The sky above Planet Sadala no longer trembled from wild power—it pulsed with something far more dangerous: control. Ben Tennyson hovered in his refined state, aura tight and silent, every ounce of energy obeying his will. Across from him, the mysterious warrior finally dropped the last trace of indifference.
"You've forced me this far," the stranger said, his voice steady. "Then I'll respond properly."
For the first time since arriving—
His full power awakened.
A deep, crushing pressure spread across the planet, heavier than anything before. Even the ground far below cracked slightly under its weight.
Cabba clenched his teeth. "This… this is his true strength…"
Caulifla didn't smile this time. "He was holding back THAT much…?"
Kale stepped forward instinctively, worry clear in her eyes. "Ben…"
Above them, the battle resumed instantly.
The stranger moved faster than before—far faster.
This time, Ben was the one forced back.
Blow after blow rained down, each strike heavier, sharper, more refined than before. The stranger had been studying him… and now he was adapting too.
Ben blocked, dodged, countered—but the pressure kept rising.
His refined state held—
But barely.
A powerful strike broke through his defense, sending him crashing downward. He stopped himself mid-air, breathing heavier now, his aura flickering slightly.
"…He leveled up too," Ben muttered.
The stranger descended slowly, calm but fully engaged. "Growth is not yours alone."
Ben wiped the blood from his lip, then smiled.
"…Good."
Instead of panicking—
He relaxed.
His aura dimmed further.
Almost disappearing.
Below, Caulifla blinked. "What is he doing now?!"
Cabba narrowed his eyes. "He's… letting go?"
Kale whispered softly, "No… he's trusting something…"
Ben closed his eyes mid-air.
No rage.
No force.
No struggle.
For the first time since gaining Saiyan power—
He stopped fighting himself.
The energy inside him… settled.
Then—
Something new awakened.
Not explosive like Super Saiyan.
Not heavy like Super Saiyan 3.
But calm.
Clear.
His eyes opened again—
Different.
Sharper.
Focused beyond instinct.
His aura didn't flare—
It flowed.
The stranger paused.
"…What is this?"
Ben raised his hand slowly.
"…I don't know," he admitted.
A small smirk appeared.
"But it feels right."
In an instant—
He vanished.
Faster than before.
Cleaner than before.
The stranger reacted—
But too late.
Ben's strike landed.
Direct.
Precise.
The impact forced the opponent back further than any previous hit.
For the first time—
He lost balance.
The battlefield fell silent again.
Caulifla stared, wide-eyed. "He just—"
Cabba whispered, stunned. "That wasn't Super Saiyan…"
Kale smiled faintly. "He found something new…"
Above them, the stranger steadied himself, his expression no longer calm, but serious.
"…So this is your next evolution."
Ben hovered silently, his presence quiet yet overwhelming.
No wasted energy.
No visible strain.
Just absolute control.
"…Let's finish this," Ben said.
The air tightened again.
Because now—
The battle had truly reached its peak.
And this time—
Ben wasn't chasing power anymore.
He had become something beyond it.