Divine Journey in Progress

As Ayaka finished her statement, a golden glow radiated from her injured arm, mesmerizing Mutaito. Before his astonished eyes, small, fleshy orbs began to form at the edge of the wound. The orbs writhed and stretched, gradually transforming into the shape of a new arm. A soft itching sensation coursed through Ayaka's body as the regeneration process unfolded. Within moments, a flawless, jade-like limb replaced the injury, its surface faintly shimmering with a gentle, otherworldly glow.

"Whew!" Ayaka exhaled, flexing her rejuvenated arm as if testing its strength. Beneath her serene appearance lay an immense power—a stark contrast to her delicate demeanor. Her skin, radiating vitality, disguised a strength capable of shattering mountains.

Mutaito stood frozen, his expression torn between shock and awe. "What... what kind of being are you?!" he finally managed to stammer. "You're not just strong—you're something beyond human."

Ayaka chuckled lightly, her amusement evident. "You could call me a monster if you like," she quipped, a playful glint in her eyes. "But a monster who can keep fighting without faltering is a useful one, don't you think?" Her words carried a mix of confidence and practicality, a reflection of her mastery over her extraordinary abilities.

Then, growing more serious, she handed the rice cooker containing her sealed blood to Mutaito. "This isn't just an ordinary item," she explained with a solemn tone. "Inside is a piece of me—a doppelganger created from my own soul, blood and energy. It carries enough vitality to awaken if the world ever faces a threat too great to overcome. When that time comes, open the seal and let it fight in my stead."

Mutaito accepted the rice cooker with both hands, bowing his head slightly in acknowledgment of the responsibility placed upon him. "I swear to protect this until the time comes," he vowed, his voice steady with resolve.

With Mutaito prepared to shoulder the mantle of Earth's protector, Ayaka felt a sense of peace wash over her. Her arrangements were complete. She had safeguarded Earth's future through its warriors, its guardian, and her own doppelganger. The journey had been long and arduous, but it wasn't over yet.

As Ayaka bid farewell to Mutaito and his disciples, the wind carried a sense of finality. She embarked on a solitary journey across the beautiful landscapes of ancient Earth, savoring its untouched tranquility. Weeks later, the glowing sigils of a magic array appeared beneath her feet. With a burst of light and smoke, Ayaka disappeared, her time in this era coming to an end.

Back on the Lookout, the air shimmered as Ayaka emerged from the time machine, surrounded by smoke. "Ahem, Mr. Popo, perhaps it's time for an upgrade," Ayaka quipped, fanning the haze from her face.

"You're right," Mr. Popo replied, his usual calm demeanor intact despite the chaotic scene. Kami, observing from nearby, asked with curiosity, "And what of Demon King Piccolo?"

With a calm smile, Ayaka adjusted her outfit and replied, "Consider it done. Earth is safe... for now."

Though Ayaka's mission was complete, the future remained full of challenges and uncertainties. Yet, for the first time in a long while, she felt hopeful—not just for herself but for the legacy she had helped build. In her heart, she knew that Earth's warriors, old and new, would rise to meet any threat that came their way. The story of Ayaka had only just begun, woven into the fabric of history and the promise of a resilient future.

As Kami stood before Ayaka, his weathered face radiating solemnity, he declared, "Ayaka, you have passed the test. Your destruction of Demon King Piccolo has proven your worth. I wish for you to become the next Kami of Earth."

Ayaka's brows knitted into a frown, her arms crossed as she let out a long sigh. "Kami," she began, her voice laced with an edge of defiance, "I respect your position, but becoming Kami of Earth? That's the lowest rung on the ladder of divinity! I've seen the scale of power in this universe—gods like you are far weaker than the challenges I know are out there. A Super Saiyan could crush you, and that's just scratching the surface. Why would I willingly chain myself to the weakest link in the divine hierarchy?"

Kami's expression wavered, but he held his ground. "Ayaka, I understand your reluctance. I am not blind to my limitations, nor to those of my title. But this world needs a protector—someone with the strength to face its greatest threats. You have already proven yourself to be that person."

