The Great Desert Road was nearing completion.
Liyue continued to expand.
The academy had become famous among nearby settlements.
More Geo Visions had appeared.
And Isobu had become so accustomed to the city that children no longer screamed whenever his head appeared above the lake.
Everything seemed peaceful.
Until one afternoon—
BOOOOOOM!
The ground shook.
Birds scattered from the trees.
Workers stopped what they were doing.
Noel looked up from his paperwork.
“…That wasn’t me.”
Aran rushed into the room.
“Lord Noel!”
“I felt it.”
“Something enormous is approaching from the south.”
Noel stood.
“Another Tailed Beast?”
Aran stared.
“You knew?”
Noel sighed.
“Let’s just say my family has become interested in Liyue.”
A Familiar Voice
The Tailed Beast connection activated.
Shukaku.
Noel recognized the voice immediately.
Son Gokū.
A deep laugh echoed through his mind.
So this is your famous city.
Noel looked toward the southern horizon.
“You could have sent a message.”
Where’s the fun in that?
Noel sighed.
“Of course.”
Isobu joined the conversation.
He’s already here.
Son Gokū laughed.
I wanted to see what Shukaku had created.
Noel shook his head.
“Come through the gate.”
There was silence.
Gate?
“Yes.”
I’m enormous.
“I know.”
The gate is not going to fit me.
Noel paused.
“…Fair point.”
The Four-Tailed Visitor
The southern horizon suddenly turned red.
A massive figure emerged from the desert.
Four enormous tails moved behind him.
His body resembled a gigantic ape covered in reddish fur.
The citizens froze.
Some reached for weapons.
Others simply stared.
Noel walked forward.
“Everyone, calm down.”
The creature stopped outside the city.
Son Gokū looked down at Noel.
Then his eyes widened.
…You’re doing that again.
Noel looked at himself.
He was in his human Morax form.
“Doing what?”
Looking like a human.
Noel smiled.
“It’s convenient.”
Son Gokū stared.
You really expect me to believe this is a jutsu?
Noel paused.
“…Yes.”
Isobu’s voice entered the conversation.
It’s not a jutsu.
Noel immediately looked toward the lake. Visit g.com for the full chapter.
“Traitor.”
Isobu laughed.
Son Gokū’s expression became suspicious.
Then what is it?
Noel smiled.
“Long story.”
Son Gokū narrowed his eyes.
You have become very mysterious.
“I’ve been called worse.”
Entering Liyue
Son Gokū couldn’t enter through the city gate.
So Noel created a massive temporary opening in the outer wall.
The citizens watched nervously as the Four-Tails entered.
The ground shook with every step.
THOOM.
THOOM.
THOOM.
Son Gokū looked around.
Stone buildings.
Markets.
Farms.
Academy towers.
The golden statue.
And Isobu’s enormous lake.
He was quiet.
Finally, he spoke.
You really built all this.
Noel smiled.
“Yes.”
Son Gokū looked toward the academy.
What’s that?
“A school.”
Humans study there?
“Yes.”
Why?
“To understand the world.”
Son Gokū looked intrigued.
Interesting.
A Different Kind of Power
Noel took Son Gokū to the academy.
The students immediately became distracted.
A giant Tailed Beast standing outside their school was difficult to ignore.
One student whispered:
“Is that the Four-Tails?”
Another immediately started taking notes.
Son Gokū noticed.
What are they doing?
Noel answered:
“Studying you.”
Son Gokū’s ears twitched.
Studying me?
A student nervously approached.
“May I ask you some questions?”
Son Gokū stared at the child.
The student swallowed.
“What are you made of?”
Son Gokū looked confused.
“How does your chakra work?”
Son Gokū’s expression became even more confused.
“How old are you?”
Son Gokū finally laughed.
Hahaha!
Humans really are strange!
The student smiled.
“Does that mean yes?”
Son Gokū leaned down.
Ask.
The student immediately opened his notebook.
Noel smiled.
The academy had just gained its most unusual guest lecturer.
Son Gokū’s Discovery
Hours later, Son Gokū left the academy.
Your humans aren’t weak.
Noel raised an eyebrow.
“Didn’t say they were.”
They build things.
“Yes.”
They study.
“Yes.”
They ask questions.
“That’s usually how learning works.”
Son Gokū looked at the city.
And you gave them a place to do all of it.
Noel nodded.
Son Gokū became quiet.
Then he asked:
Why?
Noel looked toward Liyue.
“Because I wanted them to have a future.”
Son Gokū stared at him.
For once, he didn’t joke.
You really care about them.
Noel smiled.
“They’re my people.”
The Invitation
As evening approached, Son Gokū prepared to leave.
Noel stopped him.
“You can stay if you want.”
Son Gokū looked back.
Like Isobu?
“Exactly.”
Son Gokū glanced toward the city.
The people.
The academy.
The roads.
The enormous lake where Isobu lived.
He smiled.
I’ll think about it.
Noel nodded.
“That’s enough.”
Son Gokū turned toward the desert.
Then stopped.
Shukaku.
“Hm?”
Your city is interesting.
Noel smiled.
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Son Gokū laughed.
Don’t get too proud.
He disappeared into the desert.
That night, Noel stood beside the golden statue.
Isobu approached from the lake.
You invited him to stay.
“Yes.”
Do you think he will?
Noel looked toward the horizon.
“I don’t know.”
The system appeared.
[Tailed Beast diplomatic relationship improved.]
[Son Gokū’s attitude toward Liyue: Positive.]
[Potential Guardian Beast candidate detected.]
Noel stared at the final notification.
“…Candidate?”
Isobu chuckled.
Your collection is growing.
Noel looked at him.
“Don’t call it a collection.”
Then what do you call it?
Noel thought for a moment.
“…Family.”
Isobu smiled.
And far away in the desert, Son Gokū looked back toward the distant golden glow of Liyue.
For the first time…
He wondered what it would be like to have a home there.
To be continued…