Dragonball M, Chapter 2: Lighthouse! Across the Shores of Shattered Time!

[grampagen]

"That's not it," Charco replied, realizing how he must have sounded to Ochazuke and how his previous actions must have painted him, "I just... I know how he thinks."

It wasn't hard to imagine a being's mindset when they had real estate in your mind, body, and soul.

"Back then, they probably believed him to be an ally; a guardian spirit of sorts, maybe. In reality, they were only appeasing him. When she tried to guide them to a more peaceful path, he grew displeased and he waited," He explained, his tone growing grim and his fists balled up tightly, "... he waited for the perfect moment to strike. She probably never expected it, and definitely would not be prepared to fight him back. He probably made sure to do something that would put the tournament and the Dino School into complete ruins, something like..."

A rumbling of dark amusement reverberated through him, his hypothesis close enough to the truth that the answer would be granted.

...I had her sample the other schools... Turtle was the tastiest.

"... something inhuman."

The cold-blooded stirring within Charco was a subtle turn that did not go unnoticed. A slither within his ki, unseen, always watching. Ochazuke ventured another step nearer. Standing now to Charco's side, the paper calling for succession lay before them, edges fraying in the cold air of the chamber.

"I imagine it takes a great deal of strength to gnaw on carrion so persistently," he said "To suck dry memory to the marrows."

Spoken aloud, the disdain was evident. As Ochazuke came closer, the atmosphere appeared much same as it had been nearly eighty years past; fallen under four other pairs of watchful eyes.

The difference between then and now was plain. At this moment there were as of yet two who might choose to listen. Setting yourself upon that fearful path will be your death.

"Nothing less than glorious, the discarded laurels of the fallen." A familiar stern gaze narrowed where he looked down upon the young man. "Yet you've never shied away from confrontation. No matter the cost, heedless of the outcome."

That was the point of the martial discipline, to become more than you were yesterday. But standing before the summit of great forbearers, even the smallest figment cast a long shadow. To see a thing for what it truly was, that was a difficult thing.

"You said it yourself, she did not know. You do. So tell me, what are you afraid of, Charco?"