Piccolo's Path

Aki looked at Piccolo. The ease she had shown when facing Dende was gone from her deep violet eyes.

She furrowed her brow slightly, her gaze sweeping over Piccolo's body as if it could see through every crack deep within his soul.

"Piccolo."

Aki spoke, her voice ethereal yet imbued with irresistible authority.

"The purest blood of the Dragon Clan flows through your body. You have the Dragon Clan's most exceptional talent as a warrior, but Kadaz's Bloodline has lain dormant within you for far too long."

Piccolo stepped forward, both hands clenched into fists. His breathing quickened with excitement.

"But your soul is in terrible shape."

Aki bluntly pinpointed the heart of the problem.

"Your soul is covered in cracks. This damage has sealed off your limits, keeping you from reaching a higher realm."

Piccolo lowered his head. That absurd past was the greatest knot in his heart.

He had once believed it was an essential step toward becoming a god, never realizing it was a foolish act of cutting off his own arms.

"I can repair the damage to your soul now."

As soon as Aki finished speaking, Piccolo snapped his head up. An unprecedented fervor blazed in his bloodshot eyes.

Aki changed tack. "But repairing your soul will only clear the path for you to climb higher."

"To truly awaken afterward, you'll need something even more crucial. My Life Origin alone can't create a power that belongs to you out of nothing."

Without hesitation, Piccolo strode up to Aki and dropped to one knee. He placed his right hand over the left side of his chest and performed the Ancient Dragon Clan Etiquette with impeccable precision.

"Please repair my soul, Saintess!"

Piccolo's voice rang out, firm and resolute, carrying the determination of someone with nothing left to