The Three Legendary Saiyans
Chapter 12: Defeat Hit
Raijin felt the strong hand of Goku push him aside; looking at Goku with dumbfounded astonishment that Goku would have the gall to shove a friend aside just for a fight, Goku leaping down to the half-melted and charred Ring; not setting so much as a foot on the glass stairs.
Hit merely watched as Goku jumped from the floating platforms; his hands remaining within the pockets of his coat while his piercing red eyes watched and observed Goku's every move.
Raijin watched as Whis used his staff to levitate Vegeta up onto the platform and lay the unconscious Saiyan on the seats; Vegeta lay right next to Monaka of whom merely saw with the same slouched posture and half-closed eyes.
"Is it only me or is Monaka really capable of staying that calm after all these battles" Raijin spoke; observing Monaka's apparent state of perfect calmness after the series of battles that had already transpired.
"Well of course he is! He is the strongest mortal in The Seventh Universe" Beerus barked; though a bead of sweat budded on the back of his head.
Raijin caught Piccolo's eye while observing Monaka; picking up on that this individual by the name of Monaka might not be who they've been led to believe he is, Raijin stood so his back faced Beerus and Whis while carefully waving his hand in front of Monaka's face and realising that Monaka was in fact sleeping with his eyes open.
Piccolo nodded his head; confirming to Raijin that Monaka's title of the strongest mortal in The Seventh Universe was in fact a lie.
Down in The Ring; the fight had begun; Goku and Hit repeated attacked and dodged each other's attacks; though no sign of Hit's Time Skip had been used as of yet, Goku wore a happy smile while Hit maintained his calm and collected expression while the pair fought over every corner of the half-destroyed Ring.
"What are you waiting for? Use your Time Skip" Goku shouted in a ordering tone of voice; baiting Hit to attack him the same way he did against Vegeta.
Hit barely said a word; his red eyes only narrowed at Goku in indignation of Goku's demand.
"Just try it" Goku spoke moments before dropping to his knees after taking a Time Skip Punch to the underside of his ribs.
Hit stood over Goku with his trench-coat slightly billowing when he moved his right hand back into his pocket; speaking in a cold and dismissive tone, "You asked for that…".
Raijin shuddered at the very sound of Hit's voice; cold and uncaring for those he had to face in this tournament, "Whis… is the Time Skip impossible to defend against?".
Whis' analytical eyes glanced to Raijin; a calm yet coy smile crossing his blue lips, "It depends on how the technique is used; Hit strikes through brief openings and targets an opponent's vital organs and vulnerable points of the body… Hit is a deadly fighter and a professional hitman in his own Universe".
Raijin briefly nodded his head to Whis in thanks; watching Goku rise back up to his feet, though Raijin was trying to think of a possible way to defend against Hit and his Time Skip just in case when he had to or must face Hit in The Ring himself.
Goku was standing up again; seemingly giggling to himself after taking an attack from the Time Jump, "Try that again… this time I'll block it!".
"You lie!" Hit's calm eyes widened in shock at Goku's statement; his brow furrowing in anger and beginning his Time Jump assault, within the split second Hit could attack through he thrust a normally devastating side-kick to Goku's head only for Goku to have raised both arms up in defence and stopping the kick dead.
"Still think I'm lying!" Goku shouted; acting on impulse as Hit stepped back and immediately used Time Jump to dodge to Goku's left, only to have Goku kick Hit squarely in the chest.
A resounded murmur filled the arena as all eyes became focussed on Goku's and Hit's battle.
Hit faltered upon taking a weighted boot to his chest; his knees slightly bending at he regained his footing, a cold but dangerous look filling Hit's red eyes.
"Your whole advantage in attacking inside one tenth of a second; and after watching your fight with Vegeta… I can anticipate your attacks" Goku spoke; perfectly evaluating Hit's Time Skip and correctly figuring out how to defend against Hit.
Vegeta scowled; Goku's words confirming what he suspected about Goku's act of not re-entering the Tournament when he was reinstated after Frost's cheating methods were exposed.
