First Meeting with Earth Shenron; Hoi's Plan to Slip Away Goes Up in Smoke

For a moment, Son Goku gave an awkward laugh. "Heh heh, well, Tarble, I gave it everything I had, but I still couldn't open this box."

"Sorry about that!"

His apology was partly an act, but he was also genuinely sorry.

After all, he really had forgotten he was supposed to be acting.

At that moment, Hoi's eyes were practically bulging out of his head.

What had he just seen?

How could a mere human unleash such powerful energy?

Tarble felt exasperated by Son Goku's performance, but he didn't let it show.

He didn't even look at Hoi.

His eyes narrowed slightly, and an idea came to him.

At this point, he had no choice but to play along.

So he deliberately raised his voice. "It's fine. If you can't open it, then forget it."

"You're the strongest Super Warrior among us."

"If even you can't open it, then there's no way my big brother Vegeta and I can."

"So, to avoid wasting time, let's just summon Shenron and have him help us!"

As he spoke, he deliberately turned and asked Vegeta, "Big brother, do you still want to give it a try?"

Vegeta had wanted to try, but Tarble had put it that way. Besides, Son Goku had given it his all in his normal state and still hadn't opened it, which meant brute force couldn't open the box.

There was no need for Vegeta to try and risk embarrassing himself.

Still, he wasn't about to pass up a chance to insult Son Goku.

"If that idiot Kakarot couldn't open it, there's no point in me wasting my strength. Let's summon Shenron!"

Hearing that, Son Goku knew he was in the wrong. He only gave an embarrassed smile and didn't argue.

Son Gohan, Son Goten, and Trunks, who had been stunned by Son Goku unleashing his full power in his normal state, gathered around him.

Son Goku had remembered that he was supposed to be acting, and when he saw them coming over, he worried they might say something about transforming.

So he spoke to Son Gohan first. "Gohan, hurry up and summon Shenron."

The trick worked. His words successfully distracted Son Gohan and the others.

"Big brother, can I summon Shenron?" Son Goten asked, his little face full of anticipation.

Trunks looked at him eagerly, too. "Yeah, Gohan, let Goten and me summon Shenron!"

Seeing this, Son Gohan nodded. "All right, you two can do it."

"But move a little farther ahead before you summon him."

"Great!" x2

"Thanks, big brother (Gohan)!"

The two little ones happily took the brown bag holding the Dragon Balls and ran several steps forward before stopping.

Only then did Son Gohan remember what he'd been about to say. He turned to Son Goku and exclaimed, "Dad, you've gotten so strong!"

"Yeah, but let's not talk about that right now, Gohan," Son Goku reminded him.

"Okay."

Up ahead, Trunks and Son Goten were slowly taking the Dragon Balls out of the bag.

Mage Hoi, who had quietly moved away from the group, watched them with intense curiosity and anticipation.

So these were the Dragon Balls they'd mentioned—the ones that could grant wishes?

Could such a miraculous treasure really exist in the universe?

They didn't look like anything special!

Could they really open the box?

Wait!

Why was that guy coming over?

Before Mage Hoi could think it through, he saw Tarble slowly walking toward him.

Seeing this, he had no choice but to put all his thoughts aside. Even his slow steps came to a halt.

He forced a smile and awkwardly tried to start a conversation.

"Mr. Tarble, can these Dragon Balls really summon Shenron, and can Shenron help open the box sealing the hero Tapion?"

Tarble gave him a knowing look. At a time like this, Hoi was still putting on an act. He had to hand it to him—Hoi had nerves of steel.

He answered with a mixture of truth and lies. "This is my first time seeing Earth's Dragon Balls, but they should be able to help free the hero Tapion."

Hoi remained wary, but put on a hopeful expression. "Let's hope so."

Just then, Son Goku came over, too. With an easygoing laugh, he called out, "Hey, Grandpa Hoi, what are you doing over here?"

"Did you come here to get a better look?"

By now, he was starting to suspect the pink old man's true motives.

Hoi had been standing beside Bulma just moments ago, but while Son Goku wasn't looking, he'd slipped over here.

It was very suspicious!

Looking at the seemingly harmless smile before him, Hoi cursed inwardly.

Damn it!

Why had this guy come over, too?

Compared with the clueless Tarble, Hoi was far more wary of Son Goku, who had already revealed his strength in his normal state.

Though he was cursing inwardly, he showed no sign of it and played along with Son Goku.

"Ah, yes, yes!"

"I thought I might get a better view of Shenron's face from here."

I need to find a way to get away!

No!

This guy is so strong. There's no way I can leave with him watching me...

Looks like I'll have to use teleportation magic to get away!

If that doesn't work, I'll just teleport the other half of the treasure here!

Hearing that, Son Goku smiled. "Is that so?"

"Looks like we agree, Grandpa. I also think this spot is better than where Vegeta is standing, so I'll watch from here, too."

"Grandpa, I'll stand a little to the side so I won't block your view. Don't worry."

Without waiting to see how Hoi reacted, he cheerfully moved to the other side, a little behind him, and looked into the distance.

Together with Tarble, they flanked Hoi, cutting off his escape.

Hoi felt a tremendous pressure, even if neither of them said a word.

Damn it!

Do these guys know what I'm planning?

Impossible!

If they knew, they'd never help me open the box!

Thinking this, he felt a little more at ease.

Just then, darkness instantly swallowed the azure sky. Black clouds gathered, and lightning flashed as thunder rumbled.

Looking closely, he saw a dazzling beam of light suddenly shoot skyward in front of the two Saiyan children named Trunks and Son Goten.

In an instant, the brilliant pillar of light transformed into a gigantic monster!

Its serpentine body, covered in blue-green scales, writhed as a dim glow shimmered around it. Two horns sprouted from its head, long whiskers streamed in the wind, and its eyes were crimson.

The colossal creature appeared right before them, as real as could be.

It looked awe-inspiring, radiating tremendous power.

At that moment,

Hoi stared in stunned disbelief, his heart full of shock.

So this was... Shenron?

Could he really open the box...

At that very moment,

West City was suddenly plunged into darkness, and its residents naturally noticed the strange phenomenon.

Those living closer to Bulma's house even saw Shenron's mighty form.

But they didn't panic or look terrified. They merely grumbled a little.

"Holy crap! Is Capsule Corp working on that mysterious project again? The sky suddenly went dark, and now I can't see a thing!"

"Tell me about it. It's dark out, and everything's a hassle!

But they've been working on this mysterious project for years. How come they still haven't succeeded?

Looks like Dr. Brief and the others aren't all that good at research after all!"

"Not all that good?

Why don't you try turning daytime into nighttime, then?"

"Come on, why are you taking it so seriously? I'm just saying.

If I could do that, would you even be seeing me here?"