045, Resolving One Matter

Emerging from the black hole, Zhang Wutian and Son Wukong appeared in front of Krillin, who was training on the island where Master Roshi lived.

"Whoa!! Could you two stop popping up out of nowhere all the time?" Krillin, who had grown up in another world, was startled by their sudden appearance.

"Don't worry. I took a quick look first and confirmed you weren't in the bathroom or the toilet."

"I'm even less reassured after you say that!!" Krillin suddenly felt a chill down his spine.

After exchanging greetings, Krillin gave Zhang Wutian a rough rundown of what had happened in this world since.

After years of destruction at the hands of Evil Son Goku, the world's population had fallen to a dangerously low level. With war weariness at an all-time high, nobody had the desire—or, rather, the strength—to start another war over power and profit.

This ensured that changes to the social order would remain orderly, without stirring up further conflict. That was the goal shared by the world's strongest fighters, represented by Krillin and Tien Shinhan.

Against this backdrop, the former Dog King announced his abdication. Whether he was taking responsibility for his incompetent rule or retreating in order to secure his future, one thing was certain: a new era had begun.

After compromises from all sides, Dr. Gero, the leader of the world's strongest military force, the Red Ribbon Army, would become the new leader of the world under the title of president. Of course, the position could not be inherited, and term limits had also been set.

Dr. Gero said he could accept this outcome. As he put it, "If I can't make my research succeed during my term as president, even with the entire world's resources at my disposal, then I might as well give up the position."

Given the original story, Zhang Wutian had a rough idea of Dr. Gero's research direction. "Using the entire world's resources for research? Could Dr. Gero's ultimate goal, the ultimate life-form Cell, appear ahead of schedule?"

He imagined Cell and the androids defending Earth against the galactic emperor Frieza. Somehow, he couldn't help thinking that if the galactic emperor dared to come to Earth, he would probably be crushed until not even scraps remained. Then Zhang Wutian finally brought up the reason he had come to this world.

"We've gathered all seven Dragon Balls. It's time to make a wish."

"We're making it now? Don't we need some kind of ceremony? I mean, should we call the others over?" Krillin hadn't expected Zhang Wutian to be so direct. He paused before asking.

"No need. Let's get this over with."

As he spoke, Zhang Wutian took out the seven Dragon Balls and set them on the ground.

Then he called out loudly, "Shenron, come forth!!"

The sky darkened.

The seven Dragon Balls began to shine brilliantly. Amidst flashes of lightning and peals of thunder, a beam of light shot into the sky and took the shape of a dragon.

Darkness enveloped the skies over Earth, leaving neither the Northern nor Southern Hemisphere untouched. Everyone was beneath the strange celestial phenomenon.

"So this is... the dragon that can grant any wish?"

"It's my first time seeing him too. I guess something so enormous naturally inspires awe..."

Gazing up at Shenron, whom he was seeing alive for the first time, Zhang Wutian exclaimed in admiration.

Son Wukong had once seen Shenron from a distance, so she wasn't as surprised.

"Tell me your wish." Shenron looked down at the three of them. "I can grant you any one wish."

Zhang Wutian glanced at Krillin. Thoughts flashed through his mind: If Krillin suddenly turned evil and snatched the wish, it'd be a masterpiece. Or it'd be fun if I suddenly turned evil too, but Wukong would be sad. Then he stepped forward and said, "Shenron, I wish for everyone who was killed by this world's Son Goku to be brought back to life."

"The number is great, but it will not be difficult. I can grant your wish."

As Shenron spoke, he fell silent. After a moment, he continued, "All right, your wish has been granted. Now..."

"Wait!!" Zhang Wutian suddenly interrupted him. "Shenron, you must know this is a different world."

Shenron fixed Zhang Wutian with his blood-red eyes and nodded after a moment.

"I know. What do you want to say?"

"I have a proposal," Zhang Wutian said. "I plan to take the Dragon Balls back to my original world intact. So after the wish is granted, could you keep them from flying off?"

"I'm afraid not," Shenron replied. "The energy I had was completely used up granting your wish, so I can't change the rules set by my creator."

"Well, that's awkward. Could you wait a moment? I'll discuss what to do with my companions."

"Very well. I will do my best to prolong my existence."

Zhang Wutian turned to the two beside him. "Krillin, Wukong, when the wish ends and the Dragon Balls scatter, let's jump up and catch them. Can you do it?"

"I think I can try." Krillin wasn't very confident. "They won't fly too fast, will they?"

"Not at all. I've seen them fly off once before. Zhang Wutian and I can grab three, and Krillin can take two. I think we can manage it." Son Wukong seemed quite confident.

"Wukong, count them again. You can use your fingers this time." Zhang Wutian looked awkwardly at Krillin, who responded with a forgiving smile.

"In any case, let's all try to grab as many Dragon Balls as we can." After they finished discussing, Zhang Wutian said to Shenron, "Thanks for your efforts, Shenron. You can disappear now. I hope we'll meet again in our original world next time."

"I cannot grant your second wish, but I will bless you and hope your wish comes true. Farewell."

The next moment, the Dragon Balls shot into the sky.

"Wukong, Krillin!!"

"Yeah!"

"Got it!"

The three of them leaped into the air. The instant the glow around the Dragon Balls faded completely and they scattered in different directions, they sprang into action and scooped them up.

"Darn, there's still one left!" Krillin's fingertips brushed against a Dragon Ball, but he failed to catch it. The next instant, there was a thud as Zhang Wutian kicked out an air blast, catching the Dragon Ball that had begun flying away because of Krillin's mistake.

Then the three of them landed.

"How did we do?"

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven. In the end, they had gathered all seven Dragon Balls, which had temporarily turned to stone after the wish.

"Did everyone really come back to life? It doesn't feel real." Looking up at the brightened sky, Krillin spoke as if he were in a dream. "Honestly, ever since you two showed up, I've often felt like I was dreaming."

"But you really have gotten stronger. That strength can't be a dream, can it?"

Krillin lowered his head and clenched his fist.

"Use your power to confirm whether you're really dreaming."

Krillin released his ki.

The next instant, he sensed it...

A familiar presence stood behind him, one he had never encountered before learning to sense ki, yet somehow recognized deep down.

Master Roshi, resurrected, stood behind Krillin with a warm smile.

"M-Master Roshi!"

"I learned about everything you did in the afterlife. You saved the world. Well done, Krillin. You truly are my disciple." Master Roshi wore a pleased smile, genuinely happy that his student had accomplished what he himself could not.

"Haha, this isn't a dream! I can sense it. A powerful ki appeared beside Tien Shinhan—that's Chiaotzu and Master Shen. They've come back to life too. And over there, that ki must be Yamcha. Huh? There's another evil ki over there. Is that King Piccolo? He's come back to life too."

"You should be able to handle King Piccolo easily now. But here's a word of advice: before you defeat him, you should go to God's Realm first. You'll discover something interesting."

"Haha!" Krillin laughed so hard his nose disappeared, though he had never had one to begin with. "Thank you, Zhang Wutian, and Wukong. Thank you so much. On behalf of everyone who's been brought back to life, I'm grateful for everything you've done."

Zhang Wutian and Son Wukong exchanged glances and smiled. Then Zhang Wutian punched Krillin lightly in the chest. "Aren't we friends? There's no need to be so formal."

"And who are these two?" Master Roshi stepped forward and looked at them in confusion. His attention lingered on Son Wukong, who wore the Turtle Hermit School uniform but looked almost exactly like Evil Son Goku. After all, that man had left a deep impression on this world.

"Haha, that's a long story..." Krillin picked up the conversation.

And then the stories began.

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