The voice in his mind shattered Kaiser's meditation.
His closed eyes snapped open.
"What's this?"
"My cheat ability, showing up eighteen years late?"
Kaiser's voice was thick with disbelief.
Eighteen years since his reincarnation.
He had trained relentlessly, reaching the pinnacle of the Gold Saints.
He had accepted that he had no cheat ability... or that his talent was his cheat.
But now, a Heroic Spirit Summoning System appeared out of nowhere?
This filled Kaiser with unexpected joy.
With the Holy War looming, this system could be the key to turning the tide.
The power system of Saint Seiya was extraordinarily exaggerated.
Outside of certain high-fantasy novels, only Marvel, DC, and Dragon Ball could rival Saint Seiya's settings.
Among them, Dragon Ball's ceiling was far lower.
Saint Seiya's creator god, Chronos, was undoubtedly an infinite multiversal entity.
Dragon Ball's Grand Zeno, at best, was single-universe or super-single-universe, unable to touch the multiversal.
In Dragon Ball Super, the appearance of two Grand Zenos proved they couldn't consolidate their own timelines.
"Still, this is a pleasant surprise!"
A glint of excitement flashed in Kaiser's eyes.
With his strength at the peak of the Seventh Sense, as long as Pope Itia didn't repeat the betrayal from the original story, Kaiser was confident he could survive this Holy War.
He might even gain Athena's divine blood and the gods' feigned death technique.
This could extend his lifespan to centuries, perhaps even a millennium.
Provided he didn't fall in battle.
"Judging by the timeline, it should be around now."
Kaiser's eyes narrowed, recalling the original story's timeline.
The Heroic Spirit System required charging.
Even manifesting as a spiritual entity in other worlds demanded significant focus.
If the Underworld's Twin Gods ambushed him during this time, his physical body might not survive.
Tap… tap…
Footsteps echoed in the Libra Temple.
Kaiser opened his eyes, looking toward the entrance.
"Gategard?"
"Are you also going to see the master?"
Kaiser asked, eyeing Aries Gategard.
"Yes."
Gategard's response was cold.
Like Kaiser, he was an orphan raised by Pope Itia.
But Gategard always felt Kaiser didn't show enough respect for their master.
They had even clashed over it.
This was Gategard's greatest grievance.
So, despite growing up together as brothers-in-arms, he wasn't particularly friendly toward Kaiser.
"Perfect. I'm heading to the Pope's Hall too."
Kaiser stowed his weapon and walked ahead of Gategard.
"What's this guy up to?" Gategard muttered, frowning at Kaiser's back.
Still, he followed.
The two arrived at the Pope's Hall, one after the other.
"Why are you here?"
From the central throne, Pope Itia regarded his two disciples.
There was a hint of something in his eyes.
Sage stood to one side, likely having just finished his report.
"Hm?"
Kaiser noticed Itia's demeanor, and his alertness spiked.
"Master, I've completed the task you assigned. I came to report." Gategard said, kneeling on one knee, his voice full of reverence.
"I see."
"And you, Kaiser? Why are you here?"
Itia nodded, then turned to Kaiser.
He knew this disciple well.
Unless something significant happened, Kaiser wouldn't set foot in the Pope's Hall.
It had been a full year since their last dispute kept him away.
"Just checking on you, Master."
"Your state… it's off."
"Your thoughts seem scattered."
"What's on your mind?"
Kaiser stood his ground, eyes locked on Itia.
In the original story, little was said about Itia's manipulation.
It only mentioned that his disillusionment with humanity left his heart vulnerable, allowing the Twin Gods to exploit him.
This was the Pope... a veteran of the Holy War.
How could such a man have a vulnerable heart?
Yet now, Kaiser saw the confusion in Itia's eyes.
To be fair, the world was in chaos at this time.
Wars raged everywhere.
Natural and man-made disasters were relentless.
In past conversations, Itia had expressed doubts: even if they won the Holy War, would humanity destroy itself through endless conflict?
When faith was shaken, the heart's defenses crumbled.
"You're sharp." Itia said, giving Kaiser a deep look.
"Just an immature thought." He added, his tone cryptic.
"Master, as the Pope of the Sanctuary, some thoughts are better left unthought."
"Humanity's survival to this point proves it's not as you see it now."
Kaiser's response carried a pointed edge.
"Kaiser!"
"As the Pope, how dare you question him?" Gategard snapped, standing and stepping between Itia and Kaiser, fury in his eyes.
Hum!
A golden Cosmo flared, the Seventh Sense surging around Gategard.
"Foolish."
"Master!"
"Without the power to defy the gods, some ideas are best stifled early."
"Are you saying the Sanctuary could stand against the Underworld and the Sea Realm without Athena?"
"Only a god can defeat a god!"
"You, of all people, should know the strength of Hades' incarnation."
"It's not time yet. We need to build our strength."
Kaiser ignored Gategard entirely.
Kaiser continued.
"Oh?"
"Interesting. Are you saying you know what I'm planning?"
"And it's not the right time?"
"What would you consider the right time?"
Itia's interest was piqued.
"Waiting for a godslayer."
Kaiser looked up at Itia, seated on the Pope's throne.
At those three words, Itia's eyes narrowed.
Since the Mythological Era, gods had been untouchable, lofty beings.
Those capable of slaying gods were either demigods or pawns of other deities.
Pure humans who could kill gods were almost nonexistent.
"Do you realize what you're saying?" Itia asked, staring at Kaiser.
From a young age, Kaiser had shown remarkable maturity.
He always had his own perspective.
If Itia were to execute the plan in his heart, his disciples would be his greatest obstacles.
Altar Hakurei, Cancer Sage, Libra Kaiser.
His three prized disciples, among the top Saints of their generation.
Itia hadn't expected Kaiser to see through his state of mind so clearly.
It was as if his thoughts were laid bare before him.
***
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