Chapter 5 - Versatile Princess

Princess Nia spent the next month preparing for her departure to Goku Black's planet. She carefully wrote down recipes, packed spices, gathered vegetable seeds to plant in her new home, and prepared extra clothes and personal belongings for her role as the God of Destruction's official cook.

Though anxious, she was equally excited for the new life awaiting her beyond Nyan-Qing. Her maids and eunuchs wept as they packed her dresses and bedding for the beloved princess, while the Empress struggled to let her daughter go despite knowing she would be under the protection of one of the most powerful beings in the universe.

With tearful smiles and trembling hands, they waved goodbye and wished their young princess good health and happiness as she departed to serve the God of Destruction. Shortly afterward, Mitarashi transported Princess Nia and Goku Black back to his planet.

The moment Nia stepped onto the soil of the unfamiliar world, she immediately dropped to the ground and pressed her face against it, crawling around while sniffing the earth.

"P-Princess, what are you doing?" Mitarashi asked with concern, attempting to lift her head from the ground.

"I'm checking if the soil is good for growing vegetables!" Nia retorted before continuing her inspection.

A few moments later, the princess raised her head and grinned.

"All good! The soil here will grow healthy vegetables, my lord!" she exclaimed excitedly, her tail swishing from side to side.

"That's good. Now get inside and arrange the things you brought from your planet. Mitarashi, help her unpack."

Goku Black spoke plainly before walking back toward his dwelling.

Once inside, Goku Black returned to his throne, placing both hands behind his head and closing his eyes to relax.

A knock echoed from the front door.

Without opening his eyes, he called out, "Mitarashi, someone's at the door!"

From the kitchen, where she and Nia were arranging spices and ingredients, Mitarashi replied and went to answer it.

As she opened the door, she found Assistant Kai Tatsu standing outside.

"Oh, Assistant Kai Tatsu!"

She raised her right hand to head level and gave a small respectful bow.

"What brings you here?"

The moment Tatsu stepped inside, Princess Nia launched herself at him like an angry cat, claws extended as she attempted to scratch his face.

Mitarashi reacted instantly, grabbing the princess around the waist and pulling her away before any harm could be done.

"Princess! What's wrong with you?!" she exclaimed.

"I smell something foul!" Nia snarled.

"He shouldn't be here!"

She struggled wildly in Mitarashi's grasp, hissing and clawing at the air.

Goku Black watched the scene unfold with little reaction before turning his attention toward Tatsu.

"Why are you here, Tatsu?"

The assistant kai approached and knelt before him.

"Lord Black, Master Zamasu noticed that there hasn't been any movement or destruction from you for nearly a month. He sent me to check if something was wrong."

"I visited Nyan-Qing and spent my time relaxing and drinking tea," Goku Black replied casually. "You and Zamasu should visit sometime. They have excellent tea."

"MY LORD! DON'T LET THIS BLUE-SKINNED EEL ON MY PLANET!"

Nia shouted from the kitchen.

"That's Princess Nia from Nyan-Qing," Goku Black explained nonchalantly. "She's our new cook."

Tatsu forced an awkward smile.

"I hope Princess Nia and I can become friends in the future."

After Tatsu left, Goku Black entered the kitchen, now filled with hanging herbs, spices, and shelves overflowing with ingredients from Nyan-Qing.

He sat at the head of the table and looked toward Nia.

"Did Tatsu smell like something that upset you?"

The princess immediately dropped to her knees.

"My lord, forgive my outburst."

She lowered her head.

"He didn't smell bad. It was the energy he gave off..."

She paused, trying to make sense of her feelings.

"You can smell energy?" Mitarashi asked, lowering herself slightly to meet the princess's gaze.

"Was his energy overwhelming to you?"

"Maybe. It made me uneasy enough that my feline instincts reacted on their own."

"Interesting," Mitarashi mused. "Lord Black's ki doesn't bother you, but a kai's does."

She scratched her head before suddenly freezing.

"Wait! I'm a kai too! Why aren't you bothered by my energy? You've spent almost every day with me!"

"Do kais have evil energy?" Nia asked, looking up at Goku Black.

"There are evil kais," Goku Black replied thoughtfully. "Most of them remain in the Demon Realm serving its higher authorities. None are assigned to the ordinary realms as regular kais."

Mitarashi sighed.

