Chichi’s New Resolve

A rush of pure, uncontainable joy surged through me, electrifying every nerve as I sat at the weathered kitchen table. The system's voice still echoed in my mind, its words a lifeline I'd never dared hope for after three long years in this shattered world. "Ultra Instinct Mega," I whispered, my voice trembling with awe, barely audible over the clatter of Chichi's cooking. This wasn't just a power boost; it was a leap into the divine, a gift that rewrote every limit I'd been clawing against.

I'd expected maybe a nudge toward Super Saiyan 2 from that novice package, a small step to close the gap with Cell. Instead, the system had handed me something straight out of the gods' playbook, a force so potent it dwarfed anything I'd imagined. My hands shook as I gripped the edge of the table, the wood creaking under my fingers, my heart pounding like a war drum.

Back on my old Earth, I'd been James Carter, a nobody who'd devoured Dragon Ball stories, dreaming of Saiyan battles but never living them. Now, fused with Son Goten, I was staring down a reality where Ultra Instinct wasn't a fantasy but my weapon, a blazing edge against the nightmare Cell had left behind. I couldn't suppress the grin spreading across my face; this was unreal, a jackpot beyond belief.

The kitchen's warmth wrapped around me, the scent of grilled fish and rice grounding me as my thoughts raced. Ultra Instinct Mega wasn't the perfect form Goku had mastered in Dragon Ball Super, but it was still absurdly powerful, a state of reflex and strength that could turn the tide. I remembered Jiren, that hulking titan from the Tournament of Power, shrugging off Goku's Super Saiyan Blue with Kaio-ken stacked twenty times over; yet, Ultra Instinct had scarred him, dodged his every blow with ease.

I leaned back in the chair, exhaling sharply, the weight of that memory sinking in. "This is it," I muttered, my voice steadier now, conviction hardening within me. "Cell doesn't stand a chance." With this, I could end him, avenge Goku and Gohan, and protect what little remained of this broken Earth.

But the thrill dimmed as a colder truth crept in, tempering my ecstasy with caution. Ultra Instinct Mega demanded more than just willpower; it needed a body forged to withstand its strain, a foundation I didn't yet have. I clenched my fists, staring at the calloused knuckles, realizing the clock was still ticking; Cell could return any day, and I had to be ready.

"Goten, stop daydreaming and eat already!" Chichi's voice snapped me back, sharp but laced with affection. She stood over the stove, stirring a pot, her dark eyes flicking toward me with a mix of exasperation and care. I blinked, the system's glow fading from my mind as I refocused on her familiar presence.

"Got it, Mom!" I called back, my mood lifting as I sprang from the chair. In an instant, I crossed the room, my speed a blur even without powering up, stopping just in front of her. She laughed, a rare sound these days, and ruffled my hair with a tenderness that belied her tough exterior.

"You're just like your father, always lost in training or some crazy idea," she said, her tone softening. "But I swear, Goten, you push yourself harder than he ever did." Her hand lingered on my head, a quiet pride shining through her words.

I grinned up at her, feeling the warmth of that connection, a bond forged over three years of surviving together. She wasn't wrong; Goku's carefree spirit was in me somewhere, but the pressure I carried dwarfed anything he'd faced in his early days. Cell had left me no choice but to outstrip them all, to become more than a Saiyan, more than a son.

Chichi turned back to the stove, plating another serving as I settled at the table again. The food steamed in front of me, a simple meal that felt like a luxury in this battered world. I dug in, the flavors sharp and comforting, but my mind churned, already dissecting the system's potential.

The God Level Attribute System, it called itself, a name that promised miracles in every syllable. It could snatch power from my foes, combat strength, skills, even bloodlines, all mine for the taking in battle. I paused mid-bite, the implications sinking in; this wasn't just a boost, it was a cheat code to rewrite my destiny.

Imagine facing Beerus, the God of Destruction, his purple aura crackling with annihilation. If I could snag even a sliver of his destructive power, meld it with Ultra Instinct Mega, what would I become? My fork hovered, my breath catching as the thought expanded, wild and intoxicating.

Or Whis, that serene angel with perfect Ultra Instinct, his staff a blur of cosmic might. A fight with him could hand me the full form, plus whatever divine tricks he carried; the possibilities danced in my head, each one more insane than the last. I set the fork down, leaning back, my pulse quickening with the sheer scope of it.

