"It's a gift—my apology to you," Ken stepped forward and said to Champa with sincere politeness.
"Fine. Since you're being so honest… I'll accept," Champa said, both sympathetic and swift as he tucked the Sunflower Manual away.
Vados remained silent throughout.
She had the distinct feeling Ken was digging a hole for Champa-sama—a deep one—just waiting for him to jump.
Ken's face stayed calm, neither joyful nor sorrowful.
As for whether Champa would actually practice that thing… that would be up to fate.
Now that he'd pocketed the book, who knew—one day his hands might itch and he'd want to try it.
Trying doesn't cost money, after all.
Hit also said nothing, merely locking eyes with Broly at the side.
This kid had been staring at my head the whole time.
He'd only shifted his gaze away to hand Champa-sama that book… and now it was right back on me.
"What're you lookin' at?" Broly suddenly asked.
Hit: "…"
You started it.
"Hmph." Hit snorted, not about to bicker with a little brat.
"Your head… I swear I've seen it somewhere," Broly scratched his hair, speaking with guileless curiosity.
"My head?" Hit had no idea what Broly meant.
"Uh… bathroom," Broly blurted, darting off to a restroom in the distance.
When he returned, comprehension dawned on his face, and he bit back a laugh.
"Ken… his head…" Broly could only whisper his strange discovery to Ken.
"Looks familiar, doesn't it?" Ken smiled, eyes glinting.
"You knew?" Broly scratched his head.
"One look," Ken said, amused.
"Just like mine…" Broly waggled his head vigorously.
"No need for that much detail…" Ken murmured. "And don't tell him. If he found out, think how traumatized he'd be."
Broly nodded; Ken was absolutely right.
This guy looked way too funny.
Broly stole another serious look at Hit, and the more he looked, the more he wanted to laugh.
Hit's face went cold; he felt like he could hardly stand still under that gaze.
You little brat—what's that supposed to mean?
Do I look that funny to you?
"Can I touch it?" Broly pointed at Hit's head.
"Get lost," Hit growled.
"Stingy," Broly pouted, then pointed at his own head. "You can touch mine."
"Hmph." Hit couldn't be bothered to engage.
"Ken, what is Broly talking about?" Vados finally asked, baffled.
"It's nothing serious. Broly thinks Mr. Hit's head is a bit… distinctive," Ken said quietly.
"There are all kinds of mortals in the universe… What's distinctive about Mr. Hit's head?" Vados was still confused.
"You've never seen it?" Ken blinked.
"Seen what?" Vados looked even more puzzled.
"Nothing," Ken said, his smile turning more cryptic.
"I don't get you…" Vados let it go and turned to Champa. "Champa-sama, should Mr. Hit and Mr. Broly have a light spar first?"
"I don't care," Champa shrugged.
"What does Mr. Ken think?" Vados asked.
"No need. Let's just head straight to the tournament," Ken suggested.
"In that case, we'll fly leisurely," Vados said. "No need to rush."
Pop!
Ken didn't stand on ceremony—he hopped onto Vados's back, arms sliding around her from behind as his tail wrapped snugly around her slender waist.
It had been half a year since he'd felt that.
It felt great.
Vados said nothing; she, too, seemed to be recalling how it felt when Ken hugged her from behind.
Broly stood obediently to the side.
Champa: "…"
I feel like the outsider here.
Vados is my Angel.
But then he remembered both Ken and Broly had trained from that book… and pity crept over him.
Given the style of that manual… even healing techniques probably couldn't restore that, right?
If you restored it, the technique might stop working.
That's likely how it is…
Poor kids!
So young, and already without their most precious thing.
"Champa-sama, we'll set off first. Keep up," Vados said, tapping her staff lightly against the ground.
Fwoom!
A starlike radiance unfurled, enveloping Vados and Ken—and Broly as well.
Shu!
In the next instant, Vados shot into the sky with Ken and Broly and soon vanished.
Champa: "…"
So when you said "leisurely," you meant… waiting for me?
You're not taking me with you?
Champa felt personally wronged.
And suddenly, after this half year… it seemed Vados had grown closer to Ken and Broly.
Whose Angel are you?
Helpless, Champa flared with purplish-red light, grabbed Hit, and streaked into the sky to give chase.
…
Universe 18. Upon a flawless white planet.
A beautiful woman took form upon the surface.
She had long, silvery-white hair that draped over her shoulders.
Her figure was graceful; she wore an Angel's divine attire and held a black staff.
A golden halo gleamed at her neck.
Shff!
The Grand Priest appeared before her in an instant.
"Greetings, Grand Priest." The woman bowed.
"Amarella, congratulations on restoring your true body," the Grand Priest said with a gentle smile, hands clasped behind his back.
"It's still unstable. At most, I can maintain this state for ten minutes a day," Amarella said softly.
"With time, I believe the duration will lengthen," the Grand Priest answered. "For the past six months I've been calculating. If Universe 18 regains its former prosperity, you will recover your old strength, rather than being limited as you are now."
