First Competitor

Everyone stared at the six Super Dragon Balls floating in the sky, their eyes filled with astonishment.

Their size rivaled that of small planets. Anyone who saw them would be shaken.

"Stop gawking!"

Beerus's impatient voice rang out. He had already shifted his gaze from the Super Dragon Balls to the snack stand beside the ring, still chewing on a dorayaki he hadn't swallowed.

"Champa, hurry up and pick your first competitor. Don't keep me from enjoying the food!"

With that, Beerus didn't even wait to see Champa's reaction. He turned and headed straight for the snack stand.

He moved so urgently, as if he feared someone would snatch all the food away if he took another moment.

Champa pursed his lips and muttered at Beerus's retreating back:

"What's the hurry? Is food more important than the tournament?"

Though he said that, his eyes drifted toward the snack stands laden with Earth's delicacies, and his Adam's apple bobbed.

Vados gently waved her staff beside him and reminded him with a smile:

"Lord Champa, if you lose the tournament, you'll never get to eat these Earth delicacies again."

"Ahem!"

Champa coughed twice and quickly looked away, putting on a stern expression to maintain a God of Destruction's dignity.

"Of course I know what matters! I was just inspecting the venue. I wasn't looking at the food!"

Despite what he said, his thoughts were already in turmoil.

Earth's food was simply too tempting. Just thinking about the burgers and cola he'd secretly tried earlier made his mouth water.

Without wasting any more time, he turned to the five competitors behind him.

"Who wants to go first? Give those guys from Universe 7 a taste of our strength!"

Meanwhile, Bulma returned to Universe 7's spectator stands with Trunks and Son Goten.

They had barely sat down when two figures suddenly appeared in the empty seats beside them.

"Supreme Kai Shin? Lord Kibito?"

Son Goku was the first to recognize them. He stood up in surprise.

"What brings you here? And... you've split up?"

Shin and Kibito were sitting separately, no longer in their former fused state.

Kibito smiled as he explained:

"We asked the Namekians to use the Dragon Balls to separate us."

"Being fused was convenient, but staying that way for a long time was a bit of a hassle. This was a good chance to return to normal."

"We came especially to cheer on Universe 7's warriors!"

Old Kai's voice came from behind Shin. He had apparently come along too and was sitting in a chair, swinging his legs.

"I couldn't miss such an exciting inter-universal Martial Arts Tournament. I might as well see whether you youngsters can surprise me."

The three Supreme Kais from Universe 6 were sitting not far away. They stared at the scene in a daze.

"They... the Supreme Kais of Universe 7 are so close to the mortals?"

One of them couldn't help speaking in a hushed voice, his tone full of surprise.

Another Supreme Kai nodded in agreement.

"That's right. And they even have two Supreme Kais, plus an Old Kai."

"We've never seen anything like this in Universe 6."

They had never imagined that gods and mortals could get along so harmoniously. It was completely beyond their understanding.

After a brief moment of consideration, Champa made his decision.

"Cabba, you're up first!"

Champa pointed at the Saiyan wearing an orange Battle Suit.

"Show them what the Saiyans of Universe 6 can do!"

"Yes, Lord Champa!"

Cabba stepped forward at once and nodded firmly. A faint aura was already beginning to surround him.

On Universe 7's side, Son Goku, Vegeta, Son Gohan, and Lin Fan also stood up, ready to discuss who would go first.

Just then, Cabba suddenly walked over to them. He looked hesitant, but there was also a hint of excitement he couldn't hide.

"Um... are you Mr. Son Goku, Mr. Vegeta, Mr. Son Gohan, and Mr. Lin Fan?"

Cabba approached the four and asked cautiously.

Son Goku grinned.

"That's right, that's us. What's up?"

"Wonderful!"

Cabba's face lit up with excitement, and he bowed deeply.

"My name is Cabba, and I'm a Saiyan too! I never thought I'd meet fellow Saiyans from Universe 7 here!"

"What? You're a Saiyan too?"

Son Goku and Son Gohan were both stunned.

Son Goten and Trunks came over as well, curiously sizing Cabba up.

Cabba wasn't particularly short, but he looked rather skinny, with slender arms and legs.

Compared with Son Goten and Trunks, who were around his age, he looked noticeably more slight.

"With a build like that... you're a Saiyan too?"

Son Goten couldn't help asking.

He and Trunks trained regularly and were much more solidly built than Cabba. It was hard to connect this skinny guy with the powerful Saiyans they knew.

Trunks nodded along.

"Yeah, you don't really look like the Saiyans we imagined."

Vegeta folded his arms and snorted.

"I'd already sensed Saiyan energy from three people over there. I didn't expect one of them to be a little guy like you."

His gaze passed over Cabba and landed on Caulifla and Kale, who stood farther away.

Especially Kale—Vegeta's expression grew noticeably more serious.

