Three weeks had passed since Marcus's initial breakthrough with Unity Mode.
Three weeks of grueling, relentless training that pushed him to limits he hadn't known existed. Three weeks of successes and failures, of moments of brilliant clarity and agonizing setbacks. Three weeks of isolation on that same mountain peak, returning to Capsule Corporation only for meals and brief rest periods.
The Z-Fighters had noticed his absence, of course. Goku had tried to visit multiple times, eager for another sparring session, but Marcus had gently turned him away each time. This wasn't something he could rush. Unity Mode was dangerous—one wrong move, one miscalculation, and he could seriously hurt himself or worse.
He needed to do this right.
On the morning of the twenty-second day, Marcus sat in his usual meditation position, the early sun warming his face. His truth-seeking orbs floated around him in their standard formation, their black surfaces gleaming with subtle light. The natural energy of the mountain flowed into him steadily, replenishing the reserves he'd depleted during the previous day's training.
Today, he decided. Today I push further.
He had made significant progress over the past weeks. The initial fusion state—the unstable combination that had nearly torn him apart—was now achievable within seconds. He could hold it for nearly five minutes before fatigue forced him to release it, and the power increase during that time was substantial.
But it wasn't enough.
Marcus had realized early on that the fusion state he'd achieved was only the beginning. There were deeper levels to Unity Mode, stages of combination that he hadn't yet touched. Each time he pushed further, he caught glimpses of something beyond—a complete fusion that would represent the true pinnacle of his power.
Getting there was the challenge.
The problem, he mused, is that my energies resist total combination. They want to remain distinct, separate. Even with the Yin-Yang shell holding them together, there's a limit to how deeply they'll merge.
It was like trying to mix oil and water. The components could be forced together temporarily, but they would always try to separate. True combination required something more—a fundamental change that would make the fusion natural rather than forced.
So what am I missing?
He reviewed his understanding of the energy types for the hundredth time. Physical energy was the power of the body—muscle, bone, flesh converted into usable force. Spiritual energy was the power of the mind—will, determination, consciousness given tangible form. Natural energy was the power of the world—the life force of every living thing, the fundamental vitality of existence itself.
And Yin-Yang release was...
Marcus paused, a new thought occurring to him.
Yin and Yang aren't just energies. They're principles. Concepts. The duality that underlies all of reality.
Yin was darkness, passivity, reception. Yang was light, activity, projection. Together, they represented the balance of opposites—the idea that all things contained their contrary nature within themselves.
Balance, Marcus thought, the realization striking him like lightning. That's what I've been missing. I've been trying to force the fusion, but what I should be doing is finding the balance.
He considered the implications. His energy types were resistant to combination because they were fundamentally different—distinct frequencies that clashed when pushed together. But if he could find the point of balance between them—the frequency where they naturally harmonized—the fusion would become stable.
It's not about power. It's about harmony.
Marcus took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Instead of gathering his energies for another forced combination, he let them flow naturally, observing their interactions without interference.
Physical energy pulsed through his body in steady waves, following the rhythm of his heartbeat. Spiritual energy flickered in his mind, responding to his thoughts and emotions. Natural energy flowed into him from the world around, a constant stream of environmental power.
And beneath it all, Yin and Yang circled each other in eternal dance, their opposing natures creating a dynamic equilibrium.
There, Marcus thought, sensing something he hadn't noticed before. The point where they intersect. The moment of balance.
He focused on that intersection, letting his awareness settle into it. The sensation was strange—like standing at the exact center of a spinning top, perfectly still while everything whirled around him.
From that point of stillness, Marcus reached out to his different energy types. But instead of forcing them together, he invited them to join—offering balance rather than demanding combination.
Physical energy responded first, drawn by the stability of the center. It flowed toward him, its frequency shifting subtly as it approached the point of equilibrium.
Spiritual energy followed, attracted by the harmony Marcus was creating. It merged with the physical component smoothly, the two energies finding a natural rhythm together.
Natural energy came next, the vast power of the world condensing into his center. It wrapped around the physical-spiritual fusion, enhancing and expanding it without disrupting its balance.
Finally, Yin and Yang stopped their eternal dance and oriented themselves around the combined energies. Instead of containing the fusion from outside, they integrated with it—becoming part of the whole rather than a shell around it.
For one perfect moment, everything was in harmony.
Then the transformation began.
Power erupted from Marcus's core—not violently, as it had during his first attempts, but smoothly, like water flowing downhill. It filled every part of him, from the top of his head to the tips of his fingers, saturating his being with energy that felt fundamentally different from anything he'd experienced before.
