Krillin carefully transplanted the four roots into the "Senzu Bean Plantation." Once they were planted, the Life Energy within the space immediately gathered around the Senzu Beans, gradually transforming into the nutrients they needed to grow.
Whew. Krillin wiped away his sweat. It was done. Now all he had to do was wait for the Senzu Beans to flower and bear fruit.
Krillin followed Korin outside, where Fanyu was still training. Seeing this, Korin smiled at Krillin. "Fanyu is a good kid. He's kind-hearted and extremely diligent. You've taken in a fine disciple." Korin could not help comparing Fanyu with Master Roshi, then clicked his tongue. Fanyu was far more hardworking than that old turtle had been in his youth.
Krillin smiled at Korin's words. "I'll have to trouble you with teaching him. I'll be leaving Earth soon, so I'm afraid I won't have the chance to personally teach Fanyu for the time being."
Korin nodded slightly at the first half of Krillin's statement, then asked in surprise, "Leaving Earth? Why?"
Krillin nodded. "Earth's environment is too peaceful. I need to keep fighting and improve my combat abilities... so I can better protect Earth... and the people I care about."
"Krillin, you're already this powerful. Can't you protect Earth?" Korin asked, his face full of disbelief.
"Not even close. Earth's future enemies are beyond imagination. Before the powerful beings of the universe, a mere flick of a finger could turn Earth into cosmic dust in an instant. And I'm afraid I wouldn't even measure up to one of their fingers." Krillin gave a bitter smile.
The amount of information was overwhelming. Korin was so frightened that his face went pale, and he could barely speak.
At the Sacred Temple, Kami, who had been observing Krillin, became deeply uneasy. The Divine Staff slipped from his hand and fell to the ground, yet he did not notice. Korin sensed that something was wrong with Kami and stepped forward to ask, "Kami, what's wrong?"
Kami waved his hand to indicate that he was fine. At that moment, he listened even more intently to Krillin and Korin's conversation.
After a long while, Korin said, "That's not right. There haven't been any foreign invasions in thousands of years."
Kami at the Sacred Temple nodded as well. That was what he wanted to ask too.
"That's because Earth is too weak. In the universe, Earth is a low-level planet with no value worth invading. Those forces in the universe simply haven't noticed Earth yet. Once they do, I'm afraid..."
"So Earth is a low-level planet. It's not that they haven't come to invade us—they simply never thought Earth was worth looking at." Korin said blankly, looking somewhat despondent.
"Korin, there's no need to be so pessimistic. When powerful enemies invade Earth, a group of strong warriors will emerge. They'll fight bloody battles for Earth and give everything they have to protect it... and I'll be one of them."
"Why do you know all this?" Korin still felt that he had to get a clear answer.
"Before, I was killed by King Piccolo's subordinate, Tambourine. Goku gathered the Dragon Balls and revived me. Ever since I came back to life, fragments of memories have occasionally surfaced in my mind. At first, I didn't believe them either. But as time passed, certain moments in my life matched the fragments in my memories, gradually confirming them. Now I believe it. I can vaguely foresee things that will happen in the future..."
Kami's expression grew even grimmer after hearing Krillin's words. Sweat began to form on his forehead. Clearly, Kami believed what Krillin had said.
Korin fell into deep thought. Krillin was so powerful that there was no need for him to joke about something like this. No wonder Krillin's strength had improved so quickly lately.
When people were driven into desperate circumstances, they often unleashed tremendous potential. Krillin knew that powerful enemies would invade Earth in the future, and the pressure he bore was what had allowed his strength to advance so rapidly. That was what Korin thought.
Krillin thought, I just wanted an excuse to leave Earth and, while I was at it, remind Earth's defenses. I didn't expect... Korin was really overthinking this.
"Will a group of powerful warriors truly emerge in the future to protect Earth? Will they be able to withstand those powerful forces in the universe?" Korin was still somewhat doubtful.
"They definitely will!" Krillin said firmly, as though he wanted to give Korin hope.
Kami murmured, "Powerful warriors? Will Piccolo be among them?" Kami still hoped that the part of himself he had separated could contribute to protecting Earth, making up for the mistakes he had made.
"What can I do to help?" Korin asked Krillin.
"Korin, you can select a group of people from the lower world and train them as Earth's reserve guardians..."
Korin felt that this method was feasible and could not help nodding.
Krillin spoke again. "Korin, I'll leave Fanyu to you. I'm going to the Sacred Temple to discuss a way to leave Earth with Kami."
Korin nodded. "Don't worry!"
With that, Krillin flew toward the Sacred Temple.
Watching Krillin's departing figure, Korin felt somewhat reassured. He murmured, "With all of you protecting Earth, I can rest easy."
"Come on, Fanyu. Back to training!"
When Krillin arrived at the Sacred Temple, Kami stood at its edge. It seemed he had been waiting for Krillin's arrival all along.
Tap, tap. After a series of footsteps, Krillin landed on the Sacred Temple. He greeted Kami, "Kami, long time no see."
Kami looked at Krillin solemnly and asked, "Was what you said to Karin just now true?" Though he already believed it in his heart, he could not help asking again.
Krillin put away his usual cheerful expression and nodded solemnly.
Kami closed his eyes heavily, as if he were deep in thought.
"There's actually no need to worry too much. Just let things take their course. When that day truly comes, the warriors protecting Earth will defend it. With us here, Earth won't perish." Krillin spoke earnestly to Kami.
Kami opened his eyes and slowly nodded. Every cause had its effect. Earth had existed for so many years; it had its own destiny. It would not be destroyed so easily.
"Do you see Piccolo in your memories?" Kami's voice trembled slightly, fearful yet expectant. Although Piccolo had changed somewhat recently, Kami still could not figure him out. If Piccolo became an accomplice to those invading Earth, then even dying a hundred times would not atone for Kami's sins. Kami looked at Krillin with anticipation.
Krillin naturally understood what Kami was thinking. He nodded seriously and said earnestly, "Piccolo is a powerful warrior who protects Earth!"
Kami heard what he most wanted to hear. He tilted his face forty-five degrees toward the sky and shed tears of relief... "I knew it. Piccolo, he..."
Korin also took out a handkerchief and wiped the corner of his eye. From the bottom of his heart, he was happy for Kami. For the past several hundred years, Kami had lived in deep self-reproach...
Seeing this, Krillin could not help adding, "As an outstanding Namekian, Piccolo will become a mainstay in protecting Earth in the future..."
He truly would be a mainstay. Limited by the aptitude of Earthlings, even Krillin, the strongest Earthling, would inevitably end up as little more than a bystander... Calling Piccolo a mainstay was no exaggeration.
"What? A Namekian?" Kami cried out in shock.
Before you continue