Broly hesitated, scratched his head, and quickly waved his hands to decline.
"Wear it when things get dangerous," Ken said, taking Broly's wrist and fastening the watch for him.
It was the Iron Man watch.
Ken was certain this model had nothing to do with that old robot named Luke—the one Vados had personally melted down.
And he made a point of telling Broly to only suit up in real danger.
Broly rubbed his eyes, on the verge of tears.
No one had ever treated him this well.
"My dad…" he murmured, scratching his head.
"If you want to go back, then go," Ken said. "With your strength now, your father can't control you anymore."
Broly nodded obediently.
"But don't go back with other Gods of Destruction hanging around. Find a time to make a solo trip," Ken added after a beat.
"Okay," Broly agreed.
"Then go," Ken said, patting him on the shoulder.
He'd thought the Iron Man suit through and decided Broly should have it for now. Ken himself didn't need it much; he was with Merus most of the time. If danger came, Merus would be the shield. And with even Sidra knowing Ken was a human on the path to becoming an angel, none of the Gods of Destruction should be looking to target him directly.
So the armor was a life-preserver for Broly—his first trip without Ken watching over him made Ken uneasy. But he couldn't stick to Broly's side forever. Growth requires trials; Ken had his own ahead.
Seeing Ken give Broly his careful instructions, Merus did the same with Majin Buu.
"Those two are Gods of Destruction, real ones—far stronger than me," Merus warned, grave. "You cannot turn them into chocolate. Your magic won't work on them. Do you understand?"
Buu's mouth fell open in surprise.
Stronger than Merus?
He'd better be careful then. Shame he couldn't turn them into chocolate.
"And don't go turning random people into chocolate either. That's not okay," Merus pressed.
"Yeah, yeah," Buu nodded perfunctorily.
"Talk things over with Broly, learn from him," Merus went on.
Buu nodded again.
"And… don't cause trouble," Merus sighed, still uneasy.
"Are you done?" Buu huffed, triangular eyes widening with impatience.
Merus reflexively reached for his staff—then remembered it was still in Ken's hand.
"…," Merus thought.
He conjured a phantom of the staff and gave the ground a ceremonial tap.
Buu blanched and instantly bowed. "Got it."
"Go," Merus said, finally relaxing a little.
Buu turned on his heel. In his head: Once I leave, I'm not coming back. I'm not playing with you. I'll find somewhere you can't find me.
Broly and Buu returned to Sidra and Mosco.
With a soft clack, Mosco's belly hatch opened.
Mule stepped out.
"Ha! Broly—we're enemies-turned-friends now, aren't we?" Mule laughed, taking Broly's hand warmly.
Broly said nothing, peeking into Mosco's open hatch.
"You're not holding a grudge, are you?" Mule smiled. "I was in the wrong back then. I apologize—don't take it to heart."
Broly shook his head.
"Ken, about last time," Mule said to him, a bit sheepish, "if I'd known who you were sooner, I wouldn't have been so rash."
"No harm done," Ken gave a courteous smile.
"Then let's go show you around," Sidra said to Broly and Buu. "We'll talk through a God of Destruction's duties while we're at it." He waved to Ken and Merus. "You two angels—until next time."
"Thanks for looking after Broly and Buu," Merus bowed.
Ken just nodded, less ceremonious.
"Come on," Sidra said to Broly, extending a hand. "I'll fly you myself—feel the speed of a God of Destruction."
"I'll fly you," Mule said to Buu, leaping back into Mosco and sealing the hatch.
Mosco extended a massive metal hand. Buu thought a moment and placed his own into it.
Violet-red light flared from Sidra and Mosco, spilling over Broly and Buu, then shot skyward. In a blink, the four were gone, leaving Ken and Merus staring at empty sky.
Merus drew his gaze back. "Gods of Destruction have to grow on their own. I don't sense malice; they likely just want to build rapport. Don't worry."
"Which universe are you heading to?" Ken asked instead.
"Universe 11," Merus replied after thinking it over.
Ken blinked. That far?
"Weren't you going to start from Universe 1?" he asked.
"That was the plan," Merus smiled. "But I suddenly thought of someone."
"Who?" Ken felt a twinge of alarm.
"When Toppo lost, did you hear Belmod mention a name?" Merus grinned mysteriously.
"Jiren?" Ken answered without missing a beat.
Merus deflated. "I thought you hadn't caught that…"
"A proper angel sees in six directions and hears in eight," Ken said.
"See in six, hear in eight?" Merus brightened. "What a perfect phrase."
