Chapter 38: A Owed Request

"At last, we meet, Taro."

Taro floated with his eyes closed, hearing the words of the presence close by. His expression was calm as he slowly floated forward, passing the auras of God and what was probably Mr. Popo, before gently landing on the floor of the temple.

"Yes, at last, we meet. God... or should I say, Piccolo?" Taro spoke in a calm, indifferent tone, his back turned to God. He knew that this old man had been closely observing the battlefield when Mutaito sealed away Piccolo all those years ago.

The words Taro had spoken before Mutaito's death were likely already heard by him. So, there was no point in trying to hide it. Pretending not to know something one already does could be quite tiring.

"Hmph... just as you said back then, you 'saw the future.' But even now, I still have some doubts about what you claimed. You must understand, even your sister could only vaguely predict some future outcomes. You say you've seen the future, that many powerful warriors will appear on Earth—it's quite unbelievable. Even I, the God of Earth, cannot do that."

Kami laughed a few times before turning around and speaking slowly.

"The world is never short of strange things, is it?" Taro replied nonchalantly, taking a deep breath. The thin air here was somewhat uncomfortable for him.

"You adapt quickly. Also... you don't seem at all surprised that I know what you said to Mutaito back then." He remarked, watching Taro carefully.

Taro smiled faintly, still keeping his eyes closed.

"I know you, and I know you have this ability. I also know that you wouldn't ignore your connection with King Piccolo, whose fate is intertwined with yours. So... what's strange about you overhearing these things while spying from the heavens?"

"Heh... speaking of which, your progress in martial arts over the years has truly impressed me. Is it because you saw the future, and that allowed you to keep improving?" Kami asked with a slight smile, not taking offense at Taro's choice of words.

"Keep improving? So, the God of Earth is making jokes now? Don't tell me... you haven't realized that the potential of this body has already been fully tapped?" Taro said with a slight self-deprecating smile, still keeping his eyes closed.

"No, I don't think martial arts progress is just about increasing one's own power. Developing extraordinary techniques, of course, is also a part of martial advancement. The ability to strike with attacks several times stronger than your own power—wouldn't that be considered progress?" He responded.

Taro didn't comment, merely humming in an indifferent tone.

"You really do spy a lot."

Kami smiled.

"After all, you're the first human to have seen the future. As God of Earth, it's only natural that I should pay special attention."

He paused for a moment before continuing.

"By the way... regarding your potential, that was mostly the result of the immortality water you drank in your youth. Most of your life potential was absorbed by that water from the underworld, extending your lifespan."

"Immortality water from the underworld?" Taro finally expressed some surprise, raising an eyebrow, though still keeping his eyes closed.

"I'm sure you've guessed it by now. Yes, it was the immortality water your sister asked her master to get for you. The reason... probably because she didn't want you, her only family, to die too soon." Kami explained.

"I see..." Taro nodded slightly, still with his eyes closed, pondering.

He continued.

"But don't feel regretful. While your power's potential was limited, what you gained in return is a lifespan of nearly a thousand years, and you will enjoy a much longer period of youth than normal humans."

Taro waved his hand dismissively.

"I never had high hopes for my own power. But the thousand years of natural lifespan you mentioned... that exceeded my expectations."

Kamk was surprised, but quickly understood.

"Ah, it's because in the future you saw, your power will be similar to what it is now."

Taro replied.

"Something like that."

With that, he reached into his clothes and pulled out an orange-yellow sphere.

Kami looked at the Four-Star Dragon Ball in Taro's hand and asked.

"That's one of the Dragon Balls. You're lucky to have found one."

"Gather all seven Dragon Balls, and you can summon the Dragon to grant any wish, right?" Taro asked, still with his eyes closed, his fingers gently caressing the smooth surface of the Four-Star Ball, which seemed free from any dust.

"Indeed." God Piccolo nodded.

Taro smiled and said.

"Since you're the creator of the Dragon Balls, and we're... somewhat familiar with each other, could you help me gather the other six? I'm in a bit of trouble and need to make a wish from the Dragon."

"Is it your eyes?" Kami asked without surprise. He had noticed that Taro had kept his eyes shut ever since he arrived.

"You caught on." Taro finally opened his eyes, revealing two pupils with no focus or expression. He slowly said. "I've run into a bit of trouble. Right now, I'm pretty much blind."

The god of earth was stunned by the sight of Taro's eyes, which were completely devoid of life. Furrowing his brow, he asked.

"What happened? You disappeared for six years... what exactly happened?"

"Six years? When did you start counting?" Taro frowned at the question. He then focused his senses in the direction of Sayuan City. Soon, he could sense the presences of Fanfan, Yumeko, and Aragon.

Aragon and Yumeko's energies, especially Yumeko's, had noticeably grown stronger.

Kami replied.

"I don't know when you disappeared, but the last time I saw you, you were still at the martial arts dojo you opened in the city."

Six years? Taro's mind sank slightly, and he frowned, remaining silent.

Seeing Taro's silence, kami glanced at the Four-Star Dragon Ball in his hand and shook his head.

"Although I am the creator of the Dragon Balls, I cannot directly summon them. Even their exact locations are beyond my knowledge."

Taro had never expected much, so he wasn't particularly disappointed. However, learning that six years had passed since his entrance and exit from the Demon Realm made him feel a complex mix of emotions.

He closed his eyes again and placed the Four-Star Ball back into his possession. After a moment's thought, he pointed to his blind eyes and asked.

"Is there any way, Kami, for you to heal my eyes?"

The gos pondered for a moment and said.

"I can try."

"Sorry to trouble you." Taro said, walking toward Kami's voice and stopping about an arm's length in front of him.

Impressive sensing ability, he stopped exactly in front of me. Does he have a rough understanding of my build? Ah, right, he's seen Piccolo before. This kid's mastery of ki is more refined than I expected.

Kami thought to himself as he placed his hand over Taro's closed eyes.

Taro felt a cool yet warm sensation on his eyelids, which was very soothing. After a while, Kamk removed his hand. Taro opened his eyes... but to no effect.

His left eye remained completely blind, while his right eye was filled with a dull white haze.

"It seems I'm powerless here." God Piccolo shook his head. Taro's eyes still lacked any expression, just as before.

Before separating, Piccolo was a versatile Namekian warrior. Although this wasn't shown in the original story, he probably has healing abilities similar to Dende's. But as expected, if the Senzu Beans couldn't heal it, then even God Piccolo can't do anything about it... Perhaps the Senzu Beans were made by this guy and given to Korin to cultivate? Never mind, it's not important.

Taro was obviously frustrated after the failed attempt to heal his eyes. He let his mind wander for a moment.

But then, thinking about the Senzu Beans... a thought suddenly sprang to his mind: Perhaps I can do this? Indirectly...

Noticing the fleeting look of disappointment on Taro's face, Kami recalled the late Master Mutaito and sighed inwardly. He said:

"You've done great service to humanity by sealing King Piccolo. So, although I couldn't heal your eyes, I promise that I owe you one favor. If there's anything within my ability, you can ask."

Taro raised an eyebrow in surprise. He paused for a moment as various plans quickly ran through his mind. Finally, he shook his head and said to him:

"Never mind, I don't have anything to ask for right now."

"Of course, whenever you think of something, feel free to come to me." He nodded.