"Now that I think about it, Champa-sama," Goku said, leaning over with an easy smile, "Hit is the only one on our team who's actually from Universe 6, right? The rest of us used to be Universe 7 people."
Champa's expression stiffened. He shot Goku a vicious glare.
This brat really knew how to step on the one thing people were trying not to mention.
"Hmph. Kakarot, don't forget Kale is from Universe 6," Vegeta said, rolling his eyes.
"Oh, right. I almost forgot."
Champa gave Vegeta a long look and suddenly found him much easier on the eyes. At least someone here knew how to read the room.
"Ken, who do you think Beerus will pick?" Champa asked, his grin spreading so wide he almost could not close his mouth. "Universe 7 has no one left, right?"
"Let him take his time searching," Ken said. "We do have a big advantage, but don't get careless."
"Then I'll bring Hit over first," Champa said. "You can get used to each other and train a bit while we wait."
"Good. I want to test Hit's strength too," Goku said.
Ken turned to Merus. "Merus, should we go build the arena?"
"Sure."
"Actually, Merus, this isn't just a match between Champa and Beerus," Ken said, patting him on the shoulder. "It's also a little match between us, isn't it? You're the trainee Angel of Universe 7, and I'm the trainee of Universe 6."
Merus's smile froze.
"In that case, I should probably go find candidates myself…" He wiped a bead of sweat from his cheek. "I'll head out first. Call me anytime for the arena."
He tapped his staff against the ground and was about to leave when Ken caught him by the arm.
"Hold on."
Merus looked back.
"You're not going to leak our team information, are you?" Ken asked.
Champa leaned closer to Ken and suggested, "Why don't we knock him out?"
Merus's face went blank.
Even if they were considering it, did they have to discuss it right in front of him?
"Ken," Merus said with an awkward laugh, "I actually don't think this tournament has much to do with the two of us."
"Merus, I miss the old you," Ken said sincerely. "The one who was all proud and hard to deal with."
"I was hard to deal with because I was stronger than you," Merus admitted, scratching his cheek.
Ken was stronger than him now. If Merus kept acting stubborn, he would only suffer for it.
"Fine. You can go." Ken waved him off.
"You really won't reveal anything about our side?" Vados asked suddenly.
"I won't," Merus promised at once. "Don't worry. I'm not getting involved this time. Beerus-sama and Whis-nii can find the candidates themselves. As for your team, I won't say a single word."
"That's good," Vados said with a smile.
Champa rubbed his chin. "Actually, why don't we move the Galactic Patrol to Universe 6 too? You and Ken get along well, don't you? Wouldn't it be more convenient if you moved over?"
"I, uh… have something to do. Goodbye."
Merus tapped his staff again, and a brilliant light wrapped around him. He turned into a streak and vanished almost instantly.
What a mistake.
Everyone here belonged to Universe 6.
Why had he followed them into this mess?
He had nearly gotten himself moved in with the rest of them.
Merus flew away as fast as he could, afraid someone might actually make him stay.
Watching him disappear, Ken and the others burst out laughing. After a while, Ken turned to Vados with a stern expression.
"Vados, I have to criticize you for that."
Vados blinked. "Oh?"
"He's your younger brother. Is it really fine to say that to him?"
"Oh my. Angels don't worry about family bonds like that," Vados said with a cheerful smile.
Ken had no answer for that.
"In that case, Universe 6's team will be Goku, Vegeta, Hit, Piccolo, and Kale," Vados said.
As she spoke, several small spheres appeared in front of her, each one showing the face of a contestant. Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, and Kale stepped forward and took their places.
"Only Hit is still on another planet," Vados said.
"I can go to him right now," Goku said, raising his hand. "Show me where he is, and I'll bring him here."
"Very well, Goku."
The crystal ball on Vados's staff projected an image of a purple planet. The view drew closer and closer until an alien with a distinct, sharp-featured face came into sight.
"That's Hit?" Goku asked, pointing at the image.
"Yes. That is Hit." Vados indicated a point in space with her staff. "He is on that purple planet."
"Got it. Let me check."
Goku focused on the distant planet, searching through space. About ten seconds later, his face brightened.
"Found him!"
He raised his fingers to his forehead, ready to teleport, but a hand landed on his shoulder before he could go.
Goku turned. "Vegeta? What are you doing?"
"Take me with you."
"Why?"
"Do you think I don't know you?" Vegeta snorted. "The moment you start acting like this, I know exactly what kind of trouble you're planning. You want to go challenge Hit by yourself."
"Huh. You really do know me." Goku nodded seriously. "Fine. If you want to come, let's go together."
The two Saiyans vanished.
A moment later, they appeared on a purple planet, standing face-to-face with Hit in his long coat.
The planet glowed with a mysterious violet light. Its vast lands were covered in deep purple tones, while the sky shimmered with a softer lavender glow, stars shining like lamps across the open heavens. The air was fresh, and the vegetation grew thick across the landscape.
Goku only gave the scenery a quick glance before turning his full attention to Hit.
Hit stared back, alert at once.
How had these two appeared?
They had been nowhere a moment ago, and then they were standing right in front of him.
