The Hero Tapion Appears; Hoi Seizes the Chance to Slip Away

After a brief complaint, people turned on the lights and went back to their work.

They weren't the least bit flustered by this strange phenomenon, all thanks to Bulma's foresight.

She had seen the sky turn pitch-black, whether by day or night, whenever Shenron was summoned. It had grown so dark that she couldn't see her hand in front of her face.

On top of that, Shenron's enormous body could easily draw the attention of other people on Earth.

So she had come up with a plan: tell the public that Capsule Corp was conducting a groundbreaking experiment, and that the darkness was normal. That way, people wouldn't panic when they saw it.

That was why those ordinary people now believed the explanation like a bunch of idiots, convinced that Capsule Corp really was conducting some kind of incredible experiment.

But sometimes, ignorance was a blessing.

If word got out that the Dragon Balls could grant wishes, Earth would have descended into chaos long ago, even without an enemy invasion. It would never have enjoyed the peace and prosperity it did now.

Back at Bulma's Super Villa.

As soon as Shenron appeared, he struck a pose in midair for two seconds before delivering his classic entrance line.

"Lucky ones who have gathered all seven Dragon Balls, state your wish."

"No matter what it is, I can make it come true—but you may only make three wishes!"

Hearing this, Trunks and Son Goten weren't frightened in the least. They were both thrilled.

"Shenron, could you open this box and free the hero Tapion?" Trunks pointed at the Silver Box in Son Goten's hands and called out.

Son Goten raised the box in his hands to match. "That's right, Shenron. The box I'm holding—please open it for us!"

At that, Earth Shenron glanced at the box. He was already sure he could do it, but still asked as part of the usual procedure, "Are you certain this is your wish?"

The two little ones nodded vigorously.

"Yep, that's our wish!"

"That's right! Please open it for us!"

After confirming their wish, Earth Shenron spoke in a calm, authoritative voice. "This is a simple wish. I can grant it right away."

As soon as he finished speaking, a red gleam flashed across his crimson eyes.

The next moment,

the Silver Box in Son Goten's hands was enveloped in a mysterious glow and slowly floated into the air.

"Click!"

With a crisp, brief sound, the box slowly opened.

However,

the instant it opened, a cloud of smoke billowed out.

Everyone immediately grew alert, staring at the smoke that had appeared but showed no sign of dispersing.

Meanwhile,

at the same moment the box opened, Tarble was astonished to find that the old man had vanished in an instant.

His attention had never been on the smoke.

From beginning to end, his senses and gaze had remained fixed on the Mage, Hoi.

Seeing the old man suddenly disappear, Tarble couldn't help frowning slightly.

How was that possible?

He'd vanished in an instant, without making a sound!

But I've memorized your energy signature. You won't get away!

With that thought, Tarble immediately unleashed his full sensing ability.

In an instant, he picked up the Mage Hoi's energy signature and sneered. "Found you!"

The next moment,

with a whoosh, he too vanished.

At that moment, Vegeta, Son Goku, and Licks also noticed something strange.

Almost simultaneously, they turned to look at the spot where Tarble and Mage Hoi had just been.

The moment they saw no one there, they realized that the old man was definitely suspicious.

There was no way an ordinary person could disappear without a sound right under their noses.

In a flash, Vegeta and Licks moved to Son Goku's side.

"Kakarot, do you know when Tarble and that old bastard left?" Vegeta asked angrily.

He thought the old man must have slipped away because Son Goku had just revealed his strength.

Son Goku spread his hands, looking confused and a little innocent. "I don't know either. I only looked back after I noticed Tarble's energy had disappeared."

"I didn't expect the old man to be gone too."

"That old man must have seen your strength and run off!" Vegeta accused without hesitation. "Hmph, that old man was clearly hiding something from us. Anyone who can escape without making a sound is no ordinary person!"

Son Goku seemed to think he had scared the old man away. He scratched his head awkwardly and was about to speak when he heard Trunks and Son Goten cry out.

"Goten, look! Is there someone in the smoke?"

"Ah—Trunks, I-I see him too!"

Then they heard Son Gohan's alarmed voice.

"Goten, Trunks, get back here!"

At the sound of that, Son Goku and the others were startled and whipped around.

They were shocked to see the outline of a person emerging in the smoke.

They all went on guard at once. As they watched the figure gradually become clearer, they prepared to fight.

"Trunks, protect your mother!" Vegeta called quickly, his expression grave.

He couldn't sense how strong the mysterious figure in the smoke was at all.

Trunks immediately replied, "I know, Dad."

Then he flashed to Bulma's side.

By then, the figure in the smoke had become quite clear.

A breeze swept through, revealing his true appearance.

A young man stood before them, wearing clothes somewhat like the Supreme Kai's. He had fiery red hair in a mohawk, a long sword strapped to his back, and an unmistakable aura about him.

Could he be... the hero Tapion?

That was the only thought in Son Goku and the others' minds at that moment.

Tapion had spent years sealed inside a dark box. Although the sky was still overcast, the light radiating from the Dragon Balls was enough to make him squint.

Narrowing his eyes was an instinctive act of self-protection.

At the same time, his thoughts gradually cleared.

The moment his mind became clear, he realized something was wrong!

Why was there light inside the box?!!

Oh no!

A sense of dread suddenly washed over him. In a panic, he abruptly opened his eyes.

What he saw left him bewildered and uncertain.

A colossal being beyond his comprehension hovered before him, its pair of crimson eyes filled with menace seeming to look down at him.

"W-what... what is that thing?"

Faced with the unknown, he showed the fear any normal person would, instinctively taking a step or two back.

Though terrified, he remained on guard.