A New Kami

Vegeta left, speeding toward Bulma's home.

He had heard that the Earthlings had grown so strong so quickly because they used the gravity training chamber there, technology even the Frieza Force did not possess.

"Just wait. I, Prince Vegeta, will return to my peak!"

Trunks left with Vegeta as well. The androids could appear at any moment, and he had to make sure his parents got together during this time.

If it came down to it, Trunks was prepared to take matters into his own hands and personally play matchmaker for them.

"See you, everyone. I haven't seen Bulma in a long time, so I'm heading to West City first."

Yamcha bade everyone farewell. After flying for a while, he noticed that Vegeta and that mysterious boy were both headed toward West City.

Son Gohan rubbed his forehead with a wry smile. It looked like West City was about to become a complete mess.

Just then, the sky suddenly turned pitch-black.

"Piccolo collected the Dragon Balls that quickly?" Son Goku was astonished by his efficiency.

"Dad, go home first and tell Mom that I'll be back in two days."

Son Gohan was preparing to find Piccolo so they could enter the Hyperbolic Time Chamber to train. Their strengths were the closest, making them perfect sparring partners inside.

Whoosh!

He sensed Piccolo's ki and used Instant Transmission to arrive at the Lookout. Shenron was just about to disappear, so the wishes had evidently already been made.

"Gohan, why are you here?" Piccolo asked.

"I came to discuss something with Kami."

Son Gohan told Old Kami about Earth's crisis, and Old Kami agreed to open the Hyperbolic Time Chamber for everyone to use.

"Uncle Piccolo, let's go in together."

The two headed toward the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, but Old Kami suddenly stopped them.

"Piccolo, you and I were originally one. Have you forgotten?" Old Kami said resolutely, as though he had made up his mind.

"What, tired of living?" Piccolo knew exactly what he meant.

Although Piccolo did not have much goodwill toward him, he had long since abandoned any thought of killing him.

"Earth has faced crisis after crisis, yet as Kami, all I can do is watch helplessly."

Old Kami's wrinkled face was filled with endless loneliness. "I don't have much time left. If I fuse with you, perhaps my death will have more meaning."

"Once you become a complete Namekian again, your battle power will undergo an earth-shaking transformation."

"Everyone has different roles. You're not even a combat-type Namekian, so why take all the responsibility onto yourself?"

Seeing how despondent he was, Piccolo felt somewhat troubled as well. He was no longer the cold-hearted Demon King he had once been.

"If you disappear, what will happen to Earth's Dragon Balls?"

Old Kami's expression turned nostalgic. "The Dragon Balls exist to make Earth a better place. But if Earth suffers a devastating blow, Shenron's power will be limited as well."

"Sigh, who would want to die? But I do not have much life left."

"I am Earth's Kami. I love this place more than anywhere else. Let me do one last thing for it." Old Kami waved his hand, stopping Piccolo from saying anything further.

Tears continuously rolled down Mr. Popo's face and onto the Lookout as he kept muttering, "Kami... Kami..."

He remembered everything from all these years. Only the two of them had remained atop this empty Lookout, keeping each other company. That bond was beyond comparison.

Piccolo did not know what to do. Son Gohan patted him on the shoulder, showing that he would support him no matter what he chose.

Son Gohan wanted to do what he could. "I'll go to Namek and find someone exceptionally gifted to succeed you as Kami."

After hearing Son Gohan's words, Old Kami seemed to let go of his final concern. He gave one last reluctant look at the place where he had spent nearly his entire life.

"Mr. Popo, thank you for taking care of me."

He took Piccolo's hand and pressed it against his own chest, a calm smile still on his face.

A blinding white light illuminated the entire sky. Piccolo's whole body seemed to be burning as he stood there silently, saying nothing.

"Kami!!"

Mr. Popo was crying uncontrollably. Unable to support himself any longer, he collapsed to the ground.

Son Gohan felt awful at the sight. Like Namek's Grand Elder, Old Kami had been an elder worthy of respect.

He decided to fulfill his promise to Old Kami right away.

Son Gohan used Instant Transmission to reach Namek. The Grand Elder had already passed away, so he found Dende and the newly appointed Grand Elder Muri and explained why he had come.

Dende was still a child and felt somewhat afraid, but encouraged by his fellow Namekians, he agreed to go to Earth and take up the position of Kami.

Whoosh!

Holding Dende's hand, Son Gohan reappeared at the Lookout. The child curiously looked around at everything.

"Mr. Popo, I'll have to trouble you to look after the new Kami from now on."

Mr. Popo had not yet recovered from the grief of Old Kami's death. When he saw Dende, his mouth fell open in shock.

Was this really not Old Kami's reincarnation?

Son Gohan found the sight a little amusing. After all, all Namekians looked alike.

"Uncle Piccolo, let's train. The enemy could arrive at any moment." Son Gohan took Piccolo's hand and entered the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.

The Hyperbolic Time Chamber at the Lookout existed in another dimension. It had ten times Earth's gravity, exceptionally thin air, and extreme temperature differences, making it ideal for training.

And a year of training inside only amounted to one day in the real world.

It also had strict restrictions. A person could only spend a total of two years inside during their lifetime, and no more than two people could enter at once.

Much later, after Dende modified it, those restrictions would disappear. But for now, they still had to abide by them.

"Come on, Gohan. You need to become stronger quickly. I won't hold back."

Piccolo and Son Gohan stepped outside. This place was an endless expanse of pure white nothingness, with no day or night and no landmarks. If they went too far, they would become completely lost.

Boom!

Son Gohan transformed into a Super Saiyan. He had to make another breakthrough within these two years, so he needed to push himself mercilessly.

"Uncle Piccolo, make your move!"

Piccolo moved. His actions were impossible to see. Like thunder descending from the heavens, his explosive fist sent Son Gohan flying with a single punch.

"Has he improved this much?"

Son Gohan barely managed to stop himself, his arms feeling as though they had been broken. This level of strength was absolutely on par with Super Saiyan 2.

He regretted sparring with Piccolo now. Piccolo was obviously in a gloomy mood and needed a battle to vent his emotions, while Son Gohan had become the perfect living target.

"I don't believe it!"

Son Gohan pushed his Super Saiyan power to full output, raising his ki to its peak as he lunged forward like a wild beast with broad, powerful attacks.

Without a sound, Piccolo appeared behind him and fired an energy blast directly against his waist.

Boom!

Son Gohan was blasted away and slammed brutally into the ground. Rocks flew everywhere as several massive cracks spread outward.

"Too weak!" Piccolo rebuked him harshly, his attacks not pausing for even an instant.

"Then kill me if you can!" Son Gohan hardened his resolve. He wanted to use this opportunity to break through to Super Saiyan 2.

"Special Beam Cannon!"

"Holy crap, Uncle Piccolo, we're on the same side!"