DB Multiverse

Part 4, Chapter 19.

Chapter 19

Translated by Virgilio212 & proofread by ZenBuu

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“Faster! Stop trusting your eyes, try to feel my movements!“

“Argh!”

Thorn collapsed to the ground, breathless, exhausted by his master, who was not sparing his young apprentice.

"You're progressing, that's good. But if you can't keep up with me at this speed, you won't even be able to watch a bigger fight, much less participate."

Buu smiled as he lectured his student. For an intellectual barely into adulthood, Thorn was able to follow the Djinn's advice and, overall, mastered his Ki. Within a few months, he was able to take flight and create several Kikohas.

"Okay, let's take a break," Buu said, grabbing Thorn's shoulder. "I'm starving! Let's see what we're cooking up today."

Six months have passed since Buu arrived on this world called Icarion. The locals and travelers alike initially held a fearful and suspicious attitude toward the Djinn, which they certainly recognized. Indeed, his actions of the previous year had not gone unnoticed in the various systems he visited. And the rumor that the sorcerer Babidi had decided to unleash his father's terrible creation was confirmed when they spotted Buu.

However, he wasn't the horrific destroyer of ancient myths, driven only by the desire to kill. Buu behaved like a perfect gentleman and raised his hand only once: a space thief came to plunder Icarion's library, but Buu stopped him, crushing him to the ground with a simple kick. From then on, the Djinn was viewed kindly. People sometimes saw him training in the city skies with the Thorn, and the daily spectacle was comforting.

During those six months, Buu spent most of his time lost in the countless works of this planet's monumental library. Aided by his apprentice and the sages who agreed to inform him of incomprehensible knowledge, the Djinn accumulated a vast amount of data in his mind. He was amazed at his ability to memorize every little thing without difficulty. Once he learned a fact, it was etched in his memory. The image he had of his mind, that of a titanic circular tower with empty bookshelves, was now filled with a wealth of information he could not forget.

To speed up his search, Buu practiced splitting himself into multiple parts. In combat, these pieces act instinctively and in unison. But intellectual activity required total concentration. Thus, in six months, Buu learned to control a dozen floating heads that leafed through the books beside him. But he lost control of this technique after a certain distance. If he left the city, the heads would disappear naturally.

With his other resolution in mind, Buu spent his nights pursuing intensive training. Basic exercises, mental defenses, dodging, speed—Buu spared no expense. He wanted to be unbeatable and invulnerable. He had become overconfident after his victory on Earth, thinking he had become the perfect fighter. But in resolving to become the ideal being in every way, he had forgotten this detail: he would never achieve perfection, and combat was no exception.

During his research, Buu made a solemn promise to himself: never to touch temporality. His nightmare made him realize there was no point in acting on it. Magic was already a trial in itself to discover, and he didn't want to waste time trying to understand the technology that Bulma's brilliant mind could have developed. Furthermore, it was a sign of respect for his history and the living beings who crossed his path: he considered his absorbed beings definitively dead and would not seek to see them under any circumstances. They were his, they were his jewels. Each individual he acquired was another tool on his journey to perfection and greatness. They had no reason to return, because they still existed. Within him.

With all these things to do, Buu decided to put aside his space exploration for the time being. He had so much to invest in his research that he could no longer dedicate himself to separating and mastering his divided body. After all, he had made the choice to protect himself from all dangers, and particularly magic. His training and fear led him to develop his magical powers and abilities, and he was surprised at how much he could accomplish with a little hard work. Guided by his absorbents and the books in the library, Buu was able to transform various objects and living things into whatever he wanted; he could repair a doomed building; close rifts; appease natural disasters; transmit his thoughts; alter other people's memories—among many other things. Buu was still intoxicated by this wave of abilities, and he was struggling to list everything he could do. Despite this, he was frustrated because he still didn't understand what magic was and how it worked. Knowing how to do it didn't mean mastering it. And mastery would come through understanding.

