"What about those Dragon Balls?" Goku asked quickly.
"Those Dragon Balls? Which ones are you talking about?" Kami looked confused but answered honestly. "Didn't the Dragon Balls already grant the wish to revive you? They've turned to stone now."
"No, not those…" Goku shook his head. "I mean the ones you made before you became Kami—before you split from Piccolo."
Kami blinked, clearly caught off guard.
"Where are those Dragon Balls now? Are they still here on the Lookout?" Goku pressed.
"What are you talking about, Goku?" Kami looked genuinely baffled. "The Dragon Balls you're talking about are the same ones that revived you!"
"Huh? Wait… are you saying they're the same set?" Goku scratched his head.
"There aren't two sets. There's only one," Kami explained. "Whether before or after I separated from Piccolo, I've only ever created one set of Dragon Balls."
"Only one?" Goku frowned. "There aren't any with black stars inside?"
"No…" Kami looked even more puzzled. "Goku, what's gotten into you? Why are you asking this?"
Goku scratched his head anxiously.
Could it be that my rebirth changed this timeline?
Future Trunks once said there was a timeline where I died from a heart virus—and another where I survived.
Maybe my rebirth altered something.
But that doesn't make sense!
If I had been reborn before Kami split from Piccolo, changes would be possible.
But I was reborn at this exact point in time. The Black Star Dragon Balls should still exist!
"Mr. Popo, do you remember anything about Black Star Dragon Balls?" Goku asked hopefully.
"No," Mr. Popo shook his head. "Kami only created one set. There were never any Dragon Balls with black stars."
"I see…" Goku took a deep breath. "Alright. I'll be going."
He pressed two fingers to his forehead.
I'll check with Supreme Kai.
Maybe Old Supreme Kai can explain this.
Whoosh!
Goku vanished.
The World of the Kais
Supreme Kai and Kibito were observing Earth.
"Supreme Kai, fortunately Vegeta and that Saiyan named Goku fought far from Majin Buu's seal," Kibito said, relieved. "There was no impact."
"Yes," Supreme Kai nodded. "That's a relief."
"That Saiyan prince Vegeta was completely defeated by Goku," Kibito remarked. "I have to admit, Supreme Kai… that Goku is impressive. Especially that golden transformation."
"Indeed," Supreme Kai smiled faintly. "But compared to Majin Buu, he's still far from enough."
"Forget Majin Buu," Kibito said confidently. "He's no match for us either."
"After all, he's just a mortal. It's difficult for mortals to surpass true gods," Supreme Kai said—before sighing. "Unfortunately, Majin Buu surpasses even us."
"Should we move Buu somewhere else?" Kibito suggested. "When he was sealed on Earth long ago, humanity had just begun. But now Earth is advanced, and there are Saiyans there. If the seal suffers a violent impact…"
"I've considered that," Supreme Kai shook his head. "But moving him might disturb the seal and cause him to awaken prematurely. For now, we must simply monitor it. Fortunately, the area around his seal is uninhabited."
"What?!" Kibito's eyes widened suddenly.
His face changed color.
He stared behind Supreme Kai.
"Supreme Kai! This—this is impossible! This is the Sacred World of the Kais!" Kibito stammered, jaw nearly dropping.
Supreme Kai blinked, then slowly turned around.
And froze.
Goku stood there, smiling.
"Ah, hello, Supreme Kai. Kibito," Goku waved cheerfully. "Haha… it's kind of weird seeing you two not fused."
Supreme Kai: "????"
Kibito: "????"
What is he talking about?
And how did he get here?
Only a Supreme Kai can enter this realm!
He's just a mortal!
"Son Goku…" Supreme Kai muttered instinctively.
"Huh? You already know me at this point?" Goku scratched his head.
"How did you come here?" Kibito demanded.
"Hmm… I remember something over there…" Goku pointed toward a distant cliff and suddenly flew off.
Kibito: "..."
"I'm talking to you!" Kibito snapped.
Supreme Kai and Kibito exchanged glances.
He was flying toward the Z Sword.
"What is he doing? Don't tell me he plans to pull out the Z Sword?" Kibito gasped.
"Let's go see," Supreme Kai said quietly, though confusion filled his eyes. "How does he even know about it?"
They hurried after him.
Goku landed on the cliff where the Z Sword was embedded deep into the stone.
He stared at the hilt.
"So this is the Z Sword…"
He inhaled deeply.
"Although I don't know how you learned about it," Kibito said lightly, "it looks like you're planning to pull it out. Don't be ridiculous. Just because you defeated Vegeta doesn't mean you can move this blade. Even I can't budge it. Not even Supreme Kai himself can shift it!"