"Vegeta hasn't even shown his true power yet? He's already this strong—just how terrifying is his full strength?" Piccolo asked in astonishment, his jaw hanging slightly slack.
"Maybe he hasn't," Goku replied, resting his chin on his hand with a silent nod. "Knowing him, he's definitely keeping an ace up his sleeve. Vegeta must have made massive strides and learned a great deal in that other world."
"Is that so? Well, it certainly fits his style—hiding his true colors only to deliver a finishing blow when the opponent least expects it." Piccolo smiled faintly, knowing Vegeta's temperament all too well.
"I really want to see Uncle Vegeta's true power too. I bet it's incredible!" Gohan added, his eyes filled with anticipation as they remained glued to Vegeta on the stage.
The spectators immediately shifted their focus toward Vegeta and Hit. The air grew so still you could hear a pin drop; no one dared to breathe too loudly, fearing they might miss a single spectacular moment.
"What are they doing? Why did they suddenly stop?" Champa muttered, his brow furrowed. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but a nagging sense of dread was beginning to settle in his gut.
"Oh my... it's possible that Mr. Vegeta possesses even greater power that he hasn't revealed yet, and he's finally decided to show it off," Vados said with a smile, her tone laced with speculation.
"Wh-what did you say? That guy was hiding even more power? He's already strong enough as it is!" Champa felt the color drain from his face, looking like he'd seen a ghost.
"It's just a guess. It hasn't been confirmed yet. Perhaps I'm wrong," Vados replied, attempting to soothe him.
Champa: "..."
Champa went silent, his heart heavy with frustration.
Your 'guess' is a bit late, don't you think?
What's the point of saying that now? Is our universe really going to lose to Universe 7?
The very thought left a bitter taste in his mouth.
"What is Vegeta up to? Could he really have reached a higher level in just a few days? That's impossible," Beerus said flatly, glancing at Vegeta. Though his voice was calm, his eyes betrayed a flicker of curiosity.
"There might just be a surprise in store," Whis chuckled mysteriously, keeping his cards close to his chest.
"Did that fellow go to another dimension to train as well? How else could he improve so quickly?" Beerus turned to ask Whis.
"No, he didn't," Whis replied with a slight shake of his head, denying Beerus's suspicion.
Nearby, Merus quietly wiped a bead of sweat from his brow.
Vegeta indeed hadn't trained in a separate dimension, but he had been sent to a parallel world by Whis. The experiences he gained there were far more intense than any training in a pocket dimension could ever be.
"In such a short time, he shouldn't have been able to reach a higher level. Even if he did, the boost wouldn't be that significant," Beerus stated firmly. He was convinced that no matter how much Vegeta improved, there wouldn't be a fundamental leap in quality in such a short window.
"Go for it, Dad! Show him what you're really made of and take him down!" Trunks cheered, pumping his fist in the air. His voice was brimming with energy.
"Go, Uncle Vegeta! You have to win!" Goten joined in, his small face flushed with excitement.
"Vegeta still has more in him? He's already powerful beyond belief! I can't even imagine how strong his true power is," Raditz said, his mouth agape in total shock.
"Judging by his expression, he's definitely holding something back," Bardock said in a low, steady voice. His gaze was locked onto Vegeta, his tone carrying a sense of certainty.
"As expected of Prince Vegeta," Gine remarked, her eyes full of admiration. "The man hailed as the most gifted warrior of the Saiyans... could he really have reached an even higher level? I can't wait to see."
"But over the years, Gohan told me that Uncle Vegeta was never quite a match for Uncle Goku. He was always just one step behind," Videl whispered to Gine, her tone a bit gossipy.
"Really? That's wonderful! As expected of my son—he's just that amazing," Gine said, beaming with maternal pride.
"What are you so happy about? It's not like you're the one who gave birth to him," Videl teased with a playful smirk and a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Gine: "..."
Gine's face went dark, completely stumped by Videl's remark.
Actually, you have a point.
Kakarot wasn't born from me—at least, not the 'me' standing here right now.
"Speaking of which, Gine, why don't you and Bardock have another child? You two get along so well now; wouldn't it be nice to add a little one to the family?" Videl nudged Gine's ribs with her elbow, winking suggestively.
Gine's face instantly turned bright red, like a ripe apple, and she looked away bashfully.
"You've lived through two lifetimes; are you still this shy?" Videl laughed, seeing Gine's embarrassed reaction.
"What about you? When are you and our Gohan getting married? Don't just talk about me," Gine countered, trying to change the subject.
"That... it should be soon," Videl replied, her voice dropping to a whisper as her own face reddened.
"Soon? Have you set a date?" Gine asked, caught off guard and pleasantly surprised.
"We plan to get married as soon as this tournament is over," Videl said, a happy smile radiating from her face.
