Fuwa narrowed his eyes.
"You're excited?" he asked, clearly not getting it.
"You're incredible." Goku's eyes shone. "Can we spar?"
"Oh?" Fuwa blinked, then waved it off. "No. Not you. You'll just get yourself hurt."
"Come on." Goku leaned in. "Ken said I'll become a great Supreme Kai someday. If that's true, I need to get stronger. I want to see how big the gap is."
Fuwa hesitated, then nodded. "Fine. I'll show you what you're up against."
Trunks didn't know what to do.
This wasn't how he thought his world would be saved.
"Alright." Fuwa smiled. "I'll use a tiny bit of my divine power. And don't look at me for healing—I don't have that."
"It's fine. I can patch myself up." Goku's aura flared as he went Super Saiyan.
Fuwa's brows lifted.
So he can transform.
And that boost isn't small.
"No wonder you wanted to try me," Fuwa said. "That form's no joke."
"Then let's go!" Goku rushed in, fists snapping out in a fast barrage.
Fuwa turned aside every hit, moving far faster than he looked.
After a few exchanges, Fuwa drove a palm into Goku's chest.
Goku slid back, boots carving two long lines through the ground.
"How's that?" Fuwa smiled. "That was still nowhere near my full strength."
"You're amazing." Goku drew a breath. "Okay… my turn."
His aura surged again. His hair shifted back to its normal shape and turned red.
Fuwa's eyes widened. "God ki…? You can actually use it?"
"This is the best I've got right now." Goku raised his guard. "Again!"
Fuwa's expression tightened.
This one's dangerous.
One mistake and I could lose.
No. I'm Universe 6's Supreme Kai. I'm not losing to a human from Universe 7.
Especially not one who might become Universe 7's Supreme Kai one day.
"Come," Fuwa said, gathering his power.
Goku charged and threw a heavy punch.
Fuwa slipped aside, then drove a strike toward Goku's chest.
Goku's body moved first—Ultra Instinct's dodging flickered on for an instant.
He blurred away.
Fuwa blinked. He dodged that cleanly.
Goku's counter landed on Fuwa's shoulder. Fuwa sucked in a sharp breath, teeth bared.
Goku saw it and pulled his next hit back. Fuwa's kick slammed into Goku's stomach.
Goku dropped hard, rolled a few times, then pushed himself up with a grin.
"Supreme Kai, you're on another level." Goku lifted a hand. "I'm done. You win."
Fuwa stared at him. He held back at the end. Don't think I missed it.
But… this kid is hard to dislike.
"Yeah." Fuwa nodded. "You're not bad. Train properly and you could end up as the strongest Supreme Kai."
"Really?" Goku nodded quickly. "I'll work at it!"
"But a Supreme Kai isn't just power," Fuwa said, turning thoughtful. "There's a lot you have to learn."
"I have to study too?" Goku blinked.
"Of course." Fuwa smiled. "Raising a Supreme Kai is more complicated than raising a God of Destruction."
"Then… can I learn from you?" Goku asked.
Fuwa's mouth twitched.
Why would I train a Universe 7 human?
Training a Universe 6 human makes more sense.
Goku nudged him with an elbow and lowered his voice. "Supreme Kai… you like beautiful women?"
Trunks stared at him, speechless.
"Goku-san…" Trunks muttered. "He's a god."
"Beautiful women?" Fuwa scoffed. "If I want to see them, I see them. My eyes can see anywhere."
"I can make what you're imagining real," Goku said, grinning.
"Only if she agrees," Fuwa said, chin lifted. "I'm a god, not a creep."
"Older is fine?" Goku asked.
"As long as she's still got charm," Fuwa said after thinking it over.
Trunks collapsed forward onto the ground.
So gods are like this too.
"Trunks, your mom's name is Emily, right?" Goku asked.
Trunks's whole body went tense. "Goku-san… what are you planning?"
"He saved your world," Goku said with a grin. "Let him have a little reward."
Trunks looked ready to cry.
Why don't you offer Chi-Chi?
…Right. In this era, Chi-Chi is dead.
"What about Bulma-san?" Trunks blurted.
"No," Goku said instantly.
Trunks blinked. "Bulma-san is prettier than my mom."
"Still no." Goku shook his head. "Bulma is Ken's girlfriend. If Ken finds out, he'll be furious."
"But you said Ken doesn't exist in this era," Trunks said.
"Supreme Kai, have you heard of Ken?" Goku asked.
"The beautiful woman you're finding me is named Ken?" Fuwa straightened up.
Goku's mouth twitched. "No. Ken's an angel—an angel who became one through training."
"An angel from training?" Fuwa frowned and shook his head. "Never heard of him."
Trunks finally let out a breath.
"So Ken isn't in this era," he said. "We're safe."
"No." Goku refused again. "Ken will find out eventually. I'm not doing it."
Trunks nodded quickly. "Me neither."
"Supreme Kai, I need to talk to her properly first," Goku said. "Give me two days?"
"Fine." Fuwa nodded. "Two days. If you satisfy me, I'll teach you a bit."
