“You seem to care a great deal about that girl.” At some point, Shin had quietly walked over to Gohan and spoke in an indifferent tone.
Gohan was startled and quickly turned to look at him.
Not only Gohan, but everyone else looked at Shin in surprise as well.
Vegeta’s eyes widened in shock.
So… so fast… I didn’t even see him move… Shin smiled at everyone’s astonished expressions before looking back at Gohan.
“Your name is Gohan, correct?” “You seem to care quite a bit about that girl.” Gohan snapped out of his daze.
His cheeks flushed red as he stammered, “Th-That’s not… I mean…” “Videl and I are just classmates.” “I’m only concerned about her because we’re friends.” “Classmates?” Shin smiled faintly.
“That’s a wonderful friendship.” “However…” “I still have a piece of advice for you.” “If you don’t want her to get hurt…” “You’d better convince her to withdraw from the match.” “Withdraw?” Gohan blinked in confusion.
“Why?” Shin looked toward the tournament ring.
“Because her opponent isn’t on the same level as she is.” “If things go badly…” “She could die.” “W-What?!” Gohan’s expression changed dramatically as he hurriedly looked toward the arena.
Krillin asked nervously, “Is that big guy really that strong?” “He doesn’t look like much.” Shin casually glanced at Krillin.
The single look made Krillin instinctively retreat two steps.
Seeing this, Goku immediately stepped in front of Krillin and smiled.
“Hello.” “I’m Son Goku.” Shin nodded politely.
“I am Shin.” “Mr.
Shin.” “You’re really strong, aren’t you?” “I’m looking forward to fighting you in the tournament.” “Goku!” Piccolo nearly jumped in fright.
Cold sweat instantly covered his forehead as he hurriedly tried to stop him.
Shin merely smiled.
“If the opportunity presents itself…” “I wouldn’t mind exchanging a few moves with you, Mr.
Son Goku.” Piccolo quickly stepped forward, drenched in sweat.
“My apologies, Lord… he was only joking.” Shin smiled at him before quietly walking toward a nearby corner.
Piccolo immediately turned to Goku.
“Goku!” “That was far too reckless!” Goku scratched his head awkwardly.
“Sorry.” “I just couldn’t help myself.” ⸻ “And now…” “The third match begins!” The announcer’s voice echoed from the arena.
Everyone’s attention shifted to the match.
Everyone… Except Piccolo.
His eyes never left Shin.
Watching Shin and Kibito standing quietly in the corner, Piccolo finally gritted his teeth and gathered the courage to walk over.
Shin looked at him with a smile.
“Can I help you with something?” Piccolo swallowed nervously.
“I… this is only a guess…” “But…” “Are you…” “Lord Grand Kai?” Shin shook his head.
“No.” “You’re mistaken.” “I am not.” “You’re… not?” Piccolo froze.
At that moment, the previously silent Kibito finally spoke.
“This gentleman…” “…is not the Grand Kai.” “He is the one who stands above all other gods.” “The Supreme Kai.” “W-What?!” Piccolo’s face turned an even darker shade of green.
His entire body trembled as he stared at Shin in disbelief.
“T-The Supreme Kai?!” Within Piccolo’s understanding… Above Kami was King Kai.
Above King Kai stood the Grand Kai.
He had always believed the Grand Kai sat at the pinnacle of all divine beings.
Yet now… There existed an even higher deity.
The Supreme Kai.
The supreme god responsible for the creation of life throughout the universe.
⸻ Other World King Kai had been monitoring everything happening on Earth.
The moment he learned Shin’s true identity… He was equally horrified.
“T-That young man…” “…is actually Lord Supreme Kai?” “Why would such an exalted being come to Earth?” King Kai muttered to himself as he trembled uncontrollably.
A bad feeling welled up inside him.
Just what is happening…?
What kind of event could possibly draw the Supreme Kai to Earth?
⸻ “H-He really is…” “…the legendary Supreme Kai…” Piccolo stared blankly at Shin.
His fists tightened unconsciously.
His entire body trembled from the overwhelming shock.
“No wonder…” “No wonder the gap felt so enormous earlier…” “It’s because…” “He’s the Supreme Kai…” Seeing Piccolo nearly overwhelmed by fear, a light flashed through Shin’s eyes.
He activated Soothing Heart.
Instantly… Piccolo’s turbulent emotions settled.
He became completely calm.
Piccolo blinked in surprise.
Is this… the Supreme Kai’s power?
He can even calm another person’s emotions… “Do you have any other questions?” Shin asked calmly.
Piccolo’s mind had become astonishingly clear.
Recalling what Shin had said to Gohan earlier, he immediately asked, “Lord Supreme Kai…” “What you told Gohan…” “Was it true?” Shin was momentarily surprised.
He hadn’t expected that to be Piccolo’s first question after calming down.
Is that really the thing he’s most concerned about?
Although puzzled, Shin still answered.
“What do you think?” It was only a rhetorical question.
But Piccolo immediately understood.
He frowned and carefully sensed Spopovich’s energy from outside.
It was strange… Yet not especially powerful.
Judging by aura alone, Videl was still noticeably stronger.
Although he couldn’t tell what made Spopovich dangerous… If even the Supreme Kai had warned Gohan… Then Videl was definitely in danger.
Realizing this, Piccolo’s expression became serious.
He respectfully bowed.
“Please excuse me, Lord Supreme Kai.” “I need to attend to something.” After saying that, he immediately returned to Gohan.
“Gohan.” “You’d better convince your little girlfriend to withdraw.” “Her opponent isn’t someone she can handle.” Gohan’s face instantly turned bright red.
“U-Uncle Piccolo!” “You’ve got the wrong idea!” “Videl and I aren’t like that!” Piccolo ignored the explanation.
“This isn’t the time to worry about that.” “Hurry and convince your little girlfriend to withdraw.” “Otherwise…” “She could really die.” Hearing those words… Gohan’s panicked expression gradually became serious.
Krillin scratched his head.
“Piccolo…” “Aren’t you overreacting?” “This is a tournament.” “If someone kills another contestant, they’ll be disqualified.” Goku nodded.
“Yeah.” “Besides…” “Gohan can’t make decisions for someone else.” Piccolo rolled his eyes at the two of them.
“Gohan.” Gohan nodded solemnly.
But when he looked toward the arena, he wore a troubled expression.
“Uncle Piccolo…” “Even if I tried to convince Videl…” “I don’t think she’d listen.” While they were talking… The third match had already begun.
Videl attacked fiercely from the very start.
Within moments… She knocked Spopovich to the ground.
Backstage, Krillin grinned.
“See, Piccolo?” “She knocked him down immediately.” “I told you that you were worrying too much.” Everyone looked toward the ring.
Sure enough… Spopovich had fallen.
But Piccolo’s expression remained grave.
He refused to believe that someone personally singled out by the Supreme Kai could be defeated so easily.
Sure enough… The next moment… Spopovich slowly stood back up.
A twisted grin spread across his face.
His eyes gleamed with unmistakable killing intent as he stared directly at Videl.
(End of Chapter 9)