learning

The Frieza Saga unfolded as it did in the original timeline. Goku and the others arrived on Namek, fought against Frieza's forces, and eventually confronted Frieza himself. Earth remained unaware of the intense battles taking place lightyears away until a sudden disturbance shook the planet.

The disturbance was subtle at first—a massive energy surge detectable only by those sensitive to ki. Bulma noticed it on her monitors first, frowning at the readings. Panchy felt it too, a strange heaviness in the air.

On Namek, the battles raged. Goku faced off against Frieza, the tyrant'ing power growing more terrifying with each transformation.

The energy readings on Bulma's monitor spiked violently, then plummeted. She stared at the screen, face going pale. "What the hell..." she whispered. Panchy noticed her reaction and tensed. "What is it? What happened?" Bulma couldn't answer, her eyes glued to the erratic data. Somewhere on Namek, Frieza had reached his final form.

Back on Earth, the atmosphere grew thicker with tension. Panchy paced anxiously while Bulma frantically worked her equipment, trying to decipher the chaotic energy readings. Suddenly, a massive shockwave rippled through space-time itself—a clear sign that something catastrophic had occurred on Namek.

The events unfolded exactly as they did in the original timeline. Goku's Super Saiyan transformation, the destruction of Namek, and the eventual return of the survivors to Earth. Vegeta arrived first, his pride wounded but alive. Then came Krillin and Gohan, exhausted but relieved.

Finally, Goku materialized on Earth, his body battered and barely conscious. Panchy and Bulma rushed to his side, tears streaming down their faces. Max stood back, allowing them to tend to Goku but keeping a vigilant guard over their reunion. The Frieza Saga was over...

Recovery took time, especially for Goku who had pushed his body to its limits. The group shared stories of their adventure, the atmosphere slowly shifting from relief to celebration. But one thing was clear - the universe was more dangerous than ever.

Max went to goku. "Goku can you take me to king Kai."

Goku looked up from his bowl of ramen, raising an eyebrow at Max's sudden request. "King Kai's planet? Why do you wanna go there?" He asked curiously, setting his chopsticks down. The others fell silent, listening intently.

"I want to learn the sprite bomb and kaio-ken."

Goku grinned widely, impressed. "You wanna learn Sprite Bomb and Kaio-ken? Those are pretty advanced techniques. King Kai's gonna love you, you know that?" He chuckled and stood up, his injuries completely healed thanks to Earth's peaceful atmosphere. "Let's go then."

"Bulma, pancy I'm going to get stronger are you okay with me going?"

Bulma and Panchy exchanged a look, both understanding that this was important to Max. "Of course we're okay with it," Bulma said softly. "You're not asking permission really, are you?" Panchy nodded in agreement. "Go learn those techniques. Become stronger." Goku grinned.

"Just be careful okay?" Panchy whispered, her eyes glistening slightly. She pressed a quick kiss to Max's cheek before stepping back. Bulma nodded. "Don't get yourself killed. You're my house guest now."

Goku placed his hand on Max's shoulder. "Alright, hold still. This might feel a little weird."

With a flash of light, Goku teleported Max and himself to the Snake Way, the long and treacherous path leading to King Kai's planet. The landscape was barren and desolate, with only a few scattered rocks and boulders dotting the sandy terrain. A massive snake slithered by in the distance.

Goku's hand glowed briefly with ki as he used his Instant Transmission technique The sudden shift in gravity and atmosphere made Max stumble briefly, Snake Way, the long and treacherous path leading to King Kai's planet. The landscape was barren and desolate, with only a few scattered rocks and boulders dotting the sandy terrain. A massive snake slithered by in the distance.

The run was grueling and seemingly endless. The heat was intense, and the sandy terrain made each step a struggle. Max pushed himself, drawing on his inner reserves of strength and determination. As he ran, he couldn't help but marvel at Goku's incredible speed and agility.

Max's eyes widened at the sight of the elaborate palace. The structure was stunning, featuring towering spires, ornate balconies, and glistening marble floors. The architecture was completely foreign, with flowing curves and intricate designs.

"What the hell is this?" he muttered, a slight frown creasing his brow. "This can't be part of King Kai's kingdom."

Max's eyes widened at the stunning appearance of the snake princess. Her turquoise skin shimmered in the sunlight, and her messy, curly orange hair framed her face perfectly. The purple earrings and high-heeled pumps added a touch of elegance to her regal attire.