His aura changed first. The familiar gold of Six Paths Sage Mode deepened, taking on richer tones that seemed to glow from within. Patterns of light traced across his skin, intricate designs that pulsed with their own inner luminescence.
Then his truth-seeking orbs began to transform.
Marcus watched with wide eyes as the nine black spheres expanded, their surfaces rippling like disturbed water. They grew larger—nearly double their original size—and their color shifted from pure black to a deep, burnished gold that matched his aura.
They're changing, he realized. The fusion is affecting everything, not just my internal energy.
The transformation continued. Strange sensations ran across the top of his head, and when Marcus reached up to investigate, his fingers found something that definitely hadn't been there before.
Ears. Fox ears, covered in soft golden fur, rising from his hair like natural extensions of his body.
What the—
Before he could process this development, another change demanded his attention. Pressure built at the base of his spine, an unfamiliar sensation that was simultaneously uncomfortable and exhilarating.
Then the tails emerged.
They grew from nowhere and everywhere at once, nine appendages of pure golden energy that unfurled behind him like a divine peacock's display. Each tail was massive—easily three meters long—and they moved with their own awareness, responding to his thoughts as naturally as his own limbs.
Marcus stood slowly, adjusting to his new form. The power flowing through him was incredible—far beyond anything he'd achieved before. His senses had expanded dramatically; he could feel the ki signatures of the Z-Fighters at Capsule Corporation, hundreds of miles away. He could hear the heartbeat of a bird perched on a tree at the mountain's base. He could sense the tectonic movements of the Earth itself, the slow churning of magma beneath the surface.
This is it, he thought, flexing his hands experimentally. This is the true Unity Mode.
He needed to test it.
Marcus started with the basics.
Speed first. He willed himself forward, and the world blurred around him. The mountain peak vanished behind him in an instant, replaced by open sky as he rocketed across the landscape. He crossed continents in seconds, circling the globe multiple times before his mind even registered the acceleration.
Fast, he thought, coming to a stop over the Pacific Ocean. Incredibly fast. My old speed was like walking compared to this.
Strength next. He descended to a small, uninhabited island—little more than a rocky outcropping in the middle of nowhere—and drove his fist into the ground with measured force.
The island ceased to exist.
Marcus stared at the spreading waves where solid rock had been moments before. He hadn't even tried to use his full power—that had been maybe twenty percent of his current output.
Okay. Definitely need to be careful with that.
He practiced control for the next hour, learning to modulate his new strength. The power was immense, but it was also responsive; once he understood how to regulate it, fine manipulation became possible. He could level a mountain or pick up an egg without breaking it, depending on his intent.
The golden tails proved especially useful. They could act independently, performing separate tasks while his hands and attention were occupied elsewhere. They could extend to incredible lengths, grab objects with surprising dexterity, and even channel energy attacks of their own.
Nine extra limbs, Marcus mused, watching his tails coil and uncoil experimentally. That's going to take some getting used to.
The enlarged truth-seeking orbs had gained new capabilities as well. Their nullification effect was stronger now—Marcus tested this by creating a ki blast with the small amount of that energy he could generate and throwing it at one of the orbs. The attack didn't just disperse; it was completely erased, as if it had never existed.
More impressively, the orbs could now merge and separate at will, forming larger constructs or dividing into smaller components depending on the situation. Marcus experimented with different configurations, discovering that he could create a wide variety of shapes and tools from the golden spheres.
This is incredible, he thought, reforming the orbs into their standard orbital pattern. I've essentially doubled or tripled my combat options.
But the most significant change was the raw power increase.
Marcus extended his senses, searching for a point of comparison. The Z-Fighters' energy signatures were familiar now after weeks of proximity; he could recognize each of them by their unique frequency. Goku's burning determination. Vegeta's fierce pride. Gohan's gentle strength. Piccolo's calm intensity.
And beyond them—far, far beyond them—the cosmic signatures of Beerus and Whis.
Marcus focused on the God of Destruction's energy, trying to gauge how he measured up. Beerus's power was vast, ancient, seemingly limitless. Even in Unity Mode, Marcus knew he couldn't match the destroyer god at full power.
But he was closer than before. Much closer.
If I had to estimate, he thought carefully, I'd say I'm roughly equivalent to Super Saiyan God. Maybe slightly stronger. That puts me in the divine tier—not at the top, but definitely on the ladder.