"Well, my lord, perhaps we should simply keep Princess Nia away from Tatsu whenever he visits—and vice versa."

"That sounds reasonable," Goku Black agreed. "We can't afford to lose our only cook."

The following morning, a cool breeze drifted through Goku Black's room and woke him from sleep.

Instinctively, he expected to find Mitarashi nearby, only to realize she was nowhere to be seen.

Curious, he descended the stairs and checked the living room and kitchen. Neither Mitarashi nor Nia was inside.

Concerned, he opened the front door.

Outside, he found a low table set up on the grass beneath the morning sky. A blanket had been spread beneath it, and an assortment of sweet and savory dishes covered the tabletop. Freshly brewed tea steamed gently in the cool air.

It seemed the two women had been waiting for him.

"Picnic for breakfast?" he asked.

"The weather is perfect today!" Nia replied cheerfully. "The sun isn't too hot, there's a nice breeze, and it's the perfect time to eat outside!"

Without another word, Goku Black sat down on the blanket at the head of the table.

Mitarashi poured him a fresh cup of tea while Nia placed a bowl and a pair of chopsticks before him.

Just as he reached for his tea, rustling could be heard nearby.

Two familiar figures emerged from the distance.

Zamasu and Tatsu.

Nia immediately began growling again, but Mitarashi quickly motioned for her to calm down.

Trusting her, the princess reluctantly obeyed.

As the pair approached, Mitarashi raised her hand and offered a respectful standing bow.

"You've got a nice picnic here, Black," Zamasu remarked.

Sitting comfortably, Goku Black looked up at him.

"Zamasu, Tatsu. Take a seat and join us for breakfast."

He gestured toward the empty spaces beside him.

"Looks like we arrived at the perfect time," Zamasu replied with a smile as he sat down next to Goku Black.

Tatsu quietly took a seat beside Mitarashi.

"Why are you visiting me here?" Goku Black asked as he sipped from his teacup.

"You've been spending quite a bit of time on a certain planet lately," Zamasu replied, glancing down at Princess Nia, who was happily munching on a mooncake.

"Yeah. I was supposed to destroy it, but after looking deeper into its civilization, I realized it deserved to be spared." Goku Black picked up a steamed bun with his fingers.

"What did you find there that convinced you to spare it?" Zamasu asked, selecting food from the table with his chopsticks.

"Their sense of justice. It genuinely surprised me that mortals could understand justice the way they do." Goku Black grinned as he recalled his conversation with Emperor Loong Mao.

"A level of justice similar to ours, huh? That is surprising. Had I been there, I would have spared them as well." Zamasu smiled in agreement.

"And their food and tea are excellent as well," Goku Black added with a light laugh.

Zamasu took a sip of the tea imported from the fields of Nyan-Qing. His eyes widened slightly with interest.

"A planet with a strong sense of justice and high-quality tea? Now I completely understand why you spared it."

The Supreme Kai nodded approvingly.

His attention then shifted toward Princess Nia.

"So this girl is from that planet?"

He pointed toward her.

"Yeah. She's the eldest daughter of the current Emperor of Nyan-Qing. Princess Nia." Goku Black introduced her.

"Just call me Nia, sir!" the princess replied cheerfully.

"Princess," Mitarashi interjected, "the man beside Lord Black is his counterpart in governing this universe. He is Supreme Kai Zamasu, the creator god of Universe Ten."

Upon hearing this, Nia immediately dropped to her knees and bowed deeply.

"I humbly greet your lordship! May ten thousand years of fortune be upon your path!"

"How respectful..." Zamasu commented with a pleased smile before his expression softened. "If only all mortals viewed us that way."

"Oh, they will, brother. We're only beginning our efforts to improve this universe."

Goku Black patted Zamasu on the shoulder reassuringly.

"However," Zamasu continued, "why did you bring the emperor's daughter here?"

"Ah, my lord enjoys the dishes of Nyan-Qing. They're fresh, healthy, and delicious," Mitarashi explained happily. "When we first arrived, it was Princess Nia who prepared our meals, and Lord Black has loved her cooking ever since."

"So you cooked all of this?" Tatsu asked excitedly, attempting to compliment the princess.

The only response he received was a low growl.

"Mitarashi, you're spoiling Black too much," Zamasu remarked sarcastically as he picked up another mooncake. "First, you practically became his nanny. Then you arranged for him to have a personal chef. Don't tell me you're planning to provide him with a sparring partner as well."

