Even if Vegeta refused to believe it, there was nothing he could do.
Son Goku had already become a Super Saiyan—that was an undeniable fact.
The power he radiated now was far beyond anything Vegeta could truly comprehend.
Feeling that vast, surging Ki, that overwhelming strength, Vegeta finally acknowledged a reality he didn't want to face.
At this moment… Kakarot is stronger than me.
Vegeta looked straight at Goku.
What he wanted to know was simple—
How did he do it?
If even Kakarot, a low-class warrior, could become a Super Saiyan, then there was no reason a genius like him couldn't.
Just then, the violent aura surrounding Goku suddenly settled down.
His hair remained golden. His pupils stayed green.
He stretched his body lightly, then turned toward everyone.
"Don't worry, everyone. I'm fine."
"And Bulma's right."
"I really did transform into a Super Saiyan."
Everyone gasped.
"Super Saiyan?!"
Chi-Chi asked curiously,
"Goku, why have I never heard you mention this before?"
"What exactly is a Super Saiyan?"
Krillin circled Goku, studying him closely.
"So… becoming a Super Saiyan just means you get insanely strong?"
Even Chiaotzu couldn't help asking questions.
At that moment, Goku looked toward Vegeta.
Vegeta let out a breath and began to explain.
"Saiyans are a powerful warrior race."
"We grew up on a planet steeped in war and battle."
"Our bodies are born with terrifying combat potential."
"There's a legend passed down among our people…"
"Once every thousand years, a legendary Super Saiyan is born."
"But no one has ever actually seen one."
"Only stories from our ancestors."
As he spoke, Vegeta turned his gaze back to Kakarot.
"But clearly… something about the legend was wrong."
"When Kakarot was born, he was nothing more than a low-class warrior."
"So becoming a Super Saiyan must have a method."
"Isn't that right, Kakarot?"
He looked at Goku intently.
Goku nodded without hesitation.
"Yeah."
Vegeta pressed on immediately.
"Then how did you do it?"
Goku scratched his head, suddenly unsure how to explain it.
To him, Super Saiyan had never felt particularly sacred.
It was simply a matter of having enough base strength—
And a calm, pure state of mind that allowed something within him to grow.
Seeing Goku hesitate, Bulma stepped in.
"Alright, Vegeta, don't rush him."
"Even Goku probably doesn't fully understand it himself."
"Martial arts growth and mental breakthroughs aren't things you can explain in a few sentences."
"We don't have much time."
"Namek's Dragon Balls grant three wishes."
"Why don't we revive Piccolo first, then save a wish to ask the dragon about Super Saiyan conditions?"
Chi-Chi's eyes widened.
"Wow, Bulma, you're amazing!"
"How do you know Namek's Dragon Balls grant three wishes?"
Dende answered immediately.
"I told her."
Everyone lit up with excitement.
Krillin laughed loudly.
"No wonder Namek's Dragon Balls are so huge!"
"So they're that powerful!"
"Um… if we still have wishes left, could I make one too?"
Chi-Chi tilted her head.
"Huh? Krillin, what do you want?"
Krillin rubbed the back of his head shyly.
"Well… you know, as a world-saving hero, my image isn't exactly… tall."
"So I was thinking…"
"Maybe I could grow five centimeters."
"That way, when we go back to Earth, Snow will notice I've gotten taller."
After saying that, Krillin lowered his head again.
Everyone fell silent.
Vegeta snorted.
"What a pointless wish."
"Can't you think bigger?"
"For example… wishing for immortality?"
Everyone froze.
"Huh?"
"That actually sounds amazing!"
"Yeah—immortality would be incredible!"
At that moment, cold water was poured over their enthusiasm.
The Grand Supreme Elder spoke calmly.
"The Dragon Balls' power is limited by my own abilities."
"Even Namek's Dragon Balls have limits."
"If someone wishes for immortality, that 'immortality' may only exist within the bounds of my power."
"Against truly powerful enemies or disasters, it may not protect the wish-bearer at all."
"Furthermore, immortality can rob one of their drive to improve."
"It may even strip them of the courage to face challenges."
"Such a life is not necessarily better."
"There is nothing eternal in this universe."
"The Dragon Balls were not created to indulge endless desire."
"I do not recommend such a wish."
"Overusing the Dragon Balls—especially on powerful individuals—can disrupt cosmic balance."
"And that may lead to unforeseen consequences."
Listening to the Elder's words, everyone nodded slowly.
They finally understood why—
Even in his advanced age, he had never used the Dragon Balls to restore his youth.
As one who possessed profound wisdom,
He respected the natural cycle of life and death.
He was truly unafraid of dying.
"Grand Supreme Elder… we understand."
A short while later, the Elder looked toward Nail.
Nail immediately understood.
"Please wait a moment."
He soon returned with the final Dragon Ball.
With all seven Dragon Balls gathered, a soft glow emanated from them.
Dende asked,
"Have you all decided on your wishes?"
"Shall we summon the dragon now?"
Bulma looked around.
Everyone nodded.
She confirmed once more.
"Alright."
"First wish: revive Piccolo."
"Second wish: ask the dragon about the exact conditions for becoming a Super Saiyan."
