The crimson sphere in Buu's palm pulsed once—then detonated.
A wave of blinding energy swallowed the rocks, scorching sand to glass. The explosion echoed across the desert like thunder, scattering dust and fire into the night sky. When the light faded, only drifting ash remained, carried away by the wind.
Buu lowered his arm slowly, eyes narrowing. His senses swept outward—nothing. Not even a trace of life.
"Heheheh…" he chuckled, turning back toward the camper. "So much for—"
"Searching for someone?"
The voice came from behind him—smooth, playful, and entirely unbothered.
Buu froze. The tone was wrong. Too calm. Too confident.
When he turned, a figure stood where the explosion had hit. Floating just above the blackened sand, untouched by the destruction, was a young man with lavender hair, dark eyes gleaming behind glasses, and a smile that didn't quite reach them. His coat fluttered in the wind like it had a life of its own.
Buu's grin returned, sharp and wary. "You're fast… or stupid."
The newcomer chuckled. "Neither. Just… curious." He adjusted his glasses with a gloved finger, eyes shining with fascination. "Majin Buu, right? Or at least… something based on him. Fascinating. Your energy is completely off the charts—and wrong for this timeline."
Buu tilted his head. "And?"
"Ahh, so you're self-aware." The man clasped his hands behind his back, circling lazily. "Allow me to introduce myself. Name's Fu. Let's say I… study interesting distortions in time. And you, my pink friend, are currently the biggest distortion this world's ever seen."
Buu's eyes gleamed dangerously. "Study me? What makes you think I'll let you live long enough to try?"
Fu laughed lightly. "Because I'm not here to fight. I'm here to warn you."
Buu blinked. That earned the stranger a flicker of attention. "Warn me?"
Fu's grin widened. "You've been making quite a mess of things. Eating, reshaping, bending fate like it's clay. Oh, it's glorious, really—but the Time Patrol? They don't share my sense of admiration."
He snapped his fingers, and holographic ripples appeared in the air beside him. Images—flashes of distorted timelines, events twisted beyond recognition—played out. A young Goku missing, an altered future, energy readings fluctuating like broken glass.
"They've noticed you," Fu continued cheerfully. "You're not supposed to exist here—not like this. And the more you change, the more they'll come sniffing around. Eventually, they'll lock onto you. And trust me…" His grin faltered, eyes darkening just a little. "They don't ask questions."
Buu crossed his arms, unfazed. "Let them come. I will just kill them."
Fu smiled again, almost admiringly. "See, that's what I like about you. Confidence. But you're missing the bigger picture."
He floated closer, until his shadow overlapped Buu's. "I'm not your enemy. I'm the only one offering you a way to keep your little adventure going. You help me gather some data—let me observe your… evolution—and I help keep the Time Patrol off your back."
Buu's eyes narrowed. "And what do you get from this?"
Fu's grin turned razor-sharp. "Knowledge. Every ripple you make helps me understand how reality bends—and breaks. And you, my friend, are one of the best stress tests I've ever seen."
The air between them thickened. Even Fu's smile faltered slightly as Buu's ki began to rise. The desert wind screamed, swirling violently around him.
"You think you can use me?" Buu said softly, his voice a low rumble. "Are you sure that's a smart idea?"
Fu raised a hand, not out of fear, but amusement. "Relax. If I wanted to control you, I'd have already tried. No, no, I'm just offering information. And maybe a bit of… insurance."
The word made Buu pause.
Fu's grin returned. "Because like it or not, Majin, they're already tracking you. You might kill the first one who comes. Maybe the second. But they'll keep sending more. Stronger. Smarter."
He began to fade, his body turning to mist. "So… think about my offer. When you're ready to talk, I'll find you."
Buu's hand twitched, a flicker of ki sparking in his palm—but Fu was already gone, leaving only the whisper of his voice behind.
"Oh, and one more thing… try not to destroy the planet before I'm done studying you."
Silence returned to the desert. The stars shimmered overhead, cold and indifferent.
Buu stared at the spot where Fu had vanished, expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he smiled.
"Heheheh… interesting."
His aura faded as he turned back toward the camper, crimson eyes glowing faintly in the darkness.
'I already have a plan for the Time Patrols… but maybe I can use Fu himself....'