Pulling It Out

Feeling his energy gradually settle, Kast nodded and returned to the Z Sword. Then he reached out with both hands and grabbed the hilt.

"Hyah!"

He applied force, but this time the Z Sword didn't resist like before. It came free of the platform with surprising ease, shining with a dazzling golden light.

This result seemed perfectly normal to Kast. After all, he had transformed into a Super Saiyan and was using all his strength to pull it out.

If it had still been difficult, that would have made him seem useless and weak.

The moment the sword came free, the platform that had held it collapsed with a crash, breaking into tiny pieces that fell away.

"Ah!! So this is the Z Sword!"

The others soon returned to Kast's side. They stared at how easily he had pulled it out, then at the sword in his hands, their eyes filled with surprise and curiosity.

"It doesn't look like much!?"

Kibito sounded puzzled.

"Perhaps its power is concealed."

The Supreme Kai stood nearby and offered an explanation.

"Well, Mr. Kast? Did you feel anything unusual? Did the sword grant you great power?"

Shin looked at Kast, who was expressionlessly examining the sword in his hands, and asked him.

"Yes, Mr. Kast. Did the Z Sword help you break through your limits?"

Kibito chimed in.

Laila said nothing, but the excitement and curiosity in her eyes were plain to see.

Yet when Kast heard the questions from Shin and the others, he showed no reaction. His expression remained calm as he replied,

"No. There's nothing special about this sword."

That was only natural. Kast already knew that apart from being extremely heavy, the Z Sword had Old Kai sealed inside it. There was nothing else miraculous about it.

Besides, Kast had only pulled it out for another purpose. He had never expected it to grant him the power to break through his limits.

Although he had said so, Shin clearly didn't believe him.

His eyes widened as he stared at Kast in disbelief.

"W-What? How is that possible!? You're not joking with us, are you, Mr. Kast?!"

"Yes, Mr. Kast, how is that possible? This is the legendary Z Sword! How could it have no effect at all?"

"Could something be wrong?"

Laila spoke up after Kibito, asking,

"Does the sword require some special method to grant its miraculous power?"

Hearing Laila's question, Shin shook his head.

"No, there's no such rule. The information I received when I became Supreme Kai said that anyone who pulled out this sword would gain great power..."

"Then why doesn't this sword have the effect the legends promised?"

Shin considered the question, then replied,

"Perhaps there really are some requirements, such as information only a Supreme Kai would know."

With that, Shin turned to Kast.

"Mr. Kast, would you mind letting me take a look at the sword?"

Kast gave Shin a slight nod, agreeing to his request.

With everyone watching, Kast handed the sword to Shin. As he passed it over, he said evenly,

"Be sure to hold on tight."

"Hm?"

Shin looked puzzled. He didn't understand what Kast meant.

Still, out of respect for the sword, Shin reached out with both hands and gripped the hilt.

"I'm going to let go now."

Kast smiled faintly as he looked at Shin holding the sword.

Seeing that smile, Laila felt something was off. Kast didn't smile very often, and when he did, he always had something planned. But she wanted to see what would happen, so she kept quiet and watched. A knowing look crept into her eyes.

Shin, standing beside them, heard Kast and didn't think anything of it. He simply said solemnly,

"I'm ready. You can let go."

"All right."

Without saying anything more, Kast smiled and released the hilt.

The instant Kast let go, Shin sank sharply downward. Before he could say a word, the sword dragged him out of the sky and down onto the ground below.

"L-Lord Supreme Kai!"

Seeing Shin crash to the ground before he could even react, Kibito was shocked and hurried down after him.

Nearby, Laila came over to Kast and rolled her eyes at him.

"You did that on purpose, didn't you?"

Kast's smile faded as he replied thoughtfully,

"No. I did it intentionally."

After speaking, Kast slowly descended to the ground.

Above him, Laila rolled her eyes.

"Isn't that the same thing? Honestly!"

As she spoke, she quickly followed Kast down...