"No wonder Yamoshi transformed into a Super Saiyan after becoming a Super Saiyan God…" Yamiru murmured. "Godhood is a rebirth—a new baseline, a fresh starting point."
But how could one emulate the gods, transmuting their power into the fundamental energy of existence?
The image of the Super Saiyan God bathed in gold-red aura resurfaced in his mind—alongside five blurred figures. At their hearts, a radiant white light pulsed like a beacon.
Every past doubt and theory clicked into place.
Why could Saiyans create a "god" so effortlessly?
Why was power irrelevant, even an unborn Saiyan fetus eligible—with "righteousness" the sole requirement?
"If someone designed the Saiyan genes… or orchestrated their race's origin… they were a genius."
Memories resurfaced.
The sensation he'd shared with Yamoshi while wielding the Super Saiyan God's power—fading after leaving that divine body—now flickered back.
Six Saiyan hearts, united by their unique biology and a simple ritual, forced one among them to ascend. Their self, consciousness, perception, spirit—violently elevated to the realm of gods.
And with that metamorphosis…
Freed from mortal constraints, their very energy transformed, aligning with the world's essence—becoming divine ki.
What Yamoshi and Goku called "absorbing the Super Saiyan God's power" was more accurately:
"Remembering the sensation of higher consciousness."
Like memorizing the rage and thrill of becoming a Super Saiyan—until it's second nature.
(A Saiyan specialty, really.)
---
This was the full picture of Dragon World's power system.
For the first time, Yamiru saw it clearly:
Body. Ki. Will.
Mortals. Warriors. Gods.
Human flesh was no different from earth or sky—only shackled by self-imposed limits, obscuring its innate brilliance.
The body is a cage. Only the strongest, most gifted mortals can shatter it, unleashing their ki beyond physical constraints.
Yet no matter how vast that power grows… it remains mortal.
The Dragon God could snap his fingers and conjure thousands of Super Saiyan 3-tier bodies.
Even Yamiru, as Earth's God, could easily craft a posthumous SSJ3 body for Goku if he died.
But when mortal consciousness truly breaks its chains—
When it pierces dimensions—
Only then does one surface from the depths, seeing the true world.
Only then is one worthy.
Body. Ki. Will.
The path from mortal to god…
---
Unaware of time's passage, Yamiru sat beneath a tree on Planet Kaio, eyes closed, breath steady.
King Kai, initially startled, soon shrugged. He'd seen Yamiru nap on his Flying Nimbus countless times.
Joey, ever carefree, stayed on the planet—teasing King Kai, sniffing flowers, lazing in Yamiru's hair like a sunbathing cat. She even befriended Bubbles, then whimsically created a grasshopper-like companion named "Gregory" to join the mischief. (When bored, she abandoned Gregory to King Kai's menagerie.)
Years drifted by.
One day, as King Kai dozed in his lawn chair—
Pop!
His snot bubble burst. Jolting awake, he glanced toward the tree—and leaped up in shock.
A robed elder stood there, hands clasped behind his back, observing Yamiru.
Joey, nestled in Yamiru's hair, perked up. "Oh! It's you, gramps!" She fluttered onto the elder's shoulder without fear.
The Dragon God nodded, his gaze never leaving Yamiru.
"Y-Y-Y-Y—" King Kai stumbled over, sweating bullets. "Y-Y-YOU ARE—"
He looked at Yamiru.
…Who seemed utterly unchanged.
King Kai adjusted his tiny round sunglasses, squinting at Yamiru.
Wait… Is it just me, or…
All he could spot were a few white hairs mixed into Yamiru's black strands.
That's it?
This is what drew the Dragon God, one of the most supreme beings in existence?
Yamiru's worth his attention?
Seriously?!
King Kai scrutinized Yamiru again. Nope. Still just… white hairs.
The Dragon God spoke softly, "Have you heard of… 'Ultra Instinct'?"
King Kai shook his head frantically. Joey tilted hers. "Nope! What's that?"
The elder pondered, then explained, "Ultra Instinct is… a concept. The ultimate truth. All life, all consciousness, can only approach it—endlessly nearing, never fully becoming. Those who first touch this realm, who gain the qualification to stride toward Ultra Instinct… the world calls them 'Gods'."
(God, Not god. A higher being.)
King Kai blinked. Why's he bringing this up now?
Is Yamiru becoming a God?
No way!
Yamiru's ki felt unchanged—still strong, but no different than before.
Without waking Yamiru or offering further guidance, the Dragon God vanished as silently as he'd arrived.
Time flowed…
Then, like a statue coming to life, Yamiru opened his eyes.
He stood, gazing at the faint glow on his palms, murmuring in awe, "Ultra… Instinct…"
"Oh, you heard that?" King Kai scurried over.
"Heard what?" Yamiru looked puzzled.
Joey popped out from his hair, dangling over his forehead. "Gramps visited ages ago! He said that too—Ultra Instinct!"
Gramps? What gramps?
Yamiru was lost.
King Kai watched as the white glimmer in Yamiru's eyes faded, his hair's silver streaks vanishing just as quickly.
It hit him belatedly:
So that's Ultra Instinct?
"I need to visit King Yemma's palace," Yamiru said, gazing toward the Snake Way, oblivious—or indifferent—to his transformation. "I have someone to ask about. I wonder if she's still there."