Time flew by, and soon Gran had finished preparing the grand feast. He didn't make stinky tofu, mostly because it wasn't something that could be whipped up in a moment. Instead, he made roast whole lamb.
Faced with such a delicacy, the God of Destruction and the Angel completely abandoned their dignified airs, devouring the food until their mouths were glistening with oil.
Gran, meanwhile, hugged a whole roasted lamb and gnawed away. The past six months of training had left him mentally and physically exhausted; he needed a good meal.
Two hours later.
The three of them, finally full and satisfied, lay back on their beach chairs.
The sky in the God of Destruction's world had begun to darken slightly. Purple starlight cascaded down, and a gentle breeze blew...
For the past six months, all three had been busy with their own tasks. It was rare to have a moment of leisure, and they all thoroughly enjoyed this peaceful time.
"Gran, your power training has pretty much hit a bottleneck, hasn't it?" Whis asked casually, lying back and gazing at the sky.
Beerus's eyes narrowed. Is the little guy finally moving on to the next step of training?
"Yes." Gran lay on his side, looking at Whis in the middle chair. "Lately, I've felt that it's become very difficult to increase my power."
"That's normal. Measured by the universal power level index, one billion is a bottleneck for you all. Lord Beerus faced the same issue back then; he was stuck at this stage for quite a few years."
"Huh? So what should I do now?"
"Breaking through a bottleneck involves many factors. Sometimes, just being in a good mood can help you break through." Whis looked up at the dazzling starry sky; he had already formulated Gran's next training plan.
"Indeed," Beerus chimed in from the chair on the far right. "There are too many factors involved in breaking a bottleneck, and it's not something that can be done in a short time. For now, set aside your power training."
Gran sat up straight, looking at the two heavyweights beside him. "Then what should I train now?"
"You've mastered your power, trained your mind, and trained your strength. Now it's time to train your combat techniques, experience, and awareness..." Whis said calmly. "You should have a good idea why I want you to train these, right?"
"I think so. Not long ago, you said that combat is the fastest way to train bodily instincts." Gran nodded and continued, "Whis, you probably want me to realise these techniques through battle, then turn them into my own instincts so that my bodily instinct can advance."
Whis's ultimate goal was likely for him to master the Ultra Instinct state fully. Since he had already trained his mind, if he trained his bodily instinct next, he would soon be able to master Ultra Instinct Sign.
"Correct." Whis and Beerus nodded with satisfaction. The kid was indeed smart.
"So how should I train? Should I go back to the Sumeru World and fight those giant beasts..."
Gran suddenly stopped talking and began counting on his little fingers again.
Beerus noticed his strange behaviour and turned his head. "What are you doing?"
"Hold on a second." Gran raised both small hands in a "pause" gesture.
He had been in the Dragon Ball world for over two years now. It was currently Age 739. Goku would embark on his first journey to find the Dragon Balls in Age 749. That meant there were still ten years before the Dragon Ball story officially began!
Gran had become a God of Destruction, Candidate. With Whis and Beerus by his side, he wasn't particularly interested in most things on Earth.
But!
Senzu Beans!!!
Now that interested him!
Speaking of Senzu Beans, their effects were miraculous. Aside from curing diseases, they could heal any injury. As long as a person had a single breath left, a Senzu Bean could bring them back to life and restore their body and stamina to peak condition.
In the early stages of the Dragon Ball story, there were plenty of them. But after Yajirobe climbed Korin Tower, the number of Senzu Beans plummeted rapidly. Mainly because that guy ate them like snacks—how could their numbers not drop fast?
Thinking of that fat slob made Gran grit his teeth in anger.
Whis was Beerus's attendant; he couldn't be by Gran's side every moment of the day. Without Whis's healing, Senzu Beans would come in handy.
No! He had to take all the Senzu Beans before Yajirobe climbed Korin Tower!
"You brat, what are you thinking about?" Beerus frowned.
Gran sat up straight and looked at the two of them. "Whis, Lord Beerus, didn't you say I need to experience countless battles to form a higher level of bodily instinct?"
Beerus's brow furrowed tighter. "What exactly are you trying to say?!"
