After defeating Janemba Buu,
judging solely from the final moments of that battle, Raditz's strength under the Hundredfold Blood Aura Burst had increased to an extremely terrifying level.
Of course, the stamina consumption brought by the Hundredfold Blood Aura Burst was equally enormous. In just those few dozen seconds, Raditz had consumed far more stamina than during all of his previous fighting.
"As expected, I still can't use this state recklessly. The stamina consumption and the burden on my body are simply too great. Even though my body has already been trained to an extremely powerful level, this terrifying drain still nearly squeezed me dry." Raditz quickly deactivated the Hundredfold Blood Aura Burst.
The overwhelming sense of exhaustion surging through his body nearly caused him to lose his footing.
His Super Saiyan Blue Third Grade · God Ultimate transformation flickered on and off, on the verge of dispersing at any moment.
He was already close to being unable to maintain the transformation.
Fortunately, the outcome had been worth it. That troublesome Janemba Buu had been blasted directly off the arena by him.
Raditz's gaze swept toward Universe 5's spectator area.
At this moment, in Universe 5's spectator area,
God of Destruction Arak looked upon the eliminated Janemba Buu with utter disdain.
A being born from evil like this was originally something that the Gods of Destruction were meant to erase. If not for this Tournament of Power requiring his participation, Arak would have destroyed him long ago.
"Heal him up a little. He did contribute, after all," God of Destruction Arak said indifferently.
"Understood, Lord Arak." After receiving permission, Angel Cucatail lightly waved his Angel Staff.
Powerful Angel Power swept over Janemba Buu's body. In the blink of an eye, every injury he had sustained during battle was completely healed.
With his injuries fully restored, Janemba Buu regained consciousness. Upon realizing he had been eliminated, rage immediately surged through him, and he wished nothing more than to return to the arena and kill Raditz.
However, just as the hot-headed Janemba Buu was about to act, Turles grabbed him from the side.
Being restrained, Janemba Buu's fury intensified, his murderous eyes glaring fiercely at Turles.
Judging from his posture, he looked ready to start fighting at the slightest disagreement.
"Since you've been eliminated, behave yourself. You don't want to be completely erased from this world, do you?" Turles met Janemba Buu's gaze with calm indifference.
He was kindly stopping Janemba Buu. If this fool refused to appreciate it and violated the rules, only to be erased by Zeno, then no one else could be blamed.
After hearing Turles' reminder, most of the fury in Janemba Buu's eyes faded as his reason returned.
After thinking for a while, he ultimately chose to swallow his anger.
A loss was still better than being completely erased. After all, those beings above were the truly terrifying existences.
...
On the arena.
Raditz had just eliminated Janemba Buu when, before he could relax, he sensed hostility coming from behind him.
Maintaining his vigilance, Raditz immediately turned around.
Super Android 17 had somehow appeared behind him.
Those cold mechanical eyes were fixed upon Raditz, analyzing his current condition.
"Your energy has dropped considerably. It seems that massive burst just now consumed a great deal of your stamina. That kind of high-intensity energy explosion can't be maintained for long, can it?" Super Android 17 analyzed coldly.
"You're right. But so what? Android 17 from another timeline, have you really decided to fight me?" Raditz crossed his arms and looked down upon Android 17 fearlessly.
He never feared anyone's challenge.
No matter what condition he was in, anyone who dared challenge him had to be prepared to be eliminated.
Turles and Janemba Buu were the perfect examples for every opponent.
Hearing this, Super Android 17 merely smiled without replying.
He did not launch an attack.
Instead, he simply stood there, waiting for Raditz to take the bait.
Seeing this, Raditz instead became even more cautious, assuming a battle stance.
He had a strong feeling that this Super Android 17 was anything but ordinary.
There was definitely some unknown secret hidden within him.
Whether during the previous battle against Turles or the recent fight against Janemba Buu, this fellow had only watched from the sidelines instead of saving his companions, calmly allowing them to be eliminated.
Just what was Super Android 17 planning?
Raditz wanted to know.
Rather than attacking immediately, he patiently waited for the perfect opportunity while trying to deduce Super Android 17's true objective.
Thus, the two remained locked in a standoff for half a minute.
