Destruction energy was supposed to be absolute. The fundamental power of annihilation, capable of erasing anything from existence—matter, energy, even souls could be removed from reality at the God of Destruction's whim. It was the ultimate trump card, the final answer to any threat.
Yet Raditz had walked through it like morning mist.
Perfected Ultra Instinct transcended conventional limitations, operated on principles that defied even divine understanding. It was more than just speed or reflexes—it was a state of being where the universe itself seemed to cooperate with the user's intent.
Quitela's eyes had gone glassy with shock, his entire worldview shattering. His throat worked soundlessly, words failing to form as he stared at Raditz like one might stare at an eldritch horror that violated the fundamental laws of reality. When he finally managed to speak, his voice came out as a broken whisper.
"Impossible... it's impossible..."
Destruction energy was supposed to be the final word. How could it fail? How could anyone, even another god, simply bypass it so completely? He looked at Raditz as if the Saiyan had transformed into some unknowable monster, his prominent teeth chattering involuntarily.
"So, Lord Quitela," Raditz said calmly, floating in the air above his defeated opponent with an expression of complete ease, "do you have any other tricks you'd like to try? Or shall we consider this matter settled?"
Quitela opened his mouth, then closed it. His fists clenched, then loosened, muscles trembling with the effort of trying to summon strength that simply wouldn't come. The pride that had sustained him through millions of years as a God of Destruction had crumbled entirely. For the first time in his existence, he'd lost not just a battle but his will to continue fighting.
Even Frieza, watching from behind Cognac's protective position, felt genuine shock ripple through him. The tyrant was arrogant by nature, convinced of his own superiority over most beings in the universe. But he'd never been foolish enough to think he could challenge a God of Destruction directly. That's why he'd maintained his facade of respect around Quitela, why he'd played the role of cooperative subordinate.
Yet Raditz had not only challenged a God of Destruction—he'd dominated one. Completely. Effortlessly. The Saiyan had shrugged off Destruction energy like it was a mild inconvenience rather than the ultimate expression of annihilation.
This battle had fundamentally recalibrated Frieza's understanding of the power hierarchy. He pressed himself closer to the Angel's position, a new emotion unfamiliar to someone of his temperament coloring his thoughts: genuine fear. When he looked at Raditz now, he saw not a rival or potential ally, but something far more dangerous.
The wind picked up across the Destroyer's Realm, carrying with it an atmosphere of desolation and defeat. Silence hung heavy in the air, broken only by the soft rustle of displaced debris from their battle.
Then—
Reality tore.
A halo of brilliant white light ripped through dimensional space itself, accompanied by sounds that transcended normal auditory perception. It was less a sound and more a presence—a hymn sung on wavelengths that mortal ears couldn't fully process, radiating holiness so profound that it made everything else seem diminished by comparison.
The light expanded, revealing an aperture into something beyond—a white void so pure, so absolute, that it suggested the presence of an entity operating on an entirely different level than even Gods of Destruction.
Quitela and Cognac's reactions were instantaneous. Their eyes went wide, and both dropped to their knees so quickly it was almost comical. Sweat poured down Quitela's face as he prostrated himself completely, his voice cracking with desperate respect.
"WELCOME, GRAND PRIEST!"
The words were practically screamed, carrying volumes of terror poorly disguised as reverence.
Quitela's mind raced in a panic spiral. He'd just barely processed the shock of losing to Raditz, and now this? The Grand Priest himself, appearing in Universe Four without warning? Had he come because of the recruitment scheme? Was this about stealing fighters from other universes? Would he be disqualified from the tournament? Would Universe Four be erased immediately as punishment?
The God of Destruction felt dangerously close to a complete mental breakdown. His forehead pressed against the ground, not daring to raise his eyes.
Cognac bowed deeply, his usual smile strained around the edges. "Grand Priest, we had no warning of your arrival. Is there something we can assist you with regarding Universe Four—"
"I'm not here for Universe Four," the Grand Priest said, his voice carrying absolute authority despite its gentle tone. "Nor am I here to speak with you, Cognac."
