Dragon's Balls Witnesses

The room fell into a strange silence. A few seconds later, everyone who had been covering themselves from the imaginary bombs stood up.

"You can't be serious!" Kagura shouted angrily, veins pulsating on her forehead.

"I am being very serious," declared Rick.

"You, you, you... but you've committed such a serious crime just for this?" Hijikata asked.

"Oh, yes, indeed, gentlemen. Let me introduce myself! I'm Rick Sanchez, god in my own universe," boasted Rick, adjusting his always clean clothes, showing his amusement.

"Ugh... Universe? Is it some kind of company? Like Universal Company or something?" Gintoki asked.

He had lived in Edo for a long time and experienced many things, including extraterrestrial invasions. He had also seen the slogans of many ambitious companies like "the best in the universe," "the only one in the universe," "the crappiest in the universe." Could it be related to a capitalist, hypocritical, and arrogant company common in Japan?(Or better to say of the world)

The reactions of the others were similar to the questions of the first ones, leaving Rick momentarily speechless.

"No, I have my own universe. Seriously! Look!" Taking a device out of his pocket, he extended it, showing a mini universe in his hand. "Isn't it cool?"

"Is it an inflatable ball?" *Pam* Kagura hit the mini universe to the ground with a blow.

"Aaah! What have you done! I mean... Wow. You have the same style as Lord Zeno," Rick composed himself.

Mini universes are expensive, relatively speaking. He still needs resources from the neighboring universe to build them. Moreover, his overreaction was because he usually spends time exploring and doing things in his mini universe. He treats it like a plant, a pet, a clock, or even children with some mini universes.

That universe was one in which he experimented with generating civilizations. Which means that if Kagura had a death counter, she would now be skyrocketing through the infinite space.

Rick looked at the girl more carefully, thinking she might be more dangerous than she seemed, even if she was innocent. Not everyone can destroy a universe.

Katsura, crossing his arms, asked seriously, "So was all this a trick to show us your power and get us to join your cause?"

Rick nodded. "More or less. I need people with extraordinary abilities to help me... well, basically, to save the multiverse. And you, although a bit noisy and messy, are perfect for the job."

Sakamoto scratched his head. "Save the multiverse? And why should we trust you after all this?"

Rick sighed, showing a rare expression of sincerity. "Look, I understand you're upset. I'm not always the best communicator. But the truth is, I need your help. There are threats out there that you can't even imagine. And only together can we face them."

Hijikata still didn't let his guard down. "And what if we decide not to help you?"

Rick smiled faintly. "Well, you could go back to your normal lives... or at least as normal as they can be. But know this: if we don't unite, we all run a great risk. And I'm not just talking about this universe, but all the universes."

Gintoki sighed, scratching his head. "This sounds like more trouble than we already have. But if what you're saying is true, we can't ignore it."

Kagura, with her usual energy, nodded. "Yes! Let's kick ass in all the universes!"

Shinpachi, still somewhat skeptical, looked at Rick. "I hope you're not pulling our leg. Because if you are, we won't be so kind next time."

Rick raised his hands in a gesture of peace. "I understand. This time, everything will be clear and without tricks."

The rescue group, still skeptical but knowing they had no other choice, accepted Rick's proposal.

"Wait, wait, I really didn't accept the others," Rick clarified when he saw everyone gathering.

"What! Are we not welcome? It's such a noble cause, are you sure you don't need help?" Sakamoto asked after seeing Rick's refusal to pick them up.

"It's not as simple as you think, they're special, I think, you guys... Not so much... I really don't have much of an idea. But... *Errrg* (burp) I think it could work." Rick took out his handheld shotgun, which made the others tense up in case it was all a moralistic lie.

*Piu*

A portal opened to his citadel.

"But... we haven't packed our bags yet!" Shinpachi hurried to try to delay time a little.

"Oh? Don't worry! We'll make a temporary visit to my abode to convince them, and we'll come back for your things."

Dragging the sight of the portal shotgun, the portal followed the target as it moved under the group's soles.

"AAAAAAAAAAH!"

They screamed before falling on their backs the next second.

...

When the group got up and dusted themselves off, they found themselves in a very different environment than they expected. Rick's Citadel was not a bustling city, but rather what seemed to be a modern, clean but abandoned city. The university hallways were empty, the classrooms silent, and an atmosphere of abandonment pervaded the place.

Gintoki looked around, still stunned by the sudden journey. "This is... quite depressing. What is this place?"

Rick smiled satisfactorily. "Welcome to my citadel, a deserted university in the heart of an equally deserted city. I used to want to gather my former... students here, but now it's quieter."

Kagura, with bright eyes, exclaimed, "It's like a haunted place! We could make a horror movie here!"

Shinpachi, still trying to process everything, adjusted his glasses. "This is insane. Is it really abandoned?"

Rick nodded. "Yes, it's deserted. We'll use it for experiments and private meetings when we need space and tranquility. Besides, I'm going to invite more special people to make the place more lively."

Katsura looked around with a mixture of amazement and distrust. "This seems like a dream... or a nightmare. How can we know you're not manipulating us?"

Rick sighed. "Look, I understand your distrust. But the truth is, we need to join forces. The threats we face are no joke."

Sakamoto, always optimistic, smiled widely. "Well, we're already here. What threats are you talking about, Rick?"

Before Rick could respond, the echo of their footsteps resonated in the empty hallways, increasing the feeling of loneliness in the place.

"Is there no one else here?" Shinpachi asked, feeling uneasy.

Rick shook his head. "No, just us. This city is out of reach for any other mortal. Here we can work without interruptions."

Gintoki crossed his arms, still distrustful. "Why all this? Why kidnap us and bring us here?"

Rick paused, his face turning serious. "You see, in my universe, I've faced threats that would give anyone the chills. But lately, there's a threat that even I can't avoid...."

Kagura frowned. "Like what?"

smile. "Our universe is currently under the reign of the Omni-King, Zeno-sama, a god capable of many things. One of these is the prophecy of a tournament in which we will fight for our survival."

As Rick guided the group through the deserted hallways, passing by dusty classrooms and abandoned laboratories, they began to feel the magnitude of the mission ahead.

"Alright," said Rick, turning his attention back to the group. "I'll show you to your rooms, and then we can talk about what comes next. This is just the beginning, and I'll need you all in your best shape."

As they walked through the silent hallways of the deserted university and the abandoned city surrounding it, each member of the group had different thoughts about their new mission. But Gintoki suddenly spoke up.

"Why does this sound like a poorly told anime story? Why is there such a clear prophecy? Plus, you did a Kamekameka before! Don't tell me the Dragon Witnesses are real."

'Dragon Witnesses? Is that what they're called on this planet? I'd prefer something like Dragon's Balls Witnesses...'

Rick chuckled at Gintoki's remark. "Well, let's just say some things are stranger than fiction. But trust me, the threats we're facing are very real."