DB Multiverse

In Universe 1, the Kaioshins were deliberating over what they had just witnessed, commenting on the match and offering various theories. Only the Grand Kaioshin truly knew what was happening. He watched nervously as one of the Vargas approached the immense sphere containing Buu in the center of the arena.

“Can we move this for the next fight?” asked Susu, looking up at the towering pink sphere that dwarfed her small, bird-like frame. “We’re not going to wait around for him to come out someday, are we?”

An imperceptible movement caught her eye. Embedded in the shell, a kind of compass had just activated, and a pin began to rotate slowly.

As the Namekian organizers approached Buu’s prison to transport it back to Universe 4’s space, Gast Carcolh’s booming voice suddenly echoed throughout the arena.

“Just a moment!” the Namekian exclaimed. “We must send Buu back to his universe immediately! And stop the Grand Kaioshin!”

“What do you mean by that, Gast Carcolh?” asked the North Kaioshin.

“He has been complicit in Buu’s actions from the very beginning,” explained the giant Namekian. “He never truly held him captive.”

“And what proof do you have of this accusation?” South Kaioshin reacted vehemently. “The mere suggestion is extremely serious!”

“Absolutely,” replied the Namekian, remaining calm. “Just now, when Buu was being pulled into the cocoon, I observed hundreds of tiny fragments of him being sucked in and merging back with his body. They came from everywhere—the arena, the stands, even the corridor of Universe 4. He has been free from the very beginning.”

“So that’s what those little flying specs were!” Goku exclaimed. “I did think that was weird.”

“Would it have killed you to say something sooner?” Goten muttered with a grimace.

“Maybe you could have been more observant,” Vegeta said nearby. “He wasn’t the only one who noticed, but none of us could figure out what it was. It’s the first time we had ever witnessed such a phenomenon.”

The excitement in the arena intensified. Among the Kaioshins, dismay spread rapidly.

“Gast Carcolh isn’t lying, Grand Kaioshin. Explain yourself!” the West Kaioshin pleaded.

“I knew something wasn’t right!” the South Kaioshin thundered. “Tell us what’s going on — and no suspicious movements!”

The very concept of treason was almost inconceivable to the gods. Not among their own kind. They had dedicated their entire existence to preserving the safety of the universes, eliminating every threat at its source. They had fought side by side against countless dangers, working to free mortals from harm. It was impossible that their leader — the one who had always guided them in the name of peace — could have manipulated them like this, allowing something that went against the very core of their principles and convictions. The Grand Kaioshin had to be under some form of manipulation. It was the only possible explanation.

“It’s true,” the Grand Kaioshin answered simply. “All of it.”

“W-What?” East stammered, trembling.

“What are you saying?” South asked, visibly shaken also.

“I have indeed deceived you all,” the Grand Kaioshin repeated. “I never possessed Gast Carcolh’s technique. I merely said that so that he would free Buu. Gast is correct — I am complicit in his actions. His nighttime activities with the participants, Babidi’s attack which he allowed to happen, how Buu prevented everyone from returning... I allowed him to do as he pleased.”

“What...?” his companions muttered, completely stunned.

“This can’t be true...” Son Bra from Universe 16 whispered, trembling. So everything that had happened wasn’t solely the fault of that foul sorcerer, but also Buu’s doing? Was it because of him that she had become a slave and killed so many people? He had allowed Babidi to run wild even though he had the power to stop him? Worse — had he actually orchestrated all of it?

Beside her, Vegetto frowned. Thinking about it now, it wasn’t illogical at all. Buu was far too powerful not to have been able to intervene. He had been toying with everyone — including him — from the very beginning. This frustrated Vegetto even more, but he could understand his old enemy’s desire for amusement. What angered him the most was that Buu had kept all the fun to himself.

“But why, Grand Kaioshin?” the North Kaioshin asked, his voice dejected.

“That, I’m afraid you couldn’t possibly understand. I hold no ill will against any of you, my friends. Nor does Buu, for that matter. But we possess a far broader perspective than yours.”

“What are you implying?” North asked.

“Since arriving in this universe, Buu and I have been in constant communication,” the Grand Kaioshin replied. “He told me his life story, of his world. He shared all his memories with me — both in words, images, and emotions. Thousands of years of experience exchanged in just a few hours.”

