DB Multiverse

Chapter 16

Translated by Virgilio212 & proofread by ZenBuu & iron leaf

At the same time, at the realm of the Kaioshins...

The elderly dean of the Kaioshins watched intently as a group of young sorcerers practiced in front of him, employing the confinement spell to lock the shadowy Majin in his dark prison for all eternity. He was thoughtful and anxious.

Since being released from his seal, the deity found himself directly involved in a terrifying situation: one of the greatest threats in the universe, Majin Buu, was once again on the loose and completely out of control. He had encountered a significant threat before, when he was still the Supreme Kai of the universe, but this Majin Buu had proven himself insane and dangerous to all life in creation. This monster was so terrifying and powerful that he had made many sacrifices to fight him, as when evil emerged from the sacred sword: he unleashed Son Gohan's full potential through his magical powers; he modified the Potalas to create an absurdly unbeatable warrior, even if it meant violating the laws of nature; he even sacrificed his own life to allow Son Goku to return to Earth!

But all these efforts were reduced to nothing when Majin Buu captured Vegeta and then Son Goku. The Djinn had become literally invincible, and no one could stop him. To make matters worse, Buu had absorbed his young colleague and gained teleportation to every possible world, as well as an immense amount of knowledge and new powers. Now, although it seemed that his absorbents were impacting Buu's actions and restricting him to a minimum, he still posed the greatest threat.

He'd observed him closely since leaving Earth, and the Djinn's actions confirmed his fears: he was a true imbalance to the universe. Acting as he pleased, killing excessively and absorbing all life as he pleased, old Kaioshin didn't give the mortal population of the galaxies a long lifespan. Buu was too unpredictable and powerful. It was absolutely necessary to get rid of him.

That's why he contacted a brotherhood of mortal magicians operating in a dark world. He had negotiated their passage to paradise at the end of their lives if they agreed to seal the monster in its ancient prison. But he and the wizards were unaware of the spell Babidi and his father had used. They had to travel to Icarion, the world of knowledge, where an immense amount of data had rested for millions of years. Thanks to the archived testimonies and collections of magic, the old Kaioshin, who had merged with a witch from the past, was able to reconstruct the Djinn's imprisonment magic as best he could.

For several months, he and the wizards worked on and optimized this spell so that Majin Buu could never be freed, despite all the powers he acquired. This creature was magical by nature, and therefore, only a mystical obstacle could rid him forever. Of course, it was possible to destroy the Djinn once and for all, but only Vegetto had such potential. No one in the universe had the ability to harm him anymore, much less annihilate him. But from what his young companion told him, Majin Buu had only one weakness, and that's partly why he freed himself from Babidi: he could do nothing against this formula that sealed him irreparably in this enchanted cell to which he was naturally bound.

After making sure the wizards knew the magic formula by heart and could chant it quickly without forking, Old Kaioshin decided to prepare the attack on Buu. His mercenaries were seven veteran wizards who were supposed to catch the Djinn by surprise. Normally, only one wizard would be responsible for sealing this monster. But he didn't want to take any chances. Seven wizards guaranteed that the surprised and confused Buu wouldn't know what to do and, therefore, couldn't escape.

And in the worst-case scenario, if it turned out that the Djinn had miraculously survived this attack, Old Kai had foreseen two things: if a mage were taken prisoner or had to be absorbed, their brain would automatically self-destruct, preventing Majin Buu from discovering them. The other was more of a workaround: during this year, he had recruited novice mages, promising them glory for sealing the monster, as well as immense magical powers, on the condition that they, in turn, seriously prepare for it and successfully capture it.

Old Kaioshin really didn't like this option. Entrusting the fate of the universe to unscrupulous magicians, with the prospect of rewards for doing so. But it was the only option available to him. He had to neutralize Majin Buu at all costs, before he became too powerful and out of control. If he didn't act, he would be breaking his oath to safeguard a balanced and peaceful universe. He doubted he could free those Buu had absorbed. But after sealing him away for good, life would resume its natural and orderly course...

