The suburban area of West City. A vast lake, like a mirror set in emerald green, reflected the blue sky and white clouds.
By the lake, a sprawling estate rested on a verdant lawn, backed by lush green mountains. The environment was so serene it felt like a paradise.
Whitley, still carrying a soundly sleeping Goku, stepped off the aircraft. His gaze swept over the magnificent estate, nestled between the mountains and the water, and he couldn't help but sigh in admiration once again.
"As expected of Bulma... even the specs for a temporary residence are this exaggerated."
Bulma was directing the robot servants to quickly enter the estate. Seeing Whitley carrying Goku, she immediately waved at him.
"Hey, Whitley! Take Goku to a guest room and settle him in. Let him keep sleeping. Remember the time, and don't forget because of your training. The chefs will be here soon with the ingredients and equipment!"
"Got it, don't worry."
Whitley nodded, carried Goku, and followed a robot servant into the estate. He arrived at a spacious and comfortable guest room and tossed Goku onto the soft, large bed.
Seeing Goku smack his lips, turn over, and continue his deep sleep, Whitley sighed helplessly. "You little brat, you really know how to cause trouble."
After settling Goku in, Whitley didn't immediately return to the living room to find Bulma. It was still early, and he decided to use this free time to train a bit.
In the backyard of the estate, the slightly older, first-generation gravity room had already been quickly assembled by the robots.
Whitley walked in and skillfully operated the control panel, pulling the gravity index directly to the machine's limit—three hundred times Earth's gravity.
VMMMM—
An invisible, immense pressure instantly enveloped his entire body! Whitley's body sank slightly.
For his current normal state, whose power level was already unfathomable, three hundred times gravity was more like a warm-up to awaken his body's activity and maintain his combat instincts.
Sweat quickly seeped out, and his muscles trembled slightly under the extreme pressure, bringing a familiar and satisfying sense of fulfillment.
He took a deep breath and began to do the most basic push-ups. Each movement was swift and powerful, and in the blink of an eye, he had done several hundred.
Time passed slowly amidst the sweat. After an unknown amount of time, the gravity room's built-in communicator chimed.
Whitley stopped his movements, stood up, and went to the console to answer.
"Whitley!"
Bulma's voice came through clearly. "The team of chefs you asked me to find has arrived, and the ingredients are almost ready. We're all in the dining room. You should come over too!"
"Okay, be right there."
Whitley replied and hung up. He shut down the gravity system, and the heavy pressure on his body suddenly disappeared, bringing a comfortable sense of lightness.
He quickly went to the shower to wash off the sweat, changed into a clean set of casual clothes, and only then did he leave the gravity room, heading towards the lavishly decorated dining room in the center of the estate.
The moment he entered the door, a rich and enticing aroma of food rushed to greet him.
On the huge, long dining table, a dazzling array of dishes was arranged like works of art.
Exquisite cold appetizers, enticingly colored roasted ribs, fragrant seafood paella, a small mountain of assorted sushi, delicate desserts garnished with berries...
Top chefs from all over the world were still in the kitchen, putting the final touches on the plating and garnishes.
In a corner of the dining room, the now-awake Goku was staring intently at the table, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down, a string of drool hanging from the corner of his mouth.
Bulma was directing the servants to adjust the placement of the tableware and decorative flowers, ensuring the entire scene was perfect.
"You're here!"
Seeing Whitley, Bulma immediately asked, "Is it time to eat now? Or... is that secret thing of yours about to start?"
Her blue eyes were full of curiosity and a hint of anticipation that Whitley didn't notice.
Whitley didn't answer immediately. He glanced at the table and nodded in satisfaction.
However, out of the corner of his eye, he caught Goku sneakily reaching out, actually trying to snatch a piece of pork rib closest to him...
"Kakarot!"
Whitley's voice was filled with exasperation. "You little brat! No sneaking food! It's not time to eat yet!"
"Oh..."
Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, Goku shot his hand back and replied pitifully, but his eyes were still glued to the table.
Not knowing whether to laugh or cry, Whitley walked over and unceremoniously gave him a rap on the head.
"Ow! That hurts, Whitley!" Goku cried, holding his head.
"It's supposed to hurt!" Whitley said irritably.
"This table of food has a great purpose for me! It's related to... well, something very important! After it's done, I guarantee you'll eat your fill! For now, you just behave!"
After speaking, he pushed the reluctant but not-daring-to-resist Goku towards Bulma. "Bulma, keep an eye on him. Don't let him cause trouble."
Bulma held back a laugh and grabbed the back of Goku's collar.
"Did you hear that, Goku? Be good, or you won't get any food later."
After dealing with the unstable factor that was Goku, Whitley took a deep breath, picked up a plate of delicious food, walked to the center of the dining room, and held it up in front of him.