It was a significant achievement. Super Saiyan God was a legendary transformation, one that had allowed Goku to challenge Beerus himself. If Marcus had reached that level through his own efforts, without any special rituals or external power-ups...
I might actually be able to make a difference in the battles to come.
Marcus spent the next week refining his mastery of Unity Mode.
The transformation itself became easier with practice. Initially, achieving the balanced fusion had required deep meditation and careful focus. By the end of the week, he could enter Unity Mode in seconds, the process becoming as natural as breathing.
Duration was the next challenge. His first full transformation had lasted only about ten minutes before the energy drain forced him to release it. Through careful training, he extended that to thirty minutes, then an hour, then several hours.
By the seventh day, he could maintain Unity Mode almost indefinitely, the balanced fusion requiring minimal effort to sustain.
Though it's still draining, he noted during one training session. Faster than my base state. If I had to fight a prolonged battle, I'd need to be strategic about when to use it.
He also discovered that Unity Mode had degrees of intensity. The full transformation—tails, ears, enlarged orbs—represented the maximum output. But he could achieve partial states as well, manifesting only some of the changes for a more moderate power boost.
One tail gave him roughly ten percent of the full increase. Three tails brought him to about a third. Six tails pushed him to two-thirds power, with only the ear transformation accompanying them. Nine tails was the complete form, with all the physical changes and the full power surge.
Like gears on a vehicle, Marcus thought. I can shift up or down depending on what the situation requires.
The flexibility was invaluable. Not every battle would require his maximum output; having the option to conserve energy while still accessing enhanced abilities made him far more versatile.
On the tenth day of his Unity Mode training, Marcus finally decided to return to Capsule Corporation.
He approached at normal speed, wanting time to think about how he would explain his new form. The physical changes were dramatic—the tails and ears would be impossible to hide—and he wasn't sure how the Z-Fighters would react.
They've seen stranger things, he reminded himself. Goku has a tail too. Or he did, before it was removed. This shouldn't be too shocking.
Still, he decided to release Unity Mode before arriving. The full form might be too much for a casual reintroduction. Better to explain the situation first and demonstrate later.
The golden tails and ears faded as he dropped back into his standard Six Paths state, the enlarged orbs shrinking to their normal size and returning to their usual black color. It felt strange to release the power after so long in the transformed state—like removing a comfortable coat and stepping into cold air.
I've gotten used to it, he realized. Unity Mode already feels more natural than my base form.
Capsule Corporation came into view, and Marcus descended toward the main building. He could sense multiple energy signatures inside—Bulma, Vegeta, Trunks, and unexpectedly, Goku and Gohan as well.
A gathering, he thought. Good. I can explain everything once.
He landed in the courtyard and walked toward the entrance, truth-seeking orbs trailing behind him in their familiar pattern. Before he could reach the door, it burst open, and Goku came flying out with a massive grin.
"Marcus! You're back!" The Saiyan stopped a few feet away, bouncing on his heels with poorly contained excitement. "I've been waiting forever! Did your training go well? You feel different somehow—stronger, maybe? Can we spar now?"
Marcus couldn't help but smile at the enthusiastic greeting. "Hello, Goku. Yes, the training went well. Very well, actually. And yes, we can spar—but first, I should explain what I've been working on."
"Explain later, fight now!" Goku whined, but Vegeta's voice cut through his protests.
"Let him speak, Kakarot. Some of us are actually curious about how he's improved." The Saiyan prince emerged from the building, arms crossed, expression evaluating. "You're hiding something. I can tell. Your energy signature is different—muted, like you're suppressing a significant amount of power."
"Perceptive as always," Marcus acknowledged. "You're right. I've achieved a new form during my training, and I've been suppressing it to avoid causing a scene."
"A new form?" Gohan appeared behind his father, scholarly interest evident in his expression. "Like a transformation? I thought your Six Paths state was permanent."
"It is. I'm still in Six Paths Sage Mode—that's my baseline now. But I've discovered a way to push beyond it, to access even greater power through a specific combination of my energy types." Marcus glanced around, confirming they were relatively alone. "Would you like to see it?"
"YES!" Goku shouted, practically vibrating with anticipation.
"Do it," Vegeta commanded, his eyes narrowing.
Marcus took a deep breath and reached for the balanced center within himself. The fusion came easily now, the different energy types flowing together in perfect harmony.
The transformation erupted outward.
Golden light blazed from his body as his aura intensified. The truth-seeking orbs expanded and shifted color, their black surfaces becoming burnished gold. Fox ears sprouted from his head, rising through his hair with a strange tingling sensation.
