As terrifying energy swept across the stage, the Grand Minister was forced to reinforce the arena's energy shield once again.
He couldn't help but marvel at the talent emerging from Universe 7. Not a single person from their team had been eliminated yet. Beerus was certainly lazy, but if he weren't, Universe 7's ranking would never have been so low. It seems I'll have to give him a proper wake-up call after this... the Grand Minister thought.
Beerus had no idea he was being targeted by the Grand Minister's "motivation" for the third time today.
Up in the stands, Turles was also somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected Universe 7 to maintain a perfect record. He understood why Gohan and Piccolo were still in—they were powerful. He also understood Lazuli (18); she was staying close to Bulma, with his Vegito clone standing guard.
However, the fact that Majin Buu—currently dominated by the Grand Supreme Kai's personality—was still in was a bit of a shock. From the moment the match started, this guy had completely let loose, flying wherever the action was loudest. It was as if he'd been cooped up inside Buu for so long that he wanted to vent every ounce of his frustration. If it weren't for Buu's unique physiology, the guy probably would have been beaten into a pulp by now.
Instead, he was using that indestructible body to play around on the arena floor, leaving Turles speechless.
Even Beerus, watching from the side, let out a long sigh. "Our Supreme Kai is just too good at seeking out death..."
As for Lapis (Android 17)? The guy was being incredibly "sneaky." Perhaps influenced by the Cell Incident, 17 had become exceptionally cautious. He didn't engage head-on if he could help it; he preferred to wait for an opening or strike from the shadows. If something felt off, he retreated instantly. Turles scratched his head watching him. Weren't you a hotheaded kid? Since when did 17 become a master of the "hit-and-run" strategy?
RUMBLE!
Two massive bursts of energy exploded again.
At the center of the blast, Jiren and Son Goku were locked in a frantic exchange of blows. The shockwaves from their collision sent tremors through the entire arena.
Jiren was no longer calm. Son Goku's power had completely exceeded his expectations; this Super Saiyan 5 form was fundamentally different from the warrior he had faced just moments ago.
At this point, Jiren had unleashed his full energy. A fire-red aura erupted from his body, his muscles bulging as his pressure shook the World of Void.
The Gods of Destruction watching the fight were stunned. "Are those two really mortals? Are we sure this isn't a battle between two Gods of Destruction?"
Belmod's face was grim, but he felt a slight relief when he remembered the Potara earrings he had thrown to Toppo. Jiren, you'll make the right choice, won't you?
Feeling Goku's power still rising, Jiren gritted his teeth and threw punch after punch.
"AAAAHH! I won't lose to you! I must win! I will keep winning! No matter how strong you are, I have a reason I cannot lose!"
"HAA!"
Jiren's top suddenly disintegrated as his power flared to a new peak. He was tapping into the deepest reserves of his potential.
His master, Gicchin, had been killed by an evil-doer. Jiren believed that only by winning the tournament could he gain the power to bring his master back. How could he possibly fail here?
He hadn't found his enemy yet. He hadn't resurrected his master. He had to win this match—not just against Goku, but against everyone in Universe 7!
With wide, intense eyes, Jiren unleashed a barrage of violent energy attacks at Goku. Reaching his hands toward the sky, he condensed a massive energy sphere that looked remarkably like Goku's Spirit Bomb.
"Son Goku! Face your defeat!!"
With a violent swing of his arms, the massive orange-red sphere hurtled toward Goku.
Goku's lips curled into a slight smirk. He braced himself and fired a massive Kamehameha.
The orange-red and brilliant blue energies collided, illuminating the entire World of Void.
As they locked into a Beam Struggle, Vegeta glanced over at Toppo. "Hmph. This is your universe's strongest? He's no match for Kakarot."
Toppo remained silent, his grip tightening around the Potara earrings in his hand. Jiren, you'll agree to it... won't you?
"HAAAAAAAAA!" Goku's veins popped on his forehead, and his muscles throbbed with power. As his form shifted, the energy erupting from his hands grew even more violent.
"Damn it! I can't hold it!" Jiren's face was contorted in a grimace. He felt the pressure mounting until he could no longer suppress the skyrocketing energy wave.
"Gah!"
Realizing he couldn't win the struggle, Jiren abandoned the beam. Using the recoil of the impact, he forcefully twisted his body, spiraling away into the air.
The massive blue energy wave shattered the Grand Minister's shield and soared into the far reaches of the void, resulting in a cataclysmic explosion.
The blinding light turned the dark World of Void into a place as bright as day.
Amidst the fading explosion, Jiren landed firmly on the ground. But before he could even catch his breath, Goku was already in front of him.
THOOM!
Goku buried a fist into Jiren's gut. Feeling the agonizing pain, Jiren was sent hurtling backward.
"Curse you!" Jiren rolled as he hit the ground and wiped the blood from his lip, charging back at Goku instantly.
"SON GOKU!!"
"Hahaha, come on, Jiren!"
The two moved with such incredible speed that their movements created constant sonic booms. They collided and separated in the blink of an eye.
BOOM!
Jiren was sent spinning away by Goku's sheer force.
It was becoming clear—Super Saiyan 5 Goku was simply stronger.
Goku pressed the advantage, raining down a flurry of kicks and punches. Jiren was starting to doubt his own reality. Is this really the same man I was beating just minutes ago?
This was the first true rival Jiren had ever encountered in his life. He couldn't understand how the "backwards" Universe 7 could produce such a freakish monster. That overwhelming power was beginning to crack Jiren's very convictions.
As they fought, the arena continued to disintegrate. Compared to when the match started, nearly half of the stage had already been blown to bits.
"Jiren, is this all you've got? Don't worry, after we win, I'll wish back the erased universes!"
Goku's words made Jiren freeze for a split second. "Wish back our universe? Don't make me laugh! I won't lose! I can't lose!!"
Memories of his past trauma flooded his mind, and Jiren finally exploded with rage.
"HAAAAAAAAA!!!"
"Son Goku! I am the one who will never fail!!"
Jiren let out a primal roar as the latent potential hidden within his soul finally awakened. His muscles expanded even further, and his aura billowed like a sun. The Pride Troopers in the spectator bleachers felt a surge of hope.
"He did it! Jiren has surpassed his limits! We still have a chance!!"
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