Chapter 22: Progress Through Persistence

Reached 125 stones, here the bonus chapter.

Next: 150

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A month had passed since the Z-Fighters began their rigorous training on King Kai's planet. With each passing day, they had pushed their limits further, inching ever closer to the power they needed to face Frieza. And for Gohan, today was the day he would finally achieve what had been eluding him for weeks, the transformation into a Super Saiyan.

Gohan stood in the training grounds, his eyes fixed ahead, his breath steady but heavy with anticipation. He had come close so many times, but today felt different. There was a calm in his mind, a clarity he hadn't felt before.

The pressure to succeed hadn't diminished, but the fear of failure had faded away. Piccolo's words echoed in his mind, steadying him: "Control, not just power. Don't force it. Let it come to you."

Nearby, Piccolo watched closely, his arms crossed as always, but this time there was a subtle expectation in his gaze. He knew Gohan was on the verge of something big. After weeks of progress, it was clear that today was different. Gohan's energy was building, more controlled than ever.

"Gohan," Piccolo called out, his voice calm yet commanding. "You're ready. Don't hold back this time."

Taking a deep breath, Gohan closed his eyes, feeling the warmth of his ki rising within him. He clenched his fists, focusing inward, letting the emotions he had kept bottled up come to the surface. Fear, anger, the need to protect his friends and family, all of it fueled the power swirling inside him.

His aura flared, the ground beneath him trembling as his ki surged. His hair fluttered slightly, beginning to lift as the golden hue of Super Saiyan flickered around him once again. But this time, instead of forcing it, Gohan allowed the energy to flow freely, guiding it instead of battling against it.

'For Dad... for Piccolo... for everyone!' he thought, pushing harder, but with control.

His body began to glow with golden light, his muscles tensing as the power surged through him. Piccolo's eyes narrowed, sensing the change. Gohan's aura was different, calmer, more focused, yet filled with an immense power that was waiting to break free.

And then it happened.

With a loud roar, Gohan's hair spiked upward, turning bright gold as the transformation took hold. His eyes flashed teal, and his body radiated with the unmistakable energy of a Super Saiyan. The ground beneath him cracked, and the air around him pulsed with power, but Gohan stood steady, his body no longer trembling under the weight of the transformation.

"I... did it," Gohan whispered, looking down at his hands, his eyes wide with amazement. The golden aura surrounding him flickered and flared, but it was steady, solid. He had done it. He had finally become a Super Saiyan.

Piccolo stepped forward, a rare smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You've done it, Gohan. I knew you would."

Gohan looked at Piccolo, his face filled with awe and pride. "I felt it, Piccolo. I felt the power, but it's different now. I can control it."

"That's the key," Piccolo replied, his tone full of approval. "Power is nothing without control. Now that you've unlocked it, you need to focus on mastering it. This is just the beginning."

Gohan nodded, his resolve deepening. He clenched his fists, feeling the raw power coursing through his veins. The energy was immense, but this time, it was his to command.

"I'll keep training," Gohan said, determination clear in his voice. "I won't stop until I've mastered it completely."

Piccolo stepped back, his arms crossing once more. "Good. You're stronger now, but don't let that make you overconfident. There's still much more work to be done."

Gohan smiled, his golden aura flickering around him. "I understand. I'm ready."

....

Meanwhile, not far away, Krillin was watching Gohan's transformation with awe. Even after all these years of fighting alongside Saiyans, seeing one of them unlock a new level of power was still incredible. He had sensed Gohan's progress over the past month, but this... this was something else.

"Wow... he really did it," Krillin muttered to himself, feeling both proud and motivated. "Looks like I've got to step up my game too."

Krillin, though not a Saiyan, had been pushing himself harder than ever in the past month. His speed had increased significantly, and his control over his ki had become razor-sharp.

His Destructo Disc technique, in particular, had become far more advanced. He could now form multiple discs at once and control their trajectory with precision, something that had taken him years to master.

"Alright, time to get back to it," Krillin said, wiping the sweat from his brow. "I can't let Gohan show me up."

He jumped back into his training, moving swiftly between the energy blasts that Piccolo had set up as obstacles. Each blast required split-second reactions, testing his reflexes and agility.

Krillin grinned as he dodged effortlessly, forming two Destructo Discs and sending them flying toward the blasts. They sliced through the energy, dispersing it in a flash of light before returning to him.

"Nice! I'm getting better at this," Krillin said with a satisfied grin.

Gohan, now fully transformed into a Super Saiyan, watched Krillin from across the training grounds. He couldn't help but admire his friend's dedication. Even though Krillin wasn't as strong as the Saiyans, he had an unshakable resolve and a fighting spirit that Gohan had always looked up to.

"Krillin's amazing," Gohan said quietly to himself, feeling a renewed sense of gratitude for the friends and allies who had stood by his side all these years.

Piccolo, standing beside him, nodded in agreement. "Krillin may not have the raw power of a Saiyan, but he's one of the best fighters I know. Never underestimate him."

Gohan smiled. "I won't. We're all in this together."

....

As the day drew to a close, the Z-Fighters gathered together for a moment of rest. Gohan, still glowing faintly with the residual energy of his transformation, sat beside Piccolo and Krillin, feeling a deep sense of pride in what he had accomplished.

"I'm finally a Super Saiyan," Gohan said, the excitement still fresh in his voice. "But I know I have to keep pushing. I'm not done yet."

Krillin nodded, his expression serious but supportive. "None of us are. We've all got to keep pushing if we're going to stand a chance against Frieza."

Piccolo remained silent, his gaze steady as he looked out over the horizon. The month had been long and grueling, but the progress they had made was undeniable.

Gohan had unlocked his Super Saiyan form, Krillin had sharpened his techniques to a new level, and even Piccolo had refined his own abilities, though he never liked to boast about his progress.

"We'll be ready," Piccolo finally said, his voice calm but resolute. "Frieza's out there, getting stronger every day. But so are we."

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