Hit slowly removed both his hands from his pockets; indicating that he was now going to fight seriously, "A new phase of this battle beckons".
"Good; come at me with all you got!" Goku roared; bringing his fists close to his chest as a radiant blue flame burnt around his body upon transforming into his Super Saiyan Blue Form, "Thanks for waiting Hit".
Hit stood silent; his red eyes narrowing on Goku and Goku alone.
Vegeta had risen from the seating and hobbled over to stand beside Raijin and Piccolo; his body still battered and bruised from suffering so many blows by Hit's Time Skip's, "Dammit… Kakarot makes it look so easy… predicting attacks that literally leap through time itself".
"You're a fool to show your hand Goku" Hit spoke in a cold but slow voice; his red eyes giving nothing away, "I can easily outwit you by being harder to predict".
"Maybe so; but going against split-second reactions is hard… and my speed will make it even harder for you!" Goku cracked his neck as he spoke; moments later Goku kicked off the floors and charged for Hit, throwing a near-never-ending volley of punches and kicks of which Hit seemingly kept evading and blocking; while his red eyes desperately sought out an opening no matter how small one might be, the pair moved across what remained of The Ring at blinding speeds; each successfully landing a punch in each other's right shoulder.
At that moment that Hit and Goku punched each other in the right shoulder; Hit vanished before Goku's eyes with a Time Skip, Goku span in an spur-of-the-moment attack and threw a blind kick outwards from Goku's own blind spot; striking Hit in the forearm and halting a near-deadly blow to the spine.
"Still think your Time Skip will work?" Goku spoke with confidence and defiance; lowering his leg and facing Hit while Hit grimaced after the second failure of his Time Skip attacks, Goku didn't bother to wait for an answer; spinning on the spot and kicking Hit hard in the ribs with his knee, following up with an uppercut to Hit's jaw which knocked the hitman down onto his back.
Champa dropped to his knees in shock; no words came from his mouth because of the sheer shock of witnessing Hit losing.
Hit slowly rose back up to his feet; his red eyes never moving from Goku, his hands dusting off the trench-coat before crouching down and curling his hands into fists, "I'll admit… I won't last long in this battle without using Time Skip".
Goku smirked; the blue flames burning around his body, "Then what are you waiting for… try it again".
"Very well" Hit crossed his fists before vanishing on the spot, and before Hit could even land an attack on Goku within the space of frozen time; Goku had struck Hit squarely in his stomach with just a simple jab.
Hit spluttered as saliva dropped from his gasping mouth; unable to guard from Goku as he struck Hit in the stomach once again only with a spinning frontal kick.
Raijin gave a disappointed sigh and a huff; figuring that he would not get the chance to fight Hit after all.
Vegeta growled and grumbled to himself; though Raijin and Piccolo both knew that Vegeta was still angry about Goku using the Vegeta vs Hit match to study Hit's moves and develop a countermeasure.
Hit rose back up to his feet once again; not bothering to dust himself off but a noticeable grin upon his purple lips, Letting out a loud roar as bright purple flames exploded off his body; Hit raised his fists in the same manner for his Time Skip.
"He's joking right? Goku's already defeated the Time Skip" Raijin exclaimed; a nervous state falling over his mind that made every hair on not only his head but also his tail stand on end.
"Shut up! Be quiet and witness what is to come" Vegeta barked; crossing his arms and maintaining a stern look in his eyes though he too was curious about Hit's actions.
Hit vanished with his Time Skip; reappearing before Goku's own face and narrowly dodging Goku's punch, Goku and Hit re-engaged in a fierce exchange of punches, kicks and blocks; each successfully landing blows against their other's faces and chests, Goku suddenly keeling over as Hit struck with a Time Skip Attack to Goku's stomach; Goku instantly countering with a backhanded fist to Hit's chest and forcing the two apart.
Hit quickly recovered from Goku's attacks; adjusting his fists for his Time Skip before vanishing on the spot, Goku recoiled hard as he took two strikes from Hit's Time Skip directly to his ribs.
"Wait… did Hit just land two hits with Time Skip?" Raijin spluttered; unable to believe what he just saw.
