Earth
Goku, Piccolo, and the others had already returned while Vegeta was unconscious! When they heard what Bulma had told them, they were stunned, then felt a chill of fear. If they had stayed behind too, they would probably all have died!
The dark circles under Bulma's eyes and her increasingly thin frame showed just how worried she was about Vegeta!
"Where are you... Are you dead or alive...? Without you, every day feels like an eternity... You damn bastard, couldn't you at least send word? Even King Kai couldn't find you in Hell," Bulma whispered tearfully.
Ever since she'd received word from King Kai, she had asked him to search Hell for news. But a whole month had passed, and there was still nothing!
The Namekian Dragon Balls wouldn't be usable for another three months or so!
Earth's Dragon Balls would take even longer. It had been less than five months since Goku was revived, and they still needed more than half a year before they could be used! Besides, after Piccolo fused with Kami, it seemed the Dragon Balls could no longer be used! There was no new Guardian of Earth yet!
Seeing how worried Bulma was, Second Elder Moori quickly comforted her. "Don't worry, Bulma. The Dragon Balls will be usable again in about three months! Even if Vegeta has died, there's still a way!"
"I understand, Second Elder. I just can't stop worrying." Bulma replied listlessly.
As for the Grand Elder, he had passed away peacefully half a month ago, after Piccolo returned and he had explained a few things.
Half a month earlier
After returning, Piccolo, Goku, and the others briefly explained what had happened, then each went their separate ways!
Only Piccolo was stopped by the Grand Elder!
"Piccolo, my child... Come here. I have something to tell you! Nail, you stay too. Everyone else, leave us."
"Yes, Grand Elder." All the Namekians except Nail answered and withdrew!
"What is it you wanted to tell me, Grand Elder?" Piccolo was a little more respectful than his usual aloof self.
"Piccolo, you're a rare all-around talent among the Namekians. I've learned a little about your history recently. Though you were tainted by the aura of the Demon Realm, you didn't cause any great disaster," the Grand Elder said slowly.
"Among our people, Namekians like you, with such talent in every area, are called Dragon Clan members." The Grand Elder spoke weakly.
"The Dragon Clan? Is that because of the Dragon Balls?" Piccolo asked, puzzled.
"Not entirely. In truth, our people can also be called descendants of the Dragon God. We're the descendants left behind by Dragon God Zalama as he traveled through the universe. That's why we have the ability to create Dragon Balls," the Grand Elder continued.
"Dragon God Zalama? I've never heard of him," Piccolo said, puzzled.
"I don't know much myself. Long ago, we abused the Dragon Balls and brought about terrible consequences, nearly wiping out our entire race. Our people now number less than a tenth of what they once did. That's why I wanted to tell you: use the Dragon Balls sparingly, so nothing terrible happens again."
"When you were exiled to Earth, I wasn't the Grand Elder yet. Your father, Katatz, was. He was a Dragon Clan member comparable to you. The Namekian Dragon Balls we have now were created by you!"
"Then why isn't the Shenron I created as powerful as Porunga?" Piccolo asked.
"That's because you split yourself in two. Your power was divided as well, so neither half was as strong as you were at your peak," the Grand Elder explained.
"After I fused with Kami, I vaguely remembered that before we separated, I had created another set of Dragon Balls. They were hidden away," Piccolo recalled.
(Some of you may be wondering whether this story is supposed to include worlds based on fan works. The author looked into it carefully, and Akira Toriyama acknowledged Dragon Ball GT as part of the Dragon Ball franchise, so the author decided to include it. But the story may not cover every arc; it might only feature one or two!)
"I believe you're even more capable than your father, but from what I understand, you split because you were influenced by the desires of Earth's people and corrupted by the Demon Realm. I don't think you should use those Dragon Balls," the Grand Elder said worriedly.
"Yes, Grand Elder. I understand."
"What I want to tell you is, never underestimate our bloodline. I don't know what sort of being Dragon God Zalama was, but he left behind descendants while traveling, and they were able to create such miraculous Dragon Balls. I believe he must have been among the most powerful beings of his era! You should explore your potential more deeply. You might make unexpected discoveries! You may even be no weaker than a Super Saiyan!" The Grand Elder said all this in one breath, leaving himself even more short of breath.
Nail said worriedly, "Grand Elder, please rest a while before you continue!"
"It's all right. I reached the end of my lifespan long ago. If I hadn't needed to explain these things to you, I would have died already." The Grand Elder paused to catch his breath, then continued.
"Grand Elder..." Even a burly man like Nail couldn't hold back his tears.
"One more thing, Piccolo. After this is over, Moori will lead our people to find a new planet to settle on. I hope you'll help the Namekians whenever they need you in the future." The Grand Elder looked at Piccolo expectantly.
"Don't worry, Grand Elder. I will. I'm a Namekian too!" Piccolo promised solemnly.
"Nail, come here. From now on, whenever you see Piccolo, you must respect him just as you respect the Elders!"
