Three months had passed in a flash since Karnel's return from King Kai's planet.
Since dropping off Krillin and the others at the North Kai's world, Karnel had settled into a peaceful routine on Earth. His days were spent either in deep meditation by the tranquil lake or enjoying intimate moments with Bulma. Life felt wonderfully ordinary, a stark contrast to the battles and training that had consumed his past.
"My divinity has nearly doubled in size," Karnel murmured to himself, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. "Three months of daily meditation and practice here weren't wasted."
Deep within his consciousness, the divine essence had grown to the size of a child's fist. The entire sphere pulsed with a round, full energy, and occasionally a mysterious silver thread would flash through its core. This ethereal filament had appeared recently, swimming freely within the divine essence, completely beyond his control.
Karnel shook his head, pushing these puzzling thoughts aside. When the time was right, answers would come naturally.
"Three months have passed... that means Vegeta will arrive soon," he realized with a start. The original timeline had been completely disrupted. "With Kakarot's current strength, he'll just get beaten to a pulp. That won't do at all."
Extending his senses, Karnel detected Goku's energy signature moving at an unusually sluggish pace. He couldn't help but sigh. "Is this guy really addicted to being a taxi driver? It's been so long since I sent him back."
On a quiet street in West City, Goku dropped off his final passenger of the day and breathed a sigh of relief. "Playing around like this is pointless," he muttered. "Before those two Saiyans left, they mentioned that a stronger Saiyan would soon come to Earth. I can't keep wasting time like this."
"Hey, driver! Take me to Mount Paozu!"
A man opened the back door and slid in without waiting for permission, immediately stating his destination.
"Mount Paozu? I'm heading home anyway, so I'll take you there..." Goku glanced back and his eyes widened. "Karnel?"
Karnel waved casually and chuckled. "That's right, it's me! Aren't you going home? Drive quickly, I have something important to discuss with you."
"Oh! Didn't you go to North Kai's planet to train with Krillin and the others? How are you back so soon?" Goku gripped the steering wheel and accelerated to maximum speed, the car racing toward Mount Paozu like a white streak, drawing stares from pedestrians.
Karnel leaned back comfortably and replied, "Watch your words, they went to North Kai's place to train. I was only responsible for delivering them there. The training methods at North Kai's place are... inadequate for my needs."
"By the way, Chi-Chi is at home, right?" Karnel suddenly asked, a hint of anxiety in his voice. He had sent Goku to King Kai's planet and left Chi-Chi alone at home. If someone claimed she harbored no resentment about that, Karnel would be the first to call them a liar.
"Oh, you mean Chi-Chi? She's at home teaching Gohan to read and write," Goku replied, driving recklessly down the deserted road. Mount Paozu soon appeared in their sight. "I suggested that Gohan should train with me to become stronger, but Chi-Chi was completely against it. In the end, we compromised, he can only study for half the day and practice for the other half."
Karnel remained silent. After all, it was someone else's family matter. Still, he sighed inwardly. "Poor Gohan. He has talent that surpasses even Kakarot's, but he can't fully develop it. If he could focus entirely on training, his future battle with Cell wouldn't be so difficult..."
Goku parked the car and they both stepped out. Karnel's eyes went straight to the house.
After marrying Chi-Chi, Goku's home had been renovated and no longer looked as shabby as when he'd lived there with his grandfather, Gohan.
"Karnel, didn't you say you had something important to tell me? Come in, Chi-Chi will be happy to see you," Goku called out as he walked toward the door.
"Never mind, let's go in. Chi-Chi seemed quite gentle at this time," Karnel thought, hesitating briefly at the door. After all, he had been responsible for Kakarot's temporary death. But he quickly caught up with determined steps.
Although Goku's house didn't appear large, it radiated a comfortable, homey feeling. Chi-Chi was teaching little Gohan inside. When she saw Goku entering with someone, she quickly set down the textbook on Gohan's small table and stood up.
"Oh, this is Karnel! You're the one who asked Goku to go to King Kai's planet for training," Chi-Chi said, recognizing him. To Karnel's surprise, she didn't seem angry as he had expected. After a moment of confusion, she simply greeted him warmly and walked into the kitchen with a smile.
Seeing that Chi-Chi didn't seem to mind, Karnel sighed with relief. He found a seat and sat down, thinking to himself, "Kakarot is really lucky. Even at such a young age, he managed to win over such a cute and virtuous girl like Chi-Chi."
The timid little Gohan suddenly noticed the stranger. He quickly ran to Goku's feet, grabbing the corners of his father's pants tightly with both hands while looking at Karnel with shy curiosity.
"Gohan, this is Dad's friend from the same clan. Hurry up and call him Uncle Karnel," Goku said, pulling little Gohan out from behind his legs and gently pushing him forward with a laugh.
Karnel's expression froze momentarily. He had become an uncle-level figure without realizing it.
"Uncle~, Dad and I train in martial arts together," little Gohan said quietly, greeting Karnel before quickly running outside.
Goku responded casually, then sat down with a slightly excited expression. "So what did you want to tell me? Is there an even better place for cultivation? Where is it? Take me there quickly! I haven't fought anyone or practiced much these past few days. My hands and feet are getting stiff from boredom!"
Karnel looked at Goku's eager face and felt a mix of amusement and concern. The calm before the storm was about to end, and he needed to prepare his friend for what was coming.