Both remained silent.
Neither made the first move to break the balance.
Finally, Raditz could no longer hold back.
No matter what your objective is...
As long as I knock you off the arena in one decisive move, that'll be enough.
"Twin Destruction Death Beams!"
Gathering energy in both hands, Raditz instantly fired two incomparably powerful energy beams toward Super Android 17.
Facing the devastating beams,
Super Android 17 revealed a smile as though his scheme had succeeded.
Not only did he make no attempt to defend—
he actually spread his arms wide, welcoming the incoming energy.
BOOM~~~!!!
The Twin Destruction Death Beams struck Super Android 17 head-on.
Towering flames erupted into the sky.
Everything within a thousand meters was flattened by the explosion's shockwave.
"It hit??" Raditz frowned tightly, finding it unbelievable.
Landing such an easy hit on Super Android 17 made him realize things definitely weren't that simple.
"Is that all you've got?" Super Android 17's mocking voice echoed from within the smoke.
The next second,
Super Android 17 emerged from the smoke.
After taking Raditz's Twin Destruction Death Beams head-on...
he appeared completely unharmed.
"What?!" Raditz had never expected such a situation.
Since Super Android 17 was an Android, he had no Ki signature.
Therefore, Raditz couldn't determine exactly how powerful his opponent really was.
"So that's the extent of your strength. It seems I overestimated you," Super Android 17 said with slight disappointment.
"What did you say?!" Those words immediately struck Raditz's pride, causing his anger to surge.
His fury had played perfectly into Super Android 17's plan.
"Didn't you hear me clearly? Then I'll repeat it. Your strength is utterly disappointing. After defeating those two, I thought you would be much stronger. But now it seems this is all you're capable of."
Those words pierced Raditz's heart like a sharp blade, instantly causing his anger to skyrocket.
At that moment, only one thought remained in his mind—
No matter what...
I have to knock this guy off the arena!
"Arrogant fool! Then use your own body to experience just how powerful I really am!!"
Enraged, Raditz rapidly condensed energy while both hands danced through the air.
Whoosh!! Whoosh!! Whoosh!! Whoosh!!...
In an instant,
dozens...
hundreds...
of immensely destructive energy blasts shot out from Raditz's hands, rushing toward Super Android 17.
Faced with such an overwhelming barrage,
Super Android 17 neither dodged nor defended.
Instead, an excited smile appeared on his face.
With this much energy...
he could become stronger once again.
BOOM RUMBLE RUMBLE~~!!!!
The explosion of one energy blast triggered a chain reaction, causing every single blast to detonate simultaneously.
The explosive aftermath instantly spread thousands of meters.
Towering flames expanded rapidly, soaring into the sky.
Yet it wasn't over.
Raditz's bombardment continued.
"HAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!"
With hysterical roars, Raditz fired energy blasts at an even faster rate.
One devastating blast after another plunged into the sea of flames, continuously attacking Super Android 17.
Even an Eleventh-Dimensional warrior would risk being killed under such relentless assault.
But Super Android 17 faced no such danger.
The energy absorption device modified by Super Fu was absolutely flawless.
Whether energy struck his body directly...
or exploded nearby...
every bit of that energy was absorbed into his body by the internal energy absorption system and converted into his own power.
"Keep attacking. It's best if you don't stop. Otherwise, I'd be very troubled."
Super Android 17 wore an evil smile, thoroughly enjoying the sensation of his strength continuously increasing.
Boom!! Boom!! Boom!! Boom!! Boom!! Boom!!...
Raditz's bombardment continued.
It lasted for a full minute before he finally stopped firing.
"Huff... Huff... Huff..."
As he adjusted his breathing,
Raditz stared at the towering inferno before him.
A proud smile appeared on his face.
He was certain that after a full minute of all-out energy bombardment,
even if Super Android 17 possessed some unknown trump card,
there was absolutely no way he could emerge unscathed.
However,
as the smoke from the explosions gradually dispersed,
at the center of the flames,
Super Android 17 still stood there...
completely unharmed.
The smile on Raditz's face instantly froze.
Impossible!
Every one of his attacks had landed.
