Chapter 68: The Beginning of the Blue Star Battlefield
"It's a long story — let's save it for when we've got time to chat. Right now, I'm more curious about why that glutton Zastin didn't show up. He's usually the most eager one."
As Franklin shifted the topic, Mikan and Ryōko Mikado both turned curiously toward Lala.
"Zastin? I'm not really sure. He doesn't tell me everything, and honestly, I'm not that interested in those kinds of things."
Lala didn't seem to care much, but Franklin fell into thought. There was only one reason Zastin would abandon his favorite pastime — something serious must be happening.
"That matter… by my calculations, it's almost time."
After breakfast, Ryōko Mikado was the first to head for school.
"Big bro, I'm going now."
Mikan followed soon after; she was a model student, after all.
Once the door closed, Franklin and Lala, both dressed in their school uniforms, stepped outside. Lala's tail swayed lightly behind her — until Franklin casually caught it in his hand.
Lala's face instantly flushed crimson, her body growing soft and weak. Franklin, feeling a bit mischievous, kindly offered her his right arm.
"Does having your tail touched feel good? Or does it hurt? Or… is it something you can't really describe?"
Clinging tightly to Franklin's arm, Lala struggled to suppress the weakness rising from deep inside her as she matched his pace.
In a trembling voice, she replied, "I don't really know… My tail's very sensitive. It's constantly absorbing spiritual energy to strengthen my body.
When someone touches it, it feels like they've grabbed my weakness. I go completely limp — it's like this deep, helpless feeling from within.
My dad doesn't have it, and neither do the other Devilukeans. It seems only I, Momo, and Nana have this problem.
Ryōko said it might be related to the blood we inherited from Mom. After all, she was the last of the Origin Clan. Maybe children born between an Origin and another race all carry some kind of similar weakness."
Hearing her explanation, Franklin nodded slightly. "That's quite possible. By the way, Momo and Nana — those are your sisters, right?"
"Yeah, they're twins. The three of us have always been close. We wouldn't have made it out of the palace without Momo's help."
"Then I'll have to thank them — if not for them, I wouldn't have met such a beautiful and amazing fiancée like you."
Lala's blush deepened at his words.
"Lin, you're amazing too. Your future won't be limited to just Blue Star. I never liked any of the suitors Dad introduced. Even if we hadn't met here, I believe one day, when you step beyond Blue Star, our paths would've crossed anyway."
That was exactly the kind of thing Franklin liked to hear. Relationships only last when both sides cherish and nurture them — that's how they endure.
"Captain Zastin, there's an unidentified light approaching Blue Star. Should we intercept it?"
In the control center, Zastin sat before the main console, eyes fixed on the brilliant light streaking toward the planet. His brows furrowed slightly.
"Leave it be. It's probably coming for the son-in-law. Focus on your own duties — I'll handle the rest."
The control room fell silent again, save for the rhythmic beeping of the instruments.
"So, they've come this soon? No, I suppose it was inevitable. After all, Lady Lala's fiancé is a prize everyone in and beyond the galaxy covets."
Meanwhile, at school, Franklin and Lala had already taken their seats, waiting for the teacher to arrive.
A tiny flying device hovered by the window and quietly stopped beside Franklin's hand. Sensing it immediately, he scanned it with his divine spiritual sense and confirmed it was from the Devilukeans.
He attached the device to his ear.
"Lord Son-in-law, those people will be arriving one after another soon. The rest is up to you.
The ones coming first are just small fry testing the waters. Don't let them look down on you. Only by keeping an air of mystery and showing that you're not someone to mess with will they hold back.
That'll buy you time — time to grow stronger. The longer you can hold out, the better your chances of surviving till the end.
I've also heard rumors that the Saiyans — the ones thought long destroyed — have reappeared. Most of their kind perished, but the Saiyan prince and his men are still alive.
They might be eyeing that position too. After all, the Devilukeans do have the power to help them restore the glory of the Saiyan race.
That's all I have to say. Be careful, Lord Son-in-law. Destroy this recorder afterward. If I get new information, I'll find another way to contact you."
After removing the device, Franklin crushed it in his hand. A surge of fire aura flared, reducing the fragments to a wisp of blue smoke that drifted away into the air.
Franklin exhaled deeply. His eyes grew darker and sharper. Vegeta — the Saiyan Prince. His combat power was said to exceed ten thousand.
Meanwhile, Franklin's own strength barely reached the upper end of the three-digit range. Even if he advanced into the thousands, he still wouldn't be a match.
Time and spirit stones were both running out. It was impossible to leap that far in such a short span. The sense of calm he'd enjoyed recently was replaced once again by an overwhelming pressure — as if the heavens themselves were bearing down on him.
"Lin, what's wrong? You look… troubled."
Lala's voice immediately drew the attention of Saki Tenjōin's trio. Having dealt with Franklin before, the three girls could tell he seemed unusually tense.
"Nothing major," Franklin said, exhaling slowly. "Those people are on their way — I'm just a bit nervous. Once I meet them, I'll get used to it."
Saki and Rin exchanged puzzled looks, while Lala instantly grasped what he meant. Risa and Aya Fujisaki fell silent in thought — they, too, seemed to understand.
"Lin, if you can't handle it, you have to tell me. If you don't, I'll really be mad."
Seeing her pretend to pout, Franklin smiled faintly. "Don't worry. I've grown a lot. I won't do anything foolish."
"Rin, about the Dragon Balls — did you tell Bulma?"
At Franklin's sudden question, Rin Kujō instinctively stood up, respectfully facing him. Only after Franklin coughed lightly did she sit back down.
"I've already reported it to the young lady. She said she's collected six of them. The last one — the four-star ball — is still with her master. If you want it, you'll have to get it yourself. Once you do, she'll send you the other six."
Her master… Franklin immediately realized who that was — Son Goku. By this time, Son Gohan should have already been born.
It wouldn't be bad to pay a visit to the newly minted father. Back then, because of money troubles, Chi-Chi had forced Gohan to study endlessly, wasting the potential of a born cosmic warrior.
This time, money wouldn't be an issue. Gohan would have everything he needed — and this time, he would grow strong.
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