Show Yourself, Shenron

Besides, if he couldn't win quickly in a peak-level battle, Senzu Beans alone might not be enough to turn the tide.

At the thought, Barros, who had been somewhat disappointed by the limit on Senzu Beans, broke into a broad smile instead.

As for gentle, liquid ki, while others were helpless, he had his own way of getting it.

He had no doubt that if he simply wished to Shenron for a mass of pure, gentle liquid ki, even Earth's Shenron could handle it easily.

With his thoughts settled, his smile deepened.

Korin didn't understand what was going on, but he keenly noticed Barros's relaxed expression. The weight on his heart finally lifted a little.

After taking the Senzu Beans, Barros blurred and vanished from Korin Tower.

The next instant, he stood quietly in the center of the Lookout, arms folded.

At that moment, seven snowy-white auras tore across the sky, streaking toward him almost simultaneously.

In a flash, all seven elite Saiyans who had been ordered to search for the Dragon Balls returned.

Jeno and Meisu arrived first, their toes nearly brushing the ground as they landed. They bowed in unison and said together, "Your Majesty, the Dragon Balls have been retrieved!"

Barros gave a slight nod. "Put them on the ground."

As soon as he spoke, the other five figures appeared one after another and, as usual, carefully placed the Dragon Balls on the Lookout's pristine white tiles.

"Wuu—hum—wuu—hum—"

The seven Dragon Balls gathered together, their golden light interweaving and flickering. As their radiance swirled, a deep, distant dragon's roar seemed to rise faintly from the void, shaking the soul.

Barros gazed down at the seven shining Dragon Balls and slowly nodded. A long-forgotten, burning anticipation quietly welled up in his chest.

After a brief surge of excitement, he drew a deep breath, looked toward the Dragon Balls, and shouted, "Show yourself, Shenron!"

Crack—!

A blinding golden bolt of lightning split the darkness. The already lightless night sky was instantly swallowed by endless black.

Thunder rumbled across the heavens as streaks of silver-white lightning tore through the ink-black sky, flaring brilliantly for an instant before vanishing.

"Boom—!" Another blazing golden bolt crashed down, as if the heavens themselves were enraged and delivering an unquestionable verdict. It pierced the clouds like a sharp sword, cleaving the thick storm clouds and striking directly at the center of the seven Dragon Balls.

As the thunder roared in their ears, all seven Dragon Balls burst into dazzling golden radiance, their layers of light burning brighter and brighter.

When the golden bolt struck above the Lookout, the streams of light from the seven Dragon Balls suddenly fused into one and surged upward to meet it. Golden light and lightning reflected one another, as though they would cleanse every shadow from the world.

Jiyande and the other Saiyans stood frozen, dumbstruck. The ominous spectacle before them, like a storm about to break and the heavens about to collapse, was the sign that Shenron was about to appear.

Before being transported here, Barros had seen Shenron appear countless times in the anime.

But standing on this very land and looking up at that soul-shaking might—nothing on a screen could compare!

"Roar—!!!" A dragon's cry that shook the universe suddenly erupted!

The seven Dragon Balls shot forth pillars of golden light!

Within the golden radiance, the shadow of a giant dragon appeared and disappeared, spiraling upward until it pierced the clouds. The flickering lightning in the sky seemed to answer its call. A bolt suddenly crashed down and fused with the dragon's shadow in the golden light!

As expected, the instant golden light and lightning converged, a jade-green dragon appeared from thin air. Its powerful body darted between heaven and earth, then swept into the churning black clouds with a flick of its tail.

After stretching and shifting its body for a moment, Shenron raised its head and looked down, its crimson eyes blazing. It addressed Kami below with a hint of courtesy. "Kami, I can grant any wish you make!"

"Huh? No, no, I didn't summon you—it was him!" Kami waved his hands repeatedly, then discreetly nodded toward Barros.

Shenron's crimson eyes flickered. A flash of red light passed through them as it spoke in a steady voice. "State your wish. I can grant anything—but only one wish."

Barros gazed up at the giant dragon coiled across the sky, the corners of his mouth lifting in a cool smile. "Really... anything?"

"Indeed. You have only one wish."

"Raise this Emperor's battle power to a level that truly matches his physical body!"

His expression remained composed, but inwardly he tensed. With his current body, his battle power would have to increase at least tenfold to truly match it. If Shenron could really do that, this wish would be worth it!

Wuu—!

Red light flared in Shenron's eyes as it stared fixedly at Barros for a long while. Beads of sweat even appeared on its brow. "I can't. Your power already far exceeds that of my creator, Kami. I'm unable to grant this wish."

"Hmph." Barros had expected that, but even so, his brows drew together and irritation stirred in his heart.

Kami and Popo shuddered, cold sweat instantly soaking through their clothes.

After a brief pause, Barros looked up, his tone firm. "Then I'll make another wish. Let me learn Kibito's Instant Transmission!"

Wuu—!

Red light flashed again in Shenron's crimson eyes.