"I could serve as his sparring partner too, Supreme Kai."

Mitarashi replied calmly before taking a graceful sip of tea.

"I hope you can handle my godly strength—especially my Saiyan strength!" Goku Black declared proudly.

"I suppose we'll find out."

Mitarashi answered with an innocent smile.

They chatted for a while longer until breakfast was finished.

Mitarashi, Nia, and Tatsu began clearing the table and gathering the dishes, while Zamasu and Goku Black stood beneath the large tree in front of the house.

Goku Black leaned against the trunk, a toothpick hanging loosely from his lips and his arms crossed.

"How are things on your planet?" he asked, genuine concern in his voice.

Zamasu sighed.

"It seems I've inherited Gowasu's responsibilities after all—observing creation, guiding mortals, and overseeing the universe."

He crossed his arms and leaned against the tree as well.

"I can't fix every mistake the old Supreme Kai made. All I can do is clean up what remains."

Goku Black listened quietly.

"However..." Zamasu continued, his voice growing stronger as he gazed at the lavender sky, "something is different this time."

"What is it?" Goku Black asked, turning slightly toward him.

Zamasu smiled.

"I have you."

His eyes met Goku Black's.

"I have someone who can help correct the mistakes of the former Supreme Kai—and our own mistakes as well."

Goku Black smiled back before tilting his head toward the sky.

A moment later, he spat the toothpick aside.

"We wouldn't be standing in this perfect moment without each other."

His voice was so soft that only Zamasu could hear it.

Closing his eyes, he allowed the cool breeze to wash over him.

Zamasu simply smiled.

After a moment, Goku Black opened his eyes and looked back at him.

"If you ever feel lonely on your planet, come visit. The cat has more recipes than she knows what to do with."

He nodded toward the house.

"When you return to Nyan-Qing, take me with you this time!" Zamasu complained playfully, placing his fists on his hips. "I want to try all of their teas!"

"Haha! I will, I will!"

Goku Black laughed and waved dismissively over his shoulder as he headed back inside.

Zamasu remained where he stood for a moment, smiling contentedly as the cool breeze brushed against his olive skin and stirred his white hair.

Eventually, he followed Goku Black into the house.

Inside, Princess Nia had apparently prepared gifts for the Supreme Kai's departure.

Seven large wooden bento boxes had been stacked neatly on the table, each filled with an assortment of sweet, savory, and flaky snacks. The boxes were wrapped carefully in embroidered golden silk cloth.

"All of this... is for us?" Zamasu asked, stunned.

"Yes!" Nia replied brightly. "So you can have snacks while you're creating things and doing important Supreme Kai stuff!"

"Ah, thank you very much."

Tatsu stepped forward and carefully picked up the wrapped boxes.

"Supreme Kai Zamasu," Nia said sweetly, "please don't let him eat my snacks."

She pointed directly at Tatsu.

"Why are you so mean to me?" Tatsu asked, sounding as though he were on the verge of tears.

"Just ignore her," Mitarashi said with a sigh. "Her feline instincts make her unusually sensitive to ki. Certain energies overwhelm her senses."

"I'm not going to lie," Zamasu admitted as he examined the boxes. "These snacks are excellent. They pair wonderfully with tea."

"Oh! I also packed a small jar of loose black tea in one of the boxes," Nia informed them proudly. "I thought you and Lord Black would enjoy it."

"That is incredibly thoughtful of you."

Zamasu clasped his hands together in appreciation.

"Would it be alright if I sent Tatsu here once a month to restock our snack supply?"

"You may, Supreme Kai!" Nia replied cheerfully. "I'd be happy to bake more snacks for you."

She then flashed a mischievous grin.

"Tatsu can serve as fish food while he waits for me to pack everything."

"F-Fish food...?"

Tatsu's eyes widened in horror as his voice trembled.

Once the two kais departed, Mitarashi took the initiative to wash the remaining dishes while helping Nia prepare lunch.

Goku Black approached the two women.

"Do you feel something odd about Zamasu?" he asked the princess, who was currently washing rice.

"My lord, I feel that you and him have the same energy," Nia replied honestly. "However, I'm not scared of him, nor do my instincts react the way they usually do."

"I see. Well, it's not surprising that we share the same wavelength of ki."

Goku Black nodded, confirming her observation.