And finally, the tails emerged.
Nine appendages of pure golden energy unfurled behind him, each one three meters long and moving with its own awareness. They spread wide, creating a display of divine power that made even Vegeta take an involuntary step back.
"What the hell?" Krillin's voice came from somewhere behind the others—apparently he'd arrived at some point without Marcus noticing. "He's got tails! And ears! What is that?!"
"It's incredible," Gohan breathed, his senses working overtime to analyze the transformation. "The power increase is massive. He's gone from strong to... to..."
"To god-tier," Vegeta finished, his voice flat. "He's radiating power on par with Super Saiyan God. Maybe stronger."
Goku's grin threatened to split his face in half. "This is AMAZING! You're so strong now! We have to fight, right now, please please please—"
"Goku, calm down." Marcus held up a placating hand, though he couldn't help smiling at the Saiyan's enthusiasm. "Yes, we can spar. But let me explain the form first."
He gave them a brief overview of Unity Mode—the concept of balanced fusion, the stages of mastery, the capabilities of the transformation. He left out the struggles and failures, focusing on the practical aspects that they would find most relevant.
"So it's like our Super Saiyan transformations," Gohan summarized when he finished. "A higher state that increases your power significantly, with different levels of intensity."
"Similar, yes. Though the mechanics are quite different." Marcus allowed one of his tails to wave demonstratively. "And the physical changes are more... pronounced."
"The tails are fascinating," Bulma said, having emerged from her lab at some point during the explanation. "They're made of pure energy, but they interact with the physical world like solid appendages. The scientific implications are staggering."
"You can study them later," Vegeta interrupted. "Right now, I want to see this power in action." He turned to Marcus, a fierce gleam in his eyes. "You said you're at Super Saiyan God level. I've achieved that form myself since we last fought. Let's see how you compare."
Marcus raised an eyebrow. "You've achieved Super Saiyan God?"
"Both of us have," Goku confirmed proudly. "Whis helped us figure it out. We can even go beyond it now—Super Saiyan Blue. It's Super Saiyan God combined with Super Saiyan!"
Super Saiyan Blue, Marcus thought, recalling the form from the series. That's significantly stronger than regular God form. If they've both achieved that...
"Alright," he said, allowing his competitive instincts to surface. "But I should warn you—I've had time to master this form. You might find me more challenging than you expect."
Vegeta smirked. "We'll see."
They flew to a deserted wasteland for the spar—Bulma's insistence, after what had happened to the gravity room last time. The landscape was already barren, scarred by some ancient battle or natural disaster. Whatever damage they caused here wouldn't matter.
"Rules?" Marcus asked, settling into a ready stance.
"Standard spar rules," Goku said, dropping into his own fighting position. "No killing blows, no planet-destroying attacks. We go until someone gives up or gets knocked out."
"Two against one again?"
"Unless you want to make it more interesting?" Goku's grin was challenging.
Marcus considered. In his previous fights with the Saiyans, he'd been holding back significantly—they all had. This would be the first real test of Unity Mode against serious opposition.
"One against one first," he decided. "I want to see how I match up individually before dealing with both of you together."
"Fine by me." Vegeta stepped forward, blue energy already crackling around him. "I'll go first. It's time to settle who's stronger once and for all."
Marcus watched as Vegeta transformed. The Saiyan's hair shifted from black to blue, his aura becoming a brilliant cyan that radiated divine power. This was Super Saiyan Blue—the combination of mortal strength and godly ki that represented the pinnacle of Saiyan evolution.
"Impressive," Marcus acknowledged, feeling the pressure of Vegeta's power. "You've grown considerably since our last fight."
"You have no idea." Vegeta's smirk was confident. "I've been training with Whis every day since you disappeared. I'm not the same warrior you fought before."
"Neither am I."
They exploded toward each other.
The collision shook the wasteland, shockwaves rippling outward as fist met fist. Marcus used his tails to block Vegeta's follow-up kicks, the golden appendages moving with speed and precision that surprised even him. The Saiyan was fast—incredibly fast—but Unity Mode let him match that speed and more.
"Not bad," Vegeta admitted, disengaging briefly. "But how about this?"
He cupped his hands and thrust them forward. "FINAL FLASH!"
The beam of destruction roared toward Marcus, carrying enough power to vaporize a planet. His truth-seeking orbs moved automatically, three of them merging into a shield that intercepted the attack.