Both Bulma and Goku's gazes were focused on him, full of curiosity—Bulma was curious about what trick he had up his sleeve, while Goku was simply curious about when they could eat.
Whitley cleared his throat, his expression becoming focused. He tilted his head back slightly, as if making a phone call.
His gaze seemed to pierce through the exquisite ceiling of the estate and into the boundless starry sky.
"Whis! Mr. Whis! Can you hear me?"
"There are meticulously prepared, top-tier, most delicious delicacies in the entire universe here!"
"Mr. Whis! I have very, very delicious food here, guaranteed to make you jump with joy!"
"Whis..."
Time passed, second by second. Whitley's calls echoed in the magnificent dining room.
Aside from the occasional sounds made by Bulma and Goku, only his voice reverberated in the room.
The curiosity on Bulma's face was gradually replaced by confusion. She crossed her arms, her delicate brows slightly furrowed.
Goku, on the other hand, was growing more and more impatient. He secretly tugged on Bulma's sleeve, leaned close to her ear, and whispered in what he thought was a very low voice:
"Bulma... has Whitley gone crazy? My grandpa used to say that some animals in the forest, if they go crazy, will just keep shouting at the sky or a big tree... Whitley looks just like them right now."
Bulma almost burst out laughing at Goku's comparison. She quickly covered her mouth, gave Goku a look, and whispered back, "Shh! Don't talk nonsense! Maybe... maybe he's performing some kind of special... uh... pre-meal ritual?"
Even she felt it sounded a bit ridiculous as she said it.
Whitley, of course, heard Goku's words, and a vein throbbed at his temple, but he held back and continued his calls.
However, half an hour passed, and forget an angel, he hadn't seen a single hair.
Did he really not hear?
Or... is this Dragon Ball universe not the main one? Do the God of Destruction and angels not exist here? Is this the GT timeline?
Or... just a parallel universe without gods? Whitley's heart sank a little.
If that was the case, his path to seeking a higher realm would have to change.
"Sigh..."
He sighed, preparing to give up this seemingly foolish act.
He turned around and said helplessly to the eagerly watching Goku and the "I'm-watching-your-performance" Bulma:
"Forget it. It seems no one is responding. Let's just ea—"
The word "eat" hadn't fully left his mouth—
Swish!
Without any warning, a very faint sound appeared in the center of the dining room.
Immediately after, a tall, slender figure appeared right in front of Whitley, as if teleporting!
He held a strangely shaped staff, his figure tall and slender.
His skin was a strange bluish-green. The most striking feature was his thick, white, broom-like long hair.
"Ho ho ho~" The newcomer let out a unique and rhythmic chuckle, his voice gentle, as if it had a calming effect.
He sized up the somewhat stunned Whitley, the dumbfounded Bulma, and the completely clueless Goku with great interest.
"How rare," he said.
"I didn't expect that in the mortal realm, there would be a mortal who still remembers my name and knows how to summon me in such a... tempting way. This 'sincerity' is truly hard to refuse."
The moment he saw the newcomer clearly, Whitley's pupils contracted sharply!
Whis!
The attendant of the God of Destruction Beerus, the angel of Universe 7, the being who was truly above the God of Destruction!
He... he really came?!
Immense shock and the subsequent elation instantly washed away all of Whitley's previous doubts and disappointment.
He suppressed the excitement in his heart and tried to appear calm, but his slightly trembling fingers betrayed his current state of mind.
"Ahem," Whitley cleared his throat, a polite smile on his face. "Mr. Whis, hello. I'm glad you responded."
He turned to the side and gestured towards the huge, tempting dining table behind him, which was laden with the masterpieces of several of Earth's top chefs.
The delicacies shone under the carefully arranged lights, their aroma filling the air.
"Since you're here... shall we eat first?"
The moment Whitley finished speaking, Whis's gaze was firmly locked on that dining table.
The curiosity in his deep eyes was quickly replaced by a pure, indescribable light—the desire and anticipation for the ultimate delicacy!
"Ho ho ho~" Whis chuckled again. He tapped his staff lightly on the floor, making a crisp "thump."
"That is truly an irresistible proposal. Then, if you'll excuse my rudeness!"
Before he finished speaking, his figure, without stirring a single wisp of air, appeared in an instant beside the head of the table.
Whitley's heart trembled, gaining a more direct understanding of the angel's power.
He immediately signaled for Bulma and Goku to sit down. Bulma, suppressing her surprise, pulled the still-dazed Goku to a seat next to Whis.
Whitley then sat on the other side of Whis.
"Mr. Whis, please, help yourself," Whitley made a welcoming gesture.
