Rudra clenched his fists the moment he heard the words slip from Zalama's mouth.
Anger flared inside him, but what could he really do? He was standing before a being far beyond comprehension. No resistance would matter.
Still, his pride burned. He swore silently to himself—
Fine. If this is how it is, then I'll take everything I can out of this unfair deal.
"Scapegoat? Then tell me," Rudra said coldly, his eyes narrowing, "what exactly will I gain, and what will I lose?"
Zalama tilted his head back and cracked his neck with a sound that echoed through the hall. A sinister smile formed on his lips as he leaned forward.
"Once the mission is complete," Zalama said, his voice deep and commanding, "you will be free to return home. Your role is simple—become a threat to Universe 7!"
The words shook Rudra. His breath caught in his throat.
A threat to Universe 7?
His heartbeat quickened.
"A… villain?" he whispered, the word heavy on his tongue.
Zalama rose from his throne, the air around him trembling with raw energy. His presence was suffocating.
"Enough questions," he thundered. "For now, all you must know is this—you will live as an ordinary human on Earth. Grow strong. Fulfill your role as the villain. To aid you, I will allow you to choose a power system of your own."
Rudra inhaled sharply. This was it—his one chance to decide his future. Without hesitation, he answered.
"Fine then. If you already know everything about me, then you must also have restrictions. You can't read the Dragon Ball story from alternate realities, can you?"
Zalama's silence confirmed his suspicion. Rudra smirked faintly and continued, his voice filled with determination.
"Then listen carefully. I want something unique, something that belongs only to me. I ask for an ancient Indian chakra-based power system—seven energy cores that serve as the foundation of my strength. A system no one else in this universe possesses. Mine alone."
Zalama's eyes glowed in amusement. Slowly, he raised his palm and placed it above Rudra's head.
"Your wish… is granted."
A rush of power surged into Rudra's mind. His vision blurred. Every nerve in his body vibrated as foreign knowledge and memories flooded his brain—blueprints of techniques, ancient mantras, and pathways of energy unknown to this world.
Then, without another word, Zalama activated the teleportation.
"You will return to a time you have already lived," his voice thundered. "Do not forget—your role is to be the villain."
Light swallowed Rudra whole. In an instant, the throne room vanished, and he was gone.
---
When Rudra opened his eyes again, he found himself standing in the same dimly lit house he had once occupied. His head ached, but his mind was clear—Zalama had directly implanted all necessary knowledge into his brain.
He knew his role. He knew his mission.
And most importantly, he knew the timeline.
Without wasting time, Rudra gathered his belongings. He packed the essentials quickly and strapped a small laser gun to his side, just in case.
As he stepped outside, the night air was cool. A police car drove past with its sirens faint in the distance. Rudra smirked.
"Good thing I left before they started asking questions."
For the first night, he booked himself into a small hotel. The room he was given was tiny—barely enough space for a bed and a chair—but it was enough for the night. He sat on the mattress, exhaling slowly.
"Hmm… Let's take this step by step. I need a plan."
Closing his eyes, Rudra recalled Zalama's exact words and the information now engraved in his mind.
The Saiyan Invasion… It begins in three years.
His hand trembled slightly as he opened his smartphone and typed it into his notes.
[The Saiyan Invasion was a major conflict that began on October 12, Age 761, and resurfaced on November 3rd, Age 762. The first battle resulted in the first death of Son Gokū, creating a temporary ceasefire. The second invasion was far bloodier, causing the deaths of multiple Dragon Team members and countless civilians of the Eastern Capital.]
Rudra stared at the glowing screen.
"…And right now, I'm in East City," he muttered, typing that down as well.
He tossed the phone aside and leaned back against the wall, thoughts racing.
But then, another piece of knowledge struck him—the most terrifying revelation Zalama had left him with.
"The fan-made Dragon Ball mangas from my world…" Rudra whispered, his eyes widening. "In this world, they'll become reality."
His pulse quickened.
That meant… those characters, those impossible creations by fans… they would live.
His lips curved into a grin, part fear, part excitement.
"That also means… the fan-made character known as… Jack Hills… is real."
The name echoed in the quiet hotel room.
Rudra clenched his fists again. His path as a villain had begun, and the world he had once known only as fiction was now alive around him.
The question wasn't if he would survive.
The question was—would he remain the villain… or become something more?