Rhode's confusion must have been plain, for the Grand Elder immediately clarified. "Yes. If the wish is for both you and Aira to gain an ability, that counts as two separate wishes. So, two have been used. Only one remains."
"It works like that?" Rhode was internally speechless. He'd included Aira almost as an afterthought, a courtesy. He hadn't anticipated Porunga's accounting to be so… literal, effectively consuming two of their precious three slots.
But the realization quickly connected with his knowledge. The early Namekian Dragon Balls were notoriously restrictive, even limiting resurrection to one person at a time. Right. Of course.
He let out a small, resigned breath. It was what it was. His overarching wish was merely to accelerate his growth. One of his three theoretical wishes had been a bit of a long shot anyway. This wasn't a major setback. Shenron wasn't going anywhere.
"Since that's the case," Rhode said, his tone shifting back to calm deliberation as he faced the waiting Elder, "then for my final wish, Grand Elder, please ask Shenron to grant me a portable Time Chamber. One that can freely control gravity and allows living beings to enter and exit at will."
While Dragon Balls could grant miraculous powers, Rhode believed true, ultimate strength had to be forged from within. A Time Chamber was the ultimate forge—a tool to multiply effort. Earth had one, but its drawbacks (like being trapped if the entrance was destroyed) and his less-than-secure trust with Aira made it an unattractive option. He couldn't risk being sealed away with a companion whose loyalty, at this stage, was still rooted more in rivalry than fellowship.
As Rhode finished speaking, the Grand Elder relayed the wish to Porunga. The dragon's crimson eyes flashed. Rhode felt a subtle shift in the space around him. He extended a hand, and with a thought, a shimmering, rectangular portal of light materialized before him.
It worked! Genuine delight crossed his face.
With the three wishes fulfilled, Porunga's colossal form dissolved into golden motes of light. The artificial night lifted, and Namek's gentle sun returned. The Dragon Balls, now inert stones, clattered to the ground.
"Your wishes have been granted," the Grand Elder stated, his ancient eyes observing them.
"Thank you, Grand Elder," Rhode said, his gratitude sincere.
Though he sensed no malice in Rhode, the nature of his wishes gave the Elder pause. He offered gentle counsel. "I hope you will use the gifts you have received wisely."
"Grand Elder, I assure you, I will," Rhode replied, his conviction clear. His path was one of cultivation, not carnage.
The Elder gave a slow, accepting nod. He then turned to the two tribal elders. "Please, return the Dragon Balls to their places."
"Yes, Grand Elder!" They bowed, collected the stones, and departed.
Once they were alone again, the Grand Elder's gaze settled on the two Saiyans, curiosity gleaming in his wise eyes. "You have seen Dragon Balls before, haven't you?"
Ah. Rhode's eyebrow lifted slightly. Their lack of awe at Porunga's summoning, Aira's comparative remark about the size—little clues that hadn't escaped the perceptive elder.
He saw no reason for deception. The Namekians were beings of profound peace and wisdom. Telling them of their kin on Earth might even be a kindness.
"Yes," Rhode affirmed, meeting the Elder's gaze. "We have. On a planet called Earth."
With this thought, Rhode smiled and nodded. "Indeed, we have."
He gave a concise account of Kami—the Namekian who had become Earth's guardian, his separation from Piccolo, and his solitary vigil.
At the end, an idea struck him. He looked at the Grand Elder. "Please, wait a moment. I'll bring him here."
Before anyone could react, Rhode's mind focused. The vast, three-dimensional star map of the universe, now imprinted in his consciousness, sprang to life. He narrowed in on Universe 7, then on the specific celestial coordinates of Earth, and finally on the unique energy signature of the Lookout.
In the span of a thought, he vanished.
He reappeared on the pristine marble of the Lookout.
"Yo! Mr. Popo, hello!" Rhode greeted the ever-attentive attendant, who had sensed his arrival instantly. He then turned to Kami, who was standing at the edge, gazing down at his adopted world. "Kami, I just came from Namek. Would you like to see it?"
"Namek?" Kami turned, surprise and a deep, instinctual yearning flashing in his eyes. But his gaze drifted back to the Earth below, his duty warring with desire.
Understanding the unspoken conflict, Rhode waved a hand dismissively. "Don't worry, it'll be quick. Think of it as a holiday back home!"
"This…" Kami looked to Popo, his longtime companion and guide.
Seeing him hesitate, Rhode couldn't help but prod. "Going home for a visit doesn't stop you from being Guardian. Why overthink it?"
"Then… I leave the Lookout in your care, Mr. Popo," Kami said, his decision made, the word "home" resonating within him.
"Kami-sama, I shall await your return," Popo intoned, bowing slightly.
Whoosh!
The moment Kami gave his consent, Rhode placed a hand on his shoulder. In the next instant, both of them were gone from the Lookout.
The entire exchange had taken less than a minute.
Back on Namek, Kami's eyes went wide as he took in the Grand Elder and Nail. The familiar green skin, the antennae… a profound sense of belonging, of origin, washed over him. "Are these… my people?"
"Grand Elder," Rhode said, gesturing to Kami, "this is Kami, Guardian of Earth. He was once a Namekian." He then turned to Kami. "This is the Grand Elder of Namek. All Namekians here are his children. And this is Nail, his guardian."
"Alright, Kami, you two talk. I'll send you back when you're ready."
Leaving the emotional reunion to unfold, Rhode raised his hand. With a thought, the shimmering portal of his newly acquired Portable Time Chamber materialized in the air beside them. Without a backward glance, he stepped through.
Aira, never one to be left behind, shot a final, curious glance at the gathering Namekians before swiftly following Rhode into the dimensional gateway. The door winked shut behind them, leaving the ancient patriarch and the long-lost son to their first, hesitant words beneath Namek's gentle sun.