"The member of my race I mentioned... is that guy right there."
Watching the rampaging Great Ape, Gran's heart was filled with a whirlwind of emotions. Who could have imagined that this infant, born with a power level of only two, would one day grow to outshine the entire multiverse?
Kakarot... I've finally met you.
"This is the one?"
Beerus rested his chin in his hand, observing the transformed Son Goku. "Whis, what do you make of him?"
"I'm looking at him with my eyes, My Lord."
"..."
The response left Beerus momentarily stunned. What kind of nonsensical answer was that? If Gran had said it, he would have earned a swift knock to the head. But since it was Whis, Beerus settled for a sharp glare.
"In my memory, the Saiyans were always just Frieza's lackeys—brutal, thieving savages who would destroy a planet over the slightest disagreement." Beerus looked back at the giant ape. "Just like this beast. In this state, they lose all reason. Aside from a minor boost in power, I see no merit in it at all. To me, this mindless state is nothing more than the hallmark of a low-class race."
That was Beerus's long-standing opinion of the Saiyans.
"However..." Beerus paused, sighing. "Gran's arrival shattered my perception of the race."
He had never seen a Saiyan with talent as terrifying as Gran's. Moreover, Gran was gentle and sincere—even now, as a grown man, he often behaved with the playful innocence of a child. It was a complete departure from the rest of his kind. Then again, how could anyone capable of learning Ultra Instinct be truly brutal at heart?
A small smile played on the corner of Beerus's mouth. Taking Gran as his apprentice was undoubtedly the most... correct decision he had ever made.
"But even if your existence changed my mind about the race as a whole, this giant ape right here..." Beerus shook his head again. "I see no redeeming qualities in him."
He didn't understand why Gran insisted on finding this particular kinsman. Was it merely for nostalgia?
"No redeeming qualities?"
The young, handsome Gran didn't argue. He offered a light smile. "True. In this mindless Great Ape state, what merits could Kakarot possibly have?"
As he spoke, he caught a glimpse of Whis. Throughout Beerus's evaluation, Whis had remained silent. What was he thinking? Or rather, what did he see?
Finally, Whis spoke up. "Lord Beerus, one should never judge based on surface appearances—especially when it comes to Saiyans. We certainly shouldn't judge them by their Great Ape forms." His tone was calm, making him seem particularly profound.
"?" Beerus looked confused.
"You've known Gran for a long time, but have you ever seen him transform? Perhaps he would lose his reason just like this one."
"Now that you mention it, I really haven't seen Gran transform," Beerus admitted, taking another long look at the giant gorilla. Could this kid really be as formidable as Gran?
Gran's lip twitched at Whis's remark. I'm an elite Saiyan; I wouldn't lose my mind even as a Great Ape.
"Furthermore, Lord Beerus, have you forgotten what the Elder Kai said?" Whis held his staff, his eyes full of meaning. "In Gran's historical records and the Elder Kai's theories, if a Saiyan can regain their sense of self within the Great Ape form, they can achieve an ultimate transformation!"
A bolt of realization struck Beerus. He remembered now. If that were the case, the Great Ape state wasn't a biological dead end after all.
Gran remained silent. What are these two imagining? Kakarot's current base power level was barely 20. He couldn't even turn Super Saiyan yet, let alone Super Saiyan 4!
Suddenly, a massive boulder came hurtling toward them, whistling through the air with terrifying speed.
"He noticed us?"
Gran leaped from the castle roof and met the boulder with a single punch. A deafening boom echoed as the rock was pulverized into dust.
Nearby, the fleeing Bulma, Yamcha, and the others skidded to a halt.
"Who... who is that?" Yamcha stammered, shocked to see someone flying.
"Why does he look so familiar?" Bulma's brow furrowed as she stared at the figure suspended in the sky.
"Goku's looking at us again! Run!" Oolong screamed, taking off.
Bulma's face paled with terror, and she was about to follow when a series of thunderous collisions rang out from above. She looked back to see the giant ape relentlessly attacking the handsome stranger in the strange clothes.
He's so cute! Wait, no! Bulma shook her head. She watched in awe as Gran blocked Goku's massive fists with nothing more than a single finger.
"He's stopping Goku's attacks with one finger... that's impossible!" Bulma's eyes widened. The silhouette felt more and more like someone she had met before.
In the air, Gran had a strange expression—he actually looked like he was enjoying the scuffle. "Come on, Kakarot! Again!"
He pushed the Great Ape back a few steps with his finger and beckoned him forward.
"ROAARRR!!"
Incensed, Ape Goku lunged again, his fists moving so fast they left afterimages. Gran continued to parry every strike with just his pinky.
"How childish," Beerus muttered from the roof.
Whis chuckled. "Bullying your own kinsman while he's mindless... Gran really is a bit shameless."
"Whis, do you think there's actually something special about this Saiyan?"
"It's hard to say. We'll only know for sure once we see him in his base form."
"I'm done playing!" Gran announced. He had enjoyed his time with the charming Kakarot, but now he vanished, reappearing behind the beast's rear.
