Having successfully navigated his audience with Zeno, Raditz followed Whis back to the God of Destruction Realm. The moment they materialized on the familiar crystalline surface, they were greeted by a scene of absolute devastation.
Goku and Vegeta lay unconscious on the ground, their bodies splayed in undignified positions amid a massive crater. Debris scattered everywhere. Scorched earth stretched in multiple directions. And at the epicenter of all this destruction, Beerus reclined on a miraculously intact rock formation, looking supremely satisfied with himself.
Whis took in the scene with a single glance and smiled knowingly. "My, my. We were only gone for a short while, and Lord Beerus has already redecorated the entire realm." He raised his staff with a gentle flourish, and divine light washed over the landscape. Within seconds, the destruction reversed itself—craters filled, debris vanished, unconscious Saiyans healed and began stirring back to consciousness.
"Hmph!" Beerus crossed his arms defensively. "I haven't even begun to ask you where you two disappeared to so suddenly!" His tone carried obvious irritation, though his next words came out as more of a grumbled mutter: "If you hadn't left when you did, I wouldn't have been distracted enough for Goku to land that cheap shot..."
"We were summoned by His Majesty," Whis explained simply. "One does not decline such invitations."
"His Maj—Lord Zeno?!" Beerus's eyes went wide as dinner plates, his body going rigid with shock. The God of Destruction's fear of the Omni-King was so profound that merely hearing the name made him tremble. "What did Lord Zeno want with you?! Raditz, please tell me you didn't get into trouble!" His voice pitched higher with mounting panic.
"Why does everyone assume I cause trouble?" Raditz asked with exasperation. "Do I really come across that way?"
"Then what did he want?" Beerus leaned forward urgently, practically vibrating with anxious curiosity. Goku and Vegeta, now fully conscious and recovered, quickly gathered closer to hear the answer.
"Reading material," Raditz said with a slight smile.
The response produced identical expressions of baffled confusion on all three faces. Whis, sensing the need for clarification, launched into explanation mode—describing the entire sequence of events from Zeno's summons to Raditz's gift of Tights's novels, the establishment of their friendship, and the strategic serialization plan.
When the explanation concluded, Beerus remained frozen in place, staring at Raditz with a mixture of horror and disbelief. "So... let me make sure I understand this correctly," he said slowly, as though speaking to a particularly foolish child. "You gave Lord Zeno a story that isn't finished yet. Which means eventually, he's going to demand the next installment from you. And when that happens, if you can't provide it..." He trailed off, the implications too terrible to voice.
"Then I'll explain that the author is still writing," Raditz replied with a casual shrug. "Can't rush creative genius, after all."
Beerus looked like he might actually cry. My God, he thought with genuine despair, does he not understand what Zeno is capable of?! The Omni-King could erase entire universes when displeased. Individuals who failed to meet his expectations simply... stopped existing. And here was Raditz, playing with cosmic fire as though it were a parlor trick!
The God of Destruction felt a sudden, violent urge to grab Raditz and shake him until some sense rattled into that thick Saiyan skull.
But Raditz appeared completely unconcerned, his relaxed posture radiating confidence. "Don't worry, Lord Beerus. I have contingency plans. Everything will work out fine."
Whether Beerus believed that reassurance or not, Raditz didn't particularly care. He'd already returned his focus to training, resuming his pursuit of divine ascension with single-minded determination.
The days that followed settled into a comfortable rhythm. Raditz divided his time between Earth—where he could be with his family—and the God of Destruction Realm, where he continued his grueling sessions with Whis. Occasionally, he'd visit the Galactic Justice League to check on their operations and maintain his connection to that broader network of heroes.
Life was peaceful. Almost idyllic.
Then came unexpected news from the Time Realm.
Trunks personally traveled to Universe 7 to deliver the message, his face bright with barely contained excitement. "Raditz! Everyone!" He could hardly stand still. "I have incredible news—I'm being promoted!"
