Chapter 6
Months pass after the defeat of Moro and peace still engulfs the universe, for now. Kakarot and Vegeta still relishing in the win over Moro. The Saiyan's live their lives as they have done in the past. Kakarot training and farming, and Vegeta doing training of his own too. Just because there is peace, doesn't mean thy should stop training. They enjoy the training. Often training with each other in the gravity room.
On a spaceship far away from Earth, an attendant approach his master Goichi to relay information that the data from Seven-Three has been copied into all of their units. Seven-Three had previously been stolen from Goichi by Saganbo and the Galactic Bandit Brigade, but has now been returned to them, stronger than ever. Elated by this news, Goichi believes it is now his time to rule the universe. Then, in another ship, Granolah, who is receiving support from a person named Oatmeel, approaches and boards Goichi's ship. Using his weaponry, he is able to dispatch the guards that were sent out to confront him as well as the OG Soldiers. After a specific unit in mind, Granolah enters another room where he finds his target, OG73-i, otherwise known as Seven-Three.
After securing him, he heads for the Heeter's Base. Along the way, Granolah has a flashback to a time when the Saiyan race invaded his planet and killed his people, also remembering a Great Ape with a cross-shaped scar. Granolah awakens inside his spaceship and speaks with Oatmeel, who asks him why he continues to obsess over the Frieza Force. Granolah explains that his obsession stems from the Saiyans who slaughtered his race, the Cerealians, and that the Saiyan race themselves were reportedly wiped out by a meteor that destroyed their home planet, robbing him of his chance to get revenge.
Meanwhile, on Beerus' Planet, Whis injects the Oracle Fish with some vitamins to put him to sleep due to his insomnia.
"When the Oracle Fish is suffering lack of sleep, it can be bad omen for the future" Whis explains
Following this, Kakarot and Whis continue training, with Kakarot taking on Ultra Instinct at will, though he still proves to be no match for Whis.
"Wielding Ultra Instinct is only a starting point" Whis explains "It is possible to gain a much greater level of control over it than you already have."
"Really?" Kakarot asks "I thought I had pretty good control over it already."
"Yet, you can gain more control." Whis replies
"Do you plan to also master Ultra Instinct, Vegeta?" Beerus asks
"No" Vegeta replies
"Well, there is another way" Beerus explains. "Ultra Instinct is what the Angels use, but the Gods of Destruction use another form entirely."
"Ah, you mean the power Jiren used." Vegeta says "I remember it being mentioned during the tournament."
"I'm saying nothing." Beerus replies "I am going to exercise, so if you see anything you want, feel free to steal it."
Beerus knew what he was doing, and Vegeta knew exactly what Beerus meant. Beerus didn't need to outright say it. Yet, little did Beerus know, Vegeta had already done such. He had managed to take the Ultra Ego form before, but not often.
Since Vegeta knew of Kakarot's new found form, Vegeta had been secretly sneaking bits from Beerus, but at least now he didn't have to pretend as such.
Elsewhere, Granolah makes it to the Heeter's base, running into Soshiru along the way, who suggests splitting the prize money that will be obtained for handing in Seven-Three. Instead, Granolah threatens Soshiru and makes his way inside. There he speaks with Elec, the leader of the Heeters, and hands over his bounty. After receiving payment, Elec explains that he does not intend to create an army but to simply gain intel from Seven-Three instead. He also informs him of Frieza's revival. Eager to get his chance for revenge, Granolah demands to know where he is. Finding his actions to be unacceptable, Gas restrains Granolah. Elec says that taking on Frieza will take time and planning and he must bide his time until they are ready. Granolah agrees to leave things until then and takes off. Elec speaks with his family, saying that they would be in hot water if Granolah surpassed Gas in strength and truthfully intends for Frieza to take Granolah out and plans to use Seven-Three in order to locate Zuno.
As Granolah makes his way to his home planet, he is ambushed by Soshiru and his men. He tricks them into boarding his ship and begins sniping away at them. Oatmeel explains that Cerealian's right eyes are adapted for sharpshooting and that Granolah is a cut above the rest. After Soshiru retreats, Granolah tells Oatmeel that he missed one of his targets, admitting that he is still not powerful enough to take on Frieza but vows to get stronger than anyone.
