Goku and Vegeta lay defeated, crushed by opponents whose power exceeded theirs by insurmountable margins. Even Goku's Ultra Instinct Sign—half-complete though it was—had collapsed before Jiren's overwhelming strength, unable to maintain itself long enough to secure victory. Crisis loomed over Universe Seven like a guillotine blade.
"This is ridiculous..." Frieza muttered through gritted teeth, tension radiating from every muscle. "How can anyone be this unreasonably strong?"
The opportunity presented itself perfectly. After defeating Goku, Jiren had returned to the center of the fractured arena, seemingly unguarded and relaxed. But staring at those flames burning around the grey-skinned warrior, Frieza couldn't bring himself to attack. He'd experienced Jiren's power firsthand—felt the absolute gap. If a single strike failed to eliminate him, Frieza would be destroyed in the counterattack.
"What is your name?" Jiren's voice carried across the broken battlefield. He began walking toward Goku, each footstep shattering the ground beneath his feet. Fine stones flew upward, then were crushed to powder by his aura before they could fall.
Goku clutched his chest, breathing heavily. "My name... is Son Goku."
"Understood. Son Goku of Universe Seven." Jiren repeated the name, stopping about ten meters away. He raised one hand. "I will remember you."
Having asked the name, he immediately assumed the stance of elimination. A ki sphere the size of a basketball materialized in his palm, emitting brilliant light—preparation for the finishing blow.
Then another voice cut through the tension. "In that case, you'd better remember me too."
"Hmm?" Jiren's gaze shifted.
Shazazero—the robed warrior from Universe One—shed his tattered cloak, revealing his true form for the first time. Black fur covered his entire body, only his eyes clearly visible beneath the dark coat. His build was slender but tall, bearing striking resemblance to Iwan, Universe One's God of Destruction. They were twins, after all.
Without waiting for Jiren to respond, Shazazero exploded forward, launching a devastating assault.
He'd already identified the tournament's true threat. Rather than waste energy on scattered opponents, eliminating Jiren took absolute priority. Possessing strength equal to a God of Destruction gave him the confidence to make that choice.
Jiren's aura blazed brighter as he met the attack head-on. Their first exchange detonated with blinding light. The impact shattered what remained of the arena floor completely.
CRACK.
The massive circular platform—already fractured from previous battles—could no longer maintain structural integrity. The disk broke apart, transforming into two enormous fan-shaped sections and countless smaller fragments floating in the void.
Jiren and Shazazero fought on one fan-shaped platform while Goku and Vegeta, assisted by Frieza, retreated to another section—putting distance between themselves and the catastrophic battle.
Casserale leaped onto their platform, facing the three wounded warriors. Hellfire ignited across his body, dark flames that radiated death's chill.
"Hehehehe." Frieza's vicious smile returned despite his injuries. He assumed fighting stance, blood-red eyes gleaming with malice. "One against three? Even injured, you shouldn't underestimate us so badly."
"Apologies," Casserale said flatly. "But this is my best opportunity."
"STOP TALKING!" Frieza roared and charged, fingers flying. Death Beams erupted like a web of crimson light. Casserale dodged with aerial agility, condensing hellfire into a blade from his left arm and slashing toward the tyrant.
Their fierce battle created tremendous vibrations that rippled across the fragmented arena.
Toppo—purple Hakai energy burning around his entire body—was drawn by the continuous shockwaves. He assessed the shifting battlefield and decided pursuing Gohan and Majin Buu was wasted effort. Two of his teammates fought nearby. Better to consolidate forces.
"I'll deal with you later!" The declaration rang with conviction as Toppo leaped toward Goku's position.
"FATHER!" Gohan's warning cut through the chaos. "WATCH OUT!" He and Buu immediately gave chase.
Multiple afterimages flashed as Toppo crossed the shattered battlefield, his momentum and Gohan's shout serving as clear warning.
"Dammit," Vegeta growled, forcing himself upright. "Another one..."
Azure flames erupted around his form—Super Saiyan Blue blazing to life despite exhaustion. "COME ON THEN! TRY TAKING THIS!"
Energy gathered between his palms, lightning dancing wildly around his frame. Brilliant light erupted like a newborn star. "FINAL FLASH!"
Vegeta's fury had reached its peak. When anger surged through Saiyan blood, strength climbed to match.
Toppo's expression grew serious, but his feet didn't slow. One hand raised, purple energy condensing instantly. "HAKAI."
A sphere of destructive power materialized before him. His eyes fixed on Vegeta with cold disdain. Fool. No force can function before Hakai energy.
But when the Hakai sphere thrust forward—
Vegeta vanished.
