Whitley, now back in his own timeline, was stroking his chin, his eyes staring at the capsule in his hand with a deep frown, clearly lost in thought.
The divine decree from Lord Zeno, delivered by Whis, was still echoing in his ears.
"Please, Whitley-san, bring a specialty of Earth and come for an audience with Lord Zeno."
"A specialty... a specialty..."
He kept muttering, "What is something that's convenient to carry, available in large quantities, and also represents Earth? I can't just bring a bunch of gourmet delicacies, that would be too much trouble..."
Suddenly, Whitley's eyes lit up, and he snapped his fingers.
"I've got it! This stuff is a staple that Earthlings can't live without. It's filling, cheap, and definitely a specialty!"
To prevent Lord Zeno and the Grand Priest from thinking he was cheap or disrespectful, Whitley even made a very generous decision:
"That's right! That's what I'll do! I'll just pack an entire warehouse of it into a capsule! Let them eat their fill! It'll show I'm full of sincerity!"
The more he thought about it, the more he felt his idea was simply genius.
He was just about to excitedly implement this plan when he accidentally let it slip, and Bulma overheard him.
"Wait! What did you say you're bringing to Lord Zeno?!"
Bulma grabbed him, her eyes instantly widening as if she had heard something unbelievable.
"Rice and instant noodles!" Whitley even had a proud look on his face.
"What's wrong? Isn't this stuff an Earth specialty? And it's a great value..."
Before he could finish, he was surrounded by Vados, Future Bulma, and even No. 18, who had just returned, all of whom had rushed over upon hearing the news.
The women, along with No. 21 who had joined them, all stared at him with a perfectly unified expression, as if looking at a hopeless idiot.
Even Vados, who was always elegant and rarely contradicted him, showed a rare look of helplessness. She gently touched her forehead, her tone filled with disbelief.
"Lord Whitley... are you serious about bringing these things to Lord Zeno? Don't you think... they're a little inappropriate?"
Whis, who was standing at the side, was stunned for a moment when he heard Whitley's plan, then he couldn't help but cover his mouth and start laughing, "Ohohoho."
His shoulders were shaking, clearly overjoyed.
And the newcomer, Marcarita, made no effort to hide her disgust.
She crossed her arms, scanned Whitley up and down with a "has this guy's brain broken" look, and let out a contemptuous snort.
Seeing the whole group opposing him, Whitley couldn't help but explain, "A specialty! Lord Zeno said it himself, he wants an Earth specialty!"
Bulma finally exploded!
She put her hands on her hips in exasperation and roared at her muscle-brained idiot of a husband, "But he didn't ask you to deliver relief supplies! Can your brain have any other pursuits besides fighting and eating rice?!"
She forcefully pushed Whitley towards the bathroom.
"You're not in charge of the gift! Leave it to me! You, right now, immediately, go and take a shower, and wash away all those weird ideas! Then just wait patiently to leave with Whis and the others!"
Whitley tried to argue, "No, I think rice is pretty..."
"Shut up! Go!"
Bulma's large eyes widened, and Whitley instantly wilted, scurrying off to the bathroom.
The moment Whitley left, Bulma immediately sprang into action.
She not only roped in Future Bulma, No. 21, and the just-returned No. 18, but even recruited Vados into the "shopping team."
"Vados."
Bulma looked at Vados. "We need your ability to travel. We need to buy the freshest and most high-end things at the fastest speed!"
Vados had no objection. She still had her trademark smile on her face and nodded lightly. "It would be my pleasure. It is also Vados's honor to be able to prepare a gift for Lord Zeno."
"No. 21 and No. 18, you're with me. Especially No. 18, I need your opinion on some things!"
And so, a frantic shopping trip, led by Bulma, with the participation of several of Whitley's "wives," and with transportation provided by the angel Vados, began.
Their goal was to sweep the globe for the most top-tier, rarest, and most delicious ingredients and... some other things.
By the time Whitley came out of the bathroom refreshed, he was instantly stunned by the mountain of spoils piled up in the front yard of the estate.
All kinds of beautifully packaged, still-cold insulated boxes and some very high-end-looking gift boxes of ingredients were piled up in a small mountain in the yard.
And Bulma was holding a small notebook, checking them off one by one.
