Earth, 8:30 p.m., Capsule Corporation (Bulma's Estate)
"Surprising. The humans on this planet aren't strong, but the food is," Beerus said with a satisfied nod.
"Lord Beerus, may I ask what brings you here this time?" Gohan tested the waters.
"Frieza was a useful blade of mine. You went and broke my blade and now I'm losing sleep over it. Tell me, how do you intend to make that right?" Beerus's face gave away nothing.
"Lord Beerus," Gohan answered evenly, "Frieza had a blood feud with my people. My grandfather died by his hand. Avenging him and our race was only just. As for Cooler, he brought about his own death; he wasn't under your command anyway. And as for your 'blade' problem if I'm stronger than Frieza and Cooler, you could let me be your blade."
Beerus's eyes glinted. "Bold kid. You do know how to play the game."
"Heh. I hope I didn't overstep," Gohan said with a faint smile.
"Whis, your thoughts?" Beerus asked.
"Have him train under Merus a while longer," Whis said. "Once he's stronger, bring him to the Destroyer's world."
Beerus turned back. "Boy, ever thought about taking my place?"
"The God of Destruction?" Gohan paused a beat, then shook his head. "Forgive me, Lord Beerus. I'll work for you, but I don't want the office."
"Oh? You look down on a Destroyer's power?" Beerus raised an eyebrow. Whis and Merus both glanced over in surprise; the title sat atop the universe. In the grand order: Zeno, the Grand Minister then the Gods of Destruction. Angels were stronger than most Destroyers, true, but bound by angelic law: they can't act without orders from Zeno or the Grand Minister, and when a Destroyer dies, his angel sleeps until a successor is chosen.
"The power of destruction is unmatched," Gohan said. "But I won't tie my life to someone else's. If I'm not mistaken, a Destroyer's life is linked to the Supreme Kai's…isn't it?"
Snap. Beerus rose in a blur. A violet sphere of Destruction Hakai bloomed at his fingertip, hovering a breath from Gohan's face.
"How do you know that?" he asked, voice edged with killing intent. It was his most vulnerable point. Life bound to another's there was no comfort in that chain. He'd even sealed the Old Kai in the Z-Sword to manage the risk.
Gohan didn't flinch. "Relax, Lord Beerus. I'd never be stupid enough to act on it. There's no profit in that for me."
After a long moment, Beerus let the sphere evaporate. He still buried another secret: the Saiyan homeworld's destruction had more to do with him than anyone knew. He doubted this child knew that.
(He was wrong. As a traveler between worlds, Gohan knew the rumor about a certain god destroying a planet over a pillow. But revenge on a god wasn't realistic and he had no intention of biting the hand that might one day feed him.)
"You're right," Beerus muttered at last. "Wanting to step down doesn't mean I'm not sick of the strings."
The mask slipped; a trace of weariness crossed his face.
"Lord Beerus…there is a way," Gohan ventured, then hesitated.
"The Super Dragon Balls, scattered across Universes Six and Seven?" Beerus snorted. "You think I don't know? Rules are rules. Zeno himself ordained the life-link with the Supreme Kai. Even if a wish severed it, what happens after? Hmph."
"I was thinking too simply," Gohan conceded. "Which is exactly why I can't accept the post."
"In that case, I can't very well make you my pupil," Beerus said. "When you hit the mortal limit, come to my world. Whis will teach you a few things."
He started to rise.
"Please wait, Lord Beerus," Gohan said.
"Oh? Something else?"
"While I can't shoulder your burdens, I will make you a promise. Within ten years, I'll find a worthy genius to succeed you as Destroyer. I won't take Master Whis's tutelage for free." It was both repayment and a shackle he put on himself.
Beerus glanced at Whis instead of answering. "Whis…how long has it been since I felt like this like an actual living being with emotions?"
"Hehehe. Ever since you took the office, you've worn a mask," Whis said, pleased to see it slip. "A god begins by shedding his passions; he ascends by reclaiming them."
"Son Gohan, I'll remember your promise," Beerus said, eyes steady. "If you don't come find me in ten years, I'll find you. And one day…I expect you to challenge me."
"I will," Gohan answered. "That's our pact. And when the day comes, I'll challenge you at my full strength."
"Hah! I accept," Beerus laughed. "Whis, we're going."
A ribbon of prismatic light rose; in a heartbeat they punched through the sky and were gone.
"Gohan, back to the Galactic Patrol or staying on Earth?" Merus asked.
"I'll run you home first please put in for my leave," Gohan said, catching Merus by the wrist and vanishing…and returning three seconds later. There were errands to tie off: settling the Namekians, arranging futures for Raditz and Nappa.
Beerus's reaction had surprised him. He'd half expected to have to Instant-Transmit and run; in the "original" timeline, Beerus's first entrance had been cold, even cruel life snuffed, planets erased. He'd forgotten how much his own presence was already bending things.
In deep space
"You've taken a shine to the boy, Lord Beerus?" Whis asked.
"Frieza and his brother Cooler were among the strongest mortals in Universe Seven. The kid's no slouch and he's tiny. Looks four, at most. That kind of talent is terrifying. More importantly, he's got eight hundred little schemes in that head despicable tricks and a true warrior's heart. Did you notice? He was respectful to me but not afraid," Beerus said.
"Even so, was it worth dropping the mask? Since when do you care?" Whis teased.
"I'm lazy, not stupid," Beerus shot back. "I annoyed Zeno last time and landed on a blacklist. Universe Seven's ranking is embarrassingly low. Time to cultivate some talent and pull it up. Keep drifting and Zeno might erase us next time and I want to retire, not die. There are too many foods I haven't tasted."
"Oh-ho-ho. Clever after all, Lord Beerus. How did I never notice?" Whis needled.
"If I wanted the universe destroyed, I'd train Frieza or Cooler," Beerus said dryly. "With that one's ambition, he'd be flipping real estate across the multiverse the minute he got strong. If he dies, I don't care. If he angers Zeno and gets our universe wiped, I care. I'm not done eating."
"Hehehe. Fair enough."
"I'm beat. Back to bed. Short nap ten years," Beerus yawned, already drowsy.
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