"It appears so… fighting Goku seems to have forced Hit to put his own body at risk in order to increase to two-tenths of a second" Whis spoke calmly though his eyes showed concern; confirming what Raijin had just questioned.
"So then… what was that roar all about?" Champa asked Vados in a questioning tone; speaking loud enough for Team Universe Seven to overhear.
Vados smiled upon catching Whis' own prying eyes, "I'm guessing Hit wanted to show-off; like how this interesting Saiyan named Goku does".
"Interesting… it worked" Hit spoke; flexing the fingers of his two hands while standing over Goku of who was down on his hands and knees gasping for breath, "I cannot increase my strength by transforming like Frost and you Saiyans… I just have to do it the old-fashioned way".
Piccolo uncrossed his arms while his face contorted with shock, "he really boosted his technique in the middle of a battle… and without boosting his power!".
Vegeta didn't speak a single word; he only gazed at Goku, waiting to see how Goku would continue to fight or just give up.
Raijin knew Hit was powerful and would only continue to grow if this fight dragged on; Raijin trusted in Goku and believed that Goku would find a way to keep fighting.
Goku spat up blood as he rose back up to his feet; taking no notice of The Referee shouting questions of Goku's health, "I didn't want to have to use this until I had mastered it and was fighting a rematch with Lord Beerus… but it wouldn't be fair to you Hit if I kept holding back my full power!".
Beerus looked shocked as he learnt that Goku was secretly preparing something to use against him.
Hit stood quiet; his hands raised to perform another Time Skip when Goku charged for him next, all those in the spectating platform as well as the platforms for Team's Six and Seven all watched with clear interest.
Goku stood tall against Hit; his muscles flexing in his body while the blue flames burnt around his body until a distinct red glow began to shine off his skin, all those who knew of this technique suddenly stood up as they realised what Goku was going to do to his own body.
"KAIO-KEN!" Goku roared as the flames coating his body burnt even higher and more ferocious as the blue and red aura's of Kaio-ken and Super Saiyan Blue melded together into a single two-tone aura, Goku' entire body radiated with his enormous power while Goku's muscles rippled and tensed from strain.
Raijin felt a pang of envy towards Goku; every time Raijin felt he'd finally caught up to Goku to stand as his equal… Goku surged ahead with a whole new level of strength and power, Raijin also knew that Vegeta felt the same way though Vegeta always desired to be even stronger than Goku.
"There is only a one-in-ten chance of victory right now" Goku spoke as he looked down on his fists; his skin radiating with the harsh shade of red that came with using the Kaio-ken.
"He cannot possibly be transforming beyond Super Saiyan Blue… can he?" Vegeta spoke; even though he also had achieved the transformation he knew there was almost certainly nothing beyond it.
"Hurry up and defeat him Hit! I don't know what he's doing and I don't want to know!" Champa screamed; his hands grasping at his ears and pulling them down over his eyes.
Goku broke into a roar as the blue and red flames of his aura rose higher and higher; his power vastly increasing while combining the godly Super Saiyan Blue and the power multiplier Kaio-ken, "Kaio-Ken… times ten!"
Even Hit felt as if he should go on the defensive; crossing his arms just at the right moment as Goku had charged; his blinding lightning-fast speeds almost matching that of Hit's current Time Skip, Goku landed a devastating hammer fist into Hit's guard; shattering the tiles under Hit's feet.
"What exactly is that Ring made from? Its endured so much" Raijin asked; curious as any other Ring would have crumbled to pieces during or after the fight with Magetta.
"The Ring was made of Katchin; it's the hardest material found in the Sixth and Seventh Universes" Whis explained; though he was chuckling at the look of unease spreading across Beerus' face.
"Well next time The Ring needs to be made of something much harder" Vegeta scoffed; crudely remarking on how easily The Ring had been torn apart during the tournament.
As Hit lowered his guard; he revealed that he was in fact smiling, "Yes Goku; show me how high your powers can reach… and by necessity so will I! let us take this to its peak".
