Broly slammed Bardock back and forth for a full minute.
With a final flick of his wrist—bang!—Broly sent Bardock skidding across the ground. Bardock tumbled several times, then clambered up, battered and dusty.
Whoosh—Broly rose, stopping before him.
"Can you transform further?" Broly asked, a little disappointed. "Don't tell me you can't even beat my base Super Saiyan."
Bardock: "…"
That one stung.
After a brief hesitation, Bardock seemed to make up his mind at last.
"Fine. If I don't show some real power, you won't understand what I can do," he said, voice low. "With the next form, this should be decided immediately."
As he spoke, a deeper crimson aura flooded his whole body. His hair stood even higher.
Zzt… zzt…
Red lightning coils wrapped him, interlacing with the scarlet glow.
"This is my ultimate form—Super Saiyan God Two," Bardock drew a long breath. "I didn't expect you to be this strong. You've forced me to use it. But don't worry, I can't keep this up long—two minutes at most."
Broly regarded him calmly, a hint of disappointment in his eyes.
Only two minutes? Rather low.
"Then I'll show you my true form as well," Broly said. Without another pause, a deep green blaze surged from him, layers of dark-green flames rippling outward.
In an instant, his hair turned the same dark green.
The Legendary Super Saiyan awakened.
"What…what transformation is that?" Bardock stared.
"Legendary Super Saiyan," Broly replied.
"Legendary Super Saiyan? So you're the one," Bardock murmured, studying him. "They say such a warrior appears once in a thousand years. In my era, the last one had just died… If he'd still been around, Frieza's forebears might not have had their way."
Broly didn't answer. He wasn't interested in the history lesson.
"Very well," Bardock said, battle-fire rising in his eyes. "Let my Super Saiyan God Two face your Legendary Super Saiyan."
He dove without hesitation.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
They crashed together high above the planet once more. For a time, they were evenly matched.
Two minutes passed in a flash.
Snap—Bardock's crimson aura blinked out. He dropped back to normal.
Broly's fist shot for his face. In that instant, Bardock couldn't mount a proper guard and crossed both forearms on reflex.
Broly stopped his punch three millimeters short.
"Impressive for a mortal to reach this with no angel or God of Destruction to guide him," Amarella remarked, quietly moved. "A thousand years of effort… he really is at his limit."
"How's he compared to Jiren?" Ken asked with a faint smile.
"Bardock's Super Saiyan God Two reads around Level 29," Amarella analyzed. "Jiren is about there as well. But Bardock's sustain is poor—two minutes. In a real fight with Jiren, he'd still lose."
"I see," Ken nodded.
"You're lucky to have found such a promising mortal," Amarella added. "With proper training, he's qualified to hold a God of Destruction's seat—though he'd likely be the weakest of them."
"That's fine. If he can take the post, Broly can stay with me," Ken exhaled in relief.
"You're right," Amarella said. "But how will you persuade him? He doesn't seem eager."
"I have my way," Ken smiled, mysterious.
In the distance, Broly lowered his fist and let the green blaze ebb away.
"Thank you—for pulling your punch," Bardock said with a nod.
"Come. Ken wants a word," Broly called, then flew toward Ken.
Bardock glanced at Ken, then followed, stopping nearby.
"I lost," Bardock admitted. "No surprise—he's THE Legendary. I trained for a thousand years and I still can't match him."
"Bardock, have you heard of a God of Destruction?" Ken asked.
"I have, from long ago," Bardock said, rubbing his head. "But it's all a blur now."
"A God of Destruction is a universe's top god," Ken said simply.
"I see," Bardock replied, offering no more.
"Would you like to be one?" Ken smiled.
"You…you want me to become a God of Destruction?" Bardock blinked, surprised.
"Nine and Three are vacant. Pick the number you like," Ken said lightly.
"Wait—what do you mean 'Nine' and 'Three'?" Bardock asked.
"Our current cosmos is called Universe 7. Besides it, there are Universes 1 through 12," Ken explained, omitting any mention of 18.
"Don't forget Universe 18," Amarella murmured within him.
"That palm-sized pebble? You call that a universe? Don't embarrass yourself," Ken scolded.
Amarella: "…"
That jab hit home.
"It used to be the most prosperous of them," she sighed.
"Then why did the Omni-King erase it?" Ken asked.
"Another time," Amarella shook her head, not wishing to dig up the past.
Ken didn't press.
