"Mr. Popo… it's been a long time."
Gran spoke calmly, then shifted his gaze to the small boy beside him.
"?"
Little Goku felt strange being stared at by this big brother.
At the same time, an inexplicable sense of familiarity welled up inside him—as if he had seen this person somewhere before.
"Kakarot, you've finally stepped onto the Heavenly Realm."
A faint smile curved at the corner of Gran's lips.
It was now Age 753.
According to the natural flow of events, this was precisely when Goku was meant to arrive at the Lookout.
Here, Mr. Popo would train him in various martial arts, and in the end, even introduce him to the most basic concept of Ultra Instinct.
During these three years, Goku's martial foundation would be forged until it became as unshakable as bedrock.
"Kakarot?"
Goku froze.
That name felt just as familiar.
Suddenly—
A flash of realization struck his mind.
His round eyes widened.
"You're… you're that big brother Gran who stayed with Bulma!"
Back then, after he defeated Pilaf's group, he had met a big brother who called him Kakarot.
That person was standing right in front of him now.
"That's right," Gran replied.
"It's me."
He walked toward Goku.
Compared to four years ago, Goku's appearance hadn't changed much.
But on closer inspection, he had grown two or three centimeters taller.
"Kakarot, where are you heading now?"
Gran reached out and gently ruffled Goku's hair.
"Mr. Popo said I have to retrieve something called the Sacred Crown," Goku said happily, clearly excited to see a familiar face.
"The Sacred Crown, huh…"
Gran lifted his head and glanced at Popo, then looked back down at Goku.
"Then you'd better train seriously."
This was a scene straight from the original storyline.
Mr. Popo would teleport Goku to a mysterious world.
In that world stood a mountain called Clo, and within it was a headpiece that resembled a golden hoop.
Once worn, the crown could not be removed.
Worse still, it would continuously summon lightning.
Only after being struck unconscious would the crown finally fall off.
Popo's goal in sending Goku there was simple:
To teach him not to rely solely on his eyes—to listen instead.
Only by doing so could he evade the lightning and retrieve the Sacred Crown.
"Mm!"
Goku nodded vigorously, his expression simple and earnest—adorably so.
"Go on in," Gran said, patting his shoulder.
"I'll be leaving Earth as well."
Goku obediently walked into the pitch-black room.
"Gran-sama."
Popo, still standing at the doorway, suddenly called out.
Gran turned back, puzzled.
"What is it?"
"Gran-sama… what level has your strength reached now?"
Popo's voice was filled with curiosity.
Gran paused.
He glanced at his own hands, then looked back at Popo, studying him carefully—as if trying to see whether Popo could truly perceive his depth.
"Mr. Popo… you can't see through me anymore?" Gran asked, narrowing his eyes.
"In the past, even if you concealed your power, I could still sense something," Popo said with a frown.
"But now… you're different. I can't see through your strength at all."
Hearing this, Gran's lips curled slightly upward.
His mood brightened instantly.
"Your control over power is flawless. That's the part I can't discern," Popo continued, his tone growing subtle.
"But through your movements and demeanor, I can still perceive some aspects of your martial path."
"So even angels can still see something, huh…"
Gran's expression immediately fell.
He hadn't even enjoyed the moment for three seconds.
"That's unavoidable," Popo said calmly.
"The gap in realm is simply too vast. Once you move, angels will always be able to glimpse things ordinary beings cannot."
"I see."
Gran nodded.
From Popo's words, it was clear that only things like instinct, bodily reaction, and mental state could still be perceived.
"Alright," Popo said, turning toward the room.
"It's time for me to send that little one to his next training ground."
He looked back at Gran.
"Gran-sama, though I cannot determine the level of your strength… I believe that even if every candidate God of Destruction attacked you together, you still wouldn't lose."
With that, Popo stepped into the darkened chamber.
Gran watched his retreating figure, lips pressed together, his thoughts unreadable.
As the door closed, Goku vanished after being teleported away.
And Gran's presence disappeared as well.
Supreme Kai Realm
Beneath a great tree—
Beerus and young Broly lay sprawled on the grass, munching on potato chips.
Whis sat beside a tea table, leisurely sipping his drink.
Old Kai sat cross-legged behind the tree in meditation, while Shin observed the universe.
"Whis," Beerus said lazily after swallowing a chip, "didn't Gran say he'd only stay in that time chamber for one year? Why hasn't he come back yet?"
Whis glanced at the crystal ball atop his staff.
"It seems he's just exited the Time Chamber."
The moment those words fell—
Beerus sprang up from the grass.
Old Kai snapped out of meditation.
Shin tossed aside the crystal ball in his hands.
All three stared at Whis with expectant eyes.
Whis raised his teacup, about to take a sip, but under their intense gazes, he sighed and set it down.
"What is it?"
"What do you think?!" Beerus snapped.
"How strong is Gran now?!"
"Yes, yes!" Old Kai nodded vigorously.
"He trained for over three hundred years—did he break through again?"
Shin said nothing, but the longing in his eyes spoke volumes.
"Calm down," Whis said.
"Fine. We're calm," Beerus replied stiffly.
"Now talk."
Whis lifted his staff and looked into the crystal ball.
"I'm not sure if it's because of the distance… but I can't see the level of his power."
The instant those words landed—
Beerus exploded.
"Whis! Are you messing with me?!"
"Ohohoho~ Lord Beerus, such harsh words. How could I possibly toy with you? You know my character well, don't you?" Whis chuckled behind his hand.
"That's exactly why I think you are messing with me!" Beerus growled.
"Enough nonsense—did Gran break through or not?!"
Whis stopped teasing. His expression turned serious.
"Judging from his demeanor after exiting the chamber… he has achieved breakthroughs in every aspect of martial arts."
"Except—"
"I can't see his strength."
"?!"
The group exchanged stunned looks.
Even Whis couldn't perceive Gran's power?
Was it truly just because of the distance?
Or had Gran already reached a realm beyond conventional perception?
END OF CHAPTER
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