Chronoa watched from the side, completely dumbstruck.
J-Just like that… he fooled Lord Zeno?
This guy Levos really wasn't normal.
"Alright, let's move out!"
Everyone returned to Conton City.
The city, which had suffered some damage from the earlier war, was restored to pristine condition with a casual wave of Levos's hand.
When the Time Patrol warriors saw everyone return safely, they finally released the breath they'd been holding.
Future Gohan Xeno and Time Patroller Gogeta immediately crowded in.
"Thank goodness, Mr. Levos, you're alright!"
"Was that monster dealt with?"
"Lady Chronoa, I knew Mr. Levos would bring you back!"
"…Monaka fought too?" Time Patroller Goku asked, confused.
Chronoa smoothly changed the subject, smiling and nodding to everyone in greeting. Then she turned to Levos, her expression solemn and sincere.
"Levos, this time… it really was thanks to you. If not for you, I'm afraid all timelines would've fallen into irreversible catastrophe." She looked him straight in the eyes. "On behalf of every member of the Time Patrol, I offer you our most heartfelt gratitude."
Under the gaze of the crowd, Levos accepted the thanks calmly.
"The gates of Conton City will always be open to you," Chronoa continued. "You are the Time Nest's most honored guest, and you have the right to enter and leave at any time."
Even though they'd expected something like this, the Time Patrollers still looked a little shaken.
That kind of honor had never been granted to anyone. Their respect for Levos deepened instantly.
Time Patroller Vegeta kept a stiff face. "When Trunks told your story, I doubted it. Now I understand. Levos… take good care of that universe."
Levos smiled and nodded.
At the same time, he understood what kind of promise Chronoa had just made.
The Time Nest was the central hub of all timelines. Its importance went without saying.
To come and go freely meant Levos could use it to reach any known timeline in an instant.
"Oh, right." Chronoa's eyes twinkled. "There's a small room inside the Temple of Time. The time flow inside is different from the outside, and it contains different environments and terrains. You can enter anytime to train."
"The Hyperbolic Time Chamber?" Levos's curiosity lit up immediately. "What's the time ratio inside? Any restrictions?"
"Interesting name." Chronoa smiled. "I call it the Time Chamber. The time flow can be adjusted freely. Faster or slower depends on how much Time Power you invest. As for restrictions… basically none. Just remember to bring enough food before you go in."
Adjustable time flow, with almost no restrictions…
If Levos weren't in such a hurry to return to Earth, he would've gone in to test it himself.
"What a shame… guess I'll have to check it out next time."
"Actually…" Chronoa reminded him, "your Cell Max clones are perfect for training in that room."
The Time Chamber had originally been Chronoa's private space. She'd spent countless hours there, even furnishing it until it felt comfortable and livable.
But to repay Levos and to keep a super powerhouse stationed in the Time Nest she offered it anyway.
Levos thought seriously for a moment.
Leaving a clone here to train on autopilot was genuinely a great choice.
And he had already mastered a technique that split Cell Max into three using Time Power. His training efficiency would become terrifying.
Ever since the Grand Priest revealed part of the universe's truth to him, Levos had started thinking about one question.
How did you reach that level?
For now, there was only one answer.
Train. Train harder. Train smarter.
With conditions like this right in front of him, he couldn't help but feel tempted.
Of course, he could also guess Chronoa's motive.
But he didn't mind. Overall, her sincerity was obvious.
Not only could he grow stronger quickly, he could also keep up with what was happening across timelines. And if something went wrong back in his own timeline, he could rush back immediately.
Levos nodded. "Alright. Then I'll leave Cell Max in the Time Nest for now."
With Levos's matters settled, Chronoa's gaze shifted to Goten.
The boy had been quietly following behind Levos the whole time, his expression carrying a loneliness and grief he couldn't hide.
Chronoa already knew his story.
A child who'd drifted through the cosmos… only to witness his home, his timeline, destroyed with his own eyes.
Now, he was truly an orphan.
He didn't even have a place he could call home.
"Goten."
"Ah? Lady Chronoa." Goten snapped out of it.
"Your courage and your sense of justice… all of us saw it clearly." Chronoa smiled warmly. "So today, I formally invite you to join the Time Patrol. Stand with us, and help protect peace across all timelines."
Time Patroller Goku walked over and patted Goten's shoulder. "Goten, you're the most talented son I've ever seen. Come work with us!"
Time Patroller Vegeta crossed his arms, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. "Hmph. Just don't drag us down."
Time Patroller Trunks laughed too. "Goten, there are a lot of people here you're familiar with. Even if we're from different timelines, we're still your family. Your comrades."
Looking at those faces familiar yet strange, faces he'd only seen in old photos something warm surged through Goten's chest.
