"MAHAPADMA!"
Using one of the main abilities of Demon's Extract, concentrating, the young woman froze time, all around her. Seeing Saitama immobilized in front of her, she ran towards the bald man, sword in hand. She was ashamed to admit it, but without her ability to stop time, Esdeath knew she would have a hard time defeating Saitama. If it had been a one-on-one fight, she would have enjoyed having fun with him. Nonetheless, she knew that this tournament was going to require her to fight against several powerful fighters. She had to save her strength for later.
Aiming her weapon at the hero's throat, she slammed into it without hesitation, hitting where Saitama will suffer the most, while avoiding killing him. At worst, he will suffer horribly but would continue to live for at least an hour, preventing Esdeath from being disqualified. And even if the hero's carotid artery was affected, Esdeath could still stop time to throw him out of the arena. The rules never specified that a fighter would be disqualified if his opponent died while in the stands.
Still, surprise read in their eyes, as the sword slammed into Saitama's neck, only to shatter at his touch.
" What?! " She wondered, noticing that Saitama was still frozen. " Just what is his body made of ? "
Seeing that his attack would soon be over, Esdeath put his hands on Saitama's chest and immediately froze Saitama, so when the spell was broken, everyone could see that Saitama was trapped in a block of ice.
"What?" roared Tatsumaki. "What the hell does that idiot thing he's doing? "
"NOO! GET OUT OF THERE, SOMEHOW!" Quitela demanded from the stands, but Kuru didn't seemed to be worried. "There's no need to lose hope just yet, Lord Quitela. I believe our little friend knows what he's doing," the Supreme Kai assured his fellow Destroyer.
Looking at the body of the hero trapped in its mirror, Esdeath wondered just how she was going to eliminate him.
"Now the question is, how am I going to be able to make him fall into the void, I can't very well take myself with him. Shouldn't Wave be around to help... me...?"
A cracking noise was then heard. Turning her gaze to Saitama, she saw the ice surrounding her crack, before bursting to pieces.
"IMPOSSIBLE!"
" COLD "
The Caped Baldy grumbled, dusting the small ice chunks off his arms "If I ever catch a cold, the blame's going to you!"
" He broke my mirror like nothing had happened? " Esdeath wasn't giving another second to think
Suddenly, leaping towards her, Saitama brandished his fist to finish her in one fell swoop.
"NORMAL PUNCH!"
"MAHAPADMA!"
Immediately time froze again, allowing Esdeath to escape far enough to surprise Saitama. She had underestimated Saitama's power. Fighting him early in the tournament was a terrible idea. If she wanted to win, she was going to face him later. Besides, using Mahapadma twice in a row had wasted a lot of energy.
" Compared to before, I can use this attack multiple times in a day! However, the number of uses remains very limited! I shouldn't waste any more foolishly. "
" Now where did she go? " Wanted to know Saitama, once whatever he was trapped in had thawed. " Could she teleport or what? "
Looking for her first, he ended up peering into the stands, where Vados was thawing Botamo's body, while Champa was already berating him. Staring at his former opponent, the superhero ended up showing a slight smile, while whispering.
"Among these fighters, maybe one of them will push me to my limits! I know it!"
Staring at Jiren, while remaining hidden behind a boulder, Leone couldn't help but be anxious, as the man in front of her sat with her arms folded, unafraid of being attacked.
" Why isn't anyone paying attention to him? " Leone wanted to know, getting closer to the alien.
Finally, finding herself within three meters of him, she ended up being behind his back, ready to jump on him and immobilize him.
" This is perfect! He doesn't seem to know I'm here! Even if he's stronger than me, the surprise attack will destabilize him enough that I can eliminate him." Raising her claws, she began to leap towards Jiren, ready to eliminate him. Yet in an instant, she felt a strong atmospheric pressure rise from Jiren's body, as the fighter increased his energy.
It didn't take more for Leone to stop moving and feel her body shake a little.
" W... what? What did he just do? It's like he froze me! " That's not what actually happened. Her body had responded to the very high level of power, much like Goku had done in his Super Saiyan 3 during his first fight with Lord Beerus on King Kai's planet.
Feeling Jiren's aura, Leone felt like this man was even more impressive than Esdeath's.
" This… this guy… can we really beat him? He makes Esdeath look like nothing before we started training. " Not wanting to answer this question, by confronting it, Leone ended up turning around and preferred to leave Jiren in peace.
"Confronting him now won't do me any good."
