"Hmph. That Champa thinks bringing more people means victory?" Belmod snorted, his expression dripping with disdain.
"Or… maybe that's not it," Marcarita murmured, fixing her gaze on Ken. "That human child is strange…"
"Who?" Belmod asked. "Which one?"
"The one standing with Vados," Marcarita replied.
"What's strange about him?" Belmod blinked.
"I can feel fluctuations of Angelic Power on him," Marcarita said under her breath.
"Don't tell me he's also a trainee Angel?" Belmod asked in surprise.
"I haven't heard of any newly born Angels lately," Marcarita said, puzzled.
…
On Universe 3's side.
The instant Mule saw Broly, hatred surged in his eyes.
It's highly likely this one killed my son.
Then again, it could have been that pink fatty.
Whoever it was, I won't forgive you!
Wait—there's a trainee Supreme Kai with them?
Why is he arriving from Universe 6 with Champa?
Was he originally from Universe 6?
How odd.
"Camparri, do you know what's going on?" Mule felt like his CPU was about to melt, baffled by Champa's lineup.
"I'm not sure… but what's strange is I can sense Angelic Power on that child," Camparri mused. "Though I don't know why."
"Angelic Power? Which one?" Mule asked.
"The child standing with Vados," Camparri answered.
"So he's a trainee Angel too?" Mule grew even more confused.
"Perhaps," Camparri guessed.
…
Universe 10's section.
"Hey, Kusu—what's with Champa's group? Why did he bring three entrants?" Rumsshi asked, equally perplexed.
"My, my… likely different camps," Kusu said. She knew Ken; they'd even spoken via staff-crystal before.
"What do you mean?" Rumsshi didn't follow.
"See the child standing with Vados? His name is Ken. Supposedly, he's already cultivated Angelic Power," Kusu replied.
Last time she'd been about to tell Rumsshi about Ken when Vados arrived, and the topic died.
"What? A human? Cultivated Angelic Power?" Rumsshi stared at Ken in shock. "A human can attain the power of an Angel?"
"My, my… the cosmos is vast and boundless. All kinds of marvels occur," Kusu answered with a smile.
Rumsshi fell silent.
Fair enough. The universe does birth all manner of oddities—and sometimes, very powerful mortals.
Zamasu, however, could barely stand still.
"You mean… he's already become a god?" Zamasu asked cautiously.
"You could put it that way," Kusu nodded.
"What rank of god? The same as you?" Zamasu pressed.
"Yes," Kusu nodded again.
Zamasu's face changed.
What? That wretch… that base human can become an Angel through training?
Impossible!
Over the last three days, Supreme Kai Gowasu had sketched the divine hierarchy for his disciple. Above all stood the Omni-King. The strongest god in all universes was the Grand Priest. Beneath him were the twelve Angels—gentle and serene by nature. Below the Angels were Supreme Kais and Gods of Destruction, paired in status if not in might, their lives intertwined: should one die, the other would inexplicably vanish. Beneath them came Grand Kais (absent in some universes), and beneath those, the four directional Kais.
Hearing this, Zamasu realized how lowly his station truly was. He had thought only a Supreme Kai stood above him. Now, to hear that a mere human could vault—through simple training—past his own future station to the rank of Angel?
Humans really are repugnant.
"Base human…" Zamasu muttered.
Kusu shot him a curious look—she'd heard him—but let it pass. Rumsshi said nothing; who knew if he had heard.
…
Universe 4's section.
"Cognac, what did you say? That human cultivated Angelic Power?" Quitela asked, surprised, eyes locked on Ken below.
"Yes. A rare mortal indeed," Cognac nodded.
"Then that tailed tribesman beside him—that's the entrant he brought?" Quitela's gaze moved to Broly.
"Most likely," Cognac said.
"No wonder Universe 6 looks overstaffed," Quitela snorted, then lowered his voice to the floor. "Damon, do exactly as I told you once the matches start. Victory should be within reach."
"Yes, Lord Quitela," came Damon's tiny voice from the steps.
…
After paying respects to the Grand Priest, Ken and the others drifted over to sit near Merus.
Whis had been seated with Merus; seeing Ken's group arrive, he scooted over. Ken, Vados, and the rest ended up between Whis and Merus.
The moment Broly arrived, he locked eyes with Majin Buu.
They strode toward each other until their foreheads nearly touched, staring so hard sparks could have flown.
Ken didn't intervene.
Merus, however, warned, "Buu, don't turn people into chocolate."
"What about during the match?" Buu asked, turning his head.
"We don't know the rules yet. I'll tell you once they're announced," Merus said.
"The rules will probably forbid killing," Whis added. "So even if you turn someone into chocolate, as long as they don't die, it should be fine."
Frieza was speechless.
Whose side are you on?
Aren't we supposed to be on the same team?
He eyed Ken warily, then glanced—uneasy—at Broly.
They had just said Ken's power level was a 10 with thirty zeros after it. Terrifying.
I, Frieza, refuse to believe it!
And that dopey-looking brat is the legendary Super Saiyan?
Get real.
If this is a dream, please let me wake up now.
I'm Emperor Frieza!
"Well, if it isn't Emperor Frieza," Ken said, spotting him and offering a casual greeting.
"Hmph. And if it isn't the Saiyan prodigy, Ken," Frieza snorted, subconsciously edging closer to Whis as his finger twitched toward his scouter.
Then he caught himself and withdrew the hand, embarrassed. The scouter wouldn't read this one anyway.
"You here to vie for the God of Destruction seat too?" Ken asked.
"What of it? You got a problem?" Frieza asked through clenched teeth, fists tight.
Once, this little Saiyan monkey was clay in my hands; now he'd grown like this? What happened to him?
