Jaco's mouth twitched uncontrollably, his expression a storm of emotions.
I said I'd help… but I didn't mean I wanted to die!
There was no way he could deal with Vegeta. Even someone as loudmouthed as Jaco knew his own limits.
Inside the training room, silence hung for a few seconds.
Merus stood calmly near the railings, blue eyes shifting between Jaco and Broly, wearing a small, unreadable smile.
Irikku watched Jaco with sympathy. He knew his colleague must be regretting his bragging.
Broly cracked his knuckles. "So… are we fighting or not?"
Jaco's stomach tightened. Why did I have to run my mouth earlier? Now he couldn't back out without losing face.
"Are they really Saiyans?" Irikku muttered. "Saiyans are said to be extremely dangerous. This is bad… Jaco's in trouble."
Merus smiled faintly. He knew better. With Broly around, Earth wasn't in danger at all. Vegeta and Nappa weren't even a challenge for him.
Broly beckoned Jaco forward. "Enough talk. Let's start."
Jaco raised his energy pistol, taking a deep breath. "Fine! But I won't go easy on you!"
He drew the weapon and aimed at Broly. This time his movements were smooth and practiced. The sleek silver pistol hummed as energy lines lit up along its frame.
"This gun isn't like Earth's firearms," Jaco warned. "If it hits you, it'll cause serious injury. Don't be careless!"
"Got it," Broly said, not even flinching.
"I'm firing!" Jaco shouted.
"Shoot."
Jaco pulled the trigger.
A searing beam of blue-white energy erupted forward, slicing through the air with a piercing scream. The beam warped the space around it as it tore toward Broly.
Broly didn't move.
He didn't even raise his arms. He simply let a faint golden aura ripple out across his body.
Fwoosh.
The beam veered away from him as if deflected by an invisible wall. It struck the reinforced ceiling and exploded with a flash. The ceiling absorbed the damage almost instantly.
Jaco stared upward, jaw slack.
Then he froze. Broly was gone.
Jaco's compound eyes searched frantically.
Behind!
He spun — too slow.
A massive hand pressed gently but firmly on top of his head.
Broly's grip wasn't crushing, but the weight of his presence froze Jaco in place.
"Not bad. You noticed me."
Jaco's eyes trembled. He saw the movement — but his body couldn't keep up.
Broly tapped him lightly.
Boom!
Jaco flew backward and hit the floor hard, coughing up blood.
"Warm-up's done," Broly said, turning away. "Merus, let's go."
Merus smiled and stepped forward. He helped Jaco up first.
"You okay?"
"Y-yeah…" Jaco wheezed. "Go win this! The Galactic Patrol can't lose!"
Jaco staggered to the stands. Irikku leaned over. "You sure you're okay?"
"Of course… I'm tough…" Jaco forced a grin.
"Then why is your head leaking water?"
"…That's sweat."
Irikku pulled out a small device. "I asked your species' medical database. You urinate from those holes."
Jaco nearly died of embarrassment.
"DON'T TELL ANYONE!"
Back on the arena platform, Merus and Broly faced each other.
Broly's aura flared lightly. Power swelled around him.
"I'm starting."
"Go ahead," Merus replied calmly.
Broly shot forward in a blur, fists flying.
Merus slipped past every strike with impossible precision, dodging effortlessly with minimal movement. His body seemed to move on its own, always choosing the perfect angle — the unmistakable sign of Ultra Instinct.
Broly couldn't land a single blow.
After twenty seconds of relentless strikes, Merus stepped in and placed a palm lightly against Broly's chest.
Thump.
The force was controlled, yet it sent Broly skidding backward.
Broly's eyes widened in delight.
"You're amazing."
Merus smiled. "You're still holding back. Use more."
Broly nodded and let his energy surge. His aura exploded outward. The room trembled.
His power multiplied tenfold — roughly a million in battle strength.
"This time I'm serious," Broly said.
"Good," Merus replied calmly.
Broly lunged again.
But no matter how fast, how sharp, or how powerful his blows were… Merus evaded every strike.
Every single one.
And Broly couldn't have been happier.
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