The announcement sparked immediate celebration. Trunks explained that his exemplary performance during numerous space-time patrol missions, his successful resolution of several temporal crises, and his growing mastery of Time Realm affairs had earned him recognition from Chronoa herself. She'd decided to name him as her official successor—the heir to the position of Supreme Kai of Time.
Trunks had earned unanimous approval from the Time Patrol's leadership. Both his character and his strength stood beyond question, allowing him to rise above countless other capable warriors who served in the temporal forces.
"That's fantastic news!" Raditz clapped the younger warrior on the shoulder with genuine pride. "You've more than earned this recognition."
"I couldn't have done it without your initial recommendation," Trunks said earnestly. "Which is why I'm here in person—to invite you to the inauguration ceremony. It would mean a lot to me if you could attend."
"I wouldn't miss it for anything."
The Time Plaza remained as vibrant as Raditz remembered, perhaps even more so. Clear springs bubbled from fountains arranged throughout the space. Stone pathways crisscrossed in elegant patterns between flowering gardens. And at the plaza's center, impossible to miss, stood a gilded statue depicting a certain long-haired Saiyan in a heroic pose.
Is that supposed to be me? Raditz thought with a mixture of embarrassment and amusement. Did they really need to make it quite so... dramatic?
Surrounding the statue, holographic display stands projected news coverage in continuous loops—footage of Trunks's accomplishments, highlights from his most impressive missions, and promotional material for today's ceremony. The entire Time Realm had been informed about this momentous occasion.
The ceremony would take place right here in the plaza, with Chronoa herself presiding. Already, the space had filled to capacity with Time Patrollers—some on duty, others who'd deliberately delayed their assignments to witness this historic moment firsthand.
But when Raditz arrived, stepping through a temporal gateway into the plaza's outer ring, the gathered crowd's attention shifted immediately.
Someone shouted: "It's him! The hero who destroyed Demigra!"
"That's Raditz!" another voice cried out.
The reaction was instantaneous and overwhelming. Hundreds of Time Patrollers surged toward him like a wave, their voices rising in a deafening roar of enthusiasm. They surrounded him within seconds, pressing close, their eyes shining with undisguised admiration and awe.
"I watched your battle! The way you fought Demigra was incredible!"
"You saved all of space-time! You're a legend!"
"Can I get your autograph?!"
The sheer intensity of their adoration left Raditz momentarily stunned. He'd known that defeating Demigra had earned him respect in the Time Realm, but this level of hero worship? This was something else entirely.
In the distance, emerging from the Time Nest's entrance, Chronoa and Trunks stopped in their tracks as they took in the massive crowd gathered around a single point.
"That's Mr. Raditz!" Trunks exclaimed, spotting the familiar long hair rising above the sea of admirers. A wide grin split his face. "I should have known he'd draw this kind of reaction."
"He's become something of a legend here," Chronoa observed with an amused smile. "After what happened with Demigra, the entire Time Patrol views him as a savior. Can't say it isn't deserved—he literally prevented the destruction of all space-time."
"He did save everything," Trunks agreed, his voice carrying deep gratitude. "Including giving me the chance to be here today."
Chronoa nodded thoughtfully. She'd always seen potential in Raditz, but his actions had exceeded even her optimistic expectations. Both Towa and Demigra—her greatest adversaries, the threats that had plagued the time stream for eons—had fallen to this remarkable Saiyan. The debt she owed him could never truly be repaid.
When the Supreme Kai of Time and Trunks approached the plaza proper, the crowd's attention fractured, some people looking toward Raditz while others turned toward the ceremony's guest of honor. For several chaotic moments, no one seemed certain where to focus.
Chronoa raised both hands, channeling a pulse of divine authority that didn't compel but certainly encouraged attention. The excited chatter gradually subsided. "Everyone, please! Let's begin the ceremony!"
