Turtle Hermit Ascent! Meet Kamesennin! [Flashback]

The Earthling Saiyan felt the cold air in the Eastern Lands all over his skin, but it didn’t give him much of a shudder as he walked through the colorful lands. They were one of the best places on Earth if one were to look around and see what else they could find and it wasn’t much; Cornatto himself had been nearly everywhere on Earth and not recently but ever since he was a kid. He still remembered the times where he spent a little time in the North with a friend that had decided to let him in for a while before he left to move on.

“Man, those were some good times… I wonder how they’re doing,” - he thought to himself, but he could tell pretty much they were either off somewhere either off-world or on the planet or only Kami-sama could know considering he had met about no one ever during his journey on Earth. It was a little bit saddening, to be honest. Cornatto knew lots of people he respected back in his days on Earth, and yet, it looked like everyone had vanished. He guessed that he couldn’t help it, after all, he wasn’t that much acquainted with his old comrades of the Alliance anymore. It had been a while, but he recalled that he had met a kid that had heard or seen him in some hall back on Planet Natto.

The Kamesennin used to be the Major of the Saiyan Alliance, one of the most high-ranking positions in its military system, so it was no surprise that they probably knew the slightest things about him; possibly about his efforts in the war and the fact that he had left the planet. On the other hand, now, he was simply a Saiyan-- regarding blood but an Earthling to the heart. He was also technically supposed to be the Turtle Hermit, but he didn’t usually take titles and ranks way too seriously, although he recognized himself as a real martial artist.

What was a martial artist without confidence, after all? Pretty much nothing! Speaking of which, he had just realized that it had been a while ever since he met with Galen and last time. He had told him a few things about the new Kami; he didn’t exactly recall the details other than the fact that it was supposed to be a Namekian and better than the previous one. Anything else? Not really! But he guessed he ought to meet him since Corn had been living here for a while, Corn did recall meeting that old Kami-- the blonde one, but he didn’t remember much about that; it wasn’t important probably.

He didn’t hold a grudge against her, but he didn’t remember ever interacting that much with the Guardian of this planet, she was probably bored or something, else he’d likely remember if he had fought her or stuff like that. He did know that there had been problems when the Alliance was located here, and most of them hated her, but Cornatto didn’t care too much about that. The Alliance was still quite a success after all, so, it didn’t trouble him at all.

“I’m curious now! Let’s go meet this new Kami-sama!”

The man took off the ground and flew at high speed out of the lands as he was flying freely through the skies of the blue marble. All of this was happening right before a time where an enormous change would take place, for Cornatto and probably many others, but as of the moment, it was peaceful, and there was nothing to worry about-- not at the moment, at least.

It didn’t take a while for him to reach the Lookout as he could see its majestic design and structure placed above the planet. The Tower where Galen resided was supposed to be the one beneath the Lookout, no wonder Galen knew the Guardian of Earth in that case. The Earthling Saiyan immediately noticed someone; he didn’t look anything like a Namekian, although he was pretty strong! As soon as he got close enough, he caught a glimpse of a tail. A Saiyan? He didn’t know there’d be Saiyans as strong as that one on Earth-- not to mention he wore earthling attire, too!

“Yo!”

Cornatto landed on the Lookout and raised a hand in greeting. “I am Cornatto! Nice to meetcha. Hey, would you know where Kami-sama is?”

Cornatto looked at the silver-haired Saiyan thoroughly, but he couldn’t quite figure out who he was supposed to be; Corn guessed that if Jie was here, either he was looking for something himself, or perhaps he had something to do with Kami-sama. He wouldn’t be surprised; he knew that more than a few knew of this place, although it had never been a place of his interest. On the other hand, he found it to be a little plain, but he guessed it was neat. He still preferred the Kame House over it, though, it was just cozy enough, and there was enough space to train if you counted the dojo at a small island located nearby.

The Earthling Saiyan was pretty sure he would have recognized someone with his power level, but his hair aside, he looked relatively young, and he guessed that he was probably half his age or even less. No surprise, though, Corn didn’t have much to do with fellow Saiyans for a bit of while ever since he had left the Alliance. Still, he had to say, that it was quite impressive how strong younglings were nowadays. He had already met Komatsu, and he remembered that he was quite weak when the boy was a kid-- but he had some monstrous power when he met him some time ago.

“Oh, right! Silver hair… He must only be half-Saiyan then!”

He smirked. Cornatto was quite fond of hybrids most of the time; some of them were incredibly strong! He remembered a red-haired that usually dressed in a shiny, pink jacket, he considered him to be pretty strong back in the days, but he had probably outshined him for a while regarding power. Though, he had to say; this guy reminded him of that guy. Oh well, they both had a jacket.

The Earthling Saiyan folded his arms over his chest as he focused his gaze on the silver-haired hybrid. He seemed friendly enough as he greeted him and also welcomed him to the Lookout before he introduced himself as the Guardian of Earth and ‘Lan Dian.' Cornatto blinked and tilted his head slightly. “Kami-sama? Huh.”

The man circled him curiously before he let out a chuckle. “A Saiyan Kami-sama? Man, that is new! Haha, the old Kami-sama would have a blast! She didn’t like Saiyans that much, and a matter of fact is that she kicked us all out of here, and we had to find a new place,” - he said, forming a smile over his face as he placed his hands on his hips. “My friend Galen told me there was a new Kami, but I thought he was a Namekian, but hey, you look good too! One thing, though, you said Lan Dian, right? That sounds familiar!”

