Upon closer inspection, many inhabitants of various planets spotted familiar faces in the audience stands of the Grand Kai's arena.
The halos above their heads, symbolizing their current status, informed the entire group that they were all deceased.
"I don't see Granduncle Tobirama..." Tsunade scanned the audience stands once more but ultimately couldn't find her grandfather's younger brother.
"The likelihood of Tobirama-sama being here is indeed quite low." Kakashi, who had also spent time in the Anbu, knew very well what kind of place that was.
Its founder, Senju Tobirama, had also done his fair share of unsavory things. Overall, his merits outweighed his faults, but while he probably wouldn't end up in Hell, receiving the same treatment as Hashirama was still quite difficult.
"Now isn't the time to look for relatives, Tsunade." Jiraiya struggled to tear his gaze away from Bai Yuekui's long legs and Tifa's peerless beauty, crossing his arms seriously. "The key is whether that arrogant kid can win."
'Even with his new power, there were just too many monsters.'
…
"Is the drawing of lots random? Wouldn't it be very dangerous if Miss Bai encounters those monstrous opponents?" On the Planet Ling Cage, Ran Bing looked worried.
The expressions of the others weren't much better. Although they had joined the surface team for three years and witnessed Bai Yuekui's strength capable of easily crushing high-level Sigou, compared to the monsters gathered at the Grand Kai's planet... the gap was too large.
"It probably won't pair the very strong with the very weak, right? Otherwise, it would be too unfair..."
Xia Dou glanced worriedly at her boss, then secretly peeked at Lott standing near the South King Kai, Son Goku near the North King Kai, and Cell standing alone in a corner, seeming out of place.
'The boss shouldn't be unlucky enough to run into such freaks, right?'
...
At the venue, the Grand Kai began organizing the draw. Lott and Goku sat down on the south and north sides of the fighting ring respectively, having attendants bring food and drink and digging in heartily.
Watching the two stuff food into their seemingly bottomless stomachs, even though their hearts were pounding with nervousness ready to leap out of their throats, viewers across the universe felt speechless upon seeing this.
'Damn, only these two could still have the mood to eat at a time like this.'
However, surprisingly, in less than two minutes, another person joined them. Gintoki from the east side contestant seats!
"Two fruit sundaes, three chocolate parfaits, and an extra-large strawberry cake! Hurry!" Seeing Gintoki's cream-covered face in the live stream, everyone on the Planet Amanto facepalmed, 'What is that curly-haired idiot doing? Disgracing our planet in front of the entire universe?'
But those familiar with Gintoki's personality, like Kagura, Shinpachi, and Otose, saw right through his little scheme.
[Shinpachi: Gin-san probably wants to eat his fill happily before he dies.]
[Kagura: Understandable. I've already sold the deed to the Yorozuya to have a big feast at the most luxurious hotel in Edo.]
[Umibozu: @Kagura, My precious daughter, don't do that! Daddy is here! Come with Daddy and escape this planet on a spaceship!]
Umibozu, originally a space hunter, didn't think Gintoki could handle these monsters. The best plan was to take his daughter away from this planet.
[Okita Sogo: @Umibozu, Uncle, can you take a few more people? Take our Shinsengumi along. Of course, leave Hijikata-san behind.]
[Hijikata Toshiro: Why leave me behind!?]
…
"Alright, everyone! The Grand Kai-sama has finalized the first-round matchups!" Just then, a man in a black suit, acting as a commentator, came to the center of the ring. The moment he spoke, the entire venue and the watching universe fell silent. Is it finally starting?!
"The first contestants are… from the North Galaxy, Planet Pokémon's representative, Akari!" The commentator raised his left hand towards the north side of the ring.
As special effect confetti sprinkled down, Akari, whose face was suddenly on camera, froze for a few seconds before reacting, offering an awkward smile and a wave to the camera, seemingly unused to it.
On Planet Pokémon.
Whether it was Ash, who had already gone to the Unova Region to start a new journey, the League President and Champions at the Pokémon League's headquarters, or hidden crime organization leaders like Giovanni and Lusamine, their hearts all leaped into their throats, 'It's us right from the start?!'
[Ash: She looks exactly like Dawn!]
[Brock: It's said she's Dawn's ancestor from 2000 years ago.]
[Dawn: Mhm, mhm, it's said she was chosen by the god of our planet and sent to this era.]
[Cynthia: I feel ashamed. I originally wanted to find Giovanni. I hope this child can protect our planet.]
[Giovanni: @Cynthia, Don't worry, Champion Cynthia. Didn't Lott promise to use the Dragon Balls to revive our planet even if we lose? You can properly reward him afterward.]
[Caitlin: @Giovanni, Watch your words! You criminal!]
…
"Good luck, little girl!"
"She looks quite slender. I wonder how she'll fight?"
"This little girl is quite cute. She reminds me of my granddaughter. It's been so many years since I died, I wonder what she looks like now."
Not only in the Universe Chat Group, but the deceased warrior spectators at the venue also shouted words of encouragement one after another. The atmosphere was extremely intense.
"The other contestant is from the East Galaxy, Planet Digimon… Yagami Taichi!" Taichi in the camera frame also trembled. Even though he had challenged world-ending level bosses before, in such an atmosphere, he couldn't help but feel nervous.
[Ishida Yamato: That guy Taichi... is he really okay?]
[Izumi Koushiro: Wasn't it everyone's unanimous decision to have Taichi be the representative? How about you, Yamato, ask the Grand Kai-sama if we can change representatives temporarily? Otherwise, you go?]
[Ishida Yamato: Ah, this... I, I was just saying...]
[Yagami Hikari: Go, Onii-chan! Go, Onii-chan!]
[Takenouchi Sora: We've saved the world too, right? If we die, can we go to the Grand King Kai's planet?]
Lott, who was slurping noodles, noticed the live chat messages from these brats of the Planet Digimon and snarked internally: 'Your so-called world-saving was Taichi carrying Koushiro and Hikari as supports, with four others slacking off and one betraying the team. To be honest, besides the first three being qualified for heaven, the middle four should reincarnate normally, and the last one should be thankful if he doesn't go to hell.'