Paragus went silent for a moment. Right, that's exactly the Saiyan way.
"Kill the Saiyans who won't submit if you must," Gran continued, "but... don't lay a finger on those who have already pledged loyalty."
He frowned. It was unrealistic to expect a hundred-odd Saiyans to single-handedly raise the Mortal Level of an entire universe. His real goal was for the Saiyans and the Galactic Patrol to work in tandem with the Supreme Kai. That was the key to improving the universe's standing.
"I wouldn't dream of it!" Paragus lowered his head even further.
"I've seen the state of the Galactic Patrol," Gran said, glancing toward Kibito and the Galactic King. "With the Saiyans joining their ranks, they'll only grow stronger. Lord Beerus has stepped back from the day-to-day affairs of the cosmos. Universe 7 is under my jurisdiction now. I expect you all to cooperate fully with the Supreme Kai. Am I clear?"
"Yes, Lord Gran!" Kibito and the King nodded vigorously.
"Then that's all for today. I have a guest to see." Gran looked at the Galactic King.
"Where is Merus?"
The Galactic King blinked. In his eyes, Merus was just a remarkably powerful, elite-level Galactic Patrolman. In fact, it had been Merus's suggestion to allow the Saiyans to join. Why was a Destroyer Candidate suddenly looking for him?
A terrifying thought struck the King. "Lord Gran... did Merus do something to offend you?"
Paragus panicked as well. "Lord Gran, if Merus has displeased you, I apologize on his behalf! Please, don't lower yourself to his level—he's helped us so much!"
Gran watched their reactions with amusement. It was fascinating—especially seeing Paragus, a man once consumed by vengeance, pleading for someone else's life.
"You're an interesting one, Paragus," Gran said, his tone cryptic. "What did Merus do? Put a spell on you? I didn't expect a Saiyan to beg for mercy on behalf of another."
Paragus kept his head low, his heart hammering against his ribs. "Lord Gran, I'm sure you've noticed the change in our strength. Our growth is entirely due to Merus's guidance."
Gran took a closer look at Paragus. His energy was still wild, but he was clearly suppressing a significant portion of it. Gran estimated his true power was likely around 1.8 million—higher than the rumors suggested.
"How many Fruits of the Tree of Might did you eat?" Gran asked.
"Two," Paragus answered honestly. "You gave me three. I ate the first and felt a massive surge. I couldn't wait and ate the second shortly after, but I found the returns were diminishing. I've kept the third one aside."
Only two? Gran was surprised. Two fruits alone wouldn't have pushed him to 1.8 million. That meant the rest was pure training. "What did Merus teach you?"
"He taught us Ki control and showed us how to utilize Gravity Chambers."
Gran smirked. No wonder. Merus was teaching them the "Goku and Vegeta" method of efficient growth.
"Relax," Gran laughed, deciding to stop teasing them. "I have no hostility toward Merus. You can stop worrying."
The King and Paragus looked up, realizing Gran wasn't joking.
"So, where is he?"
"Merus oversees 104 star sectors, including the Galactic Prison," the King answered, pointing out the window toward a distant sector of space.
"Good." Gran placed two fingers on his forehead. "Remember my orders: work with the Supreme Kai."
"We will!"
By the time they looked up, Gran was gone.
"Phew!" The Galactic King wiped sweat from his face with a tentacle. "The pressure from a Destroyer Candidate is absolutely suffocating!"
"Tell me about it," Paragus exhaled deeply.
Kibito remained silent, mostly out of lingering fear. He still remembered the first time he met Gran—he had nearly lost his life for being disrespectful.
......
The Galactic Prison wasn't located at HQ; it sat on a massive, desolate, dark-yellow planet in a remote corner of space. The planet was covered in cylindrical structures patrolled by armed guards.
Suddenly, Gran materialized in front of a patrolman. The guard jumped, reaching for his weapon to sound the alarm, but a calm voice stopped him.
"He is not an enemy. You may go."
It was Merus. He appeared seemingly out of nowhere, looking like any other elite patrolman in his sleek suit and headset.
"Understood, sir!" The guard hurried away.
Merus and Gran stood face-to-face. "My sister mentioned that the Destroyer Candidate of Universe 7 was talented," Merus said, his expression grave. "But seeing you in person... 'talented' is an understatement. You're terrifying."
"You flatter me, Merus," Gran replied. He looked at Whis's younger brother. He looked so normal, so mortal, compared to the other Angels.
