Boom!
On the Ring-or rather, the stage that had once been the Ring-a large floating chunk of the platform shattered under the three fighters' attacks.
Amid the dust and debris, Lin Chen scrambled onto another floating rock, panting heavily.
Then he abruptly bent his arms, guarding both sides of his face.
Bam! Bam!
Son Goku and Jiren charged in from opposite sides, striking almost simultaneously.
Although Lin Chen blocked them both, the impacts nearly drove his own arms into his face, leaving his head slightly dizzy.
"Haaaa!"
Lin Chen roared, and a surge of energy erupted beneath his feet.
But before it could reach them, Son Goku and Jiren had already sensed the danger through Ultra Instinct and instinctively retreated out of range.
"We've won! Looks like Lin Chen's about finished!" a Universe 11 fighter said excitedly.
"Once Lin Chen's dealt with, we can take out Son Goku! He's helped Jiren a lot this time, but it still has to end that way!" Toppo added.
"Heh heh heh. One-on-one, Jiren has nothing to fear from anyone except Lin Chen. With both using Perfected Ultra Instinct, Jiren's greater strength will naturally give him the edge!" Belmod said.
They seemed to have already decided that Lin Chen would lose.
But was that really the case?
As Son Goku and Jiren pulled back, giving him a rare chance to catch his breath, Lin Chen made his move.
He deactivated Super Kaioken, maintaining only the most basic state of Reverse Ultra Instinct.
Without Kaioken's effects, the aura enveloping his body immediately dimmed.
"Huh? Big Brother Lin Chen, why did you turn off Kaioken? Jiren, watch out for a trick!" Son Goku shouted.
"I know! But Son Goku, this isn't the time to back down. Let's deliver the final blow!" Jiren said.
"Got it!"
Son