WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Dragon Ball Super, Chapter 55, by Akira Toriyama and Toyotarou, available now in English from Viz Media.
Introduced at the start of Dragon Ball Super's "Galactic Patrol Prisoner Saga" arc, Merus has proven himself one of the strongest members of the titular space security organization. Chapter 54 of the manga hinted Merus might be something more than just a Galactic Patrolman, indicating he had some association with the Angels -- the immensely powerful group in the Dragon Ball Universe tasked with training Gods of Destruction and other powerful entities. The Angels, of whom Whis is a prime example, have repeatedly proven themselves capable of easily dispatching the most difficult foes and are among the most fearsome opponents ever seen in the long running franchise.
And Merus is one of them.
Dragon Ball Super Chapter 55 opens with Whis and the Grand Priest discussing Merus, with the latter revealing that he sent his "trainee angel, Merus, to Universe 7 so that he might learn about the way of things and broaden his perspective." The Grand Priest notes that, although Merus' time in the Galactic Patrol allowed him to see good, he may have gained a bias, which creates problems, as Angels "must always act impartially."
Whis makes the case Merus has not yet violated any laws, as "he hasn't used his Angel abilities," and the Grand Priest agrees. Whis then proposes that he himself take responsibility dealing with Merus and removing him from the mortal realm, and the Grand Priest agrees. Still, the Grand Priest ominously warns Whis that he does "not wish to lose an Angel."
Ater a segment in which Vegeta demonstrates his new powers on Planet Yardrat, Merus and Goku -- who are training in the former's version of the Hyperbolic Time Chamber -- continue sparring as Moro's time limit expires and the villain prepares to attack Earth. However, the two heroes are interrupted by Whis, who outs Merus as an Angel. Whis then reveals Merus had planned to break the rules and fight against Moro on Earth. Had the secret Angel done so, he would have been "eradicated without a trace." Whis reveals that this is, in fact, "the only means by which an Angel can be removed from existence." The more experienced Angel then takes a disappointed Merus away from the mortal realm, leaving Goku to travel back to Earth and fight Moro without him.
Dragon Ball Super Chapter 55 finally provides an explanation for Merus' incredible abilities. While it's unclear just when he'll next appear in the manga, Whis has definitely saved the hero's life, so Merus could end up returning in future installments. Still, that's provided Goku and Vegeta can get strong enough to defeat Moro. Goku and Merus were working on perfecting Ultra Instinct, which would go a long way in the battle against the energy-absorbing Moro, as the fighting technique does not seem to draw on energy in the same way as something like Super Saiyan. If Merus does eventually return to Universe 7, the place might end up looking a lot different after the coming fight.
Dragon Ball Super Chapter 56 releases Jan. 20.