Planet Namek.
"Enough! Quiet down!"
Before the Grand Elder could even speak, Nail stepped forward and silenced the noisy chatter of the gathered Namekians.
"Everyone, return to your own villages," the Grand Elder finally said once the crowd had gone still.
"Yes, Grand Elder!"
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The assembled Namekians dispersed instantly, leaving the area in silence once again.
"My young friend Gohan, I hope you weren't put off by the commotion," the Grand Elder said warmly.
"It's nothing," Son Gohan replied with a shrug.
In this world, fists were the truest measure of truth. The terrifying combat power Gohan had just displayed had completely won the Grand Elder's respect.
"If I may be blunt… with power like yours, why not simply kill Frieza and end the threat at its source?" the Grand Elder asked.
Gohan shook his head. "The enemy in front of me isn't necessarily the final enemy. The universe is evolving, the times are advancing. Right now, I could easily defeat Frieza, but in this vast cosmos there are countless beings stronger than him. I'm not yet their match. But if I make use of the time ahead, I'll grow strong enough to face and defeat every enemy that appears in the future."
"Stronger than Frieza? And even you can't defeat them? Countless such beings?" For the first time, the Grand Elder's calm expression cracked, his eyes widening in disbelief.
"Do I look like I'm joking?" Gohan asked flatly.
"…"
"Very well. I'll grant your request. Moori will take you to the various villages to collect the Dragon Balls so you can make whatever wish you desire. Piccolo will remain here, there is something I wish to discuss with him." The Grand Elder nodded in agreement.
"Then we have a deal, Grand Elder. As long as I'm here, Namek will be safe," Gohan replied, letting his Super Saiyan form fade as he returned to normal.
"By the way… I heard you have the ability to unlock someone's hidden potential. I wonder…" Gohan's eyes gleamed with interest.
But his current power level far exceeded the original timeline's Gohan, and he wasn't sure if the Grand Elder could even handle unlocking his potential.
"Gohan, the Grand Elder's life is already nearing its end. You're so strong now, I doubt he could do it," Nail interjected before the Grand Elder could speak.
"It's fine, Nail. I can try. As long as I don't push beyond my limits, it won't shorten my life. I'm curious to see just how much potential you truly have, young friend," the Grand Elder said, waving Gohan forward.
"Alright. If you can unlock it, great. If not, don't force it. Your life is vital to the existence of the Dragon Balls," Gohan said, striding toward him.
The Grand Elder lifted his massive hand and placed it gently atop Gohan's head.
"An endless well of potential… without limit… terrifying!" The moment the Grand Elder activated his ability, his face twisted in shock.
As his power worked, a fraction of Gohan's unfathomable potential surged forth.
Three million… three and a half… four million… five million!
"Haaah… that's as far as I can go!" In just a few seconds of using his ability, the Grand Elder was breathing heavily, his chest rising and falling like a bellows.
"About five million… multiplied fiftyfold by Super Saiyan, that's two hundred and fifty million. That should be enough for the events of the next few years," Gohan murmured to himself.
"Moori, take young Gohan to gather the Dragon Balls," the Grand Elder instructed once he'd regained a bit of strength.
"Yes, Grand Elder. Gohan, please follow me," Moori said, taking to the air. Gohan followed close behind.
"Piccolo, Nail, come here."
"Grand Elder," Nail said respectfully.
"Piccolo, when you return to Earth, you must fuse with your good half. That way, your body will be free of any flaws. If you do, the Namekian race may even see the birth of a Super Namekian. You have that potential. Nail, whether I live or die, if Namek ever faces a crisis in the future and Piccolo comes seeking fusion, you must not refuse. Do you understand?" The Grand Elder's voice was firm.
"Him?" Nail frowned.
"Do you have an objection?" the Grand Elder asked coldly.
"No. Understood, Grand Elder!" Nail replied quickly.
"Piccolo, my child, come forward."
Without realizing it, Piccolo stepped closer.
Hum!
The Grand Elder unlocked Piccolo's potential.
A blazing white aura erupted around Piccolo's body as his combat power shot from the thousands to over ten thousand in an instant.
"This… this surge of power… I've never felt so strong!" Piccolo said, struggling to contain his excitement.
"Potential and a powerful body go hand in hand. Your potential is just as deep, though not as vast as that boy's. It far exceeds your current power. To unleash it fully, you must train your body and harden your spirit," the Grand Elder advised, sensing Piccolo's lingering dissatisfaction.
"Thank you, Grand Elder!" For the first time, Piccolo bowed respectfully to him.
"That's enough. I'm tired now. Remember my words," the Grand Elder said, waving them away before closing his eyes.
Seeing his weariness, Nail and Piccolo withdrew quietly.
As for the damaged structure? That was no problem. As an all-around Namekian, the Grand Elder simply made a small gesture, and the residence was instantly restored.
"Hmph. If the day the Grand Elder mentioned really comes, you'd better have enough power, otherwise the fusion will be on my terms," Nail said dismissively to Piccolo once outside.
"Just wait. Next time we meet, I'll make you acknowledge me," Piccolo replied. He knew he wasn't Nail's match yet, so he didn't waste time on a pointless fight.
He was proud, not stupid. Charging into a battle you can't win is just idiocy.
The tension between them hung awkwardly until Piccolo finally took off, flying toward Gohan's ki signature.
Nail sat cross-legged at the Grand Elder's door, standing guard.
Meanwhile, Gohan, personally escorted by Moori, quickly gathered six of the massive, soccer ball-sized Dragon Balls.
The last one was in his village.
"Dende, summon Porunga," Moori said.
Gohan turned toward the small child hiding behind Moori.
Dende, the future Guardian of Earth in the original timeline, wasn't a warrior-type Namekian, but as a gifted member of the Dragon Clan, he had the rare ability to create Dragon Balls.
"Hello, Dende," Gohan said, flashing his first truly boyish smile.
"H-hello…" Dende stammered shyly.
"Dende, go on," Moori said gently, ruffling the boy's head.
"Yes, Elder Moori!" Dende replied, then ran to stand before the seven Dragon Balls.
He spread his arms wide, speaking in the Namekian tongue to summon the dragon.
"Come forth, Porunga, and grant my wish!"
The sky darkened in an instant, lightning crackling overhead…