Thick black smoke rolled through the battlefield, spreading in every direction until almost everything disappeared into the haze.
Amid the chaos, a single small mound of earth remained. It looked ordinary, but its survival was no coincidence, even with the surrounding terrain completely obliterated, the little mound somehow stood firm in the emptiness.
Atop it stood a bare-chested Laitses, looking down into a shallow crater below. The crater itself was insignificant compared to the vast destruction around it, but lying inside was someone who mattered very much to him: Z Broly.
Only moments ago, the two had been locked in a brutal battle. To finally break free from Z Broly's relentless assault, Laitses had made an extreme decision: he had ignited all the power hidden within his body and detonated himself. In an instant, an unimaginable surge of energy erupted outward, blooming across the sky like a massive firework. The heavens shook, the ground trembled, and everything nearby was swallowed by the overwhelming blast.
Laitses had successfully escaped Broly's Destruction Energy, but the price had been severe. Every muscle in his body screamed in pain as if thousands of needles were stabbing him at once. With almost all his stamina drained, his body trembled uncontrollably, looking as though a light breeze might knock him over. Still, through sheer willpower and incredible durability, he forced himself to remain standing.
A faint look of satisfaction touched Laitses's face as he stared down at the unconscious Broly.
"Sorry. I had no choice but to end our fight so abruptly. If we ever meet again, I'll fight you properly next time."
With that, he turned toward the swirling vortex gate not far behind him. The location of this small mound hadn't been chosen by chance, Laitses had planned it all along.
Meanwhile, inside Universe 10's observation room, everyone was stunned. This outsider had displayed power far beyond anything they had expected, actually managing to knock Z Broly unconscious, the very same monster who had caused them so much trouble.
Toppo Zamasu rubbed his eyes. "Am I seeing this right? He self-destructed... and he's still standing? And Z Broly went down first?"
At that moment, Toppo Zamasu seriously began considering placing all of Universe 10's hopes on Laitses. The man's strength was simply too incredible.
God of Destruction Rumsshi had been sitting motionless with his eyes closed, like a silent mountain. But the moment he heard those words, his eyelids twitched, and he slowly opened his eyes with a sharp glint.
Destruction Energy was capable of erasing a person entirely with even brief contact, yet this mortal had endured it for so long. Even more shocking, he had used self-destruction to neutralize the overwhelming damage. It was completely beyond Rumsshi's expectations.
He had already noticed earlier that the Universe 6 fighter wielding Destruction Energy was no ordinary opponent. Broly's Destruction wasn't on the level of a true God of Destruction yet, but it was still terrifyingly powerful. The fact that Laitses had endured it for so long before neutralizing the attack proved just how absurdly durable his body was.
Rumsshi nodded to himself in approval. Laitses might have claimed his actions had nothing to do with Universe 10, but as far as Rumsshi was concerned, only one fact mattered: Laitses was still officially a Universe 10 contestant. As long as he remained in the tournament, even for one more second, Universe 10 wouldn't be eliminated.
At that thought, Rumsshi's long-lost smile slowly returned.
---
Meanwhile, inside Universe 6's observation room, Champa's mood was wildly swinging after witnessing what had just happened. Laitses had actually withstood Z Broly's Destruction Energy, the very technique Champa himself had taught him. Champa had absolute confidence in that power, yet this fighter from Universe 10 had somehow neutralized it and knocked Broly unconscious.
"Vados!" Champa shouted anxiously. "Who the hell is that guy?!"
Vados followed his gaze, her eyes settling on Laitses. "Lord Champa, this man arrived with Universe 10, but he isn't actually from there. To be honest, I don't have much information about him. All I know is that he's a Saiyan."
"What? A Saiyan?! A Universe 10 Saiyan? No... wait, you just said he isn't actually from Universe 10." Champa's eyes widened. "So in the end, only a Saiyan can defeat another Saiyan?"
He scratched his head. "Damn it! Did Broly really lose just like that?"
Champa couldn't help feeling frustrated. After all, he was the one who had taught Z Broly how to use Destruction, making him half of Broly's master in a way.
Just then, something happened on screen again. Laitses began limping toward the vortex gate. The battle had taken a serious toll on him, making even walking difficult, but he didn't care. All he had to do was enter the gate and advance to the next round. Once he found Trunks and the others, Piccolo could heal him, and he'd be back at full strength.
Everything was going according to plan.
Just as Laitses was about to step into the vortex gate, he turned back to give Z Broly one last look, complicated emotions swirling in his eyes.
"Goodbye," he murmured. "I didn't expect that to be all you had. To be honest... I'm a little disappointed."
With that, he raised his foot to step through the gate.
'Crack...'
A faint sound came from behind him, and Laitses stopped instantly. The corner of his mouth slowly curled into a satisfied smile.
"I knew it. You couldn't possibly be finished that easily."
Laitses turned around and looked down. Broly's fingers had twitched, barely noticeable, but enough to make Laitses's eyes light up.
Sure enough, in the very next instant, Z Broly's hand shot out and grabbed Laitses by the leg, trying to fling him away. But Laitses immediately flared his aura and rooted himself firmly in place, refusing to budge.
Z Broly's eyes suddenly shifted toward the vortex gate, which was slowly closing.
That wouldn't do! He still hadn't faced the Super Broly he was so desperate to fight. Broly immediately released Laitses's leg and forced himself back to his feet, eyes locked onto the gate.
He swung an open palm at Laitses. "Get lost! You're in my way!"
Laitses casually swayed aside to avoid the attack. From the looks of it, Z Broly was running on fumes. Normally, Broly barely spoke at all, solving everything with his fists, yet now he was actually trash-talking.
But Laitses was more interested in something else on Broly's body: his tail!
The tail previously wrapped around Broly's waist was now swaying freely in the rising aura. At the same time, a green energy began surging around him, and stranger still, his Legendary Super Saiyan 3 transformation faded away, returning him to his base state.
Laitses blinked. Something wasn't right.
'No... that isn't his normal form. That form contains the power of a Great Ape!'
Tail. Green aura. Great Ape. The three pieces immediately clicked in Laitses's mind.
Z Broly was only one step away from a breakthrough.
Laitses grinned, his tone deliberately mocking. "And what if I refuse to move?"
The smug expression sent Broly's rage through the roof. Suddenly, the final restraint on his sanity shattered.
"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!"
He threw his head back and roared as wild red fur spread across his upper body and crimson markings outlined his eyes. Z Broly had achieved the legendary transformation: Super Saiyan 4!
A smile spread across Laitses's face as he stared at him. "So that's your Super Saiyan 4? Come on, then! Let me see just how powerful…"
BANG!
Before Laitses could finish his sentence, Z Broly punched him straight into the vortex gate and immediately dove in after him.
(End Of This Chapter)
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