Just when Katakana's fist was only a centimeter away from landing on the Grand Priest's cheek,
The Grand Priest's body suddenly vanished from his sight like a ghost and reappeared behind him.
"Hoho!"
"As expected, it's Ultra Instinct, and quite a well-developed one at that!"
At that moment, the Grand Priest's voice came from behind Katakana.
When katakana heard this voice, his body involuntarily paused.
Because he didn't expect the Grand Priest's speed to be so absurd, dodging his close-range attack in an instant, then appearing behind him effortlessly.
Katakana could feel that had the Grand Priest chosen to strike back just now, he might not have died immediately, but serious injuries would've been guaranteed.
"So strong…"
Katakana clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging into his palms without him even realizing it.
"Very good. Keep going!"
The Grand Priest beckoned Katakana forward, encouraging him to continue the attack.
"Hah… Don't underestimate me!"
Katakana's low growl came from deep in his throat, and just moments after he spoke, his body flashed forward like a bolt of thunder.
His punch cut through the air at blistering speed, creating booming shockwaves as if the space around him were being scorched.
Smack!
Faced with Katakana's heavy punch, the Grand Priest didn't dodge. Instead, he simply raised a palm, and effortlessly caught the blow.
"Faster than before, impressive!"
The Grand Priest smiled gently as he commented.
"Hrah!"
Despite having his attack blocked immediately, Katakana wasn't discouraged. He pressed forward with a flurry of furious punches.
Each punch seemed powerful enough to tear through space, creating explosions with every strike.
But to the Grand Priest, this onslaught was still too weak.
He didn't take it seriously at all, and with just one hand, he blocked all of Katakana's attacks.
Not a single step was forced backward.
"Excellent. Very impressive!"
"Both your speed and strength are exceptional. I'd say, Katakana, that you've already surpassed some of the Gods of Destruction!"
While defending against Katakanas barrage, the Grand Priest offered high praise.
From Katakana's performance, he could already tell that this Mortal had the qualifications to be a God of Destruction.
In fact, with just this perfected Ultra Instinct alone, few among the twelve Gods of Destruction could defeat Katakana.
"Mr. Grand Priest is far too kind. I'm just a humble Mortal, how could I compare with the Lords of Destruction?"
Katakana gritted his teeth. He was clearly frustrated.
His opponent had blocked all his attacks with just one arm.
It was the first time Katakana had felt such overwhelming suppression.
The Grand Priest's power was truly bottomless!
"Mr. Grand Priest… if you only defend, it's a little boring!"
"Why don't you try attacking me too? That would be much more exciting!"
Katakana clenched his teeth as he said this.
Even though he knew the Grand Priest likely had no intention of attacking him, Katakana still wanted to know,
Just how vast was the gap between them?
"Hoho!"
"Katakana, your request is quite the unusual one."
"But I advise you to be very sure of what you're asking, because if I strike, the consequences may be terrifying!"
The Grand Priest chuckled. He didn't take Katakanas request too seriously.
If he were to truly attack, even while holding back, he might severely injure Katakana in an instant. That's why he hadn't planned to make a move at all, he just wanted to test the young man's talent.
Of course, if the talent was real, it might influence his next plan.
"Mr. Grand Priest, I've made up my mind. I know this request sounds reckless, but fighting someone as powerful as you… it sets my blood ablaze!"
"So please, grant me this opportunity!"
Katakana looked at him seriously.
Even if he lost, he wanted to see it for himself, how vast the difference was between them.
"Hmph… Very well!"
"You're the first person in many years to make such a bold request."
"Since you're so determined, then I'll grant it!"
Suddenly, the Grand Priest's eyes turned cold.
Boom!
A suffocating divine aura erupted from the Grand Priest's body in an instant.
But at that very moment, Katakana froze in place.
Even though he had mentally prepared himself, once he truly felt that terrifying aura, it still stunned him.
"Mr. Grand Priest… Father, that's enough! If you keep going, you might disturb Lord Zeno!"
At that point, Whis flew to the Grand Priest's side and quickly pleaded.
Because Whis knew very well how terrifying his father's power was.
In the entire temple, aside from Zeno-sama himself, there was likely no one who could rival the Grand Priest.
"What's wrong, Katakana? Didn't you say you wanted me to attack?"
"Then… get ready for this punch!"
The Grand Priest ignored Whis completely. Just one glance made Whis freeze, he didn't dare say another word.
Whoosh!
Then the Grand Priest's body transformed into a blue-green flash and charged directly at Katakana.
At that moment, Katakana snapped out of his daze. As the Grand Priest's fist closed in, Katakana's pupils shrank.
He was unbelievably tense, but this was his only chance!
At the exact instant the Grand Priest's punch was about to land,
Katakana vanished.
Only a fading afterimage was left in his place.
"He disappeared…"
The Grand Priest looked mildly surprised,he didn't expect Katakana to dodge.
Then, in that same moment, he suddenly sensed a terrifying destructive force erupting behind him!
"Super Big Bang Destruction Ki Blast!"
Katakana roared, channeling all his divine power and destructive energy into a devastating energy cannon, and blasted it at the Grand Priest's back.
He gave him no time to react.
The immense attack swallowed the Grand Priest instantly.
"He hit the Grand Priest…"
Whis watched in shock, the scene feeling surreal.
He hadn't expected Katakana to dodge that punch in such a way.
Nor had he expected the immediate counterattack, almost as if it had been premeditated.
And the energy blast had been charged and ready the moment Katakana dodged the strike.
A seamless counter.
Instant vanish. Instant reappearance. Instant blast!
"It seems Mr. Katakana had a plan all along!"
Whis looked at Katakana in disbelief.
He hadn't expected such deep calculation, but if Katakana hadn't avoided that punch, he'd probably be unconscious right now!
As the dust cleared,
The Grand Priest slowly walked out of the explosion.
A soft green, circular barrier glowed around his body.
But from his completely unscathed appearance, it was clear that, even under Katakana's perfect strike just now,
It had no effect.
The Grand Priest hadn't even used the power of erasure.