At first, Raditz was still barely able to defend himself.
But as Super Android 17's attacks became increasingly ferocious, his defense was gradually broken down. In the end, Super Android 17 blasted him away with a single strike, sending him crashing into a Super Katchin pillar a thousand meters away.
Embedded within the Super Katchin pillar, Raditz instead calmed down. His mind raced as he searched for a way to break the deadlock.
"This guy has been secretly observing the battles all along. He's already completely figured out my fighting style. If I want to defeat him, I have to break away from convention and adopt a different combat style. But how am I supposed to change?"
Raditz had thought of a way to break the situation, but breaking away from convention was far from easy.
After years upon years of training, his combat style had long become ingrained in his bones. Deliberately changing it would only expose even greater openings.
Unless he could once again break through his limits during this battle and further improve his combat style.
"Damn it... What am I hesitating for? I'll face him with my own fighting style! No matter what secrets he's hiding, I'll win!" Raditz's eyes gradually became resolute. Power was absolute. In an instant, Divine Power surged throughout his body, completely shattering the surrounding Super Katchin pillar.
Landing back on the ground, he restrained his aura. His sharp, deep-blue eyes locked directly onto Super Android 17, who was leisurely walking toward him.
"You Saiyans are all the same. Until the very last moment, you never give up." A sinister smile curled across Super Android 17's lips as he beckoned at Raditz with his index finger and continued, "Come on. I'll make sure you lose with complete conviction."
"Hmph~!! Don't get so full of yourself!!" Raditz clenched both fists as deep-blue Divine Power radiated from his body.
Immediately afterward, another layer of violent blood-red aura emerged around him.
"Haaah~~!!!!" With a furious roar, Raditz activated Blood Aura Burst once again, and this time its multiplier reached the previous level.
The violent energy transformed into a storm that swept across the arena, causing the entire stage to tremble.
Countless gazes converged upon them. After the battle between Lin Chuan and Super Hearts had ended, Raditz and Super Android 17 had become the center of everyone's attention.
"Blood Aura Burst... Thirtyfold!!" As his words fell, Raditz shot forward, transforming into a crimson streak of light as he charged straight toward Super Android 17.
"Excellent!" Super Android 17 responded calmly as his retinal systems continuously analyzed every piece of Raditz's combat data.
Energy gathered into his right fist before he unleashed an unstoppable punch.
Raditz also threw out a powerful punch.
BOOOOOOM!!!!!!
A storm expanded outward.
Space rippled violently.
The powerful aftershock swept across all directions.
The showdown between Raditz and Super Android 17 had begun!
Bang!! Bang!! Bang!! Bang!! Bang!!...
Explosions continuously echoed across the World of Void arena.
The bodies of Raditz and Super Android 17 flashed across every corner of the arena with lightning-like speed.
Their intense hand-to-hand combat delivered the ultimate visual spectacle!
The battlefield shifted constantly as Raditz and Super Android 17 remained deadlocked, attacking and defending in turn while relentlessly pursuing one another.
This battle was Raditz's opportunity for transformation.
His potential was being deeply awakened, and his strength was increasing at an astonishing rate.
The stronger Raditz became, the more excited Super Android 17 grew.
Every attack Raditz launched supplied energy that was devoured by the energy absorption device inside Super Android 17, converting it into his own strength.
This evenly matched, earth-shaking battle was also being watched by Lin Chuan not far away.
"Something's not right. Raditz should have already discovered Super Android 17's ability. So why is he still fighting like this?" Lin Chuan found it strange.
Given Raditz's combat talent, discovering Super Android 17's energy absorption ability shouldn't have been difficult.
But after thinking it over carefully, Lin Chuan seemed to understand Raditz's intentions.
Earlier, both Son Goku and Vegeta had shattered the shell limiting their potential because of powerful opponents, unleashing explosive growth and dramatically increasing their strength.
Although Super Android 17 couldn't compare to God of Destruction Gin or Jiren, his growth had no limit.
Perhaps Raditz was deliberately creating a monster capable of forcing himself beyond his own limits.
"If that's really the case, then let me witness it. Just how far will you go? Will you surpass Super Saiyan Blue Third Grade · God Ultimate... or master an entirely new form..." Lin Chuan looked forward to seeing the outcome.
After all, his own comprehension of Super Saiyan God had only reached Super Saiyan Blue Third Grade · God Ultimate.
If Raditz could break through beyond that form...
then it would mean Raditz had, in a sense, surpassed him.
