Katakana looked seriously at Jiren, who was now cloaked in red energy. His expression grew solemn.
Then, he clenched his fists.
In an instant, rosè-purple energy burst forth from Katakana's body.
But this time, Katakana had no intention of holding back. He planned to unleash the full potential of this New Power.
In others eyes, two types of energy, rose-purple and rose-red, erupted from Katakana's body.
However, this time was different. The energy wasn't just flaring out, it was tightly wrapping the entire space behind Katakana.
His body crackled with thunder and lightning, giving him an aura of undeniable kingly dominance.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
In an instant, Katakana and Jiren vanished simultaneously, their bodies transforming into energy-formed afterimages as they collided again and again in midair.
Their speed was so extreme that only fragmented blurs could be seen, no one could follow their actual movements.
Only shockwaves bursting through the air marked their fierce exchange.
Even Makarita's expression turned serious at this moment.
Although both he and the God of Destruction, Vermut, could still follow their movements, they were astonished.
Because the abilities the two fighters were displaying, their strength, speed, and explosive physical potential, had already reached the level of a formal God of Destruction.
In fact, they may have already surpassed some of the weaker ones.
"Lord Vermut, if Jiren is willing to inherit your position, I think he is fully qualified to become a true God of Destruction!" Makarita said with a smile, observing Vermut's serious expression.
In Makarita's mind, both Jiren and this mysterious man from Universe 7 had what it took to become Gods of Destruction.
But unfortunately, pure strength alone wasn't enough. Without mastering the power of destruction and forming a connection with that divine force, one couldn't truly attain the role of God of Destruction.
"Tch, Makarita, quit bugging me. What's going on with Jiren? Hasn't he awakened his full potential yet? Why can't he beat that freak Beerus sent!"
Vermut clenched his fists, watching the fierce battle with visible excitement, even a God of Destruction couldn't help but get hyped.
"It's not that simple," Makarita said with a faint laugh. Seeing that Vermut was too focused to respond, she let the conversation drop.
She was puzzled. Why hadn't Katakana used the power hidden inside him yet? Was it because he couldn't fully control it? Or maybe he had no intention of using it at all, perhaps he wanted to push his physical limits purely through combat?
Another doubt lingered in her heart. If this man had truly been trained by a God of Destruction, then he should also be a candidate for the role.
And yet, unlike Toppo, who had used the power of destruction when forced into a corner by Jiren, Katakana hadn't shown even a hint of destructive energy.
Could it be that Katakana simply couldn't use the power of destruction?
Or was it like Jiren, who had refused to accept the position of God of Destruction candidate altogether?
That seemed the most likely explanation, otherwise, the slightest trace of destructive energy would've been obvious to her.
BOOM! BOOM!
BANG! BANG!
The two continued clashing, their bodies like living weapons, their fists colliding again and again.
At this point, every limb of theirs seemed to become a deadly weapon, striking in unpredictable ways.
"I won't lose!" Jiren roared, smashing a punch into Katakana's face.
At the same time, Katakana's kick landed squarely on Jiren's face. Both were sent flying.
When they got back on their feet, Jiren's face was bruised and swollen, one eye bulging and purplish.
Meanwhile, Katakana, despite being struck, looked almost unscathed. Aside from some dirt on his face, there weren't any visible injuries.
Because now, even though Jiren could still fight using the last of his physical strength, the gap between them was clear.
No matter how hard Jiren tried, it was extremely difficult, maybe even impossible, to defeat Katakana.
"Damn it…"
Jiren clenched his fists tightly, his heart full of frustration.
Even after awakening his potential, he still couldn't match Katakana.
"Impossible…"
"How can I lose here? I, Jiren, will never admit defeat!"
HA!!
Jiren roared again, his voice booming across the battlefield.
Then, using his remaining strength, he raised his hands and began forming an energy ball, gathering the last of his power into a single attack.
Although it wasn't destructive energy, the crimson energy orb condensed from all of Jiren's remaining energy was overwhelming.
Seeing this, Vermut furrowed his brow deeply.
"It seems Jiren's body has really reached its limit. He wouldn't use this move otherwise," he said solemnly.
As Jiren's half-mentor, Vermut understood how powerful this technique was.
But using it meant Jiren had exhausted all his strength, this was his final, all-or-nothing move.
If it worked, Jiren would win.
If it failed, he wouldn't even have the strength to stand afterward…
"To force Jiren into this state… Beerus, you bastard, why did you send in such a monster?!"
Vermut stared hard at the battlefield, afraid of missing a single moment.
At this moment, Jiren hurled his ultimate energy ball at Katakana.
But Katakana's expression didn't change in the slightest.
His face remained calm.
Because while Jiren's final attack was powerful, it posed no real threat to Katakana in his full Super Saiyan God Rosè-purple form.
When the crimson orb was just meters away, Katakana's body surged forward.
He didn't dodge or flinch, instead, he raised his right leg and swept it out confidently.
BOOM!
With a low sound, the massive energy ball was sent flying by Katakana's kick!
WHOOSH!
The energy ball crashed into the protective barrier Makarita had set up and exploded violently.
BOOM!
A huge energy wave blasted outward, even cracking the barrier.
"What… what?!"
Seeing his final attack so easily deflected, Jiren's face went pale.
And then, he dropped to his knees in disbelief.
It wasn't fear that made him kneel, it was the complete depletion of his strength after his final move.
"I lost."
---
[T/N: I'm Taking a Few Weeks Break]