Goku smirked through the blazing blue and red flames; both fighters vanishing on the spot and only the sounds of echoes rang across the Arena; flashed of blue and red emerged within the confines of The Barrier while flashes of purple indicating Hit using his Time Skip flashed alongside the red and blue flames.
"What is happening? It's too fast for me to see anything" Raijin complained; desperately wanting to see the final battle of this tournament play out.
"Shut up! I cannot see either and I have the powers of Super Saiyan Blue too" Vegeta both scolded and bragged about his own power to Raijin; still looking down on his fellow Saiyan.
"I can tell you… Goku and Hit are both moving faster than even Mortals with God Ki can perceive; but Hit is increasing his Time Skip even more… its almost reaching a full second of time" Whis explained in a cool tone; his expression giving nothing away.
"What about Goku? How is he faring?" Piccolo asked; sweat beading on his forehead caused by Piccolo's own state of nervousness.
"Goku is keeping up with Hit's Improved Time Skip; but The Kaio-ken is draining his energy at an alarming rate… I suggest that you get ready to fight Raijin" Whis spoke calmly and coolly; his eyes turning to Raijin upon finishing his sentence.
"Yeah; you better now let us down I'd hate to have to ask Monaka to fight!" Beerus barked; his body shimmering with purple energy due to his irritation towards Goku's inability to land a decisive blow against Hit.
Raijin nodded to Whis and bowed to Lord Beerus; though he snuck a glance at Monaka, witnessing that Monaka was wide awake and clearly shivering in fear of the very idea of facing Hit; making a silent vow to prove that he can not only defeat Hit but also overcome and surpass Goku and Vegeta.
Both Teams, The Spectators and Divine Beings all waited and watched the blue/red and purple flashes continued to rage with a battle moving at such a pace that it was impossible to see; soon enough Hit and Goku reappeared within the borders of The Ring, Hit stood in tatters; his trench-coat barely clinging to his body while Goku's entire body radiated with blue and red flames though his weighted gi had also been shredded up by Hit's relentless Time Skip attacks.
Goku and Hit both stood panting and tired from their battle; both smiling to each other until Goku's blue and red flaming aura died and Goku's hair reverted to its normal black, Goku dropped down onto his back while his body wrecking with pain and convulsions spread throughout his muscles.
The Referee quickly ran back into The Ring though Hit merely watched in disbelief as Goku was counted out as being unable to continue and Hit was named the winner of the battle.
Whis quickly cast his staff out in a circle; moving Goku's worn out body from The Ring to the floating platform and letting him rest, "Goku… you took a huge risk in using that technique" Whis warned; his voice having changed from its usual calm tone to a judging and warning tone.
Raijin had already leapt from the platform and landing in The Ring; freeing his arms from his white gi though his gi was now stained with black stains and burns as well as wet marks from sweat, Raijin quickly crossed his arms in the same crossed manner as he had when transforming against Frost; instantly transforming back into a Super Saiyan 4.
Hit stood as if he was about to collapse at any moment; he too was drained by fighting Goku but he was still an enemy to be defeated to Raijin, "Starting the battle in that Form?".
Raijin stood tall as he felt the powers that Super Saiyan 4 gifted him; the strength and speed of a wild animal, but he needed to clear his mind and concentrate of one thing at this very moment, defeating Hit.
Raijin's ear twitched upon hearing somebody cry out his name; turning towards the spectator stands and spotting Trunks, Goten and Mai all chanting his name; Bulma, Pilaf, Shu, Krillin, 18, Marron, Chichi and Dende all joining in the chant.
"You have supportive friends… they trust that you will be the one to bring victory… but I also strive for victory" Hit spoke in a low tone; ensuring that one Raijin would hear him speak.
"They're not just my friends… they are my family!" Raijin snarled; his red-ringed eyes narrowing on Hit, "If you want a win so badly; hit me with your Time Skip… if you still can".
Hit's own eyes narrowed; moving his fists into the position to execute his Time Skip, Raijin lowering his centre of gravity by bending his knees closer to the floor and raising his hands up like claws, Hit vanished on the spot as he began his Time Skip; Raijin felt his mind go blank at that moment as he felt Hit strike him in the neck and send him crumbling into the floor.
