Son Goku emerged from seclusion three days later. Combining the knowledge of Ultra Instinct Ye Ming had given him with Whis's teachings, he had gained an initial grasp of Ultra Instinct.
It could be said that Son Goku had gotten incredibly lucky during his battle with AF Son Goku. He had managed to unleash his potential and grasp the initial form of Ultra Instinct. Perhaps luck was a kind of strength, too!
As everyone knew, Ultra Instinct was an Angel's technique. Aside from the Angels, there were very few in the entire universe who could master it.
Son Goku had fused the initial form of Ultra Instinct with his own Deep Blue Form, inspired by the unexpected transformation Ye Ming and AF Son Goku had undergone at the time.
Son Goku thought, It looks like I still have a long way to go before I reach Mastered Ultra Instinct. Using Mastered Ultra Instinct takes less stamina, but I know that true Mastered Ultra Instinct can be incorporated into my normal state at any time, without using any stamina at all!
Son Goku knew he was still far from achieving that and would have to train even harder!
Just then, Vegeta said coolly, "Kakarot, I've been waiting for you for a long time."
Vegeta's calm voice came from behind Son Goku. Son Goku turned in surprise. "Vegeta, have you been waiting here for me?"
"Hmph, don't play dumb. You and I still have a fight to settle! Kakarot, I'll prove that, aside from Ye Ming, I'm the strongest Saiyan." Vegeta spoke arrogantly.
Hearing Vegeta's words, Son Goku furrowed his brows. "I see. You're here to challenge me, Vegeta?"
"Enough talk, Kakarot. You're not going anywhere today. We'll settle this right here." Vegeta waved a hand dismissively.
Son Goku thought, Vegeta has improved a lot lately. He must have made a major breakthrough with Ultra Ego. He's probably mastered the Deep Blue Form by now. After all, we can both use it!
Son Goku smiled and replied, "Sure, Vegeta. I know how badly you want to beat me. That's the real Vegeta, after all!"
At that moment, Whis, Beerus, and Ye Ming were having a meal in the God of Destruction Palace.
Whis suddenly sensed something and quickly raised his staff to check. Covering his mouth, he said, "Oh my, Vegeta and Son Goku are about to fight! Shall we go watch?"
Beerus looked thoroughly unimpressed. "What's so interesting about those two fighting? Hmph!"
Ye Ming, however, watched Goku and Vegeta on the staff with interest. He smiled and said, "We've finished eating. Why don't we go take a look? It's our break, anyway."
Beerus impatiently waved his hand. "I have no interest in watching those worthless fighters compete. Go if you want."
With that, Beerus disappeared. Whis merely smiled; he knew where Beerus had gone, but had to pretend not to—Beerus had secretly gone off to train!
As they spoke, Whis and Ye Ming arrived at the place where Vegeta and Son Goku were about to fight.
Son Goku greeted them warmly. "Ye Ming, Whis! Long time no see!"
After all, Son Goku had spent more than three months in the Destruction Space. He had never left, eating and training there the entire time. It was clear that he was a training fanatic.
Vegeta glanced sideways at them, then fixed his gaze on Kakarot.
Vegeta said coolly, "Kakarot, if you're ready, let's begin!"
Son Goku took a fighting stance and smiled. "Come on, Vegeta. Let's see how much stronger you've gotten!"
Vegeta grinned. The second prince never tested his opponents in a fight; he went straight for the kill.
Purple light flickered in Vegeta's eyes, and a towering column of purple energy shot skyward. Under its pressure, even the God of Destruction Realm in Universe 7 began to tremble.
Vegeta instantly transformed into his Ultra Ego Form. Golden earrings adorned his ears, and his rebellious expression took on an even more sinister edge.
Vegeta stared at Son Goku. "Kakarot, don't disappoint me!"
Seeing Vegeta's imposing form, Son Goku was stunned. He had underestimated how far Vegeta had come with Ultra Ego. Vegeta's power had already far surpassed what he had shown during his fight with AF Son Goku!
But Son Goku simply smiled. "Incredible, Vegeta! I'm so excited that you've raised your power to this level."
Son Goku placed his hands at his waist and closed his eyes, breathing out slowly. A sacred light burst from his body.
