"What a beautiful day," Karnel mused as he strolled through the bustling streets of West City, taking in the sights and sounds of normal lif
"What a beautiful day," Karnel mused as he strolled through the bustling streets of West City, taking in the sights and sounds of normal life.
"Perfect weather for fishing." The idea of fishing had been on his mind ever since that memorable experience with King Kai in the afterlife. Despite all his incredible power and cosmic adventures, there had been something deeply satisfying about that simple, meditative activity. Now that he finally had some free time, he was eager to try it again.
'Maybe some quiet reflection will help me reach a new level of understanding,' he thought optimistically. As for searching for the Super Dragon Balls, Karnel had decided there was no need to rush. Such a monumental task couldn't be completed overnight anyway. Even if everything went perfectly and no one interfered, it would likely take a year or two to locate all seven. But was perfection realistic?
The Super Dragon Balls weren't ordinary artifacts created by just any deity, they possessed power capable of granting wishes that could even destroy a God of Destruction. Karnel had no doubt that if he began searching too openly, he'd attract unwanted attention from Supreme Kais, Gods of Destruction, or even Angels. Besides, he'd only just returned home. Didn't he deserve some well-earned rest and relaxation? The future timeline had waited this long, a little longer wouldn't hurt.
"First things first, I need proper equipment," Karnel decided, walking into a sporting goods store with a cheerful spring in his step.
He proceeded to purchase the finest fishing gear available, sparing no expense. Money was hardly a concern these days, the royalties from that little book he'd published (which had condensed the essence of certain philosophical works from his previous world's 20th century) continued to pour in at such a rate that he'd stopped bothering to check his bank statements. What was the point of having unlimited wealth if you couldn't enjoy it?
As Karnel emerged from the store with two premium fishing rods in hand, his peaceful mood was suddenly interrupted by a commotion in the street.
"Honestly, these criminals have no regard for human life," he muttered, watching two bearded men wielding machine guns speed recklessly through the crowded street in a stolen car, a bag of cash visible in their backseat.
Pedestrians screamed and dove for cover as the vehicle careened wildly between parked cars. The scene felt disturbingly familiar, like something out of an action movie he'd seen in his previous life. Karnel's attention was immediately drawn to a small figure standing directly in the path of the speeding vehicle. A little girl, probably no more than four or five years old, stood frozen in the middle of the road, staring at the approaching car with wide, terrified eyes. She seemed too scared to move, and at their current speed, impact was inevitable.
"Attacking innocent civilians in broad daylight is one thing," Karnel's expression darkened, "but endangering a child is unforgivable." In an instant, he appeared directly in front of the little girl, his fishing rods still casually held in one hand.
"Where the hell did you come from, you lunatic?!" shouted the scarred criminal in the passenger seat, immediately opening fire with his machine gun.
"Get out of our way!" The bullets struck Karnel's body and bounced off harmlessly, creating small sparks as they ricocheted into the pavement. Without breaking his relaxed stance, Karnel simply stepped forward and placed one foot on the car's front bumper. The tremendous force instantly lifted the vehicle's rear wheels off the ground. The engine roared frantically, but the car remained completely motionless, suspended at an impossible angle with Karnel's foot as the only point of contact.
"Are you alright, little one?" Karnel asked gently, completely ignoring the two criminals who were now screaming from their elevated position.
"Where's your mommy?" The little girl seemed to be in shock, staring at the roaring car with tears welling up in her large eyes. Then she burst into frightened sobs.
"Waaaah! Mommy! I want my mommy!" Karnel's heart melted at the sight. He'd always had a soft spot for children, especially little girls who reminded him of innocence in a harsh world. Crouching down to her level while maintaining his effortless hold on the vehicle, he spoke in the most soothing voice he could manage.
"Hey now, don't cry, sweetheart. Everything's okay. How about big brother shows you a magic trick? Would you like that?" The promise of magic had an immediate effect. The little girl's tears slowed as curiosity replaced fear. She rubbed her red eyes with tiny fists and looked up at him with wonder.
"Really? What kind of magic, Mister? My name is Yalun, and I love magic!" 'Children really do bounce back quickly,' Karnel thought with amazement. One moment crying, the next excited about magic. "Watch carefully, little Yalun," Karnel said with a warm smile.
"The magic is about to begin." He reached up and effortlessly pulled both criminals from the suspended car, holding them by their collars like misbehaving kittens. A gentle slap to each of their faces immediately stopped their shouting and left them dazed.
"Now for the real show," Karnel announced, his tone still gentle for the child's benefit but carrying an undertone of cold justice. He extended one finger and lightly tapped the forehead of the scarred robber. Immediately, the man's skin began to wrinkle and age at an accelerated pace. His muscles atrophied, his back bent with sudden arthritis, and his hair turned gray and began falling out. Within seconds, the previously vigorous criminal had been transformed into a frail, elderly man.
"Did you see that, little Yalun?" Karnel asked cheerfully, gently patting the girl's head.
"Big brother turned the bad man who tried to hurt you into a harmless old grandfather!" The little girl clapped her hands in delight, completely unaware of the horrific nature of what she'd just witnessed.
"That was amazing, big brother! The mean man who almost hit Yalun became an old man!" The second robber, witnessing his partner's transformation, completely lost his composure. He screamed incoherently about aging and death, wet himself in terror, and stumbled out of the car to flee down the street.
"Did you really think running would save you?" Karnel asked casually, flicking his finger in the fleeing criminal's direction. A barely visible strand of temporal energy struck the running man. Within moments, his desperate sprint slowed to an arthritic shuffle as decades of age caught up with him in seconds. He collapsed on the sidewalk, aged into senility, mumbling nonsensically to himself. Karnel shook his head with mild disgust.
"Actions have consequences. Consider this a lesson in karma." Turning his attention back to little Yalun, his expression immediately softened again.
"Now then, sweetheart, why were you standing in such a dangerous place all by yourself? Where did your mommy go?" Yalun looked around with growing concern, her lower lip beginning to quiver again as she realized her mother was nowhere in sight.
"Oh no, please don't cry again," Karnel said quickly, genuinely alarmed at the prospect of dealing with more tears.
"How about this, big brother will stay and play with you until your mommy comes looking for you? I bet she's very worried and searching everywhere right now."