"Elec, do you really think Beerus-sama will extend Gas's life?" Macki asked worriedly. "He never actually promised us anything."
"If Gas performs well enough, I'm sure Beerus-sama will help him," Elec replied confidently. "Besides, the Supreme Kai said the most outstanding fighter can receive the Super Dragon Balls and have any wish granted. Gas, if it comes down to that, you can simply wish for eternal life yourself."
Oil clapped Gas on the shoulder. "Then you'd better give it everything you've got. Make sure you do well in the Tournament of Power!"
"I will." Gas nodded solemnly, but the confidence in his eyes made it clear he had no doubts about his new power.
With Gas joining the roster, Universe 7 had essentially finished assembling its team. And considering the fighters Beerus had gathered, calling them powerful mortals almost felt inadequate. This was a lineup filled with people whose strength had already reached the realm of the gods.
...
On Earth in Universe 6, less than an hour remained before the Tournament of Power.
After returning, Ken joined Champa and Vados in making the final preparations for Universe 6's team. Their roster had already been settled: Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, Kale, Gohan, Hit, Caulifla, Goten, Trunks, and Zarek.
All ten fighters were now gathered in the spacious courtyard outside Bulma's home.
"Hehehe! Ken, we're definitely winning this tournament." Champa's grin grew wider the more he thought about it. "I still don't believe Beerus managed to find anyone worth worrying about."
"You might want to hold off on celebrating, Champa-sama," Vados said with a sigh. "I'm sure Beerus-sama found suitable fighters somehow."
"Why don't we take a look?" Champa suggested eagerly. "I'm betting that idiot couldn't even scrape together ten people."
"That wouldn't hurt," Vados agreed. "But Ken should be the one to check. If I try, Whis will probably notice me. Ken's level is higher than both of ours, so Whis should have a much harder time detecting him."
Ken considered it for a moment, then raised his staff and used the crystal sphere to observe Universe 7's roster. He was curious himself; Beerus's team should already be more or less complete by now.
The image shifted across the universes and settled on Beerus's Planet.
Ken's expression changed almost immediately.
Granolah and Gas?
Those two were actually entering the Tournament of Power?
His attention moved to Frieza next, and the increase in Frieza's strength was impossible to miss. Judging from what Ken could sense, Frieza had most likely already developed his Black form.
Frieza wasn't the only surprise. King Cold, Cooler, and Ize had all been revived, and each of them had grown considerably stronger as well. Then there were the four fighters brought over from the GT timeline: Goku, Vegeta, Broly, and Uub.
Ken only needed a quick look to understand how ridiculous Universe 7's roster had become. Almost every fighter on the team was approaching god-level strength.
He lowered his staff and ended the observation.
"Well?" Champa slapped his round stomach and laughed. "Beerus is panicking because he couldn't find enough people, isn't he?"
Ken gave him a long look and sighed.
Champa immediately misunderstood. "I knew it! Poor Beerus..." He shook his head, and despite all his earlier gloating, a trace of genuine sadness crept into his expression.
Beerus was still his brother, after all. The thought that Beerus and his entire universe might soon disappear wasn't something Champa could completely laugh off.
Fuwa looked toward Ken. "How strong is Universe 7's team?"
"Very strong," Ken answered.
Vados blinked and studied his expression more closely. Ken didn't look like he was exaggerating in the slightest.
"Oh, come on, Ken." Champa snorted. "How strong could Universe 7 possibly be?"
"The strongest fighter on their team has probably reached level 40."
Champa's voice shot upward. "What?!"
"My, my... level 40." Vados covered her mouth with a smile, although her expression had become much more serious. "That's already around the level of a trainee Angel. Goku is only about level 36, isn't he?"
Champa stared at her as though something had lodged in his throat. A four-level difference at that range was absurd enough on its own, but Ken wasn't finished.
"Universe 7 also has another fighter around level 38 and one around level 39."
Champa's entire body jerked before he went rigid, staring at Ken in disbelief.
Fuwa looked equally miserable. "Our strongest fighter is only level 36, and they have people at 38, 39, and 40?"
The difference wasn't small enough to dismiss with teamwork or clever tactics. Universe 7 had multiple fighters individually stronger than anyone on their side.
"What are we supposed to do?" Champa began pacing anxiously, all of his confidence from a few moments earlier completely gone. "What do we do now?"
Goku noticed the commotion and wandered over from the rest of the team. "Champa-sama, what's wrong?"
Champa looked at him for a long moment, unsure how to answer.
What was wrong?
Their universe was about to lose.
"Goku, Universe 7's lineup is extremely strong," Fuwa said instead. "You absolutely have to win this tournament."
"I'll do my best." Goku scratched his head with a grin. "Whether we actually win in the end, though... I can't promise that."
"You have to win!" Champa shouted directly into his face, spraying him with spit. "If you guys lose, the entire Universe 6 disappears!"
Goku hurriedly wiped his face with his sleeve.
Ken turned back toward Champa. "How did Vegeta's training go?"
"Vegeta! Get over here!"
At Champa's call, Vegeta quickly flew over and landed beside Goku.
"Show Ken your transformation," Champa ordered.
Vegeta didn't hesitate. His power surged outward as he immediately transformed into Super Saiyan 4.
He was about to continue into his next form when Ken raised one hand and stopped him.
"That's enough. You don't need to go any further."
Champa stared at him in complete confusion.
Hadn't Ken just asked to see how well Vegeta's training had gone?
Then why was he stopping after the first transformation?
[End of chapter]