Sayomaru wasn't wrong—the control console optimised by the Security Force was indeed simple to use.
Essentially, it just required plugging the corresponding interface into the cockpit's designated slot and then activating it.
Simple as it was, however, ordinary people wouldn't even have the ability to enter the cockpits of Divine Arsenal - AA-ZEUS and Super Starslayer TY-PHON. Only Zuke could accomplish this task.
Ding-dong.
The doorbell in the room rang, and Zuke and Sayomaru turned to see The Justifier stepping inside.
"So? Did I interrupt something between you two?"
As the leader of the Security Force, the man codenamed The Justifier spoke without any air of authority, instead teasing Zuke and Sayomaru with an amused tone.
Clearly, on his way here, he had overheard the researchers in the main hall discussing the rumors about Zuke and Sayomaru.
Though The Justifier knew that Sayomaru and Zuke hadn't interacted much—meaning the rumors were almost certainly exaggerated—that didn't stop him from poking fun.
"Interrupt what?! There's nothing between me and this guy!"
Sayomaru seemed to catch the implication in The Justifier's words, her face flushing red as she glared at Zuke in annoyance.
This earned an innocent shrug from Zuke—The Justifier was the one making jokes, not him. Why glare at him?
"Alright, let's get to business. I came as soon as I heard Mr. Zuke was here..."
The Justifier's face, obscured by his mechanical helmet, betrayed no expression, but his tone suggested he had shifted to seriousness.
Noticing the control console placed on the operation table, he nodded at Zuke and asked:
"Mr. Zuke, are you ready? We're entrusting AA-ZEUS and TY-PHON to you—you're the only one who can handle them."
"Don't worry, leave it to me."
Zuke picked up the control consoles for AA-ZEUS and TY-PHON, chuckling lightly.
Even without The Justifier saying anything, Zuke would have done his best to secure them.
They were his pre-selected cosmic fortresses—there was a good chance they'd become the new strongholds of the Zuke Corps.
These mechanical giants were far cooler than Frieza's bloated spaceship.
....
In the depths of space, AA-ZEUS and TY-PHON were rapidly regenerating, their repairs nearly complete.
The surrounding planetary debris had been fully absorbed as repair materials, leaving a hollow void devoid of any matter.
By now, both AA-ZEUS and TY-PHON had restored their limbs and energy systems. At a glance, they appeared fully operational.
But upon closer inspection, one could still spot numerous fine cracks and wounds across their frames.
As such, neither machine had initiated another battle yet, opting to wait until their bodies were fully restored before resuming combat.
However, just as the two titans locked eyes mid-repair, a tiny figure suddenly reappeared between them.
—It was Zuke, who had once again used the Security Force's teleportation device to return to the battlefield.
The moment Zuke appeared, AA-ZEUS and TY-PHON immediately reacted—breaking their stillness to assume combat stances.
Clearly, their threat assessment deemed Zuke far more dangerous than each other. Even in their incomplete states, they had no choice but to engage.
"Impressive combat instincts. Your AI isn't half bad."
Zuke nodded approvingly at their response.
AA-ZEUS and TY-PHON weren't just mindless fortresses—their battle AI was one of the key features Zuke valued. Even without pilots, they could fight autonomously.
But this time, Zuke hadn't come to bully the two machines.
"AA-ZEUS's cockpit... Got it."
His gaze swept over AA-ZEUS's frame, quickly pinpointing the cockpit's location.
Then, in a flash, Zuke shot forward like lightning—so fast that neither AA-ZEUS nor TY-PHON could react.
Zuke's current battle power had already exceeded 300 million, and his synchronization rate with the Dragon Ball world had reached 100%. He was far stronger now than during his last visit.
If he had needed to be slightly serious back then when facing AA-ZEUS and TY-PHON, now, they posed no threat to him whatsoever.
AA-ZEUS saw Zuke charging toward it, but when it raised its hand to intercept, it grasped only empty air. Zuke slipped past effortlessly, diving straight into the cockpit.
The cockpit was located at the top of AA-ZEUS's head. Zuke shattered the reinforced glass with a single punch and slipped inside.
Just as expected, the Security Force had perfectly replicated AA-ZEUS's cockpit in their simulation. Zuke quickly located the slot for the control console.
While AA-ZEUS's external combat capabilities were formidable—every strike capable of piercing stars—it was powerless against an enemy already inside its body.
Soon, Zuke installed the Security Force's control console into AA-ZEUS's cockpit.
Bzzzt—!
A sharp electronic hum reverberated from within AA-ZEUS as its internal broadcast system emitted a piercing noise, as if resisting the console's control.
But its AI's resistance was futile. Moments later, a mechanical voice echoed through the cockpit:
"God-Slaying Weapon AA-ZEUS at your service, Commander."
Hearing this, Zuke knew—this colossal mechanical fortress was now his.
As for why it called him "Commander"... That was likely a habit inherited from the civilization that had originally built AA-ZEUS.
After securing control of AA-ZEUS, Zuke leaped out through the shattered glass and turned his gaze toward TY-PHON.
He wasn't stopping at just AA-ZEUS—he was taking TY-PHON too.
TY-PHON was a mechanical replica of AA-ZEUS, created by a being known as "God." Its internal structure was nearly identical, meaning the same control console could dominate it.
Whoosh—
In the next instant, Zuke blurred into motion, streaking toward TY-PHON.
As he closed in, a shrill, ear-piercing screech seemed to echo in his mind—a warning from God, furious at Zuke's audacity to covet its weapon.
But Zuke ignored it completely, plunging straight into TY-PHON's cockpit without hesitation.
To be continued…
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