So, after six months in this world, Buu felt perfectly at ease. Even though he had only scratched the surface of this world's knowledge, he was confident about his future. No matter the surprises and the unexpected, he would be ready to face anything and crush any threat. He would be eternal. Invulnerable.

It was with these thoughts that he sailed calmly, as he now found himself with Thorn around a circular table in the cantina of the city of sages. Obsessed with these ideas and his pursuits, he barely listened to what his student was telling him.

“…hard to keep up with, master. This training is very tough, you're so fast! But I couldn't hope for a better teacher…I'm very grateful to you, master! Master?”

Surprised, Buu suddenly snapped out of his thoughts.

"Sorry, Thorn, my attention was elsewhere," he said. "You show great prowess, indeed. There's still a long way to go, but soon you should be able to protect your planet from enemies that are, shall we say... relatively strong on a universe-wide scale."

"Thank you, master!" Thorn rejoices. "Ah, if you only knew...to be able to feel useful to my people, and to be able to face monsters to defend them...that was my greatest wish. Thanks to you, it has come true!"

Thorn finished his plate with enthusiasm and noticed that Buu was completely stoic, silent. The Djinn looked like he'd been struck by lightning.

“Master? What's going on?” he worried.

“ But of course…the wishes…” Buu whispered with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

He had barely paid attention to it since he first left Earth. He set out on his space odyssey and found such incredible goals for himself that the detail seemed trivial to him. Even when he returned to see the Earthlings twelve months later, he hadn't formalized it beyond measure. He even held one in his hands, unaware of the extraordinary potential that had opened up for him.

The Dragon Balls.

This Namekian magic was capable of granting any wish, within the limits of its creator's powers.

These balls that started the Earthlings' adventure. That led them to become exceptionally powerful. That brought them to him.

He absolutely had to get his hands on this magic. Thanks to it, he would understand the nature of this mystical art. He couldn't miss this opportunity. And besides…balls that summon a wish-granting dragon…is there anything more insane and incredible than that?

Buu stood up abruptly, shaking the table and splashing food all over the diners. Although he was accustomed to Buu's habit of reacting this way to certain thoughts of his own, Thorn couldn't help but feel worried.

"What's your problem, master?" he demanded.

"I think I should be gone for a few days," the Djinn replied with a wide smile. "Don't worry, I'll be back. If I'm right, you'll be able to see me all the time, even if I'm not actually here! While I'm away, keep up your exercises!"

With these mysterious words, Buu suddenly disappeared, leaving Thorn confused and staring at his master's now-vacant seat. What did he mean by that?

The next moment, Buu reappeared in the Namekians' new world. Aided by the memories of Son Goku, who had come to retrieve Dende, and through the power of the Kibitoshin, he was easily able to trace the trail of this peaceful world. It took Master Kai's help for the Saiyan to locate the Namekians at the time. Buu congratulated himself on having such a practical power, capable of going anywhere without a hitch, as long as he knew the location of each world. He felt a sense of nostalgia as he remembered Master Kai, who was surely wandering and meditating in the other world. He would visit him any day.

Buu looked around and smiled at the familiar landscape. He had teleported near the village of Muri, the Namekian Chieftain. He didn't want to waste time collecting the Dragon Balls. This magic had originally originated with these people, and he couldn't imagine returning to Earth to summon Porunga's pale counterpart. The Earthlings could keep their Dragon Balls; after all, they couldn't threaten him. Not to mention, one of them was probably floating on the other side of the universe.

As he walked forward, Buu reflected on his three goals, corresponding to the dragon's three wishes: to understand magic; to determine the nature of the Dragon Balls; and to learn how to separate himself into several independent yet connected parts, and at a disproportionate distance. He knew he would get there with practice, but if one wish could resolve these points quickly, he could cover the universe in just a few months!

