Across countless worlds, time stood still. Heroes, villains, warriors, and legends alike felt an overwhelming force grip their very existence. An unseen hand reached through space and time, plucking them from their realities with no warning, no explanation—only an undeniable pull that refused to be resisted.
Konohagakure – Chunin Exam Finals
The crowd roared as Naruto Uzumaki faced Neji Hyuga in the arena. Tension filled the air. The battle was at its peak, Naruto rising from the dirt, determination burning in his eyes. Neji, calm and resolute, prepared his next strike. Above, the Hokage observed with keen interest, while Sakura and the rest of the spectators leaned forward, anticipating the next move.
And then—everything stopped.
Naruto felt his body freeze, a strange force wrapping around him. The stadium, the sky, the people—everything blurred. The last thing he saw was the bewildered face of Neji before he vanished.
Gasps filled the arena as the audience realized Naruto was gone. The Third Hokage stood from his seat, Sakura's eyes widened in disbelief, and Hinata felt a chill run down her spine.
"What the hell just happened?" Shikamaru muttered, his eyes narrowing.
Universe 7 – Before the Tournament of Power
Goku floated above a vast plain, sparring with Vegeta. Their blows sent shockwaves through the air, cracking the ground beneath them. Whis and Beerus observed from a distance, the latter yawning.
"Alright, Vegeta, one more round!" Goku grinned, wiping sweat from his brow.
But before Vegeta could respond, it happened.
Goku's body trembled as an invisible force wrapped around him. In an instant, he vanished from existence.
Vegeta's fists clenched as he looked around. "Kakarot? Where the hell—"
Beerus bolted upright, his expression turning serious. "That energy… What just happened?"
Whis, normally composed, narrowed his eyes. "It appears Goku has been… taken."
City Z – Saitama's Apartment
"King, you really should try this game. It's all about patience," Saitama said, sitting cross-legged on the floor, casually pressing buttons on his console.
King, sweating nervously, adjusted his grip on his controller. "I… I'm concentrating…"
Just as Saitama was about to land the final hit on his opponent, he vanished.
King blinked. The controller fell from his hands. Silence.
"S-Saitama…?"
The Grand Arena
In a blink, they were elsewhere.
The arena stretched beyond comprehension, an infinite coliseum of shimmering cosmic energy, its walls shifting like liquid starlight. Planets and galaxies hovered in the sky, frozen as if they were merely decorations in this divine battleground. The air itself carried weight, a silent pressure that made even the strongest among them pause.
At the very center of it all, seated upon a grand throne of obsidian and light, Vaelios watched.
His golden eyes gleamed with amusement as he observed the chaos unfold. Some warriors immediately prepared for battle, instincts honed through years of war and survival. Others demanded answers, shouting their names and titles as if their status held meaning in his domain. And then there were those who simply stood in silence, their gazes locked onto the being before them—the one who had brought them here.
Vaelios let the noise persist for a moment longer, savoring the confusion before he finally spoke.
"Welcome, mortals."
The mere utterance of his voice sent ripples through the arena, forcing even the mightiest to acknowledge his presence.
"You have been chosen to partake in my grandest spectacle yet—The God's Grand Arena." His smirk widened, reveling in the reactions before him. "Across your worlds, you have conquered, fought, and defied fate itself. But here, all of that is meaningless."
He leaned forward, resting his chin against his hand. "You will fight. You will die. You will be brought back, only to fight again. And for what?" His voice turned almost teasing. "Anything you desire."
Silence followed. Then, a voice—a warrior from one of the many worlds—spoke up, defiance burning in their eyes. "Why should we fight for your amusement?"
Vaelios chuckled, the sound rich with ancient power. "Why?" His golden gaze sharpened. "Because you have no choice."
The arena trembled, and suddenly, the first match was about to begin.