Appear, Shenron

Besides, if he could not win quickly in a peak battle, Senzu Beans alone might not be enough to turn things around.

With that in mind, Barros, who had felt slightly disappointed by the limit on Senzu Beans, instead broke into a broad smile.

As for gentle liquid ki—others might be helpless before it, but he had his own way.

Just by making a wish to Shenron for a mass of pure, mild liquid ki, Barros had no doubt that even Earth's Shenron could handle it cleanly and efficiently.

With his thoughts settled, his smile deepened.

Korin did not understand why, but he keenly sensed the ease in Barros's expression, and the stone hanging over his heart finally dropped slightly.

After taking the Senzu Beans, Barros's figure flickered, and he vanished from Korin Tower.

The next instant, he stood quietly in the center of the temple with his arms folded.

At that moment, seven trails of snow-white aura tore through the sky, streaking over almost simultaneously.

In the blink of an eye, all seven top-tier Saiyans ordered to search for the Dragon Balls had returned.

Jeno and Meisu rushed to the front, landing with their toes nearly brushing the ground. They bowed in unison and said neatly, "Great Emperor, 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 flashed into view one after another, placing the Dragon Balls steadily upon the temple's white tiles as usual.

"Woooo—hummm—woooo—hummm—"

The seven Dragon Balls gathered together, their golden light flickering and intertwining. As halos of light flowed around them, a deep, distant dragon's roar seemed to faintly emerge from the void, gripping everyone's hearts.

Barros looked down at the seven shining Dragon Balls and slowly nodded, a long-forgotten burning anticipation quietly rising within his chest.

After the brief excitement passed, he took a deep breath, looked toward the Dragon Balls, and shouted, "Come forth, Shenron!"

Crack—!

A blinding bolt of golden lightning suddenly split the darkness, and the already deep night sky was instantly swallowed by endless blackness.

Thunder rolled across the heavens as streaks of silver-white lightning ripped through the ink-black sky, bursting into fleeting flashes of dazzling brilliance.

"Boom—!" Another blazing golden bolt crashed down like the wrath of heaven, delivering an irresistible judgment. It pierced through the clouds like a sharp sword, splitting the heavy black clouds apart and striking precisely at the center where the seven Dragon Balls had gathered.

As thunder exploded deafeningly, all seven Dragon Balls burst forth with brilliant golden radiance, their layers of light growing brighter and brighter.

When that golden lightning entered the skies above the temple, the streams of light from the seven Dragon Balls suddenly twisted into one, surging upward to meet the thunderbolt. Golden light and lightning reflected each other, as though they meant to wash away all darkness between heaven and earth.

Jiyande and the Saiyans stood frozen in place, staring wide-eyed—the apocalyptic phenomenon before them was precisely the sign that Shenron was about to appear.

Before crossing over, Barros had watched Shenron's appearance countless times in the anime;

But standing upon this land and looking up to face that soul-shaking majesty firsthand—how could it possibly compare to watching through a screen?

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

The seven Dragon Balls responded by shooting golden beams straight into the heavens!

Within the golden light, the shadow of a colossal dragon appeared and vanished, spiraling upward and piercing the clouds. The flickering lightning in the sky seemed to answer its summons, suddenly sending down a thunderbolt that violently merged with the dragon's shadow amid the golden radiance!

Sure enough, the instant golden light and lightning converged, a jade-green Shenron materialized from thin air. Its agile form darted between heaven and earth, and with a sweep of its body, it vanished into the rolling black clouds.

After shifting and stretching slightly, Shenron raised its head and looked down. Its blood-red eyes blazed as it spoke to Kami below with a measure of courtesy. "Kami, I can grant any wish you desire!"

"Huh? No, no, I wasn't the one who summoned you—it was them!" Kami waved his hands repeatedly, then discreetly gestured toward Barros with his lips.

Shenron's blood-red eyes flickered, crimson light flashing as its steady voice rang out. "State your wish. No matter what it is, I can accomplish it—but only once."

Barros gazed up at the giant dragon coiled across the heavens, the corner of his lips lifting into a cold smile. "Really... anything?"

"That is correct, but only once."

"Raise my battle power to a level that truly matches my physical body!"

His expression remained calm, but his heart quietly tightened—given his current body, his battle power would need to increase by at least a dozen times before it could truly match. If Shenron could really do it, then this wish would be worth it!

Woooo—!

The crimson glow in Shenron's blood-red eyes surged as it stared fixedly at Barros for a long while. Fine sweat even seeped from its brow. "No. Your power has long surpassed that of my creator—Kami. I am unable to grant this wish."

"Hmph." Barros had expected as much, but upon hearing the answer, his brows still drew together as a trace of anger rose in his heart.

Kami and Popo trembled all over, cold sweat instantly soaking through their clothes.

After a brief pause, Barros raised his eyes, his tone turning resolute. "Then another wish—grant this Emperor Kibito's Instant Transmission, the technique used by the attendant of the East Supreme Kai!"

Woooo—!

Red light flashed through Shenron's blood-red eyes again.