"Because you're both gods?" the innocent princess asked.

"Yes, Nia. Because we're both gods."

Goku Black left it at that.

"By the way," Mitarashi said as she turned toward Nia, suddenly remembering something, "what was that about threatening to feed Tatsu to fish?"

"Oh!" Nia brightened immediately. "I brought my pet Koi-Piranhas here and released them into the pond over there!"

She pointed toward the pond near the picnic area in front of Goku Black's house.

"And they're carnivores! Really hungry boys! They can even eat bones!"

The princess's eyes sparkled with pride.

Mitarashi stared at her in absolute horror, her mouth hanging open.

Without warning, Nia had introduced potentially man-eating fish onto their planet.

"Wonderful," Goku Black said dryly as he looked through the window at the pond. "Now I have carnivorous fish living in my backyard."

As if to prove the point, one of the fish leapt from the water with an aggressive splash.

Over the next few days, Goku Black and Mitarashi continued their duties, traveling from planet to planet to observe and judge civilizations.

One day, they arrived on a world almost entirely covered by water.

Upon landing, they discovered a thriving society of fish-like people, merfolk, and jellyfish-like beings.

The aquatic inhabitants immediately recognized the appearance of a God of Destruction. They bowed respectfully and welcomed Goku Black to their planet.

Unfazed, he requested an audience with their rulers.

Naturally, he was escorted to a palace that stood upon the planet's only major landmass.

The palace itself was divided into three separate structures, each built in a distinct architectural style. It served as a place where visitors from other worlds could comfortably reside without needing to breathe underwater.

Royal guards stationed beside a massive barnacle-covered wooden gate opened the doors for the two divine visitors.

As they entered, they were greeted by the unmistakable scent of seawater.

Beyond the unusual aroma, the palace was breathtaking. Colorful coral formations decorated the walls, while glowing crystals illuminated the halls with soft shades of blue and pink.

At the far end of the hall sat three fish-like kings upon elaborate thrones.

Goku Black approached them.

The moment the rulers saw him, they immediately rose from their seats and knelt.

"We welcome you to Planet Tubimil, our lord," the three rulers said in unison.

"Introduce yourselves."

The command was simple.

"I am Geysir, King of the Freshwater People."

"I am Dagat, King of the Saltwater People."

"And I am Liput, King of the Polar Water People."

The three rulers bowed respectfully.

"Why are your people divided?" Goku Black asked directly.

"Because our species thrive in different environments," King Liput explained while keeping his head lowered. "Those who inhabit the polar waters cannot survive in the warmer freshwater and saltwater regions, and vice versa."

Satisfied with the answer, Goku Black seated himself at the long table positioned in the center of the hall.

Mitarashi stood beside him while the three kings took seats around the table.

The God of Destruction proceeded to ask the same questions he had once asked Emperor Loong Mao of Nyan-Qing.

To his surprise, the kings answered every question competently and honestly.

They governed well, maintained order among their people, and kept detailed records of their decisions.

For once, Goku Black found himself pleased with mortal leadership.

Mitarashi simply smiled beside him.

Just as the kings were beginning to relax, believing the interrogation was over, Goku Black posed one final question.

"What kind of food do you serve here?"

The kings froze.

Mitarashi nearly choked.

She slowly turned her head toward the God of Destruction.

One of the kings immediately summoned a squire and quietly ordered the finest dishes on the planet to be prepared.

Mitarashi couldn't help but laugh.

"My lord, you're beginning to sound like Lord Beerus."

"If he destroys planets because the food is terrible," Goku Black replied playfully while sorting through the stacks of records before him, "then perhaps those planets deserve it."

Thirty minutes later, servants entered carrying platter after platter of seafood dishes.

There was sashimi, fried kelp, marinated fish, seaweed soups, and many other delicacies unfamiliar to the god.

Already hungry from hours of questioning, Goku Black picked up a fork and sampled a slice of marinated fish.

"How is it, my lord?" Mitarashi asked as she leaned forward slightly.

Goku Black chewed silently.

His expression remained unreadable.

After swallowing, he turned toward her.

"This is surprisingly good despite being raw."

He wiped his lips with a clean napkin.

"Take a seat and try it yourself."

Mitarashi nodded and sat beside him.

The moment she tasted the dish, her eyes widened.

"My lord, this is remarkably flavorful and savory!"

"Good."

Goku Black nodded approvingly.