“Is that even possible?” wondered Piccolo from Universe 18.

Throughout the arena, the cacophony among the spectators had died down as they listened intently to the justifications of the leader of the gods, who had just confessed to his treachery. Perhaps his reasons were valid after all?

“It is possible,” the Grand Kaioshin continued .“I am convinced that, in many universes, I have always held a certain fascination with Majin Buu. He is an extraordinary, unique life form. Although he was born from unholy dark magic, I have never encountered a being like him.”

“The work of a vile sorcerer,” growled the South Kaioshin.

“Indeed. And yet, look around you — this event is the origin of everything in so many universes! Without Majin Buu, we have our universe. We eliminated evil at its source before it could spread. It was I who chose to destroy Bibidi, and that decision led me to systematically eliminate every threat to the universe. However, in a multitude of other realities, I did not act that way... and look at the results!”

“What are we supposed to be seeing?” replied the West Kaioshin. “Massacres committed by this Majin Buu? Our own defeat and disappearance? The proliferation of vile and criminal beings?”

“Perhaps, but not only that! Look — see those we eliminated ourselves, the Frost Demons and the Saiyans. In Universe 16 and 18, you see Saiyans who are using their strength in the service of others! And without the Frost Demons, Universe 19 would never have developed as it did! It is precisely because we did not intervene against Bibidi that so many divergences occurred across the multiverse!”

“And how does that justify why you protected Majin Buu?” Gast Carcolh retorted sternly from his position. “You know full well how dangerous he is to everyone.”

The Grand Kaioshin gazed at the sphere containing his friend. He knew it was only a matter of time. Even sealed, no one could truly get rid of him. He had to explain himself — and try to convince them if possible.

“Buu is far more intelligent and interesting than anything I have ever known. I have come to admire him, he is my friend. After learning the full history of his world, I began to question everything. What right did we Kaioshins have to intervene so heavily? We eliminated every threat, but the universe stopped evolving. It became stagnant.”

“And what is wrong with that?” asked the East Kaioshin. “We dealt with galactic greats so that innocent mortals could live in peace, without fear of an abusive tyrant conquering or exploiting them! You yourself told us that anomalies like the Legendary Saiyan could not be allowed to live — we executed one when he was still just a child!”

The West Kaioshin trembled, remembering the abominable act she had carried out in the past. She had fought against her own morals and heart to fulfill her mission on the orders of their leader.

“It was the right decision at the time,” the Grand Kaioshin said. “However, with the perspective I’ve gained through Buu, I now realize our intransigence has wasted the potential of our universe. Mortals have never truly had to defend themselves. Our constant rule has deprived them of opportunities for growth and evolution. Our universe is devoid of interest. That becomes even more obvious when you compare it to the others around us.. and I was fascinated by everything Buu showed me.”

“He’s manipulating you. You must realize that, right?” the South Kaioshin snapped.

“Not at all,” his leader replied calmly. “He helped open my eyes. I reflected deeply on our role as Kaioshins and what our true place should be. You spoke of anomalies like Broly and Majin Buu, presenting them as universal threats we must fight. In your view, they should never have been allowed in this tournament. Yet the same applies to Vegetto and Gast Carcolh.”

“Excuse me?” Vegetto interrupted, shocked. Gast narrowed his eyes, visibly dismayed.

“I am sorry, but it’s the truth,” the Grand Kaioshin told them. “Vegetto, you were born from a fusion of mortals through divine magic. Your existence is unnatural. Gast, your essence has transcended that of a normal Namekian through a process that was only ever meant for a select few. Neither of you should ever have existed. Just like Majin Buu and the Legendary Saiyan. And yet here all four of you are, participating in this tournament despite the potential dangers you represent.”

“Vegetto and Gast are denizens of the light, Grand Kaioshin!” protested the West Kaioshin. “They do not deserve to be compared to monsters!”

“So because they are benevolent, they have more of a right to exist?” the Grand Kaioshin wondered. “Is it our subjective morality which should govern and prevail over life and death? We bear the title of gods, yet our original role was simply to observe — nothing more. We arrogated to ourselves the very powers that condemned our world to sterility. We left it no room to grow, to struggle. Order brings nothing. Chaos, on the other hand...”