So continuing to flee, she ends up feeling her arm being hit by a metal pillar. Wincing in pain, she felt her feet skid for several feet, before bending down in time to dodge the blade of an arm that had taken on the shape of a chainsaw.
"Looks like you have good reflexes," Gajeel pointed out. "It shows that you at least earned your place in this arena."
Sliding back to put some distance between her and Gajeel, Leone ran her hand through her hair to discover that some strands had been severed by Gajeel's last gesture.
"I highly doubt you'll be going to paradise for this."
"Don't worry! I always wanted to go to hell to face Satan."
"It's not smart to say such nonsense," Leone retorted. "I came back from the afterlife, and I can assure you that there is no Satan that exists in the Other World! Only whole days of torture will wait for you there! I know at least four people in my team who know what I'm talking about."
"Really now?" said Gajeel. "Am I to understand that your universe has resurrected people in order to form your powerful team?"
Putting himself in a combat position, he began to smile, while affirming.
"If your friends made you come back to life, it was because you must have been very powerful! Splendid, you will provide me with a perfect warm-up."
"Why do we have to fight?" Leone questioned. Then pulling her T-shirt to allow Gajeel to have a better view of her cleavage, she then began to display a sultry face.
"If you want to give up, I'll do you good," she asserted, going to her playful tactics, and lowered it, only to see the former S-Class Mage of Phantom Lord run towards her.
Dodging a punch from Gajeel, the woman heard him retort. "I'm not a pervert like Gildarts! This kind of stuff won't work with me."
"Well isn't that a pity," Leone mourned.
Taking her lioness appearance, she cracked her fists, while asserting. "I guess now's the perfect time to see if all of my training paid off!"
Getting up while grimacing, Cabba ran his hand over his chin to remove the trickle of blood there was. However, this did nothing to remove the humiliation he had just experienced. Saitama had pushed him away like a gnat, and he had completely let his guard down to Katakuri. I can't believe how much of an imbecile I was! Master would sure be disappointed if he saw what happened. If I continue like this, I'll lose before I can do anything useful for my team.
"JUSTICE WHIP!"
Wrapping around his waist then, while stilling his arms, a whip-shaped orb of energy managed to capture the Saiyan from the Sixth Universe.
"That…?"
"I got you," Vewon assured, coming out of his hiding place! "This attack will prevent you from using your energy, until I get you out of the arena!"
"Crap!" Cabba could only shout, trying to make the muscles of his arms grow, to free himself.
"It is futile to resist! Admit your defeat, fellow warrior!" cried Vewon, punching Cabba.
Unable to cash, the young Saiyan felt himself recoil, while Vewon continued the blows.
"Only the Eleventh Universe can prevail as the winner of this multiverse tournament! We are the elite of the elite, the super warriors of our universe! We do not have the right to disappoint the hopes of people who plan to live today, tomorrow and the day after!"
Then kicking his opponent's abdomen, he lifted him into the air, toward the void.
"Fall and just wait for this tournament to end."
However, he was surprised to see Cabba land on his feet at the edge of the ring.
"Hmmm?"
"It's not just you and the rest of your team who are under pressure," retorted the saiyan. "I too have people to save! A universe to protect! And even if it destroys eight more, I'll save my universe! HAAAAAAA!"
His hair changed into a bright gold, along with his eyes going into a teal color, signifying his transformation into a Super Saiyan, and the energy released was enough to break the lasso of light that bound him.
"What?! He freed himself?!"
"Let's go," cried Cabba, walking towards the dinosaur lookalike.
"Don't get arrogant with me," Vewon roared, attempting to punch him.
Lowering his head in time, Cabba managed to find himself under the arm of the orange humanoid, as he sent his own fist to strike the stomach of his opponent. The punching power was so powerful that it made the dinosaur's eyes widen. Taking a few steps back, he put a hand on his stomach, before glaring at the Saiyan.
"Damn it!"
Deciding to bombard him with a series of punches, he was soon imitated by Cabba. But, after a few seconds, Vewon found himself wincing, while Cabba's punches were far more powerful than his. Feeling his arms getting damaged, he then ended up getting punched in the abdomen and face several times in a row. Then his feet slid back, as he couldn't continue to attack.
"The Sixth Universe is the one that will when, and I hope you remember that in the stands!" Cabba proclaimed, swinging his fist one last time.
Aiming at the left side of Vewon's jaw, he managed to pulverize the framework of the latter, destroying a few teeth. Thrown to the side, Vewon found himself above the void, and fell into the void.
"Contestant Vewon of the Eleventh Universe has been eliminated, Sires," the Grand Minister informed the two Omni Kings.