Whis also found it a bit strange.
"I..." Gran gritted his teeth and summoned his courage. "I want to leave the God of Destruction's world and go out to find various masters in the universe to fight!"
This was indeed Gran's genuine thought. He had been in the God of Destruction's world for two years. Whether it was his state of mind or his power, he had reached a bottleneck and wouldn't see much improvement in the short term. According to Whis and Beerus, he needed to experience countless battles to comprehend more combat techniques and gain experience... eventually turning them into bodily instinct.
In the God of Destruction's world, besides the two of them, there was only the sleeping Oracle Fish. Beerus and Whis were too strong; they weren't suitable opponents for him.
Of course, there were the various giant beasts in the Sumeru World, but they lacked intelligence. Fighting them wouldn't significantly improve his combat techniques. It would be better to go out into the universe and find stronger masters.
"..."
Beerus and Whis fell silent.
Gran asked cautiously, "What's wrong? Do you not agree with me going out?"
"Hahaha!!"
Beerus and Whis suddenly burst into laughter.
???
Gran was confused. What's wrong with them?
Whis calmed himself and said, "Actually, even if you hadn't said anything, Lord Beerus and I were planning to kick you out."
"Kick me out? Why?" Gran felt as if thorns had pierced his chest.
"Listen to us first." Beerus said helplessly, "You've seen for yourself that there's hardly anyone in our world. Whis and I aren't suitable opponents for you. Where else can you go but out into the universe?"
Actually, he could go to other universes, but Gran's current strength was far from sufficient for that. It wasn't the right time to take him out of Universe 7.
"So that's it!" Gran patted his little chest. He thought Beerus and the others were really kicking him out, but it turned out their thoughts coincided.
"So when do I leave?"
"In a month. Use this time to consolidate your strength."
"Yes!" Gran nodded vigorously.
Finally, he could go out into the universe! The more he thought about it, the more excited he became. He also formulated a plan for his journey into the universe.
His first stop had to be Yardrat to learn Instant Transmission. After all, Whis was Beerus's attendant and couldn't follow him around all the time. With Instant Transmission, going anywhere would be convenient. It was also a very practical escape move. If he couldn't beat someone, he could run. If he couldn't run, he could call for help.
His second stop would be Namek. Since he was in the Dragon Ball world, he couldn't miss seeing the Dragon Balls! Not only did he want to see them, but he also wanted to make a few wishes!
As for the third stop, it was Earth for the Senzu Beans...
Fourth stop, challenge various strong fighters...
...
Finally!
Gran also wanted to seek revenge on Vegeta!
He still remembered the miserable state he was in when he first arrived in the Dragon Ball world. He had said he would get revenge on Vegeta, and now it was about time!
Gran clenched his fist, the corners of his mouth curving up slightly. Prince Vegeta, is it? Just wait until you get a taste of my one billion power level!
Time flew by, and a month passed just like that.
During this time, with Beerus as his sparring partner, Gran thoroughly consolidated his strength.
Gran's current power level was 1 billion; his state of mind was in the "Semi-State of Selfless"; and his bodily instinct had reached the first stage. His dimensional level had also reached the peak of the Kai level, but Whis had never told him this, so Gran remained unaware. The main reason Whis hadn't told him was that it wasn't time yet. When Gran returned to the God of Destruction's world next time, he would undergo dimensional training, and that would be the time to tell him the truth.
Today marked Gran's second year in the Dragon Ball world and his second year in the God of Destruction's world. It was time for him to leave.
The little Gran, dressed in ancient God of Destruction attire, stood in front of the palace, facing Beerus. The parting was imminent, and the atmosphere was a bit sad and heavy...
"Lord Beerus, I'm leaving." Gran looked reluctant to go.
"Hurry up and get lost. Without you, my world will finally be quiet, and I can get a good sleep! Beerus said expressionlessly.
"You..." Gran gritted his teeth. "Fine, Lord Beerus! I should speak nicely to you since I won't see you for a long time, but you're really something!"
At this point, his eyes darted around, and he added, "Hmph, since Lord Beerus dislikes me so much, next time I come back, I won't bring you any gifts. I'll only bring them for Whis!"
