Namek's landscape rarely changed. Green lakes, blue grass, and endless repetition. After a while, it all started to blur together.
But for Dende, that familiar scenery now felt full of danger.
The young Namekian crouched behind a massive rock, breathing hard.
He had been sent out by the Grand Elder to find a presence described as "powerful and righteous." According to the Grand Elder, the fate of Namek now rested in the hands of those outsiders.
"But… where are they?" Dende whispered, carefully peeking out. The two antennae on his head trembled as he searched.
Then—
Pop.
A soft sound broke the air, like a bubble bursting.
In the next instant, a group of people appeared right in front of him. Less than five centimeters from his face.
"Wahhh!"
Dende fell back onto the ground in shock, tears nearly flying out of his eyes.
"Long time no see, Dende."
A bald man crouched in front of him, smiling. The smile looked a little suspicious at first glance… but there was no trace of malice in his aura.
Krillin studied the small Namekian in front of him.
Dende. Future Guardian of Earth. One of Namek's most gifted healers and a natural Dragon Ball creator.
"Y… you're the one who saved us back then?" Dende asked, staring at Krillin as recognition dawned.
Krillin nodded with a calm smile.
Dende's gaze shifted across the group, eventually landing on Piccolo and Aki.
When he saw Piccolo, he paused, feeling an odd sense of familiarity.
But when his eyes fell on Aki, his entire body froze. His mouth dropped open as if struck by lightning.
"The… the Sacred Tree's aura?"
Dende immediately dropped to his knees, bowing completely to the ground.
In ancient Namekian legends, aside from the Grand Elder's lineage, there was another sacred lineage, the guardians of the World Tree. It was said that branch had long since vanished due to the harsh conditions on the far side of the planet.
Aki stepped forward gently, a soft green glow surrounding her.
She helped Dende up and lightly touched his forehead.
"You're a good child. Don't be afraid. We're here to help the Grand Elder."
Feeling that pure, overwhelming life force, Dende trembled with excitement.
It was even more refined than the Grand Elder's own energy.
"The Grand Elder is just ahead! He sent me to find you!" Dende said quickly, wiping his tears. "But we have to hurry. A terrifying enemy is heading there too!"
He pointed toward a towering pillar of stone in the distance.
"I know. Frieza," Krillin said calmly. "Don't worry. He won't cause any trouble with me around."
He stood up and lightly patted Dende's head.
"Alright, everyone. We've got a guide now, so no more wandering around blindly."
Krillin activated Instant Transmission again.
This time, their destination was the towering stone pillar.
The world blurred.
When their vision cleared, they stood before a massive stone structure.
It sat atop a lone peak that rose into the clouds, giving off the feeling of a secluded, sacred sanctuary.
Standing at the entrance was a stern Namekian warrior.
Nail.
The strongest combat-type Namekian, and the Grand Elder's personal guard.
At the sudden appearance of the group, Nail instantly shifted into a fighting stance. His energy flared, reaching a power level of 42,000.
"Stop. Who are you?" he demanded, his sharp gaze locking onto Krillin. His instincts screamed that this bald man was dangerous.
"Nail! Don't attack!" Dende rushed forward. "They're friends. They're here to help us!"
"Dende?"
Nail paused, then his eyes moved to Piccolo.
The two Namekians stared at each other.
There was something strange in that moment.
"So strong…" Nail thought, surprised. Even without powering up, Piccolo radiated immense energy.
"Hey Piccolo, is that your brother?" Goku asked innocently, scratching his head. "You guys look really similar."
Piccolo's forehead veins bulged.
"Shut up! All Namekians look like this!"
Before Nail could question further, Aki stepped forward.
The moment he saw her, his expression finally cracked.
The pressure from her bloodline ran deep. Without realizing it, he lowered his head in instinctive respect.
"Let them enter, Nail."
A deep, aged voice echoed from inside the stone house. Weak, yet vast.
The Grand Elder.
"Yes, Grand Elder."
Nail stepped aside.
Krillin led the group inside.
The interior was vast and dimly lit.
At the center sat an enormous Namekian.