The snake princess's eyes locked onto Max, and a captivating smile spread across her face. She descended the palace steps, her servants following closely behind. "Well, well, well," she purred, her voice like a sweet melody. "What do we have here? A strong, handsome traveler."

"Hi my name is Max."

"Max, how delightful," the snake princess cooed, her purple-gloved hand reaching out to gently grasp Max's arm. "You're so far from home, aren't you? Why don't you come inside my palace and rest?" Her servants bowed low, their eyes never meeting Max's.

"Okay."

The palace interior was even more opulent than the exterior, with gold-plated furniture, crystal chandeliers, and walls adorned with precious gems. The snake princess led Max to a lavish room, filled with soft cushions and silk drapes. "Make yourself comfortable," she purred.

As Max made himself comfortable on the luxurious couch, the snake princess appeared with a tray of exotic fruits and sparkling juices. "My palace offers luxurious hospitality to all my guests," she smiled smoothly. But underneath her friendly demeanor, something calculating was going on. She watched him carefully, studying his every move with hidden interest.

Over the next few hours, the snake princess plied Max with delicious food and engaging conversation. She laughed at his jokes, complimented his strength, and subtly touched his arm or hand whenever she could. As night fell, she offered him a private room to sleep in, her voice dripping with suggestion.

In the middle of the night, Max was jolted awake by a strange sensation. He opened his eyes to find the snake princess standing beside his bed, her dress slightly askew and her eyes gleaming with desire. "Max," she whispered, reaching out to touch his chest.

"You're so strong and handsome," she breathed, her voice husky with desire. "I can't help but be drawn to you." She slowly climbed onto the bed, crawling towards him like a snake. "Why don't you stay here with me forever? I'll give you anything you want."

"How about you come with me."

The snake princess paused, her expression turning thoughtful. "Come with you?" She repeated, her voice losing some of its sensual tone. "And leave my palace?" She seemed to consider this for a moment before her expression brightened. "Yes! I'll come with you." She beamed mischievously.

In the morning, Max and the snake princess set out together. She had packed a small bag with essentials and was chatting animatedly about their journey. Her demeanor was friendly and excited, but Max couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

The snake princess squealed in surprise as Max suddenly lifted her off the ground. "My goodness!" she giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck. With a brief moment of tension, they arrived on King Kai's planet. King Kai stared at the duo, eyes bulging at the sight of the beautiful turquoise snake princess. "Max! You brought... a SNAKE PRINCESS?"

"Yes way is that a problem."

"A problem?" King Kai exclaimed, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. "She's a snake princess, Max! They're known for their deceitful nature and their ability to create illusions." The snake princess simply smiled innocently, her arms tightening around Max's neck possessively.

"Wait how do you knew my na- goku told you didn't he."

King Kai's expression darkened. "Yes, Goku mentioned you. He also warned me about snake princesses like her." He turned to the snake princess, his voice stern. "And you, what are your intentions with Max?"

The snake princess placed her head on Max's shoulder, her turquoise skin shimmering. "My intentions are pure," she purred, though her eyes flickered with hidden calculation. "I simply fell in love with this strong, handsome man and wanted to bring him back to my palace." King Kai grumbled. "That's exactly what they say before they trap you in illusions!"

"Look I'm here to learn the sprite bomb and kaio-ken will you teach me."

King Kai's expression immediately shifted from suspicion to pride at Max's question. "Of course I'll teach you! But-" He pointed a finger at the snake princess. "-she stays outside during training. I don't trust snake princesses around my secret techniques."

"Is that okay with you."

The snake princess's smile tightened briefly before she forced a cheerful expression. "Of course! I'll just wait outside and admire the view." As Max followed King Kai to the training area, she watched them go, her friendly expression melting into a calculating scowl the moment they were out of sight.

*Meanwhile, during training* King Kai was pushing Max hard, teaching him advanced techniques. "Remember, Max," King Kai panted, "the Kaio-ken multiplies your power but also your strain. Use it wisely." As Max practiced, King Kai's eyebrows furrowed suddenly.

"Something's wrong," King Kai muttered. His gaze shifted toward the palace. "I can sense it. She's not waiting patiently." He looked at Max with a warning expression. "Don't look back. Whatever she does, just focus on your training." *Meanwhile, outside* the snake princess was sitting quietly, pretending to wait.

King Kai continued his training, teaching Max the intricate details of the Sprite Bomb. "You need perfect ki control for this," he explained. "One wrong move and it could consume you." Meanwhile, outside, the snake princess's friendly facade was completely gone. She was muttering to herself, her eyes fixed on the palace. She touched her Dream Mirror, her fingers trembling.

