Time stops meaning anything.
For the spectators, what began as thrill… becomes awe… then fatigue… then numb disbelief.
At first they cheered.
Then they leaned forward.
Then they squinted.
Then they couldn't track a thing, not even flashes.
Now only the sound remains:
Thunder. Cracks. Ki detonations.
Tile fragments whispering against the barrier.
The ring buckling, reforming, buckling again.
Even Whis stop smiling politely.
Even the Angels' halos flicker—not from stress, but from irritation.
Beerus' tail twitches.
Even the Grand Priest's eyelids lower, his fingers tapping silently on the throne railing.
He never taps.
And everyone feels it.
These two are dragging the fight.
On purpose.
Milking growth.
Squeezing every ounce of Zenkai, every layer of muscle memory, every microscopic increment of ki control.
Fighting not to win—
but to grow.
Piccolo from every timeline lowers his crossed arms at the same time.
"They're pushing it too far…"
"They know exactly what they're doing…"
"…and Daishinkan can see it."
Vegeta clicks his tongue.
"Idiots. Brilliant idiots."
Goku nods slowly.
"Yeah… they're doing a Goku."
Vegeta:
"That's why it's brilliant and idiotic."
Gohan and Trunks no longer fight in arcs or straights or angles; they fight in probabilities.
Trunks throws a punch that doesn't land—
but he throws it because the threat will force Gohan's left foot to shift by 3 centimeters.
Gohan shifts—
because he knows Trunks knows—
and uses the shift to build torque for his elbow—
which Trunks blocks by rotating his wrist inside Gohan's guard—
which Gohan anticipated, already turning his knee—
which Trunks steps into—
which Gohan expected—
which Trunks counters by—
None of it matters to the audience.
All they see are silent flashes.
Ghost images.
Pressure waves.
Ripples in space.
The ring looks like it's underwater from the distortions.
Their bodies blur into silhouettes that constantly appear overlapping themselves—
afterimage chains twenty layers deep.
Gohan plants his heel into Trunks' shoulder—
Trunks slides under it and elbows Gohan's thigh—
Gohan rolls forward over the elbow, kicking backward blindly—
And both strikes hit nothing but air, because both have already moved.
Whis (T1) lifts a brow.
Whis (T2) stares blankly.
Cus groans.
Marcarita rotates her wrist, bored.
Vados exhales audibly.
Then Daishinkan leans forward.
One finger lifts.
The universe stiffens.
Both fighters feel the pressure instantly—
like the fabric of space just became syrup.
Present Gohan's eyes widen.
Trunks' jaw clenches.
They can't sense most things about angels…
But they can sense that.
Gohan pulls back from an exchange, sliding across the tiles on one knee.
Trunks halts mid-air, skidding, sparks rising off his boots.
Gohan shouts toward the sky:
"WAIT, DAISHINKAN!!
We will end this NOW — I PROMISE!"
Trunks nods instantly, chest heaving, hair whipping like a flag in a storm.
Daishinkan's eyes shift downward—
the smallest nod, as if saying:
"Then do it."
And all divine annoyance pauses.
This is their last chance.
Both warriors drop from the high sky like meteors, landing simultaneously in mirrored crouches, dust exploding outward in synchronized rings.
They rise.
Gohan's aura ignites into a smooth, shimmering crimson-white flame.
Trunks' into a jagged, lightning-blasted blue inferno.
They stare.
Not with rivalry.
Not with pride.
With a mutual vow:
"No more dragging. This ends now."
Both Bulmas (T1) gasp in unison.
"WOW… they've surpassed 2 SEXTILLION in power level…
They're closing in on Baby Vegito Black — in his Super Saiyan form."
Vegetto (T2) tilts his head, expression unreadable but undeniably impressed.
Goku and Vegeta?
Annoyed.
Deeply annoyed.
They've been surpassed by pure tactic.
Pure stubbornness.
Pure grind.
The ground beneath each fighter cracks into concentric rings.
The arena barrier bends inward.
The gods shield their eyes.
Gohan pulls both hands back—
Trunks raises his palm, sword floating behind him through telekinetic ki control.
Two suns ignite.
GOHAN:
"RRRAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!"
TRUNKS:
"NNNGGHHHHHHAAAARRR!!!"
The blasts fire.
A pillar of Mystic white-purple.
A pillar of Perfect SSJ3 blue-lightning.
They meet in the center.
The universe holds its breath.
The collision isn't a line—
it's a three-dimensional writhing knot of energy, twisting like a dragon biting its own tail.
The shockwaves ripple OUT, then IN, then OUT again.
Tiles melt.
The barrier warps.
Air becomes plasma.