The Final Flash—accumulated power beyond anything Vegeta had achieved before—disappeared with him. Instant Transmission, executed at the perfect moment, repositioning both warrior and attack to Toppo's flank.
BOOOOM!
The Final Flash engulfed Toppo completely. A vast ocean of energy crashed over him, shaking the entire World of Void with its fury.
"Got him..." Vegeta's grin spread with savage satisfaction—then froze halfway.
Beneath the light stood Toppo's intact figure. At the critical moment, he'd detonated his Hakai sphere defensively, creating a barrier that nullified Vegeta's ultimate attack.
"DAMN IT!" Vegeta cursed.
"I must commend you," Toppo said, his voice carrying grudging respect. "Solid tactics. Unfortunately, ineffective. My justice is unstoppable." He raised both hands, gathering Hakai energy on either side.
The charging Gohan, the approaching Buu, and Vegeta who'd blocked his path—all three fell within the strike zone.
Then a roar that tore through air itself made Toppo's entire body freeze.
He'd forgotten. In the chaos of battle, he'd ignored someone who absolutely could not be ignored.
Super Saiyan 4 Broly.
The berserker Saiyan glided at low altitude, red fur blazing, emerald aura trailing like a comet. His terrifying fist shot forward with apocalyptic force. Toppo reflexively pulled back his Hakai energy, raising both arms in desperate defense.
It wasn't enough.
Broly's punch carried overwhelming dominance. Even blocking, Toppo's arms went numb. His feet scraped backward across the ground, unable to maintain position. In that moment of vulnerability, Buu and Gohan's eyes lit up with opportunity.
Twin energy waves erupted from their hands, hammering into Toppo from opposite angles.
Toppo couldn't use Hakai while defending—this was their perfect opening.
Vegeta roared, his entire body erupting with azure radiance. Thin arcs of lightning crackled through the air with sharp, violent reports. Energy burst from every cell.
"AGAIN!" Vegeta's voice was raw fury incarnate. "FINAL FLASH!"
"I CANNOT LOSE!" Toppo's conviction matched Vegeta's rage. "HAKAI! HAKAI! HAKAI!"
He'd protected justice his entire life, carried its banner through countless battles. But to ensure Universe Eleven's survival, he would abandon every burden, embrace pure destruction without restraint. Everything—everything—for his universe!
Under Toppo's iron will, Hakai energy manifested from nothing and began expanding exponentially.
But Vegeta wouldn't yield. Couldn't yield.
His pride as a Saiyan Prince. Raditz counting on him. Goku fighting beside him. Bulma waiting at home. Trunks who'd traveled through time to save them all. The unborn child growing in Bulma's womb—
All the things precious to him converged into singular purpose.
"AAAAAAHHHHHHH!"
Vegeta's azure flames thickened, deepened, became something more. His power climbed impossibly higher, fueled by everything he refused to lose. "OUR POWER—YOU CAN'T DESTROY IT! YOU WON'T DESTROY IT!"
With his aura blazing at its absolute zenith, golden light swallowed the lightning. The Final Flash erupted, continuously impacting and overwhelming Hakai energy, spreading pressure that made reality itself groan. The arena shattered. Space screamed. Every deity in the stands felt their expressions change.
What terrifying energy...
For one impossible moment, even Beerus wondered if he could truly destroy such overwhelming force.
The Hakai energy shattered under the pressure—fragmenting like glass before a hammer. Panic flashed across Toppo's eyes as Vegeta's Final Flash consumed everything in its path.
Brilliant light filled the world!
Toppo's hands trembled. His resistance crumbled. Gohan, Buu, Vegeta, and Broly shouted in unison, eyes blazing with determination. They launched the final strike together—
CRASH.
The combined assault nearly obliterated what remained of the arena. Shockwaves swept through the World of Void, making spectators flinch involuntarily.
Buu and Gohan exhaled with relief. They'd finally defeated the God of Destruction candidate—a battle that had demanded everything they had. Vegeta panted heavily, allowing himself a small, satisfied smile.
But then—
The smoke cleared.
Everyone's eyes widened. Chill flooded their veins.
Toppo hadn't fallen off the stage.
Jiren stood before him.
On the other side of the battlefield, Shazazero lay embedded in a boulder—clearly defeated, his battle with Jiren concluded in overwhelming fashion.
"Thank you, Jiren," Toppo managed, voice rough with exhaustion.
"Step aside." Jiren's tone allowed no argument. "Leave this to me."
Nearly every warrior present had touched divine realms—achieved god-level power through one path or another. Jiren had already defeated several of them.
And from his stance, from the absolute confidence radiating from his frame, one thing became clear:
He intended to challenge everyone.