Bardock descended from the sky carrying a large sack, his figure flashing like lightning as he landed steadily on the plaza outside the Heavenly Temple above Korin Tower.
A figure immediately stepped forward.
It was Mr. Popo, Kami's attendant—dark as ink, dressed in traditional attire, his expression utterly unreadable.
He asked calmly, "Who are you, and what is your purpose in coming to the temple?"
Bardock glanced at Popo and felt a trace of curiosity. He muttered to himself, "How the hell did this guy manage to outlive three generations of Kami?"
In the next instant, Bardock suddenly accelerated.
His hand chopped down like a blade—stopping less than an inch from Popo's face.
"Why didn't you dodge?" Bardock demanded.
Popo didn't even blink. His voice remained flat. "Your strength is too great. Popo cannot dodge."
"Yeah, only a ghost would believe that," Bardock muttered.
He then turned his gaze past Popo and spoke toward the figure behind him.
"Hello, Kami."
Kami stepped forward calmly. "Greetings, Lord Bardock. May I ask why you have come to the Heavenly Temple?"
From the moment Bardock, Beerus, and Whis arrived on Earth, Kami had sensed them.
When he perceived Beerus and Whis, the divine essence within him nearly forced him to kneel.
He instantly realized that two beings of terrifying divine rank had descended upon Earth.
Even when he once met King Yama, his divine essence had never reacted so violently.
Fortunately, those two left in less than an hour.
But why did they leave this disaster behind… Kami cursed inwardly.
Bardock's ki was wild and self-developed.
To a martial arts master like Kami, Bardock's so-called concealment was equivalent to standing naked in broad daylight.
Especially when Bardock released his ki while searching for Korin Tower—it had been like a floodlight piercing the darkness.
Bardock crossed his arms. "Kami, I'm here to learn how to properly use ki."
Kami frowned slightly. "Your power already far surpasses mine. I have nothing I can teach you."
Having already severed his evil half, Kami instinctively rejected the idea of teaching martial arts to someone whose aura felt so violent.
If he had possessed the strength, he would've suppressed Bardock long ago.
Bardock's expression darkened slightly. "Kami, you might want to think carefully."
Popo suddenly spoke. "Lord Kami, perhaps it would be better to teach him."
Kami hesitated, then sighed. "Very well. Popo will teach you. His understanding of martial arts surpasses mine."
In the Dragon Ball world, this strange rule seemed to always apply—the servants of gods were often stronger than the gods themselves.
Popo and Kami.
Angels and Gods of Destruction.
Supreme Kai and Kibito.
When Bardock watched Dragon Ball Super in his previous life, he'd even felt that the Grand Priest's pressure far exceeded that of Zeno, that bald little egg.
At one point, he'd even believed the Grand Priest would inevitably betray Zeno.
Yet even after the Tournament of Power, he remained a loyal attendant.
Three days later.
Bardock hovered cross-legged above the temple plaza, eyes tightly shut, his expression focused and calm.
Popo stood nearby, still expressionless.
Over the past three days, under Popo's guidance, Bardock had forcibly suppressed his ki down to a mere five battle power—what Popo bluntly referred to as "battle-five trash."
However, Popo knew the truth.
Bardock's raw power hadn't increased much—but his ki control, combat rhythm, and efficiency had improved by more than an entire level.
Bardock slowly opened his eyes and landed lightly on the ground.
"Popo," he said sincerely, "thank you."
"You're welcome," Popo replied calmly. "I have nothing more to teach you. The rest depends on your own training."
Bardock nodded. "That's true. I've already gained more than enough."
Since yesterday, he had been training mental techniques alone.
The mental cultivation that Goku in the original timeline could never master—Bardock learned in just one hour.
Martial arts theory took half an hour.
The rest of the time was spent suppressing his power and exchanging blows with Popo for verification.
Bardock couldn't help thinking, With talent like this, how the hell did Kakarot turn out so dense?
Must've inherited that from Gine…
At that moment, Kami approached and said flatly, "Bardock, I have retrieved the Dragon Ball you requested."
One look was enough to tell that Kami hadn't done this willingly.
Bardock had threatened Earth. Kami had no choice.
"Mm. Thank you," Bardock replied.
"If Earth faces trouble in the future, you may summon me using Shenron. I'll help you three times—as repayment."
A faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared on Kami's face. "That would be most welcome. I hope you keep your word."
The resentment in his heart finally eased.
Bardock smiled. "Don't worry. I, Bardock, always keep my promises."
In the Dragon Ball world, Dragon Balls were mysterious spherical artifacts.
Seven in total.
Each engraved with one to seven red five-pointed stars.
Scattered across the world.
Legend said that if all seven were gathered and a specific incantation spoken, Shenron would appear and grant a wish.
At this moment, all seven Dragon Balls lay neatly arranged on the temple plaza.
Bardock took a deep breath and shouted:
"Come forth, Shenron!"
Dark clouds instantly rolled across the sky. Thunder roared. Lightning flashed.
The Dragon Balls emitted blinding light, forcing Bardock to narrow his eyes.
Within the radiance, an enormous Eastern dragon emerged.
Shenron's body was vast, emerald-green scales gleaming with ancient power.
Its horns curved like primeval coral.
Its whiskers danced like living flames.
Its eyes burned like twin suns.
Its massive body coiled through the sky, its tail connected to the glowing Dragon Balls below.
A voice like a great bell echoed.
"Collector of the seven Dragon Balls, state your wish. I can grant any one wish."
Bardock looked up in awe. "So this is Shenron… its presence really is something else."
Shenron lowered his head.
"Now, state your wi—Ba… Ba… Ba…"
Suddenly, Shenron froze.
Cold sweat poured down his massive face.
His pupils trembled as he stared at the man standing below him.
...
Author's Note:Sorry for not uploading chapters regularly. I'm currently studying for my semester exams, so chapter upload times may vary for now.
From next month onward, chapters will be uploaded on time. Thank you for your patience and support.