"That's quite a rush, isn't it?" Gine blinked, surprised they had decided so quickly.
"Well... it's because... I'm pregnant," Videl whispered into Gine's ear, her face full of both shyness and joy.
Gine's mouth fell open in shock, her eyes widening as if she couldn't believe her ears.
The next second, Gine pulled Videl into a tight hug and planted a kiss on her cheek. "You truly are my wonderful granddaughter-in-law! This is fantastic—you're carrying on our family line!"
"You should hurry up too. Have a child with Grandpa Bardock soon, so our babies can grow up together," Videl added in a low voice, her cheeks still flushed.
"We'll see about that," Gine said, wiping away a stray bead of sweat as she changed the subject. "How long has it been? Are you feeling alright? Any morning sickness?"
"Three weeks. I'm okay so far; no major reactions yet," Videl said softly, her hand instinctively resting on her lower belly.
Crack!
At that moment, Vegeta, standing on the stage, was suddenly enveloped in a flare of purple-red flames. The aura flickered like dancing fire, radiating a powerful energy of destruction that rippled outward from him, warping the very air around him.
In this instant, Vegeta finally unleashed his Ultra Ego form.
His eyebrows were gone, his brow ridge protruding deeply over his eyes, making his gaze appear sharp, profound, and tinged with an indescribable sense of menace.
This transformation bore a resemblance to Goku's Super Saiyan 3, radiating a raw sense of power.
However, his hair didn't grow long; it simply stood slightly more upright, turning a vibrant purple-red that exuded a mysterious and formidable presence.
Seeing Vegeta's new form, everyone present was struck dumb, their mouths hanging open in disbelief.
The entire arena fell into a stunned silence.
Champa, in particular, looked as if his jaw had literally unhinged and hit the floor, his eyes bulging out of his head.
"Th-th-this... that guy is using the form of a God of Destruction! How does he know how to do that?!" Champa stammered, his voice trembling with disbelief.
"Oh my... how rare. I never expected Mr. Vegeta to master the divine technique of a God of Destruction! This is quite the surprise," Vados remarked, her eyes filled with genuine amazement.
"Has Beerus really trained a mortal from his universe to this level? It's enough to make one jealous," Champa muttered, his mouth twitching with a hint of bitterness.
As he spoke, Champa glanced over at Beerus in the distance, his gaze complicated.
However, Beerus was even more bewildered than Champa. He scratched his head, his mind racing with confusion.
I never taught Vegeta the divine technique of a God of Destruction.
How did this kid figure it out?
Could he really be that naturally gifted?
"Whis, did you teach him that?" Beerus asked, his voice laced with uncertainty.
"Oh ho, not me. I certainly haven't taught him that," Whis replied immediately, though a mysterious glint flashed in his eyes.
"Not you? Then who? Aside from the two of us, who else could have taught him this?" Beerus's face darkened as he spoke grumpily.
"Perhaps Mr. Vegeta figured it out on his own. He is exceptionally talented, after all," Whis smiled enigmatically, offering no further explanation.
"Don't be ridiculous. That's impossible. The divine technique of a God of Destruction isn't something you just 'figure out,'" Beerus snorted. He didn't press for details, though, secretly feeling a swell of pride.
Vegeta mastering a Destroyer form was a good thing for Beerus.
At the very least, their chances of winning this tournament had just skyrocketed.
And as long as he continued to nurture him, Vegeta might even be able to surpass Goku and Broly. When that day came, Beerus could finally hold his head high.
Goku and the others also stared wide-eyed at Vegeta's new transformation, feeling waves of novelty and awe.
"Goku, look at Vegeta's transformation. It's truly incredible," Piccolo remarked, his eyes full of wonder.
Goku blinked, looked back at Piccolo, then turned his gaze back to Vegeta on the stage.
"There aren't many colors left for you Saiyans," Piccolo joked with a faint smile.
Goku: "..."
"Now that Uncle Piccolo mentions it, it really does seem that way," Gohan scratched his head, thinking it over before nodding in agreement. "Let's see... we've got red, blue, green, gold, white... and now Uncle Vegeta's is purple-red, so basically purple? We really are running out of colors."
Goku was left speechless, only able to offer an awkward laugh.
"Is this the divine technique of a Destroyer that Vegeta mastered in that other world? It's truly impressive," Merus whispered to Whis, his eyes filled with curiosity.
"Yes. I didn't expect him to master it to this degree. It's a pleasant surprise," Whis nodded, his tone carrying a hint of praise.
"Another world? What do you mean by 'another world'? Vegeta went to another world?" Beerus's ears perked up, catching the key information. He immediately leaned in, his eyes burning with curiosity.
"Oh ho, Lord Beerus, don't worry about the details. The important thing is that Mr. Vegeta has become stronger, and that's good for us, isn't it?" Whis grinned, intentionally dodging the question.
