44 Chapter 44: The Watcher (II)

Last of the world-building chapters for now. Baki POV returns next.

I was thinking of doing a Wakanda scene, but it might be too early, considering the land of Dragon Ball is only beginning to open up to the rest of the world.

As always, don't forget to drop some power stones, leave a comment, a review and add to your collection if you enjoy the story!

[Fern is intensely staring at you.]

*****

After a few moments of conversation shared between Goku, Yajirobe and Korin, Korin's figure could now be seen propped against one of the edges of the tower, observing the quickly retreating Goku, who started to soar higher and higher into the tower. Goku couldn't fly yet, so he ascended the tower with his bare hands, almost acting as if he was an actual monkey.

Korin couldn't help but turn toward a specific direction toward the west of his home again, the same direction where he felt that sudden outburst of ki.

"It's a big world out there, Yajirobe. Much bigger than you know.", Korin said. Yajirobe walked up beside Korin, and proceeded to look out at the endless rolling clouds.

"Is it about that ki you sensed earlier, Sensei?", Yajirobe asked, seeing the seriousness in his eyes.

"Yeah. How fluent are you in the workings of the world, Yajirobe?", Korin decided to ask him, turning his head this way.

"Not much I'm afraid. Just that this land was terrorized by that demon king until Goku-kun defeated him.", Yajirobe said, scratching his head.

"Haha, that sounds about right. Even that large corporation is already starting to reach out to lands that are beyond a person's reach here. We aren't alone. The ki that I felt came from a land mass that is outside of this land beneath us, to the west, to be specific. In a place named Japan.", Korin mused, rubbing his fur as he explained the situation to Yajirobe.

"Japan?", Yajirobe wondered, not familiar with that name of the place.

"I'm sure before long, there may be more people like Goku-kun sprouting up. Come, this is enough to hold a discussion with Kami-sama. I'll guide you.", Korin suddenly said, causing Yajirobe to blink his eyes at him.

"Ehh? You aren't referring to the one who watches over The Lookout, are you? The master of the person who is currently training Goku-kun?", Yajirobe exclaimed in surprise.

"The very same. You are technically my disciple now, so it was time to greet Kami-sama one way or another. Don't sell yourself, Yajirobe. You may look like this, but if you strive and train yourself, you could end up like Goku-kun.", Korin replied with a playful grin over his whiskers.

"Now what's that supposed to mean?", Yajirobe sneered, wondering if Korin targeted him specifically after he said that.

"Don't take it personally. Have I shown you the Nimbus room yet?", Korin asked.

"The Nimbus room? Ain't that the golden cloud-like thing Goku-kun likes to ride on?", Yajirobe's eyes lit up.

"The very same. Come.", Korin said, urging Yajirobe to follow him. Before long, the two vanished from sight, heading deeper inside Korin's place.

(A/N: Thoughts on Baki receiving a Nimbus Cloud that could eventually get upgraded for intergalactic travel? Both the cloud and Baki would require several upgrades first, just want your guys' initial thoughts)

With Korin and Yajirobe now out of sight after a few moments have passed, still in the vicinity of Korin's place, the air outside of it began to distort. Yet this distortion didn't phase reality at all, it just manifested, revealing an illusory-like figure. This was the same figure who appeared over Tokyo, Japan not too long ago, and the one striking point about this figure was his very large, bald head.

"Fascinating. To think there was such a land here that hasn't made an appearance in any other history...", The giant head said. It was indeed the Watcher who had come to observe this land for a brief period of time.

"More people I don't know, nor have I not seen. They appear to be humans, but not of what a normal human should look like. Is it the result of genetic experimentation over time, or perhaps something else entirely?", The Watcher said, only to land his eyes on the tiny figure further up above. He even saw the tail attached to Goku's body. Yet before The Watcher could do anything, he felt something latch onto him, a feeling he wasn't expecting.

This sensation the Watcher was currently feeling immediately caused his gaze to change from the tower, all the way to the top.

He sensed a pair of eyes. Something that shouldn't be possible, yet it was happening before him.

"You...can see me?", The Watcher uttered, letting his eyes gaze upon a green-skinned figure who appeared very aged. His eyes were clear and showed depth, showing signs of his age. He, unlike the other humans, did not appear human. He was far from one. A race known as Namekians, who came from the cosmos.

This particular Namekian fled to Planet Earth, settling down here on The Lookout, and rose up to the rank of Kami. Through that act, he received divine energy like other gods did, despite how little it was. Still, it was enough for the Namekian to crack a smile.

