The Old Kai stepped toward young Gran, scrutinising the child once more with a sharp, piercing gaze. Beerus and the others followed close behind.
Surrounded by the group, Gran found that while the inherent volatility of his Super Saiyan form made 100% power control difficult, he could still suppress his energy with relative ease.
This was a direct benefit of his rigorous training as a Candidate for Destruction. At that moment, the golden aura surrounding Gran vanished completely. Visually, he now resembled a Super Saiyan in a "Full Power" state.
"To maintain such control is impressive; our Universe 7 Candidate is truly remarkable," the Old Kai remarked, though he shook his head. "However, this form still relies on rage for the transformation. Even if you appear calm on the surface, the turbulence remains in your heart."
"The old man is right," Beerus added, seeing through the form's flaws. "Not only is the rage still there, but the physical burden on your body remains. In this state, you still can't utilise Ultra Instinct."
"Little one," the Old Kai said, looking at Gran, "you mentioned that your clan's records speak of an 'Ultimate State.' Tell me more about that."
As Gran prepared to speak, the Old Kai blinked in surprise. "You're a Saiyan? Then where is your tail?"
"I had Whis seal it away a few years ago," Gran explained. It had been lost during his initial arrival, and knowing it was only necessary for the fourth stage of the transformation, he had treated it as a liability for the time being.
"I see," the Old Kai nodded.
Gran continued his explanation: "According to the records, the Ultimate State requires a Saiyan to reclaim their consciousness and 'find themselves' while in the Great Ape form..."
As Gran spoke, the Old Kai's eyes grew brighter and brighter. When Gran finished, the old man practically jumped with excitement. "Genius! Who on earth came up with such a method?!"
Beerus and Whis exchanged a glance. Aside from his... questionable hobbies, the Old Kai was a master of universal observation and racial research. It seemed Gran's "Ultimate State" was more than just a myth.
"I was hesitant before, but the method of reclaiming oneself within the Great Ape form makes perfect sense!" The Old Kai's smile was as bright as a blooming chrysanthemum. "Little one, if I'm not mistaken, every transformation after this golden state will only become increasingly violent!"
Gran's pupils contracted slightly. This old man is incredible, he thought. He guessed it exactly. Indeed, Super Saiyan 2 and 3 would only push his rage further.
"While you will become more violent, that is merely a process!" the Old Kai continued, his voice rising with excitement. "Every breakthrough in this 'Super Saiyan' line is actually accumulating Rage Factors (S-Factors) within your body! To reach the Ultimate State, you must return to the primal Oozaru form. In that state, all the Rage Factors you've accumulated will be activated at once. Finding yourself in that chaos effectively 'burns away' all the rage in your blood. When those factors are exhausted, you return to your true essence—the Ultimate State!"
He hoisted Gran up again, laughing. "The records are right! This Ultimate State is the true 'Base Form' of a matured Saiyan. In that state, the rage, the physical burden, and the massive energy drain will all vanish!"
The Grand Priest's Paradox
"Wait," Whis interrupted, a thought crossing his mind. "Elder Kai, my father—the Grand Priest—once said that this path of transformation for Saiyans was 'wrong.'"
Gran's face darkened. He knew the Grand Priest was likely referring to the "Legendary" path of Odis, which was different from his own.
"You asked the Grand Priest? And he said it was wrong?" The Old Kai's eyes widened, but he stood his ground. "Impossible. My deductions are sound. Mr Whis, repeat exactly what your father said."
Whis recounted the legend of Odis—the first Saiyan, the green aura, and the challenge to Grand Zeno.
"A green-haired state? Challenging Lord Zeno?" The Old Kai shivered and took a step back, shocked by such a history.
"No, that state and this child's state are completely different! This boy only risks losing his mind before reaching the Ultimate State. Furthermore, his dimension is already at the Peak King Kai level. His next step is to become a true God. Once that happens, his lifespan will be as vast as Lord Beerus's! He won't lose his mind, and he won't have the lifespan issues Odis had."
