Decades ago, the Demon King Piccolo, who once threatened the entire world, broke Master Mutaito's seal and returned to run wild again. Just as he was about to destroy the world's most prosperous city, West City, he was defeated by a tail-bearing boy.
The world returned to peace once more. Three years later, in the finals of the World Martial Arts Tournament, a short, green warrior claiming to be the Demon King Piccolo's son—Ma Junior—proclaimed his return to the world.
But in the end, he too was defeated by a boy.
That boy was Son Goku, the same boy who defeated the Demon King Piccolo back then.
He saved Earth once again from evil hands, though it wasn't the first time, and certainly wouldn't be the last.
More than a year has passed since then. The boy who saved the world is now married with a child. To honor his deceased grandpa, he named his son Son Gohan.
Still, giving your son your late grandpa's name—really okay?
"This ki is so strong." In the remote wilderness of Mount Paozu, a young man in an orange gi carried a massive, unknown fish on his back and stared solemnly into the distance. His slight trembling betrayed his excitement. "Who could it be? Someone with such tremendous ki?"
"No way, impossible. The Demon King Piccolo is dead—how could such a vast, evil ki appear?" On an unnamed islet in the middle of the ocean, a white-bearded old man in sunglasses with a cane spoke in fear.
This was the early-series life mentor and later-series pure cameo, Master Roshi. Known as the God of Martial Arts, Muten Roshi.
"Master Roshi, what's going on?" From a two-story cottage next to Roshi stepped out a bald man with several burn scars on his head—the later-series life winner, Krillin.
"What is this ominous feeling… what happened?" In a deep, nameless mountain, another young man with the same monk-like haircut but a third eye in the middle of his forehead looked uneasily into the distance—the man destined to be alone in the later series, Tien Shinhan.
"Tien, what's wrong?" A tiny boy in strange Tang garb, wearing a hat and floating in the air—so pale he was almost colorless—Chiaotzu.
"Damn it! He's stronger than me. What kind of monster is this?" In a boundless, desolate region of mountains and wilds, a green-skinned figure with antennae clenched his fists in frustration—genderless Piccolo.
"Impossible! Impossible! How could a monster like this appear on Earth—with such, such evil ki!" Atop the towering Korin Tower, on the temple where God was said to dwell, a green-skinned elder whose face resembled Piccolo's stood at the edge of the Lookout, drenched in sweat. Earth's current Kami—the original being whose evil thoughts became the Demon King Piccolo.
"Lord Kami, what happened?" Beside him stood a pitch-black, rotund attendant dressed like an Indian fakir—Mr. Popo, the servant who serves God in legend.
While Meruem tested his power, the strongest on Earth had already sensed it.
Per the original story, the only ones who could use ki on Earth at this point were: Goku, Kami, Piccolo, and Master Roshi. Others like Tien and Krillin could more or less sense it, but they would only go to Kami to learn to use ki after Raditz's attack on Earth.
Incidentally, poor Yamcha had fallen completely into the background due to lack of training.
Ki is said to be good or evil, the root cause being whether one kills, is bloodthirsty, and holds kindness in their heart.
It sounds mystical, but put simply, it's the difference between red-name and blue-name players. Experts proficient in ki can tell at a glance.
Meruem has killed many, and he is no soft-hearted man. So to the Z-Fighters, his ki indeed counted as an evil ki.
"Right—this world also has senzu beans, a divine item that can instantly restore to full strength. But where is Korin Tower? I don't yet use this world's unique ability—ki.
"Searching for people is such a hassle. Still, ki is quite an amazing ability. Compared to Nen, it only lacks 'Emission,' while the rest—Enhancement, En, Hardening, Zetsu—can all be performed, plus it adds flight (Bukujutsu), which is very practical.
"And using ki to search is more convenient than En, since En is range-limited for weaker users. Ki sensing covers a very broad range; even the weak can feel ki from very far away. Though for precision, En is still better—it can reach down to the millimeter. Ki only gives you an approximate position. Speaking of Nen—let me see what my En can do now." With that, an immense, ominous aura surged from Meruem's body, covering the entire continent in an instant and continuing to spread.
