In the vast, silent void between Universe 6 and Universe 7, a shimmering transport cube streaked through the emptiness like a shooting star.
"Lord Champa, we are about to enter Universe 7," Vados announced calmly.
"Step on it! I want to see exactly what that 'skin-and-bones' bastard has been up to!" Champa barked, clutching his seat.
The cube accelerated, blurring the stars until it reached the transparent membrane separating the two twin universes. With a soft thrum, they phased through. Champa immediately pressed his face against the glass, eyes scanning the galaxies.
In his mind, the only way for a universe's Mortal Level to jump that quickly was through mass destruction—purging every low-level civilisation to "cheat" the average. He fully expected to see a trail of cosmic smoke and debris left behind by Beerus.
But as he looked out...
"How is this possible?" Champa's pupils shrank. The low-level planets were still there, vibrant and intact.
"Lord Champa, look closer," Vados said, her voice tinged with genuine surprise. "The 'unqualified' planets—the ones stagnating in chaos—have all vanished. But the foundations of the universe remain untouched."
Champa let out a massive sigh of relief. He had been genuinely worried that his brother was destroying their shared legacy. But that relief was quickly replaced by a familiar, burning annoyance.
"That bastard!" Champa grumbled. "Since when did he become so diligent? If he keeps this up, Universe 7 might actually overtake us! Vados, faster! I need to see this apprentice of his. And make sure the Don-Don Bird eggs are ready. I'm going to make that hillbilly drool with the finest delicacy Universe 6 has to offer! Hahaha!"
Back on the Sacred Land of the Kais, Beerus and Whis looked up simultaneously. Their sudden shift in focus caught the Elder Kai's attention.
"Lord Beerus? Is something wrong?"
"He's here," Beerus muttered, looking annoyed.
"Who?"
"The fat pig," Beerus replied flatly.
Shin and Kibito exchanged confused glances. Only the Elder Kai paled, realising who was coming. "You mean... Lord Champa?"
"Wait," Shin stammered. "The Destroyer of Universe 6 is coming here? Is he looking for trouble because our ranking went up?"
"If it were any other Destroyer, I'd tell you to worry," Beerus said, glancing back at the sleeping Gran. "But since it's that glutton, there's nothing to fear. Whis, keep an eye on the kid. Don't let that loudmouth wake him up."
"Already ahead of you, My Lord," Whis said, flicking his staff to place a shimmering, silent barrier around Gran. This rest was vital; it was the "labour-rest balance" Gran needed to stabilise his power before he could begin training his Level of Existence (Dimension).
Suddenly, a pillar of rainbow light descended from the heavens.
The pressure that followed the light was immense. As the rainbow faded, the space around them seemed to warp under the sheer weight of a God's presence. Shin and Kibito felt their knees buckle, but Beerus stepped forward, his own aura neutralising the interference.
"Beerus! Long time no see!"
Champa stood there, looking like a mirror image of Beerus—if that mirror added a few hundred pounds. Beside him stood Vados, as elegant and poised as ever.
"It has been a while," Beerus said, glancing at Champa's smug grin. "But don't you think your entrance is a bit... over the top?"
"Hahaha! Sorry, sorry! I'm just so excited to see the look of pure envy on your face that I couldn't help but let a little power leak out!" Champa retracted his aura, allowing the Kais to stand upright again.
"Greetings, Lord Champa. Greetings, Lady Vados," the Elder Kai said, bowing.
Champa blinked, looking at the old man. "Wait... old man? Are you out of that sword? When did that happen?"
"A lot has changed recently," the Elder Kai replied dryly.
Beerus stepped into Champa's personal space. "So, what was that about 'envy'? What nonsense are you talking about now?"
Champa smirked. "I've brought a delicacy from Universe 6 that will make your soul leave your body. You hillbillies have never tasted anything like a Don-Don Bird egg! I can already see you crying and begging me for a second one!"
Beerus, Whis, and the Kais all stared at him with deadpan expressions. If this were a month ago, they might have been intrigued. But after experiencing Gran's Szechuan Hotpot? A boiled egg sounded like cardboard.
"You came all this way just to brag about an egg?" Beerus sighed.
"Hey! Don't act all high and mighty!" Champa snapped. "And while I'm here, I want to see this 'apprentice' I've heard so much about. My sister's sister says he's something special. I want to see if he's actually talented, or if you just picked up a random brat to do your chores."
The air in the clearing turned cold. Beerus's eyes narrowed, glowing with a dangerous purple light. "And how, exactly, did you find out I have an apprentice?"
Whis sighed, seeing Vados give him a subtle, knowing nod. Of course, he thought. Lady Kusu told Vados, and Vados told Champa. Typical. Whis leaned in and whispered the explanation to Beerus.
Beerus's killing intent faded, replaced by a slow, wicked grin. He looked at Whis, and they both started to smirk. They knew exactly what was about to happen. Nobody—not even a God—could look at Gran and remain calm.
"If you want to see him, he's right there," Beerus said, stepping aside.
The Kais followed suit, revealing the small boy lying on the lounge chair by the lake. Gran was still fast asleep, looking quite "innocent" with his round face and peaceful expression.
Vados and Champa focused their divine sight on the boy.
Silence.
Then, the world seemed to stop. As an Angel, Vados could see things mortals—and even some Gods—could not. She saw the internal flow of his energy. She saw the "Dimension" of his soul.
"Lord... Lord Champa..." Vados's voice, usually the epitome of calm, actually trembled.
"I see it, Vados... but... how is this possible?!" Champa gripped his own head, his eyes bulging. "Vados, slap me. Tell me I'm dreaming. Tell me I'm hallucinating from the diet!"
SLAP!
"Ow! Dammit, that hurt! So... it's real?" Champa staggered back, his jaw practically hitting the grass.
"His energy control is... absolute," Vados whispered, her eyes locked on the sleeping child. "Even in his sleep, not a single drop of ki is wasted. And his dimension... It's at the Peak King Kai Level. But that's not even the most terrifying part."
"The State of Selflessness (Nothingness)," Champa wheezed, his envy turning into a physical weight. "He's achieved the mental heart of Ultra Instinct before he's even hit puberty! That means Mastering Ultra Instinct is a 'when,' not an 'if' for this kid!"
Champa looked like he was about to have a heart attack. "And his body... Vados, tell me I'm wrong about his body."
"You aren't, My Lord," Vados added, her voice full of awe. "His Physical Instinct has already reached the Second Stage. He has attained a level of combat subconsciousness that most Gods of Destruction struggle to maintain."
Champa turned to Beerus, his face red with a mix of fury and jealousy. He had come here to mock Beerus with an egg, only to find that his brother had stumbled upon a once-in-a-multiverse prodigy.
"He's not even ten years old!" Champa roared, pointing a trembling finger at the sleeping Gran. "How?! How can a brat have this much power?!"
Beerus crossed his arms, letting out a loud, boisterous laugh that echoed across the lake. "Oh, his talent is okay, I guess. But hey, weren't you saying something about an egg? I'm waiting to be 'envious,' Champa!"
"BEERUS, YOU ABSOLUTE BASTARD! I HATE YOU!!"
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