Ayaka shook her head firmly. "I won't bind myself to the title of Kami or to the hierarchy of gods. That's not who I am, and it's not what I aspire to be. I'm aiming for something far greater than what this position offers."

Mr. Popo, ever calm and thoughtful, interjected, "Ayaka, perhaps you misunderstand. Becoming Kami need not be a lifelong entanglement. You could assume the role of a temporary guardian, wield the powers of Kami without being beholden to the celestial order."

Ayaka's expression softened slightly, though her skepticism remained. "Temporary, you say? So I take the powers but none of the strings attached?"

Kami nodded. "Precisely. I will remain here, guiding and safeguarding Earth in your absence. You will not be bound to the Lookout or the gods' hierarchy. All I ask is that when Earth's direst moments arise, you use the powers of Kami to stand as its protector."

A contemplative silence fell between them. Ayaka's gaze lingered on the horizon, her mind racing through the possibilities. She could feel the weight of Earth's fate pressing upon her shoulders, yet the idea of being trapped by the role irked her fiercely. Finally, she turned back to Kami, her voice measured. "If I agree, it's on my terms. I'll take the powers and protect Earth when absolutely necessary, but I will not confine myself to the title of Kami. My ambitions are far greater than the limits of this planet."

Kami smiled faintly, relief mingling with understanding. "That is enough. The Earth needs your strength more than it needs your name etched into the hierarchy of gods."

"Fine," Ayaka conceded, crossing her arms. "I'll accept your offer as a temporary guardian, but let's make one thing clear—I'm not anyone's subordinate. Not Earth's, not the gods', and certainly not the cosmos'. I walk my own path."

With that, Kami and Mr. Popo began the ceremonial preparations, while Ayaka stood resolute, her mind set on the vast possibilities that lay beyond the skies. Though she accepted the role begrudgingly, it was clear to everyone present that Ayaka was a force unlike any other—a guardian of Earth, yes, but one unbound by tradition and unshackled by limits. Her journey had only just begun.

Kami and Mr. Popo exchanged smiles, a flicker of hope igniting in their hearts. "It is time for you to prepare," Kami said, ushering Ayaka to cleanse herself before the ceremony.

After bathing and calming her nerves, Ayaka followed Kami deep into the Lookout to a chamber where generations of Kami rested. The air buzzed with an ethereal energy, whispers of power woven into its fabric. Standing before the spirits of past Kami, Ayaka's heart pounded.

Kami bowed low, his voice reverent. "Ancestors, I present Ayaka as the next guardian of Earth. She has come to honor you."

As Ayaka kneeled alongside him, radiant forms emerged from the stone tablets, swirling around her. Their energy seeped into her being, enveloping her in a cocoon of divine warmth. Crackling sounds echoed as her power surged to new heights, her body absorbing the legacy of countless Kami. For a moment, she felt weightless, infinite, her ki roaring like a tempest.

"Ayaka, control your power!" Kami's urgent tone pulled her back to reality. The room trembled under the force of her newfound strength, but Ayaka reined it in, bowing humbly before the spirits.

With the ceremony complete, Ayaka's transformation was evident. Her divine energy now surpassed the Kami who stood before her, her power level soaring to heights she'd never imagined. As they left the chamber, Kami turned to her with pride. "You are Earth's Kami now. In the coming days, I will teach you everything you need to know."

Ayaka nodded, exhilaration coursing through her veins. Yet her journey was far from over. The Other-World beckoned, Kami guiding her to meet King Yemma and delve into the mysteries of the beyond.

In the days that followed, Ayaka discovered the true depth of Kami's abilities. More than magic or superhuman powers, they represented a divine connection to the planet itself—a bond she now carried. With each lesson, her confidence grew, and her resolve to protect Earth and its people became unshakable.

The adventure of Ayaka, Earth's new Kami, was just beginning. Her path forward promised danger, discovery, and boundless possibilities, stretching into the farthest reaches of the universe and beyond.