Besides Lin Chuan, Jiren was also watching the battle.
"Saiyans... truly are an incredible race," Jiren murmured.
Every spectacular battle so far had been performed by Saiyans from Universe 7.
First was the Saiyan Son Goku, who directly confronted God of Destruction Gin.
Then came the Saiyan Vegeta, who fought him.
After that came Lin Chuan, whom he regarded as his ultimate opponent.
And now...
there was Raditz.
The potential of these Saiyans was unfathomable.
It was difficult to imagine just what kind of brilliance they would display before this Tournament of Power came to an end.
However...
no matter what...
in Jiren's mind, the champion of this Tournament of Power could only be himself!
No matter who his opponent was,
none of them could surpass him, who had mastered Ultimate Power!
...
Over in Universe 7's spectator area.
Everyone watched Raditz and Super Android 17's battle with complete concentration.
"Thirtyfold Blood Aura Burst is certainly powerful, but Big Brother's Hundredfold Blood Aura Burst already consumed most of his stamina earlier. Can he really endure such an intense battle?" Son Goku asked worriedly.
Blood Aura Burst had both advantages and disadvantages.
The tremendous stamina consumption meant that the longer the battle dragged on, the worse Raditz's condition would become.
"Let's keep watching. That guy Raditz probably has his own plans," Vegeta said coldly.
His keen perception had already noticed something unusual.
Raditz's decision to confront Super Android 17 head-on seemed to have its own purpose.
"I still can't even see their afterimages... The gap in strength... isn't just a little..." Krillin smiled bitterly. He was already concentrating with all his might, using both his Divine Sense and his eyes together, yet he still couldn't clearly follow the battle between Raditz and Super Android 17.
"The gap between dimensions is simply too great... Their realm... is still far beyond anything we can reach..." Tien Shinhan agreed.
Even so, Tien Shinhan remained confident that he could eventually reach that realm.
It would simply require a very long time.
Over all these years, every breakthrough and every improvement had come through their own efforts. Without continuing to push themselves, they would never have reached their current level, even with Lin Chuan's constant assistance.
"That guy from another timeline... something's wrong with him... He's absorbing Raditz's energy..." With his sharp perception, God of Destruction Beerus noticed the anomaly.
"Lord Beerus is correct. That person possesses the ability to absorb energy and strengthen himself. Since the tournament began, he has already absorbed a considerable amount of energy to improve himself. However... Raditz also seems to have noticed it, and now he appears to be deliberately allowing him to absorb more energy," Whis explained.
"He clearly knows his opponent's ability, yet he's still intentionally letting him absorb energy... Just what is that fool thinking?" Beerus asked in confusion. What exactly was Raditz planning? Had he been hit so hard that he damaged his brain?
"Perhaps... Raditz wants to create a powerful opponent, then use the pressure brought by that opponent to break through his own limits," Whis explained.
Aside from that...
there didn't seem to be a better explanation.
"Creating a powerful opponent with his own hands? I just hope that fool doesn't overdo it," Beerus said indifferently.
Even if Raditz really lost, it actually wouldn't matter much.
After all, Lin Chuan was still on the arena.
As long as Lin Chuan remained, Beerus wasn't worried at all.
...
Over in Universe 5's spectator area.
God of Destruction Arak casually stroked his beard while observing the increasingly intense battle unfolding on the arena.
"That energy absorption ability isn't bad," Arak commented.
To him, no matter how powerful Super Android 17 became, he was still merely a chess piece.
Arak had never placed his hopes on him.
Long before the tournament began, he had already instructed the contestants from Universe 5 to ignore those three outsiders. Ensuring that they themselves weren't eliminated was the most important thing.
Now that Super Android 17 was helping eliminate powerful enemies, it was even more advantageous for Universe 5's native contestants.
"If things continue at this pace, that Saiyan from Universe 7 is certain to lose," Angel Cucatail agreed.
Seeing the current situation, Turles remained silent.
He had already understood Super Android 17's intentions.
"So that's it... You've already planned your escape route. To this God of Destruction, we're nothing more than creations that can be destroyed at any time. You're absorbing enough energy within this limited time so that, even without Fu's support, you'll be able to escape on your own."
Turles had guessed Super Android 17's true objective.
Actually, he had once entertained the same idea.
Unfortunately, the Evil Spirit Fruit had already fully developed his potential.
His growth during the Tournament of Power had already reached its limit.