He entered the village, catching the eyes of the villagers going about their daily business. The Namekians were frightened at the sight of him, but they didn't flee.

Buu arrived at the center of the village, where he quickly met Muri, both were observed by the Namekians who had formed a circle around them.

"Hehe, looks like I'm not scaring them, what a pleasant surprise," Buu said delightedly. "I assume you know who I am?"

"Certainly," Muri replied, frowning. "We know you, Buu. Dende contacted us and explained what happened on Earth, and what happened to you. We didn't sense any hostility from you; I don't think you came to chase us. What do you want?"

"Hin," the Djinn rejoiced, crossing his arms. "It's true, I don't intend to hurt you. That would greatly displease the Earth god. But it all depends on you. I'd like to gather the Dragon Balls and summon Porunga."

"What?" asked the dean of the Namekians. "I expected you to ask me for advice, but certainly not. Your powers far exceed what Porunga, the god of dreams, is capable of! Why do you seek them?"

"I don't intend to wish for anything boring like immortality," Buu replied, smiling. "What I wish for isn't really your concern. However, to put your mind at ease, I want to explain: I want to understand how the Dragon Balls work. What the dragon is, how it grants wishes. It's a mystery I intend to solve completely."

The Namekians whispered among themselves, while the dean stared at Buu, intent on probing his words. He certainly didn't sense any negative thoughts from the Djinn, much less any sign of threat. Buu introduced himself to them humbly and harbored no diabolical ambitions.

"...we know what you did during your travels, Buu," he said finally. "You killed many people, absorbed many innocents. However, you are not a purely evil being. Your actions have proven that you know how to be good and courageous. Bringing the Earthlings back to life and protecting Dende and the others are proof of your good faith."

"I thank you, Dean," Buu bowed. "So, will you give me the Dragon Balls?"

"I can't give them to you so easily," the Muri replied with a small smile. "We will give them to you if you can pass the tests the village chiefs will put you through, which I allow you to participate in. It is up to them to judge whether you are worthy of receiving them."

"It seems I've heard of this, indeed," Buu recalled Son Gohan's memories. "Each of them must evaluate the wisdom and strength of whoever presents themselves and discuss the merits of any wishes they wish to request. Whoever is deemed worthy and honorable will be entitled to receive the Dragon Balls. Is that so?"

"Absolutely. If you want them, it's up to you to prove yourself. We have one in this village. But I suggest you start with another. I'll be able to judge your character for myself. You should be aware of this, but let me remind you: no sign of violence will be tolerated. Act rashly, and the Dragon Balls will be permanently out of your reach."

Buu chuckled inwardly, thinking they couldn't stop him. If he wanted to make his wishes, he could do so without asking. With Piccolo, he could speak Namekian without any difficulty. But he was guided by a pacifist will, and he wanted to acquire these balls within the rules. Besides, he found it amusing to undergo these tests. Who knows, maybe he would learn more about himself!

"Understood, Dean," Buu said. "I, Buu, stand before you today to overcome your challenges and obtain the Dragon Balls!"

An hour later, Buu had already visited two Namekian villages and successfully passed his tests.

The Namekians were telepathically warned of Buu's arrival in every village that had a Dragon Ball. None of them refused the Djinn's presence, which was accepted by Muri, their great leader. If he acknowledged their participation, then they had no reason to harbor hostility toward him.

Inspired by ancient traditions inherited from their culture over the last millennium, customs that had been lost over the centuries, the Namekians were unaware of its deeper meaning: to obtain this artifact, applicants must demonstrate self-control and humility, as well as sincere intentions in their actions and thoughts. The goal was not necessarily to win every event, but to demonstrate pure qualities recognized by the Namekian leaders.

The first test focused on soil cultivation and the importance of cherishing the land that welcomed living beings, regardless of the world. Drawing on his experiences on Earth and the sand world, Buu used his knowledge to advise the village on cultivating their crops and providing arable land. Familiar with the Namekian way of life, Buu offered no technological support and demonstrated wisdom through his experience and words. The chief of the first village was delighted with this courtesy and awarded Buu the three-star Dragon Ball.