"Here, look,"
Seeing Whitley, who had just finished his shower, Bulma pointed to the items and began to introduce them like a proud collector. "This is bluefin tuna from the North Sea, just caught this morning. I had them use the latest technology to flash-freeze it to ensure its freshness! These are the dinosaur legs you Saiyans love so much, I specially picked the best parts! And this king crab, specially flown in from East City! And this..."
Whitley looked at the dazzling array of items, then at the serious-looking Bulma, and sighed weakly. "I'm telling you... Lord Zeno asked for a specialty... you've gone and procured a state banquet..."
Hearing this, Bulma's pretty eyes immediately glared over. She snorted and pointed at the large pile of ingredients, saying defiantly, "Who said these aren't Earth specialties? Let me ask you! Is this stuff from Earth? Is it something that only our Earth can produce? If this isn't a specialty, what is?! Are you saying only your rice counts as a specialty?!"
Whitley was struck speechless by Bulma's retort and shook his head helplessly, not wanting to argue with her about this issue anymore.
His gaze turned to another pile of strange-looking things at the side.
Some cute-looking dolls, some interesting-looking models, and a few beautifully packaged... game consoles?
He pointed at the pile, his mouth twitching. "Then what about these? Don't tell me these toys and game consoles are also Earth specialties?"
This time, Bulma didn't answer directly but turned her head to look at Vados.
Vados stepped forward with a smile and explained gently, "Lord Whitley, these are currently the most popular entertainment products on Earth. According to Vados's observation and understanding, although Lord Zeno possesses supreme power, his temperament is closer to that of a child who is curious about the world. Vados believes that these fun and creative items might bring Lord Zeno more joy than simple food~"
Whitley looked at Vados's confident expression, then at the pile of toys, and finally swallowed his complaints.
Ah, forget it.
Since they all thought so, and the things had already been bought, what else could he say?
"Alright, alright... these things you bought... are not bad..."
He sighed in resignation and began to take out capsules from his pocket.
It took more than a dozen capsules for Whitley to store the entire mountain.
Bulma, Vados, No. 18, No. 21, and Future Bulma surrounded him, all chattering at once.
"Whitley-san, be respectful when you see Lord Zeno~"
"I've written down how to eat and prepare those ingredients on the instruction manual, don't mess it up!"
"Remember to teach Lord Zeno how to play with the toys!"
"..."
Whitley's head was about to explode from all the noise, and he quickly waved his hands. "Alright, alright, I've already memorized the instructions and how to eat this stuff!"
He turned to Whis, who had been watching with a smile, and quickly put his hand on his shoulder. "Whis, let's go! If I stay here any longer, my head's going to explode!"
"Wait!"
A clear but distinctly displeased voice suddenly rang out, interrupting them.
It was Marcarita, standing there with her arms crossed and an annoyed look on her face.
Her gaze was fixed on the hand Whitley had placed on Whis's shoulder as she said stiffly, "Why did you choose to go with Whis? You need to understand, from now on, you are my partner, Marcarita's! What are you standing there for? Get your hand over here, quick!"
"Ah... this?"
Whitley looked at his hand on Whis's shoulder, then at Marcarita. For a moment, he didn't understand where this sudden burst of anger was coming from.
What's the big deal? What's the difference whose shoulder I grab?
But Whis was experienced. He leaned close to Whitley's ear and whispered a reminder in a voice only the two of them could hear, his tone tinged with amusement. "Whitley-san, you'd better be careful in the future~ Marcarita can be very petty in certain areas~ especially when it comes to the 'ownership' of her partner~ It's best if you just do as she says~ Ohohoho~"
Whitley's mouth twitched, and he didn't even have time to react.
Marcarita saw him just standing there, her patience clearly exhausted.
Without another word, she strode forward, grabbed Whitley's wrist, unceremoniously yanked his hand off Whis's shoulder, and placed it directly on her own slender one!
"Dawdling!"
Marcarita muttered in annoyance. Without giving Whitley any chance to react, a dazzling light instantly bloomed from her body!
"Hey? Wai—"
Whitley didn't even have time to say goodbye before his vision blurred, and the surrounding scenery instantly stretched.
They had already left Earth at a terrifying speed far exceeding that of light, rushing towards Zeno's palace outside the universe!
