>>5373542“What was the old system?” Zarid questions, having caught most of the conversation.
“The worst of the worst got gobbled up by a snake lady.”
“That sounds scary…” Tommy comments, who himself had wandered in towards the end of the conversation.
“Things are different now, especially since she and King Yemma got divorced.” Zarid does a double-take as you say that. “They kinda still have some bad blood between them, but I do think even she has kinda slowly come around the idea of reformation. Last I saw her, she was working with the Supreme Kais.”
You do get the sense that Zarid wants to talk some more with you, but Sachie calls him over to talk with someone else. He just gives you a smile and a nod, while Raditz starts regaling what he remembered of Bardock when your uncle was much younger. So that leaves you with Tommy, the blind boy just happy to be around you again.
“I’m not really sure I understand all that talk about the Afterlife, but it sounded so cool. What else did you do there?”
You rub the side of your head. “Oh man, you won’t believe even half of it.”
“Eh, two thirds at least.” he responds jokingly.
“Well, I managed to meet all sorts of fighters of the past and of all over the universe. Many of them heroes from Earth’s own past, like Olibu.”
“THE Olibu?!” Tommy exclaims.
“The one and only. But I also got to meet my namesake, and the man who trained Master Roshi, and even Izzy’s namesake.” You then show your guitar, letting Tommy feel it and even strum it a bit. “This though? This is the result of me winning a tournament there, and learning how to play from the Grand Kai himself.”
“Is that why you held that cool rock show when you came back?” the boy questions.
“Exactly. The other guitarist with me was the Grand Kai himself. I’d say his training really paid off.” You give Tommy a pat on the head. “Glad to see you’re doing well for yourself too.”
He gives you a toothy grin. “Ehehehe. My new mom and dad have been great to me.”
Speaking of which, he’s called to Chuu Lee and Lapis; looks like they have to get going soon too. Buu looks at the boy curiously as he leaves, asking innocently, “Why he have stick like that?”
“Well… his eyes don’t work very well, so he has to use that stick to help him move around.” you explain softly. “…I suspect Chuu Lee and Lapis have been helping him learn how to sense with Ki, but not everything has Ki in it, so he still kinda has to use it.”
“Ohhh…” the little Majin exhales, still looking back at him curiously.
(cont.)
