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Beerus blinked out of sight, reappearing in an instant as a blinding white-blue shockwave tore across the ocean.
The water split apart violently as the wave passed through.
BOOM!!!
A burst of white-blue energy exploded skyward, shaking the heavens.
The roar of the blast rolled across the sea, the shockwaves making the ocean itself tremble.
The cruise ship carrying Piccolo and the others pitched back and forth under the violent waves before the sea finally began to settle down again.
Whis let out an annoyed sigh. "So much for peace and quiet."
Beerus, however, looked thrilled as he fixed his eyes on Goku's glowing red aura. "Now this is starting to get interesting."
Piccolo shouted, "Goku, don't forget we're all still here!"
Goku grinned sheepishly. "Sorry! But man, this power is insane!"
Beerus floated closer, his golden eyes narrowing. "Looks like you're starting to get a sense of what your strength really is."
Goku nodded. "Yeah… just a little bit."
"Then let's duel," Goku declared. "If I win, promise you won't destroy Earth!"
Beerus smirked. "Fine. But remember, nothing in this universe is stronger than a God of Destruction."
Goku roared and lunged, throwing a devastating punch—only for Beerus to stop it with one hand.
The air around them detonated with violent gales, shredding across the sky.
Beerus gave the slightest push, and Goku was blown backward like a ragdoll.
Steadying himself, Goku shot forward again. "Let's keep going!"
But every strike, every wild flurry of blows, was blocked with ease.
"Again!" Goku shouted, fists hammering like a storm, each punch rattling the heavens.
White shockwaves rippled outward in expanding rings as the two clashed, the sky itself trembling.
Krillin's eyes bulged. "Unbelievable! His energy is off the charts!"
Piccolo wasn't convinced. "Yeah, but he hasn't landed a single hit yet."
Goku kept pressing the attack, but Beerus suddenly slipped past his guard, driving a fist into his gut.
Then another cracked across Goku's face.
Punch after punch landed in brutal succession until Goku staggered back, barely holding his ground.
Seeing the danger, he shot off into the distance. "Tch… he's not giving me an inch. What do I do?"
Beerus blurred, instantly cutting him off. Another strike smashed into Goku's face, followed by a savage kick that sent him spiraling downward.
The Saiyan stabilized himself midair, then dove straight back at Beerus with a desperate punch—only for Beerus to catch him first across the jaw.
Goku plummeted like a stone.
SPLASH!
He hit the sea hard, vanishing beneath the waves.
A few heartbeats later, bubbles surged up—then Goku rocketed out of the water like a cannonball, fist cocked back.
But his punch met empty air. Beerus had vanished.
The god appeared behind him in a blink, casually swinging another blow.
Goku ducked under it, twisting back into the fight.
They exchanged rapid-fire strikes, but Beerus soon drove him back with two solid hits that rattled his bones.
Goku winced, shaking out his arm. "Ouch! Damn, you're really on another level, Lord Beerus."
Beerus chuckled. "And you're not so bad yourself. Compared to when you were training with King Kai, you've come a long way."
Goku scratched his head with a sheepish grin. "Honestly, if I'd taken those hits back then, I'd be dead already. But now… at least I can trade a few blows with you!"
"Then let's continue," Beerus said, raising a hand with a sly smirk.
"Yeah!" Goku shot into the sky, Beerus right on his tail.
The two streaked upward like twin meteors, vanishing into the clouds.
Beerus unleashed a furious assault, fists blurring.
But this time, Goku blocked again and again, excitement flashing in his eyes.
"Ha! I can finally follow your punches!"
Beerus tilted his head. "Oh? You sure about that? Let's test it."
He threw a crushing punch—only for Goku to catch it head-on.
Beerus's expression shifted into something more serious. "So it's true. You're improving fast."
"Got a few tricks, huh?"
Goku seized the opening and slammed a fist into Beerus's face, sending the god flying.
Bulma's jet soared upward with the others aboard just in time to see Beerus hurled back.
Piccolo's eyes widened. "Looks like he's finally tapping into the full power of Super Saiyan God."
Beerus straightened his neck with a grin. "Not bad… you're finally showing me something."
He raised a hand. "Now let's see how you handle this."
At his fingertip, a blazing golden fireball sparked to life, arcs of silver lightning dancing across its surface. The energy radiating from it was terrifying.
With a flick, Beerus sent it hurtling at Goku.
...
Elsewhere – the Dragon Ball Universe
Kaioshin's Realm
The Supreme Kai sat frozen on the ground, panic in his eyes. "That Saiyan has a death wish! Picking a fight with Lord Beerus? This won't end well. Earth's probably doomed."
His attendant, Kibito, was pale as a sheet. "I've never seen him in person before. I'd only heard the legends… but this power is beyond anything I imagined."
...
The Underworld
Vegeta slammed a fist into the wall. "Kakarot! Again it's you! To think you're the one who became Super Saiyan God. What the hell did you do to make even my future self help you willingly?!"
...
Back on Earth
On the screen of Bulma's craft, Goku's face tightened with focus as he braced against the golden fireball. Both hands pushed desperately, holding it back as the energy made the entire planet tremble.
The shockwaves blasted outward in every direction, so violent they sent Bulma's jet spinning out of control.
Whis glanced up at the clash, lips twitching. "Lord Beerus is… letting his temper show."
The golden sphere shoved Goku backward, threatening to overwhelm him.
With a roar, Goku's aura flared, divine power surging. He heaved the fireball up and away, hurling it high into the sky.
Beerus's eyes gleamed. "Not bad!"
The sphere fell into the ocean far below, detonating in a massive golden explosion that painted the horizon in light.
"Impressive," Beerus said calmly. "Looks like you're starting to master this form."
Goku smirked, fire in his eyes. "Yeah… and I'm just getting started!"
His energy spiked again, a red-gold blaze erupting around him. Lightning tore across the heavens as the flames wrapped his body before sinking into him completely.
Then—he was gone.
In an instant, Goku reappeared in Beerus's face, unleashing a blistering series of punches.
Beerus staggered back, blocking furiously. Goku's fists moved at impossible speed, one finally grazing across Beerus's cheek and leaving a shallow cut.
The god touched the mark, eyes narrowing. "Hmph."
He roared, countering with a thunderous blow.
But Goku only grinned. "I've been waiting for this!"
With a sudden shift, he locked Beerus in place.
Beerus's eyes widened. "What?!"
"Gotcha!" Goku laughed. "First, a little tap on the forehead—"
WHAM!!!
"..."
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