The Hero Tapion Appears; He Yi Takes the Chance to Slip Away

After a few simple complaints, people turned the lights back on and resumed their work.

They weren't the least bit alarmed by this unusual sight, all thanks to Bulma's foresight.

In the past, she had seen the sky turn pitch-black whenever the Dragon God was summoned, whether it was day or night. It had been so dark that she couldn't see her hand in front of her face.

On top of that, the Dragon God's enormous body was bound to attract the attention of other Earthlings.

So she had come up with a plan. She told the public that they were conducting a revolutionary experiment, that the darkness was normal, and that there was no need for anyone who saw it to panic.

That was why ordinary people now believed the claim like a bunch of fools, thinking the Capsule Corp was really conducting some sort of world-shattering experiment.

Still, sometimes ignorance was a blessing.

If the truth about the Dragon Balls, which could grant wishes, got out, Earth would have descended into an era of chaos long ago, even without an invasion by outside forces. There was no way the planet could enjoy the peace and prosperity it had now.

Back at Bulma's super-villa.

After the Dragon God appeared, he struck a pose in midair for two seconds before delivering his classic entrance line.

"Lucky ones who have gathered all seven Dragon Balls, state your wish!"

"No matter what it is, I can grant it—but you may only make three wishes!"

Hearing this, Trunks and Son Goten weren't afraid at all. They were both brimming with excitement.

"Dragon God, could you open this box and free the Hero Tapion?" Trunks pointed at the Silver Box in Son Goten's hands and shouted.

Son Goten cooperated by raising the box in his hands. "That's right, Dragon God! The box in my hands—please open it for us!"

At this, the Earth Dragon God glanced at the box. Though he was already sure he could do it, he still followed protocol and asked, "Are you certain this is the wish you want to make?"

The two little ones nodded eagerly.

"Uh-huh, that's our wish!"

"That's right! Please open it for us!"

Once he had confirmed their wish, the Earth Dragon God spoke in a steady, imposing voice. "This is a simple wish. I can grant it right away."

As soon as he finished speaking, a flash of red passed through his crimson eyes.

The next moment,

the Silver Box in Son Goten's hands was suddenly enveloped in a mysterious glow and slowly floated into the air.

"Click!"

A crisp, short sound rang out as the box slowly opened.

However,

the moment the box opened, a cloud of smoke billowed out.

Everyone grew alert at once, staring at the smoke, which had appeared out of nowhere and still hadn't dispersed.

At the same time,

he was surprised to discover that the old geezer had vanished in an instant.

Tarble wasn't paying attention to the smoke.

From beginning to end, he had kept his senses and eyes fixed on the Demon Cultivator, He Yi.

When the old geezer suddenly disappeared, Tarble couldn't help frowning slightly.

How was that possible?

He'd vanished in an instant without making a sound!

Still, I've memorized your ki. You won't get away!

With that in mind, Tarble immediately unleashed the full extent of his sensing ability.

In an instant, he picked up on the Demon Cultivator He Yi's ki and sneered. "Found you!"

The next moment,

with a whoosh, he vanished too.

At that moment, Vegeta, Son Goku, and Rix also noticed something was amiss.

Almost simultaneously, they turned to look at the spots where Tarble and the Demon Cultivator He Yi had been.

The instant they saw no one there, they understood that the old geezer was definitely suspicious.

After all, an ordinary person could never have vanished without a sound right under their noses.

In a flash, Vegeta and Rix appeared beside Son Goku.

"Kakarot, do you know when Tarble and that rotten old man left?" Vegeta asked angrily.

He was sure the old man had suddenly left because Son Goku had revealed his strength.

Son Goku spread his hands, looking puzzled and a little innocent. "I don't know either. I only turned around after I noticed Tarble's ki had disappeared."

"I didn't expect the old man to be gone too."

"That old man must've seen your strength and slipped away!" Vegeta accused him bluntly. "Hmph, that geezer was definitely hiding something from us. Anyone who can escape without making a sound is no ordinary person!"

Son Goku seemed to think he had scared the man away. He awkwardly scratched his head and was just about to speak when Trunks and Son Goten cried out.

"Goten, look! Is there a person in the smoke?"

"Ah—Trunks, I-I see it too!"

Right after that, they heard Son Gohan's panicked voice.

"Goten, Trunks, get back here!"

Hearing this, Son Goku and the others were startled and whipped around.

To their surprise, a person's outline had indeed appeared in the smoke.

They all grew wary at once. Keeping their eyes on the figure as it gradually emerged from the smoke, they readied themselves for battle.

"Trunks, protect your mother!" Vegeta shouted quickly, his expression grave.

He couldn't sense how strong the mysterious person in the smoke was at all.

Trunks immediately replied, "I know, Dad."

Then he dashed over to Bulma.

By then, the figure in the smoke was already quite clear.

A gentle breeze blew through, revealing the person completely.

A young man stood before them, wearing clothes somewhat like Kaioshin's. He had long, fiery-red hair in a mohawk, a long sword strapped to his back, and an air of unmistakable individuality.

Could he be... the Hero Tapion?

That was the only thought on Son Goku and the others' minds at that moment.

Tarble had been sealed inside a dim box for years. Though the sky was still blanketed in dark clouds, the light radiating from the Dragon Balls was still too bright for him to keep his eyes open.

He instinctively squinted and closed his eyes, a natural act of self-protection.

At the same time, his thoughts gradually cleared.

The moment his mind cleared, he realized something was wrong!

How could there be light inside the box?!!

Oh no!

A terrible premonition struck him. In his panic, he abruptly opened his eyes.

The sight before him left him bewildered and uneasy.

An enormous creature beyond his comprehension floated in the air before him. Its pair of menacing crimson eyes seemed to be looking down at him.

"Wh-what is that... thing?"

Faced with the unknown, he showed the fear anyone would feel and unconsciously took one or two steps back.

Even as fear seized him, he remained on guard.