"And that little one with green hair has a very unusual aura."

"Mr. Vegeta, you sensed it too?"

The excitement faded from Cabba's face, replaced by a trace of worry.

"Kale... her power is terrifying. You have to be careful around her!"

"Oh? Just how terrifying is it?"

Son Goku grew interested. He could hear how serious Cabba was; he wasn't joking.

"I can't say exactly how strong she is."

Cabba furrowed his brow, as if recalling a frightening scene.

"She usually seems timid, but whenever she gets emotional, her power erupts beyond her control."

"That power... there's no way we can withstand it. I'm worried... I'm worried she might kill you!"

His words immediately brought a tense hush over those around them.

Krillin couldn't help speaking up.

"Surely not? Goku and the others are incredibly strong."

"Even if that girl Kale is pretty powerful, she couldn't kill them, could she?"

Bulma nodded too.

"That's right. Goku and Vegeta can both turn Super Blue, and Gohan and Lin Fan are strong too."

"How could they be beaten so easily?"

She thought Cabba was probably exaggerating Kale's strength out of concern for his companion.

Son Goku rubbed his chin and closed his eyes, carefully sensing Kale's aura.

At first, he could only feel a faint, timid aura. But when he focused, he sensed an incredibly terrifying power lurking beneath it.

It was like a volcano that could erupt at any moment.

"I see. She really is hiding some incredible power."

Son Goku opened his eyes, not the slightest bit afraid. Instead, he smiled excitedly.

"But it's fine. Even if she really is that strong, she won't kill us! This will be a great chance to test ourselves!"

Vegeta glanced at Son Goku, his tone laced with disdain.

"Hmph. So she's hiding some special power. What's there to be afraid of?"

"The Saiyans of Universe 7 won't lose to someone who can't even control her own power."

Though he said that, Vegeta knew perfectly well that the aura coming from Kale was no ordinary thing.

The faint sense of bloodline suppression made him deeply uncomfortable. He had never felt anything like it from Son Goku.

"I know you're all very strong, but Kale's power really is different."

Cabba tried to warn them again, but Champa's voice interrupted him.

"Cabba! What's taking you so long? Get back here and prepare for the tournament!"

Champa shouted impatiently. He was already getting tired of waiting.

"Coming, Lord Champa!"

Cabba answered and turned to Son Goku and the others, reminding them once more:

"Please be careful. Don't let your guard down!"

Then Cabba turned without hesitation and headed back to Universe 6's side.

His steps were firm, though the worry on his face hadn't faded at all.

Son Goku watched Cabba's retreating figure, then looked at Kale in the distance, his eyes full of anticipation.

"Don't worry. We'll be careful."

"But... I'm already looking forward to fighting her!"

Vegeta snorted.

"No matter who the opponent is, Universe 7 will win."

Son Gohan nodded.

"We'll give it everything we've got."

Lin Fan stood to the side, his expression unchanged.

He watched Kale for a moment, then shifted his gaze to the center of the ring.

He could sense the power of the Legendary Super Saiyan bloodline within her. It was indeed powerful, but it was still a long way from being enough to kill them.

In Universe 7's stands, Supreme Kai Shin said worriedly:

"Is that competitor named Kale really that powerful?"

"Cabba didn't sound like he was joking."

Old Kai was perfectly calm.

"Don't worry. Goku and the others aren't so easily defeated."

"And Lin Fan's here too. That kid's strength is unfathomable. Even if they run into trouble, he can handle it."

Kibito nodded along.

"That's right, Lord Shin. We should trust Universe 7's warriors."

The three Supreme Kais from Universe 6 watched the scene, their faces full of confusion.

They couldn't understand why Universe 7's Supreme Kai trusted the mortal warriors so much. Were they really that strong?

When Champa saw Cabba return, he gave Vados a look.

"Right, now that the competitors are ready, let's begin!"

Vados smiled and waved her staff. A beam of light fell on the center of the ring, forming a clear dividing line.

"The inter-universal Martial Arts Tournament between Universe 7 and Universe 6 is about to begin!"

Vados's voice rang across the entire venue.

"Will the first competitors from each side please step onto the ring!"

At her words, Cabba took a deep breath and leaped forward, landing steadily on one side of the ring.

His aura began to rise.

On Universe 7's side, Son Goku, Vegeta, Son Gohan, and Lin Fan exchanged glances, seeing the fighting spirit in one another's eyes.

"Who's going first?"

Son Goku asked excitedly, already raring to go.

Vegeta folded his arms.

"Anyone can handle a small fry like this."

Just then, Son Gohan stepped forward.

"I'll take the lead. I want to test the strength of Universe 6's warriors first."

"Sounds good!"

Son Goku nodded at once.

"Go get 'em, Gohan!"

Vegeta didn't object either.

"Go on. Don't disgrace Universe 7."

Son Gohan nodded and walked toward the ring.