Krillin stared after 21 as she left, sinking into deep thought.
Is my spring finally here?
…No, wait. She's an android.
If I'm really going to be with an android, wouldn't it be easier to ask Bulma to build me one…?
Krillin got stuck in a weird dilemma.
And 21 is way too ruthless.
I'm kind of scared of her.
Ken watched Krillin, then glanced in the direction the androids had gone.
Honestly, 21 and Krillin might actually fit.
Good. Then you can stop whining in front of me about not having a girlfriend.
"Krillin, that 21 definitely likes you!" Yamcha said, walking up and patting Krillin's bald head with a laugh. "Congrats!"
"Don't talk nonsense," Krillin said quickly. "She's a robot. How could I be with a robot?"
"She's not a robot," Ken said. "She's an android modified from a human body. She's a real woman at the core."
"21 isn't a robot?" Tien blinked.
"Out of the four, only 16 is a pure machine," Ken explained. "The other three were modified from humans. You can think of it as injecting something like a bio-serum that mutates the body—that's why they're so strong."
"So that's how it works," Piccolo said, understanding.
"They're different from 19 and Dr. Gero," Krillin said. "They can't absorb energy, right?"
"17 and 18 are infinite-energy types," Ken said. "16 and 21 are the kind that consumes energy."
"Infinite energy?" Krillin froze.
"You mean they don't run out?" Yamcha asked.
"That's exactly what it means," Ken confirmed.
"Let's feed Vegeta a Senzu Bean," Piccolo said. "He's about done."
"R-Right!" Krillin hurried over and fed Vegeta a Senzu Bean.
Vegeta woke slowly, fists clenched, unwillingness burning in his chest.
He didn't even dare look at Ken—like a kid who'd been caught doing something stupid.
Too embarrassing.
Three years of training… and I still lost to an android.
"Ken," Krillin said, turning back, "these androids feel different from what Trunks described in the future."
"Like they don't seem evil?" Ken asked with a smile.
Krillin nodded hard.
Not just "not evil." That 21 was kind of cute.
…Except for how she killed Dr. Gero. That part was brutal.
But Gero was a bad guy, so…
Krillin tried to patch the logic in his head.
"Observe first," Ken said. "See if they hurt innocent people. If they don't, then we decide what to do next."
"Tch!"
Vegeta couldn't stand here another second. He shot into the sky, ready to leave.
He'd just bragged to Ken about becoming a Super Saiyan, about being unstoppable.
Then he got beaten by a woman.
His face felt like it had been slapped over and over.
"Vegeta. Wait," Ken called.
Vegeta: "…"
Vegeta shuddered. His expression kept shifting.
What do you want?
"Come with me," Ken said, flying off toward a quieter spot.
Vegeta clenched his teeth and followed, landing beside him.
"Vegeta's in for it," Tien sighed. "Ken probably thought he'd beat the androids."
"Poor guy," Piccolo shook his head. "That hit his pride hard."
"And the one who beat him was 21… a cute, pretty woman…" Krillin said, face still red.
Yamcha: "…"
Tien: "…"
"I get it," Gohan blurted. "Krillin-san… do you like 21?"
"Don't be ridiculous!" Krillin denied instantly. "You're a kid—what do you know? How could I like an android?"
"For now, all we can do is observe what those four do," Piccolo said quietly. "And wait for Goku to come back."
"You're right," Krillin nodded. "So… what are you going to do?"
Piccolo looked up at the sky.
"Just from your expression, I can tell you've got a plan," Krillin said. "Tell us. You're our friend, aren't you?"
"Friend?" Piccolo snapped. "Nice joke. When did I become your friend? Don't dream. I'm a demon. I'm just using you so I can conquer the world!"
"Piccolo-san…" Gohan said softly.
Piccolo's expression softened for a moment.
Then he grit his teeth, shot upward, and left.
"Oh right," Tien said slowly. "He's technically Piccolo Daimao. I almost forgot. He still wants to conquer the world."
"No!" Gohan insisted. "Piccolo-san isn't like that!"
"Gohan's right," Krillin laughed. "That 'conquer the world' line is just an excuse. He wants to be stronger—like Goku and Vegeta—so he's using his final trump card."
