Gohan couldn't hold back. "Perilla, who's this Destroyer God Beerus? Why do the Kais look terrified?"

  "He's one of this universe's strongest gods. Arrogant. Whimsical. Unimaginable destructive power. Destroys planets when displeased. Wakes every few years or decades. Planets face extinction. But he doesn't destroy randomly—it's like cellular apoptosis. Pruning dead weight for the universe's health."

  Gohan nodded. "How strong is Lord Beerus?"

  "If he were awake? Kid Buu over there? Erased with a flick."

  Gohan swallowed. Now I understand why Perilla keeps saying there's always someone stronger.

  "'If he were awake'—so Lord Beerus is sleeping?"

  "Besides food and battle, he loves sleep. Sleeps for ages. Once caused a huge mess because of it. What mess? You'll learn later."

  "Okay."

  Old Kai stared at Perilla. "Girl, you could destroy that Majin Buu alone, couldn't you?"

  All eyes turned.

  She said 'maybe' earlier. But she can win?

  Perilla sighed. "Old man, why expose me? Fine. Yes. I can destroy Dark Kid Buu."

  She pointed at Gohan and Trunks. "But I won't. I want Dark Kid Buu to be your whetstone."

  "Whetstone?"

  "I assist the Supreme Kai of Time across the multiverse. I need you two to handle things independently."

  Vegeta's out. Decades in Hell without training. Unstable mindset. Can't catch up. Not even qualified to be second-best. So I'm focusing on Gohan and Trunks.

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  "I'll train hard, Perilla!"

  "Me too, Perilla-nee!"

  Old Kai coughed. Studied them. "Blunt truth: their potential's massive. If Kid Buu wasn't possessed by that black orb, unlocking their potential would let either one destroy him. But with the Dark Dragon Ball's boost? Even together, they'd lose."

  "Even after unlocking potential, we'd lose together?"

  Trunks realized. Then Perilla-nee's on a whole different level.

  "Perilla-nee, you're that strong?!"

  Perilla waved. "So-so. Half-step to Super Saiyan God. Not true God level yet."

  The gap's enormous. 'So-so' fits.

  Gohan and Trunks twitched. That's humble-bragging!

  "If we can't win even after unlocking potential, won't you have to fight?"

  "Don't worry. Old man, unlock their potential. I'll teach them how to beat Dark Kid Buu."

  "Fine. You two—stand straight!"

  They snapped to attention like soldiers.

  "Old Kai, can't you unlock Perilla's potential too?"

  "I like the girl. But she doesn't have your level of potential. She'll forge her own path."

  "Understood. Please begin!"

  "Good! Now—break your limits!"

  Gohan and Trunks expected powerful magic. Instead—

  Old Kai danced around them.

  "Old Kai, what... is this?"

  "The ritual before unlocking potential! Don't humans hold grand opening ceremonies before major events?!"

  "Uh..."

  Speechless.

  "How long does this take? And the unlocking itself?"

  "Ritual: five hours. Unlocking: forty hours. Two of you, so longer."

  Their faces fell. Forty-five hours standing?! Hell!

  They glared at Perilla. She looked away. Turned to Shin. "Supreme Kai, I heard King Kai's Planet has ancient delicacies. Can I try some?"

  "Of course, Miss Perilla! Kibito, prepare food."

  "Right away."

  As the Supreme Kai's disciple and attendant, I handle meals.

  "Thanks, Jie-ge!"

  Perilla smiled sweetly. Kibito stumbled. "J-Jie-ge?"

  "What's wrong? You're the Supreme Kai's disciple. I'm the Supreme Kai of Time's disciple. Same lineage. You're senior. Calling you 'Jie-ge' is respectful, right?"

  Kibito's mouth twitched. Technically correct. But why does 'Jie-ge' sound... weird?

  Perilla's eyes curved into crescents. "What's wrong, Jie-ge?"

  "N-Nothing. I'll prepare food."

  Kibito brought a feast. Rare cosmic ingredients. Unique flavors.

  Perilla grabbed food. Shoved it in her mouth. "Delicious! Great cooking, Jie-ge!"

  Kibito and Shin stared. Such a cute, petite girl... eats like a starving beast!

  But remembering Gohan, Trunks, and Vegeta at the tournament... must be a Saiyan trait.

  Still, watching a pretty girl eat is more pleasant than watching those three men.

  Gohan and Trunks drooled. Watching Perilla feast.

  "Perilla-nee, could you—"

  "Hm? Gohan, Trunks, work hard! 'When Heaven is about to confer a great responsibility on someone, it first exercises their mind with suffering, their sinews and bones with toil, their body with hunger...' This is part of your training! Don't let me distract you!"

  "..."

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