Chapter 12 - Purple Dragon Balls

 

In a flash of light, the pair arrived on a small green planet reminiscent of Planet Namek. As they walked across its lush grasslands, they were greeted by towering trees, crystal-clear rivers, and an atmosphere of tranquil solitude. Goku Black sensed the Namekian's ki and silently floated toward its source. After a short journey, they found a modest concrete hut nestled beside a hill—the dwelling of the Namekian they sought.

As the two landed, Mitarashi stepped forward and knocked gently yet firmly on the wooden door.

"Hello? Is anyone home?" she called.

A few moments later, the door slowly creaked open. A Namekian cautiously peeked through the narrow opening between the door and its frame, carefully observing the unexpected visitors. Draped over his head was a flowing lavender veil that concealed the back of his head and fell gracefully over his shoulders. The instant his eyes landed on Goku Black's divine attire—particularly the golden ear clip worn by a Destroyer God—they widened in shock.

He immediately flung the door open before dropping to his knees, pressing his forehead against the ground.

"Greetings, my lord! Welcome to my humble abode!" he exclaimed nervously.

"On your feet, Namekian," Goku Black commanded.

The Namekian slowly rose, clutching the edges of his lavender veil.

"Your name is Natto, correct?" Mitarashi asked calmly.

"And you're the guardian of the Purple Dragon Balls?" Goku Black added, crossing his arms.

"Y-Yes... I am Natto," he answered meekly. "I am the guardian of the Purple Dragon Balls."

Standing at approximately five feet and six inches tall, Natto possessed a lean yet well-toned Namekian physique. Unlike most of his race, he wore a flowing lavender head covering that resembled a delicate veil, cascading gracefully behind him and swaying gently with every breeze. The soft violet fabric contrasted elegantly against his emerald-green skin, giving him the appearance of a wandering sage rather than a warrior.

His calm amber eyes reflected centuries of quiet contemplation, while his composed expression betrayed neither fear nor arrogance. Though slender, there was no weakness in his posture. Every movement was deliberate and graceful, shaped through years of meditation and spiritual discipline instead of combat.

"B-But... how do you know my name... and where I live?" Natto asked, his voice trembling.

"A greedy mortal used your Dragon Balls in an attempt to kill both me and my Supreme Kai," Goku Black replied, irritation evident in his voice. "Before his defeat, he revealed that your Dragon Balls granted him that power."

The color immediately drained from Natto's face. Horrified, he collapsed to his knees once more.

"Forgive me, sire!" he pleaded. "I never imagined someone would use the Purple Dragon Balls to harm a divine being such as yourself!"

"Are your Dragon Balls scattered only across this planet, or throughout the universe?" Mitarashi asked patiently.

"They are scattered only across this planet," Natto replied softly, keeping his head lowered.

"I see..." Mitarashi murmured. "That explains why they're so easy to gather. This planet is relatively small."

"I do not blame you for another person's actions," Goku Black said after a tired sigh. "However, I came here to warn you. Keep a closer watch over your creation. Do not allow it to fall into the wrong hands again."

Natto nodded repeatedly.

"However..." Goku Black continued, his tone becoming firm, "I have a proposal."

Natto slowly looked up toward the Destroyer.

"You will gather all seven Dragon Balls and keep them under your protection. They are to be used only under my supervision."

Mitarashi turned toward him.

"So no one may use the Dragon Balls without your permission, my lord?"

"Exactly," Goku Black answered. "I refuse to let another fool attempt to kill us with artifacts this powerful."

"I understand your divine intentions, my lord," Natto replied with another respectful bow.

"By the way," Mitarashi said while helping him back to his feet, "how many Dragon Balls did you create?"

"There are seven," Natto answered while adjusting the veil around his head. "Gathering those seven allows one to summon the dragon, Sylua."

Goku Black tilted his head.

"Only seven?"

Natto hesitated.

"...There is an eighth."

Both divine beings looked at him.

"What happens if all eight are gathered?" Mitarashi asked curiously.

Natto swallowed before answering.

"Gathering the eighth Dragon Ball allows the summoner to make a wish powerful enough to overthrow even the highest gods of the multiverse... perhaps even the Omni King himself."

Silence fell.

"However," Natto continued, "such a wish would consume all eight Dragon Balls forever. Wishes of lesser magnitude leave them intact."

"Preposterous!" Goku Black snapped. "You're telling me someone could erase the Omni King with your Dragon Balls?"

