So, I Really Am Your Son (1)

Under the biting gale, the "past" and "future" versions of Nicholas hovered side-by-side in mid-air. Their robes snapped violently in the wind, but an invisible aura rippled around their bodies, shielding them from the tempest and leaving them completely unaffected.

"Your son is right. You are going to die, and you will die completely."

The Nicholas from the past stepped forward, raised his right hand, and pointed a single index finger at Kashius. A brilliant light surged rapidly at the tip of his finger, radiating an oppressive weight in all directions.

"So, let us bring this grudge that spans across time and space to an end right here." Nicholas looked down at Kashius, a complex emotion flickering in his obsidian-deep eyes. He parted his lips, cast one final glance at Kashius and Buds, and said in a low voice, "Farewell, then..."

Zzzzt—!

As soon as the words left Nicholas's lips, the energy light at his fingertip intensified and condensed, creating a piercing, shrill whistle as it compressed the surrounding air.

"Enough! You bastards, why are you treating us like this? What did we ever do wrong?" Buds suddenly stood up, roaring at the Nicholas in the sky, his voice trembling with rage.

Caught off guard by this sudden outburst, Nicholas was momentarily shaken, and the glowing finger he had been charging flickered involuntarily.

"Buds, what are you doing? You're no match for him, get behind me!" Bulma, startled by Buds's actions, ignored the injury on her thigh and reached out, pulling him behind her.

Behind them, Kashius frowned, looking at Bulma with a sense of bewilderment.

Bulma's protective gesture looked exactly like the way Android 18 would shield Karnier whenever he had done something wrong.

With this thought, Kashius looked at Bulma, who was standing in front of him, and