"Universe 4's Majora has fallen from the arena and is disqualified," the Grand Priest announced in the same cool tone as ever.
Up on the throne, the two Omni-Kings were still buzzing from Krillin's rescue and the stinky-shoe finish. "So fun, so fun."
"Universe 4... Majora... boop."
A fingertip tapped a tablet. Majora's portrait turned gray. "They keep disappearing one by one. This is the best."
Their childlike delight sent a chill through the gathered gods.
In the stands, Beerus could not sit still, practically vibrating with excitement at how easily two more enemies had been handled. Vincent's last trick, especially, had been wickedly clever.
"Perfect. Keep that momentum and clear them all out."
The Old Kai winced and squirmed in Beerus's grip. Being used as a stress ball was not on his bucket list.
Hearing the praise, Krillin rubbed the back of his head, a little sheepish. He had figured himself the weakest rep on the roster. Getting to contribute, then tag-teaming two eliminations with his wife, felt good. Too good. He grinned and waved at Universe 7's section like he was at a fan meet.
Beerus played along, cupping his hands like a megaphone. "Cue ball, cue ball. Bald is bold. You rock, I rock."
A familiar shadow fell over Krillin's back.
Whack.
A tail swept him clean off the edge.
"Universe 7's Krillin has fallen from the arena and is disqualified."
"Wait, I am out already?"
"Universe 7... Krillin... boop."
His portrait dimmed. He popped into a seat near Beerus.
"What are you doing, cue ball?"
"My name is Krillin..." he said weakly, then wilted under Beerus's flat stare.
"You got careless."
"Sorry. Sorry."
Across the way, Champa of Universe 6 burst into laughter. As his fighters pressed Vegeta hard on the stage, his mood rose with every missed counter.
"Good. Knock all of Universe 7 off the map."
Botamo had been a heartbeat from getting blasted out, only for a hulking robot to shoulder in and break Vegeta's rhythm. Auta Magetta. Old foes, both of them. They had clearly patched their holes since the last time.
Working in perfect tandem, the rubber-bodied Botamo absorbed blows while Magetta's iron fists hammered in. Vegeta staggered back, teeth bared.
"Damn it."
He slammed a punch at both, aura flaring. Botamo soaked it like taffy. Magetta drove a steel fist into Vegeta's gut and bile climbed his throat.
Being pressed by two former pushovers burned like acid. Vegeta roared and snapped to Full Power Super Saiyan.
Boom.
Beams lanced from both hands, clearing space and breaking the pincer.
He was about to surge when a smaller figure skidded in front of him.
"Master."
Vegeta blinked. Cabba.
"Why are you here. This is my fight. Move."
He shoved him aside.
Cabba clenched his jaw and flared into a Super Saiyan. "Master, I am here to ask for guidance."
Vegeta's interest ticked up despite himself. "Guidance?"
"Teach me how to reach your current state."
Silence stretched. Then Vegeta stepped and drove a fist into Cabba's gut. The blow lifted him, eyes bulging, stomach roiling.
"With that? You dare ask?"
Arms crossed, Vegeta looked down at him with cool contempt.
"Master..."
"Do not call me that. I am the Saiyan Prince. I do not accept trash as disciples."
Cabba swayed, then forced himself upright. "Please... Master."
"Shut up. Earn it."
Vegeta flashed forward, knuckles swelling in Cabba's vision. Panic scratched at Cabba's throat and he got both forearms up in time.
Crack.
The block held, but the force sent him cartwheeling. He plowed through a chain of boulders and came to a stop in a heap of gravel.
He lay there, breath ragged. If I drop here, Universe 6 is finished.
Boom.
Power surged out of him and hurled the stones away. He was cut and bruised, but he stood straight.
This was not for pride. It was for his planet. For his universe.
His ki climbed and climbed, cresting against an invisible ridge.
Vegeta watched from a few paces away, mouth tilting at one corner. "Stubborn brat."
Elsewhere, Vincent realized Krillin had been knocked off and glanced around for the culprit, but the tail user had already vanished into the churn of bodies.
"Tch..."
A flurry of sparks drew his eye. Goku.
He was trading blows with Universe 6's female Saiyan, Caulifla.
"Hey, teach me that thing where you turn blue."
"This one?"
Goku's aura snapped and he shifted into Super Saiyan Blue.
"Yeah, that. Show me."
She stuck out a hand like a boss calling the bill.
"This form does not fit you yet. Try this first."
He let the godly glow fall away and rose into Super Saiyan Two instead.
"That works. Teach me."
"Feel my ki and pull all your energy to your back."
Following his lead, Caulifla focused.
Pop.
Lightning crawled around her. Her aura kicked up a notch.
"Nice. When I first hit Super Saiyan Two, it took me years."
"Please. Look who you are talking to."
She tapped her nose, smug, then slid into a stance. "Let me test my new toy on you."
"Bring it."
----------------------------------------------------
The deeper he goes, the more the truth unravels. Don't wait read ahead and witness Vincent's rise before the world catches up!
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