Bulma looked at Hit with genuine curiosity. "Go ahead. Show me how you use your 'Time Skip.'"
"Hmph. Arrogant..."
Hit didn't waste any more words. He spread his arms wide, his purple aura exploding with a powerful roar.
Sizzle! Sizzle!
"I don't know exactly how strong you are, but my assassin's instincts tell me you're dangerous. I'm going to use my full power. However, it's been a while since I've pushed myself this hard; my body probably won't be able to sustain this for more than a minute."
Bulma nodded calmly and beckoned him with a finger. "Come. Show me."
"Hmph. Perish!"
Hit vanished instantly. He triggered his Time Skip, moving into the future to strike, but he suddenly realized Bulma's eyes were following him perfectly.
WHAM!
The next thing he knew, his body was hurtling backward through the air.
"This is impossible!"
Hit skidded across the stage, struggling to stabilize himself. He stared at Bulma in disbelief.
"So that's your Time Skip? I see. It's far simpler than the divine techniques used by the God of Destruction of Time..."
Bulma shook her head, looking disappointed. She had hoped to learn something new through observation, but it turned out Hit was merely using raw talent to manipulate time in a rudimentary way. "Forget it. Out of respect for an opponent, I'll show you a fraction of my actual power."
"HAA!"
As Bulma flared her Ki, a wave of Godly Pressure washed over the stadium. Champa's heart, which had been hanging by a thread, finally sank into despair.
In the blink of an eye, Hit was sent flying off the ring. He didn't even see the move.
"Out of bounds! Bulma is the winner!"
Hit scrambled to his feet, staring up at her in utter shock. "Time... Time Stop?"
"That's right," Bulma replied. "How does it compare to your Time Skip?"
Hit let out a long, defeated sigh. Compare? Was there even a comparison to be made?
Beerus and Champa both sucked in a sharp breath. "What the—?! Time Stop? Since when was she that broken?!"
"This tournament is officially over! The winner is Universe 7!"
As the referee announced the final result, Beerus's face began to twist into a triumphant, manic grin. But suddenly, his entire body stiffened. Cold sweat began pouring down his back.
"Hey... Champa..."
"I know, I know!" Champa snapped, not looking at him. "You won the bet. You can have the Super Dragon Balls, fine!"
"You idiot! Look at the ring!"
"Huh?"
Champa turned his head and froze. A short figure with a colorful face and a bald head was standing in the center of the arena.
"Grand... Grand Zeno?!"
Champa's eyes bulged. He stared at the sudden arrival of Zen-Oh, his forehead drenched in cold sweat.
"Lord Beerus, I don't think it's a good idea for us to just stand here, is it?" Whis's voice drifted over, jolting Beerus out of his stupor.
"AH!"
Beerus immediately took flight, diving toward the ring.
"Hey! Wait for me!" Champa scrambled after him.
"Zen-Oh? Who is that?" Goku and Vegeta asked, looking confused by the gods' panic.
"Grand Zeno is the supreme being who stands at the apex of all twelve universes," Whis explained briefly before flying down to pay his respects.
"What?!"
Except for Turles, everyone was floored by the revelation.
Thud! Thud!
The Supreme Kais of both universes and their attendants dropped to their knees, bowing their heads to the floor. The Gods of Destruction fell into a single-knee kneel, while the Angels offered deep, respectful bows.
Zen-Oh stood in the center of the ring, flanked by two tall, thin guards.
So this is Zen-Oh? Turles thought, his eyes narrowed. As expected of the one at the top of the Dragon Ball world. Just like the Time King, I can't sense his limits at all. The King Realm is truly something else.
While he couldn't gauge Zen-Oh's depth, Turles could sense the guards. Both were powerhouses on the level of the Grand Minister.
Turles's heart began to thrum with a fierce, burning ambition. One day, I will be a supreme figure like this. No—I will surpass him.
"We are honored by your presence, Grand Zeno!" Champa stammered, his voice trembling.
"May we ask what brings your Greatness here today?" Beerus asked, his body shaking visibly.
"Well, you two organized this tournament without permission, so I came to give you a warning," Zen-Oh said, his voice high and child-like.
The words struck Champa and Beerus like a blast of sub-zero air.
"W-we are incredibly sorry!" they shouted in unison, their bodies trembling uncontrollably.
"However, after watching for a bit, I thought it was quite fun. I've decided! Next time, we should hold a tournament that involves all the universes!"
"Y-yes, Sire!" the two Gods of Destruction replied, feeling like they were sitting on a bed of needles.
This time, Goku didn't speak up. He was still reflecting on his recent loss and realized he had been acting far too reckless lately. He could feel the sheer terror radiating from Beerus and Champa; he knew it was better to keep his mouth shut.
A rational Goku is a smart Goku.
Suddenly, Zen-Oh walked over to Turles. The two tall guards immediately locked their eyes on him, their gazes piercing.
"So, you're the new God of Destruction of Time. The Grand Minister told me about you. He said you're very strong and can do those 'whoosh-whoosh' transformations. Can you show me?"
Turles's face stiffened. His eye twitched. Of all the things... how did I become the entertainment? He sighed inwardly. Whatever. When you're under someone else's roof, you have to bow your head. I can't afford to provoke a King Realm powerhouse—especially one with the mind of a child.
Beerus, standing nearby, began blinking frantically at Turles, gesturing for him to comply. Turles gave a small nod.
"Of course, Grand Zeno."
"Hah!"
"This is Super Saiyan!"
Zen-Oh's eyes lit up like stars. "Wow!"
"And this is Super Saiyan 2!"
Sparks of bio-electricity crackled around Turles, giving him an air of divine authority.
"Whoa, so cool!"
"Next is Super Saiyan 3..."
"And then... Super Saiyan 4! HAA!"
BOOM!
A massive surge of Ki erupted, forcing Beerus and the others to brace themselves and take several steps back.
When the dust settled, Turles's appearance had transformed drastically. Crimson fur covered his upper body, highlighting his dense, powerful musculature. His black hair fell wildly over his shoulders. He radiated a raw, primal beauty.
"Phew... Is Turles really this strong? Just his aura alone is making me feel oppressed..." Champa muttered.
"Ho ho ho," Vados chuckled. "Lord Turles has already stepped into the Angel Level. He is indeed significantly more powerful than you, Lord Beerus."
Beerus's face stiffened. Is he really that strong? He had thought Turles was, at most, at the peak of the God Realm. He hadn't realized the gap was that large. He felt a wave of relief that he hadn't picked a fight with Turles recently—otherwise, he might have been sent back to Universe 7 in a casket.
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