"Shinichi, your deductive skills have grown quite a bit recently."
Yusaku glanced at his son, whom he had just slapped moments ago, a hint of approval in his eyes.
"But right now, this theory is still just our deduction. Or rather, our deduction currently lacks evidence."
If it were a typical monster, Yusaku felt they could already dispatch heroes to subdue it.
But the Saiyans' power was too terrifying. Without 100% certainty, Yusaku didn't dare act rashly.
"That's simple. We can just ask the person in question directly."
As he spoke, Shinichi opened the chat page of the Universal Chat Group.
He found the name 'Son Goku' among the list of members.
Just as Shinichi was about to @ him, he noticed people in the group had already started chatting.
[Master Roshi: @Goku, Goku, Gohan's death wasn't your fault. He never blamed you.]
[Krillin: @Goku, Yeah, it's not like you wanted to transform back then. Besides, weren't the rest of us okay?]
[Bulma @Goku, Exactly! And your tail is gone now anyway, so you can't transform anymore. Don't be sad.]
After silently lurking for a while, Shinichi finally figured out what was going on.
From the conversation between the Dragon Ball's main cast, Shinichi learned that Goku had indeed transformed into a giant ape before.
And it seemed he had accidentally killed his own relative because of it.
"So, Saiyans lose their reason when they transform?" Shinichi deduced, pinching his chin with his right hand.
Sonoko, seeing his expression, could guess what this deduction freak was thinking.
She couldn't help but mutter under her breath:
"This deduction freak… he wouldn't actually think of confronting that man, would he?"
Hearing this, Ran's eyes also widened.
'Ah, this… Shinichi couldn't be that stupid, right?'
After observing for a moment, Shinichi finally chose to join the conversation.
[Kudo Shinichi: @Goku, Um, Mr. Son… could we add each other as friends? Let's talk privately.]
He waited for a while, but Goku didn't respond.
He probably hadn't recovered from the emo state of learning he killed his grandfather.
"That Kudo Shinichi is talking in the group chat," Miku reminded Lott.
Lott slightly raised his eyes, a trace of amusement and curiosity flashing within them.
Compared to the already known origin of the Saiyans, he was more interested in what the [Detective Highschool Student], this harbinger of misfortune, was planning.
'Private messages were only possible between friends.'
'So, what did the 'Washing Machine' want with Kakarot?'
Seeing that Goku was taking too long to respond, Shinichi had no choice but to shift his target to Goku's teammates.
Perhaps sensing the awkward silence, Krillin took the initiative to break the ice.
[Krillin: @Shinichi: This group friend, Goku probably isn't in the mood to reply right now. Is there something you need?]
[Shinichi: Could you please accept my friend request? Can we talk privately?]
Although he often performed baffling actions, Shinichi's intelligence wasn't lacking.
He knew Lott, or Lott's subordinates, were likely also watching the group chat right now.
Therefore, they absolutely could not discuss this in the group; it had to be a private conversation.
[Krillin: Huh? Sure, that's fine. Go ahead and add me.]
Krillin didn't think too much about it and directly accepted Shinichi's friend request.
In the private chat, Shinichi eagerly asked:
[Mr. Krillin… may I ask, did your companion Son Goku remove his own tail because he didn't want to turn into a giant ape?]
[Krillin: Not really. Before the video exposed it, Goku never knew he could turn into a giant ape. He has no memory of when he transforms.]
Shinichi's eyes lit up.
'Just as I predicted, Saiyans lose their reason when they transform!'
Shinichi eagerly asked again: [Then how did you stop him? The video said a Saiyan's power increases tenfold after transformation. Stopping him couldn't have been easy, right?]
The Hero Association's executives silently watching the private chat between Shinichi and Krillin all held their breath.
"Will the other party reveal something so important?" Senzaemon doubted.
However, the next second, Krillin replied.
[Krillin: Goku was still in his growth phase back then. He was strong, sure, but without his reason, he was manageable. Usually, we used two methods to undo Goku's transformation: either blow up the moon, or cut off his tail.]
'Blow up the moon?'
Seeing Krillin's reply, Mrs. Yukinoshita's beautiful eyes widened dramatically.
'Could they really do something like that?'
Senzaemon, on the other hand, was more surprised that Krillin had so selflessly shared such crucial information.
Well, this was mainly because the people of Planet Dragon Ball were mostly simple and honest.
Their world operated on strength, and they didn't engage in those intricate, scheming games.
If this were the Planet Ninja, it would be a different price altogether.
"We're set!"
Kudo Shinichi excitedly pumped his fist.
He hadn't expected it to be so smooth!
From his conversation with Krillin, he had obtained two crucial pieces of intelligence!
Saiyans lose their reason after transforming into a Great Ape.
After having their tail cut off, Saiyans revert to their normal form and fall into a brief coma!
…
"Everyone! Did you see that? I successfully found the Saiyans' weakness!" Shinichi didn't even bother sending a thank you to Krillin. After closing the private chat, he spoke to everyone with ecstatic joy:
"This way, we don't have to be afraid of that guy anymore!"
