Merus, you'll stay here first," the Grand Priest said in a tone that left no room for debate. "Work with Ken to find a suitable human and nurture them into a Supreme Kai. After that, you can return to Galactic Patrol HQ."
"Yes, Grand Priest." Merus bowed, then asked a little timidly, "For choosing a Supreme Kai… may we look beyond Universe 7 and select from other universes?"
"Of course. For the two of you, the Supreme Kai you raise will be critical."
Merus blinked, sneaking an uneasy glance at him.
"The God of Destruction's job can be filled as long as the candidate is strong enough. All twelve universes' Gods of Destruction are mortals who trained their way there. A Supreme Kai is different. Most Supreme Kai are born from the golden fruits of the World Core Tree—they're gods whose hearts are set that way from the start." The Grand Priest's voice was patient. "So the Supreme Kai you train must first have a steady mind, a kind heart, and the sense of duty to build and develop a universe. On this, you and Ken will assist each other and grow together."
"Grand Priest, do Ken and I each choose one Supreme Kai?" Merus ventured.
"You plan to share a single Supreme Kai between you?" The Grand Priest smiled.
"I mean… it's not impossible."
"Absolutely not." He sighed. "You already lost to Ken in choosing a God of Destruction. I expect you to regain some face with your Supreme Kai choice."
"I understand now." Merus finally got it—and the subtext.
"Before that, one question," the Grand Priest said.
Merus straightened.
"Among the candidates today, one used to be the North Kai. Did you pay attention to him?"
"Zamasu… the North Kai of Universe 10, right?"
"Correct. Give me a brief assessment."
"Assessment… in what respect?"
"Whether he's fit to be a Supreme Kai." The Grand Priest kept it simple. "Many Supreme Kai are chosen from among the Kai because they have experience; training them is easier. In Universe 10, their Supreme Kai intends to raise Zamasu as his successor."
Merus fell silent, replaying Zamasu's performance.
"Tell me plainly—suitable or not?" the Grand Priest pressed.
Merus struggled. "He should be suitable. If Universe 10's Supreme Kai picked him as an apprentice, there must be a reason." He hesitated, then added, "I think Zamasu will become an outstanding Supreme Kai."
"That's your answer?"
"Yes." He braced himself.
"Very well. Let's see what Ken says."
They walked back. Ken couldn't tell what the two had discussed, but it hardly mattered—father and son could have their private talk.
Broly and Majin Buu were standing obediently. Buu, especially after the thump from Merus's staff, had grown quite docile.
"Ken," the Grand Priest called.
"I'm here." Ken bowed.
"Merus will remain to assist you for a while. During that time, each of you will choose one Supreme Kai—preferably from humans."
Ken's head throbbed. Choose a Supreme Kai now… with no ideal candidate? The one he favored most, Goku, was only three.
"You've surely heard from Vados: a universe needs creation and destruction in balance to flourish," the Grand Priest continued. "Right now, this new Universe 18 has no life. That's why the Supreme Kai is in greatest need. We appointed a God of Destruction first so he can protect the Supreme Kai—and to prepare for future destruction."
"Can training the Supreme Kai take longer?" Ken asked.
"If you choose a human, yes—it'll be a long process." The Grand Priest nodded. "I won't make it too hard on you. I'll give you two fifty years. Each of you will cultivate an excellent Supreme Kai, then I will test them. The winner…"
He lifted his right hand.
A silver-white staff flashed into being, gleaming with a mysterious crystal orb at its crown.
Ken stared. Why that color?
"T-that's the Silver-White Staff," Merus stammered.
Ken side-eyed him. Who named it that?
"Merus, explain it briefly," the Grand Priest said.
"Yes, Grand Priest." Merus turned to Ken. "Every angel has a personal staff."
"I've noticed."
"In short, an angel's staff is condensed from its companion universe's essence. You're human, so not having a staff is normal."
Ken kept quiet. No staff? Is that really a problem? Don't tell me that silver-white staff is meant for me.