The golden surface rippled as the Final Flash struck, divine energy warring against nullification. For a moment, the two forces were evenly matched—then the shield pulsed, and the attack scattered harmlessly.
"Still using those orbs as a crutch," Vegeta sneered, though Marcus caught the flicker of concern in his eyes. "Let's see how you handle this without them!"
The Saiyan vanished, reappearing behind Marcus faster than even his enhanced perception could track. A devastating kick connected with his spine, sending him rocketing forward.
Marcus caught himself in mid-air, spinning to face his opponent. That had hurt—actually hurt, even through Unity Mode's enhanced durability. Vegeta in Blue was no joke.
Time to stop holding back.
He let his power surge, all nine tails extending to their full length. His aura blazed brighter, golden light mixing with white and black in a display of unified energy.
Then he attacked.
His speed in this state was ridiculous. He crossed the distance to Vegeta in a fraction of a fraction of a second, his fist connecting with the Saiyan's block before the prince could even register his movement. The impact created a shockwave that cracked the ground for miles in every direction.
Vegeta grunted, sliding backward through the air. "Better! But not good enough!"
They clashed again and again, trading blows that would have destroyed lesser fighters. Marcus's tails proved invaluable, acting as extra limbs that attacked from angles Vegeta couldn't cover. The Saiyan adapted quickly, developing counters to the additional threats, but it was clear he was being pushed harder than expected.
"You're actually keeping up with Blue," Vegeta snarled, frustration creeping into his voice. "How is that possible? You're not even using ki!"
"I told you," Marcus replied, blocking a vicious combination with two tails while counterattacking with his fists, "my power works differently. It doesn't matter that it's not ki—what matters is the result."
"Then let's see how you handle more power!"
Vegeta's aura exploded outward as he pushed his Blue form to its maximum output. The pressure increased dramatically, making the air itself feel heavy. This was a Super Saiyan Blue at full power—a god-tier warrior giving everything he had.
Marcus responded in kind.
His own aura matched Vegeta's expansion, Unity Mode reaching its peak performance. Golden light and cyan energy clashed in a spectacular display, reality itself seeming to bend around the two combatants.
They met in the middle, and the wasteland disappeared.
The explosion of their collision obliterated everything within miles. Mountains that had stood for millennia were reduced to atoms in an instant. The very bedrock of the planet cracked and shifted under the force of their exchange.
When the dust cleared, both warriors were still standing—barely.
Vegeta was breathing hard, his Blue form flickering slightly. Marcus was in similar shape, his tails drooping with fatigue.
"Draw," Vegeta admitted reluctantly. "We're evenly matched."
"Agreed." Marcus released his combat stance, allowing his muscles to relax. "You're incredibly strong, Vegeta. If we fought to the death, I honestly don't know who would win."
"Hmph." The Saiyan prince looked annoyed by the uncertainty, but also satisfied. "Then I'll just have to keep training until there's no question."
"MY TURN!"
Goku appeared between them, practically bouncing with excitement. "That was amazing! You guys were so fast I could barely follow! Now I want to try!"
Marcus laughed despite his exhaustion. "Give me a moment to recover, at least."
"Okay, okay. But just a moment!" Goku was already powering up, his own Blue form manifesting with ease. "I want to see how I match up against those tails!"
The second spar was different from the first.
Where Vegeta was technical and precise, Goku was creative and unpredictable. The Saiyan had an instinct for combat that bordered on supernatural, finding openings that shouldn't exist and exploiting weaknesses that Marcus didn't know he had.
But Marcus had advantages of his own.
His sensory abilities let him predict Goku's movements before they happened, countering the Saiyan's unpredictability with precognition. His tails could attack and defend simultaneously, creating a web of threats that even Goku struggled to navigate.
They pushed each other to new heights, the spar becoming a dance of skill and power that transcended normal combat. Strike and counter, attack and defend, the rhythm of battle flowing between them like music.
"This is great!" Goku shouted, landing a solid punch to Marcus's chest. "You're really strong! Almost as strong as Hit was!"
"Hit?" Marcus blocked the follow-up with three tails, counterattacking with a Rasengan to Goku's midsection.
"An assassin from Universe 6! Super strong, with this crazy time-skip ability!" Goku dodged the Rasengan narrowly, his eyes bright with battle joy. "You'd like fighting him! Maybe we can arrange a match sometime!"
"I'd like that."
They continued for another hour, neither able to gain a decisive advantage. In the end, they separated by mutual agreement, both too tired to continue.