"It's not flattery," Merus shook his head. "Among the Gods of Destruction, only Lord Beerus has mastered Ultra Instinct. Now, there is you. Your physical instincts, your mastery of the rules of Destruction... I see it all."
Gran felt a chill. It was their first meeting, and with a single glance, Merus had seen through every secret he held. These Angels were truly in a league of their own.
"Don't worry," Merus added, sensing Gran's unease. "At your current level, only an Angel can see your true depth. Unless you release your power, even a God of Destruction would have trouble gauging your full strength."
"That's a relief."
The two walked along the prison catwalk, the shouts of various cosmic criminals echoing in the background. "Why the sudden visit?" Merus asked, leaning against a railing.
Gran leaned beside him. He liked Merus's vibe—he didn't act like a distant god; he acted like a man with a job to do. "You've probably heard about the upcoming Destroyer Candidate Battle Royal."
"Gran Zeno himself organized it. Every universe must participate. It's hard not to hear about it," Merus said. "Is that why you're here?"
"Partially. I've spent the last two years mastering the rules of Destruction. Now, I'm taking a break before I head into a time-distorted chamber to focus on raw power."
Merus sighed. "Do you enjoy training that much? You're already at a true Destroyer Candidate level. The 'muggles' from the other universes shouldn't be a match for you."
"I haven't fought them yet. It's better not to get cocky."
Merus went silent. Does this guy not realize how monstrous he is?
"Besides," Gran continued, "you know Lord Beerus's reputation. As his disciple, I'm definitely going to be ganged up on. Ten-on-one isn't a fight I want to lose because I was lazy."
Merus's lip twitched. He couldn't argue with that—Beerus was arguably the most disliked deity in the multiverse.
"I have a bit of free time before my next training block," Gran said, pulling Merus along as they walked. "I wanted to see how the Patrol was coming along. I want to see Universe 7's rank rise."
"You want to help the Supreme Kai?" Merus guessed immediately.
"Exactly. The Supreme Kai creates civilizations, but they get snuffed out by thugs like Moro before they can peak. If the Galactic Patrol is strong enough to stop those threats, the Mortal Level goes up. It's macro-management."
"I'm impressed, Gran," Merus said.
"Don't be so formal. You're Whis's brother, so just 'Gran' is fine."
"Then I won't be formal either."
Gran slung an arm around Merus's shoulder. To any observer, they looked like two brothers catching up. Merus found the casualness refreshing.
"I'm not okay with being second-to-last," Gran said firmly. "Between me, Beerus, Whis, the Elder Kai... and you, Merus... this universe has too much potential to be at the bottom."
"I see." Merus paused. "So you came here to check on me?"
"To see what Whis's brother was like, and to say thank you."
"Thank me? For the Saiyans?"
"Exactly. You're turning them into warriors who can actually serve the order of the universe."
"You don't need to thank me," Merus said softly. "In fact, I should thank you."
"Why?"
Gran stopped, a glint of "I knew it" in his eyes. In the manga, Merus was an Angel who was obsessed with justice. He couldn't remain a neutral observer; he believed protecting life was more important than the laws of his kind.
"Gran, let me ask you: What is justice to you?" Merus asked.
Gran pursed his lips. Here we go. "Justice? I'm a Destroyer Candidate. My 'justice' is simple: if something hinders the development of the universe, I destroy it."
Merus looked down. I shouldn't have asked a Destroyer.
"But hey," Gran added, "everyone's perspective is different. You shouldn't worry about how others see you. Do what you love. That's what matters, right?"
Merus looked up, startled. "You... you know?"
"Following your heart is the only way to be happy," Gran challenged.
Merus let out a small, genuine smile. "Perhaps you're right. Being happy with one's choices is the most important thing."
Oh no, Gran thought. I just gave him a massive boost of validation. If Whis or the Gran Minister find out I'm the reason Merus breaks neutrality, they'll skin me alive!
Still, Merus's path was already set. Even in the original story, he knew the price of using Angelic power was erasure, yet he did it anyway to stop Moro.
"Don't overthink it, Gran. This is my choice," Merus said, as if reading his mind. "I'll continue to train Paragus and the others. It helps the universe, and it helps me find my own meaning."
He wanted to protect the order of the cosmos, and for that, he needed a stronger Galactic Patrol. The Saiyans were the perfect candidates.
"I can't talk you out of it, can I?" Gran sighed. "Look, we're friends, and I'm close with your brother. If you ever... 'disappear,' I promise I'll find the Super Dragon Balls and bring you back. And when I do, I'll make sure you're a real, mortal Galactic Patrolman. How's that sound?"
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