A/N: I have always thought of this mysterious being who made the super dragon balls. I wondered if there was a chance to see him in the manga/anime. So, I decided to add him to my story with an important role and a reasonable reason for his absence. And the connection between him and the dragons.
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In a distant part of the white dimension, the tranquil silence was shattered by a thunderous explosion. From its center, Jin was hurled through the blinding light, crashing hard before tumbling to a stop.
He groaned and pushed himself up, the faint hum of lingering energy crackling across his body. The space around him shimmered — no sky, no ground — only endless brilliance that pulsed softly, like the heartbeat of existence itself.
Jin muttered through clenched teeth, "That… seriously hurt."
Then, without warning, a calm, resonant voice echoed through the void.
"You are quite an interesting warrior."
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Jin's eyes narrowed as he raised his guard. His senses flared instinctively — but there was no killing intent, no ki signature, not even a trace of life energy. He glanced at the device on his wrist. The readings were clear. He exhaled softly, relaxing his stance a little bit.
'So… not hostile. Then who is he?'
Given the bizarre experiences he'd had so far in the past, it wouldn't be strange if this being were some sort of guardian.
Jin straightened up. "Who are you? And what is this place?"
The voice chuckled lightly. "Before you ask someone's name, shouldn't you offer your own first? Let's start over."
Jin blinked, a little embarrassed. "Uh… right. Hi. My name's Jin. And you are, sir?"
The figure smiled faintly. "My name is Zalama — Guardian of the Omniverse."
Jin's eyes widened. "Zalama? You mean that Zalama? The most mysterious god in all existence?"
"Indeed," Zalama said with a nod. "Though what truly interests me is you. How does a mortal from the First Xenoverse find himself adrift in the Sixth?" He paused briefly, as if listening to the space itself. "Hmm… I see. You made a wish with the Celestial Dragon and fell into the space crack that formed afterward. That explains the lingering trace of madness I sensed."
"Madness?" Jin echoed. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Zalama folded his arms. "Think of it as a… status effect. A spiritual distortion. It amplifies aggression and draws out one's darker nature. When you entered the Celestial Temple, that effect was applied to you. Otherwise, tell me—why do you think the trial felt so simple? Even a pure-hearted warrior might have killed those guards by accident under its influence."
His tone softened. "Had you done so, you'd never have been allowed to enter again. The fact that you didn't means you have no darkness hidden within—and that your control over your energy is far greater than most. From what I can tell, the effect has already faded."
Jin's eyes widened slightly, realization dawning.
'So that's what it was… That's why I felt so aggressive, even though I kept myself in check.'
He clenched his fist, a small smile breaking across his face.
'My training wasn't for nothing then. Soon… I'll be able to use my primal power in its truest form.'
Zalama's gaze lingered on Jin for a while, as if he were looking past his flesh and straight into his essence."Interesting," he murmured. "Your energy… It's different. You're standing on the very edge of transcendence."
Jin blinked. "Tran—what now?"
A faint smile tugged at Zalama's lips. "Transcendence. To put it simply, it is the state of a higher existence. The point where the limits of body and soul no longer bind you. It is the gateway to limitless growth — the erasure of weakness itself."
Jin frowned slightly, trying to process it. "You mean… some kind of ultimate form?"
"In a sense," Zalama replied. "But not one born from rage or transformation. It is a state achieved through perfect harmony — when body, mind, and spirit move as one. Most beings spend their entire lives chasing fragments of that unity. You, however, are only a few steps away."
Jin looked down at his hands, flexing them slowly. The energy around him pulsed faintly in response, as if agreeing with Zalama's words. "So you're saying I'm close… but I can't even feel it."
"That's because you're still trying to reach it," Zalama said calmly. "Transcendence isn't something that can be achieved — it's enlightenment."
Jin exhaled, shaking his head. "You're starting to sound like my old master."
Zalama chuckled softly. "Then perhaps he taught you well. Because if you wish, Jin, I can guide you — train you to awaken what already sleeps within."
Jin met his gaze, resolve flickering in his eyes. "If it helps me stop the Dark Masters… then I'm in."
Zalama's expression softened into something almost approving. "Very well. Then let us begin—"He paused, a faint smile forming. "But before that… you'll need something more fitting. A mark that signifies you as my student."
He lifted a hand, and the very air around Jin rippled. Threads of light began to swirl, wrapping around his body like streams of silk. The energy condensed, weaving itself into form — fabric manifesting out of pure divine essence.
When the glow faded, Jin looked down in surprise.
A sleeveless white martial jacket clung lightly to his frame, fur-trimmed along the shoulders and collar. Beneath it, a tight black undershirt hugged his body. Long white coat-tails drifted behind his legs like a warrior's mantle, balanced by dark, fitted pants built for motion. A teal-green sash was tied firmly at his waist, its ribboned ends flowing softly with each movement. Light-purple guards wrapped his wrists and forearms, their sheen catching the glow of the realm.
Jin flexed his arms, feeling the texture. "This feels… different," he said, looking himself over. Then his brow furrowed. "Wait a second—this looks kinda like what the Metamorans wear."
Zalama let out a quiet chuckle, almost nostalgic. "Ah. That brings back memories. Long ago, a Metamoran warrior reached this place. I taught him a technique of synchronization — what you now call the fusion dance."
Jin's eyes widened. "You mean you're the one who taught them that?!"
Zalama waved a hand dismissively, though the faint amusement never left his face. "That's a story for another time. He could not grasp the other techniques I offered, but he carried the essence of balance well enough."
Jin smirked, adjusting his sash. "Guess I'm in good company, then."
Zalama's tone turned firm, the air around them beginning to hum again. "Indeed. Now that you wear the mantle of my pupil… let us begin your lessons."
Before Jin could even blink, the white expanse rippled. Light twisted, stretching and folding into a vast arena suspended above a sea of swirling energy—endless, depthless, alive.
Jin's eyes widened. "Woah—this place—"
He didn't get to finish.
Zalama vanished.
A split-second later—
CRACK!
A fist slammed into Jin's face with blinding speed, sending him skidding across the radiant floor. The impact echoed like thunder across the dimension.
Jin coughed, stunned. "What the—?!"
Zalama stood exactly where Jin had been, arm still extended, expression unreadable.
"Lesson one," he said. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried through the space like a decree. "Even if you let your guard down… You must possess the ability to refocus instantly the moment danger appears."
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