"What do you think?" Ken tossed the question back.
"The Grand Priest asked us to help each other," Merus said with an easy smile. "I'd like to hear your plan first."
"I've actually had the right candidate in mind for a while," Ken admitted, sighing a little, "but he's too young right now. Not ready yet."
"Oh?" Merus blinked, genuinely surprised.
Why are you always two steps ahead of me?
Why didn't I think to earmark a future Supreme Kai?
"Can you tell me where he is?" Merus asked, curious.
"Universe 7—Earth," Ken said honestly. "He's one of my people."
"There's another Saiyan on Universe 7's Earth?" Merus was taken aback. He'd assumed only Ken and Broly were there. Then it clicked—Jaco had gone to Earth for another Saiyan, hadn't he?
"Correction," Ken added. "It's Universe 6's Earth now—the two Earths have been swapped."
Merus took that in without fuss. What mattered was the boy himself. Could this really be Supreme Kai material?
"What's his name?"
"Kakarot."
"That is a Saiyan name," Merus murmured. He raised his staff, crystal orb glittering as it located Kakarot on Universe 6's Earth. "Let's project it so we can both see."
"Do it."
Three seconds later, a full-color projection bloomed above the white planet.
A three-year-old Kakarot was romping through Mount Paozu, scampering from bough to bough like a monkey. He swung off one branch, missed his landing, tumbled face-first into dirt, then popped up grinning as he slapped dust off his clothes.
A hungry wolf prowled out of the brush, lips peeling back, drool stringing to the ground.
Kakarot scratched his head—and drooled right back.
The wolf lunged.
Kakarot's tiny fist cracked down on its skull. Stars spun in the wolf's eyes. The boy then grabbed a stick and poked—hard.
A yelp split the trees. The stick… came out the wolf's mouth.
Merus dabbed at the cold sweat on his brow.
Yep. Saiyans are feral by default.
But honestly… this kid didn't look like Supreme Kai material. Compared to Broly, the gap was a galaxy wide. Broly could yank this child in half like taffy.
"Ken," Merus said carefully, "a Supreme Kai doesn't need to be a powerhouse, but there is a floor. He should at least be in the ballpark of Universe 7's Supreme Kai."
"Oh?"
"A Supreme Kai must be able to protect himself," Merus explained. "If he goes to develop a world and meets a native who outclasses him, how does he guide or safeguard the planet? So while raw strength isn't the point, we can't pick a complete weakling."
"No worries. I believe in him. Give him time—Kakarot will be a remarkable warrior," Ken said, smiling with quiet confidence.
"You're really that sure?" Merus smiled back, slightly relieved.
Good. Then I won't lose the Supreme Kai draft to you again.
No way this 'battle power five' toddler ever beats my pick.
"Battle power… five," Ken said dryly.
Merus choked. "That description… is painfully accurate."
"So. Still sticking with him?" he asked.
"Tell you what," Ken said, pointing at the projection. "I won't fight you for him. I'm offering him to you. You can pick first."
Merus stared.
Nice try. Not falling in that pit.
"So this time I'm being generous. Best candidate—yours."
"The cosmos is big, and there are twelve universes," Merus demurred politely. "I can't just hover around Earth. And… if you really want him, friendly warning—he's not suitable."
"You don't understand," Ken said, shaking his head.
Merus blinked. "I don't?"
"Raise him from the cradle," Ken said. "When he blooms, you feel the accomplishment."
"You're not wrong," Merus admitted, "but his starting line is… subterranean. Even with guidance, I doubt he becomes a proper Supreme Kai. And purely on talent—he looks worse than that Vegeta we glimpsed."
"In the years to come, he'll press Vegeta's face into the dirt," Ken said, certain.
"Not necessarily," Merus pushed back. "Right now? Vegeta glares and Kakarot might drop dead."
"Then are you taking Vegeta?" Ken asked, eyes glinting.
Merus paused. Another trap. "His temperament doesn't fit the Supreme Kai's role."
"Which universe will you scout?" Ken asked.
"I'll take my time," Merus said. "Twelve universes—someone will fit."
"Then let's both do our best."
They looked back to the projection just as a kindly old man in a gi ambled into view. He ruffled Kakarot's hair, eyes warm.
"Grandpa, look! I caught a big wolf!" Kakarot beamed.
"Very good. Our little Goku is already learning to hunt," Grandpa Gohan said softly.
"Goku?" Merus checked his staff, then nodded. "He fell off a cliff after landing on Earth, lost his memory, somehow survived, and this old man renamed him. So he's Son Goku now."
