Dragon Balls

Happy chatted with Krillin as he drove up front.

Happy's fighting ability was debatable, but his communication skills were pretty good.

After spending the past few days together.

Tony and Happy had found that Krillin was like a slightly precocious child. Though a little devious and competitive, he wasn't hard to talk to.

Screeech-

The brakes squealed.

Krillin pushed open the door and hopped out.

After Tony Stark got out, Happy found a parking lot.

Al Psychiatric Hospital stood a short distance away.

Al Psychiatric Hospital was in Johnson Town, some distance outside New York.

Tony and the others had driven all night to get here.

It wasn't that far away; they had driven slowly for safety's sake.

After all, Krillin had said there was no rush.

Following behind Tony, Victor and Coulson saw Tony and the others get out.

"Victor."

"Sir."

"Go make contact with Tony. You know him and Happy. While you're at it, find out why they're here."

"Yes, sir."

"Keep your earpiece on."

After Victor got out, Coulson found a place to park and connected to Victor's earpiece and microphone.

"Mr. Tony Stark."

Victor approached them directly without trying to hide anything.

"Who are you?" Krillin asked curiously. "Are you here to suck up to him?"

Seeing Victor suddenly appear in a suit and tie, Krillin asked with a mixture of teasing and innocence.

Noticing Krillin's curiosity, Tony answered, "Victor. He's some kind of agent."

"An agent? What do they do?"

Happy said, "I know this one. They steal intelligence and spy on people, right?"

Krillin put on a disgusted expression. "So he's a thief who moonlights as a peeping Tom?"

Victor's expression stiffened. "No, I'm from the Special Department. I was previously assigned to protect Mr. Stark."

"Oh, a bodyguard." Krillin looked enlightened, as though he finally understood Victor's role.

Victor smiled slightly. "Hello, Mr. Krillin."

Then he continued, "Mr. Stark, I'm here to ask why you've come to this rather out-of-the-way town. We're responsible for your safety..."

"Don't be so sure of yourself. Do you think you're stronger than Krillin?" Since Victor had been through a life-or-death ordeal with him and had come to protect him, Tony Stark didn't mock him or laugh at him.

"Well, no. But..."

Victor had survived the cruise ship sinking, but that didn't change the fact that he was still a rookie agent.

Though he wasn't deliberately trying to help Victor, Tony Stark still asked the question on his mind. "Krillin, what exactly did you come here for?"

"It's nothing that important." Krillin scratched his little bald head. "I sensed what seemed like a Dragon Ball appearing over there."

Krillin pointed at Al Psychiatric Hospital.

"A Dragon Ball?"

Whether it was Tony, Happy, and Victor at the scene or Coulson listening from elsewhere, the name sent a jolt through them.

[Emotional Value from Tony Stark +25]

[From...]

No matter the country or region, whether dragons were considered good or evil, they shared one trait: they represented power.

"A Dragon Ball? What's that supposed to mean? A ball inside a dragon's body?"

"Not exactly." Seeing the curiosity in Tony's eyes beside him, Krillin stopped keeping them in suspense and continued, "Dragon Balls are treasures created by the Gods' Lineage of our Langya."

"Wait." Tony interrupted Krillin. "Is it okay for you to tell us this?"

Coulson wore a smile, but inwardly he cursed Tony Stark.

I'd advise you to mind your own business.

Taking the opportunity, Coulson contacted Nick Fury and patched him into the call.

"It's fine. This isn't anything important." Krillin grinned, looking utterly unconcerned as he rested both hands behind his head.

"Uh." The others looked at Krillin expectantly.

"Let's find somewhere to stay first. No rush, no rush. Hehe." With his hands behind his head, Krillin started walking.

Loaded as he was, Tony promptly rushed through a property deal.

He bought a villa.

"Go on!" Tony sat on a soft couch, watching Krillin eat a burger.

Happy and Victor sat on the other side.

"Hmm, where should I start?" Krillin looked at Tony questioningly.

"What are Dragon Balls used for?" Tony asked the most basic question.

"Good question!" Krillin suddenly stood up. "Dragon Balls are used to grant wishes."

"Wishes?" Happy asked jokingly. "Like Aladdin's lamp? You get three wishes?"

"Hmm, I don't know what Aladdin's lamp is, but you're right about the three wishes. Collect all seven Dragon Balls, and you can make three wishes."

[Emotional Value from Tony Stark +120]

[Emotional Value from Nick Fury +30]

[From...]

Well, well. Does Nick Fury have that much free time? He's watching again?

"Are there no limits on the wishes?" Tony looked at Krillin in disbelief.

"Of course there are limits."

The others breathed a sigh of relief at that.

Krillin continued, "The limit is that the wishes can't exceed the dragon power supplied by the god. The god is the one who makes the Dragon Balls. Legend says dragon power comes from the Dragon God Dimension, though some rumors say it's a power unique to the Gods' Lineage."

Victor couldn't help asking, "Aren't you worried that telling us all this will cause trouble for the Gods' Lineage?"

Krillin burst out laughing. "Hahaha! Do you have any idea how strong the Gods' Lineage is?"

"How strong?"

"Uh." Krillin stopped laughing. "I can't really explain it. Just know they're very strong."

"Are there any other limits?"

Krillin looked as though he was trying to remember. "As for the Dragon Balls, the ones appearing now should have been made by the younger generation. After all, a lot of the older generation aren't on Blue Star."

The older generation!

Not on Blue Star!

Then where were they? Could they return at any time? Were they a threat to humanity? Or were they even human?

Many thoughts flashed through Nick Fury's mind.

[Emotional Value from Nick Fury +66]

[From...]

"They probably only have much of an effect on ordinary people. Their effects on cultivators are pretty limited," Krillin said casually.

"So what exactly can they do?"

"Uh." At that question, Krillin scratched his head in frustration. "For example, uh, they can bring the person making the wish wealth and status, cure illnesses, directly cause injury or death, get you something you want, or let you learn things. Stuff like that should all be possible."

[From...]

With every specific use he listed, they felt their hearts shudder.

"Wealth and status! Wealth is one thing, but how do you just give someone status?" Happy asked in surprise. Everyone, present or otherwise, wanted to know the answer.

"I don't really know the details. If it's just status among ordinary people, you'd directly become a leader, and other people would have to listen to you. Something like that."

"..."

Forced control? That's cheating!