Chapter 14

"Mr. Popo, please guide me in the future," Dende says respectfully. Despite his new role, he continues to address Popo with respect, using the title "Mr."

"Lord Kami, please follow me. I will take you to inherit the throne of Kami," Mr. Popo responds.

"Mr. Gohan, please wait here for a moment."

"Okay," Gohan and the others nod in agreement. Mr. Popo then leads Dende into the inner hall to pass on the inheritance. This leaves only Gohan, Bulma, and Trunks in the square of the Lookout. Gohan takes the opportunity to ask about Cell: "Have you found Dr. Gero's research institute?"

Hearing this question, Trunks, who was about to touch Gohan's tail, stops what he is doing. Bulma replies, "We haven't found it yet. Dr. Gero, being a remnant of the Red Ribbon Army, has very sophisticated anti-detection methods."

"I researched a lot about the Red Ribbon Army and Dr. Gero online, speculating on many possible locations for his secret research institute, but found nothing," Bulma continues. "Later, I offered a large reward for clues, but not many people provided useful information."

Gohan asks, "Is there any useful information at all?"

Bulma nods, "Yes, I have selected a few promising leads and am currently checking them one by one."

"Let's investigate these clues first. If we still can't find it, we can use the Dragon Balls to help us," Gohan suggests.

"Yes," Bulma agrees. Trunks, curious, asks, "Brother Gohan, are the Dragon Balls really that magical? Did they help regrow your arm?"

Gohan replies, "Yes, the Dragon Balls did help repair my arm. They can fulfill most wishes within their capability."

Trunks continues, "What is the range of the Dragon Balls' abilities? How broad is 'most'?"

Gohan looks at Trunks thoughtfully, sensing he might become a nitpicker. "It's hard to explain, but try not to make strange and outrageous wishes," Gohan advises.

"Is that so, Mom?" Trunks looks at Bulma.

"Yes, that's about right," Bulma nods.

The three of them talk for about ten minutes until Mr. Popo leads Dende out of the inner hall. Dende is now wearing a cloak, and his aura has become more stable.

"Is the inheritance complete?" Gohan asks.

Mr. Popo replies, "Yes, it was a simple ceremony. Dende's talent played a significant role."

"See, Dende, I told you that you are fully qualified for the position of Kami," Gohan says with a smile. Dende scratches his head, embarrassed and lacking the dignity of a god.

Gohan continues, "In that case, Dende, when can you start activating the Dragon Balls?"

"Now, it's fine," Dende responds. He looks at Mr. Popo and asks, "Mr. Popo, can you find a model of the dragon? I need one to activate the Dragon Balls."

Mr. Popo says, "Oh, sure. I once carved a model of the dragon when I was bored. It's in the inner hall. I didn't expect it to come in handy. Wait a moment." He runs into the inner hall and returns holding a wooden sculpture of a dragon. "Lord Kami, is this okay?"

The wood carving is lifelike, modeled after the Eastern Dragon. "Of course, Mr. Popo. Please place it on the ground," Dende instructs.

"Yes, Lord Kami," Mr. Popo nods respectfully and carefully places the dragon wood sculpture on the ground.

Dende walks to the wood sculpture and squats down. Everyone, including Gohan, watches curiously. Dende covers the sculpture with his hands, muttering in an obscure language, a spell of the dragon clan, said to be left by the dragon god Zalama. As Dende's chant quickens, his hands glow faintly golden. The light intensifies, enveloping the dragon model until it bursts out like a small sun. A thick golden beam shoots up into the sky, transforming into seven meteors.

Everyone looks up at the light column until it disappears completely. When they lower their gaze, they see the dragon wood sculpture has vanished. Dende wipes the sweat from his forehead, stands up, and says, "Okay, the Dragon Balls have been activated. Now we just need to collect the seven Dragon Balls to make a wish."

"What about the wishes? How many can it grant?" Gohan asks.

Dende replies, "Like Porunga of Namek, it can grant three wishes, but its ability is slightly weaker because Elder Moori is more proficient in the dragon language than I am."

Gohan laughs, pats Dende on the shoulder, and says, "That's already amazing. Thank you, Dende."

"You're welcome," Dende responds.

After a while, Gohan and the others say goodbye and return to West City.

In West City, at Bulma's house, Bulma is fixing the Dragon Ball Radar. It hasn't been used in over ten years and has a minor malfunction. Gohan and Trunks watch from the side. Trunks, staring at the radar, is full of excitement, his eyes sparkling.

Looking at Trunks' eager expression, Gohan can't help but tease, "Trunks, are you holding your pee? Don't hold it in; go if you need to."

Trunks blushes and quickly says, "No, I'm not." Then he adds, "Gohan, let me collect the Dragon Balls. Please don't compete with me for them, okay?"

"Uh, okay, I won't compete with you," Gohan agrees.

"Okay, it's a deal. Don't go back on your word." Trunks raises his hand for a high-five, and Gohan claps his hand helplessly. It's just collecting Dragon Balls, what's so great about it? Since Trunks likes it, let him go.

"Finally fixed it," Bulma says, holding up the Dragon Ball Radar. "Here, Trunks," she hands it to him.

Trunks takes the radar, feeling as if he has been electrocuted. "I'll go now," he says, his breathing rapid.

"Go, come back soon," Bulma smiles.

"Yeah," Trunks nods and leaves at lightning speed.

"This kid, are all the cells in his body curious?" Gohan thinks as he watches Trunks leave.

Bulma then says, "Gohan, come here. I want to show you some clues I've collected."

"Okay, here I come," Gohan replies, joining Bulma.