"Of course."
"Oh? Which fighter gives you that much confidence?"
"Don't try to fish for information. This tournament concerns the survival of our universes."
"Someone who can defeat Mister Levos?" Whis was genuinely curious.
"That is not it," Vados said, lips curling in a secretive smile as she lifted her chin. "But I do have a way to keep him from going all out."
"I see. That would indeed be troublesome," Whis muttered, falling into thought.
Vados realized what she had said and arched a delicate brow.
"So you were trying to trick me?"
"Ohoh. You are the one who let your guard down."
"If you have some free time, how about we have a little spar?" she said sweetly.
"This…" Whis frowned and pondered it seriously before nodding. "All right. It has been over a thousand years since you last coached me in my training anyway."
"It is a promise?"
"It is a promise."
Not far away, two figures slowly walked up to each other and began comparing heights.
"Oh my, you look very similar to me," one of them said. "I am Frieza. May I ask your name, sir?"
"I am Frost. A pleasure to meet you," the other replied politely.
"You must be doing quite well for yourself in Universe 6, Lord Frost?" Frieza asked with a gentle smile.
"Lord Frost is our universe's great hero of peace," Cabba said proudly at once. "He once led a peacekeeping force to various conflict zones across Universe 6 to punish evildoers. He also devotes himself to rebuilding war-torn regions and providing aid to children. He has received the Universal Peace Prize three times."
"Oh? You are a Saiyan?" Frieza's eyes narrowed slightly as his gaze shifted onto Cabba. "You seem to be on good terms with Lord Frost."
"That is right. Lord Frost and I are comrades-in-arms. We Saiyans cooperate with his troops to maintain peace across the universe."
"I had no idea Universe 6 had so many good people," Frieza said, his smile stretching even wider.
Cabba's curiosity was hooked instantly.
"Since you and Lord Frost look so alike, you must also be a great hero in Universe 7, right, Lord Frieza?"
Frieza's cheek twitched hard. He chose silence.
"Complete opposite!" Goku suddenly popped his head in and exposed him. "Frieza used to lead his men around invading other planets all the time."
Cabba's face was full of shock.
"I never imagined that two people who look so alike could have such different personalities…"
"Also, the Saiyans in Universe 7 were not a peaceful race either," Piccolo added. "They were bloodthirsty and cruel, slaughtering uncountable humans on other worlds. Totally different from your universe's Saiyans."
He paused, then went on, "After that, Frieza wiped out those Saiyans who had been working for him."
The faces of Universe 6's fighters all went stiff.
"Disobedient monkeys need to be properly disciplined," Frieza said calmly, the corners of his purple lips curling up.
"I am astonished, Lord Frieza," Frost said with righteous indignation. "To even turn on your own soldiers. I cannot stand by and watch a villain like you go unpunished."
Frieza's eyes narrowed to slits.
"Lord Frost truly is the embodiment of justice," Cabba breathed in admiration.
Frost stared at Frieza with open disdain.
"All evil will be brought to justice in the end."
Levos watched from the side, thoroughly entertained.
So that thick-browed, "righteous" Frost actually had the gall to diss the king to his face.
This was going to be fun.
"Are villains in your universe always allowed to be this arrogant?" Frost asked seriously. "Has it not drawn the gods' ire?"
Piccolo kept his mouth shut. Ever since he had come into contact with Beerus, he had some guesses about the answer to that question, but he did not dare try to confirm them.
Just then, a childish voice rang out, drawing everyone's attention.
"Goku! Where is Goku?"
All of the gods instantly dropped to their knees.
"We greet Lord Zeno!"
Hearing someone call his name, Goku flew over right away.
"Hey, Zenny!"
"Huh? Goku, you look different," Zeno said, tilting his head.
"Well, you see, Zenny, this is one of us Saiyans' transformations."
"Transformation?"
"Yeah! The form you are seeing right now is called Super Saiyan 4."
"Super Saiyan 4? That sounds so fun!"
"Right? And before Super Saiyan 4, there are three other levels of transformations too!"
"I really want to see them!"
"Thing is…" Goku pulled a face.
"What is wrong, Goku?"
"Lord Beerus will not let me fight in the tournament…"
At that, Beerus' body jolted. Both his ears flattened hard against his skull.
"That so?" Zeno counted the fighters present, then frowned. "Universe 7 has one extra person."
"Right, right?" Goku's face was full of hope.
"Then…" Zeno turned to the Grand Priest, looking troubled. "What do we do?"
"The fighters were chosen by the gods of each universe," the Grand Priest said mildly. "I cannot force them to change their rosters."
Disappointment spread across Goku's face at once.
"But I really want to see you transform!" Zeno complained.
Hope flared right back up in Goku's eyes.
"In that case, there is nothing else we can do," the Grand Priest said with a soft laugh.
Goku's spirit soared.
"We can schedule a separate match just for Mister Goku."
"A separate match?" Zeno echoed in confusion.
"Universe 11 also has a mortal, does it not?"
"You mean…"
Belmod and Marcarita both looked up at once.
"Grand Priest, are you suggesting that a mere mortal fight a God of Destruction candidate?" Belmod asked in disbelief.
The other gods were already quietly delighted.
"Interesting."
"Very interesting."
"A mortal against a God of Destruction candidate. Son Goku has no chance of winning."
"Beerus is going to lose face today."
"Damn it!" Beerus almost tore his own fur out. "That idiot is causing trouble again!"
"Toppo. What do you think?" Belmod asked.
The bald, bearded giant radiated intensity.
"Toppo accepts. Justice will be carried out."
"Son Goku," the Grand Priest asked calmly, "do you accept this match?"
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