Just as the smaller crab was about to attack the helpless woman, Dyspo came rushing in and sent it flying with a powerful kick.
"Are you all right?" he asked with a reassuring smile.
"Y-Yes... Thank you! Thank you so much!" the woman replied, scrambling to her feet.
"You little rabbit! How dare you hurt my children!" the giant crab roared. It charged toward Dyspo, snapping its enormous claws as it prepared to crush him.
Before it could reach him, a beam of energy streaked across the battlefield and struck one of its claws. The claw was severed instantly, dropping to the ground with a heavy crash.
The monster stared at its missing claw in disbelief, while Dyspo turned toward the source of the attack and broke into a grin.
"Hey, Captain! You're back!"
"Mind if I join you?" Toppo asked with a smile.
"Perfect timing! Where'd you disappear to, anyway?"
"Belmod needed to speak with me."
"Oh, the God of Destruction." Dyspo nodded, deciding not to ask any further questions.
"Where's Jiren? Isn't he here?"
"Jiren's on Planet Towale," Dyspo explained. "Those Oslet aliens escaped from the Galactic Prison again. He said he'd come over once he finished dealing with them, but it'll probably take him a while."
"Planet Towale?" Toppo frowned. "That's pretty far away."
Before they could continue, the giant crab raised its head and released a series of piercing cries. Then it lowered its massive body and began spewing enormous quantities of white foam from its mouth.
The foam spread across the battlefield like a tidal wave, engulfing the Pride Troopers before they could escape. It clung to their bodies like powerful glue, making even the slightest movement difficult.
With the monster continuing to produce more, the sticky substance quickly spread through the surrounding streets and began covering much of the city.
"You bastard!" Dyspo growled, gathering energy in his right hand as he prepared to blast the creature.
"Stop, Dyspo!" Toppo shouted. "There are civilians trapped in that foam! If you miss, you could hit them!"
Dyspo reluctantly lowered his hand. With so many innocent people caught in the monster's attack, simply blasting everything apart wasn't an option.
The giant crab watched them struggle and let out a series of triumphant cries, clearly enjoying their helplessness.
Then a brilliant streak of light appeared in the distant sky.
Several Pride Troopers immediately looked up, their expressions brightening as they recognized the approaching figure.
Jiren had arrived.
He descended at tremendous speed and landed directly on the giant crab's head, driving the enormous monster straight into the ground. The impact sent its body tearing through the earth, carving a massive trench as Jiren forced it downward.
A few seconds later, an explosion erupted from the ocean beyond the city. Jiren shot into the sky with the crab in tow, carrying the creature high above the water.
Once they reached a sufficient height, a device attached to Jiren's wrist released several glowing rings. The rings surrounded the monster, binding it completely before causing its enormous body to shrink.
In moments, the fifty-meter crab had become no bigger than a quail egg.
Jiren caught the miniature creature in his hand and placed it inside a storage pouch.
By then, Toppo and Dyspo had managed to free themselves from the foam and flew over to meet him.
"Jiren! You got here fast!" Dyspo said in amazement.
"I thought you were on Planet Towale," Toppo added.
"The Oslet problem has been resolved, so I came here," Jiren answered calmly.
"Hold on. Don't tell me you flew all the way from Planet Towale." Dyspo gave him an incredulous look. "You didn't use a spaceship?"
"Flying was faster."
Dyspo shook his head with a helpless smile. "You really never change."
"All right, everyone, gather around," Toppo announced. "There's something important I need to tell you."
"Not yet," Jiren interrupted. "We need to rescue the civilians first."
Toppo paused, then glanced toward the streets still covered in the monster's foam. Jiren had a point. There were people trapped throughout the city, and their safety came before any discussion about the tournament.
The Pride Troopers immediately returned to work, freeing the trapped residents and helping them reach safety.
While the rescue operation continued, Toppo found an opportunity to explain the Tournament of Power to Jiren. He also told him about Goku's extraordinary strength and the match they had promised each other years ago.
Jiren listened quietly before giving his answer.
"I'll settle things with Goku privately. As for the Tournament of Power, I refuse to participate. Protecting the peace of Universe 11 is my first priority."
Toppo stared at him, struggling to believe what he'd just heard.
"Jiren, do you understand what's going to happen? If we lose this tournament, Universe 11 will be erased by Zeno-sama! Everything you've been protecting will disappear!"
"Then that's our universe's fate," Jiren replied coldly. "I have no intention of sacrificing other universes just to protect my own."
Toppo could barely believe how stubborn he was being.
"Think about what you're saying! Everything you've fought to protect will disappear if we lose. Is that really the justice you believe in?"
Jiren fell silent. He had always been firm in his convictions, but Toppo's words left him struggling to reconcile those principles with the consequences of refusing to fight.
While the two were speaking, three figures suddenly appeared atop a nearby building.
Khai had arrived with Belmod and Marcarita.
"If you win, you might finally be able to fulfill your wish," Belmod called down from above.
Jiren and the others immediately looked toward the rooftop. Toppo was particularly surprised to see the God of Destruction himself standing there, and the other Pride Troopers quickly stopped what they were doing to acknowledge his arrival.
"Belmod-sama? You came here personally?" Toppo asked.
Belmod ignored the surprise and focused his attention on Jiren.
"Well? What do you say? Will you participate?"
Jiren remained silent for a moment, considering the offer. The possibility of bringing his master back to life was something he couldn't simply dismiss, even with his reservations about the tournament.
"Jiren, Belmod-sama came all this way to ask you himself!" Toppo urged. "What more do you need?"
Jiren finally raised his head and gave them his answer.
"If anything happens to Universe 11 while I'm away, I will return immediately. That's my condition."
"Understood." Toppo nodded, finally breathing a sigh of relief.
With Jiren agreeing to participate, Universe 11 had secured the fighter Belmod was counting on most.
...
Time continued to pass, bringing the beginning of the Tournament of Power ever closer.
On Earth in Universe 6, everyone was making their final preparations when Bulma approached Ken with a hopeful expression.
"Hey, Ken, can we come watch the tournament too?"
Future Bulma immediately showed interest as well. "I'd love to see it."
"Sure. You can both come," Ken replied without hesitation.
Emily, who had been standing nearby, quickly moved over beside Bulma.
"Can we come too?"
"Of course. Anyone else who wants to go can come along. I'll take everyone together."
Ken saw no reason to refuse. He had already agreed to bring both Bulmas, so adding Emily and the others to the group wouldn't make much difference.
[End of chapter]