A moment later, it slowly shook its head. "The teleportation ability of Kibito's race is an innate racial talent, like the Saiyans' Great Ape Transformation. It cannot be taught by outside forces. This wish cannot be granted."

A flicker of surprise crossed Barros's eyes, then he understood.

On second thought, it made sense. The Dragon Ball World already had the Magic Fist, which could foresee the future, and Guldo, who could control time in a limited area. It was only natural for there to be another being skilled at spatial travel.

That was also why Kibito didn't need to set a destination. He could reach anywhere with a single thought.

With that settled, Barros didn't dwell on it.

But just as he was about to make a third wish, a strange gleam flashed across Shenron's body. An idea suddenly struck him. "Can you investigate every planet in the universe? Find out whether any Neural Trees are still alive."

Wuu—!

Red light flashed rapidly in Shenron's eyes. It raised its head toward the vast sea of stars, then vanished in a flash, breaking through the air.

Barros watched Shenron fly away from Earth, his eyes gleaming repeatedly.

Before long, Shenron returned, its crimson eyes blazing. "There are indeed Neural Trees still growing in the universe. Do you want to obtain one, or should I take you there?"

"No." Barros's lips curled up, his voice cool. "This Emperor's wish is to learn the Yardratians' Instant Transmission."

The pupils of the dragon coiling in midair contracted. Its crimson eyes seemed ready to spit fire. If it hadn't known it couldn't do anything to this man, it might have swooped down and bitten his head off!

If that was the ability he wanted to learn, why had he gone to such lengths and sent it on a special trip through the universe?

That was no way to treat a dragon!

Unfortunately, Shenron could only swallow its resentment.

The red light in its eyes flared again, and a crimson beam shot from them straight into Barros's forehead.

Jiyande, Jeno, Meisu, and the other Saiyans immediately sprang into action. Thinking the strange creature had launched a sneak attack, they surged with killing intent and prepared to strike, waiting only for the order to tear Shenron to pieces!

Though Barros had closed his eyes to receive the knowledge, he remained fully aware of everything around him.

Before anyone could move, he shouted, "Jiyande! Jeno! Meisu! Stand down—this Emperor is fine!"

Before his words had even faded, Shenron let out a long roar that split the sky and transformed into a golden streak shooting into the heavens. "Your wish has been granted. Farewell!"

The dragon's ringing cry had yet to fade when its body scattered into seven points of golden light. They circled through the air several times, then turned into seven shooting stars, flying in different directions and disappearing from sight in the blink of an eye.

The dragon was gone, and the Dragon Balls dispersed, each returning to its place.

Barros knew this, and hadn't signaled Jiyande and the others to stop them.

Half a day later, Barros's eyes suddenly opened.

He had learned it! Instant Transmission, the Yardratians' teleportation technique!

Barros replayed the technique's principles in his mind. The corners of his mouth lifted, and he couldn't help laughing aloud. "Heh... Hahaha, hahahaha!"

No one understood better than he did how powerful this technique was.

When he finished laughing, he raised his right hand and gently touched his forehead with his index and middle fingers pressed together.

First, sense the movement of ki. Then tear through the fabric of space and cross any distance in an instant, appearing right beside the target.

Jiyande and the others were nearby, but the Divine Martial Battle Star was deep in the universe. With his current capacity, even if he could just barely lock onto its location, there was no way he could jump there in one leap.

After all, Instant Transmission wasn't an idle fantasy. It required real strength to support it.

Sensing ki was actually quite simple. Quiet the mind and become one with the sea, as still as water. Then the traces of ki nearby, so long as they weren't beyond one's limits, would naturally become perceptible.

For Barros, Earth was close enough that he didn't need to deliberately sense anything. His instincts alone could pinpoint Bardock's location.

So the moment his fingertips touched his forehead, he vanished completely from before Jiyande and the other Saiyans.

Whoosh—!

On Mount Paozu, Bardock was watching his wife, Gine, talk with little Kakarot when a faint sound suddenly swept past his ear. His pupils contracted, and his whole body tensed. Clenching both fists, he prepared to strike at the source of the sound.

But as soon as he saw who it was, his shoulders relaxed. He lowered his head and bowed, speaking respectfully. "Your Majesty, what brings you here? Is there something you need me to do?"

Barros smiled and shook his head. "Don't overthink it, Bardock. Put your hand on my shoulder."

Though he didn't understand why, Bardock did as he was told and placed his palm firmly on Barros's left shoulder.

Gine sucked in a sharp breath. Right before her eyes, the two men suddenly dissolved into nothing, without even leaving an afterimage.

She had just started to rise when the air rippled faintly, and Barros and Bardock were standing outside Gohan's little house.

After testing Instant Transmission, Barros threw his head back and laughed. "Hahaha! Bardock, go back to your son. This Emperor will be on his way!"

Before his words had even faded, he transformed into a streak of light before Bardock's astonished eyes and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Kami's Lookout.

Barros reappeared, a smile still lingering at the corners of his lips.

