"You're finally back!"
Just as Whis was lost in his thoughts, a childish voice echoed through the palace.
Tap tap tap!
The next moment, Zeno came running toward Zeru, his face full of joy.
扑!
Without hesitation, he jumped straight into Zeru's arms.
"You little guy…"
Zeru rubbed Zeno's head and chuckled, "Acting like this in public really doesn't suit your status as the supreme ruler."
"I don't care!"
Zeno puffed his cheeks, completely unconcerned.
To him, Zeru was like family. Without this big brother, he wouldn't have survived, nor would he have reached such a lofty position.
Everything he had—
Was given by Zeru.
So why would he care about appearances?
"Hahaha!"
Zeru laughed heartily. The kid was still as pure as ever—he hadn't forgotten anything.
Gulp.
At the side, Whis didn't even dare lift his head. He swallowed hard, sneaking a glance at the two who looked like real brothers.
At this point, he was almost certain—
Zeru… might truly be Zeno's elder brother or something similar.
As for the "Grand Omni King" theory—
Whis had thought about it for exactly one second… and then immediately dismissed it.
Too absurd.
No one would believe that the legendary, vanished supreme existence had returned.
Besides, if Zeru really were that being, his father—the Grand Priest—would have addressed him as such.
Yet he didn't.
So in Whis's view, Zeru couldn't be that entity.
Still—
Seeing how close he was to Zeno made Whis' heart tremble.
Zeno was the ruler of twelve universes.
His status was absolute.
Thankfully, Whis had always treated Zeru with kindness.
Otherwise…
He might not even exist anymore.
"This guy has been hiding the deepest all along…"
Whis muttered internally, then suddenly his expression changed.
"No! I need to inform Sis Vados and Lord Beerus as soon as possible. If they accidentally offend him… we're finished!"
"Son Goku, welcome!"
At this moment, Zeno jumped down from Zeru's arms and happily waved at Goku.
"Yo! Hello, Zeno-sama!"
Goku waved back cheerfully. He instinctively stepped forward to shake hands—
—but Whis coughed lightly as a warning.
Goku awkwardly pulled his hand back.
"Oh right! Zeno-sama, why did you call me here?"
Goku asked.
"Hehe!"
Zeno floated into the air, grabbed Goku's hand, and said with a smile,
"I once heard Big Brother Zeru talk about you. He said you'd be a great friend! After meeting you last time, I really liked you—so I want to be friends!"
"Huh?"
Goku blinked, then glanced at Zeru.
"Didn't expect you to talk about me in front of Zeno-sama!"
"Hey hey! So… can we be friends?"
Zeno tugged at his arm.
"Of course we can!"
Goku replied immediately, then scratched his head.
"But… what happens after we become friends?"
"We play together!"
Zeno said as if it were obvious.
"When I'm bored, I can come find you!"
"Uh…"
Goku looked a bit helpless.
So I came all this way… just for that?
Still, he nodded.
"That's fine, but…"
"But what?"
Zeno widened his eyes.
"Since we're friends, you should just call me Goku! It feels closer that way."
Goku grinned.
"Goku! Okay!"
Zeno's smile widened.
"Then what should I be called?"
"Haha! Let me think…"
Goku rubbed his chin, then suddenly snapped his fingers.
"I got it—how about 'Zenny'? Or… 'Little Zen'?"
"Little Zen?!"
Zeno's eyes lit up as he nodded repeatedly.
"I like that!"
"Hahaha! Of course you do, I'm great at naming!"
Goku laughed proudly.
Watching Zeno's happiness, Whis finally let out a quiet sigh of relief.
He had genuinely been worried Goku might say something outrageous.
At that moment—
"Whis."
A voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
"Father?"
Whis stepped beside the Grand Priest and bowed slightly.
"Do you know Teacher Zeru's true identity?"
the Grand Priest asked calmly.
"I… don't."
Whis hesitated, then shook his head.
"Not knowing… is for the best."
The Grand Priest smiled faintly.
"In any case, it's better not to spread Teacher Zeru's identity."
"…Understood."
Whis opened his mouth, as if wanting to say something—but ultimately nodded.
Still, his thoughts churned.
Should I tell Beerus? Or Vados?
He glanced at Zeru.
The man was smiling casually, relaxed as ever.
Despite his mysterious and terrifying status—
He had never once abused his power.
Never threatened anyone.
"Then… as long as we remain on good terms, there won't be any problems."
Whis slowly relaxed.
"Lord Beerus and Sister Vados wouldn't provoke him anyway… and as for Champa, he definitely wouldn't dare."
Thinking this through, Whis finally revealed a relieved smile.
But deep down—
He knew one thing clearly.
From now on…
Even he would unconsciously keep a certain distance from Zeru.
Because this man's status—
Was so high that even the Grand Priest himself couldn't truly compare.
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