The Dragon Appears!

"State your wish," Shenron said, turning his gaze back to Master Roshi. His voice had returned to its earlier solemnity. "Don't ask questions you shouldn't."

"Yes, yes, yes..." Master Roshi hurriedly replied with a respectful nod. Then he cleared his throat, lifted his head, and loudly and clearly stated the wish he had prepared long ago: "Shenron! Please bring back to life all the innocent people who were killed by King Piccolo and his men! But not the bad guys!"

"That wish is very simple." Shenron's enormous head dipped slightly, and a flash of lightning-like light suddenly crossed his red eyes.

An invisible, boundless divine power spread rapidly outward from Shenron like ripples, covering the entire Earth.

After a brief silence, Shenron spoke again. "Your wish has been granted. Farewell!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Shenron's massive blue-green body gradually turned transparent and faded away, finally becoming countless golden specks of light that mingled with the night sky.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

The seven Dragon Balls on the ground also seemed to lose all their power. They first turned as dull as gray stones, then shot up into the sky together, streaking like fireworks in different directions toward distant parts of the world. In the blink of an eye, they vanished into the vast night.

The darkness covering the sky quickly receded, and the earlier twilight returned.

"That's wonderful! Just wonderful! Now Goku and Krillin can both come back to life!" Master Roshi gazed toward the direction the Dragon Balls had disappeared for a long time, unwilling to look away. At last, he let out a long breath. His tense shoulders finally relaxed, and a relieved, grateful smile spread across his face.

"Now that everything's taken care of, can we go home? I'm getting a little hungry again." Broly smiled and rubbed his stomach, suggesting they head back.

To Broly, saving the world was nowhere near as important as going home to eat.

"Let's go! Home! I'll make something delicious for you when we get back!" In high spirits, Master Roshi nodded emphatically, his face alight with joy and relief.

But when Master Roshi's gaze fell on Broly again, a glint of keen interest flashed in his eyes.

Rubbing his beard, Master Roshi spoke in a thoughtful tone that brooked no argument. "Broly, when we get back, you need to remember to train properly with me! You can't spend all your time eating, drinking, and sleeping like before! With your... your astonishing talent, I'm sure that with my careful training and guidance, you'll become a truly outstanding martial artist someday!"

Broly: "..."

The smile on Broly's face froze. Then he wore an unmistakably reluctant, resistant expression and shook his head like a rattle drum.

"What? Got a problem?" Master Roshi raised an eyebrow at Broly's reaction and deliberately put on a stern face.

"Old man, I think I'm already strong enough. I beat King Piccolo without even breaking a sweat." Broly curled his lip and retorted with complete confidence. Then his face took on a look of longing. "Training's so tiring. It's dull and boring, too! What could be better than eating well, sleeping well, and doing whatever you want every day? Now that's living!"

Looking at Broly's lazy expression, Master Roshi puffed out his beard in anger. In the end, all he could do was shake his head helplessly and sigh. "Fine, fine. We'll talk about it when we get home! You good-for-nothing brat!"

Master Roshi knew that getting Broly—who couldn't be bothered with anything besides eating and sleeping—to train of his own accord would take a long process of gentle, gradual encouragement.

There was no point rushing it!

That kid had defeated King Piccolo so effortlessly. His strength had probably reached a level I couldn't even imagine...

Suddenly, inspiration struck Master Roshi.

Master Roshi abruptly stopped, nearly making Tien Shinhan slip off his shoulder. He hurriedly steadied him with a flustered hand.

That's right! How could I have forgotten about him?

A daring idea began to take shape in Master Roshi's mind.

Should I... find a way to have Broly train with Kami?

The thought made Master Roshi's heart race.

Maybe I could send Broly to Master Korin first?

Through Master Korin, I should be able to find a way to contact Kami, right?

But then a trace of doubt crept into his mind.

Still... I wonder if that kid Broly is even worthy of meeting Kami.

Would Kami approve of his lazy personality?

Master Roshi glanced back at Broly, who was yawning with an expression that suggested he was thinking about food, and couldn't help sighing.

But... Broly had practically saved the whole world single-handedly.

That achievement should be enough, right?

Yeah, he's definitely worthy!

Meanwhile, at Korin Sanctuary, far away on the other side of the continent.

It was a peaceful valley surrounded by mountains, with fresh air fragrant with trees and grass.

A peculiar Magnetic Levitation Car hummed softly as it rolled into this isolated region.

At the wheel was Yajirobe, a round-bodied man with a samurai sword hanging at his waist.

Beside him in the passenger seat sat Son Goku, faint with exhaustion and covered in wounds.

"Hey, Goku, look! It was as dark as the bottom of a pot just a moment ago. How'd it suddenly get bright again?" Yajirobe asked gruffly, looking up at the sky as it rapidly brightened while he struggled to steer. His face showed his surprise.

"The Dragon Balls' signal... is gone!" Son Goku forced himself to endure the pain, frowning as he checked the Dragon Radar. His voice was weak, but full of confusion. "That terrifying guy... Did he really manage to summon Shenron? Someone as powerful as him—what kind of wish would he want? To rule the world?"

The thought of the wish King Piccolo might have made weighed heavily on Son Goku's mind.

"We're here, right? This is that Korin Tower place you were talking about?" Yajirobe parked the Magnetic Levitation Car on a fairly flat patch of grass, switched off the engine, and pointed at the towering red structure before them, which seemed to connect heaven and earth.

The two of them got out of the car.

Son Goku's legs gave way, and he nearly fell, but he managed to catch himself against the car.

Looking up at the familiar tower, Son Goku smiled nostalgically, though the pain twisted his expression. "It brings back memories..."

"Big Brother Goku!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a young voice filled with delight called out from the direction of the nearby domed hut.

Little Upa dashed out of the hut like a gust of wind, his face glowing with pure excitement and joy. He raced straight up to Son Goku.

"Hey, Upa. You've grown so fast—you're almost taller than me now." Fighting through the pain, Son Goku managed a smile and reached out with his uninjured hand to affectionately ruffle Upa's hair.