Fuwa had already sorted it out.
This kid isn't from my era.
So even if I train him, it won't affect me much.
It affects the me in the past.
Wakaka!
Past me should be grateful.
Then he paused.
Wait… this kid's Earth already swapped into Universe 6, didn't it?
So the Supreme Kai I train might end up as past me's disciple.
That's even better.
With his thoughts settled, Fuwa vanished.
"Supreme Kai, aren't you staying for a meal?" Trunks blurted out.
Fuwa was already gone.
Trunks stared into the empty air.
I shouldn't have offered.
If he stayed, who knows what he'd try with my mom…
"Goku-san, was that Instant Transmission?" Trunks asked.
"I forgot to ask." Goku scratched his head. "It looks similar, but it's not the same as mine."
"What's different?" Trunks asked.
"His seems longer-range," Goku said, thinking. "And he doesn't need to lock onto ki. Mine does."
"If you can learn his version…" Trunks smiled.
"Yeah." Goku nodded.
"Let's go home first," Trunks said. "Mom and Bulma-san will be happy to see you."
"I think I met your mom once or twice," Goku said, scratching his head.
With Trunks leading, they returned to Capsule Corporation's underground lab in West City.
"Mom, Bulma-san, I'm back!" Trunks knocked.
The door opened. Emily peeked out, and Bulma stood behind her.
"Goku?!" Bulma blurted, stunned and delighted.
"Bulma… you're so different now." Goku stared, then scratched his head. "It's weird seeing you like this."
"Old, right?" Bulma smiled softly. "That's what happens. I'm almost sixty."
"In my era… you still look eighteen," Goku said, thinking out loud.
Bulma stared at him.
"So you really made it to the past?" Emily stepped aside with a smile. "Come in."
Goku and Trunks went inside and sat down where Bulma pointed.
"Goku… it's been how long for us?" Bulma grabbed his arm, voice shaking. "Twenty years. Twenty years! I can't believe Trunks brought you back."
"For you, it's been that long?" Goku laughed awkwardly.
"You're still the same carefree idiot." Bulma punched his arm.
"Hi, Goku," Emily said with a sigh. "We've only met a couple of times, right? The first was when you came back to Earth and I saw you with Vegeta. The second was… forget it."
"Huh? When was the second time?" Goku asked.
"When you died," Emily said. "We came to see you off."
Goku froze.
"You've been at my place before," Bulma said, smiling. "Emily probably doesn't remember. You do, right?"
"Yeah, kinda." Goku nodded.
Bulma leaned forward. "So, Trunks—you brought Goku back. Can you two handle the Androids? Were you planning to team up?"
"Bulma-san, Mom… the Androids are gone already," Trunks said, unable to hide his excitement.
Bulma went still.
Emily went still too.
So Trunks told them everything, from start to finish.
By the time he finished, both women were crying—relief and joy spilling out all at once.
That night, Bulma and Emily cooked a huge feast for Goku.
Goku ate with a grin that wouldn't go away.
"Bulma… have you ever heard of Ken?" Goku asked.
"Ken? Who's that?" Bulma shook her head.
"So he really doesn't exist in this era…" Goku scratched his head.
"Is he your boyfriend?" Emily leaned in, eyes bright with gossip. "In our era, Bulma's been single the whole time. She always said she was waiting for someone she had to wait for."
"Emily, stop it," Bulma muttered. "I just never found the right person."
Goku nodded slowly.
"I can't believe history changed this much…" Bulma said. "You're stronger than anything we expected."
"Ken taught me a lot," Goku said honestly. "That's how I learned Ultra Instinct and reached Super Saiyan God."
"Ken again." Emily giggled and shot Bulma a look.
"What are you looking at me for?" Bulma huffed. "I don't know him."
"Emily, can I ask you something?" Goku said, sounding awkward.
"No need to be polite," Emily said with a smile. "You're Bulma's best friend, and Vegeta's best friend. If I can help, just say it."
Trunks stared at his mom.
Mom, you agreed way too fast.
And Dad is not Goku's best friend.
They're lifelong rivals.
Goku exhaled. "Okay… good."
"What do you need?" Emily asked.
Goku told her what Fuwa wanted.
Emily's smile stiffened.
Bulma wiped sweat off her forehead.
What kind of god is this?
He won't even spare a woman who's almost sixty.
"Are you out of your mind?!" Emily exploded. "Tell him to go touch your wife!"
Goku scratched his head. "If some guy touches Chi-Chi, I don't like it."
Emily's mouth opened, then closed.
"And besides," Goku added, "Chi-Chi is dead in this era, right?"
Emily's eyes went glassy.
So someone touching me is fine, but not your wife.
Goku suddenly snapped his fingers. "Wait. I've got an idea."
"What is it?" Bulma asked.
"I can use Instant Transmission," Goku said. "If I can find a surviving Namekian and bring them to Earth, then Kami can come back. If Kami comes back, the Dragon Balls come back too. Maybe the dead can be revived."