Back on Beerus' Planet, the Oracle Fish talks in his sleep, saying that the balance in Universe 7 is shifting and the strongest warrior in the universe will soon rise up.
Meanwhile, Beerus questions Vegeta about the Saiyan's destructive history. Vegeta doesn't understand how this relates to learning a technique used by the Gods of Destruction. Beerus shows off his powers and destroys a decorative planet, then tells Vegeta that if he doesn't let the sins of his race go, he will never be able to wield the power of destruction.
"I told Frieza to destroy planet Vegeta" Beerus says
"Y-you fucking what?!" Vegeta shouts
This information causes Vegeta to become outraged and attack Beerus. Beerus dodges Vegeta's attack then hits him with a Hakai, destroying part of his armour. With Vegeta defeated by Beerus once again
"To grow stronger, you must rebuild yourself" Beerus says "Before creation, comes destruction.
Though Beerus is right, Vegeta is angry, and rightfully so. Beerus was the reason his planet was gone, his people were gone.
Vegeta continues to train, attempting to destroy a small rock using Hakai but instead destroys it via a simple energy blast. Having done it wrong, Beerus explains the technique and shows the correct method, creating a large blast in the process.
Close by, Kakarot trains with Whis.
"Hmm, I wonder which one of us will become the strongest in the universe!" Kakarot comments as he notices Vegeta's training.
"Maybe it will be neither of you." Whis says
"Huh?!" Kakarot looks at Whis almost offended "Why not?!"
"Perhaps neither of you will become the strongest but someone else entirely though I do not know of anyone currently stronger than you 2" Whis replies
The Oracle Fish awakens, proclaiming that the strongest warrior in the universe will soon rise up. Vegeta overhears this and appearing in front of Kakarot and Whis, displays the Hakai ability by destroying a tiny pebble.
"Soon I will be destroying much larger things" Vegeta says "No one else is out matching me in power!"
"Well, except me currently" Kakarot tries teasing Vegeta
"Not for long!" Vegeta snaps "You got lucky. You always fucking do!"
Two days later, Granolah arrives at the Heeter's Base demanding Frieza's location. Annoyed by the interference, Elec asks Oil to see him out only for Granolah to easily overpower him. Elec then tells Oil to fight him. The fight proves to be one sided as Oil is unable to land a single blow with his comrade Macki faring no better. Satisfied at Granolah's power but curious all the same, Elec has Granolah explain where he got his strength from. Granolah tells the Heeters that he has sacrificed 150 of his remaining years in order to obtain his current power and now only has three years left to live as a result. Elec accepts the explanation though tells Granolah to head home as they do not know Frieza's exact location and finding out such a thing will take time. Granolah then leaves.
Later on, while the Heeters have dinner, Elec discusses the current situation, believing that it is not wise for Granolah to take Frieza out as he will take his place in his stead, a position that he believes belongs to them. Not wanting Granolah to destroy the Frieza Force either due to wanting control of the force for themselves, Elec decides to pit the Saiyans Kakarot and Vegeta, who had they witnessed defeat Moro through Seven-Three, against Granolah believing that he would not be able to defeat the two of them by himself.
Kakarot and Vegeta continue their own separate training.
"What is the difference between you and the Angels?" Whis asks Kakarot.
After a quick demonstration where Kakarot is whacked on the head by Whis' staff,
"they are always in the Ultra Instinct state whereas you transforms to access it, I believe that you equate Ultra Instinct to your transformation." Whis explains.
"So I have to learn to do it in my base form?" Kakarot questions knowing it will be tough
"Yes" Whis replies "Doing so will free you of stamina drain. The transformation should only be used s a last resort, when you feel you need to surpass your limits.
"This, it goes against everything I am as a Saiyan!" Kakarot replies "To feel nothing, all of the time! We Saiyan's use our emotions to fight."
"You can decide to turn on or off those feelings." Whis replies "You don't have to feel nothing forever, but this will give you a major advantage."
Oil and Macki arrive on Earth and visit Chi-Chi at Kakarot's House. They come up with a story of requiring their help in defeating a villain, offering to pay them in Sky Gold for their help. After heading to Capsule Corporation, Bulma contacts the Saiyans and they soon find themselves intrigued upon hearing that the villain is supposedly the strongest being in the universe. Before heading off to Earth, Beerus gives Vegeta an earring which he says is to symbolize that he can use Hakai. Whis on the other hand, draws his signature symbol on Kakarot's Gi.
