Vincent didn't unleash his full power in that counterstrike. While Hit was still within reach, he followed through with a left hook without hesitation.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A shockwave tore through the dust cloud between them, sweeping it away completely. The air cracked as their fists collided again and again, scattering chunks of rock like pebbles in a hurricane.
"So strong…"
Champa's jaw nearly hit the floor as he watched the battle unfold.
"That's Universe Seven," Vados said softly behind him. "One of Beerus's fighters."
"What? That guy belongs to Beerus?!" Champa's eyes bulged. "He kept someone this strong hidden during the last tournament? So that's his trump card?!"
But then a sudden thought struck him. He turned sharply toward Vados. "Vados, you angels don't have the power to see the future, do you?"
"For short periods, we can sense limited outcomes," Vados replied with a calm smile. "But over long spans especially between tournaments even the Grand Minister cannot."
"Even the Grand Minister…" Champa muttered, the realization chilling him. He knew how terrifying the angels truly were especially when Vados once told him she wasn't even comparable to a single finger of the Grand Minister.
"So if not even he can do it… then this tournament wasn't part of anyone's plan. No one can control the Zenos' will."
Vados nodded. "Exactly."
Meanwhile, in Universe Seven's spectator area, Beerus grinned from ear to ear. "Go, Vincent! Smash that assassin down! Wipe Universe Six clean! Let's go!"
"Woohoo!" Krillin joined in, his voice cracking. The bald human couldn't help feeling both awe and envy. They were both human, yet the difference between him and Vincent felt like that between heaven and earth.
On the arena floor, Hit's expression finally shifted. For the first time, he felt genuine pressure. Vincent's attacks were relentless, leaving no room to breathe let alone to activate his Time-Skip.
"You're strong," Hit said in his usual cold tone.
Vincent didn't respond. His fists kept flying like a storm. He knew once Hit entered Time-Skip, the fight would become a nightmare.
"But if you think this is all I have," Hit said quietly, "then you're mistaken."
Suddenly, his punches accelerated. Each strike split the air, the sound sharp and violent.
Vincent matched him without hesitation.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Their battle reached a fever pitch. The arena beneath them cracked apart like a spiderweb, debris flying in every direction.
Then, Hit suddenly drew his right fist to his chest and threw it from a strange angle only for the punch to stop midway.
Vincent's danger sense flared violently. He twisted his body just in time.
Whoosh!
An invisible strike brushed past his chest, shredding his shirt and leaving a faint red line on his skin.
"That was close…" Vincent exhaled, steadying his breath.
Hit had already withdrawn ten meters away, cold eyes locked on him. "Your close-quarters skill is impressive. But…" He clenched his bloody fist. "I've already memorized the rhythm of your attacks. From now on, you won't be able to touch me."
Vincent narrowed his gaze. He knew Hit wasn't bluffing. This was the same assassin who once pushed Jiren to the brink.
Taking a deep breath, Vincent shifted into his fighting stance one fist forward, one drawn back, his aura swirling tighter and tighter around him.
Hit mirrored him, sliding his legs apart in preparation.
Suddenly, Vincent's danger sense triggered again.
But Hit was still standing right there.
Without hesitation, Vincent reinforced his torso with Armament Haki and leapt back.
Sure enough, a fist appeared out of thin air behind him. Hit's real body materialized a moment later, while the "Hit" in front of him dissolved like a phantom.
Vincent's mind clicked instantly. "He's storing an image of himself from the previous moment inside the Time-Skip and using it as a decoy while attacking from another point in time… Clever trick."
"What?" Hit's brow furrowed, but then he smiled faintly. "You figured it out quickly. But that won't help you. Try surviving strikes that come from within Time-Skip itself."
Another pulse of danger shot through Vincent's senses. He narrowly sidestepped again, opening his Byakugan to track every fluctuation of ki across the battlefield.
"Now then," Hit's voice echoed, dark and calm, "let's see you dodge this."
But in Vincent's eyes, that "Hit" standing motionless ahead of him had no life force at all.
Then bam! the real killing intent appeared right behind him.
Vincent spun without hesitation, whipping his leg around in a powerful arc.
Boom!
Hit's eyes widened in shock. The sudden counter came too fast to think. He crossed both arms over his chest just in time to block.
Vincent's kick connected head-on.
The impact sent Hit flying like a cannonball. His body slammed into a boulder, embedding him deep into the rock.
Before he could recover, Vincent was already there. His right fist clenched tight, aura blazing.
A Serious Punch.
Hit's pupils contracted. He instantly activated Time-Skip.
Vincent's fist crashed through the afterimage Hit left behind, obliterating the boulder into a storm of gravel.
Inside the frozen second of skip-space, Hit stared at the devastation in disbelief. Even with time frozen, he could feel the raw power radiating from that punch.
"What terrifying strength… I didn't expect Universe Seven to have another monster like this."
He lowered his gaze slightly, muttering under his breath.
"Goku… I thought only you could make me use this move. Looks like I was wrong."
Hit's crimson eyes sharpened, his aura pulsing dangerously.
"This technique will not be reserved for you alone anymore."
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The deeper he goes, the more the truth unravels. Don't wait read ahead and witness Vincent's rise before the world catches up!
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