'Ten million!' The number reverberated through Vegeta's mind like a thunderclap. After years of relentless training, his power had barely exceeded two million. The thought of multiplying that by five through sheer effort alone seemed almost insurmountable.
He stared at Karnel with a mixture of awe and disbelief. The man spoke of reaching ten million combat power as casually as discussing the weather.
"You achieved ten million and successfully transformed into a Super Saiyan?" Vegeta asked, his voice barely concealing his shock.
Karnel nodded, a distant look crossing his features. "More than ten years ago. And you..." He paused, considering his words carefully. "As long as you don't mind the time investment, you'll reach ten million eventually. But by then, Kakarot's strength will likely have left you so far behind that you'll need a telescope to see him."
He turned away with a knowing smile. "That's why I suggest the first method. Your current power isn't far from three million, with focused effort, you could succeed relatively quickly."
Vegeta remained silent, his mind churning as he weighed his options. The fishing rod lay forgotten beside the stream as internal conflict raged within him.
"Well," Karnel said, stretching out on the vibrant grass with his hands behind his head, "I've told you everything you need to know. There are even stronger transformations beyond Super Saiyan, but the choice of how to proceed is entirely yours." His eyes drifted closed as he savored the peaceful moment.
'Strongertransformations?' Vegeta's eyes blazed with renewed intensity. He had been leaning toward the ten million path for its superior power output, but this revelation threw his calculations into chaos.
"Damn it!" he muttered, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "At my current rate of progress, reaching ten million could take decades... By the time I finally transform, he'll have ascended to heights I can't even imagine!"
The cruel irony wasn't lost on him. Saiyans were a warrior race that thrived on combat, growing stronger through battle against formidable opponents. While gravity chamber training was effective, it paled in comparison to the explosive growth that came from life-or-death struggles.
If Vegeta chose the slow path to ten million, Goku, already capable of Super Saiyan transformation, would spend those years facing countless powerful enemies. His strength would multiply exponentially, leaving Vegeta so far behind that catching up would become impossible.
The implications gnawed at him. Every day spent in solitary training was a day Kakarot grew stronger through real combat experience.
"Since you're struggling with the decision," Karnel said without opening his eyes, "why not follow Kakarot's example? Fight alongside him against various powerful enemies. You could train gradually while gaining combat experience, killing two birds with one stone."
He sat up suddenly, grinning with mischievous amusement. "Besides, wouldn't it be interesting to become friends with Kakarot? Think about it!"
Before Vegeta could respond with what was surely going to be a creative string of profanity, Karnel vanished in a shimmer of displaced air.
"FINAL FLASH!" Vegeta roared at the empty sky, his golden energy beam tearing harmlessly through the clouds where his tormentor had been moments before.
Days passed in peaceful tranquility as Karnel settled into a comfortable routine on Earth. He spent most of his time in the small lake behind his temporary residence, diving deep into meditation and cultivation practices.
"Strange," he murmured to himself, floating cross-legged above the water's surface. "Why has my progress slowed to a crawl? Compared to before, I'm moving slower than a turtle."
The refinement of the remaining temporal forces had become frustratingly sluggish. What once felt like natural, flowing progress now resembled trying to push a boulder uphill with his bare hands.
"After all these days, I've barely managed to integrate half of one temporal force. Was my previous success just a fluke?" He sighed deeply, the sound echoing across the peaceful lake. "Was that rapid breakthrough with Vegeta watching some kind of accident?"
Exhaustion weighed on him like a lead blanket as he settled onto a nearby bench, contemplating the mysteries of his own abilities.
'Patience, he reminded himself. You can't rush perfection.'
Rising from his meditation spot, Karnel sensed an approaching energy signature and headed toward his front door. His visitor was already waiting outside.
"Krillin?" Karnel emerged to find the compact martial artist standing somewhat nervously by the entrance. "What brings you here, my friend?"
'It's not that I came out at the right time, Karnel thought with amusement, I sensed you coming from miles away.'
"Perfect timing, Karnel!" Krillin's face lit up with relief. "I was hoping to catch you."
"Shouldn't you be training hard to improve your strength instead of making social calls?" Karnel asked with genuine curiosity. "This seems like an odd time for a visit."
Krillin's expression grew embarrassed, and he fidgeted with his hands for several long moments before speaking. "Actually... remember when I mentioned wanting you to be my training instructor? I was wondering if... if you might have some time to help me?"
'Ah yes, I think I do recall something like that,'Karnel mused, studying the earnest young fighter with renewed interest.
When Karnel didn't respond immediately, Krillin's face fell. "No way, huh? Well, forget I asked... haha!" He touched the back of his head with an awkward laugh and began walking away, shoulders slumped in disappointment.
'Well, I am free anyway,' Karnel decided impulsively.
"I never said no," he called out, causing Krillin to freeze mid-step. "However, I should warn you, my training methods are... intense. There's a real possibility you could die if you're not careful. Does that frighten you?"
Krillin turned around, his eyes blazing with determination. "Really? You'll train me?" His expression grew serious as he continued, "I've already died once, so what's there to be afraid of? I just hate being so weak!" His fists clenched as painful memories surfaced. "On Namek, Frieza swatted me like an insect. I refuse to be that helpless ever again!"
The raw emotion in Krillin's voice struck something deep in Karnel's chest. Here was a warrior who understood the true meaning of strength, not just power for its own sake, but the ability to protect what mattered most.
"Very well," Karnel said with a slight smile. "We begin tomorrow at dawn."