Shin had not slept in three days.
Supreme Kai did not need rest but this was not exhaustion of the body. It was the grinding strain of contradiction which was taking a toll on his mind.
Duty demanded distance from emotional attachments especially when it comes to mortals and their affairs.
Existence demanded judgment and said judgment demands a firm heart not misguided by unnecessary feelings.
And for the first time since his ascension to position of Supreme Kaioshin of the east , Shin felt more fear than facing majin buu for the first time, he was afraid of choosing between mortals and his duties as a Supreme Kai.
He stood alone in the Kaioshin Realm, pale pink hands clasped behind his back, long silvery hair drifting in the artificial wind.
Below him, the stars of the GT universe flickered faintly and some dimmed and others brighten like never before where the Saiyan had passed through.
He should not exist, Shin thought again.
But that was no longer enough.
Shin's Dilemma was greater than words could describe.
The laws were clear.
A Supreme Kai must preserve balance and the mortal threats that are beyond correction must be sealed or erased without hesitation or deliberation.
No attachment or favoritism towards mortals and their lives,yet every law assumed something critical:
That threats sought domination for its own sake.
The Saiyan did not
He sought the true origin of saiyan race and the Memory sealed with in his blood.
And that terrified Shin far more than simple conquest because he learned the consequences from his research in Kai archives.
If I choose my duty, Shin thought,
I condemn a being who may be the universe's final defense.
If I choose him…
I betray every god who trusts me.
Before Shin could continue his train of thought, the first interruption came like a knife sliding into thought.
A presence entered the realm of the kais, sharp, arrogant, oppressive.
A young God destruction Candidate , the last few remaining since the attack of the ancient Saiyans a few million years ago.
This one wore a mantle of violet fire, eyes burning with barely restrained impatience.
"You hesitate," the god said. "That alone disqualifies you."
Shin did not turn to face him.
"I observe," he replied softly.
Then another presence followed, cold, mathematical.
An Attendant-class Angel proxy, bound by protocol to observe and guide before escalation.
"The Ancient Saiyan's power exceeds acceptable mortal thresholds," the Angel said.
"Your continued inaction increases multiversal instability by 3.7% per annum."
Shin clenched his hands.
"You speak of numbers as if the life and death of the mortals matters not! ," he said, voice trembling despite himself.
"I speak of consequences."
The young candidate echoed dismissive of the Kai .
"If you cannot decide," the candidate Destroyer said,
"we will remove the decision from you."
That was the threat.
End of the chapter