Whis nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the dazzling array of dishes before finally settling on a beautifully plated "Steamed Sea Fish" that exuded a gentle luster.
He extended a slender finger, picked up the knife and fork that were already on the table, and with an extremely elegant motion, forked a small piece of snow-white, delicate fish meat and gently brought it to his mouth.
The moment the fish touched his taste buds—
Whis's purple eyes, which always carried a hint of laziness and depth, suddenly lit up! As if stars had exploded within them!
His entire body seemed to have been paused. Even his chewing stopped for a fraction of a second.
Then, an indescribable expression, a mixture of extreme pleasure and amazement, appeared on his usually calm face.
He tilted his head back slightly and closed his eyes, as if savoring the taste of the universe's creation.
"Mmm~~~~~!!!" A long, satisfied, and almost trembling sigh escaped his lips.
"This... is so exquisitely sweet!"
Whis opened his eyes, a surprised light shining in his purple pupils.
"The texture is as delicate as congealed fat, melting in the mouth as if it has turned into a clear spring on the tongue! The unique, clear sweetness of the sea fish has been perfectly brought out, without the slightest hint of fishiness, only the pure fragrance of the ocean and the fish intertwined! Ho ho ho~ To think that a chef on Earth could cook a dish of this caliber! Truly astonishing!"
He gave it the highest praise without hesitation, his knife and fork once again elegantly and swiftly moving to the next dish—a "Char-Grilled Rib" with a golden, crispy skin, a pink and juicy interior, and drizzled with a secret sauce.
When the rib, with its mixture of fruitwood smoke and rich meat aroma, entered his mouth, Whis's expression ascended once again.
While quickly and elegantly cutting and eating, he commented in his unique, song-like tone:
"Oh! The aroma of this fat! It explodes in the mouth! The unique toughness of the meat and the richness of the fat are perfectly combined. The complex flavors of the secret sauce unfold layer by layer, and the slightly sour fruit taste perfectly balances the greasiness... Ho ho ho~ This flavor, so robust yet refined, is truly irresistible!"
He was like the most devout and discerning food critic, able to accurately point out the essence and the chef's dedication in every dish he tasted.
His movements seemed unhurried but were incredibly efficient. The dishes on the table were visibly diminishing. Bulma was so stunned she forgot to eat the salad in front of her.
Finally, after Whis had tasted all the dishes on the table, he picked up a napkin and elegantly wiped the corners of his mouth.
Whis's deep purple eyes swept over the empty, sparkling clean, exquisite plates on the table, a pure, almost child-like satisfaction on his face.
He let out his trademark pleasant chuckle. With an all-knowing look, his gaze finally fell on Whitley.
"Such meticulous preparation, such a sumptuous and delicious treat... Mr. Whitley, I imagine this wasn't just to have me taste Earth's delicacies, was it?"
His voice was still soothing, but it seemed to carry a power that could see through people's hearts, making Whitley's own heart beat a little faster.
Whitley took a deep breath, knowing the critical moment had arrived.
He stood up and said frankly:
"You're right, Mr. Whis. I do have an audacious request."
He looked directly into Whis's eyes and said, word by word, clearly:
"I desire to become stronger, to touch the deeper essence of power. I... would like to ask you to guide my training!"
"Training?" The look of satisfaction on Whis's face faded slightly, replaced by an expression that was both expected and slightly troubled.
"Teaching a mortal to train... that sounds very troublesome."
Whis tilted his head slightly, his tone a bit resistant.
"It requires making a plan, observing progress, making adjustments at the right time... and..."
He glanced at the vast ki within Whitley, which was far beyond that of an ordinary Earthling.
"Teaching a Saiyan like you would probably be even more mentally taxing than teaching an ordinary mortal. This isn't something that can be solved with just one meal, you know."
He shook his head gently, clearly not interested in the request, and was about to ask Whitley to change it. "How about you..."
"Mr. Whis!"
A clear female voice interrupted Whis. Bulma stood up, her sapphire-blue eyes shining with wisdom.
She knew very well Whitley's obsessive pursuit of strength, and she understood that the mysterious person before them possessed the power that was Whitley's goal.
She walked to Whitley's side and showed Whis a smile that hinted at negotiation.
"Teaching Whitley to train might be a bit troublesome for you. But if you are willing to agree to this request, in return, I can guarantee you—every few days, whenever it is convenient for you, we will prepare a feast for you that is in no way inferior to today's, and perhaps even more elaborate! Whatever you wish to taste, we will do our best to present it to you! How about it?"
"Ho ho ho?!"
The moment Bulma finished speaking, Whis's eyes seemed to light up!
His lazy pupils suddenly burst with a light even more brilliant than when he had seen the food! The staff in his hand even trembled slightly.
