"It is clear that you spent nearly all your time in the Chamber focusing on raw power," Vados noted, finally withdrawing her intense gaze. "But it makes sense. In a void like that, there is nothing to destroy. That is why your Mastery of Destruction remains stuck at the first stage."
To master the Laws of Destruction, one must engage in constant practice through annihilation. Despite training for over three hundred years, Gran's technical mastery of Hakai had hit a wall simply due to a lack of targets.
The Universe Travel Cube continued its rapid transit through the void. Shin, the Supreme Kai, frowned as he listened. "Lady Vados, does that mean Gran's first-stage mastery makes him the weakest among the candidates in that regard?"
The group went silent for a beat.
"If you don't understand the mechanics, keep your mouth shut," Beerus snapped, shooting a sideways glance at the 'little sprout.' "To even touch the Laws of Destruction, you must first elevate your mindset to the first stage of the Godly Realm. Only then do you even have the right to grasp the power of Hakai. And without absolute, peerless intuition, it is simply impossible to manifest."
Beside him, Champa and Vados nodded in solemn agreement. When it came to the power of Destruction, Hit—Universe 6's ace—was a complete anomaly. His talent for assassination was terrifying, yet it had taken him centuries just to grasp the basics of Hakai.
"Shin, even if one grasps the power of Destruction, that does not mean they have mastered its Laws," Beerus continued with a surge of pride. "The Laws are the most terrifying forces in the multiverse. To refine them, one must destroy stars and planets, just as Gran did in his early days. I am confident that, besides Gran, no other candidate has managed to reach the level of 'Laws' yet."
Because the other candidates had also utilized Time Chambers, they faced the same issue. No matter how many thousands of years they trained inside, their technical mastery of Destruction remained stagnant.
Shin finally understood. Vados looked at him and offered a gentle, slightly mocking smile. "Supreme Kai, I was discussing the gap between Gran and Lord Beerus. Please don't insult Gran by comparing him to those 'trash' candidates from the other universes."
Shin looked so embarrassed that he seemed ready to dive into the nearest floorboard.
"A Divine Dimension at its peak, Tier 7 Initial power, Tier 3 Peak physical instinct, and Stage 1 Destruction Laws..." Vados listed Gran's stats as if reading a menu. "That sums up your current state, correct?"
"Yes," Gran replied, masking his internal shock at how easily she had dissected him.
"Your raw power is indeed formidable," Vados continued, "but in other areas, you haven't quite reached the level of a true God of Destruction. Specifically, regarding your physical instincts and your Destruction Laws. If you were to fight Lord Beerus right now, he would still crush you in every single category."
Beerus tilted his chin up. Hmph. You're talented, kid, but you're a long way from surpassing me.
Gran chuckled and shook his head. His mentor really was like a child sometimes. "Lady Vados, how do I compare to Lord Champa, then?"
Champa's fat rolls practically vibrated with indignation. "What are you getting at, kid? I offered to fight you earlier, and you turned me down, and now you want to compare stats?"
"Don't be angry, Lord Champa. Time didn't allow for a spar," Gran said, stepping forward to put a friendly arm around Champa's shoulder. "I just want a clear picture of the gap between me and a Destroyer so I know how much effort to put in during the tournament."
Champa's eyes darted around. It made sense. Gran had been cooped up for centuries; he had no frame of reference for just how monstrous he had become. If he went all out and accidentally slaughtered the other candidates, it would cause a diplomatic nightmare.
"Vados, you tell him," Champa huffed.
Vados nodded. "Compared to Lord Champa... well..." She paused, a playful glint in her eye. "As it stands, I'd say the odds are about 7 to 3."
"Oh?" Gran's eyes lit up with excitement. "So I can already beat Lord Champa?"
"What are you thinking?!" Beerus snapped, delivering a swift knock to the back of Gran's head.
"Ow!" Gran let go of Champa and clutched his head, feigning pain. "What was that for, Lord Beerus?"
"Vados was saying the odds are 70% in favor of the fat cat, and 30% for you!"
"How is that possible?" Gran's eyes widened. Even with Tier 7 power, he was still the underdog?
"You think I'm some weakling?" Champa smirked. "Gran, besides raw power, what else do you have in your arsenal?"
Gran blinked. He realized that while his power had spiked to Tier 7, his other martial arts stayed at the Candidate level.
"And do you even know how strong I am?" Champa asked teasingly.
"I... I don't." Gran looked toward Beerus for an answer.
Beerus and Champa shared a look before Champa gave a subtle nod. Beerus sighed. "The fat cat's raw power is at the Peak of the Sixth Tier."