Dad… Uncle Vegeta… Big Brother Gohan… Big Brother Trunks…
They were all smiling at him, their eyes full of sincere invitation and recognition.
After Chi-Chi and Aunt Bulma died, he'd wandered the universe alone for so long.
Getting stronger had become his only obsession, all for the sake of protecting an Earth that was already broken beyond repair.
But in the end…
He couldn't protect anything.
He thought he would drift forever, never finding a place to belong.
But now…
Goten's eyes reddened. Finally, he nodded hard.
"I want to! I want to join the Time Patrol!"
"Great!" Time Patroller Pan happily rubbed the Time Bird's head.
"Welcome, Goten." Chronoa smiled. "As a Time Patroller, I'll assign you a registered timeline. When you aren't on mission, you'll have somewhere to go back to… to spend your holidays."
Then Chronoa looked to Levos. "Levos, your timeline doesn't have a Goten. I want to assign him to your timeline. Is that alright?"
"Of course." Levos smiled. "Welcome aboard, Goten."
"Thank you, Mr. Levos."
Levos was genuinely happy that Goten had found a place to belong.
And honestly, assigning him to Levos's timeline also meant his own world gained a Son-family powerhouse with great talent and potential.
Goten couldn't hold it in anymore. Tears spilled down his face.
He finally… had a home again.
"Thank you… thank you, everyone!"
The atmosphere was warm and joyful.
Unfortunately, it didn't last long before a chorus of screams shattered it.
Everyone's attention snapped toward the plaza, where a group of uninvited troublemakers had made themselves known.
The mini-Cells were wreaking havoc.
One moment they were yanking feathers out of the Time Birds' tails, the next they were flipping up Pan's skirt. The level of mischief was honestly criminal.
Worse, they were strong and fast. Most Time Patrollers couldn't restrain them at all.
Levos stared at the disaster along with everyone else, wearing the exact expression of a man who had absolutely nothing to do with this.
Chronoa, however, narrowed her eyes suspiciously and studied Levos and the mini-Cells back and forth.
"Levos… these little guys…" she suddenly said. "I can really feel it. There's a faint trace of aura on them something similar to yours… and mine."
"That's right." Chronoa's tone sharpened. "I won't mistake that Time Power."
Levos's heart jumped.
Crap. She noticed.
After absorbing Aeonora, he'd fused the power of two Supreme Kais of Time inside himself. It made perfect sense that the mini-Cells would carry a hint of Time Power.
But that was also the biggest giveaway.
Levos's mind raced at top speed, searching for a way to bluff his way out.
"Ahem." He said, face unmoved. "Of course these little monsters inherit Cell Max's abilities. Didn't I slurp you once? Maybe I accidentally got a bit of your aura on them back then."
He delivered it without blinking, then stared at Chronoa's reaction like his life depended on it.
Chronoa tilted her head… and seemed to accept it.
"They're incredibly talented. And they're still in that highly moldable juvenile stage." Chronoa's gaze swept over the mini-Cells. "But judging by their behavior, they're rebellious. Like they don't really listen to you."
Levos felt that one in his soul.
These little brats had spawned straight into a rebellious phase. If his orders weren't strict enough, they wouldn't move at all.
A wave of bleakness washed over him.
Maybe he really wasn't cut out to raise kids…
"If you don't mind," Chronoa offered a suggestion that made Levos's scalp go numb, "you can hand them over to me to train. With their potential, they'll definitely become capable Time Patrol warriors in the future and contribute to protecting time."
"Besides… it's strange, but they really seem to listen to me. They're willing to get close to me."
As if to prove it, Chronoa called out once.
The mini-Cells immediately lined up in front of her in neat rows.
"No!" Levos blurted out without thinking.
He refused so fast even Chronoa froze.
Levos instantly backpedaled. "I mean what I mean is, they're part of my combat style. They need to follow my clones and train with them. That way they can adapt, synchronize, and grow properly."
"And they're too wild. I don't want them causing trouble for anyone else."
The reasoning sounded… plausible.
Chronoa looked a little disappointed, but she respected his decision.
"Alright. If you insist." She nodded. "But in the future, if the Time Patrol runs into missions we can't handle… don't forget to let them help."
"Sure, sure." Levos agreed quickly.
Inside, he was already planning to go home and ask Piccolo seriously how you were supposed to discipline mini-Cells.
With things mostly handled, Cell Max went off with the mini-Cells to train.
Levos immediately felt the urge to leave.
He had no idea what was happening back on Earth. He'd been away for so long his friends were definitely worried sick.
"Everyone… we'll be taking our leave now."
"Mm. Safe travels."
The Time Patrollers stepped forward one after another to say goodbye.
"This will always be your second home."
"Come back anytime."
"Goodbye, Mr. Levos!"
"Goten, see you on the next mission!"
"Monaka, goodbye!"
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