CHAPTER 17

"I know many things. The Z Sword of the Supreme Kai is merely one among them. Naturally, there are still things I know that even you do not."

"So, there's no need to look so shocked!"

Linze smiled faintly as he addressed Supreme Kai Shin.

In Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super, Supreme Kai's apparent ignorance is vividly displayed time and time again.

For instance, the Demon King Dabura whom Gohan in his Super Saiyan 2 form was able to fight on equal footing left Supreme Kai visibly shaken, despite not being a match for Gohan. And when Majin Buu was released from his sealed ball, Supreme Kai was nearly paralyzed with fear, recalling the destruction Buu had wrought on his fellow Supreme Kais in the past.

In Dragon Ball Super, this lack of awareness becomes even more evident. He's shown to be largely uninformed about the Gods of Destruction particularly Lord Beerus—despite their roles being inextricably linked to the Supreme Kais through a shared life bond.

"Such arrogance. He's talking to the Supreme Kai of the Universe, the highest-ranking deity in existence as if he were some local elder. Aren't you worried you'll throw your back out, boasting like that?"

Jibito, the large, red-faced attendant beside the Kai, couldn't hold his tongue any longer.

To him, Lord Supreme Kai was the most exalted god how could there possibly be something beyond his knowledge?

"Don't be rude, Kibito. Since he knows how to reach the Sacred World of the Kais, it's clear he understands who I am."

Supreme Kai Shin—referred to here as Supreme Kai Asin—spoke with calm intelligence, clearly more perceptive than his companion.

After all, one who can traverse dimensions to reach the Supreme Kai realm must at least recognize the significance of its guardian deity.

"As expected of the Supreme Kai. Your insight isn't lacking! My time is limited please take me to the Sacred World of the Kais."

Linze's tone remained calm and steady.

But in the next moment, a terrifyingly powerful aura erupted from within him.

He wasn't trying to threaten them outright but he also wasn't going to waste time on pleasantries.

It wasn't about showing off. It was simply a more efficient way to get results.

"Th-This power… is he truly human?"

The immense energy radiating from Linze made Kibito's expression shift dramatically.

He had never encountered such overwhelming ki—not even from Gohan or Vegeta. This aura likely surpassed both himself and Supreme Kai Shin.

It was nearly unthinkable… a mortal emitting such a monstrous force.

"Now… will you take me there?"

Linze withdrew his energy and repeated his request.

As expected, the direct approach worked best.

"…Very well. Please follow me."

Supreme Kai Shin his brows slightly furrowed nodded.

Yet, even as he agreed, Supreme Kai had begun to formulate his own plan.

The Z Sword, known as the Supreme Kai's sword, is tremendously heavy.so much so that no previous Supreme Kai had ever succeeded in pulling it free from its stone pedestal. According to the ancient records preserved by the Kais, even the most powerful deities who once stood at the pinnacle of the Supreme Realm had failed to lift it. Despite the overwhelming strength of the human standing before them, it seemed implausible that he a mortal could wield what gods could not.

But if the sword couldn't be pulled out... that would be the sword's problem not Linze's.

Led by Supreme Kai Shin, also known as Shin, the group made their way swiftly to the summit where the legendary sword was embedded. The journey took less than two minutes a testament to how urgently Supreme Kai wished to test this man.

Towering high into the sky like some celestial monolith, the mountain holding the Z Sword resembled Mount Olympus or perhaps even Korin Tower in scale, piercing the clouds like a cosmic spire.

Whoosh...

With a burst of power, Linze casually pulled Android 18 along with him, leaping effortlessly to the mountain's peak with an ease that ignored gravity.

Supreme Kai Shin and Kibito flew upward in pursuit, their auras flickering faintly as they tried to catch up.

Once at the summit, Linze approached the ancient Z Sword embedded in its rocky pedestal. He placed his right hand on its long-forgotten hilt, the weapon once thought to contain untold secrets or even a powerful being sealed within.

"You... actually intend to try pulling out the Supreme Kai Sword?"

Kibito's tone was thick with derision. "Don't joke. No Supreme Kai throughout history has ever succeeded in removing it. Do you really think you, a mere human, will succeed where gods have failed?"

But before his sentence even finished

Clang!

With a clean, sharp sound, Linze pulled the sword out as if it had simply been resting there all along.

Whoosh!

He gave it a few experimental swings, the blade whistling through the air as if it were weightless in his hands.

It was as though the famed Z Sword had no mass at all.

"What was that you were saying?" Linze turned to Kibito with a sly smirk. "I didn't quite catch it."

Both Kibito and Supreme Kai Shin stood frozen in place, their mouths ajar, eyes wide in shock.

The mythical Z Sword, sealed for countless eons and immovable by the Supreme Kais themselves, was now being handled like a toy by a mortal. It seemed unreal.

This wasn't just strength this was something unnatural.

"Are these the so-called gods you were talking about?"

Android 18's voice was dripping with contempt as she glanced over at the dumbfounded Kai and his attendant.

These two divine beings.said to be protectors of the universe seemed like ignorant bumpkins seeing sunlight for the first time.

"Uh… yeah," Linze replied, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.

The Supreme Kai and Kibito, in their current stunned expressions, really did look like hillfolk stumbling into a galactic city for the first time.

They hardly embodied the dignity of gods.

"Pathetic. They don't even compare to the little green guy on Earth," 18 said, rolling her eyes.

By "little green guy," she clearly meant Dende, Earth's current guardian, who despite his youth displayed far more poise and awareness than the gods before her.

"Ahem… may I… ask your name?"

Supreme Kai Shin finally found his voice, coughing awkwardly to hide his embarrassment. His tone was suddenly respectful, even reverent.

The power this human had shown was undeniable and that a Supreme Kai hadn't even known of his existence was a deep failing on his part.

"Linze," he replied simply, not even glancing back at them.

He remained focused on the sword, studying it with a flat expression.

"There's no difference at all… even as a weapon, it's too light. This is the Dragon Ball world. No one really fights with swords here."

He raised the Z Sword in his left hand, regarding it with faint curiosity. Then, with a flick of the index and middle fingers of his right hand

Crack!

A sharp sound echoed across the mountain peak.

The mighty Z Sword snapped cleanly in two.

The blade's broken tip clanged as it hit the stone floor.

"What the?!"

This time, Kibito and Supreme Kai Shin didn't just drop their jaws they practically lost them.

Their eyes bulged so far forward they seemed in danger of popping out.

It was one thing to pull out the Z Sword.

It was another thing entirely to break it with a casual flick of the fingers.

Who or what was this person?

Was he even human?

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