"Greetings, wanderer. Would you be up for a chat?", Kami questioned the Watcher, causing the large head to stare at him. Kami cracked a smile as he asked that, wondering who the large person was before him. He was dressed weirdly too, and didn't seem to belong here.

"So you really can see me...", The Watcher uttered again, marveling at the sight of the green-skinned old figure before him. He currently had a large wooden cane in one of his hands.

"Care to make that a third person, and perhaps over a cup of tea?", A third, female-sounding voice suddenly called out to the Watcher and Kami, causing their eyes to wander to the skies near where the giant head stood floating in-between reality and the present realm.

It didn't take long for another illusory figure to emerge, also sporting a bald head. This person of the three seemed much more human, and was a woman at that. Despite being a woman, she was bald, and was wearing very ancient-like robes, covering most of her body. Seeing this woman arrive caused the Watcher to change his gaze to her.

"And you must be the sudden cause as to why I can't peer into the future anymore.", The woman said, taking a moment to observe a similar illusory figure that was akin to hers. Though the method to do so was different. This woman was currently using what's called Astral Projection, while the Watcher just had the natural ability to bend himself in-between realities.

It still pondered the question as to why Kami was relevant to all of this, even going as far as being able to see these two people before him. It didn't take long to register who it was that came before the Watcher, as he had witnessed many things in the MCU-verse happen.

"Oh I see. You must be the current keeper of the time stone in this reality. Is the flow of chaotic energy preventing you from peering into it too?", The Watcher asked, musing to the woman's words before him.

"That's the short answer, yes. You don't appear to belong to the forces of darkness either, stranger. You seem civil enough to hold a conversation. I am a bit curious about you though.", The woman said, shifting her eyes toward the Namekian.

"You aren't from around here, but you also act as if you're part of this land yourself. I've been monitoring it for quite some time, but it would seem it is finally opening up to the rest of the humans. What do they call you?", The woman asked the Namekian.

"Oh, I have lived far too long that I didn't need a name. It has been tossed aside since I came to this place. My strength may not be much, but people come to revere me as Kami, so if you really want to address me by name, please call me Kami, fellow wanderers.", Kami replied with a polite tone to the large head and the bald woman that were currently being projected before him. He also sensed movement from down below, and likely figured Korin was on his way to speak to him, but he figured to take the time to converse with these two first.

It would seem something has happened to the two before him, and it's not like he was left out in the strange happenings currently taking place.

"Kami, is it? It is very nice to meet you. You can call me the Ancient One, as this wanderer has said, I protect our current reality, or at least try to maintain it. It would seem it is time this land is opening up to the rest of the planet to explore. To be honest, I'm a little fearful of the matter.", The Ancient One said, introducing herself to the Namekian.

"Is it because you can't perceive that flow of the future?", Kami mused, hearing the woman speak before him.

"Partially. But talking about this here takes excruciating effort on my behalf. I imagine it's taking a walk in the park for you though, wanderer.", The Ancient One retorted, seeing the large head before her.

"To make it up in coming here, I can but with a wave of my hand take us to where you want to go?", The Watcher asked the two.

"I don't mind, but I will say one thing first. My domain has vastly expanded. The source of my power not only stretched to this land you see beneath, but to the rest of this planet, and I must say, it is quite gigantic. I didn't know there would be so many unaccounted humans.", Kami mused, drawing the two's interest. "I'm guessing this erratic behavior is a result of whatever you two are experiencing?", Kami wondered.

"Fascinating. So the flow of chaotic energy is affecting this area too, and yourself by the looks of it. I am simply called the Watcher. I see all, and observe all. If you have time, let us make our way to a more appropriate place to hold a discussion.", The Watcher said, introducing himself as well to the two.

"By all means.", The Ancient One responded, nodding her head. Kami also nodded his head as well.

With a wave of his hand, The Watcher bended reality, causing the Ancient One's and Kami's figure to distort and vanish along with him. Both raised their eyebrows seeing such a clean and sudden transition, warping reality to the Watcher's needs, but it's not like they could do anything against him. It was good the Watcher wasn't hostile like the Ancient One pointed out

Yet that action alone caused an oblivious Mr. Popo to become alone, waiting for Goku to arrive back atop The Lookout, with Korin on his way as well. Due to Goku not being able to properly utilize ki control nor having divine energy inside his body, he was also oblivious to the scene that happened before him.

The three vanished just like that, returning the surrounding atmosphere to normal.