Gran's pupils shrunk. It all made sense now. He was like Jiren at the Tournament of Power—stronger than a Destroyer in raw output, but lacking the specialized "Godly" techniques that define the office. If a Destroyer like Belmod or Champa truly used the Laws of Destruction to their full extent, raw power alone wouldn't save him.
"Lord Champa, what stage is your Mastery of Destruction?" Gran asked.
"Stage 6. I'm on the verge of breaking into Stage 7," Champa said nonchalantly.
The Elder Kai's jaw dropped. He hadn't expected the "fat twin" to be so proficient. He really was Beerus's brother. Shin sat there counting on his fingers—Gran was at Stage 1, and Champa was at Stage 6. No wonder the odds were stacked against him.
Gran's shoulders slumped slightly in disappointment. He didn't mind being inferior to Beerus—Beerus was the mountain everyone had to climb—but to be so far behind Champa was a reality check.
"Gran," Whis said, turning back from the Cube's controls.
"Yes, Whis?"
"You shouldn't be discouraged. My sister was only talking about your status right now." Whis shot a look at Vados. "You haven't fought a soul in hundreds of years. Your body is 'rusty.' That is the only reason your win rate is at 30%."
Whis looked at Champa with a mysterious smile. "Once your body remembers how to move and you adapt to the flow of battle... those odds will flip. You will have a 70% chance of victory."
The Cube went silent. Gran, the Elder Kai, Shin, and Broly were all stunned. How did the math change that quickly?
"Whis, what are you talking about?" Champa barked. "Are you saying my Stage 6 Destruction is just for show?"
"Lord Champa, may I ask... can you use Ultra Instinct?" Whis asked smoothly.
"I... no," Champa muttered, looking away. Ultra Instinct was the realm of Angels, requiring a perfect harmony of mind and body. Gran was at the peak of the 3rd stage of physical instinct and the 2nd stage of mindset. Champa was at the 4th stage of instinct, but only the 1st stage of mindset. They were practically neck-and-neck in that department.
"And what about power, Lord Champa?" Whis narrowed his eyes. "Raw power is the foundation of all martial arts. It supports every other technique. Gran has reached the Seventh Tier. He is a full level above your Peak Sixth Tier. He possesses the strength to 'break all laws with one blow.' Add his Ultra Instinct to that... do you still think you hold the 70% advantage?"
Whis turned back to the controls, a knowing light in his eyes. He knew that after five years of meditation, Gran's martial arts had evolved far beyond what was visible on the surface.
"Vados... is that true?" Champa looked at his attendant, his voice trembling slightly.
Vados remained silent. Her earlier analysis was based on Gran's immediate "unwarmed" state. Whis was looking at his potential in a live fight. Both were right. Once Gran adapted, even Champa would likely fall. She could already see the faint, budding seeds of "Angelic-tier" martial arts within him.
Champa's eyes widened. He was about to be surpassed by a mortal.
The Cube fell into a quiet hum. Broly couldn't hide his grin—his "Gran-bro" was truly the best. Beerus frowned, contemplating Whis's words. If Whis was that confident, Gran's ceiling was even higher than he'd imagined.
The Travel Cube suddenly shuddered as it passed through a transparent cosmic membrane. They had arrived in Universe 6.
The pitch-black space was instantly replaced by a vibrant galaxy, where stars glittered like scattered diamonds.
"So this is Universe 6?" Gran mused. "Lord Beerus, what is the Mortal Level here?"
"It's 3.8," Beerus replied flatly.
"3.8, huh?" Gran whispered. In the original timeline, Universe 7 was a 3.18, and Universe 6 was only slightly higher. A 3.8 was quite impressive.
"What? Thinking about surpassing my universe now?" Champa asked grumpily.
"Heh, Lord Champa... surpassing you is just the start," Gran said, throwing his arm around the Destroyer again. "I want to surpass every universe. I'm going to make Universe 7 Number One."
Beerus and the Elder Kai didn't react; they already knew this was Gran's goal. But Champa and Vados were taken aback.
"Number One?" Champa's voice jumped an octave. "Do you have any idea what the Mortal Level of Universe 1 is? You're sitting at a 3.20, and you think—"
"Wait, Lord Champa," Vados interrupted, checking her staff. "The index for Universe 7 has changed."
"What?!" Everyone except Broly leaned in.
"What is it now?" Gran asked urgently.
"3.50!" Whis announced, looking at his own staff. It had been 3.29 in Age 756. In just three years, it had jumped to 3.50.
The Elder Kai grabbed Shin and began dancing with joy. "3.50! We did it!"
Shin, however, remained remarkably calm. During the years he had watched Gran train, he had already run the numbers. By his calculations, Universe 7 would hit a 4.0 by Age 765.
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