Everyone could clearly feel the overwhelming Ki radiating from Krillin, and naturally, questions followed.
"Krillin, how do you feel?" someone asked.
Krillin was trembling from head to toe, barely able to contain his excitement.
"It's amazing! My power's skyrocketed!"
"I can't believe it… it feels like I've been reborn!"
Bulma clapped her hands excitedly.
"Quick, quick—Goku, you go next!"
"We're short on time! Everyone should unlock their potential!"
Seeing how aged and frail the Grand Supreme Elder looked, Chi-Chi spoke with concern.
"Grand Supreme Elder, using your power like this… won't it shorten your lifespan?"
"Should we maybe make our wish first, then decide whether to keep boosting our strength?"
The Grand Supreme Elder shook his head.
"No need to worry. I'm not expending my own strength."
"What I'm doing is merely guiding the potential that already exists within you."
"It does not affect my lifespan."
"Come. Anyone who wishes to uphold justice—step forward. The more, the better."
Vegeta had always looked down on power gained through external means.
But seeing Krillin—already formidable—have his strength multiply several times over in an instant…
It was terrifying.
Using Saiyan instincts, surviving near-death and recovering, Vegeta could at most increase his strength by thirty percent.
But this—
This was a multi-fold surge.
Something he had never even heard of.
Before he realized it, his feet had already moved forward.
The Grand Supreme Elder worked like an impartial guide, unlocking Krillin's potential, then doing the same for Tien, Chi-Chi, Yamcha, and the others.
Everyone's results differed slightly depending on talent and years of training, but none were far behind Krillin.
Both Chi-Chi and Tien surpassed the two-million mark.
Even Chiaotzu broke through one million.
Just as Son Goku was about to step forward, Vegeta cut in front of him and stood before the Grand Supreme Elder.
The Elder placed a hand on Vegeta's head—
Then stopped.
Nothing happened.
Vegeta frowned and looked up.
"What's the hold-up?"
"You planning to keep your hand there forever?"
"Don't tell me my potential's so massive it takes longer to unlock?"
Vegeta thought smugly.
Instead, the Grand Supreme Elder shook his head.
"I see a tail behind you."
"You are not an Earthling."
Vegeta straightened proudly.
"Of course I'm not!"
"I'm a Saiyan—the greatest warrior race in the universe!"
The Grand Supreme Elder nodded in realization.
"So you are a Saiyan…"
He withdrew his hand.
"Saiyans are a brutal race."
"Since joining the Frieza Force, you have slaughtered countless planets."
"More importantly…"
"I sense not a trace of justice within you."
"So leave."
"To prevent future atrocities, I will not unlock your potential."
Vegeta froze.
"What?"
Nail stepped forward and explained calmly.
"The Grand Supreme Elder only unlocks the potential of those with justice in their hearts."
"You are unworthy."
Vegeta understood immediately.
He had always known what kind of person he was.
His hands were drenched in innocent blood.
He had slaughtered worlds without hesitation.
He hadn't killed anyone on Earth only because—
First, he had a tentative deal with Goku and the others.
Second, he couldn't win.
If Earth had been an ordinary, worthless planet, he would have wiped out humanity and sold it without blinking.
If hell existed, he was destined for it.
And if reincarnation existed, he'd never escape it.
Seeing everyone else become stronger—far stronger—Vegeta wanted the same.
But his past disqualified him.
He felt disappointed.
Not much.
He had expected this outcome.
Just then, the Grand Supreme Elder turned to Goku.
"Young man—come here."
Goku hesitated.
"Grand Supreme Elder… may I say something?"
"What is it?"
Goku asked earnestly,
"We're about to fight Frieza."
"One more strong fighter means more hope."
"So… could you unlock Vegeta's potential too?"
Bulma immediately chimed in.
"Yes! Please help him!"
"After we defeat Frieza, I'm sure Vegeta won't just go around killing people anymore!"
Vegeta snapped instantly.
"Hey, Kakarot! I don't need your charity!"
"I'm Vegeta!"
"I never beg for handouts!"
He clenched his fists.
"Saiyans possess limitless potential!"
"Power should be earned by my own hands!"
"You go unlock yours."
"As for me…"
"I'll become a Super Saiyan someday and surpass every last one of you!"
Goku and Bulma exchanged a look.
No one leaves this guy a step down, do they…
Krillin hurriedly urged,
"Goku, forget him—just go!"
Chi-Chi nodded firmly.
"Exactly! Why bother with him?"
"Potential unlocking depends on foundation and training."
"Vegeta's only trained a few days."
"Even if his potential were unlocked, he wouldn't improve much."
"In my opinion, whether he gets it or not won't help against Frieza at all."
"Go. The final battle's coming soon."
Vegeta's mouth twitched.
He glared at Chi-Chi internally.