Inside Capsule Corporation, Macki steals the Dragon Radar which they plan to use to obtain the Cerealian Dragon Balls. Kakarot and Vegeta return to Earth where Macki offers to take the two to the villain aboard their spaceship. Oil tells the two that it will take 18 days to reach planet Cereal and while Kakarot eats and Vegeta continues to train in the pool, Macki contacts Granolah telling him that they found Frieza's location, but that Frieza has been made aware of his intention to kill him. Macki tells him that Frieza has sent two Saiyan assassins his way and Granolah leaves his ship saying that after fifty years he can finally get revenge on the Saiyans.
18 days later, the group arrives on Cereal with the two Saiyans still unaware they are being tricked by the Heeters. Macki tells Oil to spy on the fight whilst she stays on board. As Kakarot and Vegeta are flying over to the stated location, they are surprised that the villain is not causing havoc on the planet until they see a bunch of stray Ki blasts which they are just able to barely dodge. Vegeta turns into a Super Saiyan and the blasts stop appearing.
Kakarot and Vegeta sense another wave of blasts, and with Kakarot activating his improved Ultra Instinct, they dodge the second wave of the blasts. They see a third wave of Ki blasts from above with them barely dodging until eventually Kakarot is struck in the back knocking him unconscious and forcing Vegeta to give him a Senzu Bean.
"Are you really that dependant on Ultra Instinct, Kakarot?" Vegeta says calling him out
"You're right." Kakarot admits and turns into a Super Saiyan spotting Granolah and firing an Energy Wave at him.
Granolah instantly teleports behind the two Saiyans dodging the Energy Wave much to the latter's shock. Granolah introduces himself to the Saiyan duo, explaining his race and that he knows about the Saiyans with him forming a crater with an unknown technique similar to Hakai.
"I should fight him first" Vegeta says "I want revenge."
Kakarot introduces that he is the first to fight much to Oil's displeasure since he thought both Saiyans would fight Granolah. Vegeta decides to keep an eye out for now being suspicious of the Cerealian.
"Can you become the Great Ape?" Granolah asks Kakarot
"No, and honestly, I don't need it." Kakarot replies and then transforms into a Super Saiyan God.
Granolah strikes first forcing Kakarot on the defensive before the Saiyan activates Ultra Instinct, now able to dodge Granolah's blows and blasts with ease. Granolah eventually strikes Kakarot in a vital point knocking him out of the Super Saiyan God form. Granolah reveals that thanks to his right eye he can see Kakarot's blood flow and movements enabling him to strike that vital point.
Vegeta starts to piece together the identity of Granolah's race then spots something.
"I have been holding back a transformation." Kakarot admits
"I want revenge on Frieza." Granola says
Kakarot is shocked since he thought that Granolah was the bad villain, but an enraged Granolah powers up and Kakarot powers up to Perfected Super Saiyan Blue. The two fight equally as Vegeta sees a giant paw print piecing together Granolah's race.
Kakarot battles against Granolah in and around a forested area, dodging blast and blow alike before Granolah swings around a tree by his scarf to deliver a flying kick on Kakarot. Kakarot recovers and stands his ground against the Cerealian's heavy blows, letting out a mighty roar as his aura swells into a raging inferno that obliterates the surrounding area. Granolah notes with his evolved right eye that the flow of blood and movement of cells within Kakarot's body have altered.
Kakarot has combined Ultra Instinct with the Perfected Super Saiyan Blue form. Granolah however remains unmoved. Kakarot begins to move around Granolah at incredible speed, evading his attacks before firing off a powerful Kamehameha at point-blank range. Granolah, however, is still able to land his pressure point attack at a vital point in Kakarot's neck as he is hit by the wave.
As the dust clears, Granolah is mildly damaged, but Kakarot is much worse for wear; having dropped down to his base form. Kakarot sticks to his belief that a true practitioner of Ultra Instinct should have no weak points, and that his training must be lacking. Granolah causes the ground beneath Kakarot's feet to swell and explode upwards with a fearsome energy that Kakarot struggles to counter. Kakarot desperately escapes with Instant Transmission and lands by Vegeta
"His technique" Kakarot says to Vegeta "It's similar to Moro's"
Vegeta informs Kakarot about his discoveries "the Cerealians were a race that used their evolved right eyes for long-range attacks but were wiped out by the Saiyans under Frieza's command long ago."