Gohan steps forward through the pressure—
one heel at a time—
veins bulging in his forehead, hair whipping violently.
Trunks screams, pushing back, lightning ripping open wounds across his arms as his body strains past safe limits—but he keeps advancing.
One step.
Two steps.
Three.
They're equal.
Until—
Gohan roars, a primal Mystic explosion ripping out of him.
His blast thickens, widening, brightening.
The center point shifts—
inches—
then feet—
then meters—
Trunks is engulfed.
His sword bursts from his grip, spinning into the sky.
The wave swallows him whole.
He disappears inside the inferno—
then shoots out of it, unconscious before he hits the ground.
He skids across the tiles, smoke rising from his clothes.
And Gohan?
He stands…
…for three seconds.
Then collapses flat beside him, unconscious.
Present Gohan (Timeline 1) Is The Winner.
Two warriors.
Two victors.
Two failures of their own bodies.
Exactly what they wanted.
A Zenkai.
Med bots rush in.
Piccolos assist.
Dende channels healing aura.
Both Gohans—present and future—are carried into identical chambers, lying side by side without consciousness, identical expressions of exhaustion and satisfaction carved into their faces.
The quarter finals end.
And the sky ripples with divine light.
Daishinkan floats forward beside Whis (T1) —the strongest Whis.
His voice rings omnidirectionally through the arena.
"Quarter Finals are now complete.
We shall proceed to the Semi Finals."
A shining board forms in the air, letters engraving themselves in radiant gold:
SEMI-FINALS MATCHUPS1st Match:
VEGITO (Timeline 2)
VS
FUTURE GOHAN (Timeline 1)
2nd Match:
PRESENT GOHAN (Timeline 1)
VS
BABY VEGITO BLACK (Timeline 6)
TIMELINE 1 —
Present Gohan
unconscious, but the moment the names light up, his brow tightens. Even asleep, his body reacts to the idea of fighting Baby Vegito Black.
Vegeta
"Tch… BOTH brats made it to the semis. And now one has to fight that parasite fusion… and the other has to fight Vegito."
He crosses his arms tighter, but the hint of pride tugs at his smirk.
"They've earned it."
Goku
A huge grin spreads across his face.
"Heh… I knew they'd reach this level someday. But going against Vegito AND Baby Vegito Black… this is the kind of insane tournament I love."
Piccolo
He exhales slowly.
"It makes sense. The two most adaptive fighters of our timeline against the strongest threats here. But this… this will test more than strength."
Future Trunks
His fists clench.
"Gohan… I couldn't win—but give him hell. Both of you."
Uub (T1)
Jaw tight.
"I wanted to fight Baby Vegito Black myself… but if someone can push him, it's Gohan."
TIMELINE 2 —
Vegito T2
A dangerous, electric grin spreads slowly.
"So… I finally get the one I wanted."
His aura pulses just from excitement.
"This should be fun."
Goten T2
Eyes wide.
"Gohan vs Baby Vegito Black?!? That's…Awesome"
Trunks T2
Looks at Present Gohan's name, then Baby Vegito Black.
"That's… that's suicide. Unless Gohan gets another Zenkai in time."
Piccolo T2
"Vegito… do NOT underestimate him. Future Gohan adapts fast."
But Vegito only smirks harder.
Tien T2
"This might be the first time Vegito actually has to try."
Krillin T2
"Oh man… oh man… Gohan vs a Baby fusion AND Future Gohan vs Vegito—this is too much!!"
Uub T2
Stares down at the floor with shame.
"I couldn't do it. But if this Gohan can… then I need to watch everything."
TIMELINE 3 — Android Legion
Android 13
"Hah. Didn't think the fleshbags would entertain me this much."
Android 18
Crosses her arms.
"If Gohan's fighting that… thing… he better not die. He's one of the few people here I actually respect."
Android 21
Slow, predatory smile.
"Baby Vegito Black… intriguing specimen. I hope he doesn't kill my little snack before I get a taste later."
Android 16
"Gohan will survive. His growth rate is exponential."
Dr. Gero
Eyes twitch.
"Everybode here will just be food of information for my ultimate android!"
TIMELINE 4 — Broly
Broly
He stands fully healed, eyes widening at the board.
''Vegito...''
TIMELINE 5 — Saiyan Empire
King Vegeta
"A fitting trial."
Bardock
"Gohan… you better finish what I couldn't."
Raditz
Grins.
"HOH? The brat's gonna face THAT thing? Heh… he has guts."
Nappa
"Poor kid. That Baby freak is no joke."
Rosan (OC)
"It should have been me!."
Vegeta (Ruthless, T5)
Eyes narrow.
"I want to fight Baby Vegito Black too… but Gohan earned the right."