In a single breath, it covered most of the Earth.
"This still isn't my limit. Let's see if I can cover the whole planet." Compared to back in the Hunter world, who knew how many times stronger he'd become—this was a qualitative leap.
To ordinary people, Meruem's Nen passing over them felt at most chilly and a little uncomfortable.
But to martial artists and Nen users who were beyond humanity, it was a different story.
"What is this feeling… my whole body's covered in goosebumps." As Meruem's aura passed over Kame House, Krillin kept slapping his arms.
Master Roshi had already collapsed on the ground, at a loss for words. His sensitivity to ki surpassed Krillin's, and so did the impact.
Similar scenes unfolded with every Z-Fighter on Earth.
"Heh, didn't expect I've become this strong." When his aura fully covered Earth, Meruem spoke. Granted, the Dragon Ball world's abundant life energy amplifies energy-based moves, but Meruem's strength truly had reached a terrifying realm.
"Found it." A smile tugged at Meruem's lips. He rocketed toward his destination—Korin Tower.
"He moved! So fast!" Goku and the others sensed Meruem's motion and reacted variously.
"No… he's coming here." Kami, once lofty and revered, spoke in terror.
At the very top of Korin Tower lived a cat hermit, known as Korin. His combat strength didn't amount to much in the mid-to-late series, but he held two items that were excellent even in later Dragon Ball.
The Ultra Divine Water—and senzu beans.
"Hello, kitty." In mere seconds, Meruem arrived at Korin Tower.
"H-hi." Korin's whole body went rigid as he waved a tiny paw at Meruem. As a hermit who constantly watches the world below, he had of course noticed Meruem—how could he not, after those massive displays?
"I mean no harm, kitty." Meruem managed a somewhat stiff smile. He only showed a genuine smile to a very few—Pitou and Reiko among them.
Usually, even if he smiled, it was ugly.
Practically a rictus worse than a rictus.
"I only came to ask for two things. Give me some Ultra Divine Water and senzu beans." Meruem held out a hand to Korin.
"Of course… I won't take them for free." In his palm lay a Capsule. Meruem had grabbed it from a seaside fish market earlier and, with a casual toss, released what was inside. Even Korin couldn't stay calm. If not for his fear of Meruem, he would have pounced—so many fish. Piles of fish.
"Here—these are senzu beans, and this is Ultra Divine Water. Please take them." Korin handed Meruem a small teapot and a small jar. The teapot held the Ultra Divine Water, and the jar was filled with senzu beans.
He had no choice; strength makes the rules, and the other party offered an exchange. Besides the senzu beans, only the Ultra Divine Water was of some use. To ordinary folks it was basically poison.
It could unlock potential, but it was more toxic than anything. Most people couldn't survive the poison. Since ancient times, only the first hermit who created the Ultra Divine Water and Goku had succeeded. A chicken-rib item.
"Thanks." After storing the senzu beans and Ultra Divine Water in his four-dimensional apartment, Meruem left Korin Tower.
"Whew, he finally left. What a terrifying guy." Korin collapsed the moment Meruem disappeared.
"Damn it—Yajirobe actually hid…"
"Next stop… hello, Earth's Kami." Indeed, Meruem's next destination was the Lookout.
When he released his En earlier, Meruem found quite a few beast-men. The early Dragon Ball era had those folks with animal heads like the beast race. They were active only in early Dragon Ball; from Z onward, only Earth's king remained a dog-headed man. The others vanished who knows where.
From that, this Dragon Ball world hadn't yet entered the Z storyline. Most importantly, Meruem spotted many familiar faces.
Goku, Krillin, Tien, and others. For instance, Goku was currently heading for the Lookout. They would arrive soon.
PS: I know it's a translation issue—Piccolo and Ma Junior are the same name. But I grew up hearing "Demon King Piccolo," so consider it a nod to that name. I only learned "Piccolo" after watching Dragon Ball Z later, so here "Piccolo" is the old demon king and "Ma Junior" is his son.
(End of Chapter)
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