The crowd reluctantly parted, allowing Raditz to make his way toward the central platform while simultaneously giving Chronoa and Trunks space to ascend to their positions.
A circular dais dominated the plaza's heart, elevated several feet above ground level and inscribed with temporal runes that glowed softly with power. Chronoa guided Trunks to the center while Raditz took his place among the honored guests at the platform's edge.
Trunks looked distinctly uncomfortable with being the center of so much attention. His hands fidgeted uncertainly, not quite knowing where to rest. A faint blush colored his cheeks as he stood somewhat awkwardly beside Chronoa. He wore his signature denim jacket with the Brave Sword strapped across his back—and despite his obvious nervousness, the crowd saw only confidence and heroism in his bearing.
"Everyone!" Chronoa's voice rang out with divine resonance, ensuring every person present could hear her clearly. "Today marks a momentous occasion in the history of the Time Realm. We are gathered here to witness Trunks's ascension as my official heir." She gestured toward Raditz. "We're honored to have Lord Raditz, Supreme Kai of Universe Seven, joining us as our distinguished guest. In fact, it was Raditz who first recommended Trunks for service in the Time Patrol."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd at this revelation. Many people nodded approvingly—if a hero like Raditz had vouched for Trunks, that endorsement carried tremendous weight. And Trunks's own accomplishments spoke for themselves; he'd personally resolved countless temporal anomalies that lesser warriors couldn't handle.
Applause erupted spontaneously, building into a thunderous ovation that expressed both recognition of Trunks's worthiness and welcome for Raditz's presence.
Chronoa waited for the noise to subside before continuing, her expression solemn with the gravity of what she was about to proclaim. "I hereby declare that Trunks shall become the official heir to my position as Supreme Kai of Time! He will share in my responsibilities and, in turn, shall enjoy the rights and privileges that come with this sacred office."
The rights of a Time Realm Supreme Kai were extraordinary—the ability to travel freely through any timeline and across all universes without restriction. Time Patrol officers operated under immunity from temporal law, able to intervene in events without facing the consequences that would strike down anyone else. Even powerful beings like Raditz could face severe punishment for tampering with time—but Supreme Kais of Time existed outside such restrictions by the very nature of their divine mandate.
Trunks stood now just one step below true godhood, his status elevated to heights few mortals ever reached.
"YEAH! Congratulations, Trunks!" someone shouted from the crowd.
"I knew he had it in him from the day he arrived!" another voice called out.
"To our new heir!"
Massive cheers shook the plaza, washing over Trunks in waves of genuine affection and support. People waved their arms, pumped their fists, roared their approval. The atmosphere reached a fever pitch of celebration. Fireworks suddenly exploded overhead—brilliant cascades of color that painted the sky in patterns of gold, silver, and rainbow hues. Flowers made of pure light bloomed in the air before dispersing into glittering motes.
Trunks stood at the center of it all, overwhelmed but deeply moved. His eyes glistened slightly as he absorbed the magnitude of this moment.
Finally, as the ceremony reached its conclusion, Raditz stepped forward in his capacity as honored guest. He withdrew a small box from within his robes and opened it to reveal a pair of elegant earrings—Potara earrings, gleaming with divine craftsmanship and inscribed with temporal runes that marked them as official regalia of the Time Realm.
"These earrings represent your new status," Raditz said, his voice carrying clearly across the plaza. "Wear them with pride, Trunks. You've earned this honor through courage, dedication, and unwavering commitment to protecting the time stream." He smiled warmly. "I'm proud to call you my friend and ally."
Trunks accepted the earrings with hands that trembled slightly—not from nervousness, but from the weight of emotion. "Thank you, Raditz. For everything. I won't let you down."
"I know you won't."
As Trunks affixed the earrings to his ears, the crowd erupted into one final thunderous ovation. The ceremony had concluded successfully, and the Time Realm had gained a worthy heir to its divine guardian.