His gaze passed over the kneeling god and angel as if they were furniture, settling instead on Raditz with laser focus.
"I've come for you, Raditz."
The Supreme Kai of Universe Seven blinked in surprise, straightening slightly under the Grand Priest's attention.
"Yes," the Grand Priest continued, and remarkably, his stern expression softened into something almost... sheepish? "Lord Zeno wanted me to deliver a message. There's a specific word he wanted me to use... ah, yes—he wishes to 'remind you to update.'"
The statement hung in the air, completely surreal in the context of everything that had just happened.
"Lord Zeno has finished reading your book, Dragon Ball Heroes. He reached the most exciting part, the climax of the current arc, and he simply cannot wait any longer for the next installment. So he sent me personally to ask you for the continuation."
Remind... to update?
Everyone present seemed to freeze, minds struggling to process what they'd just heard. Of all the possible reasons for the Grand Priest to appear—cosmic emergencies, divine judgments, matters of universal importance—this was what brought him here?
Raditz was the first to recover, realization dawning on his face. He'd been so caught up in tournament preparations that he'd completely lost track of time. Counting back the days... yes, given Zeno's reading speed and enthusiasm, he would have finished the available chapters by now. And apparently the Omni-King's impatience was sufficient to warrant dispatching his highest-ranking servant to demand more content.
It was simultaneously flattering and terrifying.
But more importantly, the Grand Priest's arrival presented an opportunity to resolve the current situation with Quitela cleanly.
"I wouldn't dare delay Lord Zeno's request," Raditz said carefully, bowing respectfully. "However, Grand Priest, I must ask your forgiveness—I'm unable to fulfill that task immediately. I have an urgent matter to resolve first."
The Grand Priest's expression shifted subtly, his aura intensifying just a fraction. It was barely noticeable, barely a flicker of power, but every divine being present felt the weight of it crash down like a physical force. Even Raditz felt his breath catch.
"Why?" The single word carried infinite authority.
Raditz gestured toward Frieza, who stood frozen like a statue. "This individual, Frieza, is a registered fighter for Universe Seven's tournament roster. However, he was abducted by Lord Quitela of Universe Four and brought here against his will. I came to retrieve him, but I've encountered... resistance." He allowed a note of helplessness to color his voice. "Without Frieza, Universe Seven cannot field a complete ten-warrior team. We'll be at a severe disadvantage in the Tournament of Power, potentially facing erasure because we're one fighter short."
"I see." The Grand Priest nodded slowly, processing this information. "That is indeed problematic. Very well—resolve this matter quickly so you can return to your work. I must return to constructing the tournament arena in the World of Void. The deadline approaches."
"It's not quite that simple, I'm afraid." Raditz shook his head with theatrical sadness, playing his role perfectly. "Lord Quitela refuses to release Frieza. He even attacked me, attempted to destroy me with his full power. He said... well, he said things that suggested he doesn't hold Supreme Kais in very high regard."
The temperature in the Destroyer's Realm seemed to drop several degrees. The Grand Priest's gaze slowly, deliberately turned toward Quitela, and his eyes—usually warm and grandfatherly—became cold as the void between universes.
"Is this true?"
The words came out like iron forged in absolute zero, so hard and unyielding that Quitela flinched as if physically struck.
"N-no! No, Grand Priest, it's not—that's not what happened!" Quitela's voice came out high and panicked, his forehead still pressed to the ground as he scrambled to explain. "Frieza came... came voluntarily! He chose Universe Four of his own free will! Raditz and I were just having a friendly discussion! A spirited debate between fellow gods! Nothing more!"
Raditz's eyes met Frieza's across the space between them. The tyrant and the Supreme Kai stared at each other for a long moment, and understanding passed between them without words.
They both smiled simultaneously—predatory grins that promised chaos.
