Goku and Vegeta had witnessed Broly laugh during their previous battles, but those expressions were more accurately described as pure madness—nothing remotely like the gentleness he displayed now. Everyone clicked their tongues in amazement. Berserk Broly and calm Broly seemed like two completely different people!
Android 17 glanced at Android 16 with sudden recognition. "This guy's smile reminds me of yours when you first started learning emotions."
"Ridiculous," 16 retorted with a deliberately cold expression, folding his arms with practiced solemnity.
Androids 17 and 18 exchanged knowing glances with tacit understanding. They remembered how 16 had extensively studied knowledge far beyond normal daily interactions. Older mechanical androids learned much faster than organic creatures, and 16 had absorbed vast amounts of earthly knowledge, including the science of facial expressions and emotional communication.
To allow himself to express genuine emotions through facial movements, 16 had devoted considerable effort to research and practice. The results were... well, at least now 17 could accurately tell when 16 felt dissatisfied by his particular type of stare.
Broly's current expression mirrored exactly how 16 had appeared back then—stiff and awkward, but genuinely attempting to show positive emotion.
"That concludes this whole dramatic episode," Raditz announced, officially bringing the conflict to a close. Despite lingering doubts and fears, people had calmed considerably. Seeing that Broly showed no intention of attacking anyone, they felt measurably relieved.
Raditz approached alone while Broly growled defensively and unconsciously retreated two steps. "Raditz..." he muttered with obvious wariness.
He had fought Raditz three separate times and suffered defeat in each encounter—by Mafuba sealing technique, Super Saiyan God transformation, and Mystic state respectively, with completely different methods claiming victory each time. Facing Raditz now, Broly felt both the familiar desire to test his strength and genuine, rational fear.
"Calm yourself, Broly. We've battled many times, but when you really think about it, there's nothing personal between us. Why don't we stop this cycle of fighting? And if you truly want combat experience, you're simply no match for my current power level."
Broly remained silent, seemingly accepting this harsh reality without argument.
Raditz continued with firm authority. "You'll stay at my house with Rukon. I believe you won't refuse this, correct? Of course, the moment you lose control and go berserk, I'll use every ounce of my strength to destroy you permanently!"
As he spoke, Raditz raised his index finger directly to Broly's forehead. A focused aura sharp as a sword tip made the legendary warrior step back instinctively, breathing more heavily.
"Rukon..." Broly stopped muttering Raditz's name and looked at the child instead. The boy had somehow miraculously calmed his legendary rage and made him experience something genuinely positive for the first time in his existence.
After a long, contemplative pause, Broly nodded slowly in acceptance.
Everyone gradually returned to the celebration party, reviewing and discussing the thrilling battle they'd witnessed. Broly positioned himself in a quiet corner while Rukon remained loyally by his side. Young Trunks bravely approached to play with Rukon, but Goten lingered under the psychological shadow of being chased by the legendary warrior and didn't dare come closer.
Vegeta kept glancing at Broly from the corner of his eye, his vigilance completely undiminished. No matter how you analyzed the situation, this remained an extremely dangerous individual. Even if he appeared transformed by circumstance, he absolutely couldn't be taken lightly or trusted completely.
Half an hour later, the various fusion techniques naturally wore off. After such intense battle, the assembled Saiyans felt ravenously hungry and resumed their competitive binge eating, but Broly standing motionless in the corner still seemed somehow disconnected from everything. It was as if an invisible barrier separated his isolated world from everyone else's, preventing genuine mutual approach or understanding.
Broly showed no intention of blending into the social atmosphere and didn't particularly care about forming relationships with other people. If someone wanted to fight, he definitely wouldn't back down from the challenge, but if no one disturbed his solitude, he would never initiate contact with anyone. Successfully suppressing his instinctive anger toward Goku was honestly the absolute best he could manage.
Under a pristine white parasol, Raditz sat comfortably with the Old Kai, discussing important matters.
