Merus widened his eyes, studied the exchange carefully, and felt a stab of shame. Was Ken taking a jab at him? He honestly hadn't seen how Hit struck just now.
Weird. How did Ken see it? Is the gap between us really that big? Ken's Angelic Power purity is only 30, right? I'm still 11 points higher.
And yet I didn't catch it…
It must be because I wasn't fully focused—I was watching Majin Buu. This time I'll pay attention.
"Merus, did you figure it out? How did Hit throw that punch?" Whis asked.
Merus didn't want to talk. Big brother, can we not do this right now? You're making this really awkward.
"Sorry… I was focused on Buu just then and didn't watch Hit closely," Merus offered weakly.
"Kid, you said you saw it? Then tell us—how did Hit attack?" Champa chuckled, clearly not believing Ken could read Hit's trick.
Even Merus didn't catch it, and you did? Besides, none of the other Gods of Destruction noticed anything either. You're just a human. I'm sure you're bluffing.
"Time," Ken said, just two syllables.
Champa's body gave a tiny jolt; he stared in stunned silence. He really saw it? Vados blinked, surprised, and glanced Ken's way. This little guy is impressive—sharp eyes.
Whis's gaze held open admiration. No wonder the Grand Priest has his eye on him. Remarkable.
"Ken, ever think about coming back to Universe 7? Now that I think about it, your starch sausage had a rather unique flavor," Whis smiled.
Vados shot Whis a look. Picking fruit someone else tended, are we? I've been training him for half a year.
"No," Ken answered flatly.
Whis: …
That was… brisk.
"Why?" Whis pressed, then coaxed, "Universe 7 is your home. You've been away for half a year—time to come back, right?"
"Vados already promised me—once I fully awaken as a true Angel, she'll marry me," Ken said.
"Oh my, so when you return to Universe 7, you plan to bring your wife along?" Whis giggled.
Ken: …
What kind of brain circuit is that?
Champa's ears perked up, and he suddenly felt sick. If that happens, our universe loses its Angel. That's going too far!
"Worth considering," Ken nodded earnestly.
Vados covered her forehead, momentarily speechless. Merus, meanwhile, was racking his brain over Ken's single word—time. Did Hit's attack really hinge on time?
I'll watch closely in a moment.
On the arena—
"Not bad. I was careless just now and walked right into it," Toppo wiped the blood from his nose and snorted. "But your good luck ends here!"
Hit stared at him impassively, hands still tucked in his pockets.
Toppo charged. The instant he entered range, Hit's hand flicked from his pocket—
Thud!
His fist landed square on Toppo's face. Toppo toppled backward and landed hard on his rear, eyes wide with shock and confusion.
Again? He hadn't seen a thing.
"What? I still couldn't see it?" Belmod's expression darkened. Toppo is my disciple and a trainee God of Destruction—getting handled like this by someone from Universe 6? And even I can't tell how that guy is striking? If I'd known, I would've dragged Jiren here.
Merus's eyes suddenly lit with understanding. Watching closely, he sensed Hit freezing time for roughly a tenth of a second. That tiny gap was all it took for Toppo to get clipped.
But…
Merus glanced at the other Gods of Destruction. Belmod looked lost, Mule was scratching his head, and Rumsshi was twisting his trunk in thought—none of the three had noticed Hit manipulating time.
Ken had.
Merus shot Ken a deep look, respect rising unbidden.
Ken, for his part, felt a tad guilty. He hadn't caught Hit's trick the first time either. But the second exchange, he noticed the air still for a blink. Only a handful kept moving—chiefly the Angels, the Grand Priest included. To Angels, a tenth of a second is plenty. Time tricks don't bite much when your kind can rewind three minutes on a whim. Compared to that, Hit's Time-Skip is grade school.
In truth, Merus would have recognized it too, had he been watching; Time-Skip didn't affect him.
Toppo pushed to his feet, face ugly, stunned that Universe 6 had someone this strong.
Elsewhere, Majin Buu glanced from Zamasu to Maji-Kayo, round mouth forming an "O." These two were tougher than he expected. Then he looked toward Broly grinding Frieza's head across the tiles. We said we'd team up! Why are you beating that guy first?
"Hmph. Foolish mortal—you think you can turn me into chocolate?" Zamasu sneered. "I'll send you off the stage first!"
He lunged, hand blade flashing.
Squelch.
The blade bored through Buu's belly and out his back in a streak of purple light.
"Hmph. That's all." Zamasu smirked and palmed Buu's head into the floor.
Boom!