He was incredibly old. His skin sagged like loose cloth, his body resembling a small hill of flesh.
But the light of wisdom in his eyes still burned.
The Grand Elder.
The origin of all Namekians on the planet.
When he saw Aki, his massive body trembled. He tried to rise in respect but lacked the strength.
"To think… at the end of my life, I would see a guardian of the Sacred Tree…" His voice quivered with emotion.
Aki stepped forward quickly. Without hesitation, she placed her hands against his.
"Life Restoration."
A brilliant green light filled the entire room.
Krillin watched from the side. On his system panel, Aki's data fluctuated wildly.
She was pouring her near-limitless life energy into the Grand Elder.
Before their eyes, his dull skin regained its luster. His cloudy eyes cleared. His faint, flickering life force roared back like a rekindled flame.
After several minutes, the Grand Elder exhaled deeply.
The breath stirred the decorations around the room.
"Thank you… Lady of the Sacred Lineage."
"I only act on Lord Krillin's will," Aki said softly, stepping back to stand behind him.
Only then did the Grand Elder turn his gaze to Krillin… and Piccolo.
When he saw Piccolo, his pupils shrank.
"Child… come here."
Piccolo frowned, instinctively resisting the emotional tone, but his feet moved on their own.
The Grand Elder raised a massive finger and touched Piccolo's forehead.
In that instant, sealed memories and hidden potential stirred within him.
"As I thought…" the Grand Elder sighed, his voice filled with regret.
"You are the child of Katatz. The prodigy sent to Earth to escape the climate disaster."
Piccolo's body shook.
He had heard fragments of this from Krillin before, but hearing it confirmed directly was something else entirely.
"How foolish… what a tragedy," the Grand Elder continued, shaking his head. "To become Earth's guardian, you split yourself in two and cast away what you called 'evil.'"
"That was a grave mistake."
"What?" Piccolo clenched his fists.
"The strength of our people comes from a complete body and soul. You should have had the potential of a Super Namekian. A being who could crush someone like Frieza with a single finger."
"But now, though you are still strong, you have lost that limitless potential."
The words struck like a hammer.
Split in two.
Was that why he always felt an invisible ceiling, no matter how much he grew stronger?
Was the one he called his rival actually half of himself?
"Super… Namekian…" Piccolo muttered, confusion flashing in his eyes, quickly replaced by frustration.
Krillin stood silently nearby.
He knew exactly how strong Piccolo would become after reuniting with Kami. And beyond that, the future transformations waiting for him.
This was something Piccolo had to process on his own.
Only by understanding the truth could he take that next step.
"Still, now that you have returned, there may yet be a chance," the Grand Elder said, withdrawing his hand.
"While you cannot reunite immediately, I can awaken the potential that still sleeps within you."
"Not just you. All of you warriors from Earth."
"There is something extraordinary within each of you."
The room fell into a heavy silence.
The concept of a "Super Namekian" echoed in Piccolo's mind.
He had always believed himself to be something unique.
Now it seemed he was incomplete.
A fragment.
For someone as proud as Piccolo, that realization cut deeper than any blade.
"That old man… that foolish decision…" Piccolo muttered under his breath, anger directed at Kami far away on Earth.
Goku, still confused, leaned toward Krillin.
"So… if Piccolo and Kami fuse, he becomes insanely strong?"
"Ridiculously strong," Krillin said bluntly. "A complete child of Katatz would make Frieza look like nothing."
"Seriously?!" Goku's eyes lit up, now looking at Piccolo like he had found a new rival.
"Stop looking at me like that!" Piccolo snapped.
The Grand Elder watched him with gentle regret.
"Do not let anger cloud your mind," he said kindly. "Even in your incomplete state, your strength and will are remarkable. In Namek's history, you are the first to reach this level with a fractured existence."
"I don't need your comfort," Piccolo replied coldly. "I am Piccolo. Not just someone's son. Not a fragment of a god."
He sounded stubborn, but the hostility around him had clearly lessened.
Nail, standing nearby, now looked at Piccolo with respect instead of suspicion.
On Namek, bloodline and potential meant everything.
And this lost warrior, despite his rough personality, had more than earned that respect.
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