The expressions in the room varied.
Some were as overjoyed as Kudo Shinichi, others showed conflicted and hesitant expressions, and still others had distant, unfocused eyes, lost in unknown thoughts.
"Suzuki-san, please gather the S-Class Heroes. Let's discuss tactics," Shinichi urged impatiently.
Suzuki Shiro raised an eyebrow.
To be honest, he had already planned to sever ties with the Kudo Family.
He felt Shinichi loved to stir up trouble too much and had zero sense of his own limitations.
But this matter was indeed of great importance, so Shiro didn't refuse immediately.
After thinking for a moment, he turned his gaze to Prime Minister Fujiwara.
Although core council members held equal rank, Prime Minister Fujiwara was the most senior among the present members.
Most council members looked to his attitude for guidance.
Prime Minister Fujiwara subtly glanced at the surveillance feed from Shuchi'in Academy, specifically at his second granddaughter sitting with Lott.
Thoughts churned in his mind.
But on the surface, he still nodded and said:
"Mm, let's do that."
…
Meanwhile, in the Dragon Ball World.
Bulma had finally managed to comfort Goku.
Returning, she discovered that a group member named 'Kudo Shinichi' had privately messaged Krillin.
Being the top scientist on Earth, no, possibly in the entire universe, Bulma immediately sensed something was off.
Especially when the other party's profile showed they were from [Planet Terra].
An increasingly ominous premonition welled up in Bulma's heart.
She quickly opened the private messages with Krillin.
[Bulma: Krillin, what did you talk about with that guy Kudo Shinichi?]
[Krillin: Huh? Nothing much.]
Krillin, residing at Kame House, rubbed his smooth, bald head.
He didn't think it was a big deal.
But Bulma insisted that Krillin send her screenshots of the chat.
He could only obediently comply.
[Bulma: ... You big idiot!!!]
After viewing the chat screenshots, a brief silence ensued before Bulma let out a hoarse, strained roar.
It scared Krillin so much he fell off the sofa onto the floor.
[Krillin: W-What? Is… is there a problem?]
Bulma, far away in West City, rubbed her temples in frustration.
She thought guys like Krillin and Goku only knew how to train all day, their brains having turned into muscle.
'The other party was using you, pumping you for information! Can't you see that?!'
With one of the top intellects in the universe, Bulma immediately guessed what this [Detective Highschool Student] was plotting after reading the chat between Shinichi and Krillin, combined with the other party's identity as Planet Terra's resident.
It was blatantly obvious he was trying to extract Saiyan secrets from Krillin to use against Lott!
Prompted by Bulma, Krillin finally caught on.
'Oh crap oh crap oh crap oh crap!'
'This was a huge problem! If Lott found out, wouldn't he kill me?!'
[Krillin: T-Then what do we do now? D-Do I just have to pray that Kudo Shinichi can take down Lott?]
Bulma rubbed her temples in frustration once more.
To be honest, she didn't have high hopes for the people on Planet Terra succeeding.
But she couldn't just stand by and watch her friend earn Lott's hatred.
After thinking for a moment, Bulma suggested a course of action for Krillin:
[Here's what you do. Send Lott a private message right now, tell him the whole story from beginning to end, and see if you can get his understanding.]
Even with an intellect far surpassing Vegapunk's, Bulma couldn't think of a better solution at the moment.
After all, they were separated by an entire galaxy.
Otherwise, Bulma could have bought some gifts and gone to apologize in person or something.
[Krillin: Oh, oh, oh! Okay, okay, okay!]
Krillin, now fully aware of the stupid thing he had done, quickly sent a friend request to Lott.
…
"Huh?"
Seeing the suddenly popped-up friend request, Lott was also taken aback.
"Krillin? The one Kudo Shinichi @'ed earlier? What does he want with you, Lott-kun?" Chika pressed her hands on Lott's shoulders, her curious eyes blinking rapidly.
Feeling the 'cushion' behind him, Lott didn't overthink it and selected [Accept].
Yukino, sitting far away, secretly glanced in their direction out of the corner of her eye.
At that moment, a few more students entered the classroom.
But Lott, along with Chika and Miku, didn't pay them much mind.
[Krillin: I am deeply sorry!]
The moment they became friends, Krillin immediately performed the traditional Japanese art of apology.
It was unknown if he also performed a dogeza.
[Lott: Huh?]
Lott replied with a 'Huh?' cat meme.
Krillin, trembling, explained the entire incident from start to finish.
Miku's face darkened.
Chika also shrieked, "Eeeh-! That guy is too despicable, isn't he?!"
Chika's exaggerated reaction instantly attracted the attention of many people in the class.
Though still, no one dared to approach.
However, Lott's expression remained calm, even somewhat amused, as he replied:
[It's fine. Just give me your wife instead.]
Seeing this reply, Krillin, far away in the North Galaxy, made the same expression as the 'Huh?' cat meme.
'Wife?'
'I don't have a wife.'