"So many universes…" Bardock was genuinely surprised. Then he shook his head. "Truth is, I'm not keen on the title. Thank you, but I refuse."
"As a God of Destruction, you'd gain the ability to survive in space," Ken said, smiling.
Bardock wavered.
He knew his greatest weakness better than anyone: he couldn't live in the vacuum. Without that, he'd been marooned on this harsh world for nearly a millennium—an ordeal that had worn on him day after day.
At that, he hesitated visibly.
"If you take the post, I'll also help you find your son, Kakarot—and even revive your wife," Ken added, unhurried.
Bardock's pupils tightened; joy lit his eyes.
"Are…are you serious?" he asked, voice shaking.
A moment ago he had only wavered; now, hearing that Ken could find his sons—and revive Gine—Bardock's resolve shifted.
"As long as I can find Kakarot and Raditz, and bring Gine back, I accept," Bardock said, nodding hard.
"Good. It's settled," Ken smiled.
Amarella: "…"
"Crafty. You've already found both sons…" she arched her chin, blinking.
"Without me, he might never see them again," Ken said.
"Put that way, fair enough," she nodded thoughtfully.
"Bardock, Gine's been dead for over twenty years. She may already have reincarnated. We'll only know for sure after we visit the underworld, so don't set your hopes too high," Ken said seriously. "But I can promise to locate your sons."
"The underworld? How do we even get there?" Bardock asked, startled.
"Once you're a God of Destruction, you'll have the clearance," Ken said with straight-faced certainty.
"Alright. I trust you," Bardock replied, grateful.
Amarella: "…"
"Even I almost believed that," she sighed.
"How do I become one?" Bardock asked, excited now.
Ken glanced inward.
"First, the Grand Priest must approve. Then you go to your assigned universe for the investiture ceremony. That completes it," Amarella said.
"No rush. Speak of a God of Destruction and one arrives," Ken chuckled, turning his gaze to the stars.
Broly's eyes brightened too.
Through the far-off dark, he saw a very familiar silhouette.
"So it's him," Broly thought, interest returning. His bout with Bardock had ended too quickly to be satisfying. With a God of Destruction here, his fighting spirit flared anew.
"He's quite leisurely—dropping by Universe 7 for a visit," Ken smiled.
"I'll take a look," Broly said.
"A God of Destruction? Which universe?" Bardock asked.
"Come and see. Knowing their strength will help set your target," Ken replied.
Battle-light rose on Bardock's face, then dimmed with a practical concern. "But…I can't survive in space."
Ken tapped his staff. A veil of angelic power flowed over Bardock.
In an instant, Bardock's wounds and stamina were restored; his energy returned to its peak.
"You can heal?" Bardock stared. "Namekians can too—some can do it instantly. But this… your level surpasses even gifted Namekians."
"I also gave you temporary vacuum survivability. Go on with Broly," Ken said with a smile.
"Temporary space survival?" Bardock was stunned and delighted. "How did you—remarkable."
"It's nothing," Ken said.
"How long will it last?" Bardock asked.
"A day or two," Ken replied.
"Excellent." Bardock nodded heavily.
"Follow me," Broly said, and shot into the void. Bardock went after him, twin contrails burning across the dark.
…
Far away in space, a plump figure drifted into Universe 7 and peered around.
"The food on that planet I tried last time was excellent," Champa muttered to himself, very pleased. "I won't tell Vados I'm here to dine in Universe 7."
He chose a direction and began to float that way—then sensed something off and looked right.
Two bright streaks were arrowing toward him.
"Who goes there?" Champa frowned.
Whoosh, whoosh—Broly and Bardock appeared opposite him.
Champa's gaze ran over them and settled on Broly. That face… familiar.
"He's a God of Destruction?" Bardock asked Broly.
"Yes. Champa, God of Destruction of Universe 6," Broly nodded.
Ken, at a distant vantage, watched and listened without stepping in. He'd leave the stage to Broly and Bardock.
"So you know I'm a God of Destruction?" Champa sniffed. "Bold of you to come to me. Has no one told you to address a God of Destruction properly as 'Lord'?"
"Go on—feel the weight of a God of Destruction," Broly said to Bardock, ignoring Champa.
"I understand," Bardock answered, growing solemn as golden light flashed and he rose to Super Saiyan Two.
Broly: "…"
Bardock glanced back. "From your face…it won't work on him, will it?"
Broly said nothing.