"It is simply within Sylua's power..." Natto replied quietly.

Goku Black's expression darkened.

"Zalama created the Super Dragon Balls—the greatest wish-granting artifacts in existence. They can restore universes, timelines, even entire multiverses. How could you, a single Namekian, create Dragon Balls capable of threatening reality itself... and even the Omni King?"

His divine aura began to flare.

"My lord," Mitarashi said gently, placing a calming hand on his forearm, "please temper your anger. We need clear answers."

Natto quickly bowed again.

"My lord, I wish I could explain it better, but I truly cannot. Once a Dragon Ball is created, its limits are no longer decided by its creator. The dragon itself determines what wishes it can and cannot grant. Even I do not possess authority over Sylua."

Goku Black remained silent for a moment before exhaling sharply.

"I am now fully convinced these Dragon Balls are far too dangerous."

He turned toward Mitarashi.

"Mitarashi... confiscate them."

"My lord, please don't!" Natto cried, throwing himself at Goku Black's feet and tightly grasping his white boots.

"I swear I will guard them with my life! I won't allow anyone near them ever again!" Tears welled in his eyes. "If the Dragon Balls ever leave this planet, their power disappears... and my own life ends with them."

"They're linked to your life force?" Mitarashi asked.

"Yes," Natto answered immediately.

Goku Black gently pulled his boot free.

"Even if that's true, can you actually defend them?" he asked bluntly. "I doubt someone of your strength could stop a determined enemy."

"I... I can fight," Natto admitted, lowering his gaze. "But I am nowhere near the level of divine beings such as yourselves."

Mitarashi thought quietly before speaking.

"My lord... rather than confiscating the Dragon Balls, why don't we assign someone to serve as Natto's guardian? Someone strong enough to defend both him and the Dragon Balls."

Goku Black considered the suggestion before slowly nodding.

"...That's actually a good idea."

A faint smirk crossed his face.

"Then we'll simply find someone worthy of protecting the most dangerous Dragon Balls in our universe."

"Broly?" she suggested.

"No. Someone else. We need to find someone better suited to live there," the Destroyer dismissed.

"For now," he said, turning back to the Namekian, "collect all of the Dragon Balls—including the eighth one. Store them somewhere secure, perhaps in a vault. I'll send you a bodyguard soon."

"Yes, my lord," Natto replied with a respectful bow.

The two divine beings departed, returning to the Destroyer's planet to decide who would guard the lone Namekian and the most dangerous Dragon Balls in Universe 10.

"My lord, do you already have someone in mind?" Mitarashi asked as she opened the front door for her master.

"It has to be someone we already trust," Goku Black replied while walking toward his throne. "Someone who wouldn't be tempted to use the Dragon Balls for themselves... perhaps one of the Kais."

"Hmm... perhaps one of the Lower Kais serving under Supreme Kai Zamasu?" Mitarashi suggested as she knelt before him, reaching for his boots.

"Leave them on for now," he stopped her. "I'm considering returning to Zamasu for his opinion."

"That won't be necessary."

A familiar voice echoed from the dining room.

Goku Black stood and walked toward the table. There sat Zamasu and Tatsu, peacefully enjoying bowls of spicy noodles while Princess Nia and Broly served them fresh soup. As expected, Nia continued hissing every time Tatsu came within arm's reach.

"We came here hoping to catch you before you departed for the Namekian's planet," Zamasu explained, dabbing his lips with a napkin. "Unfortunately, we arrived too late. Still, I have something important to tell you regarding those Dragon Balls."

"That the Namekian accidentally created the most dangerous set of Dragon Balls in the multiverse?" Goku Black replied as he took the seat at the head of the table.

"Huh?" Zamasu turned toward him, a strand of noodles still dangling from his lips.

"And that collecting all eight allows someone to wish away even the Omni King?" Goku Black continued with a serious expression.

Zamasu quickly swallowed his mouthful before speaking.

"So... you already discovered what I came here to warn you about."

He reached for his glass of water.

"If only we had known sooner..." he added quietly, his gray eyes meeting Goku Black's.

Goku Black's gaze sharpened. He immediately understood what his counterpart meant.

Had they discovered these Dragon Balls earlier, the Zero Mortals Plan could have been accomplished far more easily.

Mitarashi quietly placed a steaming bowl of spicy noodles before Goku Black, setting a pair of chopsticks neatly beside it before stepping back.

