Planet Namek.
"We've arrived! Please, follow me!" Moori led the two of them to the Great Elder's residence.
"Moori, bringing alien guests to pay respects to the Great Elder!" he announced from outside.
Tap… tap…
Footsteps approached. A tall Namekian, about the same height as Piccolo, stepped outside.
"Greetings, Second Elder. The Great Elder has instructed me to let these two inside," the Namekian said.
"Nail, let them in," Moori replied with a smile. "We haven't seen each other in a long time. Let's catch up out here."
So, this was the Great Elder's personal guard Nail, with a battle power of fifty thousand.
"Son Gohan, Piccolo, you two may go inside," Moori gestured toward the door.
"Alright."
Gohan stepped in first, followed closely by Piccolo, who wore his usual stoic expression.
"Second Elder, who is that clansman of ours? Why does he have such an irritating look on his face?" Nail asked with a frown.
"He's a descendant of the Namekians who escaped during the great catastrophe. A true all-rounder, his evil half is an exceptionally gifted warrior-type Namekian, and his good half is a prodigy capable of crafting Dragon Balls," Moori said with admiration.
"Hmph. When he comes out, I'll be sure to give him a proper spar," Nail said, his expression one of challenge.
"Hehe, spar if you must, but remember between clansmen, hold back a little."
"I know."
While the two talked outside, Gohan and Piccolo entered and came face-to-face with the person they had come all this way to meet.
"Great Elder, hello!" Gohan greeted respectfully.
"Hm."
Piccolo, as always, didn't bother with pleasantries, standing with the attitude that the heavens came first and he second.
"An evil incarnation… but not exactly?" The Great Elder gave Piccolo a curious look.
Though Piccolo hadn't spoken politely, he still felt a faint warmth coming from the massive figure before him.
Compelled to answer, Piccolo said, "I am Piccolo the Second, born from the evil half."
He was puzzled at himself for speaking so readily.
"I see. That makes sense. Since you are newly born, there is no division of good and evil halves. Come, let me see whose child you are. After the catastrophe, I was the only one left on Namek. All current clansmen were born from me." The Great Elder slowly lifted his enormous hand, motioning for Piccolo to approach.
Without meaning to resist, Piccolo stepped forward.
The Great Elder's hand rested on his head, glowing faintly. In that moment, every memory from Piccolo's birth, and even the history of the original Demon King Piccolo, was laid bare splitting from Kami, taking the post of Earth's guardian, unleashing evil on Earth, being sealed by Master Mutaito, released, fighting Son Goku… all of it flowed into the Elder's awareness.
"So that's it… You are the child of Katas. If it hadn't been for Katas protecting me back then, I wouldn't have survived. You've perfectly inherited his gifts surpassing even him." The Great Elder's eyes glistened with emotion.
Looking at Piccolo, he seemed to see Katas once more, shielding him in that fateful moment.
"Child, would you be willing to return to Namek?" the Great Elder asked gently, his gaze full of hope.
"I won't stay on Namek. I was born on Earth, and I haven't finished conquering it yet," Piccolo declined without hesitation.
"…Very well. You may merge with your good half without worry. Though you lack the flaws of a split being, your lifespan is still tied to his, if he dies of old age, you will too."
"Will I be influenced by him?" Piccolo asked, clearly concerned.
"No. Your power is greater than his, and your body is younger. If you fuse, you will be the dominant one."
"That's good to hear," Piccolo said, relieved.
"Son Gohan, little one… you seem to have wisdom and a soul far beyond your years," the Great Elder said, finally turning to Gohan.
"Great Elder, that's not important. What matters is that I can protect Namek from Frieza. Don't you think so?" Gohan said calmly.
"The Galactic Emperor… Frieza? Why would you say that? Since the great catastrophe, we Namekians have remained in seclusion and have had no dealings with him." The Great Elder shuddered at the name that struck fear across the universe.
"There's an old saying where I come from: 'The innocent become guilty when they possess treasure.' Possessing Dragon Balls that can grant any wish may not be a blessing," Gohan warned.
"You mean Porunga might draw Frieza's attention?"
"Maybe he doesn't know yet. But one day, he will. And tell me what powerful being would ever turn down a wish for eternal youth or immortality?" Gohan countered.
"As far as I know, Saiyans have no means to resist Frieza. In fact, they work for him, destroying worlds," the Great Elder said gravely.
"My father, Son Goku, escaped to Earth when Planet Vegeta was destroyed, not by an asteroid, but by Frieza himself. Frieza and I are fated to be enemies. As for resisting him… please keep yourself safe, and watch closely." Gohan's body began to surge with power.
"YAAAH!!"
A terrifying aura erupted from him, white flames of energy roaring around his body. The skies darkened, lightning crackled, and thunder rolled.
"Great Elder!" Nail instantly appeared by his side, flaring his own energy to shield the Elder from the crushing force.
The massive residence was blown apart. Piccolo was sent tumbling.
The white aura began to shift to gold…
Gohan's black hair started changing color, his eyes shifting to a sharp green.
Thirty million… one hundred million… one hundred and fifty million!
The whole planet trembled. Across Namek, the inhabitants looked in shock toward the Elder's location, warriors launching into the air toward the commotion.
"Great Elder, do you think I now have the strength to face Frieza?" Gohan asked, raising his hand and testing the terrifying power for the first time. Even he was impressed by the overwhelming force coursing through him.
"Son Gohan, are you trying to kill the Great Elder? His lifespan is short as it is!" Nail barked.
"Nail, do not be rude," the Great Elder said, stopping him.
"Gohan, my young friend… to think you're only two years old and possess such power it's truly incredible."
"Great Elder…"
"Nail, where is the enemy?"
"Protect the Great Elder!!"
All over Namek, warrior-type Namekians began arriving one after another.