"Have someone provide copies of these recipes. Nia should learn how to make them."

"S-So, my lord..." one of the kings asked nervously, "what do you think of our planet?"

"It's good, I suppose."

Goku Black lazily created a tiny pink energy sphere between his fingers.

The kings visibly stiffened.

"Your records are satisfactory, your leadership is competent, and your food is excellent."

He casually spun the energy orb.

"Give her copies of every recipe served today, and I won't destroy your planet."

"Y-Yes, certainly!"

The king bowed repeatedly.

"I shall have the chefs write them down immediately! Thank you for your mercy, my lord!"

Within moments, squires rushed away to gather every recipe.

The rulers of Tubimil were simply grateful that their world would survive another day.

Several hours later, Goku Black and Mitarashi returned home.

"How was your trip, my lord?"

Princess Nia greeted them at the doorway with a respectful standing bow.

"It was fine. The mortals were competent."

Goku Black turned toward Mitarashi.

"Mitarashi, give her the recipes."

She handed a stack of papers to the princess.

"These are recipes we acquired from Planet Tubimil. We also received permission for you to visit their world whenever you need ingredients or supplies."

Nia's eyes lit up instantly.

"New recipes?!"

She clutched the papers to her chest like a priceless treasure.

"This is the best day ever!"

“Cool! I’ve got to read these later!” the princess exclaimed. With a spring in her step, she hurried off to stash the recipes in her room.

Mitarashi turned around and noticed her master sitting on his throne, slouched in exhaustion after a long day of carrying out his duties as a God of Destruction. His head leaned to one side, an elbow resting on the armrest while his palm supported his cheek. Several fingers partially covered his closed eyes.

She approached him quietly.

“My lord, shall I prepare a bath for you and have you retire early?” she asked, concern evident in her voice.

“Ugh...” he groaned. “That food we ate... it tasted good, but I feel ill.”

“Should I prepare a herbal remedy for your stomach, then?” she asked, growing even more concerned.

“You can make medicine?” He opened his eyes and lowered his hand to look directly at her.

“Yes, my lord. As your servant, knowing how to treat common illnesses is a necessity.”

“Fine...” He sighed. “Just let me lie down.”

“Then I shall help you to your room.”

Supporting him carefully, Mitarashi guided her ailing master to his bedroom.

After settling him into bed, she ventured around the dwelling in search of medicinal herbs. Each plant she gathered was placed into a woven basket that Princess Nia had brought from Nyan-Qing. Once she had collected everything she needed, she washed the herbs thoroughly before crushing them with a mortar and pestle. She extracted their juices and poured the mixture into a small ceramic bowl decorated with painted birds.

A short while later, she returned to her master's bedside.

Goku Black lay uncomfortably atop the sheets, clearly suffering from the effects of overeating unfamiliar foods.

“My lord, your medicine is ready. Please drink this to settle your stomach. I should warn you—it is quite bitter.”

The god opened his eyes and slowly sat up. Reaching for the bowl, he first tested the medicine with a spoonful.

The moment it touched his tongue, his face twisted into a scowl.

“This tastes horrible! It's far too bitter!”

“Even so, it will help ease your discomfort, my lord,” Mitarashi replied patiently.

“Ugh... fine. Take the spoon away.”

Having little choice, Goku Black accepted the bowl. If he refused, he would likely spend the rest of the day feeling miserable.

Bracing himself, he drank the entire medicine in one gulp.

Immediately afterward, he coughed violently from the bitter taste.

Fortunately, Mitarashi had already prepared a glass of water. She handed it to him at once, allowing him to rinse away the lingering flavor.

After several gulps, he let out a dissatisfied groan.

“That may be the worst thing I have ever tasted.”

“Perhaps,” Mitarashi admitted with a small smile, “but it will help you recover.”

“You had better be right.”

“I am.”

The God of Destruction narrowed his eyes at her before leaning back against the headboard.

“You will feel better soon, my lord,” Mitarashi assured him as she gently rubbed his back.

For the first time that evening, Goku Black felt the discomfort in his stomach begin to lessen.

“Good,” he muttered, closing his eyes once more. “Because if every cure tastes like that, I'd rather avoid getting sick altogether.”

A quiet laugh escaped Mitarashi.

“Then perhaps you should be more careful about what you eat.”

“Don't start.”

“As you wish, my lord.”