It's been two days since the fight against Kugeki and his forces and Earth has been left in peace as it recovered its energy that was stolen from the generators implanted in it. Life went on as per usual, birds singing in the morning, grass moving around as the calm breeze filled the outside. The sound of a calm stream could be heard outside of the bedroom of a particular Saiyan who was brushing his teeth in his bathroom. Once he got dress, he exited with a plain white shirt and some sweats. He was still using crutches since moving around with pure leg strength was a big no in his recovery. 21 had did an analysis on him when she was treating his wounds with her Ki. Though tired herself, she was kind enough to do so anyways since she didn't want to leave his side until she was sure he wouldn't die in his sleep due to internal bleeding. She concluded that he had several broken bones, his right arm nerves seemed to be numb, and to top it all off, his left leg seemed broken as well. It was going to take time for him to heal in which he felt conflicted. Yes, he gets to enjoy some nice relaxation time but the fact that he won't be able to train for a while was something comparable to a nightmare for him. Speaking of training, Goku was back at his daily routine of training with Whis ever since Kuzuku had displayed power worth competing with. Vegeta on the other hand has still not return from wherever he went which was typical of him.

Kuzuku made his way to the kitchen to fix himself a bowl of cereal. After doing that he sat himself down on his couch and turned on the news. After a few hours, he heard a doorbell ring and got up to limp over and open it, revealing a person he hasn't seen in a long time.

"Hey Kuzuku, how's it been!" Ace chirped with his typical nice guy smile. Kuzuku's face lit up since it's been nearly a whole year since he's seen Ace.

"Yo Ace! Long time no see buddy!" Kuzuku said as if he were to go in for a hug but remembered that he was still in crutches. There was a small awkward moment in the air.

"Heheheheheh, guess I totally forgot that I can't do hugs right now." Kuzuku chuckled.

"You haven't changed a bit haven't you." Ace mocked. Kuzuku laughed a bit before allowing Ace inside so they can chat and catch up on what's pretty much been happening in their lives.

"So Kuzuku to start us off, what happened to you recently? You know, seeing you in crutches means that something dangerous and big happened." Ace asked.

"Yeah I guess you could say that. To answer your question, let's just say that someone was threatening the Earth again and my friends and I manage to stop him with some difficulty." Kuzuku said nervously.

"Hmmm, guess I can take that answered, explains why there was a lot of earthquakes and random bizarre weather going on." Ace accepted.

"Yeah, it's been two days and everyone else are still recovering from the damage. But enough of the whole battle life, how's taking over your family business been?" Kuzuku asked. Ace's expression morphed into something different, indicating that something was indeed up.

"It's been going well. I am further ahead in my course compared to other students at the university and my grades have never wavered. It's just that my dad has been pushy lately." Ace iterated, catching Kuzuku's full attention.

"Like how pushy?" Kuzuku raised an eyebrow.

"Well the type of pushy where he pretty much wants me to participate in this arrange marriage..." Ace revealed.

"Arrange Marriage!" Kuzuku exasperated.

"Calm down, no need to shout." Ace eased. Kuzuku took a deep breath and exhaled.

"What about Liz? Does she know about this yet?" Kuzuku questioned seriously, receiving his answer through Ace shaking his head.

"No and I intend to not tell her about this until I settle on resolving this issue. I still love her and that's never going to change but my damn father has gone too far this time!" Ace cursed under his breath.

"So what do we do about this?" Kuzuku smirked, knowing that he wanted his help.

"How did you know what I was going to say next?" Ace astonished.

"I'd figured that you didn't show up here after nearly a whole year just to catch up. I know you better than that Ace." Kuzuku smirked.

"Yeah, you're damn right about that one. So here's the rundown, the girl that my dad wanted me to marry is portrayed as a snotty rich girl from a rich family that has a lot of power in the military force such as providing fundings and state of the art weaponry to the government. Rumor has it that her grandfather that is now deceased used to work for the Red Ribbon Army that was infamous back in the day and that they were planning to bring it back. If I were a pro investigator, I can deduct that was why my dad was so interested in having me marry this girl." Ace explained.

"Red Ribbon huh? The same place where 21 was reborn as a bio-android. If I remember correctly from Goku's experience, they shouldn't be that tough to take down since Goku single handedly defeated them by himself at the age of 12. Shows how much of a freak of nature Goku is." Kuzuku thought. Ace cleared his throat and continued.

"But here's the twist, no one has proof that this was true and I think that they are hiding that fact due to violations against the current laws of owning a personal army. If anyone found out that they were actually a illegal organization then surely enough we can have them be brought to justice in a flash thus forcing my dad to cancel the marriage." Ace concluded. Kuzuku thought it over for a moment and thought that this was pretty much flawless.

"Interesting plan there Ace. I expected as much from you but how do we go about catching her in the act. It's not like we can just waltz right up into her home and perform good ole detective work." Kuzuku asked.

"That's the best part, since there will be a large banquet held at her place in about a week from today. From there, all I need to do is ask you to come with me and I will distract her with some smooth talk while you sneak around to find some lead to them being directly related to Red Ribbon." Ace said.

"I see, so that's where I come in? You act as the decoy while I swoop to catch the kitten in the act huh?" Kuzuku jokes. The two shared a laugh until Ace's phone ranged and answered it for a minute. After the call had ended, Ace let out a deep sigh.

"Well, it's been a nice chat Kuzuku but I have to go. My father wants me to go through my ten thousandth run-down on proper etiquette for the party. Thank you for your support." Ace said as he got up off the couch.

"No problem dude. I mean Liz is a friend as well so if you were in trouble in someway then it's my responsibility as well to help you through it." Kuzuku winked. Ace nodded and made his way towards the door, opening it and walking out but before he closed it he want to add one more thing.