"Cell's done for," I murmured, a fierce certainty settling in my chest. With Ultra Instinct Mega as my foundation, I could bury him the moment he dared show his face. But first, I had to temper my body, build the strength to wield this power without breaking apart.

Chichi glanced over, catching my muttered words, her brow furrowing. "What's that about Cell?" she asked, setting a cup of water beside my plate. Her voice held an edge, a mother's worry sharpened by years of loss.

I met her gaze, forcing a reassuring smile. "Just thinking out loud, Mom. I've got a plan to take him down." She nodded slowly, unconvinced but trusting me enough to let it drop for now.

The meal stretched on, silence settling between us, broken only by the clink of dishes. I ate mechanically, my mind racing back to Ultra Instinct's demands; physical power was the key now, not some emotional trigger for Super Saiyan 2. Saiyan transformations thrived on base strength; if I could forge an unbreakable core, even the simplest form could crush Cell.

Clarity hit me like a punch, a path forward cutting through the fog of doubt. I didn't need rage or breakthroughs; I needed raw, unyielding might, the kind that could anchor Ultra Instinct Mega and beyond. I shoveled another bite into my mouth, resolve hardening with every chew.

Chichi watched me, her expression softening as she leaned against the counter. "You've got that look again, Goten," she said, almost to herself. "The one that says you're about to do something big." Her voice carried a mix of pride and ache, a mother's heart torn between hope and fear.

I swallowed, meeting her eyes with a nod. "Yeah, Mom, something big's coming. I can feel it." The system's arrival had shifted everything, a spark igniting a fire I hadn't known I could carry.

She sighed, crossing her arms, her gaze drifting to the window where the mountain loomed. "You're only seven, and you're carrying the world," she murmured. "It's not fair, but it's yours to bear." Her words hung heavy, a truth we both knew too well.

I pushed my plate away, the meal finished, my body buzzing with restless energy. Cell had taken Goku, Gohan, Vegeta, even little Trunks, leaving me as Earth's last Saiyan, its only shield. I stood, the chair scraping against the floor, my fists tightening at my sides.

Chichi straightened, wiping her hands on a rag, her demeanor shifting. "Finish eating, then we're heading out," she said, her tone firm now. "We're going to Master Roshi's place; he can help you."

I blinked, surprised by the sudden decision. "Master Roshi? The old guy?" I asked, tilting my head. She nodded, her eyes narrowing with purpose.

"He trained your father, Goten," she said, stepping closer. "His fighting power's faded, but his martial arts knowledge is unmatched. You need that now." Her voice carried a steel I hadn't heard before, a resolve born from desperation.

I remembered Roshi from Goten's memories and my old comics, a lecherous old man with a knack for teaching. Once, Chichi would've kept me miles from him, fearing his influence on Gohan; now, she saw him as a lifeline. I nodded slowly, the idea settling in; his wisdom could sharpen my edge.

"Alright, let's go," I said, feeling the weight of her trust fuel my determination. Chichi smiled faintly, a rare glimpse of the mother she'd been before Cell tore everything apart. She grabbed a bag, tossing in supplies, her movements brisk and decisive.

The kitchen felt alive now, charged with purpose as we prepared to leave. Chichi's change struck me; the woman who'd once scolded Goku for fighting was now pushing me toward it, her faith in me absolute. I watched her, a swell of gratitude mixing with the fire in my chest.

"Mom, why Roshi now?" I asked, curious about her shift. She paused, glancing back with a look that cut through me. "Because you're all we've got, Goten, and I'll do anything to make you strong enough."

Her words landed hard, a vow etched in every syllable. I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat; she'd lost too much to hesitate now. We stepped outside, the mountain air cool against my skin, the journey ahead a promise of growth.

The sun dipped lower, painting the sky in hues of orange and red. Baozi Mountain stretched before us, a rugged path to Roshi's island, a trek that felt like the first step toward something monumental. I flexed my hands, Ultra Instinct Mega humming beneath the surface, ready to be forged.

Chichi walked beside me, her pace steady, her presence a silent strength. "He's not much to look at, but Roshi's got tricks up his sleeve," she said, her voice carrying over the wind. I grinned, imagining the old turtle hermit sizing me up, oblivious to the power I now held.

Cell was out there, growing, scheming, but I wasn't the scared kid I'd been hours ago. The system had changed the game, and Roshi's guidance could sharpen my blade. I glanced at Chichi, her resolve mirroring mine, and knew we'd face this together, no matter what came next.

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