"Are you planning to assign the Namekian a bodyguard?" Zamasu asked.

"Yes," Goku Black answered while adding another spoonful of crushed chili peppers into his noodles. "The poor Namekian can't defend himself against powerful invaders."

"Then why not send Winzu?" Zamasu suggested. "He's the strongest fighter among the Lower Kais, and despite our disagreements in the past, he's proven himself trustworthy."

Goku Black nodded.

"That's a solid suggestion. We'll go with Winzu."

"Then it's settled," Zamasu said with a satisfied smile as he added even more chili peppers to his own bowl. "We'll send him there as soon as possible."

Nearby, Princess Nia leaned toward Broly and whispered,

"Wow... I didn't know those two liked Qingly Ghost Peppers in their noodles."

Broly stared at the bowls in disbelief.

"I can't even eat one bite of that without crying my eyes out," he admitted nervously.

Meanwhile, Mitarashi quietly enjoyed her own bowl of noodles from the corner of the table—carefully prepared with only a tiny pinch of chili, knowing full well her tolerance for spicy food was almost nonexistent.

Evening arrived, and Zamasu departed to assign Winsu as Natto's guardian. Meanwhile, Goku Black sat on the edge of his bed, rubbing his stomach.

"My stomach is burning after all that spice..." he complained, his face twisted in discomfort.

"You seemed to enjoy the spice, My Lord," Mitarashi commented as she drew the curtains over the windows.

"I enjoyed the burning in my mouth, yes. Besides, the noodles were quite delicious," he reasoned, watching her finish covering the windows.

"Such a masochist, My Lord," she teased with a faint smile.

"I simply want to experience everything around me. Ever since I acquired this body, I've been able to feel far more than I ever could in my original Kai body. As a divine being who craves new experiences, I want to experience everything unfamiliar at least once."

Mitarashi paused before answering.

"Perhaps you've become less bitter because this body allows you to feel and relate to mortals. After living in it for more than three years, you've begun to understand what it truly means to be mortal."

"Bitter?" He turned toward her with a puzzled expression. "Why would you think I'm bitter?"

"You stole Son Goku's body for its power, yes... but if power alone was your goal, why didn't you steal the body of a God of Destruction instead? Wouldn't that have been far stronger?"

She met his gaze calmly.

"Isn't it ironic that you chose a mortal's body to eradicate the very mortals you despise? Deep down... perhaps you've always longed to know what it feels like to be one."

Her voice remained steady as she confronted her master.

Goku Black glared at her in silence, his sharp eyes refusing to waver.

"If that is how you truly feel, My Lord, I see no shame in yearning for such a sensation. I willingly chose to serve you so you could experience the things you've never been able to before. Glinds are naturally curious beings—we're simply restrained by our roles in the cosmos."

Her words struck deeper than he wished.

Goku Black realized, perhaps for the first time, that Mitarashi had uncovered something even he had failed to recognize. Beyond his hatred for mortal corruption, there was another desire buried within him—the desire to understand mortality itself. His divine responsibilities had never allowed such indulgence, but now, inhabiting a mortal body, he found himself secretly savoring every unfamiliar sensation, regardless of whether it brought pleasure or pain.

"...How long?" he finally asked, his voice carrying an unfamiliar note of defeat. "How long have you known?"

"Since the Grand Priest assigned me to serve you," Mitarashi answered plainly, clasping her hands before her.

"The moment I learned you had taken Son Goku's body, I understood it was never just about power."

She smiled gently.

"I... once yearned for the same thing."

"If you shared those thoughts," he questioned, "why didn't you act on them?"

"I lacked the courage."

She answered without hesitation.

"I couldn't imagine what would happen if I possessed the same resolve—or recklessness—that you do."

"Then you're a coward."

"I would rather be called a coward," she replied with a sweet smile, "than run across the multiverse like a headless chicken after committing genocide and drawing the attention of the higher gods."

His smug expression vanished instantly.

"That is precisely why this coward was delighted when the Grand Priest assigned me to serve you."

Her voice remained warm, though every word chipped away at his pride.

"But, My Lord... you should rejoice."

She adjusted the blankets neatly over the bed.

"You achieved a higher divinity while gaining the very experiences you sought."

A small smile crossed her lips.

"And I'm genuinely happy that you've succeeded in rejuvenating one universe at a time."

"Are you mocking me for achieving my goal, Mitarashi?"

