Chapter 77 : Ending!

A brilliant light pierced through the eyes of all present!

What touched everyone's heart was Goku's final descent within the radiant azure and white brilliance.

This man had achieved it!

Even in the midst of battle!

His spirit stood tall once more!

That youthful-looking body carries the hope and faith of the entire universe!

Only after the last defense was secured did he finally rest on the ground.

[The screen continued to show Gohan, Goten, Vegeta, Trunks, even Bulma, Chi-Chi, and others appearing.]

They eventually found Son Goku lying at the edge of a massive crater!

The spells had returned to the world!

In that moment, Yuji Itadori suddenly comprehended his grandfather's final words to him on his deathbed.

"You will die before the crowd."

"I will, Grandpa. One day, I'll stand before my comrades without hesitation, just like this man named Son Goku."

At that moment, whether anyone recognized the strong Yamato's death, who was left in awe by Goku, it was clear that he wasn't laughing at his host's expense.

[The seven shattered Dragon Balls spontaneously began to emit light, and without a summons, a golden lightning bolt struck the sky.]

[Under the clear blue sky, the dragon appeared for the very first time, unobscured by dark clouds.]

Gohan and the others were filled with astonishment, but Shenron paid them no heed.

The majestic and profound voice resonated as Shenron slowly opened his mouth.

"Son Goku!"

(This phrase seemed to carry power, and in the next instant, a golden light shone upon Goku.)

As the light dissipated, Goku slowly opened his eyes, his body devoid of any wounds, brimming with vitality.

He sprang up, excitedly gazing at Shenron.

The dragon's colossal head nodded almost imperceptibly before continuing.

"You have relied too much on the power granted by the Dragon Balls, and neither the Seven Dragon Balls nor I will appear again in the future."

[Bulma and the others were shocked; was this the loss of the Dragon Balls!?]

However, Goku maintained a serene countenance, nodded, and spoke.

"I understand, Shenron."

"But can you grant my final request?"

Goku earnestly beseeched, his expression sincere.

"The Earth is in turmoil, and the root cause is the Dragon Balls. Many innocent lives were lost. Can those who perished due to the evil dragons be brought back to life?"

Shenron fell silent for a moment, then his eyes emitted a red light, and all those on Earth who had perished because of the evil dragons were revived.

"The wish has been granted. Now, let us go, Goku."

Upon hearing Shenron's words, everyone was taken aback.

"Go? Why do you need to go?"

"The enemies have been vanquished; where are you headed?"

But Goku displayed no surprise; he smiled and said, "So, is it time already?"

Goku looked back into the night, studying everyone's faces intently as if etching them into his memory. Finally, he smiled at Chi-Chi and waved to everyone.

"Then I'm off..."

"Wait a minute, Kakarot!"

Vegeta seemed to have discerned something and hurried over excitedly.

"Kakarot, are you..."

But he couldn't finish his sentence as Goku extended his finger, halting him.

Goku smiled.

"It seems I haven't been much of a family man throughout my life, and I may have fallen short in some ways. At this parting moment, I don't want my two sons and my wife to shed tears again."

"Goodbye, Vegeta..."

"Goodbye, everyone."

With those words, Goku took flight, and as everyone saw him depart, Chi-Chi immediately chased after him, shouting frantically as she ran.

"Goku, you have to tell me where you're going!"

Chi-Chi's voice was filled with panic. However, Goku was already seated on Shenron and departing. It appeared he hadn't heard her words.

In the world of Dragon Ball, Chi-Chi couldn't cry for herself and lamented with a heavy heart.

"I'm so foolish. I didn't even realize it, and I didn't even bid you farewell at the end. My heart aches. Goku, you must never die in the future. How can I go on if you do?"

With tears streaming down her face, Goku held Chi-Chi in his arms. Her tears and mucus wet his clothing as he gently stroked her back, rested his chin on her hair, and spoke in a tender voice.

"I'm sorry, Chi-Chi, not anymore."

...

Shenron soared through the clouds, and as Tien and Chiaotzu, training beneath a waterfall, sensed something and looked skyward simultaneously. They didn't comprehend what had occurred, but a sudden emptiness gripped their hearts as if they had lost something precious.

Turtle Island...

Korin and Master Roshi, both recently resurrected, sat together sipping tea. At that moment, Goku suddenly descended from the sky.

The two rushed out in surprise to welcome him.

Goku then suggested a spar with Krillin.

Krillin was taken aback for a moment, but when he looked into Goku's longing eyes, he agreed. The two of them engaged in combat, just as they had in their youth, with Goku delivering punches and Krillin executing kicks, their movements slow and deliberate, as if they sought to freeze time in that moment.

Turtle Hermit, short-statured Krillin, little Goku, and a turtle: everything felt as if it had come full circle.

Krillin sent Goku flying and laughed heartily, declaring that he would continue training with Android 18.

But when he finished speaking, he suddenly realized that Goku had disappeared, as though everything that had just occurred was a figment of his imagination. He shouted frantically, his voice tinged with despair, but there would be no response.

Above the clouds, a massive dragon's head broke through the sky, and in the distance, a gentle sunset bathed the horizon.

Goku's eyes showed weariness as he rested on Shenron's back, his face revealing a tranquil expression for the first time.

"The dragon's back... so warm..."

Goku's voice grew quieter, and he peacefully drifted into slumber.

In the world of Dragon Ball, Bulma wept, and Goku's final tired gaze pained her heart.

This man had done so much for everyone, giving his life without complaint in the end.

In the spaceship, Vegeta's eyes revealed sorrow for the first time, and he pounded his chest.

"Kakarot, Saiyan, I'm proud of you!"

In the realm of the moon, Artoria raised the Sword of Promised Victory, then planted it in the ground as the highest homage to the warrior Go 537 Sora.

Beside him, Emiya Shirou didn't mind his battered wooden floor this time. Goku's everlasting image of unwavering determination was etched in his mind, providing a wellspring of courage.

One Punch World...

Goku's passing didn't bring joy to Boros.

"It appears that I, too, long for a heroic death."

"I'm... still

 too lonely."

In the world of pirates, Sengoku looked perplexed. Goku had protected his family, friends, Earth, and even the universe. But who was Sengoku protecting himself for? The Celestial Dragons' government? The Marines? Justice? The civilians?

At that moment, Sengoku's heart began to change, and the term "guardian" took on a new meaning.

[The screen dimmed but then immediately brightened.]

This was the life of the man named Goku.

[The adventure began when he met Bulma.]

[The first summoning of the Dragon Balls from Pilaf.]

[The training that commenced when he met Master Roshi.]

[The first climb of Korin Tower.]

[The encounters with gods and the defeat of the Great Demon King Piccolo.]

(…)

Until [ultimately defeating the evil dragons born from the Dragon Balls.]

This is a story called Dragon Ball.

Everything began with Dragon Ball, and it concluded with Dragon Ball.

This is my preferred ending.

**********

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