There was no way he could stand against God of Destruction Arak.
When the time came, if he wanted to escape...
he would still have to rely on Super Android 17.
As for Janemba Buu...
Turles didn't care about that monster's life or death in the slightest.
It was merely a creature born from evil,
one that couldn't even be controlled,
frequently going berserk and attacking opponents on its own.
If it died...
then so be it.
...
At this moment, on the arena's main battlefield,
the showdown between Raditz and Super Android 17 continued to intensify, with neither side giving an inch.
The Saiyan trait of growing stronger when facing stronger opponents erupted forth.
Raditz's strength continued rising, gradually allowing him to suppress Super Android 17.
Faced with the increasingly powerful Raditz, Super Android 17 shifted into a defensive posture.
Even through physical contact alone, he was able to absorb a considerable amount of energy.
Once the energy stored within his body reached a certain level,
Super Android 17 knew the time had come.
"Thank you for your energy. Now... it's time for you to leave the arena."
As soon as those words were spoken,
Super Android 17 suddenly exerted his full strength.
In an instant,
his counterattack exploded like a torrential rainstorm, crashing down upon Raditz.
The sudden reversal of momentum caught Raditz completely off guard.
For the first five exchanges,
Raditz was still barely able to defend himself.
But by the sixth exchange,
Super Android 17's steel fist directly blasted him away,
sending him flying into a gigantic rocky mountain.
And this was only the beginning.
Super Android 17 had no intention of letting Raditz off so easily.
He rapidly closed the distance,
launching another devastating flying kick that struck Raditz head-on.
Not only did it shatter the enormous mountain surrounding him,
it also blasted Raditz away once again.
Immediately afterward,
Super Android 17 charged once more,
launching another fierce offensive against Raditz.
His unstoppable chain of attacks targeted Raditz's vital points with every strike.
His punches and kicks were fierce and overbearing,
forcing Raditz into continuous retreat.
"His strength has improved pretty quickly. Then again, he absorbed so much of my energy. But if this is all he's got... it's still not enough to completely suppress me!"
Fighting spirit blazed within Raditz's eyes.
Super Android 17's strength only excited him further.
"Blood Aura Burst! Fiftyfold!!"
In one decisive move,
Raditz raised Blood Aura Burst from thirtyfold to fiftyfold,
causing his strength to increase explosively once again.
The tremendous rise in battle power instantly reversed the situation,
allowing him to break free from Super Android 17's relentless assault.
He thought he had regained the advantage.
But unexpectedly,
Super Android 17's growth had already surpassed what even Fiftyfold Blood Aura Burst could withstand.
The battle resumed.
After only a brief series of exchanges,
Raditz was blasted away once again by Super Android 17.
Being suppressed repeatedly,
Raditz finally experienced that long-forgotten sensation.
Immediately afterward,
he unleashed Seventyfold Blood Aura Burst,
clashing head-on against Super Android 17.
"HAAAAAAAHHHH!!!"
Raditz roared with all his strength,
launching a desperate barrage of devastating attacks that swept over Super Android 17 like a hurricane.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!...
Dozens—
hundreds—
of devastating blows blasted Super Android 17 away,
his artificial body becoming covered with dense fist marks.
"Heh heh heh... Impressive indeed. But this is as far as you go!"
Feeling the pain throughout his body,
Super Android 17 revealed a sinister smile.
The next second,
his body expanded slightly.
The energy within him increased once more,
and every fist mark on his body disappeared without a trace.
"Come again."
Super Android 17 provocatively challenged him.
His arrogant appearance caused killing intent to flash through Raditz's eyes.
Raising Blood Aura Burst to Eightyfold,
he once again charged into battle against Super Android 17.
The battle entered its fiercest stage.
Even combining eyesight with sensory perception,
it was impossible to clearly observe their movements.
Before anyone realized it,
the two remained locked in battle for another minute or so.
Now greatly strengthened,
Super Android 17 had completely lost any interest in playing around.
He unleashed a full-powered strike directly into Raditz's abdomen.
The terrifying force shattered Raditz's Divine Power barrier.
His fist sank deeply into Raditz's abdomen,
violently shaking his internal organs.
After suffering the heavy blow,
Raditz spat out a mouthful of bitter fluid.
The Divine Power surrounding his body dispersed,
the crimson aura faded,
and his strength plummeted off a cliff,
leaving him temporarily unable to move.
"It's over. Thank you for providing me with so much energy. Now... please leave the arena."