Bulma and Tights exchanged glances, both of their faces filled with despair.
"Grand Elder, I have some bad news."
Bulma forced out a bitter smile.
"I actually know the Lord Gran you mentioned. The problem is... nobody knows where Lord Gran is right now. I'm afraid he won't be able to help us."
The Grand Elder's expression changed dramatically.
"How is that possible?"
The reason he had remained so calm until now was because Gran was his final safeguard.
If what Bulma said was true, then everything was over.
"Grand Elder, we're not lying."
Tights explained,
"Lord Gran has been staying at our home for years. He left some time ago, and we have no idea where he went."
The atmosphere inside the room instantly became heavy.
Nail, who stood guard beside the Grand Elder, asked anxiously,
"Grand Elder, what should we do now?"
Bulma glanced at Nail.
The Namekian looked remarkably similar to Piccolo. If Piccolo's corpse weren't lying on the floor nearby, she might have mistaken Nail for him.
The Grand Elder didn't answer immediately.
He slowly closed his eyes.
"Even if Lord Gran's whereabouts are unknown, I must still try."
A moment later, he opened his eyes again.
Try?
Bulma sighed inwardly.
Even if Whis heard the call, would beings of their status really involve themselves in mortal affairs like this?
"Whis!"
The Grand Elder raised his head and called out toward the heavens.
As soon as the words left his mouth, silence descended upon the room.
It was so quiet that everyone could hear each other's breathing.
Hope gleamed in the eyes of the Grand Elder and Nail.
They prayed that the God of Destruction Candidate would come and save the Namekian race.
Yet after some time—
No response came.
Gran did not appear.
"Has fate truly abandoned the Namekian people?"
The Grand Elder let out a cry of despair.
Bulma couldn't bear to watch.
Whis had definitely heard him.
So why wasn't he responding?
Just then—
A voice suddenly echoed through the void.
"Is that the Grand Elder of Namek?"
Bulma and Tights immediately recognized the voice.
It was Whis.
"Whis! You finally answered!"
Bulma shouted excitedly.
"Oh?"
Whis sounded surprised.
"Bulma, you're there too?"
"..."
Bulma rolled her eyes.
Before leaving Earth, she had clearly told Whis and the others she was heading to Namek.
There was no way he didn't know.
"Mr. Whis, it's me."
The Grand Elder immediately replied respectfully.
"Years ago, Lord Gran made me a promise. He told me that if I ever needed to invoke it, all I had to do was call your name."
"Yes, I'm aware of that. It's just that..."
Whis's sudden pause caused the Grand Elder's heart to sink.
Could it be that Lord Gran truly couldn't be found?
"It's just that Gran has already left Universe 7. I don't know exactly when he'll return."
Whis continued.
The Grand Elder felt darkness wash over him.
Was heaven truly determined to exterminate the Namekian race?
"Whis, why don't you and Lord Beerus help us instead?"
Bulma immediately tried tempting them with food.
The events on Namek had already diverged completely from the future timeline she remembered.
She had no idea what would happen next.
Without those divine beings around, she felt utterly insecure.
"That was Gran's promise, not ours."
Whis replied calmly.
"We won't interfere unless Gran personally asks us to."
Just as despair once again settled over everyone—
"Wait."
Whis suddenly spoke again.
"Gran has already returned from Universe 6. So there's no need to worry."
"What?!"
Everyone in the room lit up with joy.
Especially Bulma.
Only now did she learn that Lord Gran had gone off to another universe again.
She was a little annoyed that he hadn't taken her along.
Still, that irritation was quickly overshadowed by relief.
As long as Gran returned, their safety was guaranteed.
After all, Gran could use Instant Transmission.
The moment he learned what was happening on Namek, he could return immediately.
While Bulma was still lost in thought—
Whoosh!
A figure suddenly appeared inside the room.
"Haa..."
It was Gran.
After sensing the energy signatures across Namek, he finally let out a sigh of relief.
"Good. I didn't come back too late."
"Gran!!!"
Bulma excitedly threw herself toward him.
Gran's face instantly darkened.
He raised one hand and pressed it against Bulma's forehead.
No matter how hard she pushed forward, she couldn't move even an inch closer.
"Hey, girl, what are you doing?"
Bulma clenched her fists angrily.
"Whis said you went to Universe 6! If you were going off to have fun, why didn't you take me with you?"
"Why would I bring along a deadweight like you?"
"You're the deadweight!"
Bulma shot him a glare.
After slapping his hand away, she stomped off to sulk in a corner.
Gran ignored her and turned his attention toward the Grand Elder.
The elderly Namekian looked like a withered plant nearing the end of its life.
His skin had become yellowed and dry.
Deep wrinkles covered his face.
Compared to twenty years ago, he had aged tremendously.
"Greetings, Lord Gran."
Although more than twenty years had passed since their last meeting, the Grand Elder recognized him immediately.
The child from back then had truly grown up.
Seeing the Grand Elder trying to stand and bow, Gran waved his hand.
"I didn't make you bow to me back then. With your current condition, let's skip the formalities."
"Thank you, Lord Gran."
The Grand Elder's eyes filled with gratitude.
"I heard you intend to use the promise I gave you."
"Yes."
"And how do you wish to use it?"
Gran extended his senses toward the distant battlefield.
Frieza, Goku, and Vegeta were locked in a chaotic three-way battle.
The shockwaves from their fight were causing the entire planet to tremble.
Knowing Frieza's personality, Gran was certain that once Goku transformed into a Super Saiyan, Frieza would once again attempt to destroy Namek.
"I want the Namekian people to survive this crisis unharmed."
The Grand Elder answered solemnly.
"Alright."
Gran nodded.
"That's simple enough."
Upon hearing those words, the Grand Elder finally released a long breath.
With a divine being like Gran taking action, the Namekian race was finally saved.
Perhaps because the burden weighing on his heart had finally been lifted, his condition visibly worsened.
It was as if he had only been holding on through sheer willpower.
"Grand Elder!"
Nail cried out in alarm.
"D-Don't worry..."
The Grand Elder's breathing became weak.
"Birth, aging, sickness, and death are part of the natural order. I understand my condition better than anyone."
He looked at Nail and continued softly,
"Don't worry. I can still hold on for a while longer."
"I will live long enough to see the Namekian people overcome this disaster."
The atmosphere in the room grew oppressive.
Gran said nothing.
Instead, he turned and walked outside.
Seeing this, Bulma hurried after him.
Tights quickly followed as well, unwilling to remain behind by herself.
Once outside, Bulma frowned.
"Gran..."
"Has the Grand Elder reached the end of his lifespan?"
END OF CHAPTER
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