Shimorekka grinned at Krillin's demand for an explanation.
"Moro-sama plans to come here himself and feast on those Saiyans."
Piccolo's expression hardened. "Moro is coming to Earth?"
"That's right. So you and this planet only have until then." Shimorekka gestured toward the battered fighters around him. "Make sure those Saiyans come back too. Moro-sama wants them here when he arrives."
Kale had already hurried to Gohan's side, helping him sit up while checking the injuries Yunba had inflicted. Shimorekka paid them little attention as he continued laying out the terms of Moro's challenge.
"We'll return at the seventh mark of the Galactic Cycle. Don't even think about running."
Krillin looked toward Jaco. "And when exactly is that supposed to be?"
"About twenty days from now."
Jaco answered automatically, then suddenly realized they had an opportunity to buy themselves more time.
"Wait, Shimorekka! The seventh mark is way too soon. This planet's technology is primitive, and those two Saiyans are nowhere nearby. There's no chance they'll make it back in time. You'll need to wait until at least the eighth mark."
Shimorekka considered the objection. If Moro wanted Goku and Vegeta present for the battle, arriving before they could return would defeat the purpose.
"You need that much longer?"
"Absolutely."
"Fine. I'll tell Moro-sama."
Jaco exhaled in relief. He had managed to turn a twenty-day deadline into something much more useful without Shimorekka realizing what he was doing.
Seven-Three switched the image inside his forehead crystal, replacing Moro with the alien whose abilities he had stored earlier. Pale-blue light gathered around his hand as he traced a circle through the air, opening a wormhole large enough for all three prisoners to pass through.
"We'll see you then," Shimorekka said with a mocking wave. "Try not to die before Moro-sama gets here."
He entered first, followed by Yunba and Seven-Three. Because reaching Universe 6's Earth had required several separate wormholes, they repeated the same route in reverse until they finally crossed back into Universe 7.
Only after their ki had completely disappeared did everyone on Earth begin to relax.
"So we survived for now," Krillin said, immediately turning his attention to Gohan. "How bad is it?"
Gohan managed to stand, though the beating Yunba had given him had left him in rough shape. "I'm okay. Sorry, though. I didn't really accomplish much."
"That's not true." Krillin had been watching more closely than Gohan realized. "A lot of their attacks were aimed at Kale, and you kept taking them before they could reach her."
Kale's eyes immediately filled with tears. "Gohan-nii... you were protecting me that whole time?"
Gohan gave her an embarrassed smile, clearly not having expected his actions to be pointed out so directly.
"We'll get you a Senzu Bean if we have one," Krillin said, "or just have Dende heal you."
Piccolo was more concerned with the deadline they had just been given. "Jaco, when are they actually coming back?"
"About two months."
Krillin stared at him before breaking into a grin. "You stretched twenty days into two months? Not bad, Jaco."
"I had to. Summer vacation starts next month, and there's no way I'm dying before I get to enjoy it."
Piccolo looked at him in disbelief. "Why does the Galactic Patrol even have summer vacation?"
"The benefits are excellent." Jaco spoke as though that should have been obvious. "We may live in space, but the Galactic Patrol simulates all four seasons throughout the year. Naturally, that includes summer vacation. Most patrolmen use it to travel."
Krillin couldn't resist asking the obvious question. "And what happens if criminals decide to cause trouble during summer vacation?"
"Someone stays on duty."
For several seconds, nobody knew what to say to that.
At least Jaco's selfish desire to enjoy his vacation had accidentally given them nearly two months to prepare for Moro.
Far away in Universe 7, Goku and Merus were already making use of that time.
Merus had brought Goku to an isolated extradimensional training ground on a distant planet, where the flow of time differed considerably from the outside world. They were taking a short meal break when Merus told him what had happened on Earth.
Goku stopped eating. "Moro's people attacked Earth?"
"Three of the escaped prisoners did," Merus explained. "Fortunately, Piccolo and the others managed to survive. The prisoners have withdrawn for now."
Goku relaxed slightly, but only until Merus told him why they had left.
"So Moro himself is coming in two months."
