"Whoa, that was close! I almost got dragged off the stage."
In the next instant, Goku reverted back to his base form, wearing an awkward grin.
"Goku! You could've shaken him off the moment you transformed into a Super Saiyan! Why didn't you do it earlier? Were you trying to scare us?!"
Beerus roared angrily from Universe 7's spectator stand.
"Ah, come on, Beerus-sama! I was just trying to conserve stamina. The Grand Priest said we can't use recovery items in this tournament, so that means Senzu Beans aren't allowed."
Goku chuckled and scratched the back of his head.
"Heh heh heh!"
A sinister laugh rang out. Goku pulled his gaze back and scanned his surroundings, only to see five fighters from Universe 9 closing in on him.
"Basil, let's go together! We didn't get to teach this guy a lesson last time. This time, we'll make sure he pays!"
A rabbit-like woman spoke. Her name was Sorel, a fighter from Universe 9. While she wasn't particularly strong, she was confident she could contribute in a group attack.
"Oh? So you're planning to gang up on me?"
Goku glanced around, a smile spreading across his face. He took a fighting stance and said, "But honestly… this isn't bad. It'll help me warm up faster!"
"Hahaha! Goku, you just escaped danger and now you've fallen into another trap. What a shame!"
From Universe 9's spectator stand, Supreme Kai Rō burst into loud laughter, his voice dripping with malice. "If it weren't for you, this Tournament of Power wouldn't even exist. So as thanks, I've arranged for our strongest warriors to properly entertain you!"
"Heh, well, thanks a lot!"
Goku casually glanced at Rō, then turned his attention to Bergamo behind him, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "I'm really happy to fight strong opponents like you, especially you, Bergamo. Last time you used my power, you were still holding back, weren't you?"
"Enough talk, Goku. Let's settle this with action!"
Bergamo sneered and lunged forward. At the same time, Basil and the others tightened their encirclement and attacked together.
"Yahhh!"
"Haah!"
The five fighters from Universe 9 launched a coordinated assault on Goku. Their clash of pure hand-to-hand combat shook the arena, producing only afterimages and thunderous impacts. It was impossible to follow every movement clearly, a testament to just how intense the battle had become.
"Universe 9 is clearly targeting Goku. This could be troublesome."
On Universe 7's spectator stand, Whis narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Yes. They still hold a grudge from the Zeno Expo, and since this tournament exists because of Goku, their resentment runs deep."
Old Kai sighed and shook his head. "But I trust Goku. Even if they team up, they're no match for him."
"Why worry so much? Even if Goku loses, we still have Zeru!"
Unlike Old Kai's concern, Beerus remained completely calm. Zeru had become even more unfathomable. Beerus was certain that even if he fought Zeru now, he wouldn't stand a chance.
There was no other reason—just locking eyes with Zeru brought an invisible pressure strong enough to make him swallow nervously and break into a cold sweat.
So Beerus wasn't worried at all. If anything, he was looking forward to Zeru unleashing his power and shocking everyone present. That would make him, as Universe 7's God of Destruction, look even more impressive.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
At this moment, Goku's battle with Universe 9 had reached its peak. Neither side could gain the upper hand.
"Goku, it seems you've forgotten about me."
A cold voice suddenly echoed across the arena.
In an instant, everyone turned to look at Zeru.
"Oh right! Zeru's here!"
Goku's eyes lit up. "That means I can fight freely without worrying about stamina!"
He had felt restricted before, but now that burden was gone.
Boom!
Without hesitation, Goku unleashed his aura and transformed into Super Saiyan 2.
Even in his base form, he had held off five opponents without losing ground. Now, with a hundredfold boost in power, his strength soared to a new peak.
Whoosh!
In a flash, Goku appeared behind Basil and slammed him with a punch, sending him flying.
Boom!
He followed up with a powerful energy blast, which struck Basil and erupted into a deafening explosion.
"Terrifying…"
Seeing this, Bergamo's expression changed drastically, panic rising within him.
Basil was their strongest fighter, yet he had been defeated instantly. That alone showed how overwhelming Goku had become in Super Saiyan 2.
"Don't panic! Attack!"
Sorel's expression also changed, but she quickly steadied herself and shouted, "He can't be invincible! Even if we can't defeat him, we can at least drain his stamina!"
"That's right! Don't hesitate!"
Encouraged, Bergamo gritted his teeth and charged forward again.
But it was useless.
Against Super Saiyan 2 Goku, the remaining four posed no threat at all.
Boom!
With a single burst of aura, all four were blasted away.
Goku moved like a flicker of light, knocking each of them off the arena one by one.
"It's over…"
On Universe 9's spectator stand, Supreme Kai Rō's face changed dramatically. His complexion shifted from flushed red to dark, then to pale white.
He understood. With Basil and the others defeated, Universe 9's early elimination was now inevitable.
Thud!
His body went limp as he collapsed into his seat, drenched in sweat, his mind completely blank.
At that moment, overwhelming regret consumed him.
Why had he ordered Basil and the others to target Goku?
If they hadn't, maybe they could have lasted a little longer. Even if only for a moment, at least they could have continued existing just a bit more.
But now… everything was gone.
"All fighters from Universe 9 have been eliminated!"
The Grand Priest's voice echoed across the arena.
In an instant, all Gods of Destruction, Supreme Kais, and Angels from every universe turned their gazes toward Universe 9's stand. Their expressions carried a shared sense of unease.
They all understood.
Universe 9 had only fallen first.
Sooner or later, their own universes might follow the same fate.
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