Five hours of ritual. Forty hours of unlocking. Finally—freedom.

  Gohan and Trunks thought Old Kai was a fraud. Then they felt the power. He's legit.

  "This strength... it's incredible, Gohan-bro!"

  "Yeah! Old Kai, how do we draw it out?"

  "Like transforming into a Super Saiyan—"

  "Got it!"

  "Wait, don't—"

  Too late. They powered up. Silver-white aura erupted. King Kai's Planet trembled. Old Kai flew backward.

  Gohan felt it. No Ki drain. Unlike Super Saiyan 3. I can maintain this!

  Trunks grinned. "Gohan-bro, this form's stronger than Super Saiyan—and no drain!"

  Old Kai dusted himself off. "You two trying to kill me?! Powering up before I got clear?!"

  "Sorry, Old Kai!"

  They bowed in unison.

  "Fine, fine. Can't stay mad at youngsters. But yes—this form surpasses Super Saiyan. Especially that Super Saiyan 3 disaster. Total dead-end evolution. Girl, how'd you guide them down that path?"

  Perilla shrugged. "Super Saiyan 3 drains Ki. But it looks cool. Power's temporary. Style's forever. You don't have to fight in it, but you must have it."

  "..."

  "Perilla-nee, you knew Super Saiyan 3 was flawed... but taught us anyway because it looks good?"

  "Yep. Problem?"

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  Silence. That's... impressively shameless.

  CRACK.

  The egg trembled. More fissures spread.

  "What's happening?!"

  Gohan frowned. We had a week!

  "Your transformations provoked him. He's breaking free faster."

  "What do we do, Perilla-nee? Old Kai said even together we'd lose—"

  "Relax. I'll teach you Fusion. Also called the Fusion Dance."

  "Fusion?"

  Gohan blinked. Trunks tilted his head. Shin and Kibito looked confused. Only Old Kai nodded.

  "Ah. That's why you're confident. Fused, they'll beat Majin Buu. But this Fusion Dance—"

  "I know. But more techniques never hurt. Use the Fusion Dance now. Save the earrings for stronger enemies later."

  Perilla tapped her Potara Earring.

  "Kids these days. Always interrupting. Fine. You know, so I'll shut up."

  Shin blinked. "Earrings? What earring fusion?"

  Old Kai sighed. "You're a full Supreme Kai and don't know?! Look at Perilla. Supreme Kais keep getting weaker."

  "Old man, stop criticizing me—"

  "You—"

  "Okay, okay. Lecture him after we beat Majin Buu."

  Perilla intervened.

  "Fine!"

  She turned to Gohan and Trunks. "Fusion merges two people into one. Lasts thirty minutes. Then you split. It's a secret technique from the Metamorans."

  "But Perilla-nee, if we can't win together, isn't fusion just 1+1=2?"

  Perilla wagged a finger. "1+1=2? Wrong. Fusion isn't addition. It's exponential. Two weak fighters become one overwhelmingly strong warrior."

  "Really?! Teach us!"

  "First: similar height. You two match. Second: sync your Ki perfectly. Third: perform the Fusion Dance symmetrically while shouting 'Fusion!' Watch."

  Perilla demonstrated. Arms extended. Stepped. Spun. Pointed. "FU—SION—HA!"

  Simple enough. They memorized it instantly.

  "Finally, touch fingertips. One mistake, serious consequences. Understand?"

  "Yes!" x2

  Trunks whispered. "Gohan-bro, do we really have to do this embarrassing dance?"

  "Well, I—"

  "What's wrong? Feeling shy? I think it's fine. Way better than the Ginyu Force poses you saw on Namek, right Gohan?"

  Perilla leaned forward. Hands on hips. Stared at Gohan.

  Inside, Gohan thought: Actually, the Ginyu Force poses were awesome!

  But facing Perilla's cute face, he swallowed. "Y-Yeah... much better..."

  His stutter gave him away.

  "Gohan, you sound insincere. Do you think the Ginyu Force poses are cool? Want to copy them? Listen—if you ever imitate those poses, don't say you know me. I won't know you. Clear?"

  "That serious?! O-Okay..."

  But maybe when I become the Great Saiyaman, I'll create my own signature pose. Perilla will be impressed then!

  Perilla sighed. Damn. This timeline's Gohan's infected by the Ginyu Force too. Good thing I caught it early. If he ever becomes the Great Saiyaman and strikes those poses, I'm cutting ties forever.

  "Ahem. Practice separately first. Master it. Then fuse for real."

  I'm not watching a fat Gohanks waddle out.

  ~~~~??~~~~~~~~??~~~~

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