The Old Kai looked at Whis firmly. "Everything exists for a reason. The golden form may have flaws, but they are all stepping stones toward the final state. I am certain his path is correct!"
The declaration was deafening. Beerus's eyes cleared; he was finally convinced. Gran felt a deep respect for the Old Kai. Even he hadn't fully understood the "meaning" of the earlier Super Saiyan stages until now.
Whis, however, was struck by the phrase 'Everything exists for a reason.' It was the exact sentiment his father had expressed regarding Odis. Perhaps Odis wasn't "wrong"—perhaps he just never found the solution that Gran was pursuing.
"Lord Whis? Is something wrong?" the Old Kai asked.
"You truly are remarkable, Elder Kai," Whis sighed, holding his staff with newfound respect. "Despite being sealed for so long, your insight is terrifying. I am impressed."
"Hoho, not at all," the Old Kai scratched his head bashfully. "You're much more powerful than I am, Mr Whis. I'm just a specialist in racial studies."
A Celebration of Divinity
"Enough with the flattery!" Beerus interrupted impatiently. "I just want to know what Gran needs to do next."
"Following the Elder Kai's analysis," Whis said, "Gran simply needs to continue his systematic training. Once he has accumulated enough Rage Factors, we will help him trigger the Ultimate State." He looked at the Old Kai. "Am I correct?"
"Indeed! Though when it comes to actual combat training, you're the expert, Mr Whis," the Old Kai laughed.
Gran breathed a sigh of relief. The path was clear. "Thank you, Elder Kai, for clearing my doubts."
"No need for thanks! You're our Candidate for Destruction. If you grow strong, Universe 7 grows strong." The Old Kai then shot a cold glance at Beerus. "Besides, I owe my freedom to you. If not for you, I'd still be stuck in that sword!"
Beerus scoffed, letting the old man have his moment of bitterness since he had been so helpful.
"By the way," Whis said to Gran, "while the path is correct, you haven't reached the Ultimate State yet. You should avoid using that golden form unless necessary."
"Avoid it? So... I can use it occasionally?" Gran asked with a cheeky grin.
Beerus groaned. "Did you not hear us? It's a massive burden! Why would you want to use it?"
Gran stood up straight, his expression dead serious. "Because it looks incredibly cool!"
The group fell silent.
"Always messing around," Beerus grumbled, though he didn't press the issue further. The atmosphere grew light and joyful. Everyone looked at the young boy with anticipation. A Godly Dimension combined with the Ultimate State and Perfected Ultra Instinct? The future was blindingly bright.
"Since my mind is at peace and my path is clear, let's celebrate with a massive feast!" Gran cheered.
Beerus and Whis's eyes practically turned into hearts—or rather, stomach-shaped voids. "Finally!" Whis cried. "I've been teaching you for over a year, and you've barely cooked for me! You've been either in seclusion or out in space. It's heartless!"
"I remember he promised us gifts from his travels, too," Beerus added, his voice full of mock resentment. "But we got nothing! He just went right back into training!"
Gran shrank back slightly, feeling guilty. "I'm a Candidate! I have to train! And... I meant to bring things back from Earth, but the Dragon Balls caused a bit of a delay..."
"Hmph! Then get to work! I haven't had your cooking in eighteen months!" Beerus huffed.
Whis didn't wait. He waved his staff, and a full kitchen—stove, utensils, and ingredients appeared by the lake.
"Master," Shin said, speaking up at last, "Gran's cooking is divine. You're in for a treat." Having followed Gran for a year, Shin knew the magic the boy could work with food.
The Old Kai swallowed hard. "The brat has this talent, too? Well, I haven't tasted real food in millions of years. I suppose it's time for a proper homecoming!"
As Gran began to prepare the feast, the Old Kai turned his attention to Shin. "I saw everything that happened with Majin Buu from inside the sword," he said gently. "Your ignorance wasn't your fault. With my guidance, you will finally become a true Supreme Kai."
He looked back at Gran, who was busy at the stove. "And with that boy around... Universe 7 is truly going to take flight."
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