"Since it vanished, why restore it…" Amarella sighed. "The universe I loved has lost its original colors."
"Amarella, a lost universe can be rebuilt," the Grand Priest's expression turned stern. "But don't choose to live and die with it so lightly again."
Amarella's face remained calm; she said nothing.
"There is something you may find interesting," the Grand Priest said.
"What is it, Grand Priest?" Amarella tilted her head slightly.
"You once said you left your most refined Angelic Power somewhere in the cosmos, to await a destined one who could resonate with it," the Grand Priest smiled. "That was your claim, was it not?"
"Yes," Amarella nodded lightly.
"You also said that this fated person might, through training, become a true Angel," the Grand Priest added.
"Don't tell me… you've found the one?" Surprise flickered across Amarella's eyes.
"Yes. He's a Saiyan from Planet Vegeta in Universe 7. His name is Ken," the Grand Priest said with a smile.
"Universe 7? Planet Vegeta? A Saiyan?" Amarella thought in silence.
"Is something wrong?" the Grand Priest asked.
"I didn't place my Angelic Power in Universe 7," Amarella said suddenly.
The Grand Priest: "???"
He blinked, genuinely taken aback, eyes fixed on Amarella.
"Did it… move to Universe 7 on its own?" Amarella murmured.
The Grand Priest: "…"
"That… seems the only explanation," he said at last.
A brief silence.
"Grand Priest, could you bring him here? I'd like to meet him," Amarella asked.
"That is, in part, why I came," the Grand Priest replied.
"Oh?" Amarella looked up at him.
"Do you see the arena there?" The Grand Priest pointed to a large platform suspended in the sky.
"I noticed. I was just about to ask what it was for," Amarella nodded.
"In about five minutes, Ken will arrive with his trainee God of Destruction, Broly, to compete in the selection for Universe 18's God of Destruction," the Grand Priest explained.
"A God of Destruction selection?" Amarella blinked, feeling lost.
My Universe 18 has only just regained a rough outline.
Other than me, there isn't a single living being yet.
Why a God of Destruction now?
"Grand Priest, shouldn't we prioritize a Supreme Kai?" Amarella voiced the obvious question.
"No. What's most needed now is an Angel, isn't it?" The Grand Priest smiled.
"I'm not ready. My Angelic Power is too unstable… I can't remain like this for long," Amarella shook her head.
"I don't mean you," the Grand Priest said with a mysterious smile.
Amarella: "…"
"You mean… that mortal named Ken?" she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, understanding at once.
"You wished to meet him, yes? This is the perfect opportunity. I also hope that by managing a universe, he'll hasten his metamorphosis into a true Angel," the Grand Priest said placidly.
Amarella held her tongue.
"Moreover, if your Angelic Power is compatible, it would greatly aid your recovery," he added.
"My apologies, Grand Priest… My body can't maintain this form any longer. I'll have to disappear for a while," Amarella sighed, apologetic.
"It's fine. Once the trainee Angel is chosen, let him assist you properly," the Grand Priest said evenly.
"Very well," Amarella nodded. "As you arrange, Grand Priest."
Her form began to turn translucent.
Pop!
A moment later, Amarella's body became starlike motes of light and vanished.
Watching her fade, the Grand Priest's face showed little emotion, but there was doubt in his eyes.
Amarella truly didn't leave her Angelic Power in Universe 7?
Then how did that kid Ken develop Angelic Power?
That shouldn't be possible…
Fortunately, I'll see him in a few minutes.
From the signature of his Angelic Power, I should be able to trace the source.
The Grand Priest rose into the air and drifted beside the hovering arena.
The platform resembled a giant spinning top, with a central pillar and a conical underside.
It was somewhat like a miniature Tournament of Power stage.
Dozens of times smaller, of course.
Naturally—back then it had to hold eighty fighters.
How many can a God of Destruction selection draw?
Perhaps eight.
After all, each universe can send only one candidate.
Strictly speaking, each Angel can send just one.
Universe 7, in effect, had three Angels involved: a proper Angel like Whis, a trainee Angel like Merus, and a hybrid "mortal Angel."
Three Angels, each bringing a God of Destruction candidate, all converging on the newly restored Universe 18.
The Grand Priest waited quietly in midair.
Shu!
The first to arrive were the trainee Angel, Merus, and his trainee God of Destruction, Majin Buu.
Merus streaked in from afar with Buu and appeared beside the Grand Priest.
Merus bowed deeply.
Majin Buu stood stiffly, his plump belly jutting like a middle-aged beer gut. He squinted and yawned.
No helping it—Buu had been forcibly awakened.
He'd been in a dead sleep lately—the kind you couldn't snap him out of.
Merus had to beat him soundly.
Having woken, Buu didn't dare cross Merus's strength, but he was anything but happy.
Seeing Merus bow to this strange man, Buu shot him a sidelong glance.
Is he your dad?
Look at you—toadying.
Just then, Merus pressed Buu's head down and forced him to bend.
Buu's face soured further.