Arms crossed.
"…Don't embarrass us."
Kakarot (Ruthless)
Smirks sharp as a blade.
"Good. If Gohan survives, he'll be even more fun to kill later."
TIMELINE 6 — Baby Vegito Black
Baby Vegito Black doesn't react.
He doesn't speak.
He simply tilts his head, as if amused.
As if the universe just handed him dessert.
TIMELINE 7 — Namekian Ascension
Gast
Arms crossed, smile soft.
"Two Gohans fighting two apex threats. Fitting."
Nail
"Hmph. Their spirit is admirable."
Kami
"It is destiny. Both paths converge now."
Slug
Grins viciously.
"That Baby thing looks fun. I hope Gohan doesn't die too fast."
Piccolo (T7)
"…Gohan. Both of them. Don't disappoint us."
Adult Dende
"May the Dragon's blessings guide them… they will need it."
TIMELINE 8 — Frieza Force Elite
Frieza
He actually laughs.
"Hohoho! The Saiyan runt gets to fight the ultimate parasite! This is DELICIOUS!"
King Cold
"Hmm… but Future Gohan versus Vegito… even I must respect that."
Zarbon
"They need some sense of style."
Dodoria
"He's DEAD. They're all DEAD. No way around it."
Ginyu
"THE DRAMA! THE ENERGY! THE POSES THEY COULD DO IN THE SEMIS!"
Shun (OC)
Silent.
Eyes locked on Baby Vegito Black.
"…That one scares even me."
TIMELINE 9 — Earth Martial Legends
Tien (T9)
"This tournament got serious. Gohan is pushing beyond our comprehension."
Prime Roshi
Strokes beard.
"Baby Vegito Black… that power is ancient evil mixed with perfect technique. Gohan will need more than strength."
Krillin (T9)
"Of COURSE both Gohans made the semis. Of COURSE."
Yamcha
"…All this AND I'm still stuck watching? Unbelievable."
Yajirobe
"Mmm. Tough luck kid. He's gonna get shredded."
Chiaotzu
"I believe in them!"
Launch
"GIVE THAT BABY VEGITO JERK A BULLET FOR ME!"
TIMELINE 10 — Turles' Crew
Turles
"Well now… the Gohans stand before gods and monsters. Fitting for Saiyan blood."
Taizo (son)
Eyes bright.
"Dad, those fights are insane!"
Bojack
"Strongest fighters versus strongest monsters. My kind of matchup."
Bido
"I want to fight Future Gohan someday…"
Bujin
"Heh… if he survives."
Kogu
"The semis are going to be violent. I can't wait."
Future Gohan drops into the arena with a heavy, predator-quiet step, head slightly lowered, eyes razor-sharp. Vegito walks in from the opposite side, arms folded but jaw clenched — the whole multiversal audience roaring loud enough to vibrate the barrier itself. Even warriors who never cheer are on their feet.
T1's Piccolo.
T2's Trunks.
Even T6's Baby Vegito Black tilts forward with genuine interest.
Whis raises his hand.
"Begin."
Future Gohan doesn't even breathe — Perfect Mystic detonates around him instantly, white-violet aura erupting like a hurricane ripping through the floor. The flash of light blinds half the arena for an instant. Before Vegito can even finish widening his eyes—
CRACK—BOOM!
A Perfect Mystic fist caves into Vegito's jaw, the air splitting with a thunderclap. The fused warrior rockets back, skidding across the barrier like a meteor. Shockwaves bend the air, rippling into the crowd.
The smoke clears in a violent outward burst — Vegito standing dead-center, neck cracking sideways, eyes narrowed.
Vegito: "So that's how it's going to be, huh…?"
Future Gohan: "What? Is this all you can give… Vegito?"
That hits harder than the punch.
A vein pops in Vegito's temple.
FWASH—
Golden flame erupts from his body in a pillar. He doesn't just transform — he detonates into Super Saiyan, the arena floor fracturing in a radial pattern beneath him.
Before Future Gohan can even reset his guard:
Vegito vanishes.
No sound.
And then—
THE HIT
Vegito appears inside Gohan's guard, fist already in motion.
A single straight punch — but packed with fusion-level speed and technique.
It lands.
THOOM—!!!!
Future Gohan's ribs warp under the impact before he's launched like a fired shell, smashing into the barrier so hard the entire construct warps inward several meters. The explosion is massive, the smoke thick.
Vegito doesn't wait.
He drops one palm to the ground.
BOOM—
The entire arena shakes as he uses the recoil to sling himself upward like a spring-loaded cannonball, cutting through the smoke in a perfect golden arc straight toward Gohan's location.
