Throughout Universe 7, every deity who knew of the God of Destruction's existence was plunged into panic.
At this moment, within the Divine Realm of Destruction
"Autonomous Ultra Instinct? That's not Whis's aura... then who has come to the Realm of Destruction?"
Beerus stirred from his slumber, rising with eyes as cold and fathomless as the void itself. One glance from him felt like one's soul would be drawn into an endless abyss.
"Another God of Destruction? No... that's impossible. Aside from me, none of them could possibly wield Ultra Instinct!"
Then his expression darkened. "Hmm? That ki feels weak... who could it be?"
A dangerous gleam flashed through Beerus's eyes. His body erupted in thick, purple divine light that swept through the space around him—destroying every time-bomb alarm nearby in an instant.
BOOM!
A deafening explosion shattered the ceiling above his resting chamber. Beerus shot into the sky and, in a single glance, spotted two figures by the lakeside.
"Even Lord Beerus has been alarmed..."
By the lake, Whis had also noticed him. With a casual wave of his staff, a silver shimmer wrapped around the small, cross-legged figure sitting nearby—Gran.
The next second
BOOM!
A beam of purple light crashed down from the heavens, annihilating the lake instantly!
Whis had expected as much. Thankfully, he had erected a protective barrier around Gran in advance.
As the lake vanished, Whis calmly reversed time, restoring the tranquil waters to their original state.
"Whis," Beerus said as he descended, his tone dangerously low, "who is this little brat? And why is he here?"
Whis smiled serenely. "Lord Beerus, this is Gran. He's a Saiyan. I brought him here myself."
"A Saiyan? Weren't the Saiyans wiped out by Frieza? Did that lizard disobey my orders?"
An intense surge of violet energy flared from Beerus's body. The sheer pressure warped the very air, causing the surrounding space to collapse.
"I wouldn't know about Frieza," Whis replied.
Beerus suddenly froze. "Wait... what's going on with this kid's dimensional level?"
The murderous aura vanished from Beerus's face, replaced by sheer astonishment.
"Oh-ho~ it seems Lord Beerus has noticed," Whis said, amusement dancing in his tone.
"A... a Realm King-level dimension?! At his age? Impossible!"
Beerus's eyes widened in disbelief.
And who could blame him? In this universe, aside from beings born from divine unions, reaching divine dimensional tiers was near-impossible without countless millennia of cultivation.
Perhaps the Super Dragon Balls could grant it—but no one had ever dared try.
To reach the Realm King pinnacle through pure training? Without at least a million years, it was unthinkable.
But this boy
He looked no older than seven... and he had already reached that level?!
"No... that ethereal aura earlier—it came from him!"
Beerus's pupils shrank.
"That's right~," Whis chuckled. "He released it himself. His mental state has already reached the second level."
Beerus swallowed hard, lost for words.
That was the second stage of 'Ego Erasure', the "Selfless Mind." Among all Gods of Destruction, only Beerus had ever reached that point—others could only brush against it, never truly master it.
Without transcendental talent, no amount of time could grant that enlightenment.
Beerus turned slowly toward Whis. "Whis... you taught him this?"
Whis nodded proudly. "Of course."
Beerus twitched. Proud of what, you smug angel?!
"You taught a Saiyan these techniques? What the hell happened while I was asleep?"
Whis didn't hide anything. He calmly recounted everything that had happened over the past year.
The more Beerus listened, the more stunned he became. It had taken him an entire year to master his own divine power—yet this child had done it in a month!
But what truly shocked him was Gran's Realm King-level dimension and his second-stage mindset.
"Lord Beerus, what do you think of him?" Whis asked with a mischievous smile.
Beerus exhaled deeply. "His talent... is terrifying. And his origins—unfathomable."
Indeed, his power was monstrous enough. But where had such a prodigy come from?
From Beerus's knowledge, the Saiyans were little more than violent monkeys—brutal, battle-crazed, and primitive. How could such a race produce someone like him?
"He even knows we enjoy fine cuisine. That's not strange—our legends spread across the cosmos—but he also knows about Grand Zeno!"
Beerus rubbed his chin, gazing intently at Gran. "Could it be... the Saiyans have some kind of secret chronicle?"
"Perhaps they do," Whis mused, eyes distant.
Beerus blinked. "What are you implying? That the Saiyans are more than they appear?"
"That's impossible," Beerus muttered. "When I became a God of Destruction, I'd never even heard of them! I only learned of their existence because of Frieza."
Whis remained silent, brows furrowed, as if recalling something half-forgotten yet uncertain.
Meanwhile
Gran sat cross-legged, frowning slightly. For some reason, he felt that his talent and comprehension were absurdly high.
He hadn't found the "Ego Erasure" state difficult at all—just like mastering his power a year ago, it had come almost naturally.
Whis had told him that reaching the first level of that state was an impressive feat.
Yet Gran thought the second level wasn't all that difficult either.
So he tried... and succeeded.
Silver light surged around him, his hair shimmering faintly silver.
In that instant—his mind became perfectly still.
"So this is... the 'Selfless Mind'?"
Gran murmured, staring at his small hands.
Suddenly
A violet energy sphere shot toward him from behind!
Gran didn't even blink. His body moved on instinct, tilting slightly aside. The attack grazed past him, tearing the lake apart in an explosion of starlike fragments.
"That's... Destruction Energy...?"
Gran's silver aura vanished. His eyes widened in shock as he turned
And there stood Beerus himself.
No—by the timeline, he should've still been asleep! So why was he awake?!
Gran's heart pounded. He had no idea the disturbance he'd caused across the realm.
Beerus and Whis exchanged glances.
Not true 'Selfless Mind' yet, they both thought.
For while Gran's hair had turned silver and his body moved instinctively, subtle traces of will still lingered—proof that he hadn't fully severed his humanity and surrendered to pure instinct.
At best, this was Half-Ego Erasure.
Even so, it was an absurd level of talent.
Beerus's gaze grew intense—this kid... was a monster.
Whis noticed the spark in Beerus's eyes and smiled knowingly.
"Hey, kid. Your name's Gran, right?" Beerus called out.
"Y-Yes, Lord Beerus!" Gran stammered, bowing deeply, trying to stay composed.
"No need to be so nervous."
"..."
No need to be nervous? Gran nearly cried. You're the strongest God of Destruction in existence!
"I heard you're a Saiyan," Beerus continued. "So tell me—how did you survive Frieza's purge?"
Seriously? How am I supposed to stay calm when you ask that?
Gran's heartbeat thundered in his chest. Damn that King Vegeta...!
You found the best pillow in the entire universe, and you just had to annoy him!
Gran had no golden finger, no cheat system. If Beerus wanted to erase him right now, he had no way to resist.
Though... he did have one lifeline—his cooking skills.
That thought gave him some courage.
"Reporting to Lord Beerus," Gran said carefully, "Frieza... spared me and Prince Vegeta of his own accord..."
"So Vegeta's still alive too, huh. I see."
Beerus glanced at Whis, who confirmed it with a nod.
That explained Gran's origins clearly enough.
Gran hesitated, then spoke quickly, "Lord Beerus, I know our Saiyan king once offended you. I can cook countless divine dishes. If you could just—"
Before he could finish, Beerus interrupted him.
"Your talent is remarkable," he said slowly. "Tell me... would you be interested in becoming Universe 7's Candidate God of Destruction?"