Whis, who had been in a state of tension, finally began to relax. Judging from the current situation, the Seventh Universe was temporarily safe.
After saying goodbye to Chiga, Lazuli returned to her room. She still wasn't used to being around this strange group of Gods.
Vados and Marcarita sat on either side of Chiga, quietly watching him converse with Grand Zeno and the others.
Grand Zeno seemed very interested in him, doing most of the talking while the Grand Minister remained silent.
To Chiga, the supreme ruler of all Universes felt more like a curious child than an omnipotent being—especially after learning that he didn't belong to any Universe.
"Chiga, Chiga! That fruit you mentioned, the Devil Fruit—is it really that disgusting?" Grand Zeno asked with wide eyes.
Chiga gave a helpless nod.
"It's awful. Everyone who's eaten one says it tastes like feces."
"Huh? What does feces taste like?" Zeno blinked curiously.
"..."
The corner of Chiga's mouth twitched. Considering Zeno's nature, it wasn't surprising—someone who could erase universes probably didn't need to visit a toilet. He changed his explanation.
"It's a taste so terrible that you'd want to destroy the entire universe after one bite. Understand?"
Grand Zeno nodded slowly, half comprehending, then fell silent.
Taking the moment, the Grand Minister set down his cup and asked calmly, "Chiga, could you tell me about the Dragon Balls? Grand Zeno is quite interested in how you absorbed them."
"Absorbed the Dragon Balls?" Grand Zeno looked up, startled. "So that Ki came from you?"
Chiga's mind stirred. Behind him, seven Dragon Balls appeared, each wreathed in golden flames. The faint silhouette of the Super Dragon flickered in and out of view.
Every God in the room, except Vados, stared in shock. Even the Grand Minister—normally composed—showed genuine surprise.
Suddenly, Grand Zeno extended a finger toward the burning orbs. But the moment he touched them, a sizzle rang out. He yelped softly and withdrew his finger.
A small burn mark appeared on it.
Grand Zeno had been injured.
His two guards widened their eyes, their bodies flashing with silvery-white light as they entered a combat stance, glaring at Chiga.
The Grand Minister stepped forward, examining the mark on Zeno's finger. His expression darkened.
Grand Zeno—the ruler who could erase existence itself—had never been harmed before. To injure him, even slightly, was unthinkable.
The only being ever capable of such a thing had been the Dragon God Zalama.
The guards' Ki flared; they were ready to attack the moment Zeno gave the order.
The sudden tension caught the Angels off guard, but Vados and Marcarita quickly rose, their own bodies glowing with divine silver light to block the guards.
Vados spoke firmly, "Grand Zeno, Chiga had no intention of harming you. Please don't be angry."
Marcarita silently lifted her Angel's staff, eyes cold as she faced the guards.
Whis looked as though he might cry. Everything was fine just moments ago… how did it come to this?
Even Beerus, the God of Destruction, stood frozen, too frightened to move.
The Grand Minister's voice cut sharply through the tension.
"Enough. Stand down before Grand Zeno speaks!"
A surge of overwhelming Ki burst from him. Vados, Marcarita, and the guards faltered under its crushing pressure.
Chiga, standing silently, raised a hand. A burst of golden light expanded from his palm, dispelling the Ki that enveloped the Angels.
The two guards, however, continued to struggle against the weight of the Grand Minister's divine power.
It almost seemed as though he was deliberately pressing them down, ignoring their pain.
Both guards gritted their teeth, thinking bitterly, Why is he targeting us? We were just doing our duty!
Seizing the moment, Marcarita "accidentally" leaned against Chiga and whispered, "Chiga, the Grand Minister is furious. Please endure this. If a fight breaks out, Earth won't survive!"
Chiga offered her a reassuring glance. With the Dragon God's space under his control, he wasn't worried. If a battle erupted, he could instantly pull everyone inside that realm.
Still, judging by the Grand Minister's tone, he didn't intend to fight. Whether violence would erupt depended solely on Grand Zeno.
Chiga stood, walked forward, and calmly sat beside Zeno. The guards moved to stop him, but the Grand Minister's cold gaze froze them in place.
Grand Zeno remained fixated on his injured finger. Chiga waved a hand in front of his face.
"Hey, have you stared long enough? You're not going to cry over a small burn, are you?"
Zeno looked up and asked unexpectedly, "Are you really not related to Zalama?"
"Zalama? Who's that?" Chiga blinked, genuinely confused.
The Grand Minister explained, "Zalama was the Dragon God before you. He once ruled six Universes, but his ambition led him to try conquering all eighteen. In the end, Grand Zeno erased him and those six Universes entirely."
He paused, glancing at the seven flaming Dragon Balls hovering behind Chiga.
"Those orbs were created by Zalama with his divine power in his final moments. Even Grand Zeno couldn't erase his physical essence completely. Part of it remains unaccounted for."
Chiga nodded slowly. So that's why Grand Zeno was wary of me absorbing the Dragon Balls… they belonged to his old rival.
He looked again at Zeno's finger, now nearly healed.
Zeno tilted his head with a dazed, almost childlike expression, and Chiga couldn't help bu
t wonder if Zalama had hit him in the head a few too many times back in the day.
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The code will be active from that day until the end of the month.
Stay tuned