As Gohan stepped before the Great Elder, the elder placed his massive hand on the boy's head.
Suddenly, Gohan's aura skyrocketed—his energy flaring more dramatically than Chiaotzu's, increasing more than tenfold in an instant.
Seeing this, Piccolo allowed himself a small smile. Gohan's performance made him very satisfied.
He could already guess why—this was no doubt linked to the intense gravity training they had undergone before arriving on Namek.
Gohan had only endured ten times Earth's gravity, yet the results were already this remarkable.
Piccolo couldn't help but wonder just how much power would emerge when his own potential was unleashed.
Even he, who usually kept calm, felt a spark of excitement.
After Gohan, Yamcha, Krillin, and Tien Shinhan all stepped forward one by one to have their potential unlocked.
Finally, only Piccolo remained. Everyone turned their eyes toward him.
He was the strongest among them already—so how much greater could his strength become? The thought made their hearts race with anticipation.
When Piccolo approached, he bowed slightly.
"I'm counting on you, Great Elder."
Nail, standing at his side, muttered enviously.
"I don't know how you trained to reach such strength…"
The Great Elder slowly raised his hand and placed it upon Piccolo's head.
At once, a mysterious power surged within Piccolo, drawing out hidden reserves of energy buried deep inside him—along with the results of his brutal hundred-times-gravity training.
The ground trembled. A terrifying aura burst forth, shaking the very skies of Namek!
Far away, Vegeta, who was locked in combat with Zarbon, suddenly froze.
He sensed the massive surge instantly.
"That energy… what the hell is it?!" Vegeta's eyes widened.
"It's enormous! Could it be Kakarot? No… it's not Kakarot's ki. It feels like… that Namekian from Earth. But how does he have such terrifying power?!"
"What are you babbling about?!" Zarbon snarled, slamming a fist into Vegeta's chest and sending him flying.
Zarbon's scouter had been destroyed earlier by Vegeta, so he had no way of sensing the power.
To him, Vegeta was just rambling nonsense.
"Fool! You dare get distracted in the middle of a fight with me?!" Zarbon sneered. "You don't know if you're living or dying."
Vegeta coughed up blood as Zarbon's blows rained down on him.
The prince scowled, struggling to stand.
"Damn it… that last hit worsened my injuries… Zarbon already had the edge, but now…"
Zarbon's attacks grew more ferocious, forcing Vegeta further into a corner.
Meanwhile, back at the Great Elder's chamber, Piccolo's transformation was complete.
Energy waves radiated wildly from his body.
Piccolo stared down at his hands in shock.
"This… this is my power now? It's frightening!"
A grin spread across his face.
"No matter how strong the enemy is, they're nothing to me now! Hahaha!"
"That's amazing, Uncle Piccolo!" Gohan cheered with pure admiration.
Tien Shinhan, Krillin, Yamcha, and Chiaotzu all looked at him in disbelief.
They had known Piccolo would become powerful, but none of them had imagined this level of overwhelming strength.
The Great Elder, however, was breathing heavily.
Unlocking so many warriors' potential had exhausted him greatly.
"Great Elder!" Nail called anxiously.
But the elder raised a hand, shaking his head gently.
He knew his own condition better than anyone. His time was running short, regardless.
Piccolo bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Great Elder. I swear, I'll protect Namek from this crisis."
"Please do, young one," the Great Elder replied with a faint smile.
He too believed Piccolo now had the strength to repel the invaders.
Piccolo clenched his fists, feeling the colossal energy coursing through him.
He cast off his cloak, eyes sharp with determination.
"It's time to wipe out the scum who invaded Namek. And once it's over, I'll use the Dragon Balls to revive the Namekians who were killed."
He didn't yet know the full extent of his new power, but one thing was certain—his grueling hundred-times-gravity training had paid off in full.
At the same time, Zarbon's battle with Vegeta was reaching its conclusion.
Zarbon, battered and bloodied, reverted back to his original handsome form. His victory, however, had not come cheaply.
Looking at the unconscious Saiyan prince lying motionless on the ground, Zarbon snarled bitterly.
"Damn you, Vegeta… you actually forced me to this state. I've lost nearly ten percent of my strength because of you."
He spat on the ground, then smirked cruelly.
"But at least I've completed Lord Frieza's orders."
Grabbing Vegeta's limp body, Zarbon shot into the skies, returning toward Frieza's spaceship.
...
Author's Note:
The full completed version of Dragon Ball: I Was Reincarnated as Goku — Part 1 Completed (Dragon Ball Z) is now on Patreon!
🔗 patreon.com/Shadow_demon_007
Thank you for your support! 💙