"If you've used an angel's staff, you'll find it acts like an amplifier for angelic power. Depending on its grade, it can boost angelic power up to one hundredfold," Merus said.
Majin Buu began to nod off. Broly stood ramrod straight, listening carefully.
"If you two don't follow this," the Grand Priest said to them kindly, "go explore this planet—but no wrecking things."
Buu's eyes lit up and he eagerly nodded. Broly also wanted to stretch his legs. They headed off—Broly paused, bowed to the Grand Priest, then left; Buu scratched his head, offered a hurried bow, and followed.
"As an apprentice angel, my staff only boosts twentyfold," Merus continued. "It will grow as I do."
"I've used Vados's staff. It felt like it boosted me by at least fiftyfold," Ken said.
"Correct—Vados's staff does amplify fiftyfold." Merus smiled. "As expected of you, Ken—to sense the multiplier so precisely."
"Merus. The point." The Grand Priest glanced at the silver-white staff.
"Right. This Silver-White Staff is condensed from the essence of the entire multiverse, so it can amplify angelic power eightyfold—second only to the Grand Priest's black-gold staff."
"That's right," the Grand Priest said, smiling. "I'm offering it as a prize. In fifty years, I'll test the Supreme Kai you each raise. Whoever wins, gets this Silver-White Staff."
"Yes, Grand Priest!" Merus bowed, then gave Ken a friendly grin. "Don't worry. If I win and get the Silver-White Staff, I'll give you mine." He held his own staff out. "At your pace, you'll become a true angel within fifty years."
"Thanks—I'll take it, then." Ken accepted it without hesitation.
Merus froze. I didn't mean now… He swallowed his heartbreak. That's mine!
"I've been thinking," Ken said, shaking his head. "Isn't fifty years too long?"
He'd expected a shorter runway—then the Grand Priest dropped a fifty-year plan. No need. Once Goku reached adulthood, training could really begin. The fundamentals could stay with Master Roshi and Korin; that's the right path to "Goku."
"Oh? How long do you think you need?" the Grand Priest asked, eyes warm.
It had been eons since an angel with this kind of talent appeared. The last… Amarella. She'd chosen to vanish with her universe instead of remaining.
And now, a human had trained angelic power into being. That pleased him.
"Thirty years," Ken decided. Enough to raise Goku into a qualified Supreme Kai.
"Merus?" the Grand Priest asked.
"I'll follow your lead, Grand Priest," Merus said, helpless but game. Raising a Supreme Kai from humans in thirty years… If a human can do it, I can't lose.
"Then thirty it is. Your Supreme Kai must not be chosen from the Kai—your pool is all humans in all universes. They must, at minimum, possess a kind heart. For other traits, consult Supreme Kai from other universes."
Ken and Merus bowed assent.
"That's all for now." The Grand Priest rose into the air—then looked down at Ken again.
Ken blinked.
"One more, off-topic," the Grand Priest said.
"Please."
"In this selection, Universe 10's Zamasu—the Kai whose Supreme Kai intends to promote him—what's your view?"
Ken hesitated, then: "He's not suitable."
The Grand Priest raised an eyebrow. Merus stared—stunned. That was Universe 10's apprentice Supreme Kai!
Merus frantically shot Ken a warning look. Ken ignored it.
"I watched him closely. His mind is not at peace; he angers easily. There's malice in his eyes. That kind of person isn't fit to be a Supreme Kai. His personality seems twisted—he might do far worse in the future."
The Grand Priest looked genuinely impressed. A perfect score would have been a hundred; Ken had written a hundred and fifty.
He did not pry into Ken's mind; even for him, that would be discourteous.
"Excellent. I'm very satisfied," he said.
"Thank you, Grand Priest." Ken kept his thoughts in check. Don't drift—he can probably read it on your face.
"At your current pace, you'll become a true angel in no more than twenty years," the Grand Priest said from on high. "There will be trials along the way—that's your training. I won't help too much. Do your best. The angelic race welcomes you."
With a soft flicker, he vanished—reappearing beside the seven Super Dragon Balls.
[End of Chapter]
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
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