Ancestor

The moment Jingang snapped the Z Sword and slammed it into the ground, the few people who had been watching with curiosity all gaped at it in stunned silence.

"What! What?!"

Staring at the broken sword, Shin and the others widened their eyes in disbelief.

"Th-this is the Z Sword!"

Kibito went over to the broken sword and tried to lift the front half, but found that he couldn't even budge it. Helpless, he knelt down beside it, mourning its fate alone.

Seeing their expressions, Kast found them a little amusing, but his face remained expressionless.

Laila was also surprised, but she didn't know much about the Z Sword, so she comforted Shin.

"Come on, Shin. It's just a sword. Sure, it's a legendary divine sword, but it couldn't even cut through Jingang. That just means it's all show and no substance—a worthless fake."

"But..."

Hearing Laila's words, Shin was just about to say something.

"Ahem. But what, young man?"

"Ah?!"

Before Shin could get another word out, an old voice suddenly rang out behind them, startling him and Kibito.

Shin and Kibito hurriedly turned around to see who was behind them.

An elderly man stood there. He had the same purple skin as a Supreme Kai, silver-white hair, and Potara Earrings on his ears. He was dressed in the distinctive garb of a Supreme Kai.

The old man's eyes were slightly narrowed, and his figure was a little hunched. He looked utterly ordinary, but even so, Shin didn't dare underestimate him. After all, he had appeared out of nowhere, and he was wearing a Supreme Kai's clothes and earrings.

Looking at the old man, Shin asked with a respectful yet puzzled expression,

"Y-you are?"

The old man smiled at Shin and Kibito, speaking haltingly.

"My name is Pitotoro. As for who I am... well, I'm your... Supreme Kai from fifteen generations ago. Understand now?"

"Huh?!"

Shin's eyes widened in disbelief.

"T-the Supreme Kai from fifteen generations ago?!"

Kibito gaped beside him.

"What?! From fifteen generations ago?"

Even Laila couldn't keep her composure. This news was simply too shocking for them.

"That's right. Ahem."

Old Kai covered his mouth with a hand and coughed twice, then looked at Laila.

"That little girl is right. This is just an ordinary sword. The legend was made up to get you to pull it out."

As he spoke, Old Kai looked over at Shin, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Come to think of it, I'd wondered which generation of Supreme Kai would pull out this sword, break the seal, and free me. I never expected it to be a human. The world really has changed."

With that, Old Kai looked over at Kast.

Shin lowered his head, embarrassed by Old Kai's reprimand.

"I-I'm really very s-sorry..."

Old Kai ignored him and addressed Kast instead.

"Hey, you're the one who pulled that sword out just now, right?"

Before Kast could answer, Laila hurriedly responded,

"Y-yes, Grand Supreme Kai!"

As she spoke, she led Kast over to Old Kai.

"This is him. His name is Kast."

"Hmm..."

Old Kai nodded, then said seriously,

"Kast, right? Since you were able to pull out this sword and swing it with ease, I can help you break through your limits in return for freeing me..."

Shin, Laila, and the others were all taken aback.

"B-break through his limits?"

Shin hurried over to Old Kai and asked anxiously,

"I-is that true, Grand Supreme Kai? You can really help Mr. Kast break through?"

Like Shin, Laila and Kibito looked astonished, but there was also a hopeful look on their faces.

"That's right, Grand Supreme Kai!"

"You're sure you're not joking with us?"

Unlike the Supreme Kais, Kast knew that Old Kai was telling the truth. Helping him was exactly why Kast had sought him out. Only with Old Kai's help could he break through his current limits and reach an unimaginable realm.

But the others' doubts had clearly annoyed Old Kai. He glared at them and snapped,

"Fools!"

"Do I look like the kind of person who jokes around? I was the Supreme Kai fifteen generations ago! With my help, I can definitely help Kast break through his limits and become the strongest in the universe!"

Old Kai wore a proud expression as he finished speaking.

Then he turned to Kast.

"Right, stand over there and don't move."

At Old Kai's words, Kast did as he was told and stood to one side.

"Good!"

Old Kai nodded at Kast, who had followed his instructions, and said seriously,

"Then let's begin! Break through your limits!!"