"Final trump card?" Tien asked.
"He flew that way," Krillin said, pointing. "Do you know what's over there?"
Tien frowned. "Is that somewhere I should recognize?"
"The Lookout," Yamcha said suddenly. "Kami's place."
"Exactly," Krillin nodded.
"Why would Piccolo go to the Lookout?" Tien asked.
"Ken-san and the Namekian Grand Elder told us," Gohan said quickly. "If Piccolo merges with Kami, he can become incredibly strong."
"Right," Krillin said with a smile. "If Saiyans have 'Super Saiyan,' then Piccolo merging with Kami could be called a 'Super Namekian.'"
"If Piccolo merges with Kami, the Dragon Balls will be gone," Tien said seriously.
"Yeah," Krillin nodded. "Sooner or later, we'll have to accept that. But it's fine—Ken can revive us."
Yamcha, Tien, and Gohan all let out a quiet breath.
Right. Ken can revive people.
He's more useful than Shenron.
The four of them looked toward Ken and Vegeta in the distance.
Ken stared at Vegeta calmly.
Vegeta kept his head down, like a kid waiting to be scolded.
"Vegeta," Ken sighed, "I'm not going to punish you this time."
Vegeta's mouth twitched.
Strangely enough, getting punished might've actually made him feel better.
"At least I'm happy with the size of the destruction energy you can form now," Ken said. "But you made one mistake—you didn't use it from the start. You fought with basic Super Saiyan and dragged the fight out."
Vegeta stayed silent.
Yeah. I showed off too hard.
By the time I tried to use it, my output couldn't keep up.
"Do you remember what I told you before?" Ken asked.
"…Told me what?" Vegeta blinked.
You've told me a lot. Which thing?
"You've always kept your tail," Ken said. "And honestly, that's the right call. The tail is the root of what we are."
Vegeta froze.
"Use it properly," Ken said with a smile. "It'll give you an effect you won't expect."
"My tail?" Vegeta stared at him. "What effect? Even if I turn into a Great Ape, it's only ten times strength—nowhere near a Super Saiyan's fifty times."
Ken didn't answer.
If you teach someone everything step-by-step, they stop growing.
They need to think for themselves.
It wasn't Ken trying to play riddles. The logic was simple—like solving a math problem.
If I give you every answer, you might score full marks.
But do you actually know how to solve it?
Training worked the same way.
Did the Grand Priest ever explain exactly how to increase or purify angel power?
No. You had to figure it out yourself.
And "purifying angel power" was exactly what it sounded like.
Why could some angels purify it so fast—like Ken?
Why were others so slow—like Merus?
Different understanding. Different insight.
A long time ago, Ken had already told Vegeta how to become a Super Saiyan.
Back then, it didn't work.
Because Vegeta didn't believe it.
Now he believed—but if Ken spoon-fed him every detail, Vegeta could head toward a Super Saiyan Four-type path and still end up with a lower ceiling, eventually falling behind Goku.
In Dragon Ball Super's story, Vegeta's achievements weren't worse than Goku's.
Vegeta awakened true Ultra Ego and could rival Goku's Ultra Instinct.
Ken wanted Vegeta to go further—reach higher.
"Think it through," Ken said with a faint smile.
Vegeta's eyes suddenly lit up. "You mean… stack Super Saiyan on top of Great Ape?"
Ken didn't respond.
Vegeta was sharp. Sometimes he only needed a push.
"I get it," Vegeta said, voice rising. "That's why Broly is so strong—he uses Great Ape energy, and then stacks Super Saiyan on top of it!"
Ken sighed. "I've been focused on my own training, so I haven't had time to teach you. Some things you have to work out yourself if you want to go farther."
"You… you've been training too?" Vegeta asked, startled.
"Yes," Ken said.
"I want to know how strong you are now," Vegeta said after a moment, teeth clenched.
"Show me your strongest power," Ken said. "Attack me at full force."
"You're sure?" Vegeta asked.
"Come on," Ken said.
"Then I won't hold back!" Vegeta's aura flared gold as he transformed.
"What are they doing?" Krillin blinked.