His voice lowered into a threatening growl.

"My words were never meant to offend you, My Lord."

She bowed her head respectfully.

"They are sincere."

She looked up at him with unwavering calm.

"May I remind you that expressing your vulnerabilities to me—as someone still adjusting to emotions and sensations you've never experienced before—will never be met with judgment."

She continued softly.

"Sharing your feelings in private does not diminish you as either a man or a divine being. If anything, acknowledging them allows you to confront them, and in doing so, become stronger."

"So you're implying that I can trust you... when I'm vulnerable?"

"Yes, My Lord."

She nodded once.

"Hmph. As if I'd ever show you such things."

He folded his arms stubbornly.

"Suit yourself, My Lord."

Her smile never faded.

"Whenever you choose to step out of your Katchin shell, I'll be here to welcome whatever feelings you carry."

She gave him one final respectful bow.

"Is there anything else you require before I retire for the night, My Lord?"

"Nothing. You may leave."

"Very well."

She performed a light bow before turning toward the door.

"Good night, My Lord."

She extinguished the lights, quietly closed the door behind her, and left him alone.

Silence settled over the room.

Goku Black stared into the darkness above him.

There had been nothing dishonest in Mitarashi's words.

That was precisely why they irritated him.

She had seen through him with unsettling accuracy, exposing desires and emotions he himself struggled to comprehend. Too stubborn to admit she was right, he defaulted to the one emotion he understood best.

Anger.

As his eyes slowly closed, an image surfaced in his mind—

Mitarashi standing behind him in Nyan-Qing, carefully tending to the back of his ceremonial coat.

For a fleeting moment, he wondered if she was more than merely a Kai of Time. She seemed to understand him far beyond what her role should allow.

What if she isn't just a Kai...?

The thought lingered only briefly before sleep overtook him.

By morning, he would remember none of it.

As the sun rose and the chill of the morning breeze gradually faded, the enticing aroma of grilled meat drifted into the destroyer's room. The scent reached Goku Black's nose, prompting him to sit upright in bed. Still half-asleep, he rubbed his eyes and shuffled toward the door. As he opened it, he found Mitarashi just about to knock.

"Oh, good morning, My Lord. You seem to be awake earlier than usual," she greeted, a hint of surprise in her voice.

"The smell lured me to the kitchen," he replied in his raspy morning voice.

She smiled.

"Allow me to help you get dressed. Breakfast is almost ready."

"Is Nia still cooking?" he asked as Mitarashi guided him toward the bathroom.

"Yes. She's nearly finished. Broly is helping her grill the meat—he's surprisingly good at fanning the charcoal."

"Good. It's nice to see those two getting along, considering Nia wanted to feed Broly to her fish when she first arrived," Goku Black remarked with an amused smirk.

"Hey, Fish Food! Keep fanning those coals! Lord Black could come down any minute, and the meat is still raw!" Princess Nia ordered while brushing her homemade sauce generously over the skewers.

Broly obediently continued fanning the fire with remarkable strength.

"Yes, Princess!"

While Broly tended the barbecue, Nia arranged the plates around the low picnic table beside the pond where her carnivorous koi-piranhas now lived. She carried over a large bowl of fragrant fried rice before returning to inspect the meat.

"Hmm... looks done."

She poked one of the skewers with a fork before pointing toward a wooden chopping board.

"Fish Food! Put the meat on that board and slice it into one-inch strips—against the grain!"

"Right away, Princess!"

Broly carefully removed the grilled meat from the fire before slicing it exactly as instructed. After arranging the slices neatly onto a serving platter, he garnished them with fresh herbs and carried the finished dish to the center of the picnic table.

"Wow... this breakfast is quite a feast," Mitarashi commented as she followed behind Goku Black.

The destroyer looked over the spread with visible satisfaction before taking his place on the cushion at the head of the table.

"Good morning, My Lord!" Nia greeted cheerfully. "Hua-Ama sent you this red tea as a gift. He hopes you'll enjoy it."

She handed him a small ceramic jar filled with loose tea leaves.

Goku Black accepted it and removed the lid. Inside were dark reddish-brown leaves that released a rich, earthy fragrance.

He inhaled deeply.

"It smells wonderful."

He looked toward the princess.

"Thank you."

Nia blinked in confusion, tilting her head.

"...You're welcome?"

She clearly wasn't accustomed to hearing gratitude from him.

"Mitarashi, would you steep this for me?"

