More than ten minutes later, after Zeno handed Son Goku the Zeno button, Zeru, Whis, and Goku left Zeno's palace and returned to Earth.
After briefly greeting them, Whis also departed, heading back to the Destroyer's realm.
Beerus' Concern
"Whis! So? That idiot didn't cause any trouble, right?"
Beerus asked immediately when Whis returned.
"Nothing serious. Zeno-sama called him over… just to make friends."
Whis hesitated, ultimately choosing not to reveal everything he had witnessed.
"What?!"
Beerus' eyes widened.
Zeno… wanted to be friends with Goku?!
"Also…" Whis added after a pause, "Zeru's identity is extremely mysterious—and… noble. It would be best to treat him kindly."
Beerus narrowed his eyes slightly.
"I know he's mysterious. As for 'noble'? That's another matter. But he's interesting—and easygoing. I'm not going to clash with him."
Then he smirked.
"Besides… even if I go all out now, I'm not sure I can defeat him instantly anymore."
"..."
Whis fell silent.
Still living in the past, huh…
He could already tell—
Even at full power, Beerus stood no chance against Zeru anymore.
But he didn't say it.
Some truths… had to be seen firsthand.
Arrival in the Future Timeline
Back on Earth, Zeru brought Goku, Vegeta, and Future Trunks to the ruined future.
They first met the resistance forces, then returned to the devastated ruins of West City.
"This time… you're fighting too?"
Future Mai asked seriously.
"Yeah!"
Trunks nodded firmly.
Even if he wasn't the strongest—
He refused to stand by and watch.
"You don't need to fight."
Vegeta crossed his arms, expression cold.
"I'll handle Black Goku."
Goku immediately protested:
"Hey! What about me?!"
"You watch."
Vegeta smirked.
"Or cheer for me."
Zeru, watching from the side, couldn't help but be speechless.
This guy… where is all this confidence coming from?
Because if nothing had changed—
Black Goku likely already possessed Super Saiyan Rosé, a form comparable to Super Saiyan Blue… possibly even more stable.
Deciding Who Fights
"No way! Let's decide with rock-paper-scissors!"
Goku insisted.
"Fine."
They played.
"Rock! Paper! Scissors!"
…Goku lost.
Vegeta smirked.
"That foolish hand of yours never stood a chance."
Goku sulked and walked aside.
Even Trunks and Mai, who had been tense, couldn't help but relax seeing this ridiculous scene.
The Signal
Boom!
Vegeta fired an energy blast into the sky.
"That should get his attention."
Crackle—!
Within seconds, lightning tore through the sky.
A dark vortex formed.
And then—
He appeared.
Black Goku Descends
Goku Black floated down, surrounded by ominous energy.
"Black Goku!"
Trunks' face filled with rage.
"Oh? You've come to me this time."
Black Goku's gaze swept across everyone—
Then stopped on Zeru.
Instinctively.
Because among them all—
Only this man gave him any real sense of danger.
Vegeta Steps Forward
"Listen well!" Vegeta declared, transforming instantly into Super Saiyan Blue.
"I'll be the one to end you!"
Black Goku merely smiled.
Cold. Unbothered.
"This guy… he's not reacting at all…"
Trunks frowned.
It's like he's already seen this level before…
The Provocation
Black Goku spoke calmly:
"None of you… are my match."
His tone was filled with absolute disdain.
Then—
He raised a hand.
Pointed at Zeru.
And crooked his finger.
"You."
"Come die first."
Instant Suppression
Whoosh!
Before anyone could react—
Zeru vanished.
And reappeared directly in front of Black Goku.
CRACK.
His hand shot out—
Grabbing Black Goku by the throat.
Lifting him effortlessly into the air.
The entire battlefield fell silent.
Zeru's voice was calm. Almost bored.
"Getting older… my hearing isn't so good."
He tilted his head slightly.
"So I didn't quite catch what you said."
His grip tightened just a little.
"Mind repeating it?"
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