The challenge to become the Guardian of Earth was successfully completed. As planned, Yuujin emerged victorious and assumed the position of the new Guardian.
After the previous Guardian left, Yuujin had the servant, Popo, lead everyone on a tour of the Heavenly Temple. Afterward, Karin, Master Roshi, and Son Gohan departed for Korin Tower and Kame House, while Yuujin, Bulma, Tights, and Goku remained in the Heavenly Temple.
Over the next few days, Bulma, Tights, and Goku treated the Heavenly Temple like an amusement park, playing around without restraint. Meanwhile, Yuujin, under Popo's guidance, familiarized himself with the various responsibilities the Guardian needed to handle.
Being the Guardian of Earth isn't just a title; there are numerous duties involved. Although it felt a bit cumbersome, Yuujin patiently learned alongside Popo, realizing that these were matters he needed to understand.
He adapted quickly and, within just a few days, mastered the responsibilities of a Guardian. Yuujin let out a long breath of relief, happy to have finally "freed" himself from the grind.
The purpose of his diligent learning was simply to understand what he needed to do and the powers he held; he never planned to be tied to the Heavenly Temple, handling monotonous tasks all day.
"Popo, I'll be away for a while. During my absence, please take care of the Heavenly Temple's affairs."
"Guardian, where are you planning to go?" Popo asked, somewhat puzzled.
"I intend to retrieve the seven Dragon Balls left by the previous Guardian. The power of the Dragon Balls is too dangerous; if they fell into the wrong hands, they could bring disaster to the world. It's safer for us to keep them under our control," Yuujin replied.
Retrieving the Dragon Balls was Yuujin's true goal, as he didn't want anyone but himself to wield their formidable, potentially dangerous power.
"I understand. Rest assured, Guardian, I'll handle it."
With a nod, Popo pledged his commitment. Over the past few days, Yuujin had developed complete trust in Popo, finding him diligent, responsible, and well-acquainted with all matters of the Heavenly Temple. Popo was certainly more suited to managing these affairs than a novice like Yuujin.
After giving Popo some additional instructions, Yuujin went to find Goku, Bulma, and Tights.
Upon hearing that they would be leaving the Heavenly Temple, Bulma and Tights seemed thrilled.
Goku didn't mind where they went as long as she was with Yuujin, but for Bulma and Tights—who were used to city life—the Heavenly Temple's novelty quickly wore off. Once they'd seen everything, the temple was just a cloud-filled, isolated place where they couldn't shop or meet new people.
"Popo, we'll be off now. If anything important comes up, contact me," Yuujin said.
"Understood, Guardian," Popo replied.
"Bye, Popo!"
"Goodbye, Son Goku, Miss Bulma, Miss Tights," Popo said as he bid them farewell. Yuujin held Bulma and Tights, and with an aura burst, he flew off the Heavenly Temple with Goku.
"Bulma, is the new Dragon Radar ready?" Yuujin asked, shielding Bulma and Tights from the chilly high-altitude winds as they descended.
"Hmph, it's been ready for a while! This one is super accurate!" Bulma said smugly, pulling out a new Dragon Radar from her pocket.
Years ago, Yuujin had asked Bulma to make a Dragon Radar, but back then, her knowledge was limited, and the radar could only locate Dragon Balls within a general area. But now, with her expanded expertise, making a precise radar was a breeze.
"Nice work, Bulma," Yuujin said, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Ah... Yuujin! We're still in the air!" Bulma exclaimed, blushing and glaring at him.
"Not enough? Then how about one more?"
"Ah! You're incorrigible, Yuujin!"
Watching Yuujin and Bulma playfully teasing each other, Tights couldn't help but smile, though she soon found herself caught up in the fun as well.
"Hey, I want to play too!" Goku exclaimed.
"Don't crowd us, Goku!"
"We're going to fall!"
"Ahhh!"
With the accurate Dragon Radar, Yuujin and his team found two Dragon Balls—two-star and five-star—in just a few days, even as they leisurely played along the way. Along with the three-star and four-star balls Yuujin and Goku already possessed, they now had four Dragon Balls in total. Only three remained.
Days later—
"Ahhh!"
"Put me down! Put me down!"
Flying on the Black Nimbus and Golden Nimbus, Yuujin and his group raced through the sky, while Goku's Ruyi Staff hung a plump, squirming pig.
This was Oolong. Just like in the original Dragon Ball story, when Yuujin and his group located the six-star Dragon Ball in a small village, they found him terrorizing villagers with his shapeshifting abilities and demanding a beautiful bride. Yuujin and his team revealed his cowardly nature, retrieved the Dragon Ball, and took him away, ending his mischief.
"Goku, if he wants down, just let him go," Yuujin said, relaxing on the Black Nimbus with Bulma and Tights massaging his shoulders.
"Got it!"
Goku withdrew her Power Pole, leaving Oolong plummeting toward the ground.
"Ahhhhhh!"
To be continued...