Earth, West City.
The enormous private lawn of Capsule Corporation was packed so tightly that it looked more like a temporary refugee camp than the grounds of a wealthy estate.
Hundreds of Namekians sat cross-legged on the grass or gathered in small groups, speaking quietly among themselves.
Their green skin and distinctive antennae stood out vividly beneath the sunlight.
Despite the comfortable surroundings, plentiful food, and peaceful atmosphere, every face carried the same expression of unease and anxiety.
They worried for the fate of their homeworld.
They feared the unknown.
In one corner of the lawn, Vegeta stood beneath a large tree with his arms folded.
An unmistakable "keep away from me" aura radiated from him. Not even a bird dared land within several meters of the Saiyan Prince.
Ever since discovering that the Namekian Dragon had outplayed him, and after being thoroughly humiliated by Trillin and Gohan, his pride had been shattered into pieces.
At this point, everything irritated him.
Especially the Namekians.
Not far away, Gohan and Trillin were sharing a bag of potato chips.
The two boys were completely carefree. Trillin was even demonstrating the moves he had used earlier to beat Vegeta, enthusiastically reenacting the fight for Gohan.
At the center of the lawn, however, the most troubled person was Bulma.
"When are they coming back...?"
"When are they coming back...?"
She paced endlessly across the grass, her high heels wearing a visible patch into the lawn.
Her eyes were red and swollen.
She had clearly been crying.
Normally, Bulma was bold, confident, and every bit the billionaire genius everyone knew.
But when it came to Krillin, she was still a woman who worried.
A woman who could be afraid.
Especially now.
This was Frieza they were facing.
The tyrant known throughout the universe.
The look Krillin had given her before leaving, combined with the fragments of information Trillin had managed to send back, filled her with a sense of dread she had never experienced before.
What if...
What if something had happened to Krillin...
"Aunt Bulma, don't worry."
Gohan walked over and thoughtfully handed her a bottle of water.
"Dad and Uncle Krillin are really strong. They'll be fine."
"Yeah, Mom!"
Trillin chimed in through a mouthful of chips.
"Dad's bald head shines so brightly that even King Yemma wouldn't dare take him! Don't worry!"
Bulma forced a smile and patted both boys on the head.
Yet the cold sweat in her palms refused to go away.
Just then, a strange ripple suddenly spread across the sky.
Everyone instinctively looked up.
A flying carpet descended slowly through the clouds.
Seated atop it was a rotund figure dressed in traditional attire.
Mr. Popo.
"Mr. Popo!"
Bulma rushed toward him as though she had found a lifeline.
"What happened? Did Kami get any news? What did King Kai say?"
For perhaps the first time in recent memory, a faint smile appeared on Mr. Popo's usually expressionless face.
After landing gently on the lawn, he glanced around at the anxious crowd and spoke in his familiar slow, measured tone.
"Everyone..."
"You don't need to worry anymore."
"King Kai has just sent word."
"The battle on Namek..."
"...is over."
The entire lawn fell silent.
Even Vegeta turned his head slightly to listen.
"What happened?!"
"Tell us already!"
Bulma looked ready to jump out of her skin.
Mr. Popo paused briefly, gathering his thoughts before making the announcement.
"Frieza..."
"...has been defeated!"
"Krillin, Goku, and Piccolo joined forces and completely destroyed that monster!"
"They won!"
Boom!
The news exploded through the crowd like a bomb.
"They won?! Really?!"
"Wonderful!"
"Grand Elder, did you hear that?! We're saved!"
"Frieza is dead!"
"The universe is finally at peace!"
The Namekians embraced one another as tears streamed down their faces.
The dark cloud hanging over their hearts vanished at last.
They cheered and shouted the names of their heroes in the Namekian language.
Nearby, Launch excitedly fired several celebratory shots into the air, her golden hair dancing in the sunlight.
As for Bulma, all the strength seemed to leave her body.
