Omnitrix Tyrant: The Strategist of Universe 7

Chapter 23: A Dangerous Gamble

The wind howled across the ruined battlefield, carrying the scent of smoke and blood. Ben stood motionless, his mind processing the brief yet tense encounter with Caulifla. She was suspicious—rightfully so. And if he wasn't careful, she could become a real problem.

Ben sighed, his fingers hovering over the Omnitrix. He needed to be more careful. Every step he took in this world carried consequences. He had successfully eliminated Dodoria, but that was just the beginning. There was still Frieza, still an empire of warriors that could crush planets with ease. And then there was Caulifla, a wild card he hadn't accounted for this early.

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. Maybe this could work to his advantage.

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A New Direction

Ben glanced at the distant horizon. His plan had been to lay low, to slowly build up his Omnitrix's database before making any bold moves. But Caulifla's sudden interest in him changed things. If she was already watching him, others might be too. He needed to take control of the situation.

He activated the Omnitrix and scrolled through his available transformations. There were plenty of options, but for what he had in mind, he needed something fast, durable, and intimidating.

With a press of the dial, green light exploded around him, shifting his body as his new form took shape. His muscles thickened, his height grew, and his skin hardened into an obsidian-black shell. His entire body pulsed with raw, unnatural power.

"Ectonurite Form—Dark Echo," Ben muttered. His voice carried an eerie distortion, and his glowing white eyes pierced through the darkness.

This wasn't his strongest form, but it was enough. Enough to make Caulifla second-guess what she thought she knew about him.

With a single step, he vanished into the shadows.

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Testing the Waters

It didn't take long to track Caulifla. She wasn't exactly subtle. The fiery Saiyan had taken refuge in a rocky valley, her arms crossed as she sat on a boulder, staring at the night sky. She seemed deep in thought, likely mulling over their earlier confrontation.

Ben reappeared just outside her vision, shifting back to his normal form before stepping forward.

"You've been following me," he said casually.

Caulifla barely flinched. Instead, she turned toward him with a smirk. "You're hard to ignore," she admitted. "You're strong, but you're not normal. I want to know what you're really after."

Ben exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "I already told you—I'm just trying to survive."

Caulifla studied him, her sharp eyes searching for deception. "Bullshit," she said bluntly. "Guys like you don't just 'survive.' You have a plan. And I want to know what it is."

Ben chuckled, shaking his head. She was relentless. But maybe that was a good thing.

"Fine," he said, leaning against a nearby rock. "You want the truth? I don't belong here. Not in this place, not in this universe. But I don't plan on rolling over and dying just because the odds are stacked against me."

Caulifla raised an eyebrow. "So you're an outsider?"

"Something like that."

She scoffed, crossing her arms. "And what, you think you're just going to get strong enough to take on the universe? What makes you different from the thousands of other warriors who think the same thing?"

Ben grinned. "Because I know the future."

Caulifla's smirk faltered for a split second. Ben saw the doubt flicker across her face, the confusion in her sharp gaze.

"What did you just say?" she asked, her voice quieter now.

Ben took a step closer, lowering his voice. "I know how this universe plays out. Who wins, who loses. Who dies. Who becomes a legend."

Caulifla's expression hardened. "You're lying."

Ben shrugged. "Maybe. Maybe not. But let me ask you something—have I been wrong yet?"

She opened her mouth, then hesitated. She had seen what he was capable of, how he had taken down Dodoria with ease, how he had predicted things before they happened. And now, he was claiming he knew everything.

For the first time, Ben saw something flicker in Caulifla's eyes. Not just suspicion—but intrigue.

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Sealing the Deal

Ben knew this was his moment. He had to play this carefully.

"I can help you," he said. "I can make sure you're one of the strongest warriors in the universe. But only if you work with me."

Caulifla's eyes narrowed. "And why should I trust you?"

Ben leaned in slightly, a smirk on his face. "Because you're not the type to follow someone—you're the type to lead. And I can give you the power to do it."

Silence stretched between them. Caulifla was thinking. Weighing her options.

Then, after what felt like forever, she smirked.

"You better not be wasting my time," she said.

Ben chuckled. "Wouldn't dream of it."

As Caulifla turned away, Ben let out a quiet breath. He had her. It wasn't full trust—not yet—but it was a start. And in this universe, that was all he needed.

Because once you had a foothold, it was only a matter of time before you took the whole damn mountain.

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