The Saiyan pair realize that Granolah is the last surviving Cerealian out for revenge, and that the Heeters lied to them about his villainy. Reasoning that nothing less than beating him will allow them to convince Granolah that the Saiyans are no longer his enemies,
"I still think we can win." Kakarot says and transforms once more into Perfected Ultra Instinct, as Granolah reels with shock; he cannot detect any pressure points.
Kakarot attacks again, only this time, Granolah is unable to perceive his movements as the Saiyan launches a lightning-fast assault that tears off his sniping goggles and knocks him around the forest. Kakarot tries to reason with the vengeful warrior, but Granolah is unmoved and attacks Kakarot viciously. He is unable to penetrate the Saiyan's autonomous defence, and finds his blow halted by Kakarot's telekinesis, before being lifted into the air and punched by a series of ki blasts to the stomach. Vegeta believes the battle is won, but notices that Granolah's energy has not dropped as much as it should. He then detects Granolah's power coming from elsewhere.
"I am Impressed by your strength Granolah says "I may have underestimated you, but you do not face my true self. I split my power at the beginning of a battle, creating a clone to fught."
Vegeta finds the true Granolah, sitting in his spaceship, and alerts Kakarot as the clone vanishes into thin air. But as Vegeta turns back to the ship, the true Granolah teleports to Kakarot's location and strikes a pressure point directly over his heart that briefly stops it, causing him to drop out of Perfected Ultra Instinct.
A final, devastating blow sends Kakarot crashing through the forest.
"I wanted to save my true strength for Frieza, but you fightinh my clone came to my advantage" Granolah says "The accuracy of your form drops over time."
He then mocks Kakarot for falling for his trick and prepares to kill him with a ki blast, only to be interrupted by Vegeta. Vegeta has no interest in trying to reason with Granolah and starts to go all-out.
"You'll join the rest" Vegeta snaps "In hell."
When Vegeta boasts that fusion or clones will prove ineffective against him, Granolah claims he no longer has need for them, choosing to save his strength for his battle with Frieza.
"I am no longer part of Frieza's army." Vegeta claims
!I will get my revenge Against the Saiyans." Granolah replies
Seeing no more need for words, Vegeta immediately transforms into his Super Saiyan Blue Evolved state and demonstrates his newfound powers of destruction to explode several rocks around Granolah.
Granolah, however, is unimpressed "Your destructive power is lacking."
Granolah proceeds to destroy a much larger rock with his own Hakai-like technique, flinging Vegeta into Granolah's waiting list for a hard gut punch. Vegeta is winded but fires a ki blast at point blank, chasing after Granolah as he evades, but is unable to get the upper hand as Granolah's counterattack deals him heavy blows and knocks him into a river.
Granolah fires a volley of sniper shots into the water at Vegeta, who evades the attacks. He uses Oatmeel's help, firing a powerful blast directly at Vegeta as he swims into a lake. Granolah is confident that Vegeta will be unable to push back his attack, but Vegeta is able to destroy it instead, although he is thrown out of the water by the resulting shockwave. Granolah once again expresses his surprise at the strength of the two Saiyans, but remains confident that he is the most powerful being in the universe.
"Your strength and techniques have indeed surpassed mine" Vegeta admits "But I can still win."
Vegeta goads Granolah into accidentally destroying part of the ancient Cerealian ruins. He further taunts his opponent by exposing his lack of battle experience.
Despite this observation, it appears the gap in power is too great for Vegeta to overcome. Vegeta, however, knowing that no outcome is ever certain, something that he truly loves about fighting. Granolah is infuriated at Vegeta "Rankings only reflect a moment in time, my strength is consistently growing, even compared to a few minutes ago."
Granolah decides to finish Vegeta off, landing a pressure point attack that shatters Vegeta's Battle Armor and painfully drops him down to base form. Vegeta does not fall, beginning to laugh instead. He is experiencing a feeling he has not experienced for a long time. There is no planet to save, no people to protect, just pure battle.
