Chapter 26: Foundations of Power

The air in Capsule Corporation's training chamber was thick with tension and the faint hum of advanced machinery. Goten and Trunks stood at its center, their breaths already heavy from the initial warm-up. Around them, the chamber's polished walls shifted subtly, lined with mechanical arms, glowing monitors, and precision instruments that Bulma had meticulously designed. Vegeta paced in front of them, his arms crossed, his sharp gaze scrutinizing every detail of their posture.

"You're not transforming into Super Saiyan," Vegeta barked. "Not until I say you're ready." His voice carried the weight of authority, brooking no argument. "You two think transformations are shortcuts to strength, but you're wrong. The multiplier doesn't matter if the base is weak. Super Saiyan multiplies your power fifty times. Super Saiyan 2 doubles that. But what's fifty times nothing? Or a hundred times weaklings? You need to be strong before you transform."

Trunks shifted uncomfortably, sweat trailing down his face. "But Dad, we've already-"

"Silence!" Vegeta's glare silenced him instantly. "Mastering Super Saiyan isn't enough. Your base strength is pathetic. You've had it too easy, training just enough to get by without ever breaking through your limits. That changes now."

Goten nodded solemnly, his usual carefree demeanor replaced by determination. 'If this is what it takes to be stronger, then I'll do it,' he thought, clenching his fists.

Vegeta stepped to the chamber's control panel, pressing a sequence of buttons. The room shifted as hidden compartments in the floor and walls revealed weighted suits, training drones, and an array of equipment. "Start with these. They're not just for strength, they'll force precision. Every muscle, every movement must work together."

The boys strapped on the weighted suits, their bodies immediately sagging under the load. The suits weren't conventional weights; they adjusted dynamically, increasing resistance during explosive movements and easing slightly during slower ones. Trunks grunted as he shifted his stance, feeling the weight press against every fiber of his muscles.

"This feels impossible!" Goten said, his voice strained as he threw a sluggish punch.

Vegeta smirked. "Good. You're not here for comfort."

The chamber's drones activated next, zipping unpredictably through the air. Each emitted a faint hum, followed by sharp bursts of light and sound, designed to throw off focus. Vegeta's voice cut through the chaos. "Hit them! But don't just swing blindly. Watch their patterns, predict their movements. If you can't outthink a machine, how do you expect to survive against an enemy like Cell Max?"

Trunks swung at a drone, but it zipped past him effortlessly. Goten lunged for another, missing by inches. Vegeta scowled. "You're wasting energy. Focus! Every movement must count. The more you flail, the weaker you become."

Trunks growled in frustration, narrowing his eyes as he observed the drones' erratic paths. He slowed his breathing, tracking one with laser focus before timing his strike perfectly. The drone shattered under his punch, its remains clattering to the floor. Goten followed his lead, steadying his stance and landing a clean blow on another drone.

"Better," Vegeta acknowledged. "But you're not done yet. Keep going until you hit all of them."

Hours passed in the grueling drill, each strike becoming more precise. By the time the last drone fell, Goten and Trunks were drenched in sweat, their bodies trembling under the weighted suits. Vegeta stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "You've improved, but this is only the start."

He motioned toward another set of machines, their polished surfaces glowing faintly with embedded ki detectors. "These weights require more than muscle. You'll lift them using both strength and ki. If your energy control wavers, the machine will detect it, and you'll fail."

Trunks approached the machine, gripping its handle with both hands. He heaved against the resistance, but a monitor beside him displayed a jagged red line. Vegeta's voice rang out. "Your ki is all over the place! Stabilize it, or you'll never lift that."

Sweat poured down Trunks's face as he tried to focus, his energy fluctuating wildly. Goten fared no better, gritting his teeth as his ki surged erratically. Vegeta watched them with crossed arms, his expression cold. "This isn't about brute force. It's about control. If you can't channel your energy evenly, you'll burn out before you can use it effectively."

After several attempts, Trunks finally managed to steady his ki. The jagged line on the monitor smoothed out, and the weight lifted steadily. "I did it!" he gasped, relief flooding his voice.

"Don't celebrate yet," Vegeta said, though his tone held a hint of approval. "You'll be doing this again tomorrow, and the next day. Your control must become second nature."

As the training session ended, the door to the chamber hissed open, and Bulma strode in carrying trays piled high with food. "Vegeta! You're working these boys to death," she chided, setting the trays on a nearby table. "Let them eat before they collapse."

Vegeta deactivated the gravity multiplier with a grunt. "They'll recover. Saiyans grow stronger from the brink of exhaustion."

Bulma rolled her eyes. "You're unbelievable." She turned to Goten and Trunks, who were already devouring the food with unrestrained hunger. "Eat up, boys. These meals are packed with everything you'll need to keep going. High-calorie, nutrient-rich, my inventions are good for more than just machines, you know."

Goten grinned between bites. "Thanks, Bulma! This is amazing."

Trunks nodded in agreement, though his mouth was too full to speak. Bulma patted her son on the head affectionately before turning to Vegeta. "And you, mister. Don't think I won't keep an eye on how hard you're pushing them."

Vegeta smirked. "They'll thank me when they're stronger."

After the meal, Vegeta led the boys into a quiet corner of the chamber. "Now you meditate," he instructed. "Your bodies are only half the equation. Your minds must be sharp. Focus your ki, find its center. Without control, your strength means nothing."

The boys sat cross-legged, their breathing steadying as they closed their eyes. The chamber fell silent except for the faint hum of its systems. Vegeta watched them closely, noting how their energy flows smoothed and stabilized.

'They're not bad,' he thought, though he'd never say it aloud. 'With enough discipline, they might even surpass me soon.'

When the day finally ended, Goten and Trunks collapsed onto the chamber floor, their bodies aching but their spirits unbroken. Vegeta stood over them, his arms crossed. "You've made progress," he said gruffly. "But don't get comfortable. Tomorrow, we push harder. If you want to unlock Super Saiyan 2, you'll have to earn it."

Both boys nodded weakly, determination flickering in their eyes. They had come far, but they knew this was only the beginning of their journey.

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