Chapter 17: At the Foot of Mount Orin

More than half a month later, Taro and Tsuru finally reached the forest indicated by the seer.

The mountain wasn't high, and the vegetation of the forest was sparse.

"So, this is it!" Tsuru sighed in relief. They had been traveling for nearly five months, facing mountains, forests, seas, and even climbing towers. All those countless challenges and dangers now seemed worth it, for they had finally arrived at their destination.

If they could seal the Demon King here, all their efforts would be rewarded.

The two descended from the sky and landed on the mountain slope, beginning their search for the cave shown by the seer in the crystal ball. Both had been practicing martial arts for over twenty years and had sharp minds. Although it wasn't exactly photographic memory, the images they had seen in the crystal ball were still fresh in their minds.

They climbed the mountain and entered the forest, comparing the scenery to what they remembered. Finally, in a small valley, Taro noticed a formation identical to the one the crystal ball had shown. They descended and found the entrance to a cave, tall enough for a person to enter without difficulty.

Exchanging a meaningful glance, Taro and Tsuru pushed aside the branches covering the entrance and stepped inside with the package containing the rice cooker.

Inside, the cave seemed to hold an infinite darkness.

With a "fwoosh" sound, the interior was illuminated by an orange flame floating above Taro's palm. The shadows of the two danced on the stone walls.

Upon seeing the flame in Taro's hand, Tsuru narrowed his eyes and clenched his fists. His heart was torn between envy and frustration.

Taro, however, completely ignored Tsuru's conflicting emotions. He held the flame in one hand while carrying the package in the other. He moved forward through the cave without hesitation.

Tsuru followed closely behind, but the shadow of Taro, magnified by the flame's light, seemed to completely absorb his presence, almost swallowing him up.

Not long after, the two emerged from the cave, and the rice cooker was no longer with them.

"Let's find something to seal the entrance." Taro suggested with a sigh.

They both climbed back to the top of the valley and returned carrying a huge stone. With a thud, they placed it at the entrance, completely blocking it.

The two stood silently in front of the sealed cave, watching it for a moment.

"Let's go. It's time to return." Taro said finally, taking off into the air.

Tsuru stood still for a moment, thoughtful, before following Taro with a grim look.

---

As Taro and Tsuru sealed the pot in the cave, in the celestial temple above Korin Tower, two figures observed every movement they made.

"Kami-Sama, Piccolo has been sealed." Said Mr.Popo, his voice calm and impassive. His round eyes gave the impression of being more of a doll than a living person.

Kami, leaning on his staff and dressed in a white robe, observed the sealed entrance of the cave with a complicated expression. After a long silence, he sighed and turned, walking back into the temple.

Mister Popo followed him, and the two entered one of the palace rooms. In the center of the room, on a table, rested a tray covered by a glass dome. Inside the dome was a small, intricately detailed dragon.

The dragon had antler-like horns, fish scales, human-like whiskers, a serpentine body, phoenix feet, and eyes that glowed red, as if they emitted their own light. Its long, winding body curled within the dome, as though ready to break its bounds and ascend to the heavens as the true Shenlong.

The God-Picollo lifted the Shenlong model from the table and, with Mister Popo, returned to the temple's grand courtyard.

Placing the model on the ground, the God-Picollo, dressed entirely in white, leaned on his staff and stood still.

"Master, if you truly manage to give life to this Shenlong, it will make up for the sin of releasing Piccolo Daimaoh." said Mister Popo sincerely. As a loyal servant, he understood his master's internal dilemmas well.

Still, the concept of the God-Picollo creating seven spheres that would grant wishes, invoking the Shenlong, seemed too fantastical for Mister Popo. From his experience, none of the previous gods of Earth had shown such a capability.

The God-Picollo nodded slightly, no longer hesitating. He raised a hand toward the Shenlong model on the ground.

"※※※※※※..." A series of strange, unintelligible sounds came from his mouth. Suddenly, the small Shenlong model glowed with a brilliant golden light.

With a "boom," a golden ray shot up into the sky, like a dragon of light ascending to the heavens.

Mister Popo looked up and saw the golden beam, which seemed to be a mix of lightning and divine light. It twisted in the air for a moment, like a luminous dragon spiraling through the sky. Then, all the light focused into a single point, splitting into seven rays that shot off in different directions.

"You really did it..." Mister Popo murmured, surprised.

The God-Picollo remained silent, contemplative.

"But will anyone be able to gather all seven Dragon Balls? The Earth is so vast..." Mister Popo questioned, still doubtful. He had been part of the entire process of creating the Dragon Balls and knew how small they were. For the mortals of Earth, finding them would be nearly impossible, and even if they did, they might consider them mere glass balls.

The God-Picollo remained still, his gaze deep as if he were seeing the countless beings of the underworld. He raised his staff and struck the ground. Moving his lips, he pronounced a message that echoed mysteriously:

"I am the God of Earth. Today, I grant the mortals seven Dragon Balls. Whoever gathers them all will be able to summon Shenlong and make any wish of their heart. It does not matter if the petitioner is good or evil, rich or poor, young or old... It does not matter if they wish for infinite wealth, unlimited power, or eternal life... All wishes will be granted."

This message echoed in the hearts of all mortals.

However, some considered it an illusion. Others thought they had heard wrong, while some believed it to be a joke. Few took the message seriously.

At Korin Tower, Master Korin looked up, trying to glimpse the new God of Earth. He murmured:

"This... could be something good..."

---

Meanwhile, Taro, who was flying, suddenly stopped, floating in the air.

"What's wrong?" Tsuru asked, flying back to where he was.

"Didn't you hear that?" Taro replied, surprised.

"Hear what?" Tsuru seemed confused.

"Must have been just my imagination." Wu Taro shook his head, thoughtful.

"I see... The God-Picollo just created the Dragon Balls. Wealth, power, immortality... Heh, none of that is what I want." He looked at the blurred landscape around him and shook his head again.

"I'm tired of flying. Let's walk for a bit."

With that, Taro began to descend.

"Full of mysteries as always!" Tsuru complained, following him.

The two continued their journey on foot, running swiftly across the ground. When they encountered mountains, they climbed them. When they found rivers, they flew over them. Their progress was impressive.

Days passed until, one morning, as they exited a forest, they both smelled the scent of blood in the air.

Taro and Tsuru exchanged glances and nodded, quickening their steps toward the source of the smell.

They soon reached a village. At the entrance, they encountered a horrific sight: a giant monster, with an animalistic appearance, was standing in the middle of a river of blood, surrounded by the bodies of the villagers. In its hands, it held the leg of a woman, which it devoured like a wild animal.

"Bastard!" Tsuru shouted, furious, charging forward immediately.