Beerus rolled his eyes, knowing Whis wouldn't budge. He didn't press further; as long as Vegeta was stronger and it benefited his universe, he was satisfied.
"Dad is so cool! He turned Super Saiyan Purple-Red! That's amazing!" Trunks was the first to jump up in excitement, pumping his little fist and cheering for his father, his voice ringing out.
"Uncle Vegeta is so strong! This transformation is the coolest!" Goten followed suit, his face full of hero worship.
"What kind of transformation is this now? I've never even heard of it! Just how many forms do Saiyans have?" Raditz was utterly baffled, feeling like his entire worldview had been turned upside down.
"I've never seen it either. Never seen anything like this. It radiates a very peculiar energy," Bardock mused, his eyes full of intrigue.
Gine and Videl were silent, equally stunned by Vegeta's new form, momentarily lost for words.
"Hey, Beerus, are you planning to retire? Training someone this powerful—do you intend for him to take your place?" Champa couldn't help but call out to Beerus, his voice tinged with jealousy.
"Hmph, as if. I haven't had my fill of being a God of Destruction yet," Beerus replied coolly, a hint of smugness in his tone.
"Then tell me, why did that guy master a Destroyer form? You must know the reason. Out with it!" Champa pointed at Vegeta on the stage and demanded, his eyes full of resentment.
"If I said he figured it out himself, would you believe me?" Beerus grinned smugly, intentionally teasing Champa.
"I don't believe it! That's absolutely impossible!" Champa hollered, rejecting the idea without a second thought.
"I don't believe it either," Beerus chuckled, looking thoroughly amused by Champa's misery.
Champa: "..."
Champa was completely at a loss. He glared at Beerus, so angry he couldn't speak.
Listen to yourself! Does that even sound like something a person would say?
'I don't believe it either'?
Are you playing with me?
"A Destroyer form? Is this your hidden strength?" Hit's mouth twitched slightly as he looked at Vegeta with a grave expression. Feeling the immense energy radiating from him, Hit's guard was at an all-time high.
"It's called Ultra Ego," Vegeta said with a slight smile, his face radiating absolute confidence, his eyes shimmering with light.
"Hmph, I don't care if it's a Destroyer form or Ultra Ego! Do you think I'll just roll over for you? Don't get ahead of yourself!" Hit gritted his teeth and took a combat stance, pushing his energy to its absolute limit.
"Come then, Hit. Show me the last of your strength," Vegeta said, beckoning Hit forward with a provocative look in his eyes.
Whoosh!
Hit didn't hesitate. He charged toward Vegeta at blinding speed, leaving a trail of afterimages in his wake. Suddenly, he swung his hand toward Vegeta from a distance, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
"Time Cage!"
Hit chanted under his breath, unleashing his ultimate technique.
Instantly, an invisible cage of time enveloped Vegeta, the air around him shimmering with faint temporal ripples.
Once the Time Cage takes hold, it slows the victim's movements to a crawl or even freezes them in place, leaving them unable to move.
"I forgot to mention—I have an ultimate move I haven't used yet either. This is my true power," Hit's lips curled into a grin that grew wider by the second. He was certain this move would be Vegeta's downfall.
Looking at Vegeta, it seemed he had indeed been snared by the Time Cage. He was frozen where he stood, his body stiff and unmoving, his gaze appearing somewhat vacant.
"The final winner of this match is me!" Hit declared, a victorious smile on his face as he lunged forward with a kick, intending to knock Vegeta clean off the stage and eliminate him.
However, just as Hit's foot drew closer and closer to Vegeta...
Vegeta's eyes suddenly blinked. A faint smirk played across his lips—a smile brimming with disdain and mockery.
Seeing this expression on Vegeta's face, Hit's heart skipped a beat, and a powerful sense of foreboding suddenly surged within him.
Could it be that I didn't actually freeze him?
How is that even possible?
"Hmph. A Time Cage? Interesting! But as far as I'm concerned, it's nowhere near enough!" Vegeta suddenly spoke, his voice carrying a contemptuous laugh as he flashed a row of brilliant white teeth.
Thump!
In an instant, Vegeta shattered the shackles of the Time Cage. He lashed out with a kick, moving like a bolt of lightning, and struck Hit squarely in the chest with a dull, heavy thud.
"Argh..."
Hit let out a cry of pain as he was sent hurtling backward like a kite with a snapped string. He flew straight off the stage and slammed into the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Splurt...
Hit spat out a mouthful of blood, his face turning as pale as a sheet. It was clear he had sustained a significant injury.
"Out... Out of bounds! Contestant Hit has fallen from the stage!" The referee finally snapped back to reality and shouted into his microphone, "The winner of the match is Contestant Vegeta!"
"Yeah! Dad won! Dad is so amazing!" Trunks was the first to leap up in excitement, shouting and cheering at the top of his lungs, overjoyed for his father.
