Mount Paozu
Gohan, Goku, Krillin, Tien, Chiaotzu, Raditz, and Nappa seven warriors, fully prepared for departure.
"I've got seven capsule cases here," Gohan said, producing them one by one. "Each has twenty senzu beans inside. I also asked Aunt Bulma to make combat armor for everyone. The material is even tougher than the Saiyan armor you used to wear it can absorb part of an enemy's attack."
"I'll pass on the armor," Goku grinned. "I still like my gi better."
"Same here," Krillin agreed instantly. "Feels weird to wear anything else."
"This is just in case," Gohan sighed. "You guys have a bad habit of powering up and blasting your clothes off. I'd rather not see you stuck fighting half-naked."
"Alright, everyone hand to hand. We're heading out!" Gohan readied himself to use Instant Transmission to take them to Planet Namek.
"Oi, Gohan! Forgetting someone?"
A voice rang out from the distance. Everyone turned green skin, sharp eyes, and an unmistakably irritated expression.
Piccolo.
"Ah-uh… oops. My bad… totally forgot you," Gohan said awkwardly.
"Hmph."
Piccolo strode up with his usual pride, placing his hand on Gohan's shoulder.
They all linked hands, forming a circle.
"Planet Namek, here we go!"
Shoom!
They vanished so quickly that only faint afterimages hung in the air gone within a second.
Planet Namek, Outside the Grand Elder's Home
Eight figures appeared instantly before the entrance.
"Who goes there?!"
A flash of movement Nail launched forward, his ki flaring violently.
"Not bad," Raditz smirked. "Didn't think Namek had anyone this strong."
Smack!
"Be polite," Gohan scolded, leaping up to swat Raditz on the head he had to jump because Raditz was still taller.
"Uh sorry… habit," Raditz muttered.
"…," everyone else sweatdropped.
"Nail, long time no see," Gohan greeted.
"Gohan? You again? What are you here for?" Nail's tone made it clear he wasn't thrilled.
"I need to speak with the Grand Elder. Go let him know I'm here."
From inside, a voice weak and old spoke: "Let them in, Nail."
"But, Grand Elder… your condition" Nail's face was full of concern.
"It's alright. I'll manage for now. Let them in."
"…Fine. But all of you suppress your ki. The Grand Elder is in a very frail state," Nail warned.
Gohan frowned. "That bad?"
From what he remembered, the Grand Elder shouldn't have been this weak yet. This was far earlier than the time Frieza was supposed to arrive by at least a year and a half.
Inside the chamber.
"Grand Elder, it's been a while… what happened to you?" Gohan asked.
"Gohan, my young friend… after you left last time, I looked into Namek's future…" the Grand Elder began, then paused.
"Foreseeing the future consumes enormous physical and mental strength," Nail explained, holding back sorrow. "Since then, his health has declined drastically his life span shortened as well."
Whoosh!
Before anyone could react, Gohan flicked a senzu bean into the Grand Elder's mouth.
"Please swallow it. It won't extend your life, but it will restore your health," Gohan said.
Crunch.
Without hesitation, the Grand Elder bit down and swallowed. Nail, who'd been about to stop him, froze in place.
The Grand Elder's frail frame suddenly straightened; his tired eyes brightened, his breathing steady once more.
"What an extraordinary bean!" His voice was firm now, full of strength.
"Grand Elder!" Nail's relief was obvious.
"This is a senzu bean from Earth," Gohan explained. "One can heal any injury and restore stamina instantly. But it can't extend life or cure certain illnesses." He glanced meaningfully at Goku as he spoke, unease creeping into his mind.
If his presence here had altered history, would Future Trunks still appear? And if not… who would cure Goku's heart virus?
He handed Nail a small pouch. "Twenty beans inside. They should last until the Grand Elder passes naturally."
"Thank you, Gohan," Nail said sincerely, all hostility toward him gone.
"You must have sensed it, Grand Elder?" Gohan asked.
"Yes… a terrifying evil is drawing nearer. I foresaw that Namek will face an unprecedented crisis. In that vision, the one to end it… was not you, but him." The Grand Elder pointed to Goku.
Gohan understood the Grand Elder had seen the original timeline. But his own actions were already shifting events.
"Has Frieza's presence affected your health as well?"
"Yes. Though my time isn't up yet, my body had grown too weak to endure… until your senzu bean," the Grand Elder said with renewed vigor.
"In that case, I'd feel bad troubling you further," Gohan replied, having planned to request the potential-unlocking ability for the group but hesitating now.
"No trouble. Unlocking potential doesn't shorten my life, and now I have the strength to do so. Have them come forward one at a time," the Grand Elder offered.
"That's great to hear. We've got plenty more beans if you need them," Gohan grinned.
Goku went first.
"As I foresaw… his potential is incredible!" the Grand Elder said, placing his hand on Goku's head and focusing his power.
Goku felt a rush of hidden energy erupt from within his battle power skyrocketing:
500,000… 600,000… 700,000… 1,500,000… 2,000,000!
Just one million shy of the 3,000,000 threshold for transforming into a Super Saiyan.
"Incredible…" Nail breathed.
Next came Raditz, Nappa, Krillin, Tien, and Chiaotzu. Gohan and Piccolo had already undergone the ritual before, so they skipped it.
Raditz: Base 500,000 → Kaio-ken x2: 1,000,000
Nappa: Base 800,000 → Kaio-ken x2: 1,600,000Both still lacked the mental control to handle higher Kaio-ken multipliers, a consequence of their violent pasts.
Krillin: 8,000
Tien: 13,000
Chiaotzu: 5,000
Each saw huge growth compared to before.
"Grand Elder, Frieza will be here in about three months. My father and the others will stay here, but I need to handle something else first. I'll return before then," Gohan said.
"Very well, my young friend. With them here, I doubt Frieza will succeed," the Grand Elder replied confidently.
"Heh, let's hope so. I'll be back soon."
With that, Gohan took Tien and Chiaotzu, teleporting toward the Three-Eyed Clan's homeworld.
Goku, Raditz, Nappa, Krillin, and Piccolo remained on Namek.
"Feel free to explore," the Grand Elder told them. "Or join the village elders to learn our special abilities. Some of our techniques can be learned even without a Namekian body."
"That's great thank you, Grand Elder!" Goku beamed, eager to train in something new.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Your support keeps this story going leave a 5★ review, add it to your library, and feed it some Power Stones!
"Want to stay ahead of the game?Advanced chapters are up on my Patron. If you're enjoying the ride, swing by and check them out."
[email protected]/_theon
Change @ to "a"