First Meeting with Shenron; Hoi's Plan to Slip Away Falls Through

For a moment, Son Goku laughed awkwardly, "Hehe, well, Tarble, um, I used my full power, but I still couldn't open this box."

"Sorry about that!"

This apology was both an act and a sincere expression of regret.

Because, in truth, he had completely forgotten about the acting part.

Hoi, meanwhile, had eyes so wide they looked like they were about to pop out.

What had he just witnessed?

How could a mere human erupt with such immense energy?

Seeing Son Goku's actions, Tarble felt speechless, though he didn't show it on his face.

He didn't even glance at Hoi.

Narrowing his eyes slightly, an idea immediately formed.

For now, he had no choice but to play along with the mistake.

Thus, he deliberately said in a loud voice, "It's fine, forget it if you can't open it."

"You are the strongest Super Warrior among us."

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

"So, to avoid wasting time, let's just summon Shenron and ask for his help!"

As he spoke, he turned back to ask Vegeta specifically, "Big Brother, do you still want to try?"

Vegeta had originally intended to give it a go, but since Tarble had put it that way—and given that Son Goku hadn't been able to open it even with his full base power—it was clear that brute force wouldn't work on the box.

There was no need to try and risk losing face.

However, he wouldn't pass up an opportunity to berate Son Goku.

"Since that idiot Kakarot couldn't open it, I won't waste my energy either. Let's just summon Shenron!"

Hearing this, Son Goku knew he was in the wrong and just gave a sheepish laugh without retorting.

Son Gohan, Son Goten, and Trunks, who had been startled by the burst of full base power, gathered around.

Now that Son Goku remembered he was supposed to be acting, he felt a surge of panic seeing them approach, fearing they might mention transformations or something similar.

He quickly spoke to Son Gohan first, "Gohan, hurry up and summon Shenron."

The tactic worked; Son Gohan and the others were successfully distracted.

"Big Brother, let me summon Shenron, okay?" Son Goten's small face was full of anticipation.

Trunks also looked on with eager eyes, "Yeah, Big Brother Gohan, let Goten and me summon Shenron, please?"

Seeing this, Son Gohan nodded, "Alright, you two go ahead."

"But move a bit further forward before you summon him."

"Great!" x2

"Thanks, Big Brother (Gohan)!"

Upon hearing this, the two little ones happily took the brown bag containing the Dragon Balls and trotted a few steps forward before stopping.

Only then did Son Gohan remember what he had been about to say, and he turned to Son Goku with a sigh, "Dad, you've become so strong!"

"Uh, let's not talk about that right now, Gohan," Son Goku urged.

"Yes."

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

Hoi the Mage, who had quietly moved away from the crowd, watched this scene with intense curiosity and anticipation.

So these were... the Dragon Balls they spoke of... the ones that could grant wishes?

Did such magical treasures really exist in the universe?

They didn't look like anything special!

Could they really open the box?

Wait!

Why is this guy walking over here?

Before Hoi the Mage could finish his speculation, he saw Tarble walking slowly toward him.

Seeing this, he had to put all his thoughts aside, even stopping the slow, shuffling steps he had been taking.

He forced a stiff smile onto his face and awkwardly brought up a topic.

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

Tarble gave him a look that was neither quite a smile nor a frown; at this critical juncture, the man was still putting on an act. His mental fortitude was truly impressive.

"I've only seen the Earth's Dragon Balls for the first time myself," he said, half-truthfully, "but they should be able to help free the hero Tapion."

While Hoi remained vigilant, he had to put on a hopeful expression. "I certainly hope so."

Just then, Son Goku walked over with a bright smile and greeted him, "Yo, Grandpa Hoi, how did you end up all the way over here?"

"Could it be that you wanted a better view?"

By now, he was already starting to suspect the true motives of this elderly man in pink.

He had clearly been standing next to Bulma just a moment ago, but in the blink of an eye, he had slipped away to this spot.

His movements were highly suspicious!

Looking at that seemingly harmless, smiling face before him, Hoi cursed inwardly:

Damn it!

Why did this guy have to follow me here too?

Compared to the oblivious Tarble, he was far more wary of Son Goku, whose base strength had already been revealed.

Even though he was cursing inside, he kept his composure on the surface and played along with Son Goku's words.

"Ah, yes, exactly!"

"I thought this position might offer a better view of Shenron's face."

I need to find a way to slip away!

No!

This guy is so strong; there's no way to leave right under his nose...

It seems I'll have to use displacement magic to escape!

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

Hearing this, Son Goku replied with a grin, "Is that so?"

"It seems you and I think alike, Grandpa. I also feel this spot is better than where Vegeta is, so I'll watch from here as well."

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

With that, ignoring Hoi's reaction, he cheerfully stood to the other side, trailing slightly behind, and looked off into the distance.

Together with Tarble, they formed a pincer, effectively boxing Hoi in.

Hoi felt an immense, invisible pressure.

Damn it!

Could these guys know about my plan?

Impossible!

If they knew, they would never help me open the box!

Thinking this, he felt a bit more at ease.

At that moment, darkness instantly shrouded the azure sky; black clouds gathered, and thunder rumbled.

Looking closely, a dazzling light suddenly shot into the sky directly in front of the two Saiyan children, Trunks and Son Goten.

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

Its body, covered in blue-green scales, coiled and undulated, shimmering with an eerie glow. It had two horns on its head, long flowing whiskers, and crimson eyes.

This behemoth appeared before them, alive and real.

It looked majestic and awe-inspiring.

At this moment.

Hoi stared in stunned silence, his heart filled with shock.

Is this... Shenron?

Can it really open the box...

Right now.

West City was instantly plunged into night, and the people of the city naturally noticed this unusual phenomenon.

Those living closer to Bulma's house could even see the towering figure of Shenron.

However, they didn't panic or show fear; they simply complained a little.

"What the hell! Is Capsule Corp working on that mysterious project again? The sky turned dark all of a sudden; it's pitch black, I can't see a thing."

"Tell me about it. It's so inconvenient when it gets dark like this! But they've been working on this mysterious project for so many years now, how is it still not a success? It seems Dr. Brief and his team's research capabilities aren't all that great after all!"

"Not much of anything?

If you've got the guts, why don't you try turning day into night and see what happens?"

"Ugh, why do you have to be so serious? I was just talking.

If I actually had that kind of ability, do you think you'd still be standing here looking at me?"