Frieza took two measured steps forward, coming to stand directly before the Grand Priest. He executed a perfect bow, the very picture of respectful deference.
"I can provide testimony, if it would help clarify the situation," Frieza said, his tone impeccably polite.
Quitela's heart leaped with desperate hope. Finally! Someone who could corroborate his story! Frieza might be treacherous, but surely even he wouldn't dare lie to the Grand Priest's face—
"I was kidnapped," Frieza continued, and Quitela's world ended. "Universe Four sent agents who threatened me with Destruction energy and forcibly transported me here against my will. Raditz fought valiantly to rescue me, engaging in fierce combat with Lord Quitela. The battle was extremely tragic—I feared for Raditz's life several times."
His tone remained perfectly sincere throughout, his expression the picture of traumatized innocence. He even managed to inject a slight tremor into his voice, suggesting lingering fear from his ordeal.
Quitela felt heat flood his mind while simultaneously feeling cold wash through his entire body. His thoughts fragmented, unable to process this ultimate betrayal. He'd recruited Frieza! He'd offered him resurrection and power! And this was how the bastard repaid him?!
The Grand Priest's aura expanded, pressure mounting until even Cognac looked uncomfortable. When he spoke, his voice carried weight that made reality itself seem to bend.
"Quitela. You will release Frieza to Raditz immediately. Do you have any objections to this?"
"N-no... no objections..." Quitela's voice was barely audible, his earlier pride crushed into powder.
"You will apologize to Raditz. Do you have any objections to this?"
"I... I apologize, Lord Raditz..." The title came out strangled, each word like swallowing glass.
"What you've done violates the spirit of fair competition that Lord Zeno expects from the Tournament of Power. I will not pursue formal sanctions—this time. However—" the Grand Priest's eyes narrowed dangerously "—if your actions delay Lord Zeno's reading by even a single day, you should understand what the consequences will be. Am I making myself clear?"
"Crystal clear, Grand Priest! Absolutely!" Quitela practically sobbed the words, still not daring to raise his head.
Only after several long, horrible seconds did the crushing pressure recede. The Grand Priest's expression returned to its usual gentle demeanor, as if the threatening deity from moments before had never existed.
"Excellent. Then this matter is resolved." He turned back to Raditz, smiling warmly. "Please complete your work promptly, Raditz. Lord Zeno is quite eager to see what happens next in your story."
"I'll begin immediately upon returning to Universe Seven," Raditz promised with a respectful bow.
"Wonderful. Now, I must return to my arena construction. The World of Void requires considerable preparation." The Grand Priest nodded in satisfaction.
"Goodbye, Lord Quitela! Farewell, Cognac!" Raditz called out cheerfully, waving as if departing from a pleasant social visit. His relaxed smile was the perfect final insult. "Thank you for the... spirited discussion! Very educational!"
Frieza matched his energy perfectly, offering his own theatrical bow toward the still-prostrated God of Destruction. "Indeed, Universe Four is such a welcoming place. Lord Quitela, your hospitality has been unforgettable. I do hope we'll meet again during the tournament."
Meet again? Quitela's mind screamed internally. Who the hell wants to see you treacherous snakes ever again?!
But he couldn't say anything. Could only remain frozen in his humiliated position, watching as the Grand Priest, Raditz, and Frieza were enveloped in divine light.
In an instant, all three vanished, leaving Universe Four's Destroyer Realm empty save for its two thoroughly defeated inhabitants.
Quitela remained kneeling on the ground for several long minutes, his mind replaying the disaster in excruciating detail. He'd tried to recruit a powerful fighter from Universe Seven. Instead, he'd been outmaneuvered, defeated in combat, humiliated before the Grand Priest, and lost one of his own tournament fighters to his own Destruction energy.
It was possibly the worst day of his existence.
Finally, Cognac cleared his throat delicately. "Well, Lord Quitela... that could have gone better."
The God of Destruction's only response was a low, anguished groan that spoke of pain far beyond the physical.