"Well done, Cabba!" Champa rejoiced, pointing at him. "Finally one who has a use in our team!" Even the Supreme Kai rejoiced.
Meanwhile, apperaing on the bench, Vewon kept his eyes closed, apologizing.
"My sincerest apologies, Lord Vermoud! I disgraced the honor of the team."
"You really think that?" implied his Destroyer, barely giving him a look. "Forget about it! You did your job!"
"My job?" Vewon wondered.
"Indeed," replied the clown-like Destroyer, while posting a smile. "In the end, this tournament is like a game of chess, with nine players, each with ten pawns. In terms of strength, no one can beat Top or Jiren! However, some participants may have special powers that could take them out, without them being able to do anything! The notion of sacrifice is essential in a game of chess! By fighting against as many fighters as possible, you allow Top and Jiren to see the extent of their powers, in preparation for a powerful counterattack. "
Staring at the two centerpieces of his team, he chuckled.
"Yes! With this tactic, our universe shall emerge victorious."
Watching Cabba from the top of a rock, Goku couldn't help but smile, noticing that he had made some progress with Super Saiyan.
"Awesome! He's so much stronger than when he fought Vegeta! Speaking if which, I can't wait to see if Hit's gotten stronger!" The events of when he got Vados to hire Hit were as clear as day, but now there was no killing this time.
"YASAKANI SACRED JEWEL!"
Looking backwards just in the nick of time, Goku began to jump forward to avoid dozens of pearls of light, which exploded, hitting his previous places. Despite this, many more were thrown in his direction, and the Saiyan found himself forced to move in all directions in order to avoid them.
Managing to find a rhythm, he then froze, and channeled as much energy as possible to create an energy shield around him. Hitting the shield, the beads of light stopped, before finally exploding away from Goku.
Once the danger passed, Goku waved the smoke away from the explosion, with a wave of his arms, while watching a man facing him.
"Hmm?" Kizaru wondered, narrowing his eyes, until the billowed, seeing that Goku did not have the slightest trace of scratch. "How is that possible?! I can't believed you stopped them all! No one can!"
"Easy," Goku replied. "Your attacks were pretty quick, I'll admit ! But, they weren't really all that strong. I don't think I even need to go Super Saiyan for this."
"It depends on the amount of time I put in creating them," Kizaru retorted. "It was just a surprise attack to allow me to judge your reflexes, nothing more! SACRED YATA MIRROR!"
Forming a mirror of light, between his hands, Kizaru sent a beam of light that went straight to Goku. Then finding himself in front of him, Kizaru materialized in front of Goku's face, and pointed two fingers in the direction of his eyes.
Immediately, a strong light dazzled the Saiyan, burning his retina.
"AHHHH!" he cried, while shaping his eyes! "I can't see anything anymore!"
Seeing his foe with his eyes closed, Kizaru disappeared again, before materializing behind Goku. Raising his leg, he placed it in the perfect angle in order to strike Goku and make him fall into the void.
"Farewell, warrior."
However, sensing his energy in time, Goku managed to put two fingers on his forehead and disappeared from Kizaru's sight, just as the warrior struck him.
"What!?"
Barely having time to turn around, he could make out the figure of Goku, just behind him, with his two fists raised in the air, despite his eyes closed.
"GOT YA!" the Saiyan asserted, lowering his fists to strike the top of the admiral's head.
Still, he was surprised to strike into the void, as his fists went through Kizaru's body, meeting no resistance.
"What?" Goku exclaimed. This was almost like Hit's ability where all attacks went through him, but he himself couldn't attack as well.
"YASAKANI SACRED JEWEL!"
Once again creating a shower of pearls of light, Kizaru took advantage of Goku being right in front of him to aim him. Materializing above Goku, still blinded, he saw the Saiyan take the first full blast attacks, before falling down the arena. Barely touching the latter, Goku rolled all over on the ground in order to avoid the other attacks. Continuing to aim at him, Kizaru let his pearls strike at Goku and the attacks blew up the ground, while grazing the Saiyan.
Getting behind a boulder, Goku then let it be bombarded by Kizaru's attacks, as he began to regain his sight.
What happened earlier? he wondered, looking at his hands. I was sure I had touched it! It's like my fist has gone through the body of a ghost! Is that one of his powers?
Suddenly cut in half, the rock he had hidden behind gave way to Kizaru, with a sword in his hand.
"Found you!"