The dean of the gods sighed as he placed his crystal ball on the grass. He sat in the shade of a tree, high on a hill, to isolate himself and observe the events. He glanced ruefully at the twenty young wizards-in-training below. Excited to help save the mortal worlds, they laughed among themselves and practiced this spell — so difficult to master, yet exhilarating!

Old Kaioshin didn't know whether to smile or regret his reckless act. He had witnessed only moments before the massacre of the wizards they had sent to capture Majin Buu. Not only had Buu managed to escape the scope of their combined spells at the last minute, but he was now mad with rage, and there was no doubt his anger would spill over onto worlds inhabited by innocent people. He closed his eyes, directing a prayer of lamentation to the mortals about to suffer his wrath, silently promising to rid the universe of this scourge.

At least here, in the Kaioshin realm, the sacred land of the gods, there's no risk of Majin Buu even thinking about searching for his enemies. He'd never come and seemed to have forgotten even their existence. The wizards were dead, the Djinn could no longer find their trail. He'd have plenty of time to plan another, more elaborate attack...

— "As to that, I very much doubt it, my dear" — came a sweet, soft voice in his ear.

Terrified, Old Kaioshin turned and saw with profound terror Majin Buu, upside down, hanging from a tree branch like a bat. With his arms crossed, he wore a cruel, Machiavellian smile.

— "Who would have believed it?" — the Djinn continued, maintaining his smile. —"And to think there was still a miserable Kaioshin, always driven to get rid of me. Honestly, is that your only goal in life? To try to destroy mine? In five million years, haven't you ever wanted to find another hobby?"

Before the deity could respond, Buu reached out and pressed his palm against the old man's mouth, silencing him as he wrapped his arms around him, preventing him from moving. Buu closed his eyes and sighed wearily.

— "Honestly... I hoped you'd gotten over it by now. After absorbing the Earthling warriors, yet still showing magnanimity in sparing the inhabitants of that planet, as well as other worlds... I thought, however, that I had shown that I knew how to exercise moderation, that I was no longer a blind destroyer, but no... it was necessary... for you... to conspire... AGAINST... ME!"

Buu uttered these last words in a tone filled with resentment and bitterness, sending spasms of panic through the old Kaioshin. The Djinn didn't need to read his mind to see that this pathetic old man was in despair and had no hope of salvation. It showed on his face. How the hell could he have been caught by that scumbag? He had neglected this Kaioshin, so focused on his adventure and his discoveries that he hadn't imagined for a single moment that he would remain a threat to him. And no less important, he had almost returned to his magical cage. It was his fault.

With this thought, Buu looked down the hill, contemplating the novice wizards practicing, who had not yet noticed his presence. Turning his eyes to the Supreme Kai, who had suddenly stopped writhing, he smiled with profound cruelty before raising his arm in the air. Immediately, a wave of Ki surged from his open palm, reaching the heavens before falling in a shower of purple lightning that fell in a flash upon the poor individuals who had not seen their end coming. Within seconds, the hooded figures fell to the ground, their chests pierced, before the horrified eyes of the old Supreme Kai, whom Buu was forcing to look at.

With contempt, Buu removed his hand from the deity's lips, keeping a pink knot around his arms, preventing him from showing the slightest movement. The dean of the Kaioshins said nothing, trembling with rage and despair.

— "Before I end this, I have a question for you, ancient ancestor" — Buu said seriously. — "Why so much insistence? Certainly, I was a monster for most of my life and committed crimes that are undoubtedly unforgivable for people of good virtue like you. But I had no conscience, under the yoke of sorcerers. By triumphing on Earth, I acquired those values, that humanity that you Kaioshins seem to champion. I was able to display kindness, control, and even modesty. I have no desire to destroy this universe; quite the opposite. So why treat me like the worst criminal, whose only solution is to be locked up?"

— "..."

— "Silence will do you no good" — mocked Buu. — "I'll rip your thoughts out of you by force if you persist. I'm giving you the chance to explain yourself in your own words. Tell me, why?"

