Seeing that the Beggar Sage finally saw him as an equal, Merun allowed himself to relax.
He leaned back against the wooden wall of the hut. "Shoot."
The Beggar Sage raised four fingers into the air. "I have four points I want to make. Four reasons why the Beggar Sect is your only logical path forward."
Merun nodded and settled in to listen. He intended to weigh every word.
"First," the Beggar Sage began, "the secret to the martial path. The Beggar Sect has the resources you need in order to figure out whether or not you, a person from the Saiyan race, can actually get a martial path. While your appearance and overall biology seem incredibly similar to ours, the way you gain power and tap into that power is different. Our reports from the field say you did discover a 'path' you want for yourself."
He took a slow, measured breath. "If you want to learn more about your martial path, we can help you navigate it. We'll let you access all the martial techniques we know. We'll even commission martial artists to train you."
He paused, letting that sink in before adding the pressure.
"Other great clans could help you, but what is stopping them from using their martial masters to capture and incapacitate you? You are a biological anomaly. We respect your autonomy and choices as we value our connection with you as the individual, Merun. The same cannot be said for other groups... you would likely live as a lab rat for the rest of your life."
Merun nodded slowly. The Sage had come out swinging.
Merun's 'martial path'—Overwhelming Suppression he had used to tame the Great Ape—was something he surprisingly treasured. It had become his pillar in the toughest times of his life so far. He wanted to learn how to tap into that power even with his biology as a Saiyan.
The "lab rat" comment was also a valid concern. Despite his 10,500 power level, he knew he wasn't strong enough to fight off the top-tier monsters of this world yet.
The Beggar Sect already knew his secret, which forced Merun to speak about it in the spirit of transparency, but he wasn't ready to let the whole world in on it.
The Beggar Sage smiled when he saw the impact of his first point. He didn't give Merun time to overthink it before moving to the next.
"Second point. We share the same vision: protecting the weak. I know you saw through our plan to groom you into becoming the hero of the people, but the facts do not change. You helped and saved the village of Sabae. You chose to save the boy Muji from Ota. You chose to save not only Bankei, but also the Shinken Prisoners. You clearly have the morality of a good person."
The Sage leaned closer, his voice regaining some of that earlier passion, though it felt more grounded this time.
"The fact that you were still here listening means, at the very least, you agree with what I said initially. The world needs to improve for the common man. That doesn't mean destroying the martial world entirely, but to lessen and one day eradicate the injustices happening in the world. On that point, we can help you as well."
He gestured toward Merun's scouter. "You do have monstrous power that breaks the framework of our world. You have senior-level strength while maintaining the aura of a non-martial. You are even more powerful with your 'surprise' transformation... but you are not omniscient. You do not know where your power is needed. By joining the Sect, you will gain the 'Eyes and Ears' of billions. This allows you to be the hero you want to be with surgical precision, rather than using reckless force that causes collateral damage."
Merun couldn't argue with that. He had read enough of the Martial Unity novel to know that the Beggar Sect operated in almost every corner of the continent. If he wanted to save people and grow stronger efficiently, he needed that flow of information.
He couldn't just wander around like a protagonist in a low-budget RPG, hoping to stumble into a quest.
The Beggar Sage saw the second point land and immediately raised a third finger. "Third, the protection of the Furutsu family."
Merun's eyes glinted with a flash of deep anger. The air in the hut seemed to hum for a split second as his ki responded to his shift in mood.
"Calm down. This is no threat," the Beggar Sage said, raising his hands in a placating gesture. "Rather, this is a benefit for you. Your family is in Gifu, right? They are currently serving as soft leverage for the Iaiashin family to keep you in line."
The Sage lowered his voice. "We can offer invisible protection for them. We have people who will gladly risk their lives to protect them, even with the little power they have. We can embed agents like Iro at their side, working as Iaiashin servants. Even your older sisters, who have become Martial Squires, are often sent out for missions. We can keep track of them for you and inform you whenever they are in a truly dangerous situation. I assume your family's protection is the one thing you value most. You can train with a quiet mind knowing they are okay."
Merun's eyes softened. The Beggar Sage had hit the nail on the head. In this life, his family was his greatest motivation and his greatest anxiety. It was his Martial Drive.
Having a network of spies watching over his sisters while they were on the front lines was a massive weight off his chest. It wasn't permanent nor was it effective in front of true Martial Power. But he trusted the competency of the Beggar Sect to handle things as it were right now.
At this point, Merun was sold. He was ready to end the meeting.
"I get it," Merun said, reaching out to shake on it. "I'll join—"
"Fourth and final point," the Beggar Sage continued, ignoring the interruption.
Merun blinked. "I already said—"
"—we have found candidates willing to conceive half-Saiyan offspring," the Sage said firmly. "You will have no problem finding mates here."
Merun nearly choked on his own spit. He coughed violently, his face turning a shade of red that had nothing to do with his martial path or ki.
"I know on your planet, population must have mattered a lot," the Beggar Sage continued, his voice perfectly clinical and professional. "We predict that interstellar warfare must scale in the billions. We analyzed your cells from your fight with Squire Noritsugu, and they showed almost perfect compatibility with ours. It also makes sense that at your age of eleven by our world's standards, your body is already that of a prime age. The sooner you grow, the sooner you can multiply!"
"Stop, I don't—"
The Beggar Sage didn't stop. "But here's the thing, if your future children share the same power growth factor as you, I would much prefer you become more of a pillar in the sect and no longer just a partner. The mere fact that you're here means that there are other civilizations out there... and we need all the manpower we need to protect ourselves."
Merun leaned forward, his hands trembling with embarrassment. "Damn it, I get it! Stop talking!"
"As for the timing," the Beggar Sage added, his eyes twinkling with a mischievous light, "if you want to wait until your biological age is the norm for this world, around eighteen, that is no problem. I actually respect that. As for the women who have already agreed, all are of adult and marriable age. Some you even know, like Ir—"
Merun lunged across the table. Before the Sage could finish the sentence, Merun had him in a headlock, clamping his palm firmly over the old man's mouth.
"Shut up! What the fuck man?! I get it! Stop!"
The Beggar Sage struggled in the grip, attempting to break free. He started laughing, the sound coming out as a series of muffled, wheezing shakes against Merun's hand.
After a few seconds, Merun let go and slumped back into his seat, looking utterly defeated.
The Beggar Sage straightened his robes and smoothed out his luscious hair, still chuckling. "Have you decided?"
Merun looked at him, annoyed and exhausted, but a small smile remained on his face. He held out his hand again. This time, the Beggar Sage took it.
The Beggar Sage's eyes turned greedy for information once more. "Welcome to the sect."
Merun was about to ask about the next steps when the Sage suddenly spoke "I'm needed somewhere else. The world doesn't stop moving just because we've reached an agreement. Iro is outside; she will tell you all the details. I have a lot of questions to you myself but I have to go."
Without another word, the light behind young man's eyes dimmed as his body laid limp on his seat.
Merun was stunned.
"...What the fuck? At least give a proper goodbye??"