Hit glared down at Raijin just as Raijin pounced off the floor and twisted in the air to get back to his feet; Raijin touched the bruise on his neck after taking the hit but still smiled, "you were striking harder against Vegeta and Goku… what happened? You tired?".
Hit's brow raised as Raijin had instantly figured him out; he was tired and Goku would have defeated him if not for the backlash of the Kaio-ken/Super Saiyan Blue Combo, Hit's ability to use Time Skip has been improved by leaps and bounds during this Tournament but his limit had been reached; and Raijin clearly knew it.
Raijin charged for Hit; swiping at his with an open-handed slap to Hit's surprised face after encountering Raijin's enhanced speed, Hit countering with a forearm block when Raijin attacked with the same strike from his right hand instead of his left; Raijin skidding across the melted sections of The Ring and firing a volley of small ki blasts at Hit and forcing Hit to use Time Skip to avoid the volley.
Hit closely observed Raijin; spotting an opportunity whenever Raijin turned to charge towards Hit and left the back of his neck open to attack, Hit smirked as he engaged the Time Skip with the intent of striking Raijin's neck and knocking him out cold for a victory; moving through frozen time with only two-tenths of a second used, upon exiting the space of frozen time Hit felt Raijin's bright red tail wrap around his right wrist halting Hit's attack; Raijin smirked as he instantly twisted around Hit's entire right arm and began to execute a heel dropkick directly down onto Hit's own head, Hit narrowly managing to block the strike with his left wrist but suffering a broken wrist on impact with Raijin's dropkick.
Beerus' yellow cat-eyes widened as Raijin moved and attacked so suddenly, "Whis; did Raijin just use…".
"No My Lord; I did not see that distinct glow from Raijin when he moved… he merely used the honed instincts of an animal; his Form is more powerful than we first thought" Whis cut off Lord Beerus before he could finish; confirming that Raijin was not using whatever they'd both assumed.
Goku, Piccolo and Vegeta closely listened in on Beerus and Whis; the three of them collectively wondering what Beerus and Whis knew of that they didn't.
Raijin lowered his right leg; having broken Hit's wrist with his dropkick and defeated the Time Skip, "It's just as I thought; Goku has already defeated you… you are too tired and now injured to keep fighting".
Hit listened to every word that Raijin spoke; he spoke in a low voice so that only Hit himself and Raijin would hear, Hit cradled his broken wrist in his right hand; and with his Time Skip defeated yet again he knew he could lose this fight, "I will not lose here; I must win!".
As soon as Hit spoke his desire to win; Raijin and rushed in close to Hit with enough speed to take the hitman off-guard, striking Hit with a barrage of fists to his chest and stomach; Raijin struck with a clear intent to finish this fight here and now, ending his barrage of punches with a single upper-palm thrust to Hit's chin and launching him off the ground.
Hit had barely enough energy left for a single Time Skip; but he'd have to carefully time it so to strike Raijin in exactly the right spot to win the battle, blinking as Raijin appeared directly behind Hit as he had done with Frost.
"I'm sorry it had to end like this Hit…" Hit heard Raijin's voice in his ear moments before a double knee strike struck Hit in his back; catapulting Hit outside of The Ring.
Raijin dropped to the floor; noting that The Referee had not called for Raijin's Victory yet, walking slowly to the edge where Hit fell and quickly spotting Hit clinging to the side of The Ring, "Really? I thought you would be one to lose with honour".
Hit looked up to Raijin with his red eyes; executing his final Time Skip and moving through frozen time for one-tenth of a second, coming out and attacking Raijin with a knuckle to the throat but was stopped by a single lightning-fast palm thrust by Raijin that forced Hit down onto the ground outside of The Ring.
The Referee cried out at the top of his lungs upon witnessing Hit laying on the ground, "HIT IS OUT OF BOUNDS! RAIJIN AND TEAM UNIVERSE SEVEN WINS!"
