"This... of course it's what I want!" Pan exclaimed.
"You hesitated," Goten teased with a playful grin.
"I didn't!" Pan protested, her face turning red.
Goten chuckled but said no more, leaving Pan flustered.
"Uncle Goten, can you teach me some powerful moves?" Pan asked, quickly changing the subject.
"What do you want to learn?" Goten replied.
"Teleportation!" Pan said with excitement.
"No, teleportation is hard to learn," Goten replied. "It might take you a long time."
"Uncle Goten, you're the best! Please teach me," Pan said, putting on her best pleading expression.
Seeing her determination, Goten smiled and turned to Merus. "Merus, do you know any Yardratians who might be willing to teach her?"
"Yes, I do," Merus replied. "But you want one of them to teach Pan teleportation?"
"Yeah," Goten confirmed.
"Hmm... I'm not sure if they'll agree, but I can ask for you."
"Would that work for you, Pan?" Goten asked.
Hearing this, Pan immediately stopped her act and nodded eagerly.
"Uncle Goten, are the people you mentioned really Yardratians?"
"Of course," Goten replied. "But they look a bit unusual. If you're scared, it's okay to change your mind."
"Who's scared?" Pan said confidently. "I'm not even afraid of Grandpa Piccolo, so why would I be afraid of the Yard... La... Tians!"
Piccolo, standing nearby, sighed. "Why do I always get dragged into these conversations?"
Goten couldn't help but laugh at Piccolo's exasperated expression.
"Brother Goten, can I learn teleportation too?" Bulla, who had been quietly observing, suddenly asked.
"Of course!" Goten said with a smile.
The group chatted for a while longer before Pan and Bulla finally left with Piccolo.
As the dust settled, Trunks let out a sigh of relief. "Finally, some peace and quiet!"
"Yeah," Goten agreed, chuckling.
Suddenly, Merus's staff glowed brightly, catching their attention.
Merus lifted the staff and examined it. A moment later, he turned to Goten. "Lord Goten, it's my father. He's calling us to The Grand Zeno's palace."
"Understood," Goten said. He turned to Trunks. "Trunks, I have to go to The Grand Zeno. You should head home for now."
"Alright, take care," Trunks said with a nod.
With a quick nod, Goten placed a hand on Merus's shoulder, and the two teleported away.
The Palace of The Grand Zeno
Moments later, Goten, Merus, and Supreme Kai Shin arrived at the grand palace.
"Greetings, Grand Zeno!" Supreme Kai Shin immediately knelt in respect.
Goten and Merus remained standing, bowing politely.
"Um!" The two Zenos nodded in acknowledgment.
Goten turned to the Grand Priest. "Master Grand Priest, you called for me?"
"Yes," the Grand Priest said. "It's time to begin your training."
"Training?" Goten repeated, intrigued.
Merus, standing nearby, was visibly surprised. It was unheard of for the Grand Priest to personally train a mortal.
"Before we begin, I want to assess your current strength," the Grand Priest continued.
"You want to fight me?" Goten asked, raising an eyebrow.
The Grand Priest smiled faintly. "No, Goten. While you are strong, you are not yet my match. Instead, you will fight the two guards of The Grand Zeno."
Goten's gaze shifted to the two imposing figures standing behind the Zenos. He knew their power was immense. Facing one of them would be a challenge; facing both would push him to his limits.
"The battle will take place in the same arena as before," the Grand Priest said, tapping his staff.
The ground beneath them shifted, descending into a massive arena surrounded by four towering stone pillars.
"Astrion, Celion, step forward," the Grand Priest commanded.
The two guards nodded and leaped onto the arena.
"Come on, Astrion! Celion!" the Zenos cheered.
Goten followed, jumping down to face them.
"Are you ready, Goten?" the Grand Priest asked.
"Yes," Goten replied confidently.
"Very well," the Grand Priest declared. "Let the battle begin!"
"Ahhhh!!!"
Goten's Ki erupted like a storm, shaking the arena violently. His hair turned white, flowing to his waist, with its lower half shimmering pink. Pink patterns resembling bookends appeared on his forehead, and red slanted marks adorned his cheeks. His entire body radiated golden energy streaked with lightning.
This was Super Saiyan Seven.
"Wow, Goten's hair has grown so long!" the Future Zeno exclaimed in awe.
"Um!" The present Zeno nodded.
"What is this transformation?" Merus asked, astonished.
"This is Super Saiyan Seven," Supreme Kai Shin explained. "It's Goten's most powerful form—at least for now."
"His most powerful form?"
"Yes," Shin confirmed. "But who knows? Perhaps there will be a Super Saiyan Eight or Nine in the future."
On the arena, Astrion and Celion wasted no time, charging at Goten with lightning speed.
Goten roared and met their charge head-on. The three clashed in a flurry of blows, their fists moving faster than the eye could follow.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
The sound of their strikes echoed like thunder across the arena. Dust clouds rose around them as the ground trembled under the intensity of their battle.
Despite his immense power, Goten struggled to keep up with the combined assault of Astrion and Celion. Alone, he could have handled either one, but together, their synchronized attacks pushed him back.
From the stands, The Zenos watched eagerly, though the battle was too fast for them to follow.
"Grand Priest, who's winning?" the present Zeno asked.
"Astrion and Celion currently have the upper hand," the Grand Priest replied.
"Really?"
"Yes," the Grand Priest nodded, his expression thoughtful.