Inside the chamber, the atmosphere turned strangely quiet. It even carried a faint sense of… waiting in line at a clinic.
"So… Grand Elder, just touching my head really makes me stronger?"
Trunks stood first in line, tilting his head up with clear suspicion as he stared at the enormous hand that was bigger than his whole body.
The kid wore his "BADMAN" jacket, hands stuffed in his pockets, looking every bit like a miniature version of Krillin with that same casual swagger.
"This is called potential awakening, not just a pat on the head," the Grand Elder said with a gentle smile. Even after being revitalized by Aki, his presence still carried the weight of countless years.
"Child, there is something extraordinary in your blood. A fusion of human lineage and… another kind of power I cannot fully comprehend."
Leaning against the wall, Krillin took a sip from his half-finished soda and waved a hand lazily.
"Trunks, quit talking. There's a line behind you."
"Fine. But if this doesn't work, I'm shaving your leg hair, Dad."
Muttering under his breath, Trunks obediently lowered his head.
The Grand Elder inhaled deeply and slowly placed his massive hand on the boy's lavender hair.
A low hum filled the air.
In an instant, a visible wave of white energy burst outward from Trunks.
His base power skyrocketed like a rocket igniting.
This was not a simple increase. It was a transformation at the core.
Trunks felt as if a dormant volcano inside him had awakened. Every fiber of his body surged with life.
[System Notification: Target "Trunks" potential awakening detected.]
[Power Level Rising: 10,000… 50,000… 150,000…]
"Whoa!"
Trunks snapped his head up, eyes shining with excitement. He clenched his fist, and the air cracked in his palm.
"This is amazing! I feel like I could punch that big bald guy Nappa into orbit a hundred times!"
He flipped through the air, radiating overwhelming energy.
The Grand Elder withdrew his hand, slightly out of breath.
"What a frightening child… his future has no limits."
"Me next! Me next!"
Gohan stepped forward eagerly, his earlier hesitation gone.
He did not enjoy fighting, but he wanted to protect everyone. He wanted to protect Namek.
He bowed respectfully.
"Please, Grand Elder."
"What a pure soul… yet beneath that gentleness lies a rage capable of shaking the stars. Child, anger is not always a curse. Sometimes, it is the power to protect."
The Grand Elder's expression softened further as he placed his hand on Gohan's head.
Boom!
If Trunks was a volcanic eruption, then Gohan was a tidal wave from the deepest ocean.
His energy exploded upward, blasting through the ceiling as a pillar of golden-white light shot into the sky.
Inside the chamber, Gohan slowly opened his eyes. Something in him had changed. His once innocent presence now carried a quiet resolve.
[System Scan: Son Gohan]
[Power Level: 200,000 (Base, fluctuates with emotion)]
[Evaluation: A prodigy of the highest tier. Limitless potential if he does not abandon combat.]
Krillin nodded in satisfaction.
Now that was more like a true Z Fighter.
"Next…"
Krillin stepped forward, only to be pushed aside.
Bulma strode up confidently, planting herself in front of the Grand Elder.
"Hold it! My turn!"
"…What?" Krillin blinked.
"Why are you getting involved?" he asked. "This is for combat potential. You planning to bulk up and turn into a muscle monster?"
The image made him shudder.
"Idiot," Bulma shot back, rolling her eyes. "Who says potential is only about fighting? I'm a genius scientist. I want my brain upgraded. My brain, got it?"
She clasped her hands together and gave the Grand Elder an almost pleading look.
"Grand Elder, can you make me smarter? Or at least… make my skin stay young forever?"
The Grand Elder paused.
In all his long life, this was the first time anyone had made such a request.
"Well… potential awakening enhances the essence of a being. The direction can indeed be influenced by intent…"
"I will try."
His hand descended.
There was no violent explosion this time, only a soft pink glow.
Bulma blinked, touching her face.
"Feels… the same?"
[System Notification: Target "Bulma" potential awakened.]
[Intelligence: Beyond human limits → Galactic-level genius]
[New Skills: Mechanical Affinity (S), Data Intuition, Absolute Rationality]
[Additional Effect: Permanent youthful appearance]
"Oh my god!"
Bulma suddenly shrieked, staring at Krillin's capsule watch.
"Krillin! The energy transfer circuit in that thing is off by 0.03 millimeters. That's a five percent efficiency loss!"
"How did I never notice this? Give me tools. I'm fixing it right now!"
Krillin stared in silence.
Great. He had just unleashed a full-blown mad scientist at home.
Goku stepped forward next, sitting cross-legged in front of the Grand Elder.
After a moment of hesitation, he spoke.
"Grand Elder, when I was a kid, I drank the Ultra Divine Water back on Earth. That already unlocked my potential once. Can you still do it again?"
Krillin's eyes lit up.
Right. That might explain why Goku surpassed Vegeta's natural talent.
He made a mental note to track that down later.
"I will try," the Grand Elder said.
This time, his expression turned extremely serious.
"A Saiyan… one who has walked the edge of life and death countless times."
His hand trembled slightly.
"Within you lies an ancient, primal force."
The moment his hand touched Goku's spiky hair, the entire planet seemed to tremble.
A deep roar echoed in everyone's ears.
It was not an ordinary Great Ape. It was something more ancient, more savage, yet held in check by a pure heart.
Goku's energy began to surge exponentially.
His training, his battles, the Kaio-ken… everything fused together under the awakening.
[System Scan: Son Goku]
[Race: Saiyan]
[Base Power Level: 3,000,000]
[Status: Proto Super Saiyan State]
Goku stood up abruptly. The shockwave alone forced Nail to take a step back.
"This is incredible! My body feels so light!"
He clenched his fists, feeling the immense power coursing through him.
Finally, it was Krillin's turn.
He rolled his neck, his bald head gleaming under the dim light.
"Grand Elder, take it easy," he said with a faint grin. "I'm… a bit different."
As he stepped forward, the Grand Elder studied him carefully.
From the very beginning, he had not been able to read this human.
His energy felt restrained, yet standing before him was like staring into an abyss.
"Child… even an abyss has a bottom," the Grand Elder said confidently, reaching out his hand.
But the moment his fingertip touched Krillin's head—
His expression froze.
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