He was going to Earth, so he would definitely pack a few hundred million cups of instant noodles. After all, in the anime, these two guys in the God of Destruction's world loved instant noodles.
Beside them, Whis's eyes lit up. The gift Gran mentioned must be delicious food. He then looked at Beerus with a provocative gaze. Keep talking tough, now you won't get anything to eat!
Beerus glared at Whis, then roared at Gran, "You brat, you dare?!"
"You dislike me so much, why should I bring you anything?"
"You..." Beerus finally sighed. "Remember to stay safe. If you run into someone you absolutely can't beat, remember to call me!"
With that, Beerus turned and went back into his palace.
That stubborn tsundere. Saying something nice is like pulling teeth for him. But Gran still felt warm inside.
He stood in front of the palace for a long time before finally saying, "Whis, let's go."
"You want to go to Yardrat first, right?"
"Yes!"
"Alright, we'll be there soon."
Whis tapped his staff, and he and Gran turned into a streak of rainbow light, shooting into the sky.
One minute later.
Whis returned to the front of the palace. But when he arrived, Beerus had mysteriously reappeared.
"Oh?" Whis chuckled. "Didn't you go to sleep, Lord Beerus?"
"None of your business!" Beerus rolled his eyes. "Did you take him to Yardrat?"
"Ohohoho~ Lord Beerus cares so much about him, yet pretends to be so indifferent." Whis covered his mouth and snickered.
"Cut the chatter. I asked you, did you take him to Yardrat?"
"I did." Whis stopped smiling and ceased his teasing. "The little one's first stop is Yardrat; he probably wants to learn Instant Transmission."
"Instant Transmission?"
"Yes, there is a technique on Yardrat called Instant Transmission. It's somewhat similar to the Supreme Kai's Instantaneous Movement." Whis paused, then continued, "However, to use the Yardratian Instant Transmission, one needs to sense Ki."
"I see." Beerus nodded. He could guess why Gran wanted to learn it. Without Whis by his side, Instant Transmission was a great way to travel.
Whis held his staff, looking at the sky, and said calmly, "Lord Beerus, Gran hasn't left the God of Destruction's world in two years, yet he knows about the Instant Transmission of Yardrat. He's not simple."
"Nonsense!" Beerus pretended not to understand Whis's implication. "He mastered his power in just two years, reached the Semi-State of Selfless, achieved a power level of one billion, and trained his bodily instinct to the first stage. Can such a peerless genius be simple?"
Whis shook his head. "Lord Beerus, you know what I mean!"
"..." Beerus clenched his fists. "So what? All I know is that he is the disciple I accepted."
Whis fell silent for a moment, then suddenly let out a cheeky laugh. "Ohohoho~~ True enough. He's the disciple I accepted, too! Besides, didn't he say he learned all this from reading the Saiyan history books?"
Speaking of which, Beerus spoke up again. "By the way, you looked very serious when you mentioned the Saiyan history books earlier. Do the Saiyans have some major background?"
At this question, a deathly silence fell over the front of the palace.
Three minutes passed.
Whis said thoughtfully, "I don't know if I'm remembering correctly, but when I was very, very young, I seem to recall hearing my father say that someone once challenged Lord Zeno!"
"What?!" Beerus turned pale with shock.
Lord Zeno was the strongest being in the multiverse. Someone dared to challenge him? How was that possible?
"Wait!" Beerus swallowed hard. "You're not trying to say that the person who challenged Lord Zeno was a Saiyan, are you?"
If that were the case, it would make perfect sense for the Saiyans to have a history book that records many secrets.
"My memory is a bit fuzzy, I'm not sure." Whis shook his head. He really wasn't certain. It seemed he would have to find time to go back and ask his father.
Beerus also fell into silence.
Finally.
"If you remember, tell me. I'm going to sleep..." Beerus turned to leave, but suddenly spun back around to look at Whis, saying solemnly, "Also, if that kid runs into danger, remember to wake me up!"
"Yes, my lord!" Whis suppressed a smile and nodded.
Only then did Beerus return to his palace.
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