Where Are the Dragon Balls?

Rhode carefully sensed the energy sphere in his hand, which emitted a ghastly white glow. After studying it closely, he waved his hand and dispersed it.

Then he once again drew upon the ki within his body and released it over his skin, transforming the ki around his body according to what he had just sensed.

Under his control, the originally transparent white ki gradually lost its transparency and began to shine. However, having learned from his previous attempt, the light this time was not as dazzling as the sun. Instead, it was a ghastly white, carrying a cold and desolate feeling.

This light was identical to that emitted by the energy sphere he had condensed earlier. It was the very light Saiyans used when creating an artificial moon by hand to transform.

At that moment, Rhode's entire body was shrouded in this cold light.

However, although he had successfully transformed his emitted ki into cold light, he still frowned.

Under the cover of that cold light, Rhode's body showed no sign of transforming. He did not even feel anything.

After experiencing it for a while, he realized the problem. With the light covering his entire body, the energy had been dispersed and could not reach its original intensity. That was why his body had shown no reaction.

Having identified the issue, Rhode immediately began increasing the intensity. As it steadily rose, his body finally began to change. In a breath, he transformed into his Great Ape Form once more.

"That barely counts as a little progress!"

Rhode looked over his Great Ape body. Though it had not met his expectations, it was still acceptable. After all, he had taken the first step. As long as he continued refining and comprehending it, he should eventually achieve his ultimate goal.

With that in mind, and seeing that it was getting late, the cold light surrounding him vanished in an instant. Rhode then released his Great Ape Form, his body gradually returning to its normal size.

Rhode did not remain in the Wasteland any longer. He flew into the air and returned to West City before long.

Soon after returning home and washing up, Rhode was about to head to the Gravity Chamber to train when Dr. Brief came to visit.

"Do you need something, Doctor?"

Although Rhode was temporarily staying at Dr. Brief's home, the man was extremely busy. Every day, he was either in the laboratory or taking care of his pets. On top of that, Rhode and Aila were both training fanatics, so they rarely had the chance to see each other.

Seeing Rhode's puzzled expression, Dr. Brief smiled and handed him a palm-sized device. "This is the Dragon Radar. I've finished making it!"

Whether due to some sort of inertia or simply because they were father and daughter, the Dragon Radar Dr. Brief had created was nearly identical to Bulma's, with almost no difference at all.

"And this."

After handing the Dragon Radar to Rhode, Dr. Brief did not leave. Instead, he spoke again and took two translucent orbs from his pocket, each gleaming with red stars inside.

One was the Three-Star Ball from Master Roshi, which had been used as a sample. The other was unmistakably a Two-Star Ball.

"I found this in the warehouse at home after finishing the Dragon Radar. You can have it too!"

After giving the Two-Star Ball to Rhode, Dr. Brief turned and left without lingering.

"Thanks, Doctor!"

Seeing Dr. Brief leave directly after accomplishing his task, Rhode hurriedly called after him. All he received in return was the sight of Dr. Brief waving a hand from behind.

Dr. Brief had helped him a great deal.

Watching that departing figure, Rhode could not help but sigh inwardly. The favor Dr. Brief had done him was no small one, and he would not be able to repay it anytime soon.

As the inventor of Hoi-Poi Capsules and the world's richest man, Dr. Brief had already reached the peak of material fulfillment. Perhaps Rhode could bring him some technology and products from the universe in the future.

Then Rhode thought of Dr. Brief's daughter, Bulma, and Bulma's Sister, Tais. Perhaps repaying the favor through those two would not be a bad idea either.

Whether it was Bulma or Tais, both were major characters in Dragon Ball and would basically never face mortal danger. Still, they would certainly suffer plenty.

Besides, now that he was in this real world, who knew what its timeline was like?

After all, the Dragon Ball World had countless parallel timelines, so anything could happen.

In short, no matter how this world developed, he would protect that family.

After putting away the two Dragon Balls, Rhode activated the Dragon Radar in his hand. As he continued adjusting it, the screen soon displayed the locations of the other Dragon Balls.

He wondered whether, with things happening more than a decade early, the locations of these Dragon Balls would still match the original story.

With that thought in mind, Rhode set off on his journey to find the Dragon Balls, following the radar's guidance.

It was called a journey, but with his current Power Level of nearly ten thousand, as long as the locations were confirmed, it would not take long for him to gather all the Dragon Balls.

Not long after leaving West City, Rhode landed in a valley and dug up the Five-Star Ball more than ten meters underground. Its location differed somewhat from where Bulma had found it originally.

With that, he had three Dragon Balls.

Continuing onward, Rhode soon followed the Dragon Radar's guidance into a mountain range. There, he saw an old man in a long robe, with white hair and beard but a robust build.

This place was called Mount Paozu, and the old man was Grandpa Gohan, who had adopted Goku. Strictly speaking, he was also Rhode's senior martial brother.

"Child, do you need something from me?"

Deep in the mountains, Grandpa Gohan was somewhat surprised to see Rhode, who looked like a child, examining him alone. Faintly sensing that Rhode was extraordinary, he asked kindly.

Looking at the energetic Grandpa Gohan, Rhode spoke amiably. "Hello, my name is Rhode. I studied under Master Mutian for a time, and he mentioned you!"

"Master Mutian... It has been a long time since I visited the old man!"

Upon hearing that Rhode was Master Roshi's disciple, Grandpa Gohan looked at him in surprise, then revealed an expression of realization. Thinking of Master Roshi, he could not help feeling sentimental.

After chatting briefly, Rhode explained why he had come and successfully borrowed the Four-Star Ball from Grandpa Gohan.

After leaving Mount Paozu, he found the Six-Star Ball in a forest outside a village.

Afterward, Rhode retrieved the One-Star Ball from a bird's nest atop a cliff.

When he arrived at the location of the final Seven-Star Ball, he found a mountain range engulfed in flames. It was the residence of the Ox-King.

Obtaining the Seven-Star Ball was a little difficult, so Rhode fought the Ox-King. The result went without saying: Rhode won with ease and successfully obtained the Seven-Star Ball.

However, Rhode formed a deep friendship with the Ox-King during their exchange. The Ox-King invited him into the castle and held a feast for him, and the two even had a thoroughly satisfying eating contest.

Then the Ox-King was defeated once again.

After talking for a while, their relationship rapidly grew closer, and they became friends despite their age difference. Because of that, Rhode met Chi-Chi while she was still babbling, which gave him a rather unique feeling.

At last, all seven Dragon Balls had been gathered. He could summon Shenron!