Buu crashed down. Zamasu blew across his hand blade, smirking as he glanced at Maji-Kayo. Maji-Kayo stared at Buu, then at Zamasu, unreadable.
"That fat one won't die so easily, so I haven't violated the rules," Zamasu said coolly. "You're next. Jump off yourself, or I'll carve you up first. My blade is very sharp. It hurts."
"Try it," Maji-Kayo snorted.
"Ignorant," Zamasu scoffed and sprinted—only to be yanked off his feet.
Smack!
He face-planted, a textbook dog-eating-dirt spill. Buu had grabbed his ankle. The pink monster popped up and, with a hop—
Thump!
Dropped his full weight onto Zamasu.
"Aaagh!" Zamasu howled, spitting blood. Buu's triangular eyes narrowed, a chill of killing intent flashing through them.
He flipped Zamasu over, lifted his rump, and—
Wham!
Sat on his gut again.
"Rrraaah!" Zamasu screamed in misery.
"Didn't that hurt?" Buu's eyes slitted. He flashed a grin and hammered Zamasu's face with a pudgy fist. Zamasu's cries turned raw.
Maji-Kayo hesitated. Help… who? The fat one had just tried to turn him into chocolate, but the other had looked down on him, calling himself a supreme god. After a beat, Maji-Kayo chose to help neither and looked for a different mark. Everyone else was already paired off. Only he was alone.
…Am I slacking?
Can't. I should find someone.
Meanwhile, Broly kept pounding Frieza. Beaten to a pulp, Frieza could barely resist.
"Kneel. Apologize," Broly kicked his knee and forced his head toward Ken.
Frieza was incandescent with shame. "I kneel to heaven, to earth, and to the gods—never to a Saiyan!"
His head hit the tiles with a crack as Broly slammed it down. Frieza's heart broke.
Ken said nothing. Jackpot. Who knew raising Broly from the start would pay off like this? Good thing I chose Broly over Vegeta. If I'd brought Vegeta, he'd still be strutting. But Broly? Frieza only snarled at me and I didn't have to lift a finger. Where do you find a better God of Destruction candidate?
Ken's mood was excellent. Merus shot him a green-eyed look. Why is your trainee so obedient? And look at my Majin Buu… He's about to kill Zamasu if I don't stop him. Comparisons hurt.
Thud!
Broly booted Frieza again. Frieza, still on one knee, flew skidding toward the edge. Maji-Kayo was just thinking of an ambush target when a white shape hurtled at him.
"Huh?" Maji-Kayo blinked.
Crash!
Frieza smashed into him. Maji-Kayo coughed a mouthful of molten "blood" and pinballed off the stage.
Whoosh—he reappeared on the stands, eliminated.
Frieza clung to the lip of the ring with one hand. Broly began strolling over, step by step. With every step, Frieza's heart lurched. After two, one finger peeled away. After four, he screamed and dropped.
Whoosh—Frieza flickered to the stands, out.
"So soon…" Whis sighed.
Frieza hung his head, wishing he could crawl into a crack. Humiliated—in front of that Saiyan, no less. I am Emperor Frieza! Eliminated by a so-called Legendary Super Saiyan, just like that? I refuse!
Whis didn't heal him yet. He glanced at Ken and Merus, helpless. "You two poached all the talent from Universe 7."
"Sorry, Brother Whis…" Merus bowed, apologetic.
"Universe 7 still has more talent than just Buu and Broly," Ken said. "You just haven't found them."
Whis: …?
"Ken, you know who?" Merus leaned in, instantly interested. He'd already had enough of wrangling Majin Buu—the guy only eats, sleeps, and turns people into chocolate. My head hurts. I need a Broly of my own. Too bad Ken nabbed him first.
Whis also waited, curious. He'd worked hard to recruit… only to end up with Frieza. As far as Whis knew, among the currently active fighters in Universe 7, Frieza might be the strongest besides Broly and Buu.
"Frieza is praiseworthy," Ken said suddenly.
Frieza blinked and looked up, surprised. He's… complimenting me? Seriously?
"Hmph, I don't need praise from a Saiyan," Frieza bared his teeth—then caught Broly tilting his head toward him and shivered, voice fading to a mumble. I don't… need praise… from a Saiyan…
Ken didn't mind. He added calmly, "If you want a breakthrough, I have a suggestion. Interested?"
"Speak," Frieza muttered.
"You'll only truly awaken after you die. That's when you'll transcend your limits—and maybe surpass the Legendary Super Saiyan, Broly," Ken said, straight-faced.
Frieza: …
He trembled with rage.
(End of Chapter)
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
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