Whis swallowed hard, his face filled with disbelief. The way he looked at Zeru had completely changedāno longer like a powerful mortal, but like a true god.
He had once speculated that Zeru possessed Zeno's bloodline. He had also considered that Zeru might carry the bloodline of that legendary Saiyan.
But neverā
Not even in his wildest imaginationā
Had he thought that Zeru was that legendary Saiyan.
The very figure his father, the Grand Priest, revered and spoke of with the utmost respect!
"It truly has been a long time, Teacher Zeru."
The Grand Priest's face was lit with genuine joy. Looking at Zeru, he said, "I never expected that among the people Zeno wished to meetā¦ you would be one of them."
"Come to think of it, the ability you used back thenā¦ was it the same erasure power that Zeno now possesses?"
As he spoke, the Grand Priest's eyes flickered with realization, as if he had just uncovered something extraordinary.
"Fatherā¦ Zeru's ability is indeed the erasure power that only Zeno can use!"
Before Zeru could respond, Whis spoke first.
"Oh?"
The Grand Priest's gaze sharpened slightly, then he smiled with understanding.
"So that's how it isā¦ it seems Teacher Zeru and Zeno belong to the same lineage."
Zeru only smiled without answering.
If one were to be preciseā
It wasn't that he and Zeno shared the same lineage.
It was that Zeno came from his lineage.
The order of cause and effect mattered.
If Zeru had not granted Zeno the Platinum-level erasure ability back then, Zeno as he existed now would never have come to be.
Just like how he granted the Dragon God Salama the power of creationā
Without that, there would be no Super Dragon Balls, and the events of Dragon Ball Super would never exist.
Everything was cause and effect.
At its rootā
Zeru himself was the origin.
Or rather, the true origin of the Dragon Ball multiverse began the moment he traveled back to the ancient era.
Yet Zeru felt no pride in this.
Even if he stood at the highest position in the entire multiverse, he saw no reason to be arrogant.
After allā
He lacked countless years of cultivation compared to beings like the current Grand Priest.
In fact, Zeru suspected that if the Grand Priest truly wanted to act, he might not be able to kill himābut sealing him would likely be possible.
"Kapurā¦ doesn't have any malicious intent, right?"
Zeru glanced deeply at the Grand Priest, a thought forming in his mind.
Over long stretches of time, it was difficult for anyone to remain unchanged. Desires would inevitably grow.
As for why Zeno hadn'tā
First, he already stood at the absolute pinnacle.
Second, his childlike purity was something Zeru himself had instilled.
"Zeruā¦ youā¦"
Goku, who had been in a daze, finally snapped back to reality. He swallowed nervously, glanced at the Grand Priest, then whispered, "I didn't expectā¦ you're actually Whis's father's teacher!"
Zeru still said nothing.
In truth, he had never formally acknowledged the Grand Priest or Salama as his disciples. That title existed only because they themselves believed it.
Back in the ancient era, Zeru may have had the confidence to accept such a role.
But now?
He wasn't so sure he could claim that status anymore.
"Kapur, do you know where Salama is now?"
Zeru asked.
The Grand Priest's expression shifted slightly. He let out a sigh.
"Teacher Zeruā¦ the power of creation you granted him was too great. After realizing you had disappeared, he believed he could dominate the entire multiverse."
At that moment, the Grand Priest suddenly glanced at Whis and Goku, who were clearly trying to eavesdrop.
"These are secrets not meant for you two. Whis, take Goku to see Zeno."
"Understood."
Whis bowed deeply, then dragged the reluctant Goku away.
"Go on."
Zeru remained calm. He neither fully trusted nor doubted the Grand Priest.
"After you disappeared, Teacherā¦ Salama gathered powerful beings from across the universes and formed an alliance, waging war across the multiverse."
The Grand Priest's eyes filled with nostalgia.
"You know his strength exceeded mine slightly. I could not defeat him alone, but he could not kill me either."
"And soā¦ my Angel Alliance and his Demon Alliance fought for tens of thousands of years. Neither side could claim victory."
"ā¦Until Zeno appeared."
At the mention of Zeno, the Grand Priest's gaze flickered. He looked at Zeru again.
"The power he displayed was identical to yours. We believed he was your descendant."
"I see."
Zeru nodded thoughtfully.
"And Salama?"
"After Zeno brought peace and was acknowledged as the supreme ruler, Salama was unwilling to submit. He launched a rebellion."
The Grand Priest sighed again.
"Zeno, remembering the past, did not erase him. Insteadā¦ he sealed him away."
Zeru gave a soft acknowledgment.
That was enough. He understood the situation.
Without another word, he walked toward the center of Zeno's palace.
The Grand Priest followed.
As they passed through a corridor, two Zeno Guards spotted Zeru.
Their eyes tightenedā
Then they stepped forward and bowed deeply with utmost respect.
"ā¦?!"
Whis, who had just returned, felt his eyelids twitch.
If he remembered correctlyā
Even his father, the Grand Priest, did not receive such respect from them.
"Zeruā¦ who exactly is he?!"
Whis was completely bewildered.
The teacher of the Grand Priest.
Someone who commanded such reverence from Zeno's guards.
Suddenly, something clicked.
His expression changed drastically.
Could it beā
Zeru wasn't just connected to Zenoā¦
But perhapsā
A being of the same level as the long-lost Omni King above all Omnis?
Or evenā
An ancient god from the primordial era, on par with that existence?
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