"Names don't matter," Ken smiled.
This is the Goku I like—pure as sunlight.
…
Nowhere Realm.
Mosco hovered in the emptiness, waiting. Today he'd find who killed his son. His best guesses: Broly… or Majin Buu. Beat the truth out of them, and one would crack.
A silhouette blinked into existence before him.
Mosco froze. His face plates tightened. "Gii-guh! Gii-gii!" He collapsed into a kneel.
"What are you doing here, Mosco?" The Grand Priest's tone was mild, unreadable.
"Gii-guh… gii-gii-guh…" Came the halting, guilty answer.
"Oh? 'Just wandering'?" The Grand Priest's lips quirked.
Mosco's systems pinged warnings. He stayed prostrate, playing dumb and mute.
"You're here to ask Broly or Majin Buu if they killed your son. Correct?" the Grand Priest asked pleasantly.
Mosco's armor vibrated. He bowed lower.
The Grand Priest simply looked at the hulking robot. Silence pressed in.
"Gii-guh… gii-gii-gii." A tiny nod.
"I won't intervene on your behalf," the Grand Priest said evenly. "It's your affair."
Mosco said nothing.
"There are many ways to question someone," the Grand Priest added. "Not only violence."
Mosco hesitated—confused.
"Gii-guh?" he ventured.
No reply. Only that calm gaze.
Inside the chassis, Mule swallowed hard. Thank the stars he was hidden. The Grand Priest continued:
"If you confirm your target truly killed your son, I won't step in. But if anyone appeals to me, I will require evidence. You know the consequences if you can't provide it."
"Gii-guh." Cold dread, then a solemn nod.
"And do not harm unrelated people."
"Gii!" Mosco stiffened. "Gii-gii-guh! Gii-gii-gii-guh!"
"Good. Keep your head. He is my child, and as for Ken—" the Grand Priest's eyes softened a fraction—"I'm optimistic. I hope he truly becomes an Angel."
He vanished.
Mosco stayed kneeling a few more heartbeats, then rose and vented a long breath.
So even if I seek vengeance, the Grand Priest won't meddle—if I have proof.
Proof… from where?
And "not only violence"… what did he mean?
Mule, buried within the armor, chewed it over and came up empty. Finally, he fished out a round communicator and pinged his friend.
In the twelve universes, Mule trusted one God of Destruction most: Sidra of Universe 9. Smart fellow. Maybe he'd have an idea.
The line clicked. A voice like a wry old man rasped through. "Mosco? If you're going to 'gii-gii' at me, save it. Only Angels understand that noise. I don't."
"Sidra, it's Mule, not Mosco. Do you know about the God of Destruction selection in Universe 18?"
"Ended already, hasn't it? And why call after the fact? Afraid my people might have won?" Sidra snorted.
"You know that's not it," Mule muttered, stung.
"Relax. I don't care for those contests," Sidra chuckled. "Given a choice between parading candidates and living it up in my own universe, I'll take pleasure every time. So—what happened? Who won?"
"You won't believe it," Mule said. "A human in Universe 7 cultivated Angelic power. The Grand Priest intends to train him as an Angel. The apprentice God of Destruction he brought… won."
"A human reached Angelic power?" Sidra's interest sharpened. "And the Grand Priest will raise him? Hah. Angels are scarce. If mortals can be molded into Angels, that opens a door, doesn't it?"
"Maybe," Mule said. He didn't care about more Angels. He cared about his son.
"You didn't call just to gossip," Sidra said. "Spill it."
"You know our tech," Mule said, a sly smile in his voice. "We've engineered a new female android—lifelike body, exquisite service. Custom-built to your tastes. You'll be very satisfied."
Sidra paused. "Oh? If I'm not satisfied, I won't pretend to be."
"Trust Universe 3's engineering."
"Where are you? I'm not flying hours if I can help it."
"Void Realm," Mule said. "Several hours' flight, unless—"
"Perfect timing," Sidra cut in. "My Supreme Kai is with me. He'll teleport us. If I like your android, commission one for him, too."
"Done."
A heartbeat later, Universe 9's Supreme Kai, Roh, arrived with Sidra at Mosco's side.
Mule didn't even flinch. Having a Supreme Kai as a shuttle was absurdly convenient. Shame Gods of Destruction weren't allowed to learn Instant Transmission—and Angels wouldn't use it for taxi duty. Rules were rules.
"Where is she?" Sidra asked, barely containing himself. "You brought the model, right?"
[End of Chapter]
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
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