Planet Yardrat.
Gran descended from the edge of the universe, returning to the quiet, mist-shrouded world below.
Naturally, he noticed the two persistent shadows tailing him from behind—but he had no time to deal with them now.
There were still ten years before the Dragon Ball storyline officially began. In that span, he had far too much to accomplish.
And among all those tasks, mastering Instant Transmission was his top priority. He couldn't afford to let the Supreme Kai, Shin, interfere with his plans.
Gran landed in the middle of a bustling street, drawing curious glances from the short, round-bodied Yardratians around him.
The moment his feet touched the ground, several of them hurried over to greet him.
"I am the Grand Elder of Planet Yardrat. We pay our respects to you, Candidate God of Destruction!"
The Grand Elder bowed deeply, and the Yardratians behind him followed in unison, their tiny frames bending low in reverence.
Gran blinked, momentarily stunned.
"You… know who I am?"
"Not personally," the Grand Elder replied, shaking his head. "But I recognize your clothing."
It turned out that half a year ago, Beerus had carried out a planetary cleansing not far from Yardrat—on the very site the Supreme Kai Shin had once planned to recreate.
Beerus's act of destruction had been so overwhelming that the entire Yardratian race had witnessed it through their monitoring orbs.
The Grand Elder, recognizing the garments Beerus wore, later searched their ancient records—and indeed, he found documentation detailing the gods of destruction and creation.
So when he saw Gran's similar attire, the Grand Elder immediately deduced his identity.
"I see," Gran nodded slightly.
He hadn't expected even the Yardratians to have records about Gods of Destruction. Truly, they lived up to their reputation as one of the three great mysterious races of the North Galaxy.
"May we ask what brings the Candidate God of Destruction to our humble planet?" the Grand Elder asked respectfully. "If there's any way the Yardratians can be of service, we'll do our utmost."
"I've heard your people possess a secret art known as Instant Transmission," Gran said. "I wish to learn it—if you'd permit me."
"..."
Permit? How could they possibly refuse a God of Destruction's candidate?
The Grand Elder wiped the nervous sweat from his brow and quickly nodded.
"Of course! It would be our honor."
He immediately ordered a disciple to escort Gran to the Chamber of Instant Transmission Training.
But no sooner had Gran disappeared into the chamber than two figures followed behind him—one tall, one small.
"Supreme Kai?!"
The Grand Elder froze, his entire body stiffening.
What was going on lately?!
A God of Destruction, a Supreme Kai, and now even a Candidate—why were all these divine beings appearing on his planet at once? Was some great cosmic upheaval about to begin?
Yet Shin and Kibito paid him no mind. They simply trailed Gran at a discreet distance, stopping just outside the training chamber—then crouched down in a corner, as though waiting for him to finish.
The Grand Elder could only stare blankly.
"..."
Inside the Chamber.
The room was bare save for a single ancient stone tablet covered in glowing runes.
The Yardratian leading Gran, a young one named Dif, bowed and spoke respectfully.
"Honored Candidate, if you focus your mind upon the inscription tablet, you'll sense the method for cultivating Instant Transmission."
"Understood. You may leave."
Gran gestured casually.
Dif stepped out—but as soon as he did, he froze.
Just outside the door, two figures were crouched in the shadows.
"Grand Elder, who are they? Are they here to learn Instant Transmission too?" Dif asked curiously.
"Quiet!" the Grand Elder hissed, glaring at him. "The smaller one is none other than the Supreme Kai himself!"
Dif's neck shrank instantly. He hadn't expected to meet so many divine beings in one day.
After a pause, he whispered,
"Grand Elder, how long do you think it'll take for the Candidate to master Instant Transmission?"
"Why are you asking such a thing? Anyone chosen as a Candidate God of Destruction is surely a peerless genius!"
"Of course, I know that!" Dif said quickly. "I'm just curious to see how talented this particular one is. The fastest record among our people, if I recall correctly, was two years. Maybe he'll beat that?"
"Enough! You dare gossip about someone of that level? Do you have a death wish?"
The Grand Elder waved him off, scowling.
Meanwhile, in the corner, Shin and Kibito exchanged a glance. They now understood why Gran had come here—he wanted to learn that technique.
And, like the Yardratians, they too were curious:
Just how long would it take him to master such a secret art?
Time slipped by quietly.
The Grand Elder eventually left to attend to other affairs, leaving Dif to stand guard outside the chamber as ordered.
An hour passed.
Two hours.
Three...
By the sixth hour, a sudden burst of divine energy rippled through the air.
Dif's body stiffened as his eyes widened in disbelief.
"That's… impossible!!"