Kami's Lookout
"Old man, is that what you mean too? That you'd consider fusing with me?" Piccolo, newly reborn on Earth, crossed his arms and eyed Kami.
Unlike Kami, who still carried deep feelings for Planet Namek, Piccolo felt no such attachment to that distant world. In fact, he was far more intrigued by the fusion Son Gohan had mentioned.
"You can go see my homeland in my place. When you return, once I've found a new successor for the Lookout, I'll fuse with you," Kami replied calmly. "You're still young, and I don't want my lifespan to drag you to your death."
His words were a reassurance.
"Fine. I'll go to Planet Namek with you," Piccolo agreed. "But I'm not making any promises about winning their approval. After all, I am the embodiment of evil, the Great Demon King Piccolo!" His tone carried a touch of prideful arrogance.
"Pfft, your confidence is laughably blind," Gohan shot back with a smirk. "From what I know, with your current power level, you wouldn't even rank on their charts. If you fused with Kami, you might stand a chance at some recognition."
"I don't believe it!" Piccolo scoffed. "There can't be that many monsters in the universe. Aside from you and Son Goku, I fear no one!"
"Frog in a well," Gohan muttered. "I can't wait to see your face when reality slaps you around."
He didn't bother arguing further.
"Enough chit-chat. Let's get to the point. Summon Shenron and have him send us to Planet Namek," Gohan said, stepping toward the gathered Dragon Balls.
"Hold it," Piccolo interrupted. "I've got… a somewhat immature idea."
"Oh? And what's that? Don't tell me you've got your eyes on Shenron," Gohan said, his gaze narrowing in warning.
"No. But according to you, the old man here came to Earth in a spaceship. Couldn't we just use it to get back to Planet Namek?" Piccolo asked.
"That's right…" Kami's eyes lit up. "I always thought that place was just my home. I never expected it to be a spaceship. If we flew there, we could save a wish."
"I've thought of that too," Gohan said, shaking his head. "But using your spaceship would take a whole month to get there. My time is too precious to waste, and the idea of being stuck in a ship with you for a month? Just thinking about it annoys me."
Ever since Raditz arrived on Earth, the Dragon Ball world had been turned upside down. One terrifying enemy after another kept appearing, each encounter brushing against death itself.
Gohan was confident he could defeat Frieza now, but after that would come the Androids, Cell, Majin Buu… and even later, the Gods of Destruction, Angels, Moro, and the immortal Zamasu.
He needed to grow stronger as fast as possible, to unleash every drop of his potential without delay. Being a time traveler was his greatest advantage, and he intended to push it to the limit.
"Fine. I wouldn't want to be trapped with you for a month either," Piccolo said, visibly repulsed by the idea. "Summon him."
"Come forth, Shenron, and grant my wish!"
Whoooosh!
A powerful wind swept across the Lookout. The sky darkened in an instant as lightning danced across the heavens.
A massive golden beam shot skyward, condensing in moments into the form of a colossal dragon a sight straight from the legends of ancient China.
"State your wish. Any wish at all," Shenron's deep, resonant voice boomed.
"Shenron, send Piccolo and me to Planet Namek. Can you do that?" Gohan asked.
"Planet Namek… That is quite far," Shenron rumbled. "I shall try."
The dragon's serpentine body twisted through the air, its eyes glowing an intense red.
"I have found it. Shall I send you now?"
"Yes. That's my wish. Send us to Planet Namek."
Buzz! Flash!
In an instant, both Gohan and Piccolo vanished.
"Your wish is granted. Farewell… creator," Shenron said to Kami before disappearing.
Seven Dragon Balls shot into the air, scattering in seven different directions. Upon landing, each turned to stone, waiting for the next gathering a year from now.
Planet Namek
In the village of Elder Moori, two figures suddenly appeared out of thin air.
"What a pleasant feeling," Piccolo remarked, almost as if he were back in a womb.
"Who are you? Which village are you from? I've never seen you before," Elder Moori approached slowly.
"Elder Moori?" Gohan recognized the familiar face instantly.
"You know me?" Moori asked, surprised.
"Greetings, Elder Moori. I'm a human from Earth in the North Galaxy, and he's a Namekian returning to his homeland from Earth," Gohan said sincerely.
He knew the Namekians had an innate ability to sense good and evil.
"How did you find Planet Namek? While I sense no ill will from you, I must still ask for an explanation," Moori said cautiously.
"Can't you tell he's… incomplete?" Gohan pointed at Piccolo.
"An evil split? That technique has long been forbidden among our people," Moori said, frowning. "Good and evil are both parts of a complete being. Once split, you may gain an exceptionally wise and kind soul, but also one that is violent and cruel. Our history has known disasters caused by such evil halves breaking free. We outlawed it generations ago."
"His good half is an exceptionally gifted Dragon Clan Namekian one who can create Dragon Balls. We were sent here by the dragon you call Porunga," Gohan explained.
"I see. But he no longer seems entirely evil," Moori observed.
"Correct. He was born as an evil half, but he's changed."
"Then welcome home. I will inform the Grand Elder immediately," Moori said, sending a telepathic message.
"Moori, bring them to me," came the Grand Elder's reply.
"Yes, Grand Elder."
"This way, please."
Moori rose into the air, leading them toward the Grand Elder's dwelling. Gohan followed in his own fashion, arms crossed, flying upright, ever the odd one out.