"Instant Transmission," Hit said, his voice heavy.
"You know about that?" Goku smiled. "Oh, you're Hit, right?"
"Who are you?"
Goku was about to explain, but Vegeta stepped forward first.
"I heard you're strong. I came to challenge you."
"Hmph."
Hit's expression barely changed. As an assassin, he could judge the strength of the person in front of him clearly enough. This one did not feel impressive.
"Kakarot, move," Vegeta said. "I'm going first."
"Vegeta, that's not fair," Goku protested. "I barely got to fight during the Buu incident. I should go first this time."
"You were the one who didn't fight. What does that have to do with me?" Vegeta snapped. "Besides, didn't you already fight Beerus-sama when he came to Earth?"
"Well… you kind of have a point." Goku scratched his head. "Then how about rock-paper-scissors?"
"Hmph. Fine."
The two of them started playing rock-paper-scissors right in front of Hit.
Hit watched them in silence, his face turning colder by the second.
Who did these two think they were looking down on?
He was the greatest assassin in Universe 6. He had even represented Universe 6 in the Grand Priest's God of Destruction Selection Tournament. And these two strangers had the nerve to stand in front of him and decide who got to fight him first with rock-paper-scissors.
Still, as he watched, a thought came to him.
"Rock-paper-scissors!"
"Tie!"
Goku and Vegeta kept going for several more rounds.
Finally, Vegeta smirked. "I win."
"That's rough," Goku said, scratching his head. "I don't think I've ever been good at this."
"Of course not. I won't lose to you at anything, even rock-paper-scissors."
Vegeta stepped forward and stood opposite Hit.
Hit had already calmed down again, studying him with a steady gaze.
"You're the strongest mortal in Universe 6, right?" Vegeta asked, anticipation rising in his eyes.
"You could say that," Hit replied. "Are you from another universe?"
"Beat me first, and I'll tell you."
The words had barely left Vegeta's mouth when Hit vanished.
Vegeta's eyes widened, and his body went tense.
A dull strike landed against his chest.
Hit's attack had gone straight for a vital point.
Vegeta spat blood, his body sagging almost immediately. He collapsed to the ground and came dangerously close to losing consciousness.
"Vegeta!" Goku shouted, stunned by how fast the fight had ended.
"Hmph. Did you not know?" Hit said coldly. "I am an assassin. I kill people when they least expect it."
His voice had not even faded before he appeared behind Goku.
Goku's eyes widened.
"You're next."
Hit thrust a finger toward Goku's back.
At that critical moment, Goku's Ultra Instinct activated on its own. His body slipped aside, avoiding the strike, and in the next instant he appeared beside Vegeta.
Goku placed both hands over Vegeta and released healing light. The damage was serious, but the wound was concentrated around the heart, which made it easy enough to treat. Vegeta's injuries closed quickly under the glow.
Hit stared at Goku. "You dodged?"
Then he noticed the healing technique, and his eyes sharpened further.
This one was not simple.
He had dodged his attack.
"Damn it!"
Vegeta's injuries had barely recovered before his face twisted with anger. A massive surge of energy erupted from his body, and in the next moment he transformed into Super Saiyan 4.
Enough of this.
He could maintain this form all the time, even while sleeping.
So why had he let his guard down just now?
That bird-headed bastard was infuriating.
Hit's expression turned serious when he saw Vegeta transform, but the insult caught his attention even more.
"You bird-headed bastard," Vegeta snapped. "No honor at all."
Hit froze.
Then, unexpectedly, his eyes lit up.
"Bird-headed?" Hit asked, almost excited. "What kind of bird do I look like?"
The last time someone had called him that was more than thirty years ago, and it had been a fat pink creature. Hit had wanted to know why ever since. Over the years, he had visited many planets and asked what kind of bird he resembled, but no one had been able to answer.
Now someone had finally used the same insult.
Vegeta fell silent.
He had no idea how to explain it.
"Vegeta, I don't think Hit looks like a bird," Goku added thoughtfully from the side. "Not like a sparrow or a parrot or anything."
Vegeta had even less to say after that.
"Kakarot, you can figure it out on your own."
"Explain yourselves," Hit demanded, anger rising in his voice.
He had chased this mystery for more than thirty years.
They were not allowed to stop halfway.
"Hmph. Beat me first, and I'll tell you," Vegeta said through clenched teeth.
How was he supposed to explain that kind of insult?
Was he supposed to pull Kakarot's thing out and compare it?
"That's all?" Hit relaxed slightly. "Then it's settled. If I defeat you, you tell me exactly why you called me that."
"Fine." Vegeta set his stance.
"Come."
Hit motioned with one hand.
Vegeta's expression turned grim. He might insult his opponent, but once the fight truly started, he would not underestimate him.
"What's wrong?" Hit asked, hands in his pockets, faint smile on his face. "Afraid to attack?"
"What did you say?" Vegeta's pride flared at once. "Do you know who you're talking to?"
He lunged, throwing a powerful punch straight toward Hit.
Before his fist could reach Hit's face, Hit struck first.
A sharp punch smashed into Vegeta's nose.
[End of chapter]
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
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