Goodbye Shenron

BOOM! BANG! BANG! BANG!

The combined force of two Kamehameha waves erupted within the Red Ribbon Army base, unleashing astonishing destructive power. A blinding blue light swallowed both the people and the buildings in its path.

Because the sky had already darkened, that radiance appeared exceptionally brilliant!

Furthermore, the ammunition stockpiled within the base added to the spectacle at the perfect moment, triggering a series of chain-reaction explosions.

Not a single scream could be heard; all were drowned out by the thunderous roar of the explosions echoing across the sky.

When the explosions ceased and the smoke and dust cleared, nothing remained but a gaping black crater.

As for the brothers Goku and Wuchen, they had long since flown to an open field, not even bothering to watch the subsequent blasts.

Following closely behind them was the mech, Iron Ox.

Opening the control room of the Iron Ox and retrieving the four Dragon Balls from within, Wuchen reverted the mech back into the form of a Hoi-Poi Capsule.

The two brothers then placed these four Dragon Balls on the ground, alongside the three they had already obtained from the Red Ribbon Army.

Yes, Wuchen had placed the Dragon Balls on the Iron Ox to draw the enemy's attention.

He and Goku had used the Dragon Radar to navigate, sneaking into the Red Ribbon Army headquarters ahead of time. They had infiltrated the command building to create an opportunity.

As for that opportunity, it was to exert pressure through the Iron Ox, forcing the enemy to move the Dragon Balls and actively reveal their hidden stash.

Although they possessed the Dragon Radar made by Bulma, the Dragon Balls would not have been easy to find had they been meticulously concealed.

What Wuchen had not expected, however, was that the enemy would end up killing each other. That commander was truly obsessed.

To care so excessively about one's own external image and, for the sake of that obsession, die at the hands of one's own people—it was truly lamentable.

Fortunately, the Dragon Balls were eventually exposed, allowing the brothers to collect all seven as they had hoped.

"Come forth, Shenron!" After imprinting a trace of spiritual energy onto the Four-Star Ball, Wuchen summoned the Eternal Dragon.

Just like last time, Shenron made a spectacular entrance, though his expression looked slightly off—a bit greenish.

"State your wish. You who have gathered the seven Dragon Balls, I shall grant it to the best of my ability."

Wuchen's expression turned unnatural as well. The dragon hadn't spoken like this last time; this time, he lacked a bit of his usual dominance and seemed two parts less confident.

"Shenron, I wish for everyone directly killed by the Red Ribbon Army, or killed by assassins they hired, to be resurrected. Is that possible?" Wuchen couldn't help but phrase his request as a question.

"I am sorry, I cannot fulfill that wish," Shenron replied, causing Wuchen to frown, though the dragon spoke again immediately.

"I can only resurrect those who have died within the past year."

"Then, please resurrect everyone who has been killed directly or by hired assassins of the Red Ribbon Army within the past year."

No sooner had Wuchen finished speaking than Shenron fell silent. After an unknown amount of time, those eyes, as large as windows, flashed with a red light.

Shenron seemed as if he had been drained of all energy. After another long moment, his voice finally echoed: "Your wish has been granted. Until next time... I am departing!"

Shenron's massive form vanished, transforming into seven Dragon Balls that scattered in all directions.

However, Wuchen leaped into the air and snatched one of them out of the sky. After being dragged along for a distance, he finally managed to intercept it.

This Dragon Ball, now resembling an ordinary stone egg, clearly bore a trace of spiritual energy—it was the Four-Star Ball.

"Big brother, is this Grandpa's Four-Star Ball? Why has it turned into a stone?" Goku, who had flown up behind him, asked with some confusion upon seeing the 'stone egg' in Wuchen's hand.

"According to Bulma, after Shenron grants a wish, it takes a year before he can be summoned again. Perhaps it stays in this state for the year and will recover afterward," Wuchen explained, looking at the Dragon Ball in his hand and then at the unresponsive Dragon Radar.

Wuchen then handed the Dragon Ball to Goku for safekeeping and asked him to summon the Flying Nimbus.

"Let's rest for the night. Tomorrow morning, we'll head to the Karin Sacred Land." And so, the two brothers lay down on the Flying Nimbus high in the sky and drifted off to sleep. The night breeze, blowing from time to time, was far more comforting than any air conditioner or fan.

The next morning, the brothers stretched in unison, extending their arms as far as they could. It had been days since they had slept this comfortably.

After a simple meal of the spiritual fruits they had brought along, the two headed straight toward Korin Tower, arriving at noon.

Glancing at the tower that seemed to have no top, the two descended.

"Brother Wuchen! Brother Goku!" Upa, with his sharp eyes, spotted the two brothers immediately and rushed toward them in excitement. "Thank you both! My father has really been resurrected! Thank you!"

"Alright, alright. We're both still hungry, though. Aren't you going to treat us to something?" Wuchen laughed, patting Upa on the back.

As if on cue, Goku's stomach let out a loud growl. The three of them couldn't help but laugh.

"Brother Wuchen, Brother Goku, please rest for a moment. My father went fishing. When he returns, I'll grill some fish for you."

Leading them to the grassy area beside the tent where the three of them had once slept, Upa asked them to rest while he gathered some dry wood and started a small campfire in preparation.

Before long, a tall, sturdy man appeared in their field of vision. In one hand, he held a spear, and in the other, he carried several large fish strung together by their gills with vines.

Upa rushed over, pulled the man toward them, and introduced them excitedly: "Father, these are Brother Wuchen and Brother Goku."

The man, Upa's father, Bora, hurriedly set down his spear and the fish. "Thank you so much! Upa has told me everything. Thank you for bringing me back to life."

Bora's voice trembled slightly, a result of his overwhelming emotion.

Though he was not a man who feared death, he could not bear the thought of leaving eight-year-old Upa behind. Being able to return to life and reunite with his son felt like a dream.

The two brothers immediately stood up, waving their hands and trying to deflect the gratitude. Wuchen, in particular, felt he couldn't take the credit.

The search for the Dragon Balls this time had involved far too much.

Bora had previously been killed by Tao Pai Pai; while it was not directly caused by him, it could not be said that he had no connection to it.

Taking a step back, Tao Pai Pai had been hired to kill the two brothers, and Bora had merely been caught in the crossfire.

In this instance, although the two brothers were not at fault, a karmic tie had been formed. Using a wish to save a life could be considered settling that debt.

Of course, regardless of whether it was a favor or not, the bond between them was genuine. Bora and Upa, father and son, were both kind and simple-hearted people, which was truly rare.

Accepting the fish feast, regardless of gratitude, was simply a matter of friendship.

Truth be told, this most rustic grilled fish, seasoned with nothing but salt, was actually quite delicious.

The flavor was mild but not bland, the aroma light but not fishy, and the skin was crispy while the meat remained tender—it had a unique charm all its own.

The four of them ate happily, and even Upa and Bora, who had served as the chefs, felt that today's fish tasted far better than usual.