"What is luck?"
Trunks asked curiously, tilting his head.
"For you, luck is something very mysterious and illusory," Whis replied with a serene smile.
"I see!" Trunks exclaimed, his face lighting up with realization.
Whis nodded. "Indeed."
"By the way, Goten," Whis continued, turning to the younger Saiyan, "who is the Cell that King Kai just mentioned?"
"Cell?" Goten scratched his head, a grin spreading across his face. "He's a guy my dad once defeated!"
"I see!" Whis said, a spark of interest flashing in his eyes.
"Goten," Whis said, his tone suddenly more serious, "my father, the Grand Priest, wishes to meet you. Are you free to come with me to see The Grand Zeno?"
"The Grand Priest?" Goten asked, his expression intrigued.
Whis nodded.
"Of course, I'm free!" Goten replied confidently.
"Very well. We'll first stop by King Kai's place, then head to The Grand Zeno's palace," Whis said.
"Good!" Goten said, excitement bubbling in his voice.
Without further delay, Goten departed Earth with Whis, their journey taking them across realms.
At The Grand Zeno's palace, the Grand Priest stood before The Grand Zeno, respectfully addressing him.
"Goten?" The Grand Zeno asked, his voice filled with curiosity.
"Yes, Goten. He is Goku's youngest son," the Grand Priest explained with a smile.
"Really? Can he come over and play with me?" The Grand Zeno's childlike excitement was unmistakable.
"Grand Zeno," the Grand Priest said gently, "Goten isn't coming here to play this time."
"He's not?" The Grand Zeno's expression fell slightly.
"But," the Grand Priest continued, "perhaps The Grand Zeno will witness an unprecedented battle!"
"An unprecedented battle?" The Grand Zeno's interest piqued once again, his face lighting up.
The Grand Priest nodded, raising his staff. A soft glow emanated from it. "Grand Zeno, Goten has arrived."
"Yeah!" The Grand Zeno clapped his hands in anticipation.
Moments later, Whis, Supreme Kai Shin, and Goten entered the grand hall, bowing respectfully before The Grand Zeno.
"Grand Zeno!" they greeted in unison.
While Supreme Kai Shin knelt, Whis and Goten merely bowed.
The Grand Zeno turned his gaze to Goten. "Are you Goten?"
"Yes, Grand Zeno," Goten said, smiling brightly.
The Grand Zeno squinted slightly, trying to recognize him. "You look different. You've grown taller!"
"Indeed, Grand Zeno," the Grand Priest interjected. "When you last saw him, Goten was just a kid. Now, at eighteen, he's grown considerably."
"I see," The Grand Zeno mused. "I want to grow taller too!"
The Grand Priest turned to Goten, his demeanor becoming more formal. "Goten, Whis should have informed you about the situation regarding the universe."
"He did, Grand Priest," Goten confirmed.
"This war is of immense importance to the universe. Even mortal battles like yours play a critical role. I have summoned you here to witness your strength firsthand," the Grand Priest explained.
"My strength?" Goten tilted his head, curious.
"Yes," the Grand Priest said. "You will face Astrion, one of The Grand Zeno's guards. Should you defeat him, I will share the details of the arrangements."
"Astrion?" Goten repeated, his gaze shifting to the imposing figure standing nearby.
"Yes," the Grand Priest said. "He is one of The Grand Zeno's elite guards."
"Understood," Goten said, nodding.
"Will they fight here?" Supreme Kai Shin asked, glancing nervously around the ornate hall.
"Of course not," the Grand Priest replied. With a wave of his staff, the floor beneath them began to glow.
The ground where Goten and the others stood slowly descended, revealing a massive, spinning, top-shaped platform hovering above a colossal arena. Surrounding the arena were towering stone pillars.
The Grand Priest turned to Astrion. "Astrion, please step onto the stage."
Astrion nodded silently and leaped gracefully onto the platform.
"Come on, Astrion!" The Grand Zeno cheered.
Goten smirked and flew onto the stage as well, his Saiyan blood boiling with excitement.
"There are no boundaries for this battle," the Grand Priest announced. "Victory is determined when one opponent can no longer continue."
"No boundaries?" Goten repeated, his brows furrowing slightly.
"Correct," the Grand Priest said. "This stage may not withstand your full power, but it will serve as a suitable starting point."
"Understood, Grand Priest," Goten said, clenching his fists.
A powerful surge of Ki erupted from Goten, radiating outward in waves. "Ahhh!" he roared as his body began to transform.
Silver hair sprouted across his body, cascading down to his waist. His eyes glowed red with intensity. Goten had ascended to Super Saiyan Five.
"What?!" Astrion exclaimed, clearly taken aback.
But Goten wasn't finished. His Ki continued to rise, shaking the entire arena. His hair shortened, and the silver hue shifted to a radiant gold. His eyes turned golden as well. Goten had now achieved Super Saiyan Six.
"Wow! Goten's entire body is golden!" The Grand Zeno exclaimed in awe.
The Grand Priest nodded approvingly.
Astrion, who had initially seemed unfazed, now took a more serious stance.
Without warning, Goten charged forward, his body a blur of golden light. He aimed a powerful punch at Astrion, who narrowly dodged by shifting his body.
Undeterred, Goten unleashed a flurry of punches, each one faster than the last. To the spectators, it seemed as if hundreds of fists were striking at once.
"So many fists!" The Grand Zeno marveled.
The Grand Priest watched silently, his expression unreadable.
Bang!
Astrion caught one of Goten's punches with his left hand, halting the barrage.
Goten's eyes widened in shock, but before he could react, Astrion delivered a crushing blow to his abdomen. The force sent Goten flying backward.
"Goten!" Supreme Kai Shin called out in alarm.
Goten regained his footing by stomping hard against the ground, bringing himself to a halt.
Another guard standing beside The Grand Zeno watched in disbelief. "Astrion's strength is incredible, yet this mortal can withstand his attacks!"
Goten wiped the corner of his mouth and grinned. Without hesitation, he launched himself at Astrion once more.
In the blink of an eye, Goten was back in front of Astrion, his fists and feet moving with blinding speed. Yet, Astrion dodged each strike with precision.
Bang!
Astrion countered with a powerful kick to Goten's abdomen, sending him hurtling into one of the stone pillars with a deafening crash.
Goten let out a pained cry as debris rained down around him.