Frieza's feelings were complicated; his tone was not pleasant. Like a former underling suddenly becoming your boss—and preening in front of you. Who wouldn't be annoyed?
Ken had never even regarded Frieza as a rival. That made it worse.
"No problem… I was just going to say—" Ken sighed and shook his head. "Forget it. I won't. I might hurt your feelings."
Frieza: "…"
Leaving it half-said? Shameless!
"I want to hear it," Broly said suddenly—still staring straight at Majin Buu.
Buu stared back.
They were frozen in a stare-down, neither blinking. Broly had spoken, but his eyes had not flickered.
"Hmph. Go on then—let's hear it," Frieza sneered.
"I was going to say… you're probably the weakest entrant here," Ken said. "Better not get on the stage. You'll embarrass Universe 7."
"You… what did you say? Do you know who you're talking to?" Frieza barked.
"Pause," Broly told Majin Buu.
Buu nodded vigorously. Perfect timing—his eyes were starting to ache.
Both rubbed their eyes hard.
Broly then strode toward Frieza.
Frieza blanched and instinctively shuffled back two steps, cowed by the "legendary Super Saiyan" title.
Then he caught himself.
I'm Emperor Frieza!
How could I be scared of some "legendary Super Saiyan"?
I refuse!
Broly was just about to tune Frieza up when the Grand Priest appeared high above.
"Everyone," the Grand Priest spoke.
All eyes turned upward.
Broly hesitated and didn't pummel Frieza, but he still muttered, "You wait. I'll tear you in half later."
"Hmph! Think the 'legendary Super Saiyan' scares me?" Frieza snarled.
"Ize—he your son?" Broly scratched his head as a thought popped up.
"What did you say?" Frieza frowned.
"Nothing," Broly turned away quickly and fixed a respectful gaze on the Grand Priest.
"Hey! Explain yourself! Have you seen my son Ize?" Frieza hissed.
Broly bit back a laugh and ignored him.
I didn't just see him—I tore him in two.
"Shh. Please be quiet," Whis told Frieza.
Frieza huffed and shut his mouth.
Merus could only sigh internally.
I just managed to straighten out your relationships, and now you want to dig it all back up?
Forget it—sort yourselves out.
"There are six universes participating, with eight entrants in total," the Grand Priest announced coolly. "Now then—the trainee God of Destruction Selection Tournament begins! All entrants, take the stage!"
"All of us at once?"
"A free-for-all?"
Several candidates murmured.
None dared relax.
Broly was the most obedient. He sprang up and landed on the arena.
Seeing him step up first, a hint of approval flashed in the Grand Priest's eyes.
Young as he looked, the boy seemed very sensible.
Involuntarily, the Grand Priest compared him to Merus's trainee, Majin Buu—who was still standing there, spaced out, as if the call hadn't been for him at all.
Hit, Frieza, and the others took the cue and leapt onto the arena.
Only Majin Buu remained, laughing to himself.
"Buu, get up there—now," Merus said, exasperated.
What sort of trainee did I bring?
"Uh…" Buu scratched his head, feet rooted.
"See? Broly's already up there," Merus pointed.
Buu's mind flashed with images of Broly grinding him into the ground.
Former underling!
Let's see how I deal with you this time.
I'll turn you into chocolate and eat you!
Whoosh!
Buu hopped, then dropped like a shell onto the stage.
He had a little plan: shock the whole platform into rubble with his landing. If he hit Earth like that, the planet would shatter. This dinky arena wouldn't?
Thud!
He slammed down hard.
But the stage didn't shatter as imagined—only hairline cracks spread.
Buu stared at the floor, surprised.
What is this made of? Tough stuff.
"Good. All eight entrants are here," the Grand Priest nodded, satisfied.
Broly counted on his fingers, then scratched his head in puzzlement.
No matter how he counted, there were only seven.
Where was the eighth?
He scratched furiously.
Does 6 come before 7 or 8?
Is 8 after 7?
"Is 8 after 7?" Broly asked Hit.
Hit gave him a look reserved for idiots and strode away.
"Don't go," Broly muttered, deflated. "Answer first…"
He glanced at Majin Buu—one of the only two he recognized here.
"Is 8 after 7?" he asked Buu in a whisper.
Buu: "???"
"What do you mean?" Buu asked blankly.
"1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 7… that's how it goes, right?" Broly said.
"Uh… maybe?" Buu was even more confused.
"Thought so," Broly nodded.
Hit frowned; he'd suddenly noticed it too.
Right—there were only seven visible.
Who was the eighth?
Where?
Surely the supreme god wouldn't flub basic arithmetic.
Hit went on guard.
Invisible, perhaps?
Frieza—ever the Emperor—caught on quickly as well.
Where's the last one?
Beep-beep!
His scouter pinged with a reading.
"Power level thirty thousand," Frieza said, looking that way.
But there was nothing there.
"Scouter malfunction? Why can't I see—" he muttered, then widened his eyes and peered closer.
This time he noticed a tiny green bug on the floor—ant-sized.
Frieza: "…"
Such a tiny thing.
Power level thirty thousand.
And I doubt that's his true power.
To be chosen from across the universes, anyone standing here should be at least in the hundreds of millions.
Frieza sauntered forward without a word and set his heel on Damon.
Damon: "…"
A herd of horses thundered through Damon's heart.
Who the hell is stepping on me?
I'll get you for this!
But I have to stay hidden.
Keep it low-key.
If I make a fuss now, I'll be discovered.
Damon endured it.
It's not the first time I've been stepped on.
Everyone who did it before ended up dead.
Frieza's smile turned smug.
A little bug dares enter this tournament?
Hmph. And Ken called me the weakest here.
Am I weaker than this ant?
(End of Chapter)
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
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