Trunks looked at Setsuna, still filled with doubt. He needed to confirm whether this 'variable' was truly powerful enough to change that hopeless future.
"Setsuna-san," Trunks suddenly said, a glint of fighting spirit in his eyes, "I'd like to challenge you. I want to see with my own eyes if you truly possess the power to change the future."
Setsuna nodded: "Alright."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Trunks, without hesitation, transformed into a Super Saiyan. Golden Ki surged skyward. He drew his longsword, channeling all his power into the blade, and shot towards Setsuna like a golden streak of light.
Facing this sharp attack, Setsuna didn't move his feet. He simply extended one finger.
Ding!
A clear sound rang out. Trunks's longsword, carrying all his power, enough to cleave a planet, was gently stopped by Setsuna's fingertip, unable to advance any further.
Then, Setsuna's fingertip moved slightly.
An irresistible force transmitted through the sword. Trunks, along with his sword, was sent flying backward, tumbling through the air several times before barely regaining his balance.
"About 170 million power level," Setsuna quickly assessed.
As for himself, after a year and a half of training, he had finally fully assimilated the vast amount of spiritual energy he had plundered from Hell. On paper alone, his power level reached 250 million, and his actual combat strength far exceeded that.
No one found it strange that Setsuna, who had only been able to 'fight fiercely' with Frieza a year and a half ago, could now instantly defeat Trunks. In their view, such progress over a year and a half seemed perfectly reasonable.
Trunks landed, looking at his slightly trembling hand, then back at Setsuna, who still stood in place without even a fold in his clothes moving. His eyes were filled with shock, but more than that, a relieved joy.
"So strong. With such a powerful warrior existing, the future can definitely be changed!"
He finally felt at ease.
"I understand." Trunks sheathed his sword and bowed respectfully to Setsuna. "With you here, the future of this timeline will surely not repeat the same mistakes."
He prepared to take his leave and return to his own timeline.
"Wait," Setsuna called out to him.
"Is there something else, Setsuna-san?" Trunks asked.
"I'd like to invite you to participate in the upcoming [Otherworld Martial Arts Tournament]," Setsuna said. "It's a gathering of many strong warriors from the afterlife. It should be very helpful for your training."
Trunks's eyes lit up: "The Otherworld Martial Arts Tournament? Can I participate?"
Setsuna smiled calmly: "Don't worry. No one in the afterlife should dare to refuse me."
Trunks was taken aback, 'This 'Uncle Setsuna's' tone didn't sound very friendly.'
But he quickly snapped out of it and nodded: "I will definitely participate."
"Also," Setsuna seemed to recall something and asked, "Do you have any medicine that can cure 'heart damage'? I'm referring to structural damage to the heart caused by certain vibrational forces."
Setsuna remembered his promise to Whitebeard. Although Whitebeard's strength was now negligible to him, he would never forget his promise.
Trunks thought for a moment and nodded: "Yes. The medical technology in the future world is much more advanced than it is now. There are specific medicines and regeneration technologies for various organ damages. Do you need it urgently? If so, I can return to the future now to get it."
Setsuna shook his head: "No hurry. After the tournament, or when you have time, bring it over."
"Alright, I'll remember," Trunks said solemnly.
...
Two weeks later, King Kai's notification finally arrived. The Otherworld Martial Arts Tournament was about to begin.
Setsuna brought the Z-Fighters to King Kai's planet. Besides Setsuna and the three Saiyans, there were also Piccolo, Krillin, Tien, and Yamcha.
King Kai was already accustomed to Setsuna's miraculous ability to travel to and from the afterlife. He said calmly: "The Otherworld has held martial arts tournaments in the past. Back then, each galaxy sent four fighters. This time, after my strenuous efforts, it was changed to each galaxy sending eight fighters. The eight of you will represent the North Galaxy."
Krillin was both excited and worried: "King Kai, the gap between our strength and Setsuna, Goku, and the others is too big. Can we really represent the North Galaxy? Besides, without internal selection, just appointing us directly... isn't that a bit too predetermined?"
King Kai smiled sheepishly: "Actually, the Otherworld isn't as strong as you might imagine. The fact that the Frieza Force could dominate the universe in the living world already speaks volumes. It means that in the vast universe, ordinary planets are the majority. On those planets, warriors with power levels exceeding 10,000 are extremely rare."
King Kai shook his head as he spoke: "Planets like Earth, where so many powerful warriors are concentrated, are the real anomaly."
Upon hearing this, Vegeta fell silent. He remembered his father, King Vegeta… the man who once ruled the Saiyan race and considered himself a strong warrior in the universe… had a power level of only around 10,000. And now, even Krillin, whom he had once regarded as a 'lower life form', had long surpassed King Vegeta's power level.
'Earth's martial arts are truly a miraculous concept,' Vegeta thought to himself. 'It allows warriors with average innate abilities to grow to such an extent.'
Yamcha laughed, hands on his hips: "If there aren't any strong warriors in the afterlife, we might as well just hold our own Tenkaichi Budokai."
King Kai chuckled softly: "Although there aren't as many strong warriors in the afterlife as you imagine, there are still some worthy opponents. Especially the West Galaxy's seeded fighter, Pikkon. His strength is extraordinary. I'm afraid only Setsuna among you might be able to defeat him."
"What Pikkon?" Vegeta said arrogantly. "Setsuna's only possible opponent is me!"
King Kai just smiled and shook his head, saying no more.
The venue for the Otherworld Martial Arts Tournament was set in a special space within the afterlife.
The delegations from the four major galaxies gathered here, and the spectator stands were filled with deceased spectators from all over the afterlife.
The tournament used a single-elimination format, with eight competition areas running simultaneously.
In the first round: Setsuna and the three Saiyans all advanced with overwhelming force. Although Krillin and the others faced some pressure, they ultimately defeated their opponents. Only Yamcha...
"North Galaxy, Yamcha, please take the stage!"
"West Galaxy, Pikkon, please take the stage!"
Looking at the formidable opponent across from him, the one King Kai had said only Setsuna could possibly defeat, Yamcha could almost cry.
'Why did I have to be so unlucky?'
No sooner had the starting gong rung than Pikkon's figure vanished from his spot.
The next instant, before Yamcha could even see what had happened, he was sent flying backward, crashing hard into the barrier and losing consciousness.