In a city in disorder, littered with defeated soldiers, a teenager stood behind an anthropomorphic human.
"There, the press will arrive soon... I will officially announce my abdication," declared the man, whom countless Dragon Ball fans would immediately recognize as King Furry.
This anthropomorphic man was the official ruler of planet Earth and the leader of Central City.
"Excellent, little dog. You've been cooperative, so I'll spare all your men," replied a stranger, a satisfied smile slowly forming on his face as he watched his target hang up the phone after contacting the journalists.
Noticing his interlocutor's satisfied smile, the former king clenched his small fists in frustration. Yet, he didn't reply. What could he do in such a situation?
Central City's army had been dominated and neutralized without bloodshed. As for his personal guard? It had suffered the same fate, although it was supposed to represent the elite of Earth's elites.
'If only I could contact the legendary Master Muten Roshi more quickly...'
Unfortunately, this task remained out of reach. Kamesennin, also known as Muten-Roshi, was not an easily reachable individual.
That's why King Furry had dispatched two people: one to contact the eccentric hermit, the other to reach Tao Pai Pai. But... the army hadn't held until their return.
The defeat had been terribly quick. Not even two hours had passed.
"Well done... you've been efficient... hmm, what's your identifier again?"
While the former dethroned king cursed his fate, two figures suddenly appeared a little further away.
The first had brown hair and eyes of similar color. Although he wore a lab coat, King Furry could distinguish the obvious signs of intense training on his body.
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Beside him stood a teenager with less assertive gestures. One could call him handsome, but his childish behavior somewhat tarnished his appearance. He was also the one who had just spoken.
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"Tss, you're acting smart thanks to the master's favor, but don't forget..."
The man King Furry feared suddenly interrupted his reply when the teenager with the joyful smile let his friendly expression disappear.
'Could he be afraid?'
Thanks to Goku Jr's exceptional Ki control, no one could detect the young Saiyan's fighting intent by observing his subordinate. Of course, Gorou felt it, but chose to ignore it tactically.
'Competitiveness is a good thing, but no fraternal murder is allowed.'
Such was the creed that Gorou had engraved in the minds of the Legion Project members. Unlike ordinary New Men, these were extremely bellicose toward any intelligent being that attracted their interest, including their close ones.
Unfortunately, this rule had led Goku Jr. to suffer harassment from the stronger ones without any punishment being inflicted. A small flaw in the system, but still tolerated by him.
"What are you saying? I was too far away, I didn't hear well."
"N... nothing, chief."
In a slightly trembling voice, the artificial creature bowed before the pressure from their army's only Super Saiyan. Goku Jr. regained his carefree smile after this act of submission, placing his arm around his subordinate's shoulder.
"Ok, I'll let it slide this time."
"Th... thank you."
Gorou sketched a slight smile observing the comical scene, before turning his attention back to the real reason for his coming to Central City: King Furry.
'So it's him... the descendant of the man who had wished to Shenron to become king of Earth? Interesting.'
As a user of Shenron's magic, Gorou understood better than anyone the nature of such a wish: a selfish wish that had affected the entire Earth.
'Well... I'm not in a position to criticize his ancestor, having myself accumulated much negative energy in Shenron with my first wish.'
The more powerful a wish was, the more time Shenron needed to evacuate the negative energy it generated. As Kaioshin Shin's ancestor had mentioned: the power of the Dragon Balls always goes against natural laws. Such power is never without consequence.
"I understood you were going to cooperate... is this true? Or is it a ruse?"
Before Gorou, the old king had no secrets.
He simply possessed too much knowledge in the unique skill [Great Sage], and Gorou had already mastered all possible magical arts outside those of Kaioshin and Moro.
As for Whis's supernatural techniques? He knew nothing about them yet.
"I... I will really cooperate," murmured King Furry under the mystical pressure that Gorou emanated. Any idea of rebellion, which Goku Jr.'s subordinate had not been able to stifle, dissipated like snow in the sun.
Goku stared at him for a few more seconds, finally sketching a satisfied smile.
"You have chosen a beneficial path for everyone," he said in an assured tone, before lifting the king from the ground by telekinesis.
The group then entered the royal castle.
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...
"Ladies and gentlemen... cough... I suffer from an extremely rare disease... I... I don't believe I can continue to reign over Earth," declared King Furry. Immediately, the people present began bombarding him with questions.
Yet, the anthropomorphic man stopped the journalists' frenzy with a simple hand gesture. A clear testimony to his dignity and the respect that Earth's humans bore him.
"I... I know you have many questions, but I will let my legitimate successor answer them... Mr. Gorou Hyoudou," he announced without waiting for the journalists to interrupt him. King Furry then gave way to Gorou.
"Hello everyone. I know you have countless questions and that the current situation is... a bit abrupt, so... I will try to answer them as best as possible," Gorou began.
His speech announced a real verbal joust with the journalists invited by King Furry to cover the power transfer across the world. It was a bold act that Gorou had chosen knowing full well that certain reluctant politicians in certain cities wouldn't see this favorably.
Yet, he had made this choice knowingly.
I plan to clean house anyway... so might as well directly confront political opponents and show them they can't hide.
As for those who are cunning and clever? Gorou could keep them alive, since they had shown their intelligence by surviving his purge. But if they dared defy his strength... they would end up crushed.
"Sir, what is your name? Are you an illegitimate son of King Furry? Why have we never heard of you? Where did you grow up?"
"Several soldiers litter Central City's streets... the population thinks of a coup d'état. What can you say about this?"
"What is your policy regarding the growth of poverty in certain regions of the world? Do you have an idea to remedy this? Were you trained in politics by your predecessor?"
Faced with this flood of questions, Gorou showed no sign of fear. He calmly opened his mouth and answered with clarity, correcting certain preconceived ideas and enlightening the population.
"As for the subject of the coup d'état and injured soldiers... this act was the work of a notorious criminal, known worldwide under the name Tao Pai Pai."
The simple mention of this famous mercenary caused visible shock among the journalists.
Haha... sorry, Mr. Tao Pai Pai, but our contract has expired.
This act by Gorou wasn't simply the elimination of a hunting dog after capturing its prey. The mercenary had regularly demanded money from the Millennium, even though he had already received a considerable sum after his mission.
His argument? 'You had mentioned that my price would be the reward, right? And because of you, I lost an important client. It's therefore logical that I demand compensation.'
'You piece of garbage... you shouldn't have been so greedy.' thought Gorou, sketching a cunning smile.
"I plan to take measures against him and against all those who think they can get away with anything... That's why, starting today, I would apply stricter laws toward criminals and I'm recruiting massively in the army!"
The beginning of the dictatorship... or rather of this "democracy" began in the Dragon Ball universe.
....
"Bulma!! Did you see? Gorou became king..."
After seeing the news on television, Yamcha came to announce the good news to Bulma.
However, he found the young woman in front of the television screen, with a strangely familiar look and a slightly red face.
'What is this feeling... I feel like I'm losing something really important...'
Unfortunately for Yamcha, his instinct had triggered a little too late this time.