Bulma's eyes lit up.
Emily grabbed his sleeve, hope surging. "Then Vegeta can come back too?"
"Don't get too excited yet," Goku said, scratching his head. "They've been dead twenty years. If their souls already reincarnated, you can't revive them. And Vegeta… he did plenty of bad things. He probably went to Hell. His soul might not even be there anymore."
Emily's shoulders sagged.
Don't say it.
You give me hope, then crush it.
"I'll ask King Kai." Goku raised two fingers to his forehead. "I'll lock onto his ki."
A minute later, Goku grinned. "Found him! I'll be right back!"
He vanished with Instant Transmission.
In the next instant, Goku appeared on King Kai's planet.
Bubbles scampered over, tilted his head, and stared at Goku.
Isn't this guy dead?
Didn't he die of a heart virus?
The Dragon Balls can't revive someone who died naturally.
"Bubbles, long time no see." Goku waved. "How've you been?"
Bubbles chattered back and waved.
"Where's King Kai?" Goku asked.
Bubbles pointed toward a lounge chair in the distance.
Goku walked over and saw King Kai sprawled out, sound asleep.
"King Kai, wake up. It's me, Goku," Goku called.
King Kai rubbed his eyes. When he recognised Goku—and saw no halo—he shot upright.
"Goku?!" King Kai stared. "Am I seeing things? You're alive?"
"I'm not dead. It's a long story." Goku scratched his head and explained the time travel situation.
King Kai went quiet.
Then he exhaled. "So you're Goku from twenty years ago. You scared me."
"King Kai, I need Planet Namek," Goku said. "And I want to bring Earth back to life."
"Planet Namek…" King Kai frowned. "Even if you find it, do you have a ship?"
"I can use Instant Transmission," Goku said with a smile. "If I can lock onto ki over there, I can go instantly. Just tell me where it is."
"Alright." King Kai nodded.
Main timeline.
World of Void, upper region.
A massive jellyfish drifted slowly through the highest reaches of the World of Void.
On its back sat a holy, imposing palace.
This was Zeno's Palace.
A streak of light, bright as a star, cut through the World of Void and landed at the entrance.
"You're here," the Grand Priest said, smiling at Ken.
Ken nodded.
He'd flown for two days just to get here.
It was absurdly far.
Angels weren't allowed to use Instant Transmission. That rule was a pain.
Ken glanced at the Grand Priest. He looked like he'd been waiting at the entrance for a while.
"So what's the emergency?" Ken asked.
"If it were an emergency, I would've teleported you," the Grand Priest said lightly. "I only made you fly because it isn't."
Ken stared at him.
Annoying, but fair.
"I called you here because we have a distinguished guest visiting soon," the Grand Priest said. "I want you to see it for yourself."
"A guest?" Ken paused. "Who?"
"The Space-Time God of Destruction," the Grand Priest said.
Ken's stomach tightened.
The Space-Time God of Destruction?
You're taking me to meet that level 100 god?
The Grand Priest is only in the 90s, right?
Then what level is Zeno-sama?
No one ever says.
If only Amarella were inside me right now.
If you'd told me earlier, I would've brought her.
And besides…
Ken had never even heard of a Space-Time God of Destruction. This was outside his knowledge.
"He's coming to our timeline?" Ken asked.
"He should be here soon," the Grand Priest replied.
"How did you know he'd arrive in two days?" Ken asked.
"I didn't predict it," the Grand Priest said, smiling. "He told me."
Ken exhaled.
"I heard he's level 100," Ken said.
"And who told you that?" the Grand Priest asked.
"I guessed," Ken replied.
"Amarella told you," the Grand Priest said, calm as ever.
"You knew that and still asked." Ken frowned. "Just tell me if it's true."
"It's true." The Grand Priest's expression turned serious. "Level 100." He looked at Ken. "So when you meet him, don't treat him the way you treat me. His temper is… difficult."
"Then why drag me here?" Ken sighed. "So he can destroy me?"
"You really do live up to your reputation," the Grand Priest muttered, turning to walk inside. "Come. We're going in."
Ken followed.
He was already here. He wasn't leaving without getting something out of it.
Even if the Space-Time God of Destruction was level 100, that didn't mean Ken could never reach that level.
"You said this might be related to Broly," Ken said as he caught up.
"That's only my guess," the Grand Priest replied. "Maybe it is."
Ken stared at him.
That's a convenient answer.
They went deeper into Zeno's Palace.
It looked almost exactly like what Ken had seen in the anime and manga—so vast it felt endless.
After they walked for a while, evenly spaced pillars appeared on both sides.
They stretched for kilometres, and the place carried a heavy, sacred stillness.
At the far end stood a throne.
Ken looked toward it—and immediately noticed something.
It was empty.
No Zeno. No guards.
"Zeno-sama isn't here?" Ken asked.
"He heard the Space-Time God of Destruction was visiting," the Grand Priest said with a smile. "So Zeno-sama ran off to play."
Ken stared.
So Zeno-sama is dodging him?
[End of chapter]
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
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