All my life—other than that wizard Bibidi—I've never bowed to anyone.
"Pay your respects to the Grand Priest! What did I tell you? Be polite," Merus hissed.
Intimidated by Merus, Buu bobbed his head, bent at the waist, and bowed to the Grand Priest, triangular eyes simmering with anger.
Seeing Buu behave, Merus exhaled.
"My, my… Merus, your trainee Destroy—er, God of Destruction—management isn't great," the Grand Priest said at a glance, seeing right through it.
Merus scratched his head, mortified.
I never had the time to train him.
Since I brought him to Galactic Patrol HQ, he stuffed himself at the canteen… and went right to sleep.
Exhausting.
"True… but I'll do my best to shape him into a proper God of Destruction soon," Merus replied quickly.
"Turn into chocolate!" Buu muttered, his head tentacle suddenly pointing at the Grand Priest.
Merus nearly fainted.
The Grand Priest: "…"
He blinked, bemused.
Really?
You want to turn me into chocolate?
Thonk!
Merus's staff appeared in his hand and cracked Buu across the face.
A long dent marked Buu's cheek.
"I won't eat it, okay… Why so mad?" Buu said, wounded innocence on his face.
"Idiot! Do you know what you're doing? Do you know who he is?" Merus barked.
"No," Buu shook his head.
"I told you on the way," Merus said loudly.
"I fell asleep," Buu said, scratching his scalp.
Merus wanted to cry.
Of all times to fall asleep…
You fell asleep while I was introducing the Grand Priest?
"He is the Grand Priest, the greatest god in all the universes," Merus said quickly.
"Uh…" Buu stared at the Grand Priest, thinking.
The Grand Priest merely smiled at Buu—then looked long at Merus.
"Isn't the greatest god the Supreme Kai?" Buu said, patting his stomach. "I ate two."
Merus was speechless.
He knew about Buu devouring Supreme Kais.
But knowing is one thing—don't say it in front of the Grand Priest.
The Grand Priest said nothing, simply watching Buu placidly.
After a brief silence—
"Merus, your heart is unsettled," the Grand Priest sighed. "An Angel must keep a tranquil heart at all times."
"Yes, Grand Priest," Merus bowed again.
"Think of your God of Destruction as your pet. With that mindset, you can improve yourself more smoothly," the Grand Priest instructed.
"I… I understand, Grand Priest," Merus said, eyes brightening.
A pet, huh.
No wonder Kusu-neesan, Vados-neesan, even Whis-nii can stay so serene for so long.
They treat their Gods of Destruction like pets.
Dote on them most of the time.
And when they misbehave, you can give them a little discipline.
It was an epiphany.
How did I only get this now?
"Buu, do you want chocolate?" Merus asked suddenly.
"Chocolate?" Buu immediately glanced at the Grand Priest.
I was just going to make him into chocolate. You stopped me.
"I brought some from Earth. The same brand Mr. Satan gave you," Merus said, lifting his hand.
Pop!
A heap of chocolate appeared—forty to fifty kilos of it.
The Grand Priest: "…"
Buu's eyes sparkled. He snatched the pile and gulped it down, stuffing his cheeks to bursting.
"Merus, come here," the Grand Priest sighed and beckoned.
Startled, Merus stepped up and bowed.
"Training your God of Destruction takes tact. Pet him, yes—but don't spoil him endlessly," the Grand Priest said. "Learn to give a stick and then a sweet date. Instead of handing him that much chocolate at once, one or two pieces each time would work better."
Merus's eyes lit up.
Yes—Grand Priest is right.
Why didn't I think of that?
"Be more attentive in your learning," the Grand Priest advised patiently.
"I understand, Grand Priest," Merus said earnestly.
Buu quickly polished off the fifty-odd kilos of chocolate.
His mood improved at once. He licked his lips, patted his round belly, and grinned.
The Grand Priest looked away, toward another direction.
Shu!
A starlike streak flashed at the horizon.
A moment later, Universe 3's Angel, Camparri, and God of Destruction, Mosco, arrived near the arena with their chosen entrant.
"Greetings, Grand Priest!" Camparri bowed.
Mosco dropped to one knee at once.
Their candidate, Maji-Kayo, knelt as well.
"Rise," the Grand Priest said impassively, pointing to the stands beside the arena. "Take seats over there."
"Yes, Grand Priest," Camparri answered.
"Gyugyu!" Mosco bowed again.
The three lifted off and took seats along the stands.
"Then, Grand Priest, we'll be seated as well," Merus said politely.
The Grand Priest nodded slightly.
"Come on, Buu. Let's sit for a bit," Merus called, leading Majin Buu to a distant section of the stands.
He did not sit near Mosco—leaving several sections between them.
Clack!
A little hatch on Mosco's belly popped open; Mule climbed out and sat beside Camparri.
"Strange. That trainee Angel's trainee God of Destruction changed," Mule muttered.
"Perhaps the previous one wasn't suitable," Camparri said casually.
(End of Chapter)
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
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