The sky above the Lookout was brilliantly clear.
The sunlight was almost blinding.
Mr. Popo swept fallen leaves across the plaza with his broom, while Kami stood at the edge of the platform, leaning on his staff as he gazed down at the world below with concern.
Suddenly, the door to the Hyperbolic Time Chamber rumbled open.
Several figures stepped out one after another.
The moment they emerged, a powerful mixture of sweat, blood, and stale odors washed over the area.
"Ugh..."
Oolong nearly threw up his breakfast.
"Were you people training in there, or cleaning out a sewer?"
"Shut it, pig."
Vegeta shot him a cold glance.
Just one look.
Oolong felt as though a Tyrannosaurus had fixed its eyes on him.
His legs gave out instantly, and he collapsed onto the floor, trembling uncontrollably.
The current Vegeta looked completely different.
His clothes were tattered and worn, but his entire demeanor had transformed.
The frustration and insecurity that once lingered on his face were gone.
In their place stood overwhelming confidence.
Or perhaps...
Arrogance.
"Hmph."
Vegeta clenched his fist as a flicker of golden aura flashed around him.
"Right now, I'm the strongest being in the universe."
"Oh, give me a break, Uncle Vegeta."
Marron walked out from behind the others.
He had grown noticeably taller during their year inside the chamber.
His face was filled with obvious disdain.
"You weren't saying that when my dad was using you as a punching bag."
"You little brat!"
Vegeta's forehead bulged with veins.
For once, however, he didn't attack.
Because he knew something important.
The kid wasn't easy to deal with anymore.
Krillin was the last to emerge.
He took a deep breath and savored the fresh air of Earth.
"Earth's air really is the sweetest."
With a thought, his system interface appeared before him and immediately began scanning everyone's data.
[Ding! Team scan complete.]
Son Goku
Race: Saiyan
Status: Super Saiyan (Full Mastery)
Power Level: 20,000,000 (Base) → 1,000,000,000 (Super Saiyan)
Evaluation: If we ignore the host's ridiculous cheat abilities, he really is the strongest fighter in the universe.
Vegeta
Race: Saiyan
Status: Super Saiyan (Early Stage)
Power Level: 16,000,000 (Base) → 800,000,000 (Super Saiyan)
Evaluation: Finally caught up. Still second place, but at least he's no longer doomed to tragedy.
Son Gohan
Race: Saiyan/Human Hybrid
Status: Super Saiyan (Early Stage)
Power Level: 12,000,000 (Base) → 600,000,000 (Super Saiyan)
Evaluation: A walking monster of potential. If he gets angry enough, he might one-shot the two Saiyans above him.
Marron
Race: Human (Mutated)
Status: Proto Martial Arts Master
Power Level: 600,000,000
Evaluation: Inherited part of the host's cheat abilities. Cannot transform, but possesses the physical strength of a divine beast.
Piccolo
Race: Namekian
Status: Assimilated Warrior (Nail)
Power Level: 8,000,000
Evaluation: Has reached a bottleneck. Strong by universal standards, but falling behind the Saiyans.
Krillin (Host)
Race: Human (Martial True God Body, Initial Stage)
Status: Martial God Core (15% Refined)
Power Level: Cannot be measured by conventional values.
Estimated Base: 10,000,000,000+
Full Power: ???
Abilities:
• Serious Series
• Martial True God Form
• Divine Instant Transmission
• Absolute Physical Immunity (Intermediate)
• Additional Advanced Skills...
Saitama Template Synchronization: 60%
Krillin nodded in satisfaction.
Everyone's strength had increased by far more than a simple doubling.
"Good work, everyone."
He waved casually.
"Go take a shower and enjoy a proper meal."
Like a shepherd releasing his flock, he let them scatter.
Despite their exhaustion, excitement still shone in their eyes.
Everyone except Piccolo.
The Namekian quietly walked toward the edge of the Lookout and stopped beside Kami.
"You feel it too, don't you?"
Piccolo's voice was low.
A trace of anxiety lingered beneath his calm expression.
Kami nodded.
His aged face seemed even more wrinkled than before.
"Yes."
"That presence..."
"It's still faint, but the feeling is unmistakable."
"Evil."
"Greed."
"Chaos."
"It feels like countless life forces have been crushed together into a single being."
"And it's growing."
"Far too quickly."
During his year in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, Piccolo had trained relentlessly.
His power had multiplied several times over, reaching eight million.
That level would make him a ruler in most corners of the universe.
Yet compared to Goku and Vegeta, whose power routinely reached into the hundreds of millions...
It still wasn't enough.
Against a creature like Cell...
His strength would amount to little more than an elite sacrifice.
"Kami."
Piccolo suddenly raised his head.
His eyes were filled with unwavering resolve.
The kind that only comes after making a life-changing decision.
"We don't need two guardians."
Kami froze.
Then a bitter smile appeared on his face.
"I knew this day would come."
"Ever since the Grand Elder unlocked your potential and you fused with Nail, your power surpassed mine long ago."
"The Earth needs a stronger guardian now."
"Not an old man waiting to die."
Kami turned around and looked at the Lookout he had protected for centuries.
"But Piccolo..."
His tone shifted.
"Once we merge, the Dragon Balls will disappear."
"Earth will lose its final safeguard."
Piccolo hesitated.
Without the Dragon Balls, anyone who died in the coming battle would be gone forever.
No second chances.
"No problem."
Krillin walked over.
"Just replace the Guardian."
Piccolo and Kami turned toward him simultaneously.
Both looked completely baffled.
"Replace the Guardian?"
"Namek still exists, doesn't it?"
Krillin pointed upward with a grin.
"The Grand Elder's lineage has plenty of talented Namekians."
"We can bring over someone young and powerful to take over the position."
"While we're at it, we can even upgrade Earth's Dragon Balls."
"For example..."
"Let Shenron grant more wishes."
"Or remove the resurrection limitations."
Kami's eyes immediately lit up.
"That..."
"That could actually work."
"But would the Grand Elder agree?"
Krillin flashed a bright smile.
"Relax."
"I've got some influence."
"You two keep talking."
"I'll be back in a minute."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Krillin raised two fingers to his forehead.
Instant Transmission.
Whoosh!
His figure vanished from the Lookout without a trace.
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