The Power of the Dragon Balls

Son Goku immediately joined Vegeta and Trunks, devouring the food like a whirlwind.

After Dende exchanged greetings with Gohan and Krillin, Mr. Popo brought over the original Shenron model.

Inside a glass case, a Shenron hundreds of times smaller than the real thing lay coiled up. Its once-vivid body had turned to stone, stripped of its former majesty and splendor.

Mr. Popo set the Shenron Case in front of Dende and said in his deep, muffled voice:

"This is the original mold Kami used to make Shenron. Now, all you have to do is pour your power into the Shenron Case, and Shenron can be brought back into service."

Dende stepped in front of the Shenron Case. His youthful, green face was filled with determination as he placed both hands on it and poured in his power.

Streams of green light imbued with the power of the Dragon Clan slowly flowed into the stone Shenron.

In an instant, golden light spread across Shenron's surface. A red gleam flashed in his eyes, and the power of creation began to awaken!

After a burst of blinding light, Shenron's green body had been restored inside the case. He reared up ferociously, once more displaying his former grandeur, as if the roar of a dragon echoed in everyone's ears.

Seven golden beams shot from Shenron's body, trailing long tails across the sky as they flew toward the Dragon Balls scattered around the world.

The Dragon Balls, too, gradually regained their former luster and power.

"Wonderful! Now, all we have to do is gather the seven Dragon Balls to summon Shenron and bring Uncle Piccolo back to life."

Gohan excitedly waved his arms.

Then he volunteered to get the Dragon Radar from Bulma, shot into the sky, and transformed into a golden streak as he went to gather the Dragon Balls.

Wang Shen nodded, watching the scene with satisfaction.

What would Dragon Ball be without wishes made on the Dragon Balls?

Thinking of that, Wang Shen turned to Lazuli, who looked calm and unconcerned, and smiled.

Lazuli turned to meet his gaze and smiled back, though a few suspicions stirred in her mind.

Wang Shen said he had a surprise for me. Could it have something to do with the Dragon Balls?

They say the Dragon Balls can grant any wish. Could I wish for a whole lot of money?

Lazuli's lips curled upward despite herself.

Wang Shen was slightly taken aback. Even he hadn't expected Lazuli to suddenly start grinning to herself.

Still, it was pretty cute.

Ten minutes later, Gohan returned with a full haul.

"I'm back!"

As a Super Saiyan Full Power, he was incredibly fast.

Gohan placed the Dragon Balls he had collected in the open plaza.

The crystal-clear spheres were orange-red, each holding stars as red as blood.

Clink, clink!

The seven golden Dragon Balls rolled together, making a clear, pleasant sound as they collided.

The Dragon Balls truly were a magnificent creation. Even without the ability to summon Shenron and grant wishes, they were peerless works of art!

Wang Shen marveled inwardly.

Lazuli was also staring at the golden Dragon Balls, her eyes sparkling.

By then, Son Goku had finished off the food. He walked over, one hand on his stomach, looking thoroughly satisfied.

Vegeta, with his own head of golden hair, walked beside him.

The four "blondies" stood out in the crowd. The golden light shimmering around them was even brighter than the glow around Tien Shinhan and Krillin.

Son Goku looked at the Dragon Balls, which he hadn't seen in a long time, and praised Gohan.

"Way to go, Gohan. You gathered the Dragon Balls so quickly."

"Now, let's get started."

Gohan nodded firmly, and the familiar green figure seemed to appear before his eyes.

Son Goku grinned, walked up to the Dragon Balls, spread his arms, and shouted:

"Come forth, Shenron, and grant my wish!"

At Son Goku's call, the seven Dragon Balls began to flash faster and faster, their rhythm growing more and more frantic.

Soon, thick clouds drifted in from the horizon and instantly covered the entire sky, plunging the surroundings into terrifying darkness.

Rumble!

Thunder roared in the darkness, streaking and bursting through the clouds. Its deafening crashes shook the air.

"Roar!"

