"When Jiren was a child, a traitor led evil men to him. The friend he trusted most sold him out. His parents died before his eyes."
"The wandering monk who found him took him in. Jiren trained every day, and when the enemy returned, master and disciples stood together."
"They all died. Only Jiren survived."
Belmod, the clown God of Destruction, spoke without his usual mockery. The tale spilled out and the arena fell silent. Not only Universe 11 but Universe 7 and even the four universes not competing listened, stunned. Behind Jiren's iron will lay grief few had imagined.
On the shattered stage, Jiren faced Goku, now blazing Super Saiyan Blue. Jiren's stamina was not what it had been, yet his gaze never wavered. He still believed one Goku would not be enough.
"Trust is the excuse of the weak. Only strength decides all. Regret your lack of power."
His voice finally frayed. Emotions he thought long buried had begun to slip loose. Scarlet energy erupted from his hands and surged like a tidal bore toward Goku.
"Haaah!"
Goku drew a deep breath and cupped his palms. The Kamehameha roared to life, drilling a narrow corridor through Jiren's flood. He kicked off the warped tiles and shot down that tunnel, driving a fist straight at Jiren.
Jiren caught it with ease. The two crashed together at close quarters.
Blow after blow, Goku forced his body beyond yesterday's limits. For a few heartbeats he held even with the titan in front of him. Shockwaves tore boulders to gravel. Dust boiled up around them.
"So this laughable trust is what lets you fight on no matter the enemy?" Jiren sneered. His knuckles flashed through a seam in Goku's guard.
Crack.
The punch sank into Goku's gut. Flesh caved as if struck by a sledge. Ribs gave. Organs seized. Pain burned white.
Blood spilled over his chin as he tumbled, leaving a long red smear across the stone.
"Goku!"
From the stands came hoarse shouts. Even Beerus, who wanted victory more than anyone, clenched his fists and said nothing. Lose here and Zeno would erase them. Universe 7 would be no more. Yet the way things stood, Goku could not win. Jiren fought like a thing beyond reason. Vincent lay unconscious from a brutal hit. Frieza was nowhere in sight. Even at their peaks, the three together might not be enough.
Goku pushed out of the rubble, swaying, blood still leaking at the corner of his mouth.
"Oh? Still standing?"
Jiren blurred, appearing in front of him.
Thud.
A straight shot split Goku's brow. Blood sprayed. Goku did not fall.
"Then I will knock you down."
Fists rained like a storm. Goku could not lift his arms in time. He spent everything he had left keeping his feet beneath him.
"Goku!" Krillin's voice cracked from the seats. He wanted nothing more than to leap to his friend. Against Jiren he would have been no more than a child.
"Damn it. At this rate he will be thrown out," Piccolo hissed, sweat beading at his temple. "All of this for nothing?"
Grit chewed between every tooth on the Universe 7 side. Watching Goku serve as a living sandbag hurt more than their own wounds.
"Goku, you are a worthy opponent," Jiren said at last. Respect briefly warmed the cold of his eyes as he bullied Goku toward the brink. But the lives of two universes sat in his palm. He let the warmth go. "I discarded feelings long ago."
Energy condensed around his right arm. He struck, certain this blow would end it.
It passed through Goku.
There was no impact, no tearing of flesh. Only a sensation like striking empty air.
"What…"
Up in the gallery, several Gods of Destruction stiffened. A thin pressure rolled across the stands, quiet and absolute. A name rose unbidden in every divine mind.
Ultra Instinct.
A sound like a drawn blade sliced the air. Goku now stood several paces away, silver light washing over his skin. The glow deepened, brightened, and wrapped him completely.
The selfless state took hold.
Beerus stared, then his long-tensed hands unclenched and smacked together in a single sharp clap. "Perfected Ultra Instinct. Took you long enough. Goku, now show us."
On the throne, the two Zenos bounced in their seats. "Ooh, Goku changed again. A brand-new form."
"Ultra Instinct is such a cool name. So cool. Hyaa!"
----------------------------------------------------
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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