The five Super Dragon Balls scattered throughout the universe should have been nearly impossible to locate, but with his radar and Instant Transmission, Karnel found the task surprisingly manageable.
The first three Dragon Balls had been drifting through space for eons, their surfaces covered in thick layers of cosmic dust that made them appear like ordinary, unremarkable planets. Only the radar's persistent beeping revealed their true nature.
The fourth Dragon Ball had been claimed by an advanced alien civilization that had transformed it into a massive industrial complex, its surface crawling with cold machinery and automated factories.
"Well, that's unfortunate for them," Karnel muttered, feeling no particular sympathy as he prepared to reclaim the cosmic artifact. The entire facility was automated anyway, no lives would be lost.
With a single devastating strike, he shattered the industrial infrastructure covering the Dragon Ball's surface, revealing the brilliant orange sphere beneath. Pressing his hand against its smooth surface, he used Instant Transmission to transport it back to the Sacred World of the Kais.
The fifth Dragon Ball was in the possession of space pirates who had apparently been preparing to auction it off. Karnel materialized in their midst, snatched the planet-sized orb, and vanished before they could even process what had happened. The pirates were left staring at empty space where their prize had been, wondering if they'd all suffered the same bizarre hallucination.
"Kibito, I've found all five Dragon Balls from our universe," Karnel announced as he returned to the Sacred World. The five massive spheres now hung in the sky above them like additional moons, casting an ethereal glow across the realm. "Now we need to search other universes for the remaining two. I hate to ask this of you..."
"Don't even think about apologizing," Kibito replied firmly, guiding young Jebit toward Leila. "Leila, you'll need to continue Jebit's training while we're gone. We shouldn't be long."
After giving Leila a few quick instructions about Jebit's education, Kibito led Karnel into the temple where the interdimensional transport platform awaited.
"This is Universe 8," Kibito explained as they materialized in an unfamiliar starry expanse. "Check your radar, Karnel."
Karnel activated the device and waited, but the screen remained frustratingly blank. "Nothing here. Let's try the next one."
They moved systematically through universes 9, 10, 11, and 12, but each search yielded the same disappointing result. Karnel's anxiety grew with each failed attempt.
"Where could the remaining two Dragon Balls be hiding?" he muttered, running a hand through his hair in frustration.
Kibito remained calm and reassuring. "Don't worry. The Grand Supreme Kai explained that the Super Dragon Balls are only ever distributed between two universes at most. If they're not in the higher-numbered universes, they must be in one of the lower ones. Let's try Universe 6."
The moment they arrived in Universe 6, Karnel's radar erupted in excited beeping.
"Yes! Both remaining Dragon Balls are in this universe!" Karnel exclaimed, staring at the two large white dots on his screen.
Kibito smiled at his friend's obvious relief. "See? Your journey home is almost complete."
The first Dragon Ball in Universe 6 had been converted into a massive martial arts tournament arena. Various alien species were engaged in fierce combat across its surface, their battles creating spectacular displays of power and technique.
"Want to join in?" Karnel asked with a mischievous grin.
Kibito waved his hands frantically. "Absolutely not! Just focus on getting us that Dragon Ball!"
Karnel chuckled and descended toward the arena. While the fighters below were undoubtedly skilled by normal standards, from his perspective, they might as well have been children playing. With a single, carefully controlled kick, he shattered the arena's surface, sending all the combatants flying harmlessly into the air while revealing the Dragon Ball beneath.
"Let's go!" he called to Kibito, pressing his hand against the sphere and teleporting it back to Universe 7.
The location of the seventh and final Dragon Ball made Kibito's blood run cold.
"Karnel," he whispered urgently, "that Dragon Ball is in the domain of Lord Champa, the God of Destruction. He's Lord Beerus's twin brother, and just as dangerous. We need to approach this very carefully."
When they materialized near Champa's planet, they found the rotund God of Destruction and his angelic attendant Vados waiting for them, as if they'd been expected.
"Lord Champa," Kibito said, bowing deeply, "I am the Supreme Kai from Universe 7, the same universe as Lord Beerus. Please forgive our intrusion."
Champa's eyes narrowed dangerously. "How bold of you to cross into my universe without permission. And who is your companion?"
"This is my friend Karnel," Kibito explained nervously. "We've come for the Super Dragon Ball in your possession. Karnel needs it to make a wish that will allow him to return home."
"I'm in a good mood today," Champa said with a predatory smile, "so I'll make you a deal. Bring me a delicious meal that satisfies my refined palate, and you can have that Super Dragon Ball. Fail to impress me..." His aura flared menacingly. "And I'll destroy you both."
Kibito began sweating profusely, but Karnel remained remarkably calm. Reaching into his dimensional storage, he produced four pristine fruits that seemed to glow with inner light.
"Lord Champa, these are Divine Fruits from our universe. They can produce any flavor you can imagine."
"Any flavor?" Champa's eyes lit up with interest as he immediately snatched the fruits from Karnel's hands.
"Lord Champa, you're being terribly rude!" Vados chided, gracefully appropriating two of the fruits for herself. "You should at least share with your attendant."
Champa bit into one of the Divine Fruits, and his expression transformed into one of pure bliss. "Incredible! The flavor keeps changing, it's like experiencing every delicious food in the universe at once!"
After devouring all the fruits, Champa wiped his mouth contentedly. "Very well, you've earned that Super Dragon Ball. Now if you'll excuse me, all that eating has made me sleepy." He waddled away, already looking forward to his post-meal nap.
Kibito sagged with relief. "We actually survived an encounter with a God of Destruction..."
Back in Universe 7, the seven Super Dragon Balls hung majestically in the sky above the Sacred World of the Kais, their combined presence filling the air with an almost tangible sense of cosmic power.
"They're so enormous!" Leila gasped, seeing the complete set for the first time.
Karnel's entire body trembled with excitement and anticipation. After everything he'd been through, his journey home was finally within reach.
"The Super Dragon Balls can only be summoned in the language of the gods," Kibito explained. "Allow me to call forth the dragon for you."
Raising his voice to the heavens, Kibito spoke in the ancient divine tongue: "Come forth, Super Shenron!"
The seven Dragon Balls began to glow with brilliant golden light, rising into the air and separating to form a perfect circle. The light grew impossibly bright, and suddenly an enormous golden eye opened in the center, followed by the emergence of a cosmic dragon so vast that entire galaxies seemed small in comparison.
Super Shenron's presence was overwhelming, even the Sacred World of the Kais was dwarfed by the dragon's immense form. When he spoke, his voice resonated across dimensions.
"What is your wish?" Kibito translated after listening to the dragon's divine speech.
Karnel's voice shook with emotion as he made his request: "I wish to return to my original timeline, to the universe where I belong."
Kibito conveyed the wish to Super Shenron, who responded with what seemed like approval.
"Your wish shall be granted," Kibito translated, his own voice filled with happiness for his friend.
Super Shenron's eyes flashed with crimson light, and immediately Karnel's body began to glow with golden radiance. The light grew brighter and brighter, and he could feel reality itself shifting around him.
"Karnel!" Leila and Kibito called out together. "Safe travels! Promise you'll visit us in the Sacred World of the Kais someday!"
Karnel tried to respond, to thank them for everything they'd done, but the interdimensional transition was already taking hold. With a final flash of golden light, he vanished completely.
The Super Dragon Balls scattered once more, shooting off through space to hide themselves across the multiverse until they would be needed again.