Planet Namek.
The day here stretched endlessly, but tonight darkness fell again, not by nature's hand but through the magic of the Dragon Balls.
The skies dimmed, thunder roared, and from the seven gathered Dragon Balls burst forth a monstrous figure.
Its body was thick at the core, tapering toward the ends, with massive, muscle-bound shoulders. From each shoulder jutted a black, conical horn, and along its back ran a jagged, fin-like black spike.
Crimson eyes glowed from a bizarre, alien face.
"Earth's Shenron suits my aesthetic better… This Porunga looks more like a kaiju from those old Japanese Ultraman shows," Son Gohan muttered under his breath.
"State your wishes. You may have three," Porunga rumbled, ignoring Gohan's commentary as he went through his ritual script.
"Gohan, what are you going to wish for?" Dende asked, turning to him.
"I want the Instant Transmission ability of the Supreme Kais," Gohan replied without hesitation. This was a wish he had planned long ago.
Instant Transmission was the ultimate all-purpose skill in the Dragon Ball world.
Dende repeated Gohan's wish in the Namekian tongue.
Porunga's eyes flared with light before he shook his head. "That wish… cannot be granted."
"Why not?" Gohan's brow furrowed.
"The Instant Transmission of the Supreme Kai allows travel across the entire universe, even to the palace of the Omni-King himself. My power cannot pierce beyond Universe Seven. Therefore, it is impossible," Porunga explained.
"I see. Then what's the most you can do?" Gohan pressed.
"I can merge the Supreme Kai's Instant Transmission with the Yardrat version, allowing you to teleport anywhere within Universe Seven without sensing ki, and to travel to other universes by locking onto a ki signature."
"That'll do. Let's do it your way."
"Very well. Your first wish is granted." Porunga's eyes blazed once more, and in the next moment, a detailed map of Universe Seven unfolded in Gohan's mind.
Anywhere he wished to go, he could be there in an instant.
"For my second wish, I want to retain my reason when I transform into a Great Ape, so I can control it with ease."
The Great Ape form was tied to the path toward Super Saiyan 4. From what Gohan knew, once he transformed, he would normally lose all rationality, becoming nothing but a raging beast.
Again, Dende translated.
"This is simple. I will strengthen your soul," Porunga replied, his crimson gaze lighting up once more.
"Your second wish has been fulfilled."
A surge of clarity swept through Gohan's mind, his thoughts sharper and his understanding keener. Not only had he gained the means to control the Great Ape form, but his intelligence and comprehension had grown as well.
Two birds with one stone.
"For my third wish, I want the ability to survive in the vacuum of space."
"That is easy."
A hum resonated in the air. Gohan felt an odd shift. His pores subtly opened, capable of absorbing nutrients from the environment. Even in a true vacuum, devoid of air, countless other forms of energy could now sustain him.
"It is done. Your three wishes have been granted. Farewell."
Porunga's form blazed with golden light before dissolving back into the seven colossal Dragon Balls, which then turned to inert stone.
"Thank you, Elder Moori. And you too, Dende." Gohan, his purpose achieved, turned to thank them.
A whoosh split the air as Piccolo descended from above.
"No need for thanks. I was merely following the Grand Elder's instructions," Moori replied.
"Will you be coming back here again?" Dende asked softly.
"I will. And when I do, I'm sure we'll meet again." Gohan smiled, patting his cheek.
"Elder Moori, I won't trouble the Grand Elder with a goodbye. Please tell him that if Planet Namek ever faces danger, he can contact North Kai to reach me, and I'll come instantly."
"I'll deliver your message. Farewell, Gohan."
"Goodbye, Gohan!" Dende waved enthusiastically.
"Dende, we'll meet again sooner than you think. Farewell. Piccolo, take my hand."
"…Is that really necessary?" Piccolo asked, clearly displeased.
"If you want to stay on Namek, I'm sure they'd welcome you," Gohan shrugged.
"Tch." With no choice, Piccolo rested a hand on Gohan's shoulder.
In the blink of an eye, the two vanished.
When they reappeared, they stood in the Lookout on Earth.
"You've finally returned. So, did you meet your people?" Kami's eyes gleamed with curiosity.
"You talk with Piccolo. I have a word for Mr. Popo." Without waiting for a reply, Gohan excused himself.
Piccolo, as taciturn as ever, simply transmitted the journey's memories to Kami before flying off.
"What is it, Gohan?" Mr. Popo asked, calm as always.
"Mr. Popo, if I go to the Other World to train with King Kai, will anything… unusual happen? Something like… awakening the God of Destruction?" Gohan tested the waters.
"And why would you think I know that?" For the first time, Popo's expression shifted, tinged with curiosity.
"Because I can't see through you. Every major figure in the universe, whether it's Beerus the God of Destruction or Whis the Angel, I understand who they are. But you… I don't know your identity, your origins, or why you stay on Earth."
He didn't bother hiding the truth anymore. Popo had already suspected him of being a reincarnated soul with retained memories; now Gohan all but confirmed it.
"As I thought, you carry memories from another life," Popo said evenly, as if this was no surprise.
Exactly the reaction Gohan wanted.
"You still haven't answered me," Gohan pressed.
"My identity is not for you to know. Whatever happens to Earth, I will not intervene. Even if it's destroyed. At most, I might assist you if Kami commands it. Where you train is your choice. Whether Beerus wakes or not… is beyond my concern."
"Then we have time, Mr. Popo." Gohan didn't press further.