“You dare advocate for chaos?” the South Kaioshin reacted, visibly shocked.

“And why not? You see only its negative aspects — but it is also a source of renewal. There is much to be gained by letting it run its course. And not just in one universe, now that we know countless others exist. If something ends tragically in a thousand universes, it may turn out differently in a thousand more. Influencing events in just one universe is therefore pointless!”

The Grand Kaioshin’s words caused a stir throughout the stands and the participants' areas. Goku felt completely lost in the metaphysical discussion. He had never contemplated such things before. It was all far too confusing for him.

“You’re mistaken, Grand Kaioshin,” Gast Carcolh continued. “Your actions only concern your own universe and should not be compared to parallel worlds. We each have our own history. These paths have converged here in this inter-universal tournament, but that does not justify allowing a being as powerful and manipulative as Buu from Universe 4 to act with impunity. This is no longer just about your world.”

“I agree with Gast Carcolh,” the South Kaioshin said angrily. “Not even counting Buu, half the individuals at this tournament could endanger the entire multiverse! And you’re telling us you let the most dangerous one do whatever he wanted because you’ve become an agent of chaos!”

“Of course not,” his leader replied, surprised. “There was never any risk. Buu is in complete control. You simply don’t understand how he operates. He only wanted to have fun, and he would never have allowed Broly or anyone else to interrupt the tournament. He could have stopped them at any moment.”

At that same moment, a voice rang out inside Grand Kaioshin’s head. It was the Elder Kaioshin from Universe 9.

“Grand Kaioshin! I must tell you who XXI is!”

“I know who he is. But he has the right to participate like everyone else.”

“What?! But... He’s the Devourer of Worlds, the Twenty-First! He’ll absorb everything, destroy everything!”

“Venerable Kaioshin, with all due respect. I’m rather busy right now. I can’t help you.”

He abruptly cut off the communication to refocus on the situation at hand. XXI had just confirmed his identity — the one that both Buu and he had already suspected. An ancient entity, so old that even the current generation of Kaioshins had forgotten its existence. A being far older than Majin Buu himself. It was only thanks to a book Buu had read on Planet Icarion, combined with the clues he had gathered, that they had managed to follow this trail. But at this precise moment, it was of no use to them. They first had to deal with the current problem.

“Ah, I see!” the West Kaioshin exclaimed with heavy irony. “That’s why he stopped Broly from attacking everyone, or Babidi from corrupting the other universes!”

“I never said he wouldn’t act spontaneously,” the Grand Kaioshin replied. “What you just described is our way of thinking. Buu lets events unfold naturally, then intervenes! The chaos has allowed the existing universes to evolve and move forward despite their difficulties. Buu has served as our safeguard. Everything has turned out well each time. Otherwise, he would have put an end to the problems. Didn’t he repair all the damage afterward?”

In Universe 16, Vegetto was dismayed. Once again, his very existence had been called into question. According to them, he should never have existed.

Son Bra, meanwhile, felt torn apart inside. Buu had used her like a pawn in a game he had completely controlled. He had let Babidi do as he pleased. She had been broken and corrupted by the Djinn. And just as her father had been overcome by unspeakable fury, Buu had simply stepped back... before offering her words of comfort.

Son Bra was on the verge of vomiting. Her relationships with the people she loved had just been forever altered — because of this monster.

“Hey, wait a minute!” Trunks and Goten exclaimed from Universe 18. “Does that mean he’s the one who gave us our enhanced fusion during the night?”

The Grand Kaioshin nodded, much to the dismay of the two young Saiyans. They had received immense power from their worst enemy — power that hadn’t even been enough to harm him.

“That also explains Uub’s magical powers,” Vegeta pointed out. “Buu must have helped him unlock them.”

“Buu’s definitely a cheat,” Goku said, sounding annoyed. “I’m glad Uub has his powers, but still... it’s not fair!”

Around the Grand Kaioshin, his fellow Kaioshins were stunned into silence. Everything he had just said went against their core values — against everything they had dedicated their lives to. And even if he was right about the effects of chaos, morality could not be reduced to mere subjectivity. By letting Buu act freely, the Grand Kaioshin had allowed a loose cannon to unleash utter carnage.

