This training session in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber went even more smoothly than Ethan had anticipated. Not only did he successfully reawaken the rule power within his body, but he also smoothly transformed his body back into a divine physique.
Speaking of which, a body transformed based on one's own power was indeed the most suitable body for him.
During the process of transforming his divine physique, he could clearly feel his power gradually recovering and becoming much easier to wield.
With his power restored, he began to consider what to do next.
As things stood, it seemed he would not need to wait for Buu to appear, go through a series of intense battles, and finally defeat Goku before he could leave this world.
Due to the unique nature of this world and his initial focus on improving his combat power, the rules he first "reclaimed" were those related to combat.
Powers like destruction, annihilation, and so on could not only be used again, but he had also gained more insight than before, understanding these types of rules more deeply.
With this level of strength, Buu was no longer an obstacle.
So, he began preparing to leave.
Living in this world for over a decade was not a short time, even for an existence like Ethan.
In this world, the first people he met were Goku and Bulma.
Goku went without saying. Bulma had a high appearance rating, a great figure, and the added bonus of his past life memories. Even without considering her exceptional scientific ability, no man with normal preferences could be uninterested in her.
However, Ethan fell back into his old habit. If he could not ensure a "future" for them, he was unwilling to truly make a move.
Back when he was a young mage, he was not sure if he could reach a level matching Diana, so he never actively did anything. It was Diana who saw that this guy had ideas long ago but was just agonizing over them himself, and she decisively made a move. Only then did their relationship make substantial progress.
It was the same this time. In this world constructed by the Tower of Babel, Ethan did not know if his strength would allow him to take Bulma with him, meaning he did not know if the two of them had a future, which was why he had not shown any clear intentions.
The situation with Yoruichi was similar. Given the time they spent together, Ethan had countless opportunities to have something happen with Yoruichi, yet he never truly did anything.
After Trunks returned to his world, everyone's lives returned to normal.
Goku, Krillin, and the others continued to run their martial arts dojo while diligently practicing.
Piccolo encountered a soft refusal at the Lookout and could not fuse with Kami, but he ended up staying there anyway. Ethan felt that the old Kami seemed to have some ulterior motive, perhaps to further change some of Piccolo's thoughts and ideas, fuse with Piccolo at that time, and then let the newly born Piccolo inherit the position of Kami!
Goku, whom he had favored, had already explicitly refused the position of Kami, and given Goku's current relationship of brotherhood with King Kai, he probably would not even care for the mere position of Earth's Kami.
Ethan did not know if Kami would succeed. Even if Piccolo did not inherit the position of Kami, they could go back to Namek and find another Namekian who could create Dragon Balls to be Earth's Kami.
Back then, Goku and the others helped Namek defeat King Cold, and their relationship with the Namekians was quite good.
"Tsk, thinking about it, I've gone off on a tangent again!"
He even suspected that he was instinctively trying to avoid this issue, but this was not a solution. So, he called Yoruichi and Bulma over, preparing to have a good talk with them.
Saying "talk" was really just explaining his true situation.
He had told Yoruichi before that he was a god from another world, but he had not gone into much detail, so Yoruichi only had a general understanding of Ethan's situation.
This time, he was prepared to explain everything that needed to be said.
After listening to Ethan's account, Bulma had not fully recovered from the shock of Ethan's true identity, but Yoruichi already understood that this guy had seen what he should not have seen, touched what he should not have touched, yet had never shown any clear intentions.
As someone good at observation, Yoruichi naturally saw that Ethan had some reservations, but she had not expected the truth to be like this.
"So... you're worried about your wife... or wives... at home?"
This guy, she had not realized he was quite capable, having several women?
"You're focusing on the wrong thing."
Ethan covered his face. While he was telling them these things to clarify his situation, the main point was to explain that his current circumstances made things difficult, and he could not guarantee that he could "take both of you with me."
"I don't think I'm focusing on the wrong thing!"
Yoruichi jumped up and delivered a sharp downward kick, which Ethan blocked with crossed arms. There was no holding back in that kick. He would not be able to withstand a solid hit. What if he got kicked into a brain-damaged state?
While the two of them were playfully bickering, Bulma on the other side finally sorted out the situation. She had originally thought that Ethan had not shown any interest in her because of Yoruichi.