"Oh my, oh my~"
Whis watched them disappear, covering his mouth with his sleeve. "Such terrifying possessiveness, Marcarita-san. It seems~ Universe 11 is going to be fun to watch in the future."
With a swoosh, Whis's figure also turned into a streak of light and silently followed.
...
In the vast and boundless deep space, Whitley and Marcarita were a streak of light piercing through the sea of stars, moving forward at a speed that surpassed common sense.
Whitley looked at the back of Marcarita, who was extremely close to him, and suddenly remembered the words she had repeatedly emphasized: "From now on, we are partners."
He had been so preoccupied with Lord Zeno's request for specialties that his attention had been completely diverted, and he hadn't had a chance to ask for details.
Now was a good time to travel. Since he was idle anyway, he might as well ask clearly.
"Miss Marcarita."
Whitley cleared his throat and called out to the back in front of him.
"What is it?"
Marcarita asked impatiently without turning her head.
Although her words revealed obvious impatience, her unique, elegant tone did not change at all.
"I wanted to ask, what did you mean exactly... when you said we're partners now? Could it be... that the Grand Priest... has also married you off to me?"
He remembered very clearly!
The last time, the Grand Priest had done just that, directly marrying Vados off to him!
Now another angel was saying she was his partner. He couldn't help but overthink.
Hearing this, Marcarita looked as if she had just heard the most absurd joke.
She sneered and turned her head slightly, glancing at Whitley out of the corner of her eye, her gaze filled with undisguised mockery. "Whitley-san, if your brain has really been filled with some unclean dust that has broken your logic, please be sure to tell Marcarita. I, Marcarita, can reluctantly help you clean it out, and I guarantee that not even the slightest speck of dust will be left."
Whitley was choked by her roundabout way of calling him an idiot. Although he was a little annoyed, he also confirmed that it wasn't a marriage thing.
Then this "partner" talk... what was it about?
Marcarita seemed very pleased with her counterattack.
But as if she had sensed the doubt in Whitley's heart, she let out a light snort, her tone tinged with a strange sense of superiority and pride, as she prepared to officially announce the big news to Whitley. "Hmph! Since you've asked so sincerely, then rejoice! Candidate God of Destruction Whitley! You are about to..."
Just then, Whitley suddenly remembered something important and abruptly cut her off. "Wait, Marcarita! If I remember correctly, didn't the Grand Priest grant me the status of an Angel? Back at the Tournament of Power?"
Marcarita was so choked by his sudden interruption that she almost couldn't breathe, and the momentum she had been building was instantly deflated.
She irritably turned her head back, gave Whitley an eye-roll that perfectly matched her appearance and was full of contempt, paused for a moment, and then confirmed in a hostile tone, "Y—E—S! My dear fellow kin, the esteemed Angel Whitley-san! How about it, are you satisfied now? Can you please stop interrupting me?!"
She deliberately emphasized the words "fellow kin" and "angel," her tone dripping with sarcasm.
Then she took a deep breath, trying to regain the solemn atmosphere of announcing major news, and said quickly, "Do you want to know the reason or not? If you want to know, then just listen obediently and don't interrupt me again!"
But who knew that Whitley wouldn't play by the rules at all. He replied very bluntly, "I don't."
"Hmm, good, then listen obediently... wait, what?!"
Marcarita was halfway through her sentence when she finally realized what Whitley had said.
She almost choked on her own saliva!
"Y-you... what did you say?! You don't want to know?!"
This time, she completely lost it. The proud posture she had been maintaining also showed a crack.
She whipped her head around, her beautiful face almost touching Whitley's nose. "What is wrong with you?! Weren't you the one who asked in the first place?! Why do you suddenly not want to know anymore?! You... were you just messing with me from the beginning?!"
Whitley looked at her with a surprised expression, as if to say, "You finally figured it out! Took you long enough!"
To be honest, after dealing with these angels so much, Whitley had also figured them out.
These guys all looked elegant and harmless, but in reality, they all had a little devil inside, and they especially loved to see others flustered after being tricked.
So from the very beginning, Whitley had never expected to get a straight answer from Marcarita.
He had only asked her because he was bored on the way and wanted to find someone to chat with to pass the time.
