Gowasu and Rumsshi exchanged puzzled looks.
Wasn't Gran here because he had something important to do?
Had he really traveled all the way to Universe 10 just to test his "little fan" on his views about mortals?
Meanwhile, a storm surged through Zamasu's heart.
He had just been wondering how he could find an opportunity to ask Gran what he thought of mortals.
Yet before he could, Gran had asked him first.
What incredible luck!
Or...
Could it be that Lord Gran shared the same opinion as him? That he, too, despised mortals? Was that why he had come here specifically to ask such a question?
Taking a deep breath, Zamasu asked,
"Lord Gran... why do you ask me this?"
The Old Supreme Kai's eyes narrowed.
So this was how he answered?
He hadn't expected such a young Supreme Kai apprentice to be this cautious.
"You only need to answer my question."
Gran casually twirled the teacup in his hand, looking completely carefree.
Zamasu deliberately put on a frightened expression.
Gran's strength was known throughout the universes. If someone of that caliber suddenly asked such a strange question, anyone would naturally feel intimidated.
He quickly turned toward his teacher.
To everyone else, there wasn't the slightest flaw in his performance.
But in Bulma's and Shin's eyes, the depth of this man's scheming was terrifying.
"Since Gran asked you, then answer him."
Gowasu met Zamasu's gaze.
Truthfully, he also found Gran's behavior rather puzzling. However, they had just stolen Universe 7's method of improving their universe, and Gran hadn't pursued the matter at all.
He was merely asking a question.
And it wasn't one that couldn't be answered.
"Very well."
After receiving permission, Zamasu allowed the fear on his face to fade and sank into thought.
Gran didn't rush him. Instead, he simply watched with an amused expression.
The Old Supreme Kai and the others were equally unhurried.
As long as Gran was here, Zamasu had nowhere to run.
They were curious to hear exactly how he intended to answer.
A gentle breeze rustled the leaves overhead.
Seconds slowly turned into minutes.
Finally...
Zamasu raised his head and declared firmly,
"Lord Gran... I believe mortals are lovable."
Lovable?
Gran narrowed his eyes.
He hadn't expected that answer.
Neither had the Old Supreme Kai and the others. Zamasu's expression and tone were flawless. There wasn't the slightest hint of insincerity.
"Why?"
Gran stopped idly spinning the teacup.
"Lord Gran, ever since I became a Supreme Kai apprentice, my feelings toward mortals have been... complicated."
Zamasu shifted his gaze toward the distant horizon.
"At first, I thought they were savage... violent... unreasonable."
"But under Master Gowasu's guidance, I gradually realized that wasn't the case. Not all mortals are like that. Most possess compassion... kindness... and grateful hearts."
As Zamasu spoke of his opinion of mortals, every word was filled with heartfelt emotion, as though he genuinely believed everything he was saying.
Seeing his disciple's performance, Gowasu nodded in satisfaction.
Rumsshi also felt that this Supreme Kai apprentice truly was exceptional.
Only Kusu's expression became even more subtle.
She silently wondered...
How much longer was Gran going to tolerate this act?
"Just as Primo once told me, he saved mortals, and in return, mortals saved him. Aren't such people worthy of being called lovable?"
Zamasu became completely immersed in his performance.
When he mentioned Primo's story, the Destroyer Apprentice immediately resonated with it.
Thinking back to everything they had experienced together...
See?
Such an outstanding Supreme Kai apprentice—how could he possibly harbor evil intentions?
The moment Zamasu finished speaking—
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Applause suddenly echoed beneath the great tree.
The one applauding was Gran.
Seeing Gran clap, Bulma nervously joined in.
If even Bulma had the courage to applaud, the Old Supreme Kai and Shin naturally couldn't just sit there.
Zamasu's performance had been so convincing that refusing to applaud would almost seem rude.
Thus—
Clap! Clap! Clap!
The four of them applauded together for Zamasu.
In Gowasu's and Rumsshi's eyes, Gran and his companions had clearly been moved by Zamasu's sincerity.
But in Zamasu's mind, it only confirmed one thing.
His performance had fooled everyone.
"Lord Gran, that is my opinion of mortals."
Placing his right hand over his chest, Zamasu bowed respectfully.
At last...
It was his turn to ask the question.
Taking a deep breath, he said,
"May I ask what Lord Gran thinks of my views?"
Everything he had said before was merely preparation.
This final question had been his true objective all along.
It was a careful probe.
If Gran approved of his answer, then it meant Gran did not share his beliefs.
But if Gran rejected it...
Then it would prove that Gran also viewed mortals as a hateful existence.
And if that were true...
He could recruit Gran to his side.
"My opinion?"
Gran chuckled softly.
Suddenly...
BOOM!!
An overwhelming wave of killing intent exploded from Gran's body as he slowly rose to his feet.
Under the suffocating pressure of that murderous aura, the surroundings seemed to transform into the deepest abyss of hell itself.
The temperature plummeted so drastically that it chilled everyone to the bone.
Zamasu, Primo, and Gowasu all began trembling uncontrollably.
Gran's abrupt change caught them completely off guard.
"G-Gran... what are you doing?"
Gowasu struggled to maintain the dignity expected of a Supreme Kai, doing his best not to appear too shaken.
"Gran, didn't you say you weren't here because of us learning the Universe Martial Arts Tournament system?"
Rumsshi stepped protectively in front of Gowasu and the others, assuming Gran's sudden hostility was because of that incident.
Yet he had forgotten one important detail.
The Old Supreme Kai had already made it clear—
That wasn't why they had come.
"L-Lord Gran... have I offended you in some way?"
Seeing Gran's reaction, Zamasu's heart pounded wildly as an overwhelming sense of dread consumed him.
"If I have... then I sincerely apologize!"
A terrifying thought suddenly flashed through his mind.
Had he accidentally revealed his true colors?
END OF CHAPTER
Disciple of Beerus - MrBehringer's Secret
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