Future Gohan barely raises a guard before—
Vegito appears at Gohan's right, momentum folding his body low, stance compressed, both arms chambered.
Then—
Vegito shifts forward with a micro-dash, heel grinding into the cracked tiles, creating an explosion of golden sparks.
He drives an ascending elbow under Gohan's guard, snapping his torso upward.
Without letting Gohan fly away, Vegito grabs his forearm mid-air, twists, drags him down, and knee-strikes the center of his back.
As Gohan rebounds, Vegito leaves an afterimage to the left — but he's already above, palms pressed together.
He smashes both fists downward, driving Gohan like a meteor into the floor.
Before Gohan can bounce, Vegito kicks the ground under his own feet, sliding so fast the tiles ripple like water, placing himself directly under Gohan's falling body.
A full 360° spin, heel dragging sparks, ending in a monstrous hooking kick to Gohan's ribs.
Vegito then steps in mid-air — pure ki footing — pivoting above Gohan with his leg cocked back.
Aura flares—
Vegito roars: "HRAAAAAAH—!!"
Planet-Cracking Axe Kick: A vertical axe kick swings down with devastating precision, aimed at splitting Gohan into the barrier itself—
Vegito folds space around his legs and inverts the friction under his foot. The ground dents inward, not outward, as if the arena itself bows to his intent. He blasts forward in a compressed micro-dash, so fast the air behind him collapses into a single trailing spiral.
His lead hand shapes into a palm-spear angled at Gohan's throat, but Vegito retracts it mid-motion, letting the killing intent travel onward while he slips around Gohan's guard on the opposite side.
He slams an elbow across the clavicle — not a hit, but a dragging grind that digs through the muscle fibers and forces Gohan's torso to twist helplessly.
Vegito rotates his hips with surgeon-level precision, hitting a rib at an exact 40° angle that makes the bone flex before snapping back. Gohan's lungs seize for a split second.
Vegito catches Gohan's forearm with two fingers and uses it as a rotational axis, swinging himself around Gohan's body while yanking the arm the opposite direction. The torque almost dislocates the elbow.
Mid-rotation, Vegito stomps on Gohan's knee from above, forcing the joint inward. Gohan's leg buckles, aura flickering.
Vegito fires a small burst of ki under his own foot, reversing its gravity for half a second. This throws his body upward and Gohan downward in the same instant, amplifying his strike without effort.
As Gohan is forced down, Vegito crashes both knees onto Gohan's sternum, compressing the lungs violently and sending him rocketing deeper into the floor.
The tiles explode upward like shrapnel.
Before Gohan bounces—
He hooks one hand behind Gohan's neck and drags him face-first across the cracked arena, accelerating with each stride.
Stone, dust, and sparks blast up in a trail.
Vegito lifts Gohan by the chin with a brutal upward palm strike, snapping his head back and launching him airborne.Vegito teleports above him and hits him with two simultaneous uppercuts — one to the liver, one to the solar plexus — compressing all organs upward.
He catches Gohan's falling wrist, flips him into a spine-first twist, and kicks him exactly in the floating rib to send him higher.
Now in the sky—
Vegito appears behind Gohan with no transition.
Back-of-Skull Chop angled to disrupt equilibrium
Reversed Roundhouse to the jawline
he punches Gohan's stomach and injects a surge of ki that detonates from inside, blasting Gohan outward
three afterimages box Gohan in and hit him simultaneously, sending him in three directions at once
Vegito claps his palms on both collarbones, cracking both at micro-points
Vegito fires a thin thread of blue ki from his fingers, wraps it around Gohan's ankle, whips him downward, then upward, then downward again in a triple-directional snap.
Gohan's consciousness flickers.
Vegito appears above Gohan again, body angled like a falling spear.
He drives his forearm into Gohan's spine, pushing him downward while rotating both their bodies in a drilling corkscrew.
With his free hand, he jabs two fingers into Gohan's side, hitting a pressure point so precisely that Gohan's aura spasms uncontrollably.
Vegito flips their bodies and slams Gohan head-first into the tiles, cracking the arena through ten layers.
Dust floods the sky.
Before the rubble even falls—
Vegito grabs Gohan by the ankle, swings him like a meteor hammer, and hurls him upward at such velocity that he leaves a plasma trail.
Vegito is already above him.
Thumb Knuckle Strike to the nose bridge
Palm Heel Smash to the sternum
Reverse Elbow to the jaw hinge
Knee Spike to the diaphragm
Each hit lands before the shockwave of the previous one expands.
Gohan falls for half a second, dazed, aura unstable.
Vegito turns sideways in mid-air, raising his leg.
His ki condenses.
Like pulling a star's gravity into a single limb.
Gohan sees it too late.