A moment later, it slowly shook its head. "The Instant Transmission of Kibito's race is an inborn racial talent, much like a Saiyan's Great Ape transformation. It cannot be bestowed through external means. This wish cannot be granted."

Barros's gaze shifted slightly. He was somewhat surprised, then quickly understood.

On further thought, it made sense—Dragon Ball World already had mystical fists that could foresee the future, Guldo who could manipulate localized time, and Kibito, who was proficient in spatial travel. Nothing could be more natural.

That was precisely why Kibito did not need to lock onto a location; with a mere thought, he could arrive anywhere.

Now that this was clear, Barros no longer dwelled on it.

But just as he was about to make his third wish, he suddenly saw a strange glimmer pass over Shenron's body, and inspiration struck him. "You can investigate every planet in the universe—go and see whether there are any living Tree of Might trees left."

Wooo—!

Shenron's blood-red eyes flashed as he raised his head toward the vast starry river. With a flicker, he tore through the air and flew away.

Barros watched Shenron depart from Earth, sharp light flashing repeatedly in his eyes.

Before long, Shenron returned from the sky, his crimson gaze blazing. "There is indeed a Spirit Tree still existing somewhere in the universe. Do you wish to obtain it, or should I send you there?"

"No." The corner of Barros's lips curled up, his voice cold. "My wish is to learn the Yardratians' Instant Transmission."

The dragon circling overhead suddenly contracted its pupils, its blood-red eyes nearly spitting fire—if it had not known full well that it could do nothing to this man, it might have swooped down and bitten through his throat on the spot!

If he had already decided to learn this, why make it take such a huge detour through the universe?

Even messing with a dragon had limits!

Unfortunately, no matter how much resentment it felt, it could only swallow it down.

The red light in its blood-colored eyes intensified, and a crimson beam shot from its gaze, piercing straight into Barros's brow.

Jiyande, Jeno, Meisu, and the other Saiyans instantly sprang into action. Thinking that the strange creature had launched a surprise attack, murderous intent surged from them as they gathered their strength, ready to tear Shenron to pieces at a single command!

Though Barros had closed his eyes to receive the technique, he was fully aware of every movement around him.

Before anyone could act, he shouted sharply, "Jiyande! Jeno! Meisu! Stop—this Emperor is unharmed!"

Before his words had even faded, Shenron suddenly let out a long roar that tore through the heavens, transforming into a golden streak and shooting straight into the sky. "The wish has been granted. Farewell!"

Before the echo of its lofty dragon roar could fade, Shenron's body had already scattered into seven points of golden light. They circled through the air several times before turning into seven meteors that shot off in every direction, vanishing beyond the horizon in the blink of an eye.

The dragon departed, and the Dragon Balls scattered, each returning to its place.

Barros knew all this perfectly well and never instructed Jiyande and the others to intercept them.

Half a day later, Barros abruptly opened his eyes.

He had mastered it! The Yardratians' Instant Transmission!

The principles of Instant Transmission replayed in Barros's mind. The corners of his mouth lifted, and he could not help laughing aloud. "Heh... Hahaha, hahahaha—!"

No one understood better than him just how formidable this move was.

After laughing, he raised his right hand, pressed his index and middle fingers together, and lightly touched his brow.

First, sense the fluctuations of ki. Then tear open the barriers of space and, in an instant, cross any distance to appear directly beside the target.

Jiyande and the others' ki was close at hand, but the Divine Martial Battle Star lay deep within the universe. With his current reserves of ki, even if he could barely lock onto its location, there was no way he could leap there in a single jump.

After all, Instant Transmission was not some fantasy conjured from thin air. It required genuine strength to support it.

The method of sensing ki was actually extremely simple—calm the mind, merge into the world like water flowing into the sea, and lose all sense of self. Then one could naturally catch the traces of nearby ki that had not exceeded one's limits.

For Barros, Earth was so close that he did not need to deliberately sense anything. By instinct alone, he could accurately locate Bardock.

Thus, the instant 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 speak with little Kakarot when a faint sound suddenly swept past his ears. His pupils shrank, and his entire body tensed at once. His fists clenched fiercely as he prepared to strike at the source.

But the moment his gaze landed on the figure before him, his shoulders relaxed. He lowered his head in a bow, his tone respectful. "Great Emperor, why have you come? Do you have some important instructions?"

Barros smiled and shook his head. "No need to overthink it, Bardock. Put your hand on my shoulder."

Though he did not understand why, Bardock still did as instructed, placing his palm firmly on Barros's left shoulder.

Gine sucked in a sharp breath—right before her eyes, both men suddenly dissolved from sight, not even leaving behind an afterimage.

Just as she was about to rise, the air rippled faintly, and Barros and Bardock were once again standing steadily before Gohan's little house.

Having tested Instant Transmission, Barros threw back his head and laughed. "Hahaha! Bardock, continue spending time with your son. This Emperor will take his leave first!"

Before his words had faded, he transformed into a streak of light before Bardock's stunned eyes and vanished in an instant.

Kami's Lookout.

