On the cruise ship deck.
Loren leaned weakly against Android 18, breathing heavily.
"Are you okay?"
Android 18 asked anxiously, gently wiping the sweat from Loren's forehead.
The battle just now had been utterly heart-stopping. More than once, she had thought Loren wouldn't make it.
"Relax, I'm not dying." Loren grinned weakly.
"I'm just exhausted. Give me a little time and I'll be fine."
Although his entire body ached as if it were about to fall apart, Loren felt an unprecedented sense of exhilaration.
A full-power battle against an opponent like Beerus had allowed him to truly understand his own limits—and the divine realm beyond them.
Especially Ultra Instinct.
It was simply incredible.
Worthy of being a divine secret technique.
Just then—
Two figures descended from the sky and landed slowly on the deck.
Beerus and Whis.
Whoosh!
Everyone instantly tensed, instinctively assuming combat stances.
Even though the battle seemed to have ended in a draw, no one trusted the temper of the unpredictable God of Destruction.
"Stand down." Loren waved his hand weakly.
"Lord Beerus has no hostile intent."
Though confused, everyone obeyed and slowly lowered their guard.
Beerus walked up to Loren and looked down at him.
After a long silence, he spoke in a deep voice.
"You are very strong."
Loren simply smiled, saying nothing.
"I lost."
That single sentence froze everyone in place.
The God of Destruction… admitted defeat?
Vegeta's body trembled violently as he stared at Beerus in disbelief.
"It doesn't count as a loss." Loren shook his head.
"That last move was a massive burden on me too. If the fight continued, it would've ended in mutual defeat. So let's call it a draw."
Beerus's perpetually taut expression finally eased a little.
He nodded, accepting the statement.
"Hmph. You sure know how to talk, kid."
Beerus squatted down, meeting Loren at eye level.
"Saiyan, your name is Loren, right? I'll remember you."
He extended a hand.
"If you ever get the chance, come visit my God of Destruction Realm. There are places far more suitable for your training than Earth."
Loren glanced at the outstretched hand and smiled.
He reached out and shook it.
"Alright. I'll come by when I have time."
Seeing this scene, everyone finally released a long, collective breath.
The immense weight crushing their hearts had completely lifted.
The crisis was truly over.
"Oh ho ho ho, how delightful… truly delightful."
Whis approached gracefully, glancing at the devastated buffet with mild regret.
"Oh dear, such a pity about all that delicious food."
"Miss Bulma." Whis smiled at her.
"To celebrate this wonderful battle—and the friendship we've established with Earth— Don't you think perhaps…"
His gaze drifted toward the kitchen.
Bulma immediately understood.
"No problem! Of course!" She spun around and shouted at the trembling chefs.
"Did you hear that?! Hurry up!"
Soon, fresh dishes were continuously brought out.
Whis smiled faintly and gently tapped his staff.
Countless takeaway boxes appeared out of thin air.
"Miss Bulma." After packing everything neatly, Whis walked over and produced a strangely shaped communicator.
"This is my contact information."
He handed it to her.
"In the future, I may visit Earth frequently for food. And when that happens, I'll have to trouble you. Additionally, out of consideration for these delicacies—
and Mr. Loren— If Earth encounters any unsolvable trouble, you may contact me. As long as food is provided as compensation, I might lend a small hand."
Whis winked meaningfully.
Bulma was both stunned and ecstatic.
This was an angel's promise.
It was practically insurance for Earth.
"Thank you! Mr. Whis! Thank you so much!"
She clutched the communicator like a priceless treasure.
"Well then, we shall take our leave."
Whis bowed politely.
"Mr. Loren, I look forward to meeting you again."
Beerus glanced at Loren and snorted.
"Don't forget our agreement. You're always welcome in the God of Destruction Realm."
With that, Whis lightly tapped his staff.
A seven-colored pillar of light enveloped him and Beerus.
As the light faded, both figures vanished.
With their departure, the invisible pressure smothering Earth finally dissipated like smoke.
"Phew…"
Krillin collapsed onto the deck with a long sigh.
"It's finally… over."
"Yeah." Yamcha and the others looked like survivors of a catastrophe.
Earth was saved.
Meanwhile—
Vegeta stood frozen, staring at the place where Beerus and Whis had disappeared.
His fists clenched tightly, eyes burning with unwillingness.
The God of Destruction Realm…
A better place for training…
Beerus's words echoed relentlessly in his mind.
Why?
Why was Loren acknowledged by the God of Destruction?
Why was he invited?
And I…
I, Vegeta—the Prince of Saiyans—
Could only watch like a clown?!
No.
Absolutely not.
He would become stronger.
No matter the cost.
He would surpass Goku.
Surpass Loren.
The party resumed.
Goku immediately surrounded Loren, eyes sparkling.
"Hey, Loren! That last transformation—what was it?! It was way stronger than my Super Saiyan Three! What kind of technique is that?! Teach me!"
Loren's head throbbed from the barrage of questions.
"That's Ultra Instinct. It's a state, not a technique you can just learn."
"A state?" Goku scratched his head.
"Then how do I get into that state? Do I need to get angrier? Or train harder?"
"It requires insight." Loren replied simply.
"Insight, huh…" Goku nodded seriously, though clearly only half-understanding.
Vegeta quietly walked to the edge of the deck, turning his back on the noise and staring out at the endless sea.
His heart was heavy.
First, he had been crushed by Beerus's presence.
Then he had watched Gohan become a Super Saiyan God—a battle he wasn't even qualified to interfere in.
And finally…
He witnessed Loren defeat the God of Destruction himself.
Each event was like a brutal slap to his face.
Whether he liked it or not—
The truth was undeniable.
The once-proud Prince Vegeta…
Had become a spectator.
A third-rate existence.
No longer even qualified to stand on the battlefield.
...
Author's Note:
The fanfic Dragon Ball: I Became Invincible by Being a Lazy Salted Fish! is now fully completed.
The entire story has been uploaded on Patreon as a dedicated collection:
📚 Dragon Ball (Chapters 1–404)
Organized into 47 posts, with multiple chapters per post for easy binge reading.
🔥 I also have additional 18+ fanfics available for readers who enjoy exclusive mature stories. 😉
1. Dragon Ball: Oolong's Sex Adventure
2. Elements of Lust – ATLA & Korra Mixed Smut
3. Doraemon: Filtering with Nobi Tamako
4. The Naive Me Who Became Someone's Everyday Secret
5. High School DxD: Rias Gremory, the Phenex Bride
6. Versatile Mage: Awakening the Succubus System
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