"A Deal?"
Seeing the two children descend from the sky, a flash of surprise crossed Dr. Brief's eyes. But when he heard Rhode speak in such an adult-like manner, his wariness vanished. Chuckling softly, he reached out and patted Rhode's head.
"Whose children are you? If there's really business to discuss, you should call your parents!"
Damn it! Doctor, you've gone too far!
Rhode's face flushed instantly. His body may have been that of a seven-year-old, but his awakened memories carried the mentality of someone in their thirties. Being treated like a child made him nearly lose his composure on the spot.
"Our parents are already dead."
The words slipped out before he could stop himself.
Dr. Brief's smile froze. His eyes softened with sympathy, and he gently patted Rhode's head again. "I'm very sorry, children."
"Rhode, what's the point of this Earthling? If he's useless, I'll just get rid of him!"
Unable to stand the back-and-forth any longer, Aira stepped forward with a cold expression. Energy crackled in her palm as she prepared to fire.
Rhode immediately grabbed her wrist, dispelling the energy before she could do something disastrous. The last thing they needed was to make this situation worse.
"This little girl has quite the temper. Girls should be more ladylike."
Clueless about the danger he was in, Dr. Brief leisurely took a drag from his cigarette and made an offhand comment—completely unaware that Aira had genuinely meant to vaporize him.
Rhode felt a headache forming. Taking a deep breath, he forced the conversation back on track.
"Dr. Brief, it's like this—we're not Earthlings. We're from space. We came here to make a deal with you. We want you to help us build a device that can freely adjust gravity levels."
"A Gravity Chamber? Really? I haven't explored that field before… Interesting! This will definitely be a challenge!"
Instead of worrying about extraterrestrials standing at his doorstep, Dr. Brief's scientific curiosity ignited like a wildfire. Technology, not their origins, was what truly caught his attention.
"Ah—sorry, children. I got a little carried away."
Realizing he'd wandered off topic, he refocused on the two of them, exhaling a puff of smoke as he studied them with growing curiosity.
"So… you really are aliens? And you came all this way just to ask me to build a Gravity Chamber?"
"That's right."
Seeing the conversation stabilizing, Rhode nodded calmly.
"Tell me—are people in the universe all small like you?"
He stared at Rhode, fascinated by the mature demeanor that didn't match his appearance.
Rhode cleared his throat. "Doctor, we don't stay small. We're simply young. But that doesn't affect our deal."
To shift the topic, he took out a Scouter and handed it over. "This is a Scouter. It detects life strength. Consider it a meeting gift."
"A Scouter?"
Dr. Brief's eyes lit up instantly. He eagerly examined it, turning it over with the excitement of a child receiving a new toy.
"Beep beep beep—"
He aimed it at himself, and a series of readings flashed on the display.
"My power level is really only five?" he murmured, strangely excited.
Then he pointed the device at Rhode. "May I test your life strength?"
"Go ahead."
Rhode waved casually, not minding at all.
"Beep beep beep—"
"Oh! You extraterrestrial children are strong! Your power level is the same as mine!"
Aira's eyebrow twitched. She stepped forward and snapped:
"Hmph! Don't lump us together with you! Listen carefully—we are Saiyans, the combat race of the universe! Our power is on a completely different level from you weak Earthlings!"
Her pride flared, eyes sharp and disdainful. To her, comparing a Saiyan to Dr. Brief was nothing less than an insult.
"Aira, I think you can keep quiet."
As Aira's insulting words fell, Rhode immediately swept a cold gaze at her, his eyes sharp with warning.
"Oh? Are you Saiyans really that strong? Little girl, may I measure your power level?"
Dr. Brief didn't pay attention to Aira's biting tone. Instead, his curiosity was piqued—he wanted to see just how powerful these Saiyans were.
"Hmph! Watch closely, weak Earthling!"
Aira ignored Rhode's warning, snorted coldly, and clenched her fists. She bowed slightly, gathering and unleashing all her power.
As her Ki fully erupted, everything around her trembled. Strong winds swirled violently, damaging nearby buildings, and the atmosphere itself seemed to vibrate under her aura. Only because she deliberately avoided Dr. Brief did he remain unharmed; otherwise, he could have easily been sent flying by the sheer force.
"So… so strong!"
Holding the Scouter, Dr. Brief's eyes widened as the display numbers leapt rapidly, eventually breaking into four digits. Shocked, he muttered, "It actually reached 2,648! As expected from a combat race!"
Aira's expression, cool and proud, only grew smug at the praise.
Rhode, watching her, was momentarily speechless. She had revealed all her strength without restraint, yet took pride in doing so—this little tiger truly had no filter.
Then Rhode glanced at Dr. Brief, who smiled indulgently, coaxing Aira into a calmer state like a masterful trainer taming a wild beast. Internally, Rhode couldn't help but complain: This top scientist is not only wise, but cunning to the bone. Even his hair is hollow.
He thought of the broader implications. With Aira powering up so recklessly, the martial artists of Earth—and perhaps even the immortals on Korin Tower—must have sensed the surge of Ki nearby.
Still, Rhode didn't worry. Previously, only a few had known about the spaceship's arrival on Earth, but now this display served as a formal announcement to all strong individuals on the planet. With their current strength, Rhode and Aira could move freely without fearing for their safety.
"Darling, what happened? Are you okay?"
As Aira retracted her Ki and the wind settled, a sweet-looking woman with short golden hair ran over, holding a small girl. Anxiety colored her expression as she addressed Dr. Brief.