"We'll save the third wish."
Krillin hesitated.
"Actually… maybe forget my height wish."
"I was just joking."
"Using everyone's resources for me alone… that feels wrong."
Chi-Chi blinked.
"So we'd have an extra wish?"
Bulma smiled.
"Too many wishes can be troublesome too."
"Since we don't need it…"
"How about we leave the last wish to the Namekians?"
Everyone nodded again.
"Sounds good!"
Dende and Nail were startled.
Nail said seriously,
"Thank you… but we don't need anything."
"All we want is peace on Namek."
Dende nodded as well.
"Yes. Peace is enough for us."
Bulma thought for a moment.
"Then… what about wishing for eternal peace on Namek?"
The Grand Supreme Elder shook his head.
"Peace must be created by my children themselves."
"It cannot be granted by a wish."
"If people lose the will to strive, extinction follows."
"That kind of peace is meaningless."
Everyone nodded.
The Elder's wisdom truly surpassed ordinary thinking.
Then his tone shifted.
"I had already accepted that my life would soon end."
"But after learning that a Namekian survived on Earth…"
"I found myself with one last wish."
"If your final wish is not important to you…"
"I would like to meet that child."
"After he is revived, bring him here to see me."
"Is that acceptable?"
"To meet Piccolo?" someone asked.
The Elder nodded.
No one hesitated.
"Of course!"
Dende began chanting the incantation.
As Namekian words echoed through the air, a golden light shot into the sky—
Porunga descended in brilliance.¹
"Speak your wishes. I will grant them."
Bulma relayed the first wish to Dende—revive Piccolo.
Dende raised his hands and finished the chant.
Porunga spoke in a booming voice,
"Your wish has been granted. State your second wish."
Dende immediately continued.
Vegeta stepped forward.
"Tell us everything about Super Saiyans."
Porunga replied,
"To become the legendary Super Saiyan, a Saiyan must undergo a bodily mutation."
"Additionally, one must engage in sustained training after birth."
"However, with sufficient effort and the correct methods, it is achievable."
"First—one must possess enough S Cells.²"
"Second—one must have a body strong enough to endure the transformation."
"When both conditions are met, the trigger for the first transformation…"
"…is extreme rage."
Hearing this, Vegeta frowned.
"A strong body means sufficient battle power—I understand that."
"But what are S Cells?"
Porunga explained,
"Nearly all Saiyans possess a small number of S Cells at birth."
"However, the quantity is insufficient for transformation."
"To become a Super Saiyan, these cells must accumulate to a certain threshold."
"A calm, stable mindset promotes the growth of S Cells."
"Thus, while rage triggers the transformation…"
"…long-term tranquility is what nurtures the necessary foundation."
Everyone, including Vegeta, suddenly understood.
"So that's how it is!"
"No wonder Kakarot could transform."
"He grew up on peaceful Earth…"
"And after his potential was unlocked by the Grand Supreme Elder…"
"He far surpassed the requirements."
Vegeta clenched his fists.
"I get it now."
"I finally get it!"
He looked at Goku.
"Kakarot—maybe you were the first to become a Super Saiyan."
"But the strongest Super Saiyan…"
"Will be me, Vegeta!"
Goku exhaled, letting the transformation fade.
"I won't be that easy to surpass."
Porunga spoke once more.
"State your final wish."
Bulma immediately said,
"Dende—transport Piccolo here."
"Bring him to the Grand Supreme Elder."
Dende nodded.
"Understood."
He raised his hands and made the final wish.
Porunga's eyes flashed red—
And a figure appeared beside the Grand Supreme Elder.
Piccolo looked up at the towering Porunga, then at the massive Dragon Balls.
His pupils shrank.
"You revived me… and brought me here?"
Bulma nodded.
"Piccolo, this is your home."
"This is Planet Namek."
"The Grand Supreme Elder wishes to meet you."
Piccolo froze.
"My home… Planet Namek?"
Everyone nodded.
"No wonder…"
"This place feels strangely familiar."
The Grand Supreme Elder looked at him kindly.
"Your name is Piccolo, yes?"
"Come closer."
For reasons he couldn't explain, Piccolo felt drawn to the elderly Namekian.
He stepped forward instinctively.
The Elder placed a hand on Piccolo's head.
"Your father was corrupted by demonic impulses."
"That is why he became what he was."
"But you are not a demon."
"You are the descendant of a kind Namekian."
"Never call yourself a demon again."
A mysterious power surged from the Elder's hand.
In an instant—
Piccolo's strength exploded outward.
Everyone felt his Ki multiply.
His latent potential had been fully unleashed.
Piccolo stared in disbelief.
"W-What did you do to me?"
"Did you give me all your power…?"
The Elder smiled gently.
"No, child."
"I merely guided your hidden potential."
"The power you feel has always been yours."
"You are a Namekian prodigy."
"A battle-type Namekian, born from your father."
"But only half your talent was realized."
"If given the chance…"
"I hope you will one day fuse with Earth's Guardian."
"When that happens…"
"Your future strength will not be inferior to a Super Saiyan."
"Even Frieza, who now invades our planet…"
"Would not stand a chance against your complete form."