She collapsed onto the grass.
The Dragon Radar slipped from her hand.
Covering her face, she finally broke down in tears.
"You idiot..."
"You bald-headed idiot..."
She laughed while crying, scolding him even as her heart overflowed with pride and happiness.
He had done it.
He had truly saved the universe.
And he had kept his promise to come back alive.
"Hmph."
Under the distant tree, Vegeta snorted and turned away from the crowd.
His expression remained as unpleasant as ever.
But the tension in his shoulders eased slightly.
"Kakarot..."
"And that bald guy..."
"They actually pulled it off..."
Only after everyone had calmed down did Mr. Popo approach the Grand Elder, who looked noticeably older than before, and respectfully bow.
"Grand Elder, now that the crisis is over, your people may return home whenever you wish."
"However, Earth's Dragon Balls still need time to recover. If you intend to return soon..."
"We have another way."
Though weak, the Grand Elder's eyes still shone with wisdom.
He raised a hand toward Dende.
"Now that Frieza is dead, Porunga's power should still be available."
"Although the Namekian Dragon Balls came to Earth with us, as long as all the wishes haven't been used..."
Dende immediately understood.
He ran to the center of the lawn, where the seven enormous Namekian Dragon Balls had been gathered.
Though it was still broad daylight, the moment Dende recited the summoning words in the Namekian language, the sky changed.
The bright blue heavens were instantly swallowed by darkness.
It was as though a giant black curtain had been draped across the entire world.
Violent winds howled.
Thunder roared.
"Come forth, Porunga!"
RUMBLE!!!
The seven Dragon Balls erupted with brilliant golden light that shot straight into the heavens.
Moments later, a colossal green figure emerged in the sky.
Porunga.
The Dragon God of Namek.
Unlike Earth's long, serpentine Shenron, Porunga's upper body resembled a massively muscular giant, while his lower half remained draconic.
Twin horns crowned his head.
His face was fierce and imposing.
His immense body seemed capable of tearing open the sky itself.
The overwhelming pressure made everyone on Earth instinctively hold their breath.
"S-So that's Namek's Dragon..."
"He's huge..."
Launch stared in astonishment.
Porunga's crimson eyes swept across the tiny figures below.
His voice rolled through the heavens like distant thunder.
"State your wish..."
"You have one wish remaining..."
Dende turned toward the Grand Elder.
The Grand Elder nodded.
"Please transport every Namekian on Earth, except Kami, back to Planet Namek."
"Our world may be damaged, but it is still our home."
"We must rebuild it."
Dende loudly conveyed the wish.
A red glow flashed within Porunga's eyes.
"That wish is simple."
Hum...
A gentle light descended from the sky, enveloping every Namekian present.
At the moment of farewell, the Namekians waved to Bulma and the others.
Their eyes were filled with gratitude and reluctance to leave.
"Thank you, friends of Earth!"
"We will never forget your kindness!"
"Please tell Krillin, Goku, and Piccolo that they will forever be heroes of Planet Namek!"
As the light intensified, the Namekians gradually became transparent.
"Goodbye, everyone!"
Gohan waved enthusiastically.
Flash!
The light vanished.
The lawn suddenly felt empty.
The seven giant Dragon Balls, now transformed into stone, disappeared as well, returning to Namek alongside their people.
The dark clouds dispersed.
Sunlight once again bathed the earth.
Though the place felt quieter now, the air carried a sense of hope.
"They're gone..."
Bulma wiped away her tears and gazed at the restored blue sky.
"Now all that's left is waiting for that bald idiot to come home."
Only then did Mr. Popo remember something.
"Oh, right."
"King Kai also said that Krillin took Goku and Piccolo to Planet Yardrat to learn a new technique."
"They'll probably be back in about two days."
Bulma nearly slipped and fell.
"WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY SOMETHING SO IMPORTANT EARLIER?!"
Her furious scream echoed across the skies of West City.
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