The Grand Elder froze for a moment.
This boy's dimensional level was only that of a Kaiō at best—so why did he dare to speak up before even the Supreme Kai himself?
The Elder glanced toward Shin, as if silently asking for his opinion.
Shin gave a small, satisfied nod.
Hmph, this old Namekian's got some sense after all, he thought proudly. He knows who the real authority here is.
"Unbelievable... treating me like I'm invisible, huh?"
Gran caught the exchange between the two and couldn't help frowning. He gathered a fraction of his power
BOOM!
An overwhelming surge of energy burst from his body. The explosive shockwave roared like a primordial beast, and the Grand Elder's chamber was obliterated in an instant.
RUMBLE!
The entire planet began to quake. Across Namek, every inhabitant dropped to their knees, trembling in terror.
W-What's happening?! Is this… the end of the world?!
"P-Please, Lord! Stop! We'll lend you our Dragon Balls!" the Grand Elder cried, his face ashen.
"Hmph."
Gran snorted coldly. "Supreme Kai, my foot. I'm the one in charge here. Let's see if you still dare ignore me now."
He had no real intention of harming the Elder—just wanted to give him a good scare. Once satisfied, he calmly withdrew his energy.
Shin: "..."
Kibito: "..."
What a stubborn little kid…
The Grand Elder wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. So that child had been concealing that kind of power all along. Terrifying.
"Nail!"
Without delay, the Grand Elder called for his guardian.
Moments later, a tall Namekian who resembled Piccolo arrived—but when he saw the destroyed walls and three strangers standing beside his master, his expression darkened instantly.
That crushing energy earlier—it had to be them!
"Don't!"
The Grand Elder raised his voice just as Nail prepared to strike. "These three are the legendary Kaiō and Supreme Kai. Do not be disrespectful. Gather the Dragon Balls and bring them here."
The Grand Elder understood divine hierarchy well enough.
The Kais existed to maintain cosmic balance—to erase anything that threatened universal harmony. If they sought the Dragon Balls, then perhaps something grave had occurred.
Even though Gran had unleashed a frightening aura earlier, the Elder wasn't worried that these divine beings would use the dragon for evil wishes.
"Yes, Elder."
Nail obeyed without hesitation and quickly departed.
Gran watched his back thoughtfully. So this is the one who'll one day fuse with Piccolo during the Namek saga, huh?
"Gran, you still haven't said what the dragon actually does once it's summoned," Shin asked.
"When the Divine Dragon appears, you can make a wish," Gran explained. "As long as the wish isn't too difficult, it can grant it."
While Nail was out collecting the orbs, Gran patiently enlightened the ignorant Shin.
The Grand Elder squinted slightly, surprised. So this Kaiō boy knows all this as well…?
"It can grant wishes?" Shin echoed skeptically. He pointed at the Elder. "Then why doesn't he just wish for immortality? Look at him—he's ancient!"
The Elder responded immediately, his tone steady and sincere:
"Lord Supreme Kai, the Namekian people love peace and respect the laws of nature. Life and death are both part of that cycle. We would never defy it."
There was no trace of fear in his face—only calm acceptance.
"Ah… so that's how it is!"
Shin's eyes widened. He couldn't believe such a race existed.
"Shin," Gran said softly, glancing at the Elder with genuine respect, "perhaps you don't know—years ago, Planet Namek suffered a devastating climate catastrophe."
His tone grew solemn.
"But even then, they refused to use the Dragon Balls to undo it. They believed it was punishment from the heavens—for relying too heavily on technology."
If someone like Frieza had the Dragon Balls, he would've used them for every selfish, unnatural wish imaginable.
But the Namekians… did not.
That was what made them so admirable.
Shin felt a chill in his chest. The spirit of the Namekians—their reverence for life—moved him deeply.
The Grand Elder turned his gentle gaze upon Gran. "To think that one so young understands our people so well… I am impressed, young Kaiō."
Gran waved dismissively. "Kaiō? No, you've got it wrong."
He gestured at his attire. "I'm the current Candidate God of Destruction."
The Grand Elder froze.
He had addressed Gran based on his perceived dimensional energy—he hadn't expected this.
Shin nodded. "Yeah, he's not a Kaiō. He's that, uh… what do you call it? The Candidate for the God of Destruction."
"...What?"
The Grand Elder's breathing quickened. A wave of shock rippled through him.
"H-he's… the Candidate God of Destruction?"
"That's what he said."
Shin blinked, glancing between Gran and the Elder. "Why? You look like you've seen a ghost. Is this Candidate guy famous or something? Even the Elder on Planet Yardrat freaked out when they met him!"
Gran: "..."
Grand Elder: "..."
Can a Supreme Kai really be this clueless?
"My apologies, Lord Candidate," the Elder said hurriedly, trying to rise to his feet.
Gran raised a hand. "You're too old for that. Stay seated."
He sighed and nodded toward Shin. "The truth is, something happened in the Realm of the Kais long ago. That's why he's… like this."
"I see."
The Elder nodded in understanding. No wonder the Supreme Kai seemed so inexperienced—and no wonder Gran had declared himself their leader earlier.
It all made sense now.
Still, knowing Gran's true identity filled the Elder with unease.
A God of Destruction—even a candidate—was a being of cold, divine wrath. If he lost his temper, could Namek survive the day?
Just then, Shin broke the tension again, utterly unaware.
"Hey, Elder, since you seem to know so much about the Gods of Destruction and Supreme Kais, could you tell me more about them…?"
The Elder hesitated, wary of angering Gran, and answered only in vague terms.
Gran, meanwhile, simply stood there—stoic, distant.
He did respect the Elder and his people, but a Candidate for Destruction had to maintain his image: proud, untouchable, and composed.
He couldn't just say, Don't worry, I'm actually harmless.
Time passed slowly. Nearly half an hour later, Nail finally returned—six of the seven Dragon Balls in his arms.
The Grand Elder exhaled in relief. He hoped this Candidate God would make his wish quickly and leave Namek in peace.
"Shin," Gran said, turning to his companion with a faint grin,
"Get ready to witness the legendary Divine Dragon."