"You're thinking of grooming Jiren as a Supreme Kai?" Ken asked.
"From what Belmod implied, if Jiren had come, Broly might not have won," Merus said lightly, then murmured, "So I'll go meet him. If he fits, I'll cultivate him into a Supreme Kai. If he takes the office, he'll outclass your pick—Son Goku—by miles."
"You make a compelling case," Ken admitted, Jiren's name rolling in his mind.
Merus suddenly tensed. "For the record, I'm calling dibs. Don't poach him, Ken."
"I won't steal Jiren from you," Ken said.
"Good." Merus exhaled.
"But what if he refuses?" Ken asked.
"He won't. I understand people—who doesn't want to become a god? You do, don't you?" Merus smiled.
"And if he's… wired a little differently?" Ken pressed.
Merus faltered. "What are you getting at?"
"If he turns you down, I'm free to talk him into being my Supreme Kai, right?" Ken smiled.
Merus stared. …Talk him into it?
"Fine," he said after a beat. If I can't win him over, there's no way you can.
"Watch me talk him into it so hard he limps," Ken chuckled.
"Why would he limp…?" Merus muttered.
"Shall we go now?" Merus asked.
"Didn't your father say we should stay and train a while?" Ken asked.
"He did—but securing the right Supreme Kai matters more. We can come back," Merus replied.
"Fair point. Let's move," Ken said, tapping the staff to the ground.
Starlike radiance flared around him and flowed to Merus. "Off we go!" Ken sliced open the firmament, carrying Merus out of Universe 18 and into the Void Realm in a single streak of light.
Merus stared at the staff in Ken's hand. That's my staff. Give it back…
He grabbed on and clutched it like it might vanish.
"What are you doing?" Ken glanced over.
"My…" Merus said weakly, feeling like a debtor begging for his own money.
"If you want it, say so. How would I know if you don't speak up?" Ken rattled on.
A buzzing fly—that's what Merus felt like he was listening to. "Forget it," he said, sulking.
"Merus, what's lesson one for angels? Keep a peaceful heart," Ken sighed. "Your heart is restless."
Merus: …
"Don't let my presence disturb your cultivation," Ken added, sage-like.
Are you the angel or am I? Merus thought. Our roles feel completely flipped.
…
On the snow-white world of Universe 18, points of light gathered into the shape of a breathtaking woman in angelic garb, silver hair spilling over her shoulders, a staff in hand.
Amarella looked toward the direction where Ken and Merus had flown and fell speechless.
Weren't they supposed to stay and train? Why leave so fast? Merus… your pace has been thrown off completely. How will you ever become a true angel like this?
She smiled anyway. "That little one, Ken, truly is different. It's been ages since I met someone this interesting. May he get what he seeks and become a true angel."
…
Universe 9, deep space.
"Welcome to Universe 9, Broly, Buu," Sidra said warmly. "Anything special you two want to do?"
He'd already put the robot beauty "No. 7" back into her case.
"My tummy's hungry. I want chocolate," Buu patted his belly.
"And you, Broly?"
"I want food—anything tasty," Broly said.
"Too easy. I'll feed you both well," Sidra laughed, pointing toward a distant orange planet. "Food's decent there, and they've got chocolate. Should suit you two."
"Grrrk!" Mosco chimed in, opening his hatch as Mule chuckled. "Hearing you say that makes me hungry too. Let's go eat, Sidra."
"Let's," Sidra said, trading a knowing look with Mule. Both smiles held a trace of mischief.
With a streak of light, they descended onto the orange world.
It did have abundant food—just poorly prepared. The chocolate was worse.
"Ptoo, ptoo!" Buu spat out several pieces, face wrinkling. "Not as tasty as people-chocolate."
Broly clawed at his hair while chewing through the bland fare, pained expression flashing him back to eating bug eggs on Planet Vampa.
"Too awful!" He spat it all out too, then he and Buu turned to glare at Sidra in unison.
"Not good? I thought it was fine…" Sidra muttered.
"Not as good as turning someone into chocolate," Buu shook his head.
"So picky! This is already one of the better stops," Mule snorted. "You two brats are hard to please. Be grateful there's food at all."
"Hakai," Sidra said flatly. Violet-red energy pooled in his palm and lanced into the ground.
In an instant, the planet unraveled into dust and nothingness.
Broly froze.
Buu's mouth rounded into an O. This guy breaks planets even easier than I used to. I used to do that too… but I've mellowed. I wasn't trying to wreck a world—I just wanted something good to eat.
[End of Chapter]
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
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