"Of course, My Lord."

She accepted the jar with a light bow before leaving to prepare the tea.

"You seem to be in an exceptionally good mood today, My Lord," Broly observed as he placed the last few dishes on the table.

"I am."

Goku Black leaned back comfortably.

"Everything has gone according to plan. I slept well... and now I have an excellent breakfast waiting for me."

Moments later, Mitarashi returned carrying a steaming cup of freshly brewed red tea.

She gently placed it before him.

"Your tea, My Lord."

He accepted it.

"Thank you."

This time it was Mitarashi who stared in surprise.

She blinked and tilted her head, momentarily speechless. In the three years she had served him, Goku Black had never once thanked her for preparing his tea.

The four enjoyed breakfast together.

The destroyer found the new tea pleasantly rich and smooth, pairing perfectly with the smoky grilled meat and well-seasoned fried rice. Before long, every dish on the table had been emptied.

"I'm full."

Goku Black set down his teacup before turning toward Broly.

"Now then... how about I test your strength today?"

Broly's eyes lit up immediately.

He hadn't sparred seriously in quite some time.

"Yes, My Lord!"

The two walked a considerable distance away from the house before facing one another.

Meanwhile, Nia and Mitarashi remained behind to clean the table.

"Lord Black has been... strangely nice this morning," Nia commented while stacking the empty plates.

"He thanked both of us."

Mitarashi nodded thoughtfully.

"That has never happened before."

"Do you think Lord Black is sick?" Nia asked with genuine concern.

"I don't believe so."

Mitarashi wiped the table with a damp cloth.

"It simply feels unusual because, in all three years we've served him, this is the first time we've seen him behave this way."

"We've gotten so used to his snobby personality that him being polite feels... wrong."

Nia carried the dirty dishes back inside.

Mitarashi chuckled softly.

"I think he was only distant because he wasn't accustomed to people serving him out of genuine loyalty."

She glanced toward the two men preparing to fight.

"Perhaps... he's slowly learning."

Without another word, the sparring match began.

The collision of their fists sent shockwaves rolling across the landscape, rattling trees and stirring the pond's surface. The force alone was enough to make Nia rush out of the house to watch.

From the ground, the two were almost impossible to follow.

They vanished and reappeared across the sky in flashes of movement, exchanging punches and kicks at blinding speed.

Yet as the battle continued, one thing became increasingly obvious.

Broly was taking nearly every hit.

Even after transforming into his Legendary Super Saiyan form, he struggled to keep up with Goku Black's overwhelming speed. Every attempt to counter was effortlessly deflected before another devastating strike landed.

Finally—

BOOM!

Broly crashed into the ground beside the picnic area, carving out a crater nearly three feet deep.

Dust and debris erupted into the air.

Nia shielded her face with both arms until the dust settled.

She hurried to the edge of the crater.

Broly lay embedded in the earth, still transformed, staring blankly at the sky with his arms spread out beside him.

"Fish Food! Are you still alive?!" she shouted.

"Y-Yes... Princess..." Broly answered weakly.

Above them, Goku Black floated with his arms crossed, shaking his head in disappointment.

"You require much more training, Broly."

He sighed.

"You couldn't even force me to transform into Super Saiyan Rosé."

"Then..."

Mitarashi stepped forward.

"How about giving me a chance?"

Goku Black looked at her as though she'd lost her mind.

"Mitarashi? You?"

Broly's eyes widened.

"M-Miss Mitarashi... don't do it!"

He slowly climbed out of the crater while brushing the dirt from his clothes.

Though his words sounded like concern for her safety, he knew the truth.

She wasn't the one who needed worrying.

She was the one who might wipe the ground with the smug destroyer floating above them.

“Broly knows how powerful I am. He’s begging you not to embarrass yourself,” the smug god warned, a mocking grin spreading across his face.

“Oh, come now, my lord,” Mitarashi replied with a teasing smile. “Only one of us is a coward, and it certainly isn't supposed to be you.”

She had deliberately twisted his own words from the previous night, striking directly at his pride.

His eye twitched.

"...Fine." Goku Black relented, though his tone carried unmistakable irritation. "But I won't go easy on you."

"That's exactly what I was hoping for," Mitarashi answered calmly.

With practiced grace, she lifted herself into the air until she floated at his eye level, clasping her hands behind her back for a brief moment before settling into a composed fighting stance. Her gentle smile never wavered as she waited for her master's first move.