Unexpectedly, Ethan and Yoruichi did not have the kind of relationship she had assumed... although it was close. Rather, Ethan already had girlfriends, and more than one!
As for Ethan's identity? Having already witnessed Kami and learned about beings like King Kai, Bulma was not overly shocked.
In her opinion, a god from another world was no different from Trunks coming from another future.
Bulma suddenly felt very depressed. She had always thought her circumstances were excellent, so how could no one be pursuing her? Added to her high standards, she did not fancy ordinary people. As a result, she found that the fewer people she could fancy, the less likely the other person was to fancy her. She really was unwanted!
As the daughter of the world's richest man, Bulma felt so stifled!
Yoruichi, who was nearby, noticed Bulma's change in mood, put her arm around her, and comforted her. "Don't overthink it. This guy specifically called you over to explain the situation. Do you think he has no feelings for you? He's just holding back because the situation is special."
"..."
"I bet this guy won't let you go."
Having spent a long time together, even if Ethan hid it well, many of his true inner thoughts could not be concealed from Yoruichi. She had long seen through this guy's personality.
This guy had a very strong possessiveness. He himself did not make a move, but he would not allow others to! If anyone dared to make a move on a target he had marked, they would definitely be severely dealt with by this guy.
"You suddenly called the two of us and told us all this. Have you found a way to solve this problem and want to come clean with us?"
"Although it's not completely solved yet, I have some leads."
Bulma was just a bit confused for a moment, but now she was gradually returning to normal. Hearing Ethan's words, she crossed her arms and glared at him unhappily.
"So you want me to just follow you without knowing what's going on?"
"Well, actually, I was thinking of inviting you to my place. I have a lot of amazing technologies there that you can research, and you won't have to worry about trivial things like age or appearance anymore."
"Bulma, you have to be careful! This guy wants to trick you into his territory and then slowly wait for a chance to make a move. He won't let you go!"
Yoruichi suddenly reached out her mischievous hands, causing Bulma to let out a startled cry.
"Let's just ignore him and get together ourselves."
"..."
Ethan covered his face. The topic was suddenly derailed by Yoruichi. Next, Bulma clearly stated that she was not interested in being with a woman, while Yoruichi continued to tease Bulma. Now, no one was paying attention to Ethan anymore.
Quietly watching the two of them playfully bicker for a while, as if cleaning the windows of his soul, Ethan knew that they were also using this behavior to ease the awkwardness while considering whether to agree.
Although Ethan did not explicitly say it, the two smart women understood that Ethan was giving them a choice.
His possessiveness was strong, but he did not want to force them. If they did not agree, he would not forcibly take them to his world.
"I have a question."
"What?"
"If I follow you to your world, can I still come back?"
"If everything goes smoothly, I can bind this world to mine, and then you can travel back and forth freely."
Bulma nodded. She already had her answer in her heart.
Regardless of whether she would have something happen with Ethan, the amazing technologies Ethan described alone were enough to attract her to go and see them.
As for eternal youth and a long lifespan, she was indeed tempted. As she grew older, she gradually felt the changes in her body, which were definitely not changes she liked. Who would not want to live more easily, healthily, and beautifully?
On this basis, there was also a man she was very fond of with whom she could develop a deeper relationship. There seemed to be no reason to refuse.
The only annoying thing was that this guy was too flirtatious!
Frowning and sulking silently, Bulma glanced at Yoruichi.
"I don't have anything to ask, but are you asking this because you're preparing to leave this world?"
Yoruichi remembered Ethan saying that he had to complete several tasks. Had he completed them?
"No, but I've found that as long as I recover a bit more strength, I can leave this world even without completing those tasks."
He had specifically told the two women such a long story, not just to explain the situation, but also to instruct them on some matters.
"I foresee that the journey ahead will be very troublesome, so I hope you will continue to stay in this world."
"Huh? You want me to stay in this world? Not take us with you directly?"
Yoruichi had originally thought that this time would be similar to leaving the Soul Society world, with Ethan taking her and Bulma with him. As for how to return, it would probably be after completing the challenge with the one named Abraham.
However, the situation was different from what she had guessed. Ethan wanted her to continue completing the "competition" and have the two of them wait here.
"Don't worry, as long as I return to the exact time I left, for this world, I might only be gone for an instant."
"I see. Well then, go ahead!"
"..."
(To be continued.)