Earth
With the Ginyu mess wrapped up, Gohan went back to class.
Piccolo, meanwhile, flew straight to the Namekians' compound to see the Grand Elder.
"Grand Elder " Piccolo had barely opened his mouth when
"No need to explain," the Grand Elder (Guru) said gently. "Piccolo, I'll teach you one more thing. A creator can hasten the Dragon Balls' recovery by spending his own lifespan."
He raised a hand toward the seven stone orbs Moori had laid out earlier. A strange current of power rippled from his palm.
In just a few seconds the chalky shells drank in that power. Orange luster bloomed; the golden stars began to wink back to life one-star, two-star… until all seven glowed whole again.
"Kh… khm. Nail, one more Senzu Bean," Guru said, voice suddenly thready.
"It's ready," Nail answered, popping the bean into his mouth.
Color returned to the Grand Elder's face at once.
"Grand Elder!" Piccolo and the core Namekian elders gathered close, worry written on every brow.
"Peace. I had less than two years left anyway. Shaving a bit more off makes no difference," Guru soothed, pressing a steadying hand down. "As long as I can last until we return home, I can step into paradise with no regrets."
They had used Porunga to wish the Namekians to Earth that had cost only one wish. Porunga's cooldown is about 130 days by Earth's reckoning. But they'd been here barely three months; there was still about a month to go.
And thanks to Ginyu's Planet-Piercer, Earth's own lifespan had just been slashed to roughly a month. Guru had no choice but to burn life to bring Porunga back online now.
As for Earth's Dragon Balls, they had turned to stone the moment Kami fused with Piccolo. Dende had not yet taken Kami's post, so Shenron remained dormant.
Before leaving, Gohan had quietly asked Piccolo for two things: restore Earth's health, and if possible use the dragon's full power to toughen Earth itself, so the planet wouldn't shatter the next time a monster sneezed at it. With the energy levels they were playing with, one unlucky hit could crater the world.
For that, they needed Porunga.
"Arise, Porunga and grant our wishes!" Moori chanted in Namekian.
Vmmmmm
Seven suns flared, and a familiar, hulking dragon tore into the sky.
"State your wish. I shall grant any," Porunga intoned, regal and resonant.
"Piccolo, you say it," Moori said, stepping back.
"First wish: Restore Earth's original lifespan, health, and natural state," Piccolo said without circling.
"That is simple." Porunga lifted his gaze. Red light flashed in his eyes.
Across the world, battle-torn terrain rewound as if time itself had curled backward, returning to how it was before Ginyu's landing. Volcanoes quieted; the planet settled.
"Your first wish is granted. Speak the second."
"Use your greatest power to increase Earth's durability," Piccolo said and added quickly, "but don't make it impossible for ordinary humans to farm, build, and live."
"That touches the rules," Porunga replied after a beat. "I can ensure that mortals cannot destroy the planet."
"'Mortals' you mean fighters like us?" Piccolo asked.
"Correct. Anyone who cannot wield rule-type techniques that is, powers that manipulate the cosmic laws counts as mortal. I can fortify the planetary core, rendering it immune to your ki. The surface will remain suitable for agriculture and construction. But anything at the level of rules… I cannot countermand."
Piccolo rubbed his chin, thinking. Porunga waited without prodding.
"…All right. Do it."
It was the best outcome he could hope for. Porunga's power surged again, weaving strength into Earth's core and threading it with a faint clause of 'law' a passive immunity to mortal ki.
"Your second wish is granted. State the third."
"Grand Elder, those were mine. The last is yours," Piccolo said, stepping back with a respectful bow.
"Then it is time to say farewell," Guru smiled.
"Grand Elder you're… leaving?" Piccolo's voice softened, a rare reluctance in his eyes.
He had come to respect this gentle elder from the bottom of his heart. And though the fusion with Kami left Piccolo in the driver's seat, some of Kami's warmth lingered in him. The once-cold Demon King was calmer now, more at peace.
"Child, Namek is our homeworld," Guru said. "And I cannot wait out another cooldown. When we return, there is much I must set in order."
"I understand," Piccolo said quietly. "Then I promise here and now: whatever happens on Namek, I will help without holding anything back."
"Heh. That is enough. Dende, come here," Guru called to the child standing behind Moori.
"Grand Elder," Dende said, bowing.
"Dende, would you be willing to remain on Earth and become its new Guardian?" Guru asked, eyes kind.
"Remain… on Earth?" Dende looked at his companions, at Moori who had guided him this far. His face clouded with reluctance.
"Follow your heart," Guru said softly, reading the conflict in an instant.
"Dende, stay," a voice said as a figure appeared out of thin air.
"Gohan!" Dende ran to him, beaming.
"Mm. Don't worry I meant what I promised," Gohan said. Then, with the shamelessness of a seasoned negotiator, he added, "And… you don't want the Grand Elder to pass on with regrets, do you?"
Dende was young; he never stood a chance against Gohan's mixture of warmth and moral leverage. He hesitated, then nodded. "All right… I'll stay."
"You're a bold one, little friend," Guru said dryly. He didn't love Gohan's arm-twisting but he didn't stop it either. The offer had been his; Gohan was just quicker to pocket the result.
"Grand Elder, it only looks like Namek's giving something up," Gohan said, turning the full charm on. "Long-term, you win big."
"Oh? Explain," Guru said, curiosity piqued.
"I can speak for Earth," Gohan said. "Let's make it formal: Earth allies with Namek. From now on, every Guardian of Earth will be a Namekian. And when a Guardian wants to retire, he just has to prepare a suitable successor. Think about it 'Guardian of Earth' may be a small god, but he's still a god. That's a structural advantage for Namekians. And after retiring, a Guardian's experience and talent make him perfect Grand Elder material. That stabilizes Namek's future. Even if all that sounds hand-wavy, you know this much: each Guardian accumulates merit and luck. That alone will benefit your people over time."
He was spitballing half reasoning, half sales pitch but he laid out everything he could think of with a straight face.
The Grand Elder's eyes lit up; he looked, frankly, a little energized by the vision.
"Good. Well said, little friend. We'll do as you suggest."
"Whew." Gohan's shoulders loosened. Turns out the soft sell worked.
"Creator… any more wishes? I… don't think I can hold it much longer…" Porunga broke in, voice trembling as his mountainous body shivered.
"Right away. Little friend, farewell," Guru said. "Porunga return all Namekians except Piccolo and Dende to Planet Namek."
Fwoosh, fwoosh, fwoosh
Elders, children, even the ones swapping gardening tips with Dr. Brief everyone winked out at once.
The third wish settled into place. Porunga dissolved into light and shot back into the seven orbs, which dropped to the earth with a soft thud and went dim once more
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