The snake princess used her Dream Mirror, peeking at Max's mind, hoping to see something she could use against him. She expected to see his family, his loves, anything she could manipulate. But instead, she saw absolutely nothing. No connections, no weaknesses, no loves. The image was clear and focused.

"He's just... there," she muttered, bewildered.

Inside the training room, King Kai was impressed by Max's progress. "You're a natural at this!" he exclaimed. "Most students take weeks to grasp the basics of the Kaio-ken, but you're picking it up instantly." Suddenly, he froze, sensing something outside.

King Kai's eyes widened. "She's not waiting. She's..." He cut himself off, focusing on Max. "Finish your training. I'll deal with her." Meanwhile, outside, the snake princess stood up abruptly, her friendly demeanor completely gone. She approached the palace gates, her eyes glinting with frustration. No weaknesses? No loves?

The snake princess paced angrily, her claws clicking against the marble floor. "How can a man have NO weaknesses?" she hissed to herself. She thought about her previous targets - Goku had Chi-Chi, King Yemma had his duties. Everyone had someone. But Max... his mind was a complete blank. She looked at her Dream Mirror, trying again, harder this time.

"Can you stop trying to read my mind."

The snake princess froze, caught completely off guard. Her face flushed with embarrassment and her turqoise skin seemed to darken. "I-I wasn't—" She stammered, clutching her Dream Mirror like a hidden weapon.

Outside, King Kai burst out laughing. "He caught you! Classic!" Max walked out of the training area calmly, having sensed her attempts throughout the session.

He kissed her.The snake princess gasped, caught completely off guard as Max's strong arms wrapped around her waist and his lips met hers in a sudden, passionate kiss. Her Dream Mirror fell forgotten to the floor, her hands gripping his shoulders tightly. For a moment, she kissed back without hesitation, lost in the moment.

The snake princess's eyes fluttered open as the kiss ended, her breathing shallow. She stared up at Max, her face flushed and her heart pounding. For the first time since their meeting, she seemed genuinely speechless. Her tail curled possessively around Max's leg, a clear sign of her affection.

"Promise me no more mirror."

The snake princess looked down at her Dream Mirror lying on the ground, then back up at Max. Slowly, she picked it up and snapped it in half, tossing the pieces aside. "No more mirror," she promised softly, her voice lacking its usual manipulation.

King Kai watched the scene from a distance, his mouth slightly agape. He had never seen a snake princess so... domesticated. He cleared his throat loudly, breaking the intimate moment between Max and the snake princess.

The snake princess jumped slightly at the sound of King Kai's voice, quickly uncurling her tail from Max's leg. She turned to face King Kai, her cheeks still slightly flushed but her expression composure returning. "King Kai," she nodded respectfully, her voice steady once more.

King Kai smirked, shaking his head slightly. He couldn't believe what he had just witnessed. The mighty snake princess, reduced to a blushing maiden by a simple kiss. He turned to Max, his expression serious. "Max, a word," he said, gesturing for Max to come closer.

Max walked over to King Kai, his expression calm and unreadable. King Kai leaned in closer, lowering his voice. "You've charmed the most dangerous creature in the afterlife," he whispered. "But remember, she's a princess. She's used to getting her way."

"I know."

King Kai nodded approvingly at Max's confident response. He clapped a hand on Max's shoulder. "Good. Just... keep an eye on her. She might act all lovey-dovey now, but snake princesses have a way of twisting things to their advantage."

The snake princess watched the quiet conversations between King Kai and Max with a hint of annoyance. She crossed her arms under her chest, her turquoise skin shimmering slightly. As soon as King Kai finished talking, she slithered over, wrapping her arm possessively around Max's waist.

"Where can we sleep."

King Kai chuckled at Max's straightforward question. "Follow me," he said, leading the way towards a luxurious-looking suite. The room was large and spacious, with a massive four-poster bed in the center. The snake princess purred softly, her tail wrapping around Max's leg possessively.

*King Kai smirked, noticing the snake princess's possessive behavior. He leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms.* "I trust you'll be... comfortable here," he said, his tone laced with amusment. "The bed's large enough for... whatever activities you prefer."

The snake princess's cheeks darkened at King Kai's implication, but she didn't deny anything. Instead, she tightened her grip on Max's waist, pulling him closer. As soon as King Kai closed the door, she spun around, pressing Max against the bed. "Finally alone,"

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