Dragon Ball: Ascension

Grand Kai's hand trembled slightly as he stared at the results, his expression becoming extraordinarily complex. The silence stretched between them like a taut wire before Grand Kai finally found his voice.

"You should admit it this time," Karnel said, raising the corners of his mouth in a satisfied crescent-shaped smile.

Grand Kai stood frozen, confusion washing over his weathered features. It took him a long moment to process what had just happened. He had actually lost at rock-paper-scissors, the one skill he prided himself on above all others.

"No... No, you're cheating!" Grand Kai's eyes widened as desperation crept into his voice. "I clearly saw you throw scissors!"

Karnel's expression darkened instantly, his patience finally reaching its breaking point. The temperature across Grand Kai's planet seemed to drop several degrees as killing intent radiated from the Saiyan warrior.

"Enough," Karnel said, his voice carrying a bone-chilling coldness. "My patience has limits, and you've tested every single one of them. I don't have time for more games. Take me to the Supreme Kai's realm. NOW."

But Grand Kai, seemingly oblivious to the murderous aura surrounding him, continued his protests. "You're obviously cheating! I demand a rematch!"

"I won't say it again." Blue energy began crackling around Karnel's raised hand, coalescing into a brilliant sphere of destructive power. The orb expanded to over ten meters in diameter before compressing into a dense, dark blue ball of concentrated energy that distorted the very air around it.

The energy contained within that compact sphere was enough to obliterate half the planet, even accounting for Grand Kai's legendary durability. The implicit threat was crystal clear.

Seeing that Karnel wasn't bluffing, that he would genuinely destroy the world that had been his home for countless millennian, Grand Kai's bravado crumbled completely.

"No, don't!" he cried out in panic, cold sweat beading on his forehead. "I was just joking! I'll take you to the Supreme Kai's realm right now! Please, come with me!"

The elderly Kai's entire demeanor transformed, his previous laziness and obstinance evaporating as he hurriedly gestured toward his luxurious house.

Wouldn't it have been easier to cooperate from the beginning? Karnel thought to himself, allowing the energy ball to dissipate harmlessly back into his body. You had to push an honest man to his breaking point.

Terrified that Karnel might change his mind and reduce his beloved planet to cosmic dust, Grand Kai urged him forward with unprecedented urgency. "Quickly now! There's no other way to reach the Supreme Kai's realm—we'll need to use a special vehicle to fly up there."

"No need," Karnel replied curtly. "Just contact the Supreme Kai and get their permission. I have my own methods of travel."

Grand Kai, still shaken by his near-death experience, could only nod and comply. He closed his eyes and reached out through mystical means that Karnel couldn't fully comprehend, establishing contact with the divine realm above.

After what felt like an eternity but was probably only a few minutes, Grand Kai opened his eyes with visible relief. "It's done, Karnel. I've obtained permission from the East Supreme Kai."

Karnel stepped forward and placed a hand on Grand Kai's shoulder, preparing to use his instant transmission technique.

Suddenly realizing what was about to happen, Grand Kai's eyes widened in alarm. "Wait! Are you planning to use that teleportation trick you used earlier? You can't just appear before the Supreme Kai like that—it's incredibly disrespectful to the five great deities!"

To prevent any more deception, Karnel maintained his grip on Grand Kai's shoulder. If the old trickster tried to transport them to some random planet again, he would learn exactly how serious the consequences of betraying a Super Saiyan could be.

"I don't care about protocol," Karnel said flatly, ignoring Grand Kai's protests as he focused his energy for the jump.

Fortunately, Grand Kai was telling the truth this time. The mystical barrier that had blocked Karnel's previous attempts felt as transparent as glass, offering no resistance whatsoever. In an instant, both figures materialized on an enormous verdant planet dominated by an ancient temple in the distance.

"So this is the Supreme Kai's realm," Karnel murmured, looking around with interest. "It certainly feels different from other worlds. The gravity here is incredible."

Grand Kai was practically vibrating with indignation. "Why didn't you listen to my advice? The five Supreme Kai are in that temple ahead," he whispered urgently, clutching his precious radio close to his chest. "When you meet them, please remember to show proper respect. They are the true gods of this universe."

Why is this old fool still lecturing me? Karnel thought impatiently, already lifting off the ground toward the temple that radiated an aura of ancient power.

"Hey!" Grand Kai called out, running after him while cradling his radio. "You can't fly in the Supreme Kai's realm! It's forbidden!"

Despite the planet's crushing gravity, Karnel's flight speed remained impressive. It didn't take long to reach the temple's outer courtyard, where he touched down on the polished stone floor.

From a distance, he could see two figures crouched beside a small ornamental pond. One was a thin man with spiky hair that defied all logic, while the other was a slightly portly older gentleman. Both seemed to be engaged in a heated argument about something, their voices carrying across the courtyard.

"No, don't put those things in there! Those are goldfish I caught just a few days ago!" the older figure protested.

"Look at this one—its belly is floating upside down. It's obviously starving," the spiky-haired man retorted. "You clearly don't know how to properly care for fish. What's the point of catching them if you're just going to let them die?"

"What did you say?!" The older Kai's voice rose in outrage. "I've been fishing for more years than you can count, and you dare tell me I don't know fish care? Don't you dare—Kibito, you bastard! Get your hands away from my pond!"

The sound of approaching footsteps interrupted their quarrel. The slightly older North Supreme Kai looked up in surprise. "Someone's coming?"

East Supreme Kai, apparently named Kibito, pretended not to notice as he casually tossed whatever he'd been holding into the pond. Standing up and brushing off his robes, he said calmly, "This must be the mysterious human Grand Kai mentioned, the one who can reach his planet in physical form."

"Kibito, you bastard!" North Supreme Kai's face turned red with fury. "I saw exactly what you did! You dumped all that disgusting fish food into my pond! I challenge you to a fishing contest!"

"Fishing again?" Kibito rolled his eyes dismissively. "You've challenged me to fishing competitions countless times over the centuries. I'm tired of that game."

Karnel approached the two bickering deities, studying them with keen interest. So these were the legendary Supreme Kai—the gods who governed the universe. They seemed... surprisingly petty.