Seventh Universe, Northern Galaxy
Somewhere in the vastness of space, en route to Planet Namek.
"Gran, could you please stop blowing up the planets I just finished creating?"
"No can do. These planets were destroyed by Lord Beerus for a reason—and you've got the nerve to recreate them?"
Gran hurled an energy blast nearly twenty meters in diameter, and in an instant, the nascent planet before them exploded into cosmic dust.
"Besides, I'm doing you a favor. If Lord Beerus wakes up and finds you restoring what he destroyed, you're the one who'll be in trouble."
"Beerus, huh? Is that guy really that terrifying?"
The Supreme Kai, Shin, hovered nearby. Having come all the way from Planet Yardrat, he'd already heard fragments of the story from Gran.
Apparently, this world contained not just one universe, but twelve—each governed by its own God of Destruction and Supreme Kai.
"Shin, let me explain this one more time."
Gran turned with an exasperated look. "Even though the Gods of Destruction and the Supreme Kais exist on the same divine tier, when you face a God of Destruction, you must address them respectfully. That means you call him 'Lord Beerus.'"
"Why?"
"Because our fists hit harder. If you think you can take one of us in a fight, then sure—call us whatever you want."
Gran raised a small fist, flashing a mischievous grin.
"..."
Shin trembled slightly and fell silent.
"All right, I'm heading to Planet Namek now. You coming or not?"
"Of course I am. I still haven't learned enough from you about the Supreme Kais."
"Fine then. Take me there."
Before leaving the Realm of Destruction, Whis had already given Gran a map of the Seventh Universe.
The only problem—Gran had never sensed a Namekian's ki before, so he couldn't teleport there directly.
Still, it wasn't impossible. He could just trace the coordinates through the map, hopping from star system to star system.
"Why should I take you?" Shin asked, puzzled. "You can use Instant Transmission too."
"Quit yapping. I asked if you're taking me or not."
"..."
Shin's mouth twitched. "Fine, fine, I'll take you."
If he refused, Gran might stop teaching him about the Supreme Kais altogether.
"Then hurry up already."
Gran placed his hand on Shin's shoulder.
Without another word, Shin activated his teleportation ability—bringing Gran and Kibito along with him as they vanished from the starry void.
Planet Namek
Years ago, the planet suffered a catastrophic climate disaster. But time had since healed much of its scars.
Green skies, soft blue grass, and a gentle breeze swayed through the plains—a serene and beautiful world once more.
Whoosh!
In a flash of light, Shin and his companions appeared on the surface.
"So this is the ki of the Namekians?"
Gran inhaled deeply, memorizing the planet's unique energy signature. Next time, he wouldn't need Shin's "taxi service."
"What are you here for anyway?" Shin asked.
"To witness the legendary seven Dragon Balls—and maybe make a few wishes while I'm at it."
"Dragon Balls? What are those?"
"Also called the Wish Orbs," Gran explained patiently. "Gather all seven, speak the incantation, and a dragon will appear to grant your wishes."
Shin stared blankly, but Gran didn't mind explaining.
When Shin opened his mouth to ask more
"Save your questions. Just follow me."
Gran had sensed a faint, yet distinctly powerful aura. Compared to the others on this planet, it stood out clearly.
That must be where the Grand Elder resided.
Gran pressed two fingers to his forehead, and in an instant, the trio disappeared once more.
Meanwhile
Atop a towering stone pillar stood a small white dwelling.
Inside, on the second floor, sat a massive Namekian.
His skin was shriveled like fallen leaves—clear signs of old age, though not yet the frailty of death.
Suddenly
The Grand Elder's eyes snapped open.
Though aged, he had not yet reached the level of decrepitude he would later show during the Namekian saga.
"What is this… these three immense pressures descending upon my planet?"
His deep, weary voice trembled slightly.
The Namekians, like the Yardrats, were a mysterious race, gifted with many unique abilities.
And the Grand Elder—he was the embodiment of them all.
Just moments ago, he had sensed three overwhelming dimensional energies appear above Namek.
"According to Porunga… aside from King Yemma, there exist other divine beings—the Kaiōs. Could it be one of them has come here?"
The Grand Elder could tell these were no ordinary powers. They were far beyond the reach of a mere King of the Dead.
And among the three, one presence was even stronger than the others.
"Could that be… the legendary Supreme Kai?"
As Porunga's creator, the Grand Elder knew many secrets of the cosmos.
"They've arrived."
He looked up just as three figures materialized within his chamber.
Even though he sat upright, the combined pressure of their divine ki made his back bend slightly.
Gran lifted his gaze to meet the Elder's.
Indeed, he was just as massive as in the stories—though not yet as ancient as he would one day become.
It was, after all, Age 739—twenty-three years before the events of the Namekian Saga.
"Are the three of you… the legendary Kaiō and Supreme Kai?"
The Grand Elder's voice was respectful yet cautious. His body ached, but his tone carried reverence.
"Oh? You recognize us?" Shin blinked.
Gran wasn't surprised. The Grand Elder was a being of rare insight; it made sense he would know of the Supreme Kai's existence.
What did surprise Gran was that Kibito's dimensional level already reached that of a Kaiō.
As for the Elder's mistaken assumption that he was one as well—Gran simply brushed it off.
"So it's true… the Supreme Kai has descended upon Namek."
The Grand Elder bowed his head slightly, awe in his eyes.
If such divine beings had come to this world—what could they possibly want?
With utmost respect, he asked,
"May I ask what brings the Supreme Kai to our humble planet? If there is anything we Namekians can do, we will give our all."
"You must be the Grand Elder," Gran said directly. "We've come to borrow your Wish Orbs—the Dragon Balls."