Whis and Ye Ming watched with smiles. They knew Son Goku had gained an initial grasp of Ultra Instinct.
Vegeta watched Son Goku transform into Ultra Instinct with a smile and thought, You haven't disappointed me, Kakarot. You've gained an initial grasp of Ultra Instinct, too. This fight is going to be fun.
A blazing blue aura surrounded Son Goku. His pupils were silver, his hair black, and from a distance, his aura seemed perfectly steady. Yet his eyes revealed a sacred fighting spirit.
Ye Ming smiled. "It looks like Son Goku has indeed gained an initial grasp of Ultra Instinct Sign, but he'll have to keep training hard before he can reach Mastered Ultra Instinct."
Whis nodded and smiled at Ye Ming. "The experience you shared with him was crucial. Otherwise, Son Goku would still be trying to understand it!"
Ye Ming replied, "Not at all. You were the one who taught him well. Without your guidance, Son Goku might not have even grasped the basics of Ultra Instinct by now!"
Whis covered his mouth and laughed at that. Ye Ming's words pleased him greatly. They were simply flattering each other!
The battle began!
Vegeta narrowed his eyes, turned into a streak of purple lightning, and appeared in front of Son Goku, throwing a punch at his face.
But Son Goku had already sensed it. He leaned slightly to the side and dodged the punch perfectly, then quickly swung a fist at Vegeta.
Although Son Goku's punches were incredibly fast, Vegeta had already read every one of Kakarot's attack trajectories. He dodged and appeared behind Son Goku.
Vegeta then condensed a gigantic ball of Hakai Energy in his hand and slammed it into Son Goku!
BOOM!!!
Seeing this, Whis quickly used his staff to enclose the battlefield. Otherwise, the God of Destruction Realm would have been reduced to rubble.
Son Goku was sent flying. His agile form traced a perfect arc through the sky before he landed on the ground. His clothes, however, were already in tatters.
Son Goku thought, I can't match Vegeta's strength head-on. I'll have to use my speed and agility to find an opening and land a decisive blow!
Son Goku immediately unleashed all his strength and raced toward Vegeta. A blur flashed past, and Son Goku appeared behind him.
Son Goku struck at once, giving Vegeta no time to react. Vegeta hurriedly blocked with his arm, but Son Goku seized the opening and kicked him away.
Vegeta got back to his feet and rolled his neck. "Kakarot, attacks that barely sting won't do me any real damage."
Son Goku grinned at that. "How about this, then?"
Without warning, Son Goku vanished from where he stood. His fist slammed into Vegeta's abdomen.
Vegeta let out a pained grunt and thought, I didn't expect Kakarot to be this fast!
But knocking Vegeta down so easily was impossible. He roared, and the purple Hakai Energy around him erupted, unleashing a relentless barrage in every direction!
Son Goku quickly dodged. Watching the path of his movements, Vegeta grinned. He vanished from where he stood, transformed into a streak of purple lightning, and shot toward Son Goku in the air.
"I've got you, Kakarot! Take this!" Vegeta roared.
Son Goku knew Vegeta's Hakai Energy had forced him to react, but he hadn't expected Vegeta to come at him so quickly.
Vegeta's fist slammed into Son Goku's face. The blow was incredibly heavy! Son Goku cried out in pain and went flying.
Vegeta pressed his advantage, unwilling to pass up such a perfect opportunity. He rained punches and kicks down on Son Goku, knocking Kakarot from the sky and into the ground before unleashing a fierce bombardment.
When the dust cleared, Son Goku lay badly injured in the middle of a crater dozens of meters wide. Vegeta's attacks had been too fierce. Although Ultra Instinct had helped him dodge some of them, most had still landed.
Son Goku felt sore all over. A little blood had begun to flow from his right hand! Clearly, he was at a disadvantage even while using Ultra Instinct.
If Son Goku could perfect Ultra Instinct, things might have been different. Unfortunately, his training still wasn't good enough!
Ye Ming studied the battlefield and said, "It looks like Son Goku can't beat Vegeta. His Ultra Instinct isn't perfect, and he's at a disadvantage against Vegeta's overwhelming strength."
Whis agreed with Ye Ming. "But I don't think this fight will end so easily. Neither of them has shown everything they've got yet."
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