— "You have no idea, demon?" — cursed the old Kaioshin, unleashing his anger. — "You shouldn't exist; you're just a perverse magical creation that has condensed the evil of living beings so much that you are its pure embodiment! No matter how much light you may acquire through your absorptions, you remain an entity of pure evil, destabilizing the balance of the universe and threatening the innocent who only aspire to a peaceful life. You are a disturbance of the natural order of things, and no matter what you do, you will never change your own nature! You are programmed to destroy and do evil, and taking my life will only confirm what I'm saying here! If you had changed as much as you claim, you would return Goku and the others to their families! You are even worse than—"

Once again, old Kaioshin was gagged, silenced by Buu, who watched him with a mixture of boredom and discontent. No matter what he said, he didn't care. Once again, his very existence was questioned by one of those despicable gods. Ultimately, although Bibidi and his son had led him down the path of evil, these stubborn gods weren't much better. They refused to comprehend what he had become, to understand him... to accept him. The only ones who truly showed understanding and affection for him were the simple yet good mortals. The blind little boy, Son Goku who tried to make him listen to reason, the puppy, Satan... Screw good and evil, demons and gods. The universe wasn't their property and shouldn't be dictated by their outdated rules. Buu would do as he pleased, as a living, mortal creature. And he would bring the mortal worlds up... or down.

He gave the struggling old Kaioshin a mischievous smile. He said with delight:

— "Certainly, I greatly enjoy spreading fear and destruction around me. But the reverse is also true. I will not refuse my help to the oppressed people, to the poor, helpless souls, if they are worthy. Mortals possess an inner richness unique in their own way. Of course, there are also despicable beings, vile scoundrels who deserve only death. But the time of the gods is over, Kaioshin. From the celestial heights, you judge without getting your own feet wet. You make decisions to change the lower worlds as you wish. It is time to step down. I don't know if I will do things better than you, but one thing is certain: I will do no worse. Now you will serve me as a well of knowledge and wisdom, and who knows... you may temper my evil impulses, in your own way."

With these words, the noose holding the immobilized god tightened to envelop the helpless and horrified old man, who understood the nightmare of fate that was descending upon him, with no escape. With a muffled scream, the last of the Kaioshins disappeared, giving way to a deformed pink mass, which joined Buu with a mechanical gesture. Immediately, Buu felt his mind soar to new heights. New knowledge, mystical powers he had never imagined! It was no longer just the knowledge of the past millennia and the previous five million years that filled his memory... it was a time long before!

Buu was dizzy from the colossal amount of old memories and data he had just acquired. As if that weren't enough, new lines were added and filled in his mental library. Spells, unknown or extinct species... Buu was intoxicated by the change in him. The Djinn expected to be met with acrimony and crazy whims, but far from it: he truly felt the wisdom and long experience he had recounted just minutes earlier. It left him stunned.

He took a moment to regain his composure, lying down on the grass and gazing up at the purple sky. He now felt a sense of fulfillment, of satisfaction. The threat had been neutralized; he was certain no one could come after him again. However...

After a few moments, Buu straightened up, taking a deep breath before looking up at the sky with a determined expression.

He was vulnerable.

He might be the most powerful in the universe, but he had one crucial weakness. And there were likely others. And all of these openings would undoubtedly be exploited by stubborn enemies driven to eliminate him.

He had to fix this and make sure he was completely untouchable. Otherwise, there would always be beings ready to come after him, if only for his evil or disturbing presence.

First, he had to solve this major problem: magic. While a wave of energy would do little more than caress him, any spell from these treacherous wizards could affect him, and take on horrific proportions.

Buu remembered something from one of those vile wizards. Led by Kaioshin, they traveled to planet Icarion to conduct diligent research on magical formulas.

And now, he even saw the memories of the books that Kaioshin consulted on the spot.

Thus, Buu stuck to his new destiny. Magic was far from being an area of interest to him; he was much more motivated by science and the natural phenomena of space. However, he had to protect himself against this mystical threat and overcome any wizards who might appear in the future. Ultimately, it was part of his ultimate goal to be at the top in every field.

First, he had to figure out what the wizards had found — which books, which archives. The memories of the old Kaioshin, as well as the absorbed wizard, were a foundation of knowledge, but he wanted to delve into this research on his own.

Buu used the Kaioshins' ability to navigate the underworlds and find Icarion's location, then placed two fingers on his forehead. He was incredibly motivated and excited to think about all the things he could learn there!