Blade of the System

The sun blazed high over Guixian Island, its light glinting off the waves as Master Roshi and Krillin stood poised on the sandy shore. Their eyes gleamed with a mix of curiosity and longing, a hunger to see something they hadn't witnessed in eight long years. I faced them, fists tightening slightly, the salty breeze tugging at my gi as I prepared to give them what they craved.

A surge of energy erupted within me, golden light exploding outward as I tapped into Super Saiyan, my hair shifting to a brilliant gold, pupils flickering to a sharp green. The transformation was seamless, the full power form settling over me like a second skin, the wild flames of aura fading into a steady glow. I stood there, calm and controlled, feeling the raw strength pulse through every muscle.

"Super Saiyan, no kidding!" Krillin's voice broke the silence, his fists clenching as excitement lit up his face. "Goten, you're unreal, a total genius!" His words trembled with a joy I could feel, a spark reignited after years of darkness.

Master Roshi adjusted his sunglasses, his usual leer replaced by a rare, serious glint. "Breaking through on your own, kid? That's a gift Goku and Vegeta never had." His tone carried awe, his gaze piercing as if he could see the potential coiled inside me.

Chichi beamed beside me, her pride a tangible force, her chest swelling as she watched their reactions. "Told you he's special," she said, her voice rich with satisfaction. She'd raised me, molded me through sheer will, and now her faith was paying off in front of her old foes-turned-allies.

Krillin stepped closer, his grin widening, a fighter's gleam in his eyes. "Let's test it, Goten. I want to feel that Super Saiyan power up close." His eagerness was infectious, pulling me into the moment.

Eight years ago, he'd have balked at challenging a Super Saiyan; guilt and desperation had changed him since then. After the Cell Games stole Goku and the others, Krillin had trained relentlessly, the lone survivor carrying Earth's burden. He'd grown, his stance radiating a confidence I hadn't expected.

"Bring it on," I said, waving him forward with a casual flick of my hand. Three years of grinding had honed my base strength; it might not match Goku's peak in the Cell Games, but it was enough to handle Krillin. I kept my expression steady, hiding the thrill bubbling inside at the chance to test my system.

"Don't sleep on me, kid," Krillin warned, dropping into a fighting stance, his smile sharp. His body blurred, launching toward me like a cheetah, sand kicking up in his wake. Afterimages trailed him, a testament to a speed that caught me off guard; he'd come a long way.

I tilted my head, impressed but unshaken; his pace was fast, but not fast enough. He swung a fist, and I sidestepped, the air whistling past as his punch met nothing. "Nice try," I muttered, a smirk tugging at my lips as I settled into the rhythm.

Krillin didn't relent, his attacks coming in waves, a hurricane of fists and kicks tearing through the beach. The sea churned, waves crashing harder under the force of his onslaught, gravel scattering like shrapnel. I danced around him, weaving through the storm, my feet rooted as I dodged every blow with ease.

Master Roshi squinted, his cane sinking into the sand as he watched. "This kid's got it," he murmured, a spark of hope flaring in his voice. "He's strong, stronger than Krillin could ever dream; maybe he's the one to stop Cell."

Chichi crossed her arms, her nod subtle but firm. "That's my boy," she said softly, her eyes tracking my every move. She saw it too: the gap between me and Krillin, a chasm built by Saiyan blood and relentless will.

Krillin pressed on, sweat beading on his brow, his strikes growing wilder but no less fierce. Eight years of training had sharpened him, lifted him beyond the human limits I'd known from the comics. Yet, against me, he was a candle to my blaze; I hadn't even shifted my stance.

"Unreal," Krillin panted, pausing mid-assault, his chest heaving as he grinned. "You haven't moved an inch, dodging everything like it's nothing!" His frustration melted into awe, a weight lifting from his shoulders.

I shrugged, keeping my cool, though my pulse raced with the thrill of it. "You're not bad yourself," I said, meaning it; his growth was real, just outmatched. Inside, I felt the system humming, poised for its moment, and I knew this was my shot.

"Alright, Goten, try this!" Krillin's voice sharpened, his grin turning sly as he raised his right hand. A golden disc flared to life in his palm, the Qi Yuan Slash, tenfold stronger than I'd expected. He hurled it, and it split midair into ten spinning blades, each one glinting with deadly intent.

My eyes widened, a jolt of excitement ripping through me. "Now that's interesting," I said, my toes brushing the sand as I leapt upward. I knew Qi Yuan Slash's bite; catching it with my bare hands was a fool's game, even for a Super Saiyan.

The blades veered, tracking me like guided missiles, their edges humming with menace. I twisted midair, dodging the first few, but they kept coming, relentless and precise. Krillin had upgraded this move, and it showed; these weren't the clumsy discs of Namek.

"Fine, no dodging," I muttered, spinning to face them head-on. "Let's break them!" I thrust my hands forward, twin energy waves bursting from my palms, roaring toward the onslaught.

The collision lit up the sky, a deafening rumble shaking the island as smoke billowed outward. The ten Qi Yuan Slashes shattered, fragments dissolving into the wind, overwhelmed by my raw power. I landed lightly, the sand crunching beneath me, a grin splitting my face.

A chime rang in my mind, crisp and triumphant. "Ding! Congratulations, host, you've picked up the skill: Qi Yuan Slash Ten Blades," the system announced. "Ding! Combat power increased by 120,000." My breath caught, a surge of elation flooding me as the rewards sank in.

Krillin stumbled back, laughing despite the defeat, his hands on his knees. "That was insane, Goten! You're Earth's new hope, no doubt about it." His voice rang with relief, the burden of eight years easing in that moment.

Roshi hobbled forward, his cane tapping the sand, a rare smile creasing his face. "Goku's blood runs strong," he said, nodding at me. "With that kind of power, Cell's in for a rude awakening."

Chichi stepped up beside me, her hand resting on my shoulder, her pride palpable. "See? Told you he's something else," she said, her voice warm but firm. She squeezed gently, a silent promise that we'd keep pushing forward together.

I flexed my hands, feeling the new skill settle into me, a sharp edge added to my arsenal. The system's chime still echoed, a reminder of its potential; 120,000 combat power wasn't much compared to Cell, but it was a start. I glanced at Krillin, then Roshi, their faith bolstering my own resolve.

The waves crashed louder now, the sea mirroring the energy thrumming through me. Super Saiyan was just the beginning; with Qi Yuan Slash and the system, I was building something unstoppable. Cell wouldn't know what hit him, and I couldn't wait to prove it.

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