The capsule ship limped through the sky, engines coughing every few minutes from the damage Vegeta's ascension had inflicted.
Bulma swore under her breath the entire way, one hand white-knuckled on the controls, the other slapping emergency repair patches onto sparking panels.
Thirty minutes later than planned, they finally set down in a cloud of dust outside the Grand Elder's spire.
A hundred green faces turned toward them at once.
Krillin's stomach dropped.
Every single Namekian looked like Piccolo's bigger, meaner cousin.
Gohan instinctively stepped in front of Dende.
Bulma muttered, "Great. We're the only ones here without antennae."
Dende waved cheerfully and led them forward like it was a Sunday picnic.
The crowd parted, murmuring. Eyes tracked the three aliens with open suspicion.
Krillin felt every stare like a physical weight.
Nail stood at the doorway, arms crossed, aura locked down tight but still heavy enough to make the air feel thick.
Krillin swallowed.
Even without a scouter, the message was clear: one wrong move and they were paste.
Dende bowed. "Brother Nail, the Grand Elder is expecting them."
Nail's gaze swept over the group, lingering on Krillin and Gohan.
His disappointment was almost palpable.
These were the "warriors from Earth" who were supposed to save them?
The bald one looked like he'd blow away in a stiff breeze.
The child had potential, maybe, but he was still a child.
And the blue-haired woman… radiated zero combat ability.
Nail's jaw tightened.
Vegeta, for all his murder and arrogance, had at least felt like a walking apocalypse.
These three felt like snacks.
Yet the Grand Elder had seen something in the future.
Nail stepped aside.
"Come in. He's waiting."
The interior was cool and dim. The Grand Elder filled the stone chair like a living mountain, ancient eyes half-lidded but piercing.
Krillin and Gohan bowed awkwardly.
Bulma just stared, mouth slightly open.
He was huge.
And old.
And somehow gentle in a way that made her want to cry for no reason.
The Grand Elder's voice rolled out, soft but filling the entire chamber.
"Welcome, children of Earth. You have traveled far… and suffered much."
He raised one massive hand.
Krillin flinched.
Then relaxed as the familiar warm glow of potential-unlocking washed over him.
Gohan's eyes widened as the same light touched him next.
Bulma watched, fascinated, as both her friends shuddered and straightened, power blooming inside them like flowers opening to sunlight.
When it was over, Krillin flexed his fingers, eyes shining.
Gohan looked ready to cry from relief.
The Grand Elder lowered his hand, already looking frailer.
"I have given you what little strength I can spare. It is not much… but it may keep you alive long enough."
He turned his ancient gaze to Bulma.
"And you, young woman. Courage is not measured in muscle. You will need yours most of all in the days ahead."
Bulma swallowed, suddenly feeling very small.
Outside, Nail watched the doorway, arms still crossed.
His doubts hadn't vanished.
But the Grand Elder had never been wrong before.
He just hoped this wasn't the first time.
Far away, a golden star burned across the sky, heading straight for Frieza's ship.
The final countdown had begun.
And prejudice, fear, and old grudges were about to be burned away in golden fire.