"Oh and please, make sure you bring a date. I don't know perhaps 21 since she's been popping up in the medical science committee and labeled top in the field." Ace suggested before closing the door. Our Saiyan blinked a few times but passed it off as he went back to what he was doing.

Sometime Later, At A Cemetery

The sun was now fully out, indicating that it was noon and people were walking the streets, doing their daily activities. On top of a hill stood a small yet well designed tombstone of someone dear to Ace. Our wavy black haired friend, stood over the grave as he finished placing the flowers down. He always made it his mission to stop by at this time. His coat flowed in the wind as a strong breeze kicked up, blowing the leaves that had settled upon the ground.

"I don't know what else I should do, but I will make sure he doesn't get his way. You've always taken care of me when growing up, keeping me from becoming like him. I'll make sure he doesn't get his way, mom..." Ace muttered as the tombstone read Sherry Sojiro. She had died just a year ago through a incurable disease and at the time, 21's technology wasn't invented yet so it was too late to save her. He heard footsteps behind him but he knew who it was.

"Damn, you give him what he wants and the faggot comes back for more. Is he not satisfied yet?!" Ace mumbled to himself.

"Here again I see. You know, it's a privilege for you to come here to visit her. I could of just simply had you study more." Kuma said.

"If I didn't then who would? You always seem too blind to see any real value in doing it." Ace snapped

"Oh please, spare me your sentimental ranti-"

"Don't give me that crap! She was your wife! She was my mother! You expect me to not care or not show any signs of weakness at all when she died! News flash dad, I am not like you and I will never will be since I actually have a humane soul!" Ace said.

"Why can't you see that all I am trying to do is ensure you the best life? I've given everything to you and even set you up with that girl from the Hashi family! Don't you see that I am giving you a bigger and larger chance for happiness?" Kuma replied.

"Tch, bigger chance of happiness my ass? At this point I am considering of not taking up your damn position as running the family business. You'll never learn..." Ace grunted as he walked passed his father before stopping just behind him.

"That you're money can only take you so far but yet it will never buy you happiness...never." Ace said, emphasizing on the "never", leaving his father in yet another defeat in trying to reason with him.

Ace made his way to his jet plane and took off immediately. He didn't want to be anywhere near home right now since that was where he would be sooner or later. Yes, he wanted to be somewhere else, a place that was more snoozing to him than any other. That was when his jet stopped in front a particular apartment complex. He turned his plane back into a capsule and tucked it in his pocket, entering the building and making his way up the stairs and down the hallway. He stopped in front of one of the many doors and rung the doorbell once. It seconds, it opened revealing the one thing that provides him comfort in life.

"Ace? What are you doing here *Yawns*" Liz said tiredly after waking up from a nap. Her new, red glasses that matched with her now messy hair was still on her face, making it a wonder on how they haven't broken yet.

"Can I come in?" Ace smiled weakly. Knowing Ace for all this time, she could tell that a weak smile from him means that something had happened. She nodded and let him inside, heading to the small kitchen counter before making him and herself some coffee. She sat the mugs on the table and sat on the catch that was opposite to Ace's.

"Ace...what's the matter." Liz asked, noticing that he hasn't touched his mug for a whole ten minutes.

"Huh what? Sorry, I was just daydreaming." Ace jumped.

"You don't have to hide it, we've been together for a while now and I can tell when you're lying. You always give a weak smiley and go off into your own world when troubled." Liz assured. Ace was about to say something but he knew that he was caught red handed there.

"How did I become so easy to read. I must be losing my touch." Ace thought. Liz tilted her head to the side innocently and wondered for a moment before asking.

"Was it your father again?" Liz spoke. Ace went dead silent at her words, indicating that her guess was correct. Liz smiled for a moment as she looked down at his coffee that she had been sipping constantly. The air thicken between the two, almost suffocating as they sat in silence. Liz placed her mug down and walked over to Ace, wrapping her arms around him like a stuffed animal.

"Whatever's happening to you right now, it must be hard, probably unbearable but yet you are so tender hearted. You keep bearing it so you don't have to make me worry but please Ace, if it ever becomes too much for you then come to me about it okay? I am here for you always." Liz said as Ace began to shiver, his teeth gritting as he let out soft whimpers. He could of sworn a tear went down his cheek. Ace then grabbed her and pulled her close. She was startled a bit but complied anyways since this was what he wanted. They sat for hours, enjoying each other's company.

Back At Ace's Home

Kuma arrived late from work as per usual. His butler took his coat to hang as he entered his home. He hasn't been here that often so he was still unfamiliar on how to maneuver. As he walked hallway through hallway, he noticed the many picture of his wife and son together. They each looked so happy together in each photo but there was one common trend. He wasn't in them...

Eventually he made it to his room, the room that used to be where his wife and him would sleep...well now it's just him. He let his suitcase down on the chair near the large bed and began to unbutton his shirt before noticing another photo on the counter. He walked over to it and picked it up to see what it was. It was a old photo but he remembered it so vividly because it held a great value to him. The picture contained him and his wife together, smiling as they held a baby in their arms that would become to be known as the Ace we know today. Kuma stared intently at the photo for what seemed to be an eternity for him.

"Where did I go wrong..." Kuma whispered, putting the photo in his wallet. He looked out the window where the city could be seen. Getting sick of moping around, he decided it was best for him to head towards the bed and get his rare times of rest.

A/N: Ace character arc? Who would of thought he'd be next huh? Goku Black arc will be next after these filler chapters which is more than the previous filler chapters. I'd say around five or six chapters.