"Qin Yan, what are you doing?" Mr. Popo asked, staring blankly at the Dragon Balls in the young man's hands.
"Oh, these? These two Dragon Balls hold a special significance for me, so I decided to step in and keep them," Qin Yan replied with an indifferent expression.
"Goodbye, Mr. Popo!" Qin Yan gave a casual wave of farewell.
"Goodbye," Mr. Popo replied, his face as expressionless as ever.
As soon as the words left his mouth, Qin Yan activated Instant Transmission and vanished from the spot.
In a flash of white light, Qin Yan reappeared inside the warehouse of Bulma's home. The space was cluttered with an assortment of itemsmechanical parts, various fabrics, and miscellaneous junk.
He casually tossed the Two-Star Dragon Ball into a corner piled high with debris before vanishing again using Instant Transmission.
This time, Qin Yan arrived at Mount Paozu.
As it happened, Grandpa Gohan was still busy chopping wood. A massive pile of split logs had already grown beside his house, tall as a small hill. It looked like enough fuel to keep a fire burning for a very long time.
"Young friend Qin Yan..." Grandpa Gohan let out a cry of surprise at his sudden appearance.
"Keep this safe. It's the Dragon Ball you used to keep on your table," Qin Yan said calmly, tossing the Dragon Ballnow turned into a white stoneto the old man. "I asked Kami to help me collect the Dragon Balls earlier. I'm finished with them now, so I've come to return it."
"W-What?" Gohan stammered, catching the stone ball with practiced ease.
Not long ago, two mysterious figures had visited Gohan's home, claiming to be gods who needed to take his Dragon Ball. Sensing a holy aura from them, Gohan had chosen to trust them and handed the treasure over.
He never expected that Qin Yan actually knew Kami, much less that a deity would personally help a mortal collect Dragon Balls. The realization made Qin Yan seem even more mysterious in the old man's eyes.
"There's no need to talk about 'returning' it. It wasn't truly mine to begin with; I only found it by chance. If it can help you, please feel free to keep it," Grandpa Gohan said with a kind smile.
His smile was sincere, radiating a sense of contentment with his simple life and a peaceful indifference toward worldly gains.
"No, I've already used its power. You must keep it safe; it will be of great use in the future," Qin Yan said, shaking his head and offering a firm reminder.
"I see... Very well then." Though he didn't quite understand Qin Yan's intentions, Grandpa Gohan tucked the ball away solemnly. He could sense the importance of the object from Qin Yan's tone and didn't push the matter further.
"Has Goku woken up yet?" Qin Yan glanced toward the house behind Gohan, asking after the boy's condition.
"Not yet," Grandpa Gohan replied with a helpless nod.
"Understood. Then I'll be taking my leave now." Qin Yan nodded, having expected as much, and began his farewells.
"So soon? Won't you stay for a meal before you go?" Gohan was slightly stunned, surprised by the haste of Qin Yan's departure.
"No, thank you. Goodbye!"
With that, Qin Yan activated Instant Transmission once more and vanished from Gohan's sight.
"Truly a miraculous ability," the old man sighed, looking at the empty space where the youth had just stood.
In the distant depths of the vast, starry sky.
Located in the 27th main star system of the Lyra Constellation, on its fourth planet, was a world that appeared entirely green from space.
This was Planet Namek. Most of its surface was covered by vast oceans, with relatively little landmass. Its atmospheric composition and surface gravity were roughly identical to Earth's, but the sky was a vibrant green. Surrounded by three suns, the planet never experienced night, and its year lasted only 130 days.
Due to a massive climatic cataclysm hundreds of years ago, the planet had yet to fully recover. Compared to other life bearing worlds, Planet Namek remained quite desolate.
In the northern reaches of the planet sat an area dense with archipelagos. The interconnected lakes were dotted with islands of varying sizes, resembling a vast Thousand Island Lake.
At the heart of this region, a spire-like rock formation towered above the rest, standing out like a crane among chickens.
Atop this high rock sat a strange, white building shaped like a beetle. It consisted of two stories, with the upper level being several times smaller than the base. The upper level was styled somewhat like a small,
cute dog's head; the "nose" in the center was a massive porthole, while two smaller windows on either side acted as eyes. Surrounded by white spikes, the architecture felt primitive and ancient. This was the home of the Grand Elder Guru of Planet Namek.
Inside the second floor of the house, a massive Namekian with green skin and a face lined with deep wrinkles sat resting his eyes in a wide chair. This was the Grand Elder Guru, the supreme ruler of Planet Namek. Set into the top of his throne, looming over his head, was a Dragon Ball dozens of times larger than those found on Earththe giant One-Star Dragon Ball.
"Hmm..."
Guru's expression suddenly tightened. His closed eyelids flickered open just a fraction, revealing deep eyes that carried the weight of ages. This elderly man's gaze was like an ancient well in an autumn nightprofound and tranquil.
Those eyes held centuries of wind, frost, snow, and rain, like an ancient forest holding countless stories, offering a strange sense of comfort. He stared through the porthole at the sky outside, his voice sounding old and muffled.
"What is it, Grand Elder?" A burly, muscular Namekian nearby was startled by the elder's sudden movement and asked in a low, concerned voice.
His tone carried a trace of worry, fearing that the elder's health was failing. After all, Guru was very advanced in years. This Namekian was a warrior and Guru's personal guardian; he had to be cautious, for he could allow no mistakes in the elder's care.
"Guests have arrived... whether they bring fortune or calamity, I do not know," Guru said slowly, a grave look clouding his normally kind face.
"Guests?" The guard looked puzzled, not understanding what the Grand Elder meant. However, a look of fierce determination crossed his face. In his heart, he vowed that no one would be allowed to harm or disturb the Grand Elder.
Just moments ago, Guru had sensed several unfamiliar auras appearing on Planet Namek. This sudden intrusion filled him with worry, prompting his heavy sigh.
Elsewhere, on a plain of blue grass, a flash of white light signaled the abrupt appearance of two figures. They were Kami and Liya, transported to Planet Namek by the power of Shenron.
"So, this is Planet Namek? My homeland... the place where I was born?"
Kami's aged, peaceful voice rang out softly. He looked at the vaguely familiar surroundings, feeling a warm sense of kinship, as if he had returned to a mother's embrace.
🚨 Note: Consider supporting this story on Patreon.com/Flokixy to access 400+ advance chapters and 2 new chapters daily! (Full story bundles also available without a subscription).