In response, Goku bombarded the admiral with ki-blasts. Nonetheless, not even needing to move, his opponent let his attacks pass through his body, without them taking any effect.
"Sorry to tell you, kid! Unfortunately for you, I'm a Logia!"
"A Logia?" Not really knowing what that meant, Goku nevertheless decided to step up a gear.
" Very well ! In this case, Kaaa..."
"Oh?" Kizaru said, seeing him put his arms back, as a ball of light formed between his hands. "What are you doing now?"
"Meee... haaa... meee.."
Seeing the ball grow, Kizaru thought it safe to charge the Saiyan, sword in hand. Still, smiling when he saw him coming, Goku teleported again. As quick as Kizaru was, he found himself in front of the man, to the admiral's surprise.
"What?" he wondered, trying to back away.
"HAAAAAAAA!" Goku shouted throwing his energy wave at him.
Unable to dodge it, Kizaru felt his body being swept away, in order to simply disintegrate. A few seconds later, there was nothing left of him.
Still, that didn't scare Goku at all. Indeed, eyes closed, he concentrated and managed to capture the energy of Kizaru, while the latter, in the form of light particles had preferred to flee, to recompose himself a little further.
"Huh, looks like I'll have to find someone else to fight now."
Clenching his fists then, the Saiyan could not help but be overexcited. Here is the tournament he dreamed of! A tournament where his opponents could all have a chance to defeat him. The danger of losing stimulated his cells.
Con side, having observed Goku from the stands, Gowasu affirmed.
"So, these Logias do have a capacity that makes them very difficult to touch."
"It seems our spy was correct," understood Rumsshi. "I hope that your training has served them a purpose."
"It went perfectly well," Gowasu assured." The person I have chosen is able to fight them! So I advised him to concentrate his forces in battles against against the Third Universe!"
"Excellent work, Kai!"
"It seems Goku is lucky that Kamehameha of his didn't kill his opponent," Beerus stated from the stands. "It doesn't matter if he is in Super Saiyan form or not, he needs to be careful!"
"I see no reason to worry, my Lord," Whis assured the Destroyer. "I have no doubt they can control their power at ease, and conserve it as well.
On the ground, Goku hurried to find a new opponent as quickly as possible. And the latter introduced himself to him.
Dashing in his direction, Ichiryu had brandished his fist forward and had barely hit Goku. Crossing his arms, the Saiyan resisted the charge for a few seconds, before feeling himself thrown back. Performing a few aerial somersaults, he eventually landed on his feet, while staring at the old man in front of him. What's funny was that his hair looked he was in Super Saiyan form himself.
"Hey, your not bad!" Goku commented.
"I could say the same to you," assured Ichiryu. "Few have been able to escape unscathed from one of my punches! However, …"
Suddenly shining his fist, he asserted. "I am here to defeat you with all of my power."
"In that case…" Goku began, before letting his energy flow from his body! "It's time to take it up a notch. RHHAAAAA!"
Transforming into a Super Saiyan, he kept his smile, while asserting.
"I guess now's the perfect time to see what the real level of the fighters in this tournament are. Show me what ya got!"
1 = Universe 2 : Toriko, Sunny, Coco, Zebra, Acacia, Joa, Jhiro , Midora, Starfun, Ichiryu ( 10 )
1 = Universe 3 : Luffy, Law , Katakuri, Kaido, Big Mom, Teach, Akainu, Shanks, Kizaru, Doflamingo ( 10 )
1= Universe 4 : Saitama(1), Boros, Tatsumaki, Bang, Genos, Atomic Samourai, Sonic, Garou, Sea King, Blast ( 10 )
1 = Universe 7 : Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Piccolo, C-17, C-18, Muten Rochi, Tien, Krillin, Frieza ( 10 )
1 = Universe 9 : Tatsumi, Wave, Esdeath, Budo, Kurome, Seryu, Mine, Leone, Najenda, Bols ( 10 )
1 = Universe 10 : Natsu, Erza, Gray, Gajeel, Laxus, Gildarts, Jellal, Cobra, Wendy, Jura ( 10 )
1 = Universe 12 : Midoriya, Shoto, Bakugo, Tokoyami, Kendo, Momo, lida, Kirishima, Ibara, Shinso ( 10 )
2 = Universe 6 : Hit, Cabba(1), Caulifla , Kale , Magetta, Dr Rota, Pirina, Saonel, Frost ( 9 )
2 = Universe 11 : Jiren, Top, Dyspo, Cocotte, Kahseral, Tupper, Zoire, K'nsi, Kettle ( 9 )