Originally, this chat partner should have been the more easy-going Whis, but who had asked this young lady to forcibly drag him over?
Seeing the undisguised "I'm just messing with you" expression on Whitley's face, Marcarita gritted her teeth in anger.
She let out a hateful "hmph" and decided not to say another word to this detestable guy until they reached Zeno's palace!
Whitley didn't care. He was happy to have the peace and quiet and simply closed his eyes to rest, while also reviewing the cooking methods for those ingredients and how to play with the toys in his mind, so that he wouldn't make a fool of himself in front of Lord Zeno later.
In this strange and silent atmosphere, the distant, massive, and endlessly divine Zeno's palace finally appeared at the end of their vision.
...
Meanwhile, in Universe 10.
The Supreme Kai, Gowasu, was strolling on a planet teeming with primitive life, with his highly regarded and promising disciple, Zamasu.
They observed the evolution of the life cycle and felt the burgeoning civilization on this planet.
Ever since Zamasu had, after an observation of life a few days ago, proposed a radical theory about "cleansing" mortals who he deemed imperfect and astray, Gowasu had felt a faint sense of unfamiliarity and worry toward his disciple.
"Zamasu."
Gowasu stopped, and with a final trace of hope, he looked at his outstanding disciple. "Regarding the self-will of life and the boundary of interference, regarding our duties as Supreme Kais... have you still not given up on those... strange ideas?"
Zamasu stopped and faced his master.
His face was expressionless. He just bowed slightly and said in a calm and even sincere tone, "Master, please rest assured. After these past few days of deep thought and your earnest teachings, I have come to deeply understand the childishness and absurdity of my previous thoughts."
He looked up, his gaze seemingly clear as he looked at Gowasu. "The birth, reproduction, and even the formation of a unique civilization of life are all a great and arduous process. Every life has its own meaning of existence and path of development. As Supreme Kais, what we should do is to guide and protect, and to respect the laws of life's self-development, not to forcibly interfere or even kill based on our own preferences. This is the way of life that I should uphold."
Gowasu listened to Zamasu's speech, which sounded so correct, even a textbook example for a Supreme Kai, and was so moved he was on the verge of tears.
He felt as if the disciple who was once full of ideals and pure light had returned!
"Good! Good! Good!"
Gowasu praised him repeatedly, excitedly patting Zamasu's shoulder. "You finally understand! You finally understand the essence of life and the duties of a Supreme Kai! Zamasu, my disciple! From this day on, you can also begin to learn the core knowledge and skills of creating planets! I believe that with your talent and comprehension, in just a few thousand years, you will definitely be able to perfectly succeed me and become the new generation's Supreme Kai of our Universe 10!"
"Yes, Master. Thank you for your high regard and trust. I will definitely study hard and will not let you down."
Zamasu bowed his head respectfully, his tone humble as he replied to the tearful Supreme Kai of Universe 10 before him.
However, in the instant he lowered his head, an imperceptible, strange light flashed in the depths of his eyes.
Then Zamasu, as if he had remembered something, looked up and asked in an inquisitive tone, "By the way, Master. A few days ago, I was in our Sacred World of the Kais' library and I chanced upon a very ancient text. It recorded that there exists a mysterious object in this world called the Super Dragon Balls, scattered throughout the universes, and it is said that after gathering them, they can grant any wish! Is this true? If it is, doesn't that mean... our process of creating planets and shaping life will become very simple? Then why do we still have to work so hard to study the art of creation? Please enlighten me, Master."
Gowasu, who had already turned around and was immersed in his relief, did not notice that as his disciple was asking this question, under his seemingly respectful expression, a sinister arc uncontrollably formed on his lips.
However, this arc was quickly suppressed by Zamasu, and his face returned to its humble and studious appearance.
Gowasu did not turn his head, just stroked his beard and patiently answered, "Zamasu, the Super Dragon Balls you mentioned do indeed exist. And they do indeed possess incredible power. But you must understand that what is obtained through external tricks is ultimately not the true path. Creating life and shaping planets are the innate duties and powers of a Supreme Kai. The understanding of the laws of life and the grasp of the balance of the universe contained within this are profound comprehensions that no wish can bestow. Relying on the Dragon Balls will only make us lose ourselves in the illusion of power and ignore the essence and responsibility of being a god."
