"But something isn't right..." Gran began, but he was quickly cut off.
"That's different!" Beerus and Whis said in unison, sharing a knowing look.
They knew exactly what was on Gran's mind. When he had expressed the desire to kill Quitela earlier, they hadn't objected because Quitela's previous assassination attempt on Gran had already earned the ire of Zen-Oh and the Grand Minister. In that case, revenge was justified.
However, the God of Destruction of Universe 12 hadn't done anything to them. Furthermore, Universe 12 boasted a Mortal Level above 7; its deities were considered precious assets to the multiverse. Besides, Gran had already erased several candidates today, earning the resentment of almost every other God. If he started picking off the Gods themselves just for having an attitude, he'd be asking for a one-way ticket to total erasure.
"Gran, I've always held a bit of a grudge against Universe 7," Belmod, the clownish God of Universe 11, said as he stepped forward. He shook his head solemnly. "But since you spared Jiren's life, I'll give you a piece of advice: a universe without its God of Destruction and Supreme Kai falls into chaos."
"Great Zen-Oh and the Grand Minister won't allow you to go on a killing spree. You're a Destroyer Candidate now; you represent the entirety of Universe 7. If you act recklessly, you won't just destroy yourself—you'll bring down your whole universe with you."
Gran blinked, taken aback by Belmod's sudden gravity. He looked at Beerus and Whis, who both nodded in silent agreement. Belmod then turned to Beerus and sighed. "I still can't stand you, but your candidate is truly something else. I admit defeat this time."
"And Gran... thank you." With that, Belmod turned and vanished from the World of Void.
Gran and Beerus exchanged a look of pure shock. The clown had actually admitted defeat and thanked them?
Gran suddenly remembered something. In the lore of his past life, Jiren's master, Gicchin, had been close friends with Belmod. In the context of a martial arts world, Belmod was practically Jiren's martial uncle. It made sense that he'd be grateful for Jiren's survival.
"Gran, thanks for the match. We'll meet again." One by one, Iwan, Sidra, and Rumsshi offered their brief farewells before departing with their respective entourages.
As they left, Gran's eyes caught a specific figure standing next to Rumsshi and Gowasu—a green-skinned apprentice in Supreme Kai robes.
Zamasu! So they had brought him along to watch the battle after all.
"What are you staring at?" Beerus asked, throwing an arm around Gran's shoulder.
"Nothing much," Gran replied with a smile. "I just realized these Gods of Destruction are actually kind of fun in their own way."
"Fun?" Champa chimed in, leaning over. "Gods of Destruction are the most dangerous beings in existence. You can never guess what they're thinking. Don't go trusting them too easily."
Gran's lips curled into a smirk. "Does that mean I should be wary of you, too, Lord Champa?"
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Champa barked, puffing out his chest with an air of mock loyalty. "Considering you just saved Universe 6, my universe is basically your best friend from now on!"
Vados let out a giggle at her master's buffoonery. She knew exactly what he was doing—he saw how powerful Gran and Beerus were becoming and was looking for a strong leg to lean on. Beerus, knowing his brother better than anyone, simply facepalmed in embarrassment.
Once the antics died down, Beerus turned serious. "By the way, Gran... you erased almost everyone else. Why did you leave those four candidates alive? Was it on purpose?"
During the fight, Beerus had only specifically asked for the destruction of the candidates from Universes 4 and 2. Champa, Old Kai, and Shin all leaned in, curious to hear the answer.
Gran shrugged, shaking Beerus's arm off his shoulder. "It wasn't on purpose. I just didn't have time to apply the Power of Destruction to them before they went down."
Everyone gave him a flat, disbelieving look.
"Fine, don't believe me then," Gran muttered, declining to explain further.
In reality, there were only two he had truly intended to spare: Primo and Jiren. He spared Universe 10's Primo because the Angel Kusu had been kind enough to project the tournament for him years ago. Furthermore, Universe 10—its God, Kai, and Primo himself—had been quiet and respectful throughout the ordeal, never calling for Gran's head.
As for Jiren? Gran had remembered a saying from his old world: If Gohan stops studying, Jiren will be the one crying. He knew Gohan had likely been born by now, and he genuinely wanted to see if the "Ultimate" fighter could actually surpass the pride of Universe 11 if he focused on training instead of books.
The other two—Bergamo and Lambert—were a mix of chance and respect. Bergamo had simply been lucky, but Lambert was a pure martial artist. Despite the rivalry with Universe 1, Gran admired the lion's spirit and decided to let him live.
"Well, everyone's gone. We should head out too," Gran said, scanning the desolate World of Void. Only the two winning universes remained.
Wait, not just them. The Angels, the Supreme Kai of Time, and the Grand Elder of the Dragon Realm were still lingering.
