"Heh, just as I thought…"
After discussing certain matters with the Old Supreme Kai in the Realm of the Kais, Taro returned. As for the connection between this elder, who once appeared in the original story, and the mysterious "Ancient Supreme Kai, Kavishir," that still remains a mystery for now. When he left, Taro didn't follow the advice of Kami and the others to "express a strong desire to return to his original timeline", but instead, he tried out the space-time abilities awakened in his eyes…
And just as he predicted, he found himself back inside the Hyperbolic Time Chamber of Earth's Lookout in his original timeline.
The nine tomoe ripple patterns in his eyes slowly rotated, then faded away. Gazing downward, he murmured softly, "Back then, when I stepped out of the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, I could feel my ocular power forming some kind of link with this extra-dimensional space… Hmph, similar to Obito's Kamui technique, huh…"
For Taro, this Hyperbolic Time Chamber was something of a "place of enlightenment" for his space-time abilities. As such, the space-time dojutsu he awakened became connected to this dimension where time flows over three hundred times faster than in the outside world… Just as Uchiha Obito could enter his Kamui dimension at will, Taro could now enter the Lookout's Hyperbolic Time Chamber of this timeline at any moment.
Thanks to this link, Taro figured that the restriction of "a person can only stay in the chamber for two years" likely no longer applied to him.
That being the case, he no longer needed to worry about Frieza and his crew coming up with ways to limit his teleportation abilities.
Taro recalled how, when he had encountered Frieza and his men outside the destroyed Planet Vegeta, he had deliberately demonstrated his Instant Transmission in front of the alien scientists under Frieza's command after noticing their movements… More than that, after reading the mind of one of those aliens and learning that Frieza's side had developed a power level detector capable of distinguishing between different individuals, Taro had even purposely allowed them to scan his precise and detailed energy signature.
The bait had been cast—it was now just a matter of waiting for Goku to grow strong enough before throwing in the real hook and reeling in the fish. Once that happened, Frieza and his lot would obediently show up to deliver combat experience for Goku.
And at that time…
Taro pondered the possibility of Frieza's forces descending upon Earth in the future. At the same time, he continued to digest the insights he had gained through his discussion with the Old Supreme Kai. Those impressions would need time to settle, to be integrated with his own reflections. His cultivation hadn't yet reached the critical point—there was no need to rush. Everything must come gradually.
He stepped forward through the pale, boundless plaza of the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, heading toward the entrance palace. His figure flickered again and again, leaving behind a long afterimage on the white expanse. At the beginning of that trail, Taro appeared deep in thought, head bowed as he walked. But as if flipping through frozen frames of a movie, he gradually raised his head. By the time his afterimage reached the entrance palace, his expression was calm and composed—just as it had always been.
On the temple plaza, Hathaway was tending to the flowers and plants Mr. Popo had grown. Kami and Mr. Popo walked out together. Seeing their heavy expressions, Hathaway pressed her lips together and forced a smile. "What's wrong? Why do you both look like that…"
Kami paused, leaning on his staff and carefully choosing his words. "I know that you—and that bird that always stays close to Taro… you can both sense the location of the Dragon Balls. If possible, call it here now. I'll have Mr. Popo go and search for the Dragon Balls with its help…"
Mr. Popo nodded. "With that bird's help, I'll be able to collect the Dragon Balls quickly."
"What do you need the Dragon Balls for?" Hathaway asked.
"You… sigh, someone as smart as you must have guessed," Kami said with a sigh—but as he spoke, something started to feel off.
Hathaway's expression had changed. When Kami and Mr. Popo first walked out, she had briefly looked distraught, as if she had already anticipated bad news. But now… why did she seem relieved instead? Kami noticed that Hathaway's gaze was fixed not on them, but past them—looking at something behind them?
Kami's heart skipped a beat. He spun around!
Taro was walking out calmly from within the temple's palace. Ignoring Kami and Mr. Popo's astonished expressions, he came straight toward them.
"What were you going to say?" Hathaway asked, her voice lightly teasing, as a fragrant breeze drifted past Kami and Mr. Popo. Hands clasped behind her back, she walked lightly toward Taro, lips curved in a smile. She looked into his eyes, drawing close.
Did he… return from the parallel timeline using his own power?!
And more importantly… how had he gotten so close behind them without them sensing anything?!
Kami drew in a deep breath. Just what had Taro experienced in that parallel world? His presence… felt even deeper now, even more impossible to see through. With a bitter smile, Kami shook his head. When had I ever been able to see through this disciple of Master Mutaito, anyway?
Ever since three hundred years ago, when Demon King Piccolo had first rampaged through the world, he had never truly understood this man called Taro…
"Not bad. You kept your promise," Hathaway said as she approached, eyes sparkling with amusement.
Taro chuckled and reached out. Hathaway placed her hand in his, and he said, "Let's go. Time to head home."
"I thought you said you wanted to stay the full two days in that room?" she asked.
"No need anymore," Taro replied with a shake of his head. After a pause, he added with a playful smile, "Now, anywhere is fine."
---
Whoosh… whoosh… whoosh…
High in the sky, icy winds howled.
The Phoenix spread its wings and soared through the heavens above Earth. Gliding through layer upon layer of clouds, it gazed down upon the vast world below. Its vivid, mystical eyes scanned everything, occasionally letting out clear, sharp cries. The sound cut through the whistling air, audible even in such high-altitude winds.
Around its neck hung a necklace with a distinctly metallic sheen.
Each time it cried out, a synthetic male voice would respond from within the necklace—an adult man's tone—answering the Phoenix and describing the wildlife currently passing beneath them, especially rare creatures the Phoenix had never tasted before that might be particularly delicious…
The Phoenix had a picky palate. Over the years, it had eaten nearly half the planet—never in large amounts, just snacking every few years to satisfy its cravings.
As it passed over a mountain range, the Phoenix's eyes lit up. Prompted by Jarvis's voice, it flapped its wings and descended in a spiral.
"The Orin Mountains are home to the extremely rare Purple-Furred Bear. Because of the protection of Orin Temple atop the range, few people have ever hunted them. According to local records, Purple-Furred Bear meat is said to be incredibly tender—especially the paws, which are considered a world-class delicacy…"