"Piccolo, if you ever face something you can't handle, you can fuse with Nail. The two of you will grow exponentially stronger, and you won't be weaker than a Super Saiyan," the Grand Elder said.
"That won't happen. He's strong, and Namek needs him more than I do. Grand Elder, forgive me, but I can't leave with my people," Piccolo said.
Gohan's face came to mind, and a little warmth rose in his heart!
"I know. It's because of that kind child, Gohan, isn't it? He really is kind. I have no right to blame you, after all—you've spent so many years wandering away from home..." the Grand Elder said understandingly.
"Nail, if Piccolo ever needs to fuse with you, you mustn't refuse. Do you understand? We're different from others. Fusion doesn't mean death for us. It's for the sake of our race's growth and prosperity. Piccolo is worthy of it now!..."
The Grand Elder's voice grew quieter and quieter, and his body gradually disappeared. It turned out that when a Namekian died, his body vanished, leaving not a single trace behind. All that remained was his final wish.
"Yes, Grand Elder. I'll do as you say," Nail replied, tears streaming down his face as he watched the Grand Elder disappear.
The people outside sensed the Grand Elder's passing. Grief filled their hearts, and tears fell one by one!
"Nail, I'm sorry for your loss..." Piccolo turned and said.
But as he turned, a tear fell from his own eye too! They hadn't known each other long, but he had come to deeply respect the kind old man!
Piccolo turned and walked outside. He glanced at his people but said nothing, then flew toward the wilderness. He didn't belong at the Lookout! The strong were lonely!
Back to the present!
Vegeta's figure gradually appeared. Bulma stared at him, thinking she was seeing things.
Maybe I'm so exhausted that I'm hallucinating? Bulma walked up to Vegeta and stroked his impossibly handsome face, murmuring to herself!
But the warmth beneath her palm made her feeble body slowly stir with excitement!
"It's me, Bulma. I'm back. I'm sorry I worried you!" Vegeta said gently.
"It really is you... Waaaah... Where the hell have you been? I looked everywhere and couldn't find you. King Kai searched all over Hell several times and still couldn't find you! I thought you were dead... Waaaah..." Bulma's weak fists thumped against Vegeta's chest again and again!
Vegeta wrapped both arms around Bulma and comforted her. "I'm sorry I worried you. I'm fine. I was just unconscious the whole time and couldn't come back!"
Now that her worry had finally lifted, Bulma stopped crying. Vegeta's masculine presence gradually stirred her...
Her eyes filled with longing as she looked at him!
Vegeta understood what Bulma wanted, but said worriedly, "You should get some rest first. You're exhausted! You won't be able to handle it!"
"Hmph, don't forget I'm not an ordinary Earthling. My battle power is still 1,500! Vegeta, make love to me... I missed you so much!" Bulma said passionately.
How could Vegeta resist hearing that? He scooped Bulma into his arms and used the Space-Time Technique, instantly returning to the bedroom!
Moori stood awkwardly where he was. As a Namekian who had been born from an egg, he simply couldn't understand that sort of feeling...
The two began an intense bout of lovemaking!
They went at it back and forth... After a full day and night...
Bulma lay sprawled in Vegeta's arms, fast asleep. Her body had grown stronger, but a day and night of exertion had left her even more exhausted than before!
Vegeta looked at Bulma tenderly, but a moment later, a hint of conflict crossed his face. He didn't know how to tell her about the Elf Continent.
Forget it. I'll sleep for now and tell her when I wake up!
The next day, Bulma woke Vegeta by teasing him!
She drew circles on Vegeta's chest with her index finger, gazing at him with love. When she suddenly saw his eyes open, her face flushed bright red!
Vegeta looked at the adorable woman. She was bold and carefree in public, but in private, she blushed at the drop of a hat.
They understood each other without a word!
"I noticed you seemed taller. And last night, you used that embarrassing position!" Bulma asked shyly.
"How was it? Did you enjoy it? I made that wish to Shenron especially for that position! Ha ha!" Vegeta laughed wickedly.
Bulma couldn't help saying again, "Make love to me again... I want more," hoping to repay Vegeta that way!
"All right, be good. You're already exhausted! How could I keep pushing you when you're in such a state?" Vegeta said tenderly!
"Fine, then tell me where you've been this past month... and why you were unconscious for a month! You came back wearing such nice clothes, too. Though that hairstyle doesn't really suit you!" Bulma interrogated him.
"There's nothing I can do about my hair. Once pure-blooded Saiyans reach adulthood, their hairstyles never change. Even if you cut it, it grows back into the same shape. If you don't cut it, it doesn't grow any longer," Vegeta explained, answering a different question.
"Hmph. Don't change the subject. You know that's not the point. My sixth sense tells me you're hiding something from me!" Bulma continued pressing him.
Vegeta didn't know how to explain. He was torn and troubled, but eventually made up his mind. I'll get it over with. A quick confession is better than dragging it out!
Leaving out the matter of the system, he began to explain to Bulma.
"After I woke up from being unconscious..."
Before you continue