Warriors Protecting Earth

Krillin carefully transplanted the four root seedlings into the Senzu Bean Plantation. As soon as they were planted, the Life Energy in the space immediately surged toward the senzu beans, gradually transforming into the nutrients needed for their growth.

Whew. Krillin wiped his sweat. Done. Now it was just a matter of waiting for the senzu beans to bloom and bear fruit.

Krillin followed Korin outside. Fanyu was still training out there. Seeing this, Korin smiled at Krillin and said, "Fanyu is a good kid—kind-hearted and very diligent. You've taken on a fine disciple." Korin couldn't help comparing Fanyu to Master Roshi, then clicked his tongue. Much harder-working than that Old Turtle was in his youth.

Hearing Korin's words, Krillin laughed. "I'll have to trouble you with much of his guidance, Master Korin. I'm about to leave Earth, so I'm afraid I won't have the chance to personally teach Fanyu for a while."

Korin nodded slightly at Krillin's first sentence in agreement, then asked with some surprise, "Leave Earth? Why?"

Krillin nodded. "Earth's environment is too comfortable. I need to keep fighting, to improve my combat ability... so I can better protect Earth... and the people I care about."

"You're already this strong—can't you still protect Earth?" Korin asked, his face full of disbelief.

"Far from enough. The future enemies Earth will face are unimaginable. In the face of the powerful beings in the Universe, they only need to lift a finger, and Earth will instantly turn to cosmic dust. And I'm probably not even worth a single finger of theirs." Krillin gave a bitter smile.

The amount of information was overwhelming. Korin was so startled his face went pale, and he couldn't speak for a moment.

Up in the Sacred Temple, Kami, who had been observing Krillin, grew uneasy. The Divine Staff slipped from his hand and fell to the ground without him even noticing. Mr. Popo sensed something was wrong with Kami and stepped forward to ask, "Kami, what's wrong?"

Kami waved his hand, signaling he was fine. But he listened even more intently to the conversation between Krillin and Korin.

After a long silence, "That's not right—there hasn't been any foreign invasion in thousands of years, has there?"

Kami in the Sacred Temple nodded as well. That was exactly what he wanted to ask.

"That's because Earth is too weak. In the Universe, Earth is a low-level planet with no value for invasion. The forces out there in the Universe haven't noticed Earth yet. But once they do... I'm afraid..."

"So Earth is a low-level planet. It's not that they didn't come to invade—it's that they never even considered Earth worth their attention." Korin's eyes went vacant as he spoke, a hint of dejection in his voice.

"Master Korin, don't be too pessimistic. When powerful enemies do invade Earth, a group of strong warriors will rise up to defend it. They will fight with all their might, giving everything to protect Earth... and I will be one of them."

"How do you know all this?" Korin felt he had to ask clearly.

"Before, I was killed by Tambourine, one of King Piccolo's underlings. Goku gathered the Dragon Balls and revived me. Ever since my revival, fragments of memories have been surfacing in my mind. At first, I didn't believe it either. But as time passed, certain events in life matched those fragments from my memories, gradually confirming them. Now I believe it. I can roughly foresee what's to come..."

When Kami heard what Krillin said, his expression grew even more solemn. Sweat began to bead on his forehead. Clearly, Kami believed Krillin's words.

Korin fell into deep thought. With Krillin's strength, there was no reason for him to joke about something like this. No wonder Krillin had been improving so rapidly lately.

In fact, when people are pushed into desperate situations, they often unleash tremendous potential. Krillin, knowing about the future invasions of Earth by powerful enemies, bore that pressure, and that was why his strength had advanced so quickly—that was Korin's interpretation.

Krillin said, "I just wanted an excuse to leave Earth, and to give a little heads-up to Earth's defensive forces. I didn't expect... Master Korin, you're overthinking it."

"Will there really be a group of powerful warriors rising up to protect Earth in the future? Can they withstand those mighty forces from the Universe?" Korin was still a bit doubtful.

"Definitely!" Krillin said in a firm tone, as if trying to instill hope in Korin.

Kami murmured to himself, "Powerful warriors? Will Piccolo be among them?" He still hoped that the part he had split off from himself could contribute to protecting Earth, to make up for the mistakes he had made.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Korin asked Krillin.

"Master Korin, you could select a group of people from the lower world to serve as Earth's reserve defensive force..."

Korin thought this plan was feasible and nodded.

Krillin spoke again, "Master Korin, I'm entrusting Fanyu to you. I need to go to the Sacred Temple to discuss with Kami how to leave Earth."

Korin nodded and said, "Don't worry!"

With that, Krillin flew toward the Sacred Temple.

Watching Krillin's retreating figure, Korin felt a little more at ease. He muttered to himself, "With you all guarding Earth, I can rest easy."

"Come on, Fanyu, back to training!"

When Krillin arrived at the Sacred Temple, Kami was standing at its edge, as if he had been waiting for Krillin's arrival all along.

Tap. Tap. With a few sounds, Krillin landed on the Sacred Temple. He said to Kami, "Kami, long time no see."

Kami looked at Krillin with a grave expression and asked, "Was what you said to Karin just now true?" Though he had already believed it in his heart, he couldn't help asking once more.

Krillin put away his usual cheerful demeanor and nodded solemnly.

Kami closed his eyes heavily, as if pondering something.

"Actually, there's no need to worry too much. Just let things take their natural course. When that day comes, the warriors protecting Earth will defend it. As long as we're here, Earth won't fall." Krillin said to Kami seriously.

Kami opened his eyes and slowly nodded. Every cause has its effect. Earth had existed for so many years—it had its own destiny. It wouldn't be destroyed so easily.

"Is Piccolo in your memories?" Kami's voice trembled slightly, fearful yet hopeful. Although Piccolo had changed a bit recently, Kami still couldn't figure him out. If Piccolo became an accomplice in invading Earth, then he himself would never be able to atone for it even in death. Kami looked at Krillin with eager anticipation.

Krillin naturally knew what Kami was thinking. He nodded seriously and said firmly, "Piccolo is a powerful warrior who will protect Earth!"

Hearing exactly what he most wanted to hear, Kami tilted his face upward at a forty-five-degree angle and let tears of relief fall. "I knew it... Piccolo, he..."

Mr. Popo also took out a handkerchief and dabbed at the corners of his eyes. He was genuinely happy for Kami. For centuries, Kami had lived in deep self-reproach...

Seeing this, Krillin couldn't help adding, "As an outstanding Namekian, Piccolo will be a pillar of Earth's defense in the future..."

And indeed, a pillar. With the limitations of Earthling potential, even Krillin, the strongest Earthling, would eventually end up as little more than a background presence... Calling Piccolo a pillar was hardly an exaggeration.

"What? A Namekian?" Kami exclaimed, his face filled with shock.