Chapter 168

Planet Cereal

A young man with wavy green hair stood atop a mountain. From here, he could see the remnants of once-prosperous cities, now reduced to ruins with broken walls and debris scattered everywhere.

This young man was the last remaining Cerealian, the sole survivor, Granolah.

One of the two survivors from that tragic time.

Granolah was tall and strong, with a well-proportioned physique that immediately marked him as a skilled warrior. His green wavy hair, green eyebrows, and green eyes, paired with his wheat-colored skin and strikingly handsome features, made him stand out. He wore a brown eyepatch over his right eye—his most trusted companion, a powerful AI and combat assistant that had been of great help to him.

The Cerealian people possessed a unique talent: the ability to enhance their right eye, which improved their shooting accuracy and allowed them to see through an enemy's weaknesses. They were exceptional snipers.

But now, of this once-great race, only Granolah remained.

Granolah's eagle-like eyes scanned the distant ruins of the city. His enhanced vision allowed him to clearly see the enormous footprints left by the Saiyan great apes that had invaded long ago.

Further away, he saw the semi-circular Ki shields that protected small, vibrant cities. These were the homes of the current inhabitants of Planet Cereal—the Sugarians.

Over 50 years ago, the Heeter family had revitalized Planet Cereal, which had been destroyed by Frieza's army, and then sold it at a high price to the wandering Sugarians. The Sugarians had since rebuilt and now lived in these shielded towns.

Planet Cereal was no longer the same place it had been in the past.

Alas...

Granolah was silent for a few seconds, exhaled deeply, then resolutely turned away and walked into the dense forested mountains.

A voice suddenly sounded in his mind—it was Oatmeel, the AI integrated into the eyepatch over his right eye.

"Granolah, why don't you live with the Sugarians?" Oatmeel asked.

Granolah replied calmly, "That city was built by the Heeters for the Sugarians. It's not a place for me to live."

"But... isn't it still part of Planet Cereal?" Oatmeel asked, puzzled.

"That was 50 years ago," Granolah sighed. "Since the Heeter family sold Planet Cereal to the Sugarians, it has belonged to them. That's why my grandfather and I live in these remote mountains."

"I see. So, to coexist, you maintain the necessary distance, right?"

"More or less. Besides… from this mountain, I can see the city that Frieza's army destroyed. It reminds me of what they did here. It keeps me from forgetting their crimes and constantly motivates me to become stronger, so I can protect what matters to me."

"..."

Soon, Granolah reached his home and pushed the door open.

He smiled and called out, "Grandpa, I'm back."

Inside, the elderly Monaito was sitting in a chair, watching TV. The show was one produced by the Sugarians.

Hearing the door open and Granolah's voice, Monaito smiled and slowly turned his head, his movements labored.

"Granolah, it's good to have you back."

Granolah's eyes flickered with a sadness that was hard to notice.

Grandpa… he's grown so old. Even turning his head is difficult now…

Monaito reached for his cane, trying to stand up and walk toward Granolah.

Granolah's eyes widened, and he quickly stepped forward to help him.

"Grandpa, let me help you."

"Oh, I'm really old and useless. I can't even move properly anymore," Monaito sighed.

Granolah supported Monaito, but his eyes drifted toward the bookshelf. In the center of it was an orange Dragon Ball, about the size of a ping-pong ball.

"Grandpa, if we could find the other two-star Dragon Ball, you could become young again, right?" Granolah asked after a moment's thought.

Hearing this, Monaito grew stern.

"Granolah, I won't allow you to use the Dragon Balls for something like that!" he exclaimed.

"How can this be reckless? Besides, we can't make any wishes unless we find the other Dragon Ball, right?" Granolah released Monaito and walked over to the bookshelf, picking up the orange Dragon Ball and holding it in his hand.

Monaito sighed, "Yes, but it hasn't been found in decades. It's probably lost."

Granolah looked at the small sphere in his hand and said, "It's really hard to find such a small object on such a large planet..."

Monaito slowly approached with his cane and said, "Granolah, listen to me. Dragon Balls were originally ceremonial tools used to honor Namekian warriors, not to fulfill personal desires. So don't think about using them to restore my youth."

Granolah remained silent.

But to me, Grandpa is the greatest warrior.

After a pause, Granolah asked, "Grandpa, do you think there are other Namekians on other planets?"

"Of course there are…" Monaito replied. "The Namekians lived on Planet Namek, but for certain reasons, we left and settled on Planet Cereal. I never imagined that things would turn out like this."

"There used to be dozens of Namekians living here, but now I'm the only one left…"

As he recalled the past, and the brutal deaths of his Namekian kin, Monaito's cloudy eyes glimmered with a strange light.

"We Namekians are a race that migrated to this universe from another world. That's why we're different from the mortals in this universe, and we possess many strange forms of magic. Creating the Dragon Balls that grant wishes is one such magic."

"When I die, it will all end, and the Dragon Balls will disappear."

Monaito's voice was calm as he spoke these words.

But Granolah felt a deep sadness.

How can this be…? I must find the other Dragon Ball, make a wish to restore my grandfather's youth, and return this planet to its former glory. I must!!!

Monaito frowned and said, "I told you not to use the Dragon Balls recklessly. If you make such a wish, the kind-hearted Sugarians will be driven out."

"Grandpa, even now, you're thinking of others. You're so kind. But if you think about others, who will think about you? Who will think about me?"

"I just want you to be young again. I want Planet Cereal to return to its old self... At worst, I'll save up and find a suitable planet for the Sugarians to live on."

Monaito sighed, "Granolah, what do you hope to gain from this? It will only lead to more suffering. Put the Dragon Ball back and forget about it. The most important thing is to enjoy the life you have now."

"Grandpa… okay, I get it." Granolah looked at the Dragon Ball in his hand and reluctantly placed it back in its original spot.

Suddenly, he turned his head sharply toward the door.

His eyes flashed with intensity as he shouted, "Who's there? Come out!"