Granolah jumps back in surprise as Vegeta's aura swells and then ignites into an enormous gout of flame that shoots high above the forest. This alerts both Oil and Kakarot, the latter of whom notes that Vegeta's ki signature feels like that of a God, but not the regular kind. Granolah fires sniper blasts at Vegeta, who is concealed within the inferno of his new aura, only for them to be destroyed on contact. As Vegeta's aura clears away, we see that Vegeta has transformed into a new form possessing the traits of the Gods of Destruction themselves.
Vegeta releases a burst of his newfound power at Granolah. As he clears it away, Vegeta appears and grabs him by the scarf.
"You let your power go to your head" Vegeta taunts "I will knock you down a peg or 2"
Vegeta strikes him with a series of heavy blows. Granolah piles into Vegeta's stomach, though it seems to have little effect.
"I grow stronger by the second." Vegeta says before throwing his opponent into the old city below.
Granolah is shocked at the new level that his enemy has risen to and wonders what a God of Destruction is. Vegeta tells him about the Gods of Destruction and the one who is responsible for teaching him about his current power. Granolah asks if the God of Destruction was the one who granted him his new power, but Vegeta says the power is his own and he awakened it during their battle.
The two continue to battle, with Granolah firing a volley of energy blasts at Vegeta, who defiantly withstands them before charging forwards. In a panic, Granolah summons up an Energy Shield which defends him from Vegeta's attack.
"Why do you not dodge like Kakarot?" Granolah asks
Vegeta scoffs at the remark as "I regard Perfected Ultra Instinct as a pathetic technique compared to mine. Kakarot's body may have a mind of its own, but mine? It's all ego."
He then tells Granolah to call his new state Ultra Ego and charges forward with a mighty double kick that breaks through Granolah's shield and sends him hurtling through the city.
"I will not lose to any of Frieza's grunts" Granola snarls
"Frieza wiped out my oen home world too." Vegeta replies
Despite being shocked at what he hears, Granolah says "it is no reason to call off my revenge against the Saiyans."
When Oatmeel tries to point out the contradictions in Vegeta's words against the Heeters', Granolah throws him away, claiming he no longer needs his support now that he is the strongest in the universe. As the two continue to battle, Oatmeel remotely controls Granolah's spaceship to pick him up. Meanwhile, Kakarot wakes up and begins his healing process.
The battle between Vegeta and Granolah becomes more evenly matched as Vegeta realizes that he has taken too much damage and fires a powerful Double Galick Cannon, though Granolah continues to remain standing, taking aim at Vegeta. Vegeta decides to put an end to the fight, powering up and throwing a Beerus Ball which he vows will destroy anything it touches. In order to combat this threat, Granolah awakens his other eye, giving him the power to destroy Vegeta's attack and rock the planet in the process. As the smoke clear, Vegeta is grounded, once again surprised.
"Thank you." Granolah says "For helping me draw out my new found power."
Vegeta and Granolah continue their battle with the former having the clear disadvantage and the latter teasing him for it. Vegeta drops back into his base state but refuses to give up. Granolah becomes annoyed at his persistence and goes in for the finishing blow, but he is struck by Kakarot first. Kakarot vows to continue the fight but Vegeta unexpectedly kicks Kakarot flying, angered at the fight being taken away from him.
"We only ever truly fight together when something need saving" Vegeta snaps at Kakarot
"What about your life?!" Kakarot shouts back getting frustrated by Vegeta's stubbornness.
"I'd rather die." Vegeta snaps
Unaware, Granolah charges in to strike at Vegeta's heart though Kakarot is able to save him by pushing him away using a Kiai.
"How did you react in time?!" Granolah asks Kakarot
"I got a good read of your vital targeting strategy" Kakarot replies "It won't work anymore."
The two battle with Granolah seemingly ending the fight fast with a pressure point attack to the back of Kakarot's neck. However, Kakarot attacks Granolah from behind.
"That same move won't work on me forever." Kakarot says with a smirk
Granolah attempts another attack, but Kakarot shifts his vitals and counters.
"I can't dodge your attacks completely" Kakarot admits "But I am able to move enough to avoid fatal damage."
"I'm impressed" Granolah says "But you still won't surpass me."