After a few minutes, the Z Fighters arrived at the elder's home, led by Piccolo.
Nail, the guardian of the elder, noticed their arrival and nodded to Piccolo, saying, "So you've arrived, Piccolo. The elder has instructed that you may enter."
With permission, Piccolo nodded to Nail, then looked at Goku and the others before entering the elder's house.
Seeing the gigantic elder, everyone gasped.
"You… are the elder? Just as Gohan described, you're huge." Goku's words were exaggerated, but his respectful demeanor showed.
"Welcome, friends from distant Earth. Thank you for coming to help us fend off invaders. This kindness, all Namekians will remember."
"Cough cough… Piccolo, have them line up. My time is short. As repayment for your kindness, I will unlock each of your potentials."
"I hope my unlocking will grant you the power to turn the tide."
The elder's urgency was clear.
He seemed aware that his life was nearing its end and wanted to make a final contribution.
Hearing this, everyone but Piccolo and Gohan missed the implication of his
impending death, their faces showing excitement.
After all, the potential unlocking was too tempting, allowing them to surpass their limits and become stronger.
Piccolo and Gohan were prime examples!
Their power after unlocking was incomparable to before.
Quickly, everyone lined up, with Goku first.
Then Raditz, Krillin, Yamcha, Tien Shinhan, and Chiaotzu followed.
The unlocking process lasted over ten minutes.
After unlocking everyone's potential, the elder was in a dire state.
"The power… has increased so much! This is your potential unlocking?! Amazing!" Goku felt the powerful energy surging within him, awed.
His power now was several times greater!
This kind of improvement was much faster than training.
Goku wouldn't know, but his power level had already exceeded a million points.
"So strong!! Power is erupting within me!!" Raditz felt elated, confident he could now easily defeat Frieza.
He too could be a Super Saiyan!
Getting closer and more excited.
"Incredible, is this really my power?!" Krillin felt like he was dreaming, his power level jumping from nearly 40,000 to 120,000.
"Such a short time to unlock our potential, this surpasses a year of hard training, even better than training in a gravity chamber." Tien Shinhan clenched his fists, feeling the power coursing through him.
His power level jumped from 50,000 to 150,000.
"Tien, I feel much stronger too, and my psychic abilities have improved." Chiaotzu felt happy, reporting his improved strength.
Chiaotzu's power level increased from 10,000 to 30,000 as the weakest Z Fighter.
"If I had this power on Earth…" Yamcha's power level rose from 30,000 to 70,000.
The massive boost made him resent that the power came too late.
He wouldn't have been so humiliated if he were this strong on Earth.
"Cough cough… How much strength you gain depends greatly on your potential… Each of you has incredible potential."
The elder's exhaustion was evident.
Everyone snapped out of their joy at the power increase.
They had forgotten the elder who had unlocked their potential, costing him greatly.
This was apparent from his weakened state.
"Friends from afar, the future of Namek… depends on you…" The elder said weakly.
Hearing this, everyone nodded.
They had received his blessing and now had to fulfill their promise.
Guaranteeing help was essential, but not absolute.
Despite their increased strength, the outcome was uncertain.
Only after resolving the situation could they say they saved Namek.
...
After sending off the Z Fighters, the elder sighed.
As someone who could foresee the future, he knew even with his help, they might not withstand the ultimate terror.
"Nail." The elder called.
"Elder." Nail responded, quickly stepping in and standing respectfully before the elder.
One look and Nail could see the elder was very weak.
So many potential unlockings had severely drained his energy.
In a way, it had shortened his already limited lifespan.
"Nail, you are our strongest warrior left on Namek… My life is nearing its end…"
"Assist those people and Piccolo… Nail… you might be needed in the end…"
The elder's instructions trailed off, unable to continue.
He didn't want to see anyone sacrifice themselves.
Nail seemed to understand the elder's intent.
"As long as you are alive, I won't leave your side…"
"Unless, it really comes to that."
Nail said firmly.
The elder said no more, closing his eyes silently.
The countdown of his life began.