The air over Planet Sadala grew heavier with each passing hour. What began as a faint disturbance soon became undeniable, a pressure that even ordinary Saiyans could feel in their bones. The skies dimmed slightly, not from clouds, but from something far beyond the atmosphere.
Standing at the edge of the capital, Ben Tennyson narrowed his eyes toward the horizon. That presence was getting closer, and it wasn't hiding anymore.
"It's not just strong…" he said quietly, "…it's controlled."
Beside him, Cabba nodded, his expression tense. "I've never felt anything like this before."
A sudden gust of wind swept across the city.
Then—
A figure appeared.
No explosion. No dramatic landing. Just… there.
Floating in the sky above them.
A tall, unfamiliar being with a calm, unreadable expression. No visible strain, no wasted movement, but the pressure radiating from him made even experienced Saiyan warriors hesitate.
Caulifla stepped forward immediately, her instincts kicking in. Caulifla smirked, though her eyes were sharp. "You picked the wrong planet if you're looking for trouble."
Behind her, Kale stood quietly, but her energy was already rising, protective and alert.
The stranger finally spoke, his voice calm and deep. "So this is Planet Sadala… and you must be the anomaly."
His gaze locked onto Ben.
Ben didn't flinch.
"…Guess that's me."
The figure slowly descended, stopping just above the ground. "A human who carries Saiyan evolution beyond natural limits. I've been observing you."
Caulifla frowned. "Observing? That's creepy."
Cabba stepped slightly forward. "State your purpose."
The stranger ignored him, still focused on Ben. "You've disrupted the balance of growth in this universe. Such irregularity… must be corrected."
That was enough.
Caulifla burst forward instantly, transforming into Super Saiyan 2, her aura flaring. "Yeah? Try correcting THIS!"
She attacked first.
Fast.
Powerful.
But—
The stranger raised one hand.
And stopped her.
Effortlessly.
Her punch didn't even move him.
Caulifla's eyes widened. "What—"
Before she could react, she was pushed back with a single motion, sliding across the ground.
Kale stepped in next, her energy rising dangerously, but Ben moved first.
"Stop."
His voice was calm, but firm.
Both of them froze.
Ben stepped forward, his expression steady. "This isn't someone you can handle."
The stranger tilted his head slightly. "You understand your position, at least."
Ben didn't respond.
Instead—
His aura ignited.
Golden energy burst around him as he ascended straight into Super Saiyan 2, lightning crackling. The ground beneath him cracked under the pressure.
Then, without hesitation—
He pushed further.
His power surged violently, hair extending, aura roaring like a storm.
Super Saiyan 3.
The entire battlefield shook.
Cabba stared in shock, even though he had seen this form before, the intensity was greater now, more controlled.
The stranger watched silently.
"…Good," he said. "Show me."
And then—
They moved.
Their clash exploded across the sky, shockwaves tearing through the clouds. Ben attacked with speed and precision, his strikes carrying immense power, but the stranger matched him effortlessly, blocking, redirecting, countering with minimal movement.
Every exchange revealed the same truth.
This enemy… was not normal.
Ben pushed harder, increasing his output, his aura flaring brighter, but the strain was visible. Super Saiyan 3 was powerful, but it was still incomplete.
The stranger finally spoke mid-battle. "Your power is impressive… but inefficient."
With a sudden movement, he struck.
Ben barely blocked it.
The impact sent him crashing back into the ground, creating a massive crater.
Silence followed.
Caulifla clenched her fists. "He actually—"
Kale stepped forward, her energy rising again.
But Ben stood up.
Slowly.
Bruised, breathing heavier, but still standing.
He wiped the corner of his mouth, then looked up.
"…Yeah," he admitted, "this isn't enough."
For the first time—
He felt it clearly.
Super Saiyan 3 alone wouldn't win this.
The stranger hovered above, calm as ever. "Now you see it."
Ben exhaled slowly.
Then his expression changed.
Not desperate.
Not afraid.
Focused.
Because this wasn't just about him anymore.
Behind him—
Were Caulifla.
Kale.
Their children.
Their future.
His aura flickered again, unstable but evolving.
"…Then I'll go further."
The air trembled.
Something new was about to awaken.
And this time—
It wouldn't just shake the battlefield.
It would change everything.