Barros's figure reappeared, a smile still lingering at the corner of his lips.

Now that he had mastered Instant Transmission, he had not intended to remain on Earth for long.

But after a passing thought, he changed his mind.

Turning to Jiyande and the others, he said, "Jiyande, Jeno, Meisu, return to the spaceship and await orders. This Emperor has other arrangements."

"As you command, Great Emperor!" The three did not ask for a reason. They immediately rose into the air and sped toward the spaceship.

Only after watching their figures disappear into the distance did Barros slowly turn back, glance at Kami and Popo, and then fade away without leaving a trace.

Turtle Hermit Island.

Barros stepped out of midair, his robes unmoving and the wind still.

He had come here only to add fuel to the blazing days that lay ahead.

"Master Roshi?"

The voice came from behind him. The old man, who had been slowly strolling along with a turtle shell on his back, stiffened all over. Instinctively twisting at the waist, he spun around and assumed a fighting stance.

Barros paid no heed, merely studying the lean and weathered old man before him in silence.

It was this very man who paved a path of growth for Goku that no one else could replicate—even Vegeta, whose talent far surpassed Goku's, had failed to catch up to him throughout his life.

It was also this man who had personally lifted this blue planet to heights that shook the galaxy.

His battle power was ordinary, yet he was the truly irreplaceable pillar of the entire Dragon Balls saga.

Without him, Goku would not even have understood what "ki" was;

Without him, even with his pure heart, Goku could never have reached the pinnacle where he could stand on equal footing with the God of Destruction, Beerus.

At this moment, Master Roshi bore none of the image Barros remembered: a mischievous old man who loved fooling around, craved good food, and was always sidling up to girls. Instead, he carried himself with solemn composure, standing like a pine atop a cliff, every inch the grandmaster.

"You must be an ultimate expert from beyond this domain, sir?" Master Roshi withdrew his stance and restrained his aura, his tone calm. He knew perfectly well that putting on airs before an existence like this would only make him a laughingstock.

Barros nodded openly. "That's right. I come from the Divine Martial Battle Star."

"Divine Martial Battle Star?" Master Roshi silently committed the name to memory before raising his eyes to meet Barros's gaze. "May I ask why someone as exalted as you has sought out a feeble old man like me?"

Barros chuckled. Sure enough, beneath that frivolous exterior lay a heart as clear as a mirror and as immovable as a mountain. Such clarity and composure had long surpassed what ordinary people could attain.

As for why he had come?

He was not so bored as to make a special trip simply to meet an old man with such low battle power.

Even if that old man would one day become the first cornerstone that allowed Goku to continually break through and ascend to the pinnacle of strength.

"I have only one matter to ask." He raised a finger, his tone cold but not overbearing. "After you formally take Goku as your disciple, teach him something on my behalf."

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

"What happens in the future will naturally become clear in the future." Smiling, Barros tossed him a silver-gray memory chip. "Place it against your forehead, and you will receive the complete inheritance."

Master Roshi lowered his head to examine it for a moment before carefully putting it away.

He was not worried about being schemed against—there was no need.

With Barros's ability to come and go without a trace, coupled with the unfathomable, almost godlike pressure Master Roshi sensed from him, if Barros truly wanted his life, a single breath would suffice. Why would he need to go through such trouble?

Barros did not know what he was thinking, nor could he be bothered to guess.

Seeing that Master Roshi had stored it away properly, Barros stood with his hands behind his back, his voice ringing like metal and stone. "Inside the chip is the Divine Martial Battle Art, which I created over my lifetime. Once you feel you have taught him everything you can, pass it on to Goku."

"If the future remains unchanged, wouldn't that be far too boring?" The corner of his lips curled upward as he fixed Master Roshi with a blazing gaze. "Fifteen years from now, I will send a subordinate to Earth—if by then, you are still not strong enough..."

"Then this low-class planet will have no reason to continue existing!" Barros's final words were bone-chilling, his killing intent laid bare without the slightest concealment.

Then his gaze shifted, falling upon Master Roshi, whose face had gone deathly pale and whose body had stiffened. "After you take Goku as your disciple, you are not to mention a single word about me to him before the fifteen-year deadline is up!"

Though Master Roshi appeared terrified on the surface, inwardly, he was full of doubts.

This youth before him was arrogant to the extreme. On one hand, he was forcing Master Roshi to pass the Divine Martial Battle Art to a boy named Goku; on the other, he strictly forbade him from revealing even the slightest information about himself.

What exactly was he after?

Master Roshi could not figure it out, but he knew one thing clearly: fifteen years from now would be the crucial point that determined whether this planet survived or perished. There was no room for even the slightest negligence.

Seeing Master Roshi's deeply furrowed brow, Barros's lips curved into an enigmatic smile.

Just as he turned to leave, he suddenly stopped and looked back at Master Roshi coldly. "The subordinate I send to Earth fifteen years from now will have a battle power of fifty thousand. If you do not want this wasteland reduced to level ground, then while teaching Goku, you must also desperately make yourself stronger!"

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