"Vegeta went Super Saiyan—he's going to attack Ken?" Yamcha asked.
"Looks like Ken told him to," Krillin said.
"Maybe Ken-san wants to test Vegeta-san," Gohan guessed.
"That's what it looks like," Krillin agreed.
Boom!
Vegeta pushed his aura to the limit.
"Have you noticed?" Krillin said, puzzled. "Vegeta nearly died and came back… but his power didn't increase."
"Maybe he hit his limit," Tien said. "Otherwise you could keep doing that and push your ceiling forever."
"Maybe that's really it," Krillin nodded.
"Ken—I'm coming!" Vegeta clenched his fist, ready.
Ken crooked a finger at him.
Vegeta became a streak of gold and threw a punch straight at Ken.
Ken calmly raised one finger.
Tap.
He caught Vegeta's punch with that single finger.
Vegeta stared, stunned.
Even as a Super Saiyan… am I still this far below him?
Vegeta jumped back instantly, widening the distance.
Then his golden aura vanished and he returned to normal.
"I know I'm nowhere near you," Vegeta said through clenched teeth. "But one day, I'll surpass you!"
"That's the spirit," Ken said with a smile. "Ambition and a goal will push you forward."
"Hmph." Vegeta tried to keep his usual arrogance, but his eyes were shaken.
"One more thing," Ken sighed. "I told you before—don't use me as your yardstick."
Vegeta: "…"
"I've got time today," Ken said. "So I'll tell you a few things you don't know."
"Things I don't know?" Vegeta frowned.
"Have I ever told you about levels?" Ken asked.
"Levels?" Vegeta asked, confused. "What levels?"
"Long ago, I quantified the purity of angel power with numbers," Ken said. "Later, the greatest god in the universe used my scale to roughly classify the levels of the gods. Are you following me?"
Vegeta nodded, still not sure why this mattered.
"The scale goes from level 1 to level 100," Ken said.
Vegeta's eyes sharpened. "Then what level are you?"
"I just reached level 70," Ken sighed. "I actually hit level 70 two years ago. These past two years, I haven't gained even one level."
Vegeta: "…"
A long silence.
"Then… based on the gap I just felt," Vegeta said slowly, "I'm around level 40?"
Ken shook his head with a faint laugh. "Don't assume. You're not that high."
"Then 30?" Vegeta tried.
"Lower," Ken said.
"…20?" Vegeta's mouth twitched.
"Lower."
Vegeta went quiet again.
Dead silence.
"…Don't tell me I'm level 10," Vegeta said, voice strained.
"Still lower," Ken said.
Vegeta felt like someone stabbed him in the heart.
So I'm not even level 10?
What kind of scale is this?!
"Five?" Vegeta forced the word out, clearly hating it.
"No," Ken said, shaking his head. "Level zero."
Vegeta: "…"
Zero?
I don't even have a level?
"Stop messing with me," Vegeta said, on the verge of tears.
"To be exact," Ken said calmly, "your level in Super Saiyan form is at most 0.006."
Vegeta stared at him.
That '6' at the end… is that supposed to comfort me?
"Fine!" Vegeta snapped. "Then tell me—what level is Kakarot?!"
"I don't know what level Goku is now," Ken said. "It's been three years since I last saw him."
Vegeta fell silent.
"But if you can become a Super Saiyan while maintaining Great Ape state," Ken continued, "you'll reach level 5."
Vegeta: "…"
Great Ape stacked with Super Saiyan… and that's only level 5?
"And Broly?" Vegeta demanded. "What level is he?"
"Level 59," Ken said.
Over the last three years, Broly had improved too—rising from 58 to 59.
Vegeta didn't even know what to say anymore. The shadow in his heart just kept growing.
The gap is that huge…
"Simply put," Ken said, "to become a God of Destruction, you need at least level 50. Even the weakest God of Destruction is level 50."
Vegeta went rigid.
Even the weakest is level 50…
I'm not even in the same universe as that.
"Actually, correction," Ken said. "Right now, the weakest God of Destruction is level 45."
Because the weakest at the moment was Bardock—he really was level 45.
Vegeta swallowed hard. "Then what level is Beerus?"
[End of chapter]
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
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