"Okay," Goku panted, dropping out of Blue. "You're definitely God-level. Maybe even past regular God. That form of yours is incredible."
"Thank you." Marcus released Unity Mode, his tails and ears fading as he returned to standard Six Paths. "You're incredible yourself. I've never faced anyone with instincts like yours."
"It's a gift!" Goku grinned, apparently taking the assessment as pure compliment. "Dad says I was born for fighting. I just really like it, you know?"
"I'm beginning to understand the feeling."
They returned to where Vegeta was waiting, the Saiyan prince having recovered enough to stand with his usual crossed-arm posture.
"Well?" Vegeta demanded. "What's the verdict?"
"He's strong," Goku confirmed. "Really strong. About equal to us in Blue, maybe a little stronger in some areas."
"Which means we need to train harder." Vegeta's expression was determined. "I refuse to be surpassed by someone who's only been fighting for a few weeks."
"Technically, I've been training my whole life," Marcus pointed out mildly. "Just... not in this form."
"Whatever. The point stands." Vegeta turned and began flying back toward Capsule Corporation. "Come on, Kakarot. We're going to ask Whis for extra sessions."
"Aw, but I wanted to spar more!" Goku protested, even as he followed.
Marcus watched them go, a smile playing at his lips. The Saiyan competitiveness was in full effect—his display of power had lit a fire under both of them.
Good, he thought. The stronger they get, the better prepared we'll all be for whatever comes next.
Because something would come next. Marcus knew that with certainty. The Dragon Ball universe was never peaceful for long. Threats emerged constantly, each one more powerful than the last. Beerus, Whis, Hit, the other universes—there were challenges beyond imagination waiting in the wings.
And now, with Unity Mode mastered, Marcus felt ready to face them.
That evening, Marcus found himself on the roof of Capsule Corporation, looking up at the stars.
The day's training had been exhausting but satisfying. He'd confirmed that Unity Mode put him in the god-tier of warriors—not at the very top, but definitely in the upper echelons. Against Goku and Vegeta in Blue, he was roughly equal. Against lesser opponents, he would be virtually unstoppable.
But there's always someone stronger, he reminded himself. Beerus is still far beyond me. Whis is even further. And who knows what other threats exist in this universe?
The Dragon Ball multiverse was vast and full of dangers. Frieza, Cell, Buu—they had been defeated, but others would take their place. The Tournament of Power, if it happened in this timeline, would pit universes against each other for survival. Moro, the Planet-Eater. Granolah, the last Cerealian. So many challenges yet to come.
I need to keep getting stronger, Marcus decided. Unity Mode is a good foundation, but it can't be my ceiling. There has to be more.
The fox ears twitched atop his head—he'd manifested them unconsciously, a sign of how natural Unity Mode had become. He reached up to touch one, still marveling at its existence.
Nine tails, he thought. Like the Nine-Tails itself. Like Kurama. Is that a coincidence, or is there some deeper connection?
He didn't have answers. His reincarnation remained a mystery, his borrowed powers an unexplained gift. But he was learning to accept the uncertainty. This was his life now—questions and all.
"Deep in thought?"
Marcus turned to find Whis floating behind him, the angel's ever-present smile making his intentions impossible to read.
"Just reflecting on the day," Marcus replied carefully. "The spars with Goku and Vegeta were enlightening."
"Indeed they were." Whis drifted closer, his eyes studying Marcus with unsettling intensity. "Your new form is quite impressive. I sensed the transformation from Lord Beerus's planet—the energy signature was distinctive."
"You could sense it from that far away?"
"I can sense many things." Whis's smile widened slightly. "Including the potential for further growth. Your Unity Mode is powerful, but it's not your limit. There's more within you, waiting to be awakened."
Marcus felt a chill run down his spine. "What do you mean?"
"Merely an observation." The angel began to float away, then paused. "If you ever wish to explore that potential, I would be happy to provide guidance. Training with mortals who touch the divine is always... entertaining."
Before Marcus could respond, Whis vanished, leaving only the fading echo of his words behind.
Training with Whis, Marcus thought, the implications settling over him. Learning from an angel. What would that even look like?
He didn't know. But as he looked up at the stars again, he felt a new possibility opening before him.
Unity Mode had been his first major breakthrough. Perhaps, with Whis's help, it wouldn't be his last.
The future was uncertain, full of dangers and challenges beyond imagination. But for the first time since his reincarnation, Marcus felt truly excited about what lay ahead.
He had power. He had allies. He had purpose.
And he was just getting started.