Son Goku considered the offer for a moment, then looked at Turles with a serious expression.
"As long as it's not for anything evil, I'm in!"
"Hmph. Count me in too," Vegeta added with a cold snort, his pride as sharp as ever. "Kakarot, don't think you're leaving me behind!"
"In that case, Father, I'll join as well!" Gohan declared.
Just like that, the warriors of this timeline officially came under Turles's command.
"Good. From today onward, you are my first squad!" Turles announced.
"Your first?" Goku asked, surprised.
Turles cleared his throat. "Well, I just recently took over as the God of Destruction of Time. My personal staff is a bit thin. The Supreme Kai of Time has plenty of warriors under her command, but they're technically hers. I can't exactly go running to her every time I need something done, right?"
He paused, a mysterious smirk playing on his lips. "By the way, she has versions of you from other timelines working for her, too. And there's one person in particular you'd never expect to see."
"Versions of us? Someone unexpected?" Goku asked, his curiosity piqued. "Who?"
Turles didn't keep them in suspense. "That person is Vegito!"
"What?!"
Everyone who knew that name gasped in unison. "He... he's there too?"
"That's right," Turles said. "And he's already reached the Angel Level."
Vegeta and Goku exchanged a look, both nodding in understanding. As their fused counterpart, they weren't entirely surprised by Vegito's strength. However, the mention of his name ignited a fierce competitive fire in their eyes. What could be more exciting than chasing after their own fusion?
"So, Turles," Goku said, his voice brimming with battle spirit. "You became the God of Destruction of Time, so you shouldn't be weak yourself, right?"
Turles sighed. "I knew you'd ask. But honestly, you're no match for me. I reached the Angel Level a long time ago. In fact, I've already got one foot in the Grand Priest Realm. Besides, you should focus on how you're going to deal with Xicor first."
Goku's expression instantly soured. Suddenly having a grown son drop out of the sky was, admittedly, a bit of a headache.
Vegeta couldn't help but gloat. "Hahaha! Kakarot, I can't wait to see how you handle this mess!"
A short while later, Xicor regained consciousness. His eyes were hollow, filled with a sense of dead-end despair.
Goku scratched his head and walked over, extending a hand. "If... if you're willing, I can be your father. Though, I don't really know if I'll be any good at it..."
Xicor stared at Goku in disbelief. He never expected this man to acknowledge his existence—after all, he was essentially a biological experiment.
Looking at the stunned youth, Goku sighed. "Whatever the case, you carry my blood. Biologically, you are my son. But listen—if you ever try to do evil, I will kill you myself!"
Xicor remained dazed, barely registering the threat. His hand moved instinctively, grasping Goku's.
"Fa... Father," he managed to choke out.
Goku pulled Xicor to his feet and patted his shoulder with a grin. "Alright then! You're part of the family now. Though, 'Son Xicor' sounds a bit strange. Do you want to change your name?"
Xicor's expression stiffened. "I think I'll pass on the name change. My mother gave it to me. Even if she only wanted to use me, she was still the one who created me..."
Goku nodded understandingly. "Fair enough. These are your brothers, Gohan and Goten. You've met them, so I won't do the whole introduction thing."
Xicor gave a sheepish, awkward laugh. Of course he knew them—he had just finished beating them within an inch of their lives.
Gohan and Goten didn't hold a grudge. They knew Xicor had been holding back even then.
"Xicor, I'm glad you're joining the family," Gohan said warmly. "By the way, do you want to join the Time Patrol with us?"
"Time Patrol?" Xicor asked, confused.
As Gohan began to explain the organization, Turles watched from the side, mentally giving Gohan a thumbs-up. Look at this guy, already recruiting for the boss. Now that's a star employee! He deserves a raise—definitely a raise!
But Turles realized these guys didn't exactly need money.
Suddenly, Turles's eyes lit up. A flash of red light erupted from his hand and struck Gohan. Within seconds, Gohan's body began to rejuvenate, his age visibly rolling back to his physical prime.
The scene left everyone speechless.
"Gohan... what happened to you?" Goku stammered.
Gohan felt the surge of vitality and scratched his head, equally confused. "I don't know. It just happened!"
"I did it," Turles announced casually. "Gohan here is already working hard to grow our team. Why wouldn't I give him a little bonus? A top competitor like him deserves to be rewarded!"
The group looked at each other in shock. Their new boss was certainly impulsive. But restoring youth?
Vegeta's eyes began to gleam with intense focus. He realized he had to become an overachiever. Bulma wasn't getting any younger, and if he worked hard enough for this boss, he might be able to secure the same reward for her.
Under Gohan's persuasion, Xicor officially became the newest powerhouse in Turles's ranks.
"Since everything is settled, I'll take Lila back to the Sacred World of the Kai," Kibito Kai said, looking at the captured goddess. "As for her punishment, I'll need to consult the Elder Kai."
The others nodded. Xicor looked at the Western Supreme Kai with a complicated expression. She had created him only for his power, yet she was still his mother.
"If possible," Xicor said, looking at Kibito Kai, "please spare her life."
Kibito Kai blinked, then nodded slowly. He never intended to kill her. She was, in a way, his sister. He was mostly curious about what had twisted her once innocent and kind nature into this.
"Don't worry, I won't kill her. But her power will likely be sealed. She'll spend the rest of her days on the Sacred World of the Kai."
Lila's expression remained unchanged, prompting a sigh from Xicor. As long as she was safe, staying on the Sacred World of the Kai without her power was perhaps the best outcome for her.
As Kibito Kai vanished with Lila, Turles turned to the group.
"Alright then. Time for a trip to Conton City!"