"That's good, then."
Gran let out a quiet breath of relief. Being completely seen through at a glance was a terrifying feeling.
The two of them fell into silence. Only the distant noise of imprisoned cosmic criminals echoed through the Galactic Prison.
"So—what made you come here all of a sudden?" Merus asked, leaning against the railing with both arms resting on it.
Gran didn't answer right away. He found Merus interesting—nothing like an angel at all. If anything, he felt more like an ordinary person.
"You've heard about the upcoming large-scale clash between candidate Gods of Destruction, right?" Gran said, leaning against the railing as well.
"The one initiated by Lord Zeno," Merus replied. "Every universe is required to participate. With that kind of scale, of course I've heard of it."
"So your visit here is related to that battle?" Merus asked.
"To some extent," Gran nodded, glancing toward the prison cells beyond the bars. "These past two years, I've been cultivating the Laws of Destruction. I've made a breakthrough."
"After I rest for a while, I'll be entering a time-distorted chamber to further refine my strength."
Listening to him, Merus understood—Gran was preparing for the coming war.
"You really like training that much?" Merus shook his head. "At your current level, you're already a true candidate God of Destruction. Those so-called candidates from other universes don't stand a chance against you."
"I haven't fought them yet," Gran replied calmly. "Better not boast before anything actually happens."
"..."
Merus fell silent.
Did this guy truly have no idea how terrifying his strength had become?
As Merus remained quiet, Gran continued:
"You know what Lord Beerus's reputation is like. As his disciple, I'll definitely be ganged up on by the other ten universes. This level of strength still isn't enough."
Merus's mouth twitched. He said nothing—because Gran was absolutely right. That scenario was guaranteed to happen.
"You still haven't told me your real purpose for coming here," Merus said, steering the conversation back.
"This is the only free time I have," Gran replied. "From here on out, it's nonstop training."
Standing there felt dull, so Gran grabbed Merus and led him down the corridor. "Before I go into seclusion, I wanted to see what the Galactic Patrol has developed into."
"You want to raise Universe Seven's ranking," Merus said immediately, seeing through him.
After all, the Galactic Patrol existed to assist the Supreme Kai.
For example, when the Supreme Kai created a planet with immense civilizational potential, that civilization might be on the verge of rapid advancement—only to be disrupted by evil marauders.
If left unchecked, a high-potential civilization would be wiped out.
Just like Moro.
He fed on planetary life. Civilization meant nothing to him. As long as he could grow stronger and obtain immortality, he would drain any planet in the universe dry.
By the time a God of Destruction personally intervened
it was already too late.
That was why, before things reached that point, the Galactic Patrol existed.
This was the Supreme Kai's method—his macro-level regulation of the universe.
"Impressive, Merus," Gran said while walking. "You figured that out easily."
"Gran, there's no need to be so formal," Merus waved his hand. "You're my brother Whis's disciple. Just call me Merus."
"Then I won't stand on ceremony."
Gran felt comfortable around Merus. He casually slung an arm around Merus's shoulders; from behind, they almost looked like brothers.
Merus nearly laughed at Gran's boldness, but he wasn't one of those aloof, condescending angels who looked down on all life.
So he let it be.
"That's right," Gran said. "I want Universe Seven's ranking to rise."
He stopped and turned to Merus. "Whether it's me, Lord Beerus, Whis, the Old Supreme Kai"
"or even you, Merus."
"From top to bottom, Universe Seven's foundation is terrifyingly deep. I refuse to sit at second-to-last place."
Hearing this, Merus suddenly realized—Universe Seven really was something special.
"This visit wasn't just to see what Whis's little brother is like," Gran continued as they walked past rows of prison cells holding cosmic criminals. "I also came to thank you."
"Thank me?" Merus paused, then quickly understood. "You mean the Saiyans who joined the Galactic Patrol?"
"Exactly. With your guidance, they've grown stronger—and that strength can now be put to proper use serving the Supreme Kai."
"You don't need to thank me," Merus said. "If anything, I should be thanking you."
"Why?" Gran stopped again, a glint of as expected flashing in his eyes.
In the manga, Merus was an angel with a strong sense of responsibility—someone obsessed with justice.
No. More accurately
He was a pure Galactic Patrolman.
He couldn't simply stand by and watch the rise and fall of a universe. To him, protecting life mattered more than maintaining neutrality.
"Gran," Merus asked, "what do you think justice is?"
Gran pressed his lips together.
This kid really was something…
"Justice?" Gran thought for a moment, then shook his head. "I'm a candidate God of Destruction. My justice is simple—anything that interferes with the universe's development must be destroyed."
"..."
Merus lowered his head.
He never should have asked a one-track-minded God of Destruction something like that.
"Everyone's beliefs are different," Gran added. "You don't need to care about how others see you."
The moment those words left his mouth
Merus snapped his head up.
This guy… he actually understood what Merus was struggling with.
"What you like is what matters most," Gran asked lightly. "Isn't that right?"
"You…"
Merus opened his mouth, then smiled faintly. "That's true. What I like—what makes me happy—that's what matters."
He hadn't expected Gran to see straight through him. Interesting.
Oh no.
Seeing the look on Merus's face—like he'd just found deep validation—Gran suddenly wanted to slap himself.
If Whis or the Grand Priest ever found out he'd influenced Merus like this, would they dismantle him bone by bone?
But still
Merus's beliefs had long since been formed. In the manga, he knew that angels who violated neutrality would be erased by the rules
and yet he still used angelic power to strike Moro.
Which led to his erasure.
"All right, don't overthink it," Merus said, smiling as if he sensed Gran's thoughts. "This is my own choice."
"I'll continue guiding Paragus and the others. That's helping myself as well."
What he was devoted to was justice, not blind adherence to neutrality.
To truly maintain order in the universe, the Galactic Patrol needed to be stronger.
And the Saiyans Gran had gathered fit his requirements perfectly.
Saiyans possessed extraordinary talent—polish them just a little, and they became formidable warriors.
"I can't talk you out of it," Gran sighed. "But for the sake of my relationship with your brother—"
"If you ever die, I'll go find the Super Dragon Balls and bring you back."
"Then I'll make you a true Galactic Patrolman. How about that?"
END OF CHAPTER
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