Kibito and Supreme Kai sipped exotic refreshments from the mortal realm while carefully maintaining their divine dignity. At least when not engaged in fierce cosmic combat, their nobility and restraint proved genuinely commendable. The Old Kai was far more casual about protocol, enthusiastically picking up various snacks and stuffing them in his mouth like many other food enthusiasts, making his two companions appear somewhat out of place by comparison.
"It's truly unexpected to witness such an extraordinary scene," the Old Kai commented with obvious satisfaction. "Saiyans continue to be genuinely surprising in their complexity."
"But... I still don't think this arrangement is entirely appropriate," Supreme Kai admitted, glancing nervously toward Broly with obvious guilt.
Kibito also stole a worried peek at the legendary warrior, a thin line of cold sweat streaming down his forehead.
"Actually, I need your specialized assistance, Old Kai. If you were to use that legendary technique of yours... the potential awekening ability—if you applied it to certain individuals, wouldn't it be..." Raditz smoothly transitioned the conversation toward his real request.
He handed the ancient deity a refreshing cold drink, ice cubes floating on the surface and reflecting the afternoon light.
The Old Kai pondered the implications for a moment. "Your own potential is indeed enormous, which puts me in a somewhat difficult position. What exactly are you offering in exchange?"
"A collection of beauty magazines from across the galaxy?"
"My eyesight is so exceptionally good I can observe attractive women everywhere without artificial aid," the Old Kai replied with dismissive confidence.
"A genuine date with real beauties?"
"Really?" The Old Kai immediately took the bait and began questioning with obvious eagerness and interest.
"As long as you promise to help me, I can arrange meetings with people from any planet in any galaxy you desire," Raditz assured him confidently, patting his chest with conviction. You had to prescribe the right medicine for different personality types—for individuals like Master Roshi and the Old Kai, a little beauty-related incentive could solve virtually any negotiation. As for where to actually find such companions, he'd simply delegate that task to Jeice and the other alliance members. There were plenty of attractive beings throughout their organization.
If this had been Goku making the request, he'd definitely consider borrowing Bulma's previous arrangement again. Raditz really couldn't bear the thought of deceiving her once more with such schemes.
"Ahem." The Old Kai coughed several times and spoke with renewed solemnity. "Don't lie to me about this. Tell me honestly—who exactly do you want this performed on? Make your intentions clear upfront, and don't simply say 'everyone.' I won't use this sacred ritual on individuals without sufficient natural potential."
Raditz leaned his chair closer to the Old Kai and pointed deliberately toward Gohan, who sat peacefully in the grass nearby.
"Him?" All three deities expressed genuine shock at the selection.
They observed Gohan sitting contentedly with Chi-Chi, both mother and son laughing together with obvious affection. The young man was eight or nine years older than Rukon and the other children—already quite mature and thoughtful.
The Old Kai studied Gohan carefully with calculating eyes, stroking his wispy chin. "Since you've made this decision, then we'll proceed with him as the candidate. I trust you have sound reasons."
"That's Goku's eldest child, correct? I know he defeated the bio-android Cell, but... wouldn't it be more logical to choose Goku himself?" Supreme Kai asked with obvious confusion.
Raditz shook his head definitively. "In terms of raw, untapped potential, Gohan is absolutely second to none among any fighter I've encountered."
Gohan's extraordinary potential had been genuinely shocking since early childhood. Raditz had often wondered—if the young warrior hadn't been delayed and distracted by academic studies, what incredible heights could he have reached? Could he have achieved an even higher dimensional level than anyone imagined? Of course, natural potential alone wasn't sufficient—extensive training and extremely high comprehension abilities were equally crucial components.
"Then I'll bring him to the Sacred World of the Kais in a few days for the ritual."
"Wait just a moment!" The Old Kai suddenly stared at Raditz with complete seriousness. "Where exactly are those beautiful companions you promised for the dates?"
Raditz couldn't help but smile at the ancient deity's priorities—the old man really possessed an excellent memory, remembering such details with perfect clarity. Feeling somewhat helpless, Raditz could only agree repeatedly to the terms, officially sealing the deal with the eager Old Kai.
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