Damn woman…
Saying I'm the weakest, that even unlocking my potential wouldn't matter…
If I'd had gravity training and proper equipment earlier—
Forget potential unlocking!
Once I become a Super Saiyan…
I'll crush all of you beneath my feet!
Just as Vegeta stewed in resentment, the Grand Supreme Elder sighed and beckoned.
"Vegeta… come here."
Vegeta wanted to refuse out of pride—
But his legs moved on their own.
The Elder placed his hand on Vegeta's head once more.
In an instant—
Vegeta's Ki exploded upward with terrifying force.
His eyes widened.
So strong…
This is potential unlocking?!
Everyone stared in disbelief.
"Wow! Vegeta's aura is incredible!" Chiaotzu exclaimed.
Krillin stared in shock.
"He shot up that much instantly?! His potential's insane!"
Chi-Chi grabbed Bulma's scouter¹ and checked the reading.
"One point three five million!"
"Unbelievable!"
"He was only at eighteen thousand a few days ago!"
"What a genius!"
Tien muttered in awe.
"We trained for over ten years… and he caught up in a month…"
Yamcha swallowed.
"I'm jealous."
"One unlocking, and he's almost equal to decades of our hard work."
"I was happy a second ago—now I really'm not."
Vegeta, though outwardly aloof, was clearly enjoying the praise.
His power had skyrocketed from around one hundred thousand to over a million.
Naturally, he felt invincible.
He even glanced at the Earthlings with faint disdain.
If effort alone mattered, what use are geniuses?
I, Vegeta, am one in a million.
One month is enough to surpass your decades.
Seeing this, Chi-Chi urged,
"Goku, go already!"
"I'm actually more excited about your growth."
Goku nodded and stepped forward.
A profound force poured into his body.
In an instant, countless bottlenecks shattered.
His Ki surged wildly—completely out of control.
Power poured from his blood, his cells.
A massive aura erupted, whipping up violent winds.
Nail rushed in front of the Grand Supreme Elder to shield him.
Everyone else crossed their arms, bracing against the gale.
Bulma nearly got blown away—
Luckily, Chi-Chi grabbed her.
No one complained.
They stared at Goku in awe.
It looked like Kaio-Ken, but far more violent—nearly a hurricane.
Chi-Chi activated the scouter again.
"Let me see how strong Goku is now!"
The device beeped frantically.
Chi-Chi gasped.
"Six million!"
Everyone froze.
"Six million?!"
Bulma inhaled sharply.
"If he uses twenty-times Kaio-Ken…"
"That's 120 million!"
She realized something terrifying.
Even without becoming a Super Saiyan, Goku could already challenge Frieza.
And with Krillin and Tien supporting him—
This battle was nothing like before.
Bulma smiled.
The battle on Planet Namek… is secure.
Vegeta clenched his fists.
"Damn it…"
"Kakarot… he's advanced that far…"
Then he scoffed.
"Hmph. Still a low-class warrior."
"If I had his training, I'd be a hundred times stronger!"
But—
Goku's aura didn't stop.
He stood there, power still surging.
To protect the Elder, Nail had already moved him farther away.
Everyone else retreated.
"Goku! What's happening?"
"Lower your Ki!"
Suddenly—
Goku seemed to realize something.
His body tensed sharply.
A golden glow erupted from his back, igniting his entire aura.
His Ki turned gold.
His black hair flashed blonde.
His pupils turned green.
Everyone gasped.
The calm Goku they knew was gone.
Battle intent.
Excitement.
Pride.
A faintly arrogant smile.
Something they had never seen on him before.
Vegeta shouted,
"Kakarot—what happened?!"
Chi-Chi stared at the scouter in disbelief.
"Wait… his battle power…"
"It's over two hundred million now…"
"What?!"
"Two hundred million?!"
Everyone was stunned.
"That's impossible!"
"The scouter's broken, right?"
Chi-Chi blinked nervously.
"Even after Bulma reinforced it… it can't measure that high…"
"His Ki is still rising—almost three hundred million!"
BANG!
The scouter exploded.
Chi-Chi yelped and threw it away.
Krillin stared at Goku.
"Goku… can you hear me?"
"Your hair—it's gold!"
Goku didn't respond.
Chi-Chi asked cautiously,
"Goku… can you still talk?"
"Your eyes look kind of scary…"
Krillin swallowed.
"He's not turning into a monster… right?"
Only Bulma was ecstatic.
"It worked!"
"Everyone, don't panic."
"Goku has become a Super Saiyan."
"Super Saiyan?!" Vegeta's pupils shrank.
"That's impossible!"
"Kakarot… became a Super Saiyan?!"
Bulma nodded.
"Yes."
Vegeta roared,
"No!"
"If anyone should become a Super Saiyan—it's me!"
"Not a low-class warrior like Kakarot!"