“Do you realize what you’ve done?” the North Kaioshin challenged him. “You’ve altered the fate of all the remaining universes! Buu has granted powers to beings from other universes who would never have obtained them otherwise! Relationships and lives have been shattered because of him! Good heavens — little girls have watched their mothers and fathers die at the hands of their own sister! And you claim that chaos is good and order is boring? Buu is using you, Grand Kaioshin! He is the very embodiment of chaos in his universe, and he’s using your curiosity to twist your mind! You’re placing our fates in the hands of this psychopath?!”

The Grand Kaioshin looked at him, visibly dismayed. His friend’s words made sense. Yet the South Kaioshin didn’t understand something crucial. Buu had opened his eyes to an entirely new plane of consciousness regarding life and the universe. The Djinn had transcended the very concept of existence. It was impossible to argue against his paradigm.

“Once again, you don’t understand,” he implored. “We have no choice. Buu is superior to us in every way. He has become an omnipotent entity, capable of anything! He controls everything, constantly, and his power is absolute! We can only live with him and try to understand his decisions!”

These new words unsettled everyone present. In the Grand Kaioshin’s mouth, Buu had just gone from being an extraordinary friend to a divine being sitting at the very top of the universal hierarchy. That changed everything.

“It’s not the same thing, Grand Kaioshin,” Gast Carcolh said. “Just because he is extremely powerful does not mean he is right. No matter what he is capable of, it does not give him the right to interfere with other universes like this. The chaos you praise is not natural. If what you say is true, and Buu is in complete control — then he leaves no room for free will.”

In the ring, the Vargas had just arrived with the device from Universe 4, designated to send Buu back home. Izy, the Varga technician in charge of her people’s technology, exclaimed provocatively:

“For a supposedly all-powerful god, I don’t think he’s in control here. Goodbye, Buu!”

She pressed the button, her eyes fixed on the cocoon... which didn’t disappear.

“Obviously,” the Grand Kaioshin said with a weary sigh. “He controls your device too. You can’t just send him back. Everything is under his control.”

“This is going to be a problem,” Son Gohan said from Universe 16’s space. “We have to get rid of him. Gast is right.”

“Darn it!” Izy cried annoyed. “We’ll do it the old-fashioned way! Can you take this thing to one of our ships?”

“Easily,” replied a Namekian from Universe 1 nearby.

“I assure you, all of this is pointless...” the Grand Kaioshin warned.

While everyone around him wondered what he meant, the moment the Namekian placed his hands on the Buu’s prison, it began to vibrate violently and emit white smoke all around it. Terrified, the Namekian backed away from the phenomenon.

“That smoke... Buu is being freed!” exclaimed the two Son Gohans from Universes 16 and 18.

They vividly remembered the image of Babidi and Dabura jubilantly celebrating the opening of the seal — broken by the titanic battle between Son Goku and Vegeta, and the desperate efforts of Gohan and the East Kaioshin to prevent its release. There was no doubt about it. This was the same phenomenon.

“What? He’s coming out?” wondered Son Goku. “And yet no one’s fighting to give him energy?”

Meanwhile, the Djinn was regaining consciousness as his body once again sensed the warmth of the outside world. Immediately, he remembered what had happened to him.

Of course... that blasted spell remained his only weakness. After twenty years of exploring and mastering magic, he had been forced to accept the facts: his magical nature could not be changed. His existence would forever be bound to Bibidi’s magic, and it was impossible for him to remove it. The only way to interfere with it was to die, so that Enma could use his powers as a regent of souls — as he had done for Uub. But that was out of the question.

Thus, he had to adapt and find a satisfactory solution so that he would never again be sealed away as he had been before. Since he had nearly been caught by an incomplete version of the spell at the hands of other sorcerers a few years prior, he had managed to protect himself against various magical formulations. But the original formula was untouchable. It was the very same one that XXI had used against him. But...

Never, ever, would he let himself be locked up.

Not for more than five minutes, anyway.

His best protection against magical seals, should he ever find himself imprisoned, was quite simple. He had taken Bibidi’s device — the very one used for his birth — and adapted it to his own essence. If he were ever neutralized, his body would naturally begin charging with energy, allowing for his automatic release.

And after this practical test, his mind swelled with satisfaction. It had been a wise idea.

And he had succeeded.