The sacred Lookout was silent, the air heavy with suspicion. The Dragon Balls rested at the center, glowing faintly, their power vibrating in the atmosphere. Everyone's eyes were fixed on Rudra.
Piccolo's sharp voice cut through the silence:
"Wait. Something doesn't add up."
Rudra blinked.
Piccolo: "You said you dream of the worst possible futures—that's how you knew about Dodoria, Vegeta, and everything else. Fine. But tell me one thing, Rudra—how do you know that Dragon Balls can be modified with a Namekian's power? Even Kami himself didn't know that! Dreams don't come with voices. You can't hear explanations in a vision. So—where did this information really come from?"
His words hung in the air like a blade.
The others—Krillin, Goku, Vegeta, even Kami—turned their attention sharply to Rudra. Their stares demanded an answer.
Rudra, for the first time, felt cornered. He had calculated every lie carefully, using his fabricated "worst future" ability to shield the truth. But Piccolo's logic was flawless. The dream explanation wouldn't hold water anymore.
Inside, Rudra's mind raced.
If I admit the real truth—that I know about alternate universes and the gods—these people won't believe me. Worse, they'll see me as a threat. I need another cover… one that explains just enough without breaking the boundaries of what they know.
After a moment, he straightened, eyes locked onto Piccolo.
Rudra: "Fine. You want the truth? I researched it."
Piccolo narrowed his eyes. "Researched? On Earth? Impossible."
Rudra: "No. Not here. I told you all before—I was reborn with the knowledge of my previous world. And in that world… Dragon Balls existed too."
Everyone gasped.
Krillin: "Wait, what? You mean your old world… had the same Dragon Balls?!"
Rudra: "Yes. And not just that—the Namekians lived there too. And even… Saiyans."
The silence deepened. Even Vegeta's eyes widened at the mention of Saiyans.
Rudra (continuing, voice calm and steady): "That world was similar to this one, but not the same. In that reality, the Saiyans were protectors, not conquerors. They saved lives, not destroyed them. The Namekians studied the Dragon Balls deeply and discovered ways to enhance them. By channeling their life force, they could push the limits of the wish-granting dragon, unlocking greater potential. I was taught this knowledge by them."
Piccolo scoffed, folding his arms.
Piccolo: "Tch. And you expect us to believe this fairy tale?"
Vegeta's smirk broke the tension.
Vegeta: "Hmph. Different universes, Saiyans as heroes? Ridiculous. But…" (his gaze flickered toward the glowing orbs) "the part about enhancing Dragon Balls is intriguing."
Kami frowned deeply. "Even I, as Earth's guardian, never knew such a thing was possible."
Rudra: "Because your link with the Dragon Balls is incomplete. Kami, you split yourself long ago, separating the evil in your heart—that's why your power is only half. The orbs you created inherited that limitation. But if Piccolo adds his essence to them, you'll be whole again in a sense. Shenron's strength will multiply."
Everyone froze. The explanation was too precise, too detailed to be a mere guess.
Krillin's eyes widened. "Then… it's true?"
Rudra spread his hands. "Don't take my word for it. Test it. If I'm lying, the Dragon Balls won't change at all."
The group exchanged uneasy glances.
Goku rubbed the back of his head. "Well, I say we give it a shot. If it works, we get more wishes, right? That sounds awesome!"
Piccolo scowled, clearly torn. His instincts screamed not to trust Rudra, yet something about the man's conviction was undeniable.
After a long silence, Piccolo stepped forward. "Fine. But if this backfires… you'll regret it."
He placed his green hand on the miniature Dragon Ball model Mister Popo had brought out—the artifact that embodied the blueprint of Shenron.
The moment Piccolo's energy touched it, the Lookout shook violently. Golden light erupted from the model, streams of radiant energy swirling into the sky. The Dragon Balls on the ground trembled, glowing brighter than ever before.
Everyone shielded their eyes.
Krillin shouted, "It's working!"
The small model of Shenron's form lit up, golden veins spreading across it as though life itself flowed through the design. The Dragon Balls' aura intensified, humming with raw potential.
Piccolo gritted his teeth, pouring more of his essence into the artifact. His breath grew heavy, sweat running down his face. Finally, the model absorbed the last spark of his power and pulsed with a divine glow.
Then—silence.
The golden light faded, leaving the Dragon Balls shimmering faintly but… different. The air around them was heavier, charged with new power.
Rudra stepped forward, eyes gleaming. "There. Now Shenron can grant three wishes instead of one."
The Z Fighters were stunned.
Krillin: "Unbelievable… it actually worked!"
Kami looked at the orbs in awe, whispering to himself. "So… even after all these centuries… I never realized…"
Goku grinned ear to ear. "This is amazing! Now we can save even more people!"
But Piccolo pulled his hand back, glaring at Rudra. "Don't think this clears you. You gave us results, but your story… I still don't buy it."
Rudra smirked calmly. "Believe me or not, it doesn't matter. The Dragon Balls are stronger now—that's what counts. My knowledge may sound like madness, but tell me… what's crazier? Believing me, or ignoring power when it's right in front of you?"
Vegeta let out a low chuckle. "Hmph. I don't care how you knew. All I care about is results. And now… we have something that might even surpass Frieza's empire."
Bulma folded her arms, muttering, "Seriously… first aliens, now rebirth, other worlds… this is way too much for one lifetime."
Krillin, however, eyed Rudra carefully. He's hiding something. He knows far more than he lets on.
Kami, too, felt a shiver in his heart. Rudra's knowledge was unnatural. And if he spoke the truth about other universes… then perhaps dangers greater than Frieza still awaited them.
The Lookout grew silent once more. The Dragon Balls pulsed faintly with their newfound power, a reminder that the world had just shifted again.
And standing amidst it all was Rudra—calm, collected, yet inwardly calculating the consequences of every word he had spoken.