The party wound down as the sun set over the New World. The crew gathered on the deck, the dimensional tear still pulsing gently in the sky above them.
Goku floated up, examining it. "King Kai said this tear is stable. It'll stay open as long as the energy from the Void Eater's defeat lingers. Maybe a few months."
"A few months," Nami repeated. "So Luffy could go back? Or you could come here?"
"Either, theoretically. But there's a risk. The tear could collapse unexpectedly. Anyone traveling through might get trapped between dimensions." Goku floated back down. "I came to warn you, but also to offer an invitation."
He looked at Luffy. "In my universe, there are beings called the Gods of Destruction. They maintain balance across galaxies. One of them, Beerus, has taken an interest in your power. He wants to meet you."
Luffy tilted his head. "A god? Like Kami?"
"Different. Stronger. Much stronger. Beerus can destroy planets with a tap. He's slept for decades, but your fight with the Void Eater woke him up. He's curious about the 'anomaly from another world.'"
Zoro's hand went to his sword. "Sounds like a threat."
"Could be. Could also be an opportunity. Beerus isn't evil—he's just... chaotic. If he likes you, he might help protect both worlds from threats like the Void Eater. If he doesn't..." Goku shrugged. "He might destroy everything."
Luffy was quiet for a long moment. Then he grinned. "So this Beerus guy is strong?"
"The strongest I've ever faced. I couldn't touch him."
"Shishishi! Perfect! I've been wanting a real challenge!" Luffy jumped up. "Let's go meet him!"
Nami grabbed him. "ARE YOU INSANE?! He could destroy everything!"
"So? If he's that strong, running won't help. Might as well make friends!" Luffy's logic was, as always, unassailable in its simplicity.
Goku laughed. "That's exactly what I said! Vegeta, you coming?"
Vegeta, who had been brooding in the corner, stood. "Someone has to make sure you two idiots don't get yourselves killed."
The frog in Luffy's pocket croaked.
"Froguy wants to come too!"
The crew exchanged glances. Then, one by one, they nodded. This was Luffy's decision. They would follow him anywhere.
Jinbe spoke for them all. "Captain, we'll be here when you return. Training, preparing, growing stronger. Whatever comes next, we'll face it together."
Luffy's grin softened into something genuine. "I know. You're my crew."
He turned to Goku and Vegeta. "Okay! Let's go meet this god guy! But if he's boring, I'm coming back!"
Goku grinned. "Wouldn't expect anything less."
Together, the three warriors—the rubber boy, the earthling Saiyan, and the Saiyan Prince—shot toward the dimensional tear. Behind them, their friends watched until they vanished into the light.
The next adventure was about to begin.