A mighty dragon's cry rang across the heavens and earth.

An immense torrent of golden light surged out of the seven Dragon Balls. It spiraled upward toward the sky and merged with the lightning above.

The golden light transformed into a long, green dragon. His body stretched hundreds of meters, hovering in the sky and casting an overwhelming presence.

Shenron coiled high above, his enormous eyes shimmering with an intimidating red glow.

"Human, state your wish. I can grant you any two wishes!"

Son Goku looked surprised.

"Huh? Can't you only grant one wish?"

Dende proudly held up two fingers.

"After I modified him, the number of wishes became two."

"Oh, that's great!"

Son Goku looked up at the enormous Shenron and was about to speak.

"Goku, let me make the wishes."

Wang Shen stepped out from the crowd and cut in.

He was worried Son Goku wouldn't think things through and might fail to make the most of his wishes.

Son Goku was startled, but nodded and stepped aside.

The others didn't object either. Wang Shen had been the one to suggest this plan in the first place.

Wang Shen looked at Shenron coiling in the sky, imposing and fearsome, and a thought suddenly crossed his mind.

Did he have a health bar?

If I hit him with an energy blast, would he die?

Shenron, for some reason, felt a chill as Wang Shen stared at him. A hint of cold sweat appeared.

"What is your wish? Please tell me quickly."

Shenron urged him cautiously.

He wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. That man's gaze reminded him strongly of King Piccolo.

Wang Shen withdrew his appraising gaze and smiled.

"My first wish is for everyone who died because of Cell to come back to life."

"Easily done!"

His booming voice rang out, and Shenron's eyes glowed red.

A glint passed through Wang Shen's eyes. He hadn't sensed any power or change, but he chose to trust Shenron.

Piccolo's ki had indeed returned.

Piccolo had been revived once before, but that had been with the Namekian Dragon Balls. It seemed the two Shenrons' powers didn't conflict.

"How did you do that? The cycle of life and death doesn't seem to be under the Namekians' control."

"Is that your second wish?"

"No, I'm just curious."

"I can't tell you!"

At that, Wang Shen's eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint in them.

Shenron suddenly felt cold all over. Even his enormous body offered no sense of safety, and he hurriedly said:

"My abilities depend entirely on Lord Dragon God Zalama. As for anything else, I can't say."

Wang Shen drew a sharp breath, thinking, Just as I expected.

It was just as well that Shenron wouldn't say more. For now, Wang Shen didn't want to get involved in matters at that level.

He was only a Super Saiyan. He couldn't afford even a breath from those powerful beings.

Wang Shen glanced at Lazuli and the others, then continued:

"My second wish is to remove the bombs inside Android 16, Android 17, and Android 18."

As soon as he finished speaking, the three of them looked at Wang Shen, who was gazing up at the sky in surprise. Then they lowered their heads in silence, smiles appearing on their faces.

Lazuli's cheeks flushed an intense red, and she couldn't suppress the smile at the corners of her mouth as she recalled what he had said before.

So he had already...

Shenron's eyes flashed red.

Three beams of white light suddenly surrounded Lazuli and the others. The next moment, they felt their bodies grow lighter.

"Human, your wishes have been granted. Farewell."

After he spoke, Shenron's coiling body transformed back into the seven Dragon Balls. They spun a few times in the sky, then streaked away like meteors, heading toward different parts of the world.

Wang Shen didn't try to stop the Dragon Balls. He let them scatter and enter their one-year cooldown.

With the Dragon Radar, whenever he wanted to use them, collecting them would take only a few minutes at his speed.

Son Goku put his hands on his hips and laughed.

"So you already had a plan, Wang Shen. Now so many innocent people can come back to life."

Dende had also been thinking hard about Wang Shen's question, racking his brains.

"Mr. Wang Shen, who is Dragon God Zalama? Is he the ancestor of the Namekians?"

Wang Shen shook his head, keeping his thoughts to himself and indicating that he didn't know either.

He'd only asked on a whim.

Wang Shen continued toward Lazuli...