One night.
108 times gravity, full-power output, a full night of insane pushing.
Gohan lay on the floor of the Gravity Chamber, gasping for breath.
First attempt: his aura surged to 420 million, blue lightning flashed for 0.3 seconds, then went out.
Second attempt: 430 million, 0.5 seconds, then out.
Third attempt: 440 million, one second, then out.
Every time, it was like running to the edge of a cliff, glancing down, and then getting blown back by a gust of wind.
The door opened. Vegeta walked in.
"That training method of yours is bullshit."
"Uncle Vegeta, just say what you mean."
"Your problem isn't that you don't have enough power." Vegeta pointed at his chest. "It's that your body hasn't adapted to that level of energy flow. It's like a pipe that's too thin. Once the water pressure gets too high, it bursts. That's you right now. You can hold 450 million worth of water, but the moment you release it, it leaks everywhere."
Gohan sat up. "You mean... my body can't withstand it?"
"It's not that it can't withstand it. It's that it isn't used to it." Vegeta shook his head. "Just like the first time you used triple or quadruple Kaio-ken, your blood vessels were about to burst. But what happened later?"
Gohan understood. "You mean I can't force my way through. I need to let my body adapt slowly."
"You finally get it."
Gohan frowned. "But I don't have time to adapt slowly."
"Then think of a way." Vegeta shrugged. "It's not like there's only one path."
When Piccolo came in, Gohan was still digesting Vegeta's words.
"Gohan, there's something... I think I should tell you."
Piccolo rarely sounded this hesitant. Gohan walked out of the Gravity Chamber. "What is it?"
"That metal box Dr. Gero