The Grand Elder sensed that Nail had escaped immediate danger, and regret began to creep in. He hadn't expected things to develop this far. If he'd known it would turn out like this, he would've told the Earthlings the password back then—at least Nail wouldn't have had to suffer through Frieza's torture.
While Goku was being treated and Vegeta was asleep, Gohan stood guard outside the spaceship with the Dragon Balls. Suddenly, he heard movement behind him. When he turned around, he saw a green frog pushing the Dragon Balls—looking like it was struggling hard. Gohan walked over, squatted down in front of it, and silently stared.
The frog realized it had been discovered. It quickly leaned against the Dragon Ball, pretending nothing had happened. Seeing how unnatural it looked, Gohan said, "You're the bad guy who took over my dad's body… the one called Ginyu, right?"
Ginyu frantically waved his hands and shook his head like crazy—then realized his movements were way too human. He immediately flattened himself on the ground and croaked loudly.
Gohan laughed. "So it really is you. You bad guy."
Since he couldn't hide anymore, Ginyu hopped toward the lake. To be honest, he really was loyal to Frieza—so loyal that even after turning into a frog, he still wanted to hide the Dragon Balls. Maybe he was hoping that once Frieza got them, Frieza could turn him back to normal.
At that moment, Dende flew over from the Grand Elder's place. To buy time they carried the Dragon Balls to a spot a little farther away.
Dende spoke in Namekian and summoned the dragon.
A moment later, the Dragon Balls released a faint golden glow. The sky darkened, and the lake began to churn—signs that the dragon was about to appear.
Suddenly, a powerful golden beam erupted from where the Dragon Balls were gathered, shooting straight into the sky. Within the swirling vortex above, a gigantic dragon appeared—larger than Earth's dragon, and even with thick arms.
Gohan's jaw dropped.
Dende explained, "On our planet, it's called Porunga—meaning the God of Dreams. This is my first time seeing Porunga too."
Porunga slowly opened its mouth, its voice deep and heavy:
"Those who have gathered the seven Dragon Balls… speak your wish. Any wish can be granted. You may make three wishes."
Hearing they could make three wishes, Gohan froze, unsure what to do. Dende urged him, "Gohan, hurry up and wish! Otherwise Frieza and Vegeta will get here!"
Gohan nodded. "Please, Dragon… revive the Earthlings who were killed by the Saiyans."
Dende translated in Namekian, but Porunga replied, "That wish cannot be granted. One wish can only revive one person. I cannot revive them all at once."
Gohan completely blanked out. He didn't know who to save first, and it felt wrong no matter who he chose. He hadn't expected the Dragon Balls from their original world to have so many restrictions.
Porunga's deep voice pressed again. "What's wrong? Speak your wishes. No matter what they are, I can grant three."
Just as Gohan was stuck, a voice echoed in his mind—Piccolo.
"Gohan, can you hear me? I'm talking directly through King Kai, connecting to your minds. I learned here that one wish can only revive one person, so listen carefully! The first wish should be to revive me!"
At those words, Yamcha and Tien felt dissatisfied, and Gohan flinched too. Piccolo ignored them and said firmly, "Listen. Once I'm revived, Kami will also revive. And if Kami returns, Earth's Dragon Balls will return too. Then those people can be revived with Earth's Dragon Balls."
Gohan understood immediately and nodded again and again.
Piccolo continued, "Now for my second wish. After reviving me, send me to Namek. I want to fight too. In my birthplace, I want to fight the ones who killed my comrades—fight Frieza. I've trained to gain greater strength. You have to move me to that planet. The third wish is up to you."
Hearing Piccolo was coming made Gohan excited. In his heart, Piccolo was second only to his dad. He told Dende the wishes, and Dende relayed them in Namekian to Porunga.
King Kai, however, exploded in anger, shouting, "Piccolo! Did you forget your promise to me?! Didn't you say you absolutely wouldn't fight Frieza?!"
Piccolo laughed. "Did I? I don't remember agreeing to anything. Too bad—my memory's terrible."
King Kai yelled, "You idiots have no idea how terrifying that monster Frieza is!"
Right then, Vegeta suddenly woke up. He sensed Frieza was almost here. Goku still needed a few minutes before he'd wake. A bad feeling surged through Vegeta. He bolted out of the ship—only to find it was already dark outside.
Porunga had already completed the second wish… but Piccolo wasn't anywhere to be seen.
Gohan asked in confusion, "It's done, right? Then why don't we see Uncle Piccolo?"
Dende trembled. "Because you only said 'send him to Namek,' he might be somewhere on the planet… some corner. Do you want him to come here? Then… what do we do? Should the third wish be to bring him here?"
Before Gohan could answer, he suddenly felt a powerful presence behind him.
He turned around and saw Vegeta standing there, face twisted with rage. He gritted his teeth and said, "You actually dared to sneak off while I was asleep?! You've got some nerve! I'll never forgive you! You idiots… you just ruined the only way to defeat Frieza!"
He stepped forward slowly.
"The only way to beat him… is for me to gain an immortal life."
"Wait!" Gohan said. "We only used two wishes. We still have one wish left!"
Hearing that, Vegeta lowered the fist he'd raised and roared, "Make me immortal! Now!"
When Dende didn't move, Vegeta stormed over and grabbed him by the collar. "You little brat—didn't you hear me?! Hurry up! Frieza's already nearby! Do you want Frieza to kill you?!"
Gohan had no choice. He said, "Dende… grant his wish. Vegeta's a bad guy too, but… he's still better than Frieza."
Dende lifted his head and spoke the wish.
But the moment it was made, Porunga suddenly flared with dazzling golden light. Smoke poured from its body
And then a violent explosion erupted.
In the burst of flames, the seven Dragon Balls fell to the ground, turning into dull gray stones.
(End of Chapter)
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