In the second village, Buu had to solve a series of puzzles spelled out in maxims that were essentially meaningless to most people. But Buu, who had benefited from the wise counsel of Master Roshi and Dende, and possessed very wise minds within himself, managed to grasp the philosophical observations addressed to him in order to present an argument intended to defend the actions he had performed throughout his existence.

Moved by the Djinn's oratorical talent, the test concluded with a duet performed by the village chief, a great music lover, who wanted to hear what Buu had learned during his odyssey. After hearing the atypical Namekian instrument, the Djinn knew which instrument to choose to accompany his green-skinned companion, and sang an aubade that enchanted the hearts of the villagers.

Satisfied, the chief offered the suitor the six-star Dragon Ball. Buu joyfully arrived at the next village, eager to undergo another ordeal. So far, he had faced surprisingly enjoyable exercises, demonstrating great wisdom and peace of mind on the part of the Namekian people. These weren't insurmountable trials that he had to struggle through to win his prize. He didn't even want to win every event like that!

He simply had to answer honestly and naturally, show humility, and gain the recognition of every leader who deemed him worthy of receiving their people's treasure. Buu enjoyed this interlude without violence or danger. He had already obtained two Dragon Balls, which he telecined with him. He had no doubt he would easily defeat the others.

The chief of the third village greeted Buu with friendliness, and the Djinn was quickly surrounded by Namekian children who exclaimed in surprise at this newcomer. To gauge their reaction, the chief asked these young Namekians to give Buu an innocent and overly jovial welcome. He knew the Djinn was dangerous, but the Muri had assured all the villagers that Buu would submit to the trials with the promise that he would not give in to any outbursts of anger. The goal was to probe Buu's heart and see if he could be touched by such innocence. Having heard of his space adventures, they knew he was capable of empathy, and so they wanted to test the change in his evil nature for themselves.

The Namekians and the chief of the third village were not disappointed. Not only was Buu not fazed by this unexpected approach, to say the least, but he also responded to the children with a smile more jovial than theirs, sitting in the center of the group to tell them what he was doing there and answering all their questions. There was no animosity in the Djinn, only pure joy. The Namekian leader probed Buu's mind, who exposed his thoughts with open hearts, and he sensed an unknown influence guiding the Djinn's actions and intentions. Could these famous beings have been imprisoned by this ancient creature? Was Buu capable of empathy for himself, or was he doing so solely through the feelings of the kind souls sealed within him?

The Namekian chief quickly dispelled his doubts and accepted the Djinn for the third trial. He asked Buu to stand by a lake and placed a small, fragile figurine on a fragile raft. For this trial, Buu would have to transport the raft across the lake in a movement of his choosing, without breaking the small boat or the figurine. He knew Buu's extraordinary strength and wanted to see if he could control himself and display some finesse.

Buu smiled and closed his eyes, surrendering to a peace undisturbed by his mind. He recalled everything he identified as compassion and calm, and let out a soft sigh, its breath caressing the raft's sail. But though light and powerless, this breath lasted a long time. Long enough to accompany the fragile skiff to its destination. The statuette swayed a little, but didn't fall, and it didn't show the slightest crack.

Satisfied, the village chief gladly awarded him the five-star Dragon Ball. With a light heart, Buu traveled to the fourth village. As he flew silently toward it, the Djinn couldn't help but feel a sense of serenity: he had a good student, innocent and enthusiastic; he knew what he wanted, and the future promised great things; the Namekians recognized his qualities and wisdom, and confirmed his worthiness for existence.

He had the right to live like everyone else, and he wasn't a monster! If he wasn't one in the eyes of the wisest and most peaceful people in the galaxy...it meant he was finally getting the recognition he so desperately craved. What could go wrong?