This Is Definitely Not Dragon Ball!!

Chapter 424: Ultra Instinct (Part 1)

"Finally... it's done!"

"Jiren, you better not regret giving me time to prepare."

"Get ready to take this! This is the Spirit Bomb, forged from the combined powers of Universe 7 and Universe 13!"

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Son Goku hurled the completed Spirit Bomb forward.

Vast and mighty, the Spirit Bomb—dozens of meters in size—radiated an overwhelmingly terrifying pressure. Wherever it passed, space itself seemed to distort. Whether they were participants or the gods observing the match, everyone felt their hearts race in fear.

What an incredibly fearsome move. Even though this arena had gathered the most elite warriors from across all universes, few among them could confidently say they could withstand such an attack.

But Jiren withstood it!!!

Just as the enormous Spirit Bomb approached within a few meters of Jiren, it came to a sudden stop.

"What?!"

Everyone, including Goku, showed looks of shock. Even Yuujin, watching from atop the Pillar of Time, slapped his forehead.

As expected, even a super Spirit Bomb formed from the powers of Universe 7 and Universe 13 couldn't defeat Jiren.

Jiren... what an intriguing being!

"Damn it!!!"

Watching Jiren slowly push the Spirit Bomb back, even Goku was utterly horrified.

He quickly unleashed his energy, trying to push the Spirit Bomb forward again.

But it was no use!

Super Saiyan—didn't work!

Super Saiyan Blue—still didn't work!!

Even Super Saiyan Blue combined with Kaio-ken x10 or Kaio-ken x20—still useless!!!

Even Goku felt his scalp go numb, utterly shocked and terrified in his heart.

It wasn't hard for the user to throw the Spirit Bomb, but for the opponent to push it back required several times—or even dozens of times—more strength. Based on Goku's current power, it should've been impossible for anyone to push it back.

But it happened!

Which meant—Jiren's power was at least several times, maybe dozens of times stronger than Goku's!

What a terrifying monster!!!

The gigantic Spirit Bomb was caught in a deadlock between Goku and Jiren. Goku had pushed himself past even his ultimate limit, yet Jiren hadn't even shown his full power.

It was a scene that bred pure despair.

And just as expected, the Spirit Bomb was forcefully pushed back by Jiren, crashing toward Goku. Amid Goku's agonized screams, the bomb swallowed him whole.

An overwhelmingly brilliant light burst in the air—and then the next moment—

BOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

…

Crackle! Snap! Snap!

The chaotic scene lasted a long while. Arcs of electricity still flickered in the sky, and at the edge of the arena, a massive crater over a hundred meters wide had formed.

Jiren still stood proudly in place.

But Goku—was nowhere to be seen. Not even a trace of his energy could be sensed.

"How... how could this be..."

"Goku..."

"Dad…"

As if their faith had crumbled, Gohan collapsed to the ground. Krillin, Master Roshi, and the others all looked grief-stricken.

Struck by his own Spirit Bomb and caught in that monstrous explosion, Goku's chances of survival were almost nonexistent.

Although killing opponents was forbidden in the tournament, Goku died from his own technique. It could only be considered self-inflicted, so no blame could be placed on anyone else. Thus, the Grand Priest announced that Jiren would not be punished.

Universe 7 sank into endless sorrow. The other universes, too, felt a hint of grief and unease. Only Universe 11 rejoiced.

"Mission accomplished."

"Yes, victory is already ours—Universe 11 has won."

Smiles spread across the faces of Universe 11's Supreme Kai Kai and God of Destruction Belmod.

Eliminating Goku and showcasing Jiren's overwhelming strength had thoroughly intimidated the other universes. It shattered their will to fight. The Tournament of Power was, in essence, already theirs to win!

Even if other universes still wanted to fight, it didn't matter. There were indeed other strong fighters—but at most, they were on Goku's level. Even if more came, they'd still be no match for Jiren.

Though only half the tournament had passed, Universe 11 already held the victory firmly in their grasp!

"Goku lost? That's really unfortunate."

"Yeah, such a shame."

Inside the palace, the two Zen'ō picked up their tablets, opened the page for Universe 7, and prepared to black out Goku's icon.

Once his icon was blacked out, it would mean Goku had officially lost his qualifications.

"Yuujin, is that Goku guy really dead?"

From atop the Pillar of Time, Gokumi couldn't help but ask.

Goku was her counterpart from another universe. Although he was male, Gokumi had a good impression of him. Their previous battle had been fun, and the two had even promised to fight again properly someday.

Seeing Goku defeated by Jiren, possibly even dead without a trace left behind, Gokumi couldn't help but feel sorrow…

"No. He won't die so easily."

Yuujin shook his head and replied.

Although even he could no longer sense Goku's energy, Yuujin was absolutely certain.

After all, this was a man blessed with main character aura! There was no way he would die that easily!

Almost as if in response to Yuujin's words, the entire arena suddenly began to tremble.

No—not just the arena—the entire Null Realm shook!

"This... this power is..."

"Could it be...?" Everyone showed expressions of shock, but they quickly realized something.

"There's no need to ask."

"It's exactly what we expected."

"Hohoho... it had to be like this."

Sweeping away their earlier grief, Krillin and the others from Universe 7 were once again filled with hope.

"Lord Beerus, care to share your thoughts?" Whis asked with a smile.

Beerus sighed, then slowly opened his eyes—

"He's coming!!!"

As Beerus' voice fell, a silver beam of light shot into the sky!

Blindingly radiant, and under the gaze of all present, the once-vanished Goku slowly rose up within the pillar of light.

The phenomenon didn't last long. Once the light faded, everyone could once again see Son Goku.

Unlike before, Goku's entire body was now wrapped in a silver-white glow, and he was radiating intense heat!

"Wow, Goku's still alive!"

"Whoa! He's glowing all over!"

The two Zen'ōs shouted in amazement from the palace.

"Son Goku... just what is he now?"

"Looks like not only did he survive, but something's clearly changed in him."

"Even though Goku is radiating incredible heat, his energy is oddly... calm."

"What the heck is going on? Is this some new Saiyan transformation…?"

Everyone stared closely at the re-emerged Goku. Yuujin and the girls atop the Pillar of Time were no exception.

Others might still be confused about Goku's current state—but Yuujin knew very well:

This was no ordinary Saiyan transformation.

His eyes gleamed. Even Yuujin could feel his blood boiling.

At long last—it was finally here…

Ultra Instinct!!

To be continued...