"I see," Bardock managed a wry smile, drew a deep breath—and his aura shifted to red in an instant.
Super Saiyan God.
Champa watched the flicker from gold to red, snorted, and folded his arms to observe.
"What now? With that form, you intend to challenge me?" Champa's smile was mocking. "Fine. Challenge a God of Destruction and you forfeit your right to complain when you're destroyed."
"Forgive my discourtesy," Bardock said with a brief bow. "Here I come."
He didn't hold back. Divine power surged, and fire-red lightning leapt across him.
Super Saiyan God Two.
Seeing the lightning and the spike in divinity, Champa's expression grew more guarded.
Zing—
Bardock vanished, reappearing before Champa in a blink.
Bang!
His fist drove in. Champa lifted one hand and caught it, smiling coldly.
"Decent force. Still far below me," Champa said, then slapped him in the chest.
Bardock flew back. Champa followed.
"I've no time to play with you. I'll just destroy you both," Champa snorted, purple-crimson energy blooming in his palm and sweeping toward Bardock.
Bardock shaped his hands to bat it away—
"Careful! If that hits you, you'll vanish. Not even Dragon Balls can save you," Broly called out.
"What?" Bardock blanched.
The blast was already upon him. He twisted aside at the last instant, the energy grazing his chest and streaking on through the void—until it touched a distant star.
In the darkness, that purple-crimson mote looked no larger than a soccer ball. The instant it reached the star, the star winked out—gone without a trace. The local space dimmed; the nearby lights faded, as if lamps had been snuffed.
Bardock stared, shaken to the core.
He could destroy stars himself—but not erase one so effortlessly.
What kind of power is that?
"Afraid now?" Champa's voice sounded from above him.
Bardock looked up just in time to catch a descending kick.
"Not good!" He crossed his arms to block—
Smack! Champa's foot split his guard and cracked him on the brow. Bardock spun and fell, tumbling head over heels.
"Reckless," Champa sneered, then glanced at Broly. "Enjoying the view? Don't worry—once I erase him, I'll deal with you. That's the price for provoking a God of Destruction."
He stretched a hand toward the falling Bardock; purple-crimson power gathered.
"Hakai."
The blast sped down, humming with ruin.
Bardock had nowhere left to dodge. Cold sweat ran down his back.
At the last instant, a figure flashed before him.
Whap!
Broly's palm struck, swatting the destruction energy aside.
Bardock: "…"
Didn't you say a hit would make you vanish? Why are you fine?
"Oh? Interesting," Champa floated closer, eyeing Broly.
"How did you survive that?" Bardock whispered at Broly's side.
"I know how to hit it. You don't," Broly replied.
Bardock had no answer.
"Hey, kid, you look familiar. Name?" Champa narrowed his eyes.
"Forgot me already?" Broly said, faintly amused.
"Who—?" Champa frowned.
"Broly," he replied.
Champa's face changed. He fell silent a moment.
"Broly… It's been a long time," he said at last.
Broly nodded without expression.
"Weren't you posted to Universe 18 as a God of Destruction? What brings you to Universe 7?" Champa huffed.
"Just passing through," Broly said.
"And that human angel, Ken? Not with you?" Champa asked.
Broly: "???"
"You don't know?" he murmured.
"Know what?" Champa said, puzzled.
"Doesn't matter," Broly shook his head, a strange smile touching his lips.
Champa looked even more confused. Why did these two always speak in half-lines?
In truth, he knew nothing of what had happened with Ken and Broly—nor that Sidra and Mosco had been killed by Broly. As Universe 6's God of Destruction, he rarely followed other universes' affairs; unless an angel told him, he wouldn't hear it—and angels weren't gossips.
"So Ken isn't here?" Champa peered around and, finding nothing, brightened.
"No," Broly said, curious what Champa would try.
"Excellent," Champa grinned wide.
Broly said nothing.
"I've wanted to teach you a lesson for years," Champa chuckled. "Before, with Ken healing you, I had no way. You shone in Universe 18's tournament and even served as acting God of Destruction—but today, I'll show you the difference to a true God of Destruction."
"Let's try," Broly said. Deep green flared: Legendary Super Saiyan.
"Oh? Legendary Super Saiyan. Among mortals, that was impressive—once. But to reach a God of Destruction's realm, you're ten thousand years too early," Champa laughed aloud.
Broly didn't answer. He surged straight at Champa.
"Careful—he really is strong," Bardock called after him.
(End of Chapter)
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
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