Now that he had mastered Instant Transmission, he hadn't intended to stay on Earth.

But then another thought occurred to him, and he changed his mind.

He turned to Jiyande and the others. "Jiyande, Jeno, Meisu, return to the spaceship and stand by. This Emperor has other arrangements."

"Understood, Your Majesty!" The three didn't ask why. They immediately took to the air and sped toward the spaceship.

Only after watching them disappear into the distance did Barros slowly turn back and glance at Kami and Popo. Then his figure faded away without a trace.

Turtle Hermit Island.

Barros stepped out of the air, his clothes unmoved and no wind rising around him.

He had come only to add fuel to the fire of the turbulent days ahead.

"Master Roshi?"

The voice came from behind him. The old man, who had been ambling along with a turtle shell on his back, froze. Instinctively twisting around, he assumed a fighting stance.

Barros ignored him and simply studied the thin, gaunt old man before him.

This was the man who had laid the groundwork for Goku's growth, a path no one else could replicate. Even Vegeta, whose talent surpassed Goku's, had never managed to catch up in his entire life.

This was also the man who had personally helped raise this blue planet to a level that shook the galaxy.

His battle power was mediocre, yet he was the truly irreplaceable cornerstone of the entire Dragon Ball story.

Without him, Goku wouldn't even have known what "ki" was.

Without him, even with a pure heart, Goku would never have reached the heights where he could stand eye to eye with the God of Destruction, Beerus.

The Master Roshi before him bore no resemblance to the mischievous old lecher from Barros's memories, who loved to play tricks, eat, and hover around pretty girls. Instead, he carried a solemn, steady bearing, like a pine growing atop a cliff—a true master.

"You must be an unparalleled expert from beyond this world?" Master Roshi lowered his stance and calmed his breathing, his tone even. He knew better than to think a show of force would do anything but make him look ridiculous before someone like this.

Barros nodded without reservation. "Correct. This Emperor hails from the Divine Martial Battle Star."

"The Divine Martial Battle Star?" Master Roshi silently committed the name to memory, then looked him in the eye. "May I ask why Your Excellency has sought out a frail old man such as myself, so weak in your eyes?"

Barros chuckled. As expected, beneath that devil-may-care exterior lay a heart as clear as a mirror and as steady as a mountain. His insight and composure were beyond what ordinary people could ever attain.

As for why he had come?

He wasn't so bored that he would make a special trip just to see a weak old man.

Even if that old man would one day become the first stepping stone on Goku's path to constant breakthroughs and the peak of strength.

"This Emperor has only one request." He raised a finger, his tone stern but not overbearing. "After you formally take Son Goku as your disciple, please teach him something on my behalf."

"Son Goku? Why would I take him as my disciple?" Master Roshi's heart jolted, questions filling his mind, but he still nodded.

"You'll understand when the time comes." Barros smiled and tossed him a silver-gray memory crystal. "Stick it to your forehead, and you'll receive the complete inheritance."

Master Roshi looked it over for a moment, then carefully put it away.

He wasn't worried about being set up. There was no need.

With Barros's ability to come and go without a trace, and the unfathomable, almost divine pressure Master Roshi sensed from him, Barros could take his life with a breath if he wanted. Why go to such trouble?

Barros didn't know what he was thinking, nor did he care to guess.

Seeing that Master Roshi had put it away properly, Barros stood with his hands behind his back, his voice ringing like metal on stone. "The crystal contains the Divine Martial Battle Art I created over my lifetime. Only after you feel that you've taught Goku everything you can and have nothing left to teach him should you pass it on to him."

"Wouldn't it be terribly dull if the future never changed?" The corners of his lips lifted, and his eyes burned as he looked at Master Roshi. "In fifteen years, this Emperor will send a subordinate to Earth. If you aren't strong enough by then..."

"Then this low-class planet will have no reason to continue existing!" Barros's final words were chilling, his killing intent unmistakable and utterly unconcealed.

Then his gaze shifted to Master Roshi, whose face had gone deathly pale and whose body was rigid. "After you take Son Goku as your disciple, you must not tell him a single word about me before the fifteen-year deadline."

Master Roshi looked terrified on the outside, but inwardly he couldn't help wondering.

This arrogant young man was demanding that he pass on the Divine Martial Battle Art to a boy named Son Goku, while also forbidding him from revealing anything about himself.

What was he after?

Master Roshi couldn't figure it out, but he understood one thing clearly: fifteen years from now would be the crucial moment that determined whether this planet survived. He couldn't afford to slack off for even an instant.

Barros noticed Master Roshi frowning in thought, and a cryptic smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.

Just as he was about to turn and leave, he suddenly stopped and stared coldly at Master Roshi. "In fifteen years, the subordinate this Emperor sends to Earth will have a battle power of fifty thousand. If you don't want this wasteland flattened, you'll have to do your best to grow stronger while teaching Son Goku!"

Before his words had even faded, he had vanished without a trace, leaving only the howling sea wind on the empty Turtle Hermit Island.