Although Katakana's earlier actions made Macarita strongly suspect he was using Ultra Instinct…
Katakana was still just a Mortal. How could a mere Mortal possibly master Ultra Instinct?
She knew better than anyone, this was a power that not even the Gods of Destruction could fully control.
Among the twelve universes, the only God of Destruction who had even partially grasped Ultra Instinct… was Lord Beerus!
"Let's see."
Macarita stared intently at Katakana.
As unbelievable as it seemed, if Katakana had truly stepped into that realm, she would be able to sense it the next time he moved.
That moment just now, though very similar, was too fast and vague to confirm.
Ultra Instinct wasn't something one could simply stumble into. Only angels had mastered it to any degree.
"Tch, don't think you'll get lucky twice!"
"I'll see you dodge this one!"
After a moment of shock, Vermut's face twisted into a sinister grin again.
Whoosh!
Another punch. Fast, direct, and brutal.
It came so quickly, the eye could barely follow it.
But Katakana remained calm. His body shifted like a phantom, leaving nothing but an afterimage behind.
He completely dodged the strike once again.
"What… what?!"
"This guy… No way!"
"How is this even possible?!"
Two attacks in a row. Both missed. And not by chance, Vermut realized that instantly.
This wasn't luck.
It was skill. Some technique that let Katakana dodge every single attack without fail.
And this wasn't some weakling he was facing, this was a full-powered God of Destruction!
Even Lord Beerus couldn't pull this off.
"Could this be the power hiding in him all along…?"
Vermut's thoughts jumped to the one possibility: Ultra Instinct.
Yes, only Ultra Instinct had the capability to dodge attacks like this with such natural movement.
And the way Katakana had just moved, it was unmistakably similar.
"No… impossible!"
"He's Mortal! He can't possibly master an ability that even Gods of Destruction have failed to achieve!"
Vermut's fists clenched tightly, knuckles cracking from the force.
He didn't want to believe it.
Ultra Instinct was a divine state. Even he had yet to grasp it.
How could Katakana … a mere mortal… attain it?
"It's absolutely impossible!!"
Vermut roared and launched a flurry of attacks.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Like a lightning storm, his body blurred, throwing punches and kicks faster than the eye could see.
Each strike carried devastating power, capable of tearing through space.
But Katakana dodged them all.
Every single blow.
Not even one grazed his body.
Vermut was like a berserker, swinging with everything he had, but Katakana weaved between attacks with effortless grace.
If not for mastering Ultra Instinct, there would be no way Katakana could survive this level of assault.
"There's no doubt about it!"
"He's definitely using Ultra Instinct! It's not perfect, but he's gone further than even Lord Beerus did back then!"
"Just… how did he do it?!"
Macarita was stunned.
This was no fluke.
Katakana had truly grasped Ultra Instinct, not just the surface level, but to a deep and refined degree.
He was nearing perfection.
But how? Not even her brother Whis could explain this.
She knew Whis well, he was talented, but not above her.
And Katakana … was Mortal.
"Haaah…"
Macarita exhaled deeply, deciding she had to get answers later.
For now, she focused on watching the match.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Vermut's insane assault continued. Katakana dodged each strike like water flowing through cracks.
Every now and then, he would counter with a swift punch of his own, catching Vermut off guard.
"You bastard! If you've got guts, stop dodging and fight me head-on!"
Vermut's fury grew. He felt like he was being toyed with.
This guy was exactly like the angels, dodging every strike with infuriating ease, but never staying still long enough to be hit.
No matter how loudly Vermut shouted or how much he cursed, Katakana remained composed.
The insults had no effect.
Bang!
Another punch from Vermut.
But this time, Katakana didn't dodge.
He met it head-on with his own fist.
BOOM!
A shockwave blasted through the entire arena.
Both fighters were thrown back more than ten meters.
This time, it was Vermut who retreated farther.
Thanks to Ultra Instinct, Katakana's balance was superior.
Just as Katakana steadied himself, a notification suddenly rang out in his mind.
[Ding! A new challenge has been issued. Task: Defeat God of Destruction Vermut, and flick his bald Mediterranean forehead!]
"Huh?!"
Katakana nearly choked.
He expected a fight, sure. But this mission?!
Flick Vermut's forehead? The system really wanted him to humiliate a God of Destruction?
[Ding! Based on host's emotional reaction, reminder: The reward will be very generous!]
Katakana's eyes immediately lit up.
Not for any other reason…
But because of those magical words:
Very. Generous. Reward.
"Sorry, Vermut…"
A sly grin spread across Katakana's face.
"You're getting flicked."