"You all head back first. My sister says we have matters to discuss," Whis announced.
"Huh?" The mortals looked confused.
Champa turned to Vados. "What about you?"
"I'm staying as well. Please, return without me," Vados replied, waving her scepter to summon a Cube transport on the stage.
"Lord Beerus, what's this about?" Gran asked.
Beerus shook his head. "Angel business isn't for us to meddle in. Let's go."
Reluctantly, Gran stepped into the Cube, followed by the others. Beerus took the controls, and with a sharp zip, the transport vanished into the void.
Just before he disappeared, Gran noticed Chronoa and Raphael staring at him with an intensity that reminded him of the way Vados used to look at him—like they wanted to spirit him away.
"Supreme Kai of Time, Grand Elder... perhaps you could tone down the staring? It's getting a bit awkward," Kusu, the small Angel of Universe 10, said as she suddenly appeared on the royal pavilion.
Behind her, the other eleven Angels materialized in a silent, imposing line. A heavy tension immediately filled the air.
Chronoa gulped, exchanging a startled look with Raphael. Kusu, the eldest of the sisters, had moved so fast they hadn't even sensed her arrival.
"The show is over," Whis said calmly, gripping his scepter. "You should leave. Gran is not someone you can lay claim to."
"You guys are so mean!" Chronoa huffed, her cheeks puffing out.
"I don't have any ill intent! I just wanted to recruit him as a Time Patroller. With his strength, the stability of the timelines would be guaranteed!"
"The Great Zen-Oh already said 'No' while he was here," Vados reminded her coolly.
"I suggest you find your Patrollers elsewhere."
The Angels stood in a united front, their eyes fixed on the pink-haired deity.
"I hate you all!" Chronoa stamped her foot in frustration. She knew she couldn't win this argument, especially with Zen-Oh's decree backing them up. Fuming, she vanished, determined to report this "Gran" to the King of Time.
"Until we meet again, then," Raphael added. With no reason to stay, the Grand Elder of the Dragon Realm also took his leave.
Silence finally returned to the World of Void, leaving only the twelve empty stands and the ruined arena below.
After a long pause, Awamo of Universe 1 spoke up. "Sister, who exactly is this Gran?"
"Something is wrong with him," Sour of Universe 2 added gravely. "Even Beerus in his prime wasn't this ridiculous."
Campari of Universe 3 frowned. "The 7th stage of power, Angel-level Ultra Instinct, a peak divine dimension... these are heights that usually take hundreds of millions of years to reach. And yet, he..."
"Including his time in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, he's only about 300 years old," Cognic of Universe 4 finished. "His talent is simply terrifying."
The Angels began to chatter excitedly about Gran's impossible growth. Whis and Vados shared a smug look. They had been living with this shock for years; it was finally time for their siblings to feel the same bewilderment.
"Sister, what is the truth here?" Marcarita of Universe 11 asked, practically vibrating with impatience.
The Angels fell silent, looking toward Kusu.
"Why are you looking at me?" Kusu rolled her eyes. "Whis is right there. He's the boy's master. Ask him."
Twelve sets of eyes snapped to Whis. He winced—Kusu was getting craftier, shifting the burden onto him.
"Alright, it's like this..." Whis didn't hide the truth from his siblings. He recounted Gran's journey and his own conversation with the Grand Minister regarding the boy's nature.
When he concluded, he paused for effect. "That was our Father's evaluation. He said that Gran possesses... Transcendent Talent."
The words hit the Angels like a thunderbolt. They stood frozen in a world of shock.
Transcendent Talent? What could that possibly mean? Who would he eventually transcend? Their father? Or even Zen...
It took a long time for the Angels to find their voices again. "Is that really true?" Martinu of Universe 12 whispered.
"It is," Kusu nodded. "There's no need for further speculation. Father already confirmed there's nothing 'wrong' with him. He's simply that gifted."
The Angels fell into a deep, envious silence as they stared at Whis.
"Ohohoho~" Whis giggled, covering his mouth. "In the words of Lord Beerus: this is something you simply can't help but envy."
"Whis, you are the worst!" Vados snapped, though she was smiling. She had been jealous of Whis having a disciple like Beerus for ages—now that he had a monster like Gran, it was almost too much to bear.
The World of Void echoed with the Angels' playful bickering until Whis cleared his throat, changing the subject. "Sister, why do you think Great Zen-Oh suddenly issued that punishment?"
He was referring to the order for the losing universes to raise their Mortal Levels. The Angels grew quiet, their brows furrowing in genuine confusion.
"I don't know," Kusu admitted, shaking her small head.
Forcing nearly every universe to level up was effectively a mandate to strengthen the entire multiverse. But why now? What was coming that required such a drastic measure?
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