Inside the tiny restroom aboard the ship, the gentle smile that usually sat on Merus's face vanished completely. The soft-spoken patrolman was gone; in his place stood someone calm, composed, and focused — as though a veil had been lifted.
He didn't move toward the toilet at all. Instead, he stood motionless before the sink.
"—Shh."
A ripple of pure, translucent energy flowed outward from him like a silent wave. The air itself seemed to bend around the power. It wasn't visible to the naked eye, but it was absolute — a barrier woven from Angelic power that cut off sound, energy leakage, and detection from the outside world. For the moment, the washroom ceased to exist to the rest of reality.
Then, Merus raised his palm.
Snap.
A staff materialized — elegant, crystalline, and unmistakably divine. At its tip, a crystal orb glowed softly, its surface swirling with cosmic patterns.
Merus lowered his head, respectful and solemn.
"Grand Priest-sama. This is Merus."
The orb shimmered, and a figure formed inside — calm, refined, and carrying an aura of authority so absolute that it needed no introduction.
"I hear you, Merus," the Grand Priest replied gently. "How is your progress?"
Merus bowed slightly.
"As instructed, I've guided Broly's subconscious resentment away from you and redirected it toward Beerus. He now fully believes Beerus is both the reason his fate changed and the one who erased his father."
The Grand Priest smiled faintly.
"You've done well. Beerus has been asleep for too long anyway. It's only fitting he carries a little more weight."
Merus chuckled nervously, wiping imaginary sweat from his brow.
"It does make things… simpler."
The Grand Priest continued, tone sharpening.
"You and Broly have been granted this life to grow beyond your previous limits. In your case, you must evolve toward a combat-oriented Angel, like Son Goku achieved in his own way."
Merus winced slightly.
"With all due respect… that's an extremely tall order."
"You don't need to follow his path," the Grand Priest replied calmly. "But you must carve your own."
Merus hesitated.
"And Broly? Does he still walk the path of a Destroyer?"
"Yes," the Grand Priest said. "His affinity for destruction is innate. But this time, he must rise beyond the level he reached before. Not merely equal to Beerus — he must far surpass him."
Merus absorbed that in silence.
Then, after a moment, he asked what had been weighing on him:
"Broly was already incredibly powerful in his previous life. Why reset him at all?"
The Grand Priest's gaze softened.
"Because I expect him to reach a realm close to Goku's — perhaps even stand beside him. And you… Merus… I expect you to rise as well. In time, I hope to see you not just among the new divine ranks, but guiding them — perhaps even as a junior attendant to me."
Merus froze.
"Junior… attendant?"
"Consider it a future to strive for."
Pressure slammed into Merus like a physical weight — but he straightened and bowed.
"I will do everything I can."
"Good. Broly and you are each other's greatest catalyst. Grow together."
The projection faded. The staff dissolved into light.
The barrier dropped.
The hum of the ship returned.
Merus took a breath, smoothing his uniform, and stepped out — only to freeze.
Broly stood right outside, arms folded, staring straight at him.
"When did you get here?" Merus asked, heartbeat jumping.
"You were talking to someone," Broly said bluntly. "Who?"
Merus' mind raced. Impossible. The barrier should have been absolute.
He smiled anyway.
"Just a private report with headquarters. Nothing unusual."
Broly narrowed his eyes. "I heard you say 'Son Goku'."
"Routine discussion," Merus said smoothly. "The patrol tracks notable fighters. He's… significant."
Broly watched him a few seconds longer — then relaxed.
"You people really know everything."
Merus chuckled lightly.
"We do our best."
Broly grinned suddenly.
"Then show me what the old man's doing right now."
Merus blinked. "You mean… Master Master Roshi?"
Broly nodded.
Merus hesitated… then sighed, producing a sleek device. A screen flickered to life — revealing a luxurious hotel room.
Inside, Master Roshi lay sprawled across a bed, surrounded by attendants, looking like a king enjoying a suspiciously comfortable vacation.
Merus covered his face.
Broly stared.
"…He really is living his best life."
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