"A feast no less grand than today's, and perhaps even better, every few days?"
For the first time, a barely perceptible waver entered Whis's voice.
He subconsciously licked the corner of his mouth, as if savoring the unforgettable tastes from just now.
Bulma, on the other hand, smiled confidently. She knew her bargaining chip had hit his weak spot.
Whis's gaze darted back and forth between Bulma and Whitley several times.
Finally, as if after an extremely difficult internal struggle, he sighed with a hint of resignation.
"Ho ho ho... I really don't know what to do with you two."
Whis spread his hands helplessly. "Seeing as this young lady is so sincere, and for the sake of the future... well, the agreement, I suppose I will reluctantly accept this troublesome job."
"That's great! Thank you, Whis!" Whitley was ecstatic and immediately stood up to thank him.
A relieved smile also appeared on Bulma's face.
"I want to go too! Whis! I want to go train too!"
Goku, who had been unable to hold back any longer, immediately jumped up excitedly upon hearing that someone as strong as Whitley was going to train with this person.
He pointed to himself and shouted, his eyes full of longing.
Whis's gaze turned to Goku. His purple eyes lingered on him for a moment, as if seeing through his very essence in an instant.
"Ho ho ho~" Whis smiled and shook his head gently, his expression showing a hint of "one trouble is enough" disdain.
"Mr. Goku is still far from ready. Your journey has just begun, your foundation is still shallow. Going to that place now will not benefit you. On the contrary, you might be crushed by the 'ki' there."
The refusal in his tone was unquestionable.
"When you become as strong as the one beside you..."
Whis pointed to Whitley, his tone a bit teasing.
"Mm, as strong as he is 'now,' then you can reconsider this matter."
Goku's face fell instantly upon being rejected, but after just a few seconds, the disappointment was thrown to the wind.
He rubbed his growling stomach, and his eyes instantly lit up again.
"Oh! Right! I'm not full yet!"
Goku shouted and, forgetting about being rejected for training, shot off like the wind towards the kitchen.
"The kitchen! There must still be food in the kitchen!"
Watching his energetic back as he ran off, both Whitley and Bulma smiled helplessly.
Whis also watched with interest, seeming to find the simple little guy quite amusing.
With the matter settled, Whis clearly had no intention of delaying.
He stood up gracefully and nodded slightly to Whitley. "Well then, shall we depart?"
"Please wait a moment, Mr. Whis."
Whitley then turned to Bulma. The smile on Bulma's face faded, her eyes filled with reluctance, even a hint of grievance.
She walked forward and gently took Whitley's hand.
"Are you... leaving already?" Her voice was a little muffled.
Whitley squeezed her cool little hand in return, and with his other hand, he gently ruffled her blue short hair, his gentle eyes full of comfort.
"Don't worry, Bulma. Did you forget I have Instant Transmission? I'll come back often so you won't have to wait too long. Once I get a feel for the situation over there, I'll take you there for a trip. We can even stay there for a few months." He leaned close to her ear and whispered the last part.
Bulma was amused by his last sentence and let out a "pfft" of laughter. The reluctance and grievance in her heart were also washed away.
She sniffled and gave him a mock fierce look. "Hmph! If you dare to stay away for too long... just you see how I'll deal with you!"
"Mm. I... am leaving."
She finally let go of his hand, not holding him back.
Whitley gave her a reassuring smile and turned to Whis's side.
Whis had already extended his strange staff, signaling for Whitley to place his hand on his back.
Whitley took a deep breath, took one last look at Bulma and this temporary home, and gently placed his hand on Whis's strange attire.
There was no earth-shattering commotion, no fluctuation of ki.
The crystal ball at the top of Whis's staff glowed faintly, and the two of them were instantly enveloped in a soft but brilliant light!
The light, like condensed stardust, was dazzling, yet it carried an indescribable sense of divinity.
The next second, the light turned into a long, slender shooting star with a dream-like tail, and silently shot into the sky!
In Bulma's vision, it was just a brilliant streak of light that cut across the blue sky and, in an instant, disappeared into the vast, boundless depths of the universe, as if it had never been there.
The dining room, which had been somewhat lively just a moment ago, was now left with only Bulma.
She tilted her head back and stared for a long time at the spot in the sky where Whitley had disappeared. There were only a few white clouds drifting leisurely.
The afternoon sun streamed through the large French windows, shining on her, but it couldn't dispel the sudden feeling of emptiness in her heart.
The cheerful sound of Goku rummaging for food could be faintly heard from the direction of the kitchen, which only accentuated the silence of the place.
"Idiot..."
Bulma whispered, not knowing if she was talking about Whitley or herself.
She sighed softly and finally lowered her gaze.
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200 Power Stones = 1 Bônus Chapter