"Yes."
Goku thought about the difference in time between Earth and the space where they were training. "Two months outside gives us about six months in here. That's more than I expected."
His concern quickly gave way to determination. Six months of concentrated training with Merus was an opportunity he couldn't afford to waste.
"Then we'd better make every day count. This time, I'm going to figure out the real Ultra Instinct."
"That's the goal," Merus agreed.
Goku finished the rest of his food, stretched his arms over his head, and rose from the table.
"I'm full. Let's get back to it."
They returned to the vast white training ground, and it wasn't long before the quiet dimension was once again filled with the shockwaves of their battle. Goku pushed himself harder with every exchange, trying to strip away the hesitation that kept him from reaching the state Merus wanted him to understand, while Merus steadily increased the pressure to force him closer to that breakthrough.
Neither of them realized they were being watched.
Whis had his staff raised before him, its crystal displaying the battle between Goku and Merus in clear detail. He watched their exchanges with increasing concern, particularly whenever Merus began drawing more deeply on the abilities that came naturally to him as an Angel.
Whis himself was standing outside Zeno's Palace.
A presence appeared behind him without warning.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
Whis immediately lowered his staff and turned, bowing respectfully as the Grand Priest approached.
"I apologize for troubling you."
The Grand Priest smiled. "What did you need, Whis?"
Whis straightened, though his expression remained unusually serious. "You're aware that Universe 7 has encountered another rather troublesome situation, I assume."
"Yes. Universe 7 certainly never stays quiet for long."
"My apologies."
The Grand Priest's smile deepened slightly. "But that isn't really what brought you here, is it? You came because of Merus."
Whis had expected as much. Very little involving an Angel could escape the Grand Priest's attention.
"So you already know."
"Of course. I sent Merus to Universe 7 as an Angel in training because I wanted him to experience the galaxy for himself and broaden his understanding of the universe. His work with the Galactic Patrol was meant to expose him to both good and evil, allowing those experiences to strengthen his Angel power and help him grow."
Whis glanced back at the image in his staff, where Merus was still training Goku.
"Unfortunately, Ken seems to have taken most of the spotlight over the years."
"That's true," the Grand Priest admitted. "Ken possesses exceptional talent when it comes to developing Angel power. Merus is still far behind him in that regard."
"Yes..." Whis hesitated before adding, "I've even heard that Ken's Angel power has surpassed mine."
"It surpassed yours quite some time ago."
Whis went silent.
A moment later, his familiar smile returned, though it was noticeably more strained than usual.
"My, my. That's rather unpleasant to hear stated so casually."
The Grand Priest simply waited, knowing Whis still hadn't reached the real reason for his visit.
Whis finally became serious again. "My concern is Merus. If he continues down his current path and something goes wrong, he could cross a line from which there is no return. He may simply cease to exist."
"That possibility does exist."
"In that case, would you allow me to take responsibility for supervising him?"
The Grand Priest shook his head. "There's no need. Ken already spoke to me about Merus beforehand. He intends to handle the situation himself."
That answer surprised Whis far more than he expected.
"Ken already discussed this with you?" He looked again toward the battle inside the staff crystal. "Then what exactly is he planning? Because from where I'm standing, Merus seems to be heading closer and closer to disappearing."
"Perhaps that is precisely what Ken wants."
Whis stared at the Grand Priest.
Ken and Merus had always been close. Deliberately allowing Merus to approach a point where his existence itself was at risk hardly sounded like something one friend should be arranging for another.
The Grand Priest understood his concern.
"Ken described it as pushing Merus to the absolute brink so that he can emerge from the experience transformed. Whether that will truly lead to the growth Ken expects remains to be seen."
He clasped his hands behind his back and turned his gaze toward the distant palace.
"For now, pretend you never noticed what Merus is doing. Ken has accepted responsibility for what comes next, so let us see where his plan leads."
Whis remained quiet for a moment before lowering his head.
"Understood, Grand Priest."
For the time being, he would stay out of it.
Whatever Ken intended for Merus, even the Grand Priest was willing to let it play out.
[End of chapter]
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
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