In the original story, Puar had transformed into scissors to cut the tail. Gran preferred a more direct approach. He raised his hand, forming a blade of pure energy.
Slash!
The tail fell. Almost instantly, the massive ape began to shrink. Within moments, Goku was back to his chubby, innocent self.
"Take off your pants." Gran appeared beside Oolong, holding the unconscious Goku.
Oolong was sweating profusely, too terrified to protest. He scrambled to take off his trousers and handed them over. Gran gave Goku's "little elephant" a quick flick before dressing him in Oolong's oversized pants. It was just like the anime; Goku was adorable.
"That's better." Gran admired the dressed-up toddler for a moment before tossing him toward Bulma.
She caught him with a thud, her mind still blank from the speed of the events.
"Who... who are you, people?" Yamcha asked cautiously.
"Yeah, who are you?" Bulma hugged Goku tight, staring at the handsome young man in the peculiar attire. It felt so familiar—the clothes, the face... she was sure she had seen them before.
"Gran, is this the girl you mentioned?" Beerus and Whis appeared by his side. Whis studied Goku intently, though his expression remained neutral.
"Girl?" Bulma realized the "skin and bones" cat was talking about her. She retreated two steps, clutching Goku. Wait. The cat looked familiar, too!
"Lord Beerus, don't you remember her?" Gran laughed.
Bulma was wearing her classic blue vest, her light blue hair tied back in a ponytail. She had fair skin, a delicate face, and wide, sparkling eyes full of youthful energy.
"Have I met her before?" Beerus squinted at her, then shook his head. "I don't remember. I don't know her." The only things worth remembering in this world were delicious foods.
"Let me remind you. A little girl once called me a little beggar, and you were so annoyed that you wanted to destroy her. Ring a bell?"
"That happened?" Beerus frowned, searching his memory.
"It's you!" Bulma shrieked. It all came flooding back. No wonder he looked familiar—he was that "beggar" kid! The one who sat in the park and tricked her out of her money! "You fraud! Give me my money back!"
Bulma would remember that incident for the rest of her life, but the power Gran had just displayed kept her at a distance. She could only mutter her grievances from behind Goku.
"Oh, right! Her!" Beerus's face clouded over. "Stupid mortal! Take us to that 'food street' right now, or I'll destroy you!"
Destroy? Before Bulma could process the word, Gran raised his hand and fired an energy blast toward a distant, uninhabited wasteland.
BOOM!
A small mushroom cloud rose in the distance. Bulma and her friends stood frozen in shock. Was this really human power?
"I assume you have no objections?" Gran didn't wait for an answer. He appeared instantly by Bulma's side, placing a hand on her shoulder. Beerus and Whis followed suit, placing their hands on Gran.
Instant Transmission!
With a sharp zip, the entire group—Bulma and Goku included—vanished, leaving Yamcha and the others standing alone in the wind.
...
At the Lookout, Mr. Popo stood at the edge of the palace.
"Searching for food again... and here I thought they were coming to kill me again."
"Still, only eight years have passed, and he's already reached the level of a god."
"And that little Saiyan... how interesting."
...
West City.
They arrived in a part of the city that felt more like a traditional neighborhood than a high-tech park. It was a bustling food street lined with stalls: Takoyaki, Oden, fried chicken, sushi, Sakura mochi—an endless parade of snacks.
"I guess I was looking in the wrong place all along," Gran mused. "It takes a local to find the real hidden gems." Searching for street food in a high-tech corporate zone was a fool's errand.
"Local?" Bulma puffed out her cheeks. She wanted to hit him, but the memory of the mushroom cloud kept her insults to herself.
"Lord Beerus, Whis, how does this look..." Gran started, only to realize the Destroyer and the Angel had already vanished.
The two were already darting from stall to stall, sniffing the air. The scents of various grilled and fried foods acted like hooks, dragging them toward every vendor. They looked absolutely entranced.
"It smells... incredible!"
"What kind of delicacies are these?!"
"This Earth is truly miraculous! Aside from ramen, there's all of this!"
"Hahaha! Gran, you truly are my lucky star for finding such a planet!"
"Curse it all... when I think of the garbage I used to eat, I want to gag!"
"We should keep this place to ourselves. Once we've had our fill, we can use it to taunt that fat pig Champa!"
The two began sampling everything in sight. They even waited patiently in line at the more popular stalls. As Beerus put it, those capable of creating such art deserved respect.
"Hey..." Bulma followed Gran, still clutching Goku.
"I have a name. It's Gran. Or you can call me Lord Destroyer Candidate." Gran reached for a tray of Takoyaki.
"A god?" Bulma flinched. This guy is crazy.
"That's right. I am a deity." Gran turned back, setting down his snack. Suddenly, a faint ripple of divine pressure radiated from him.
THOOM—!
Everyone on the street turned pale. A weightless, terrifying chill washed over them.
"You..." Bulma's knees gave out, and she slumped to the ground.
"Alright, pay for my food, please. Thanks." Gran retracted the pressure and offered a warm, gentle smile.
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