Vegeta, however, vanished in a flicker and instantly reappeared by Hit's side. He reached out a hand, intending to help him up.
Hit gave a cold snort. His pride wouldn't allow him to accept Vegeta's help; instead of taking the hand, he struggled to climb to his feet on his own. He casually brushed the dust from his clothes, and though his face was pale, his gaze remained as stubborn as ever.
"So, what do you think? Compared to that Jiren guy, how does my current strength measure up?" Vegeta asked with a smile, a hint of expectation in his eyes.
"It's hard to say," Hit mused, lowering his head for a moment of thought. "I don't know the full extent of his strength, but I imagine you might have a slight edge."
"What? I'm only slightly stronger than him?" Vegeta looked taken aback, asking with a touch of dissatisfaction.
"That's just my estimate. After all, with the strength I had back then, I wasn't able to force out his full power. As for what happened afterward, I wouldn't know," Hit lowered his voice and gave a slight shake of his head, his tone tinged with a hint of helplessness.
"I'm looking forward to it! When the time comes, I'll have to give him a proper run for his money!" Vegeta chuckled, seemingly unbothered, his eyes burning with battle-lust.
I've only just mastered Ultra Ego; there's still plenty of room for improvement.
Once this tournament with Universe 6 is over, there's still some time before the Zamasu incident.
So the Tournament of Power should be even further down the line.
By the time the Tournament of Power actually arrives, I might have mastered Ultra Ego to its absolute peak. When that happens, I'll be able to take down Jiren with ease.
"The match between Universe 6 and Universe 7 is now over! Universe 7 is the final victor!" the referee announced in a booming voice, his microphone amplifying the result.
Beerus's grin was so wide it practically reached his ears. He wore a look of smug triumph, and seeing Champa's dark, brooding expression only made his mood even better.
Champa, meanwhile, looked like he'd lost his will to live. He never imagined Universe 6 would lose so decisively; the frustration in his heart was beyond words.
A triumphant smirk curled on Vegeta's lips as a surge of victory warmed his chest.
I finally won!
I practically tore through the entire Universe 6 team on my own!
Wait a second...
Am I forgetting something?
Vegeta's brow furrowed slightly. He felt like something wasn't quite right, and a vague sense of unease began to stir in his gut.
After a moment of careful thought, Vegeta's eyes suddenly went wide. His pupils contracted sharply, and his expression shifted as a chill raced up his spine.
Something's wrong!
In this tournament... Kakarot hasn't stepped onto the stage once.
So, if that Zamasu fellow sees this match... he might choose to swap bodies with ME instead.
When that time comes, the one who appears in the future would be called... Goku Black Vegeta?
Though a Zamasu had appeared in Trunks' world only to be wiped out by Gohan, Vegeta knew very well that that Zamasu didn't come from this world.
The Zamasu of his current world was almost certainly still alive.
And if he was alive, there was a very high chance he would still use the Super Dragon Balls to make a wish.
This time, is that guy going to swap bodies with me?
Vegeta felt a massive headache coming on. His fingers unconsciously tightened into a fist, his knuckles turning white.
If that were the case, Vegeta felt there was a strong possibility that he, Bulma, and Trunks would be killed by him.
Damn it!
I went a little too far showing off.
This might be a bit of a problem.
I need to find a way to fix this.
Vegeta sank into deep thought, his gaze profound as if he were calculating his next move.
"Good job, Vegeta," Goku said, clapping him on the shoulder. He was genuinely happy for him, his face lit up with a sincere smile.
"Hmph, it was nothing," Vegeta replied with a nonchalant smile, deliberately suppressing his inner worry and acting as if he didn't have a care in the world.
"Hit, you're really something too. We should find a chance to spar properly sometime," Goku turned to Hit and gave an enthusiastic greeting, his eyes sparkling with the desire for a good fight.
"Of course, no problem," Hit replied with a slight nod and a calm smile, though his tone held a hint of anticipation.
Vegeta's expression, however, grew a bit more solemn as his gaze swept warily over their surroundings.
If all goes as expected...
Grand Zeno should be appearing next, right?
It's better to be careful.
Vegeta scanned the area, his eyes pausing for a moment on a spot in the distance.
Hit was also looking into the distance—specifically at the spot where Zeno had appeared in his previous life—his eyes betraying a faint, almost imperceptible flicker of emotion.
Goku: "????"
Goku looked utterly lost. He scratched his head, unable to fathom why they were both staring in the same direction.
Driven by curiosity, Goku looked that way as well, but he saw nothing at all.
Flash!
In the next instant, three figures flickered into existence, appearing in the center of the arena as if from thin air.
Goku blinked in surprise, curiously sizing up the three unfamiliar figures.
Who are those three?
To be continued…
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