The Turtle Hermit tapped his chin in curiosity for one moment before he just shrugged it off. “But yeah! Nice to meetcha, Kami-sama! As I said, my friend hinted about a new Guardian, so I thought I’d come here and check it out.”

The Earthling Saiyan was genuinely surprised to hear that a Saiyan was the new Guardian of Earth; it wasn’t a position that he considered fitting for one of the plenty monkey men that were only interested into battle. True, perhaps it could work if one had a proper sense of justice, but it felt surreal for someone as old and knowledgeable as Cornatto when it came to his ears that the new Kami-sama was a Saiyan. It was a hybrid, though, so maybe he could be a little tad different; depending on the other species, hybrids were usually less or more interested in combat than pure-blooded Saiyan. In most cases, in case they were a hybridization with the human species, they would often have other interests other than fighting if not, none at all. Although he knew some half-Saiyans, who were more terrible than pure ones, such as Karota, for example.

Jie didn’t seem the kind of person to be way too high on Saiyan spirit, he looked rather calm and composed for a Saiyan, to be fair. Although his tail said more than enough for Cornatto to know that he was indeed at least half-Saiyan, his hair didn’t exactly say much on his other part as he could have been anything, but he guessed that it didn’t matter. The Earthling Saiyan was glad that at least the Earth seemed to be in safe hands.

“Yeah, Galen!” - he replied as he placed both his hands on his hips. “He’s a friend of mine and also a student. I have trained him in the Turtle School, his training is not completed just yet, but he’s amazing.”

The Earthling Saiyan quirked an eyebrow and smiled innocently as Kami-sama bowed to him and let out a faint chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck over and over. “Don’t worry with the formalities, Kami-sama! We’re just friends and all, but it’s been a while ever since I have come here, on the Lookout. Maybe about… twenty years or something like that. I don’t remember right now; the Kami-sama used to be a girl. She didn’t like Saiyans that much, that’s why I was surprised.”

The other man quickly decided to give it a shot and check whether Cornatto had any past with the alliance or not, because Corn did indeed remember something similar to ‘Lan Dian.' After all, the Turtle Hermit was one of the first to join the Alliance himself, but he didn’t know anything about Jie-- anything or anyone after the war between the Alliance and Empire was almost unknown to him aside from a few things he heard lately.

“Well yeah, it does!”

Cornatto’s reply was soon followed by an explanation as to how Jie Shan had been a part of the Alliance and the Kamesennin had already realized that when he had seen how composed Jie was. It was true that the Alliance was still made of Saiyans, but a majority of the ‘good’ ones was probably within the Alliance rather than the Empire. Or well, unless Jie had been an Earthling such as Corn himself.

“So, Nasu has also been an Overseer for a time, huh? I guess it’s only fair, he is his father’s son after all, but uhh, I am not surprised there was this bloody business you speak of-- if Nasu hadn't changed at all from when he was a child. I doubt he’s as kind as his father, but I am sure he isn’t a fool either. Tell me, Kami-sama, what’s this whole ‘bloody business’ about?”

Before long, Jie Shan revealed the identity of his father and Cornatto quickly recognized him; he was from the Lan Dian family then! He didn’t know just how but apparently that old guy, Gai Lan Dian had managed to have a family-- he didn’t seem like quite the type, but he guessed that it was all right news. Although he didn’t recall him having a child, he supposed it happened somewhere around his leave of absence from Alliance and resulted in him not knowing a handful of things.

Cornatto squealed faintly in surprise for a brief moment, taken aback before he quickly smirked and giggled to himself. “Haha! Gai, huh? Man, that guy was kinda boring! But well, it’s cool to see that he’s got such a strong kid. You see, yeah, I am also an old timer Saiyan more or less. I was one of the first Saiyans who joined the Alliance with Natto, but I left after the war. Though, hey, to know that there were still so many powerful warriors with the Alliance! Here I thought Komatsu was only one of the few left,” - he said before his gaze fixated on him shortly and chuckled. “You don’t look that much of a Saiyan either! Aside from the tail.”

The Earthling Saiyan also proceeded to pat his top gi, evidently as if he was introducing himself again but in particular, he had let his palm land over the symbol of his uniform; the Turtle School symbol. “I used to be the Major of the Alliance, but now I am also known as the Turtle Hermit; Master of the Turtle School! It’s somewhat weird, you know, haha! As much as I’ve dealt with titles like these for a while, they are just so awkward. So, just call me Cornatto or Corn, okay?”

Shortly after, the Kamesennin was once more about to speak, but before that, his eyes quickly shifted trajectory as he turned his gaze as fast as it could get and sensed not only a strange energy but also someone approaching. He couldn’t quite figure out whose evil energy that was, but it wasn’t even that strong but still something he had taken note of-- and, the other power seemed to be Cervez’s; an old friend of Cornatto’s. He had probably sensed Cornatto all the way out there, or perhaps did it have something to do with their previous encounter-- or the evil energy itself?

“Hey, I’m gonna go check something out real quick. I’ll be right back!”

The man took off the floor and flew at high speed towards Cervez’s energy.

It was only moments later that the two would have found themselves to spend a whole year, training together.