__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Beerus shook his head.
Goku stared in disbelief. "But… you're a god!"
Beerus chuckled. "Looks like the power of the Super Saiyan God didn't vanish when the time limit ran out."
"The energy fused with your body. It's a part of you now."
"The red glow of divinity still burns inside you."
"Am I wrong?"
Goku glanced down at himself. "Who knows? I'm just me. Isn't that enough?"
Beerus sighed and shook his head again. "Tch… so much for me getting sentimental. Keep this up and I'll start acting like a fool too. No—maybe I already have."
Golden energy exploded around Goku, his aura blazing higher and higher. "Then let's get this started already!"
Beerus crooked his finger, beckoning. A violent wave of purple ki surged off him, and in the next instant, he shot toward Goku.
They collided midair, sparks bursting with each clash.
Dozens of exchanges passed in an instant. Both warriors leapt back, wiping blood from the corners of their mouths.
Then they both laughed wildly—before hurling themselves at each other again.
The sky shook from the shockwaves of their battle. Fists flew like meteor showers, every collision rattling the air and rippling the clouds. Energy waves rolled outward in concentric rings.
Goku darted sideways and launched a streak of white-blue ki, but Beerus twisted his body and slipped past it with ease. A storm of purple blasts rained from Beerus's hand, forcing Goku to vanish and reappear at blinding speed. He snapped his leg upward, his kick colliding with Beerus's own. The impact sent another crushing ripple through the sea below.
Their fight tore across the skies, then plunged into the depths of the ocean. Golden light and purple fire clashed like two stars crashing again and again under the waves. Fish and sea creatures scattered in terror, fleeing the chaos.
With a roar, Goku drove his fist forward, pouring out everything he had. The ocean glowed gold around him as his power spiked. Beerus braced with both arms, straining to hold back the strike. At the last second, he slipped aside, and Goku's punch split the sea in two, parting the waters.
They locked hands, straining in a brutal contest of strength. The seabed cracked beneath their feet. Goku twisted, slamming a fist into Beerus's gut. "Got you!"
But the lack of air caught up to him—his chest burned, and his body faltered. Beerus seized the chance, hammering him with a relentless barrage. Blow after blow broke through Goku's defenses until his golden aura winked out and he collapsed, limp and gasping.
Beerus grabbed him by the throat and dragged him back to the surface. "Didn't you say you'd merged godly power into yourself? And yet you give up this easily?"
Breaking the waterline, Beerus kicked him hard, sending Goku flying. But Goku caught himself midair, golden ki erupting once more. Waves rolled outward from his energy as he screamed, forcing everything into one colossal attack. A roaring white-blue blast tore from his hands.
Beerus only laughed. "Pathetic. That'll never touch me."
He raised a single palm. The enormous blast vanished instantly.
"Did you forget?" Beerus said calmly. "I can erase energy itself."
He vanished and reappeared in front of Goku, driving a fist deep into his stomach. The fight reignited in a blur of strikes. Then, suddenly, Beerus split into countless afterimages, surrounding Goku in every direction. Each one charged a purple orb.
Goku's eyes widened. "A trap!"
The spheres rained down, converging into a deafening explosion. The sea erupted upward, a pillar of violet fury ripping through the sky. Beerus threw his head back and laughed. "I win!"
But through the roaring energy came Goku's voice. "Not yet!"
From within the blast, he emerged—his body wreathed in golden light, completely unharmed. The divine aura shredded the purple energy on contact, scattering it into nothingness. Goku launched himself forward again, straight at Beerus.
Elsewhere, across worlds—
Dragon Ball's Otherworld.
Vegeta stared slack-jawed. "That's… Kakarot? How could he push the God of Destruction that far? That power should've been mine! I'm the Prince of all Saiyans—I deserve it more than anyone!"
Naruto's world.
Disguised as the Kazekage, Orochimaru watched in awe. "So gods do exist after all… If immortality is real, then I'll uncover its secret no matter what." His tongue slid across his lips, hungry with fascination.
The Root base in Konoha.
Danzo scowled. "So even gods exist. Destruction and divine power… terrifying. But no one will stop me. I'll make Konoha the greatest, even if it costs me everything. I'll prove I was right!"
One Piece's world—Marineford.
Sengoku's hands trembled. "A god's power… it's beyond imagination. Compared to that, the Four Emperors and even the Admirals are nothing but children." Across the seas, voices echoed in frenzy: "Gods are real! Stronger than the Yonko! Stronger than anyone!"
Back on the screen—
Goku slammed his fist forward, only to have Beerus catch it easily with an open hand. The air shook violently between them, waves of power surging outward. Goku roared, golden light exploding from his body as his punch finally forced Beerus back.
He became a streak of gold, pounding relentlessly against Beerus's palms. Beerus slid backward through space, his arms straining. "So this is the true power of a Super Saiyan God…"
Their clash carried them beyond the atmosphere, up into the void of space. But at last, Goku's strength ran dry. His aura flickered out, and he reverted to his normal form. With a soft exhale, Beerus released his grip, and Goku plummeted. He managed to halt his fall at the last moment, hovering weakly, chest heaving.
From above, Beerus looked down. "Five Saiyans gathered their energy to cobble together a Super Saiyan God. And you… you absorbed it. You made it your own. You pushed me harder than I expected. For a moment, I almost regretted clinging to that dream I foresaw."
Goku's voice rasped. "Even if you say that… there's nothing for me to feel proud of. Damn it—I wanted to win so badly. But I guess this is it, huh? You'll destroy Earth now, won't you?"
Beerus appeared in front of him, raising one finger like a flick. "Remember? This is how our match began—with a single tap. So for the finale… I'll send you off with one last strike, carrying everything I've felt in this fight."
"..."
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________