He paused and concluded meaningfully, "Therefore, to diligently study the art of creation is not only to master the power, but also to hone our divinity and understand the true meaning of life. This, you must remember."
"Yes, your disciple understands. Thank you for your teaching, Master," Zamasu replied respectfully.
But in the shadows of his lowered head, a flame called ambition began to quietly burn in the depths of his eyes, and it grew stronger and stronger!
So... something that can grant any wish really does exist...
Zamasu's heart beat faster.
Master, you are too pedantic! Since there is a shortcut, why waste thousands or tens of thousands of years on painstaking research?
As long as I obtain that power... I can shape a truly perfect universe according to my own will!
Finally, he spoke again, his tone still respectful. "Master, after we return this time, I wonder if you could teach me the 'Instant Transmission' technique? I feel that this technique, which is not for combat but simply for more convenient travel in the vast universe, would allow me to better fulfill my duties of patrolling the various planets."
Gowasu, who was already convinced that Zamasu had completely returned to the right path and was about to become a qualified successor, agreed readily to this reasonable request. "Of course! Instant Transmission is indeed a very practical technique. After we return this time, I will teach you the training method."
"Thank you, Master!"
Thinking of the terrifying being named Whitley he had seen at the Tournament of Power, a smile of a successful conspiracy that Zamasu could no longer suppress was finally, shamelessly, revealed as he lowered his head!
And all along, the Supreme Kai Gowasu, who was immersed in his relief, did not notice anything amiss.
...
In Zeno's palace, in the great hall that was filled with supreme majesty.
At this moment, a scene was unfolding that made Marcarita's jaw drop, and she seriously wondered if she was hallucinating.
The supreme Lord Zeno, who held the power of life and death over all the universes, was at this moment sitting happily on Whitley's lap like an ordinary child!
In his small hands, he was holding a transformer model that Vados had carefully selected, and he was fiddling with it, both clumsily and with great excitement.
Lord Zeno kept making "Ale? Ale?" sounds of confusion, but his expression was one of extreme happiness.
And Whitley, the candidate God of Destruction who, in her opinion, was crude and whose brain seemed to have a few problems, was just casually holding Lord Zeno, a smile of helplessness yet relaxation on his face.
He would even occasionally reach out to help Lord Zeno adjust the joints of the toy, saying, "Lord Zeno, this button is for transforming, and this one is for the light-up effects..."
What horrified Marcarita even more was that the Grand Priest, who had always been extremely strict with them angels and was deeply majestic, was standing right there!
And his face, far from showing any blame for Whitley's blasphemous behavior, instead had a... a satisfied smile, almost one of relief, as he quietly watched this harmonious scene!
Wh-what is going on?!!
Marcarita felt that her perception of reality had been subjected to an unprecedented impact.
Why? Why could Whitley be so close to Lord Zeno? Why was her father turning a blind eye and even looking satisfied?! Did this Whitley really have some special magic?!
Or... had her father been controlled by this guy using some evil method?!
She couldn't help but scream in her heart, 'Father! What's wrong with you?! Have you been bewitched by this innately evil Saiyan, Whitley?! For someone who is so blasphemous to Lord Zeno's majesty, why are you just watching?! Shouldn't you immediately step in and purify him?!'
And Whis, who had been taking in Marcarita's shocked, blank, and existentially-dreading expression, finally couldn't hold it in any longer.
He covered his mouth and laughed "Ohohoho," his laughter even more joyful and meaningful.
Just as I thought~ Whitley-san, it seems... only you can make my sister, who looks down on everyone, make such an interesting expression~ Father's arrangement is truly brilliant.
He recalled how Lord Beerus had wanted to abdicate as the God of Destruction of Universe 7, but had been decisively refused by his father at Whitley's request.
But when Vermoud had requested to abdicate, his father had agreed very decisively.
And he had even agreed with Lord Zeno's words, to have Whitley-san take over as the God of Destruction of Universe 11, and to appoint Marcarita as his angel.
Looking at it now, his father had probably long since anticipated this scene.
The reason that clown Vermoud had been in such a hurry to run away was probably because he couldn't stand Marcarita's arrogance, which bordered on harshness.
Whis thought to himself, 'After all, this father of ours has a mind that is much deeper than the universe...'
...
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