No matter how strong Super Android 17 was,
he couldn't possibly remain completely unharmed after such a ferocious assault.
Just what had gone wrong?
Or...
was this Super Android 17 from another timeline actually far stronger than Raditz himself?
No...
That's not right!
"Finished attacking? Then it's my turn!"
Super Android 17 locked onto Raditz's position.
Raising both hands,
he immediately aimed at him.
BOOM~~!!!
In an instant,
a tremendously destructive golden annihilation cannon pierced through space itself and shot toward Raditz.
"Not good!"
Raditz instinctively dodged sideways.
Fortunately, he reacted just in time.
The golden annihilation cannon narrowly grazed past him.
The continuously advancing golden annihilation cannon struck an enormous boulder near the edge of the arena.
BOOM~~!!!
The resulting explosion generated layer upon layer of spatial shockwaves.
Its terrifying destructive power was truly astonishing.
"What a pity. I was just a little careless and missed."
Super Android 17 kept Raditz locked in his sights.
With both hands aimed forward,
countless energy blasts erupted from his palms like a surging flood, charging toward Raditz.
Faced with the inescapable net of energy blasts,
Raditz had nowhere to evade.
Divine Power surged around him, forming a protective barrier that enveloped his body.
The dense barrage of energy blasts rained down like a torrential storm,
triggering wave after wave of devastating explosions.
Feeling the continuously increasing pressure,
Raditz gritted his teeth,
a ruthless light appearing in his eyes.
"Blood Aura Burst... Tenfold!!!"
With a furious roar,
Raditz once again entered the Blood Aura Burst state.
The Divine Power throughout his body expanded explosively.
The tremendous shockwave blasted away every incoming energy blast.
His sharp eyes locked onto Super Android 17.
Gathering strength in both legs,
he shattered the ground beneath his feet,
erupting forward at ultimate speed like a streak of divine light as he charged directly toward Super Android 17.
Facing Raditz's counterattack,
Super Android 17 remained completely calm.
He crossed both arms before himself in a defensive stance.
BANG!!!!
A deafening explosion rang out.
Super Android 17's body was sent flying backward.
It had to be admitted—
that explosive force was truly terrifying.
Even though Super Android 17 had defended in time,
the sheer impact still blasted him away.
Pressing the advantage,
Raditz charged again,
catching up with the airborne Super Android 17 before throwing another punch.
However,
such attacks were far from impossible for Super Android 17 to defend against.
During the previous battles,
Super Android 17 had already collected every piece of Raditz's combat data.
Every movement Raditz made...
had been completely analyzed.
No matter how Raditz attacked,
he simply couldn't break through Super Android 17's defense.
"You seem rather angry," Super Android 17 mocked.
Hearing that,
Raditz's expression twisted ferociously.
The next instant,
a storm of devastating attacks poured toward Super Android 17.
His unique combat style,
forged through countless battles,
allowed him to seamlessly alternate between offense and defense.
When Raditz devoted himself entirely to offense,
his ferocity rivaled Vegeta's Prince Style.
However,
even that level of combat ability...
still could not break through Super Android 17's defenses.
Using the combat data he had previously collected,
Super Android 17 created an absolutely flawless defense.
While perfectly blocking every one of Raditz's attacks,
he still retained enormous leeway.
Bang!! Bang!! Bang!! Bang!!...
Every attack Raditz launched was effortlessly neutralized by Super Android 17.
[How is this possible?! My entire fighting style... has been completely figured out!!]
With every technique being countered,
Raditz immediately realized the situation had become dire.
His combat style had been completely analyzed.
If he wanted to reverse the battle,
he would have to abandon convention and fight in an entirely different way.
However,
his fighting style had long since become ingrained in his muscle memory.
Forcing himself to change it now
would not only be ineffective,
it would instead expose fatal openings.
That would be disastrous.
"My turn now."
The corners of Super Android 17's mouth curled into a sinister smile.
In an instant,
his counterattack struck Raditz with lightning-like speed.
Super Android 17's attack pattern was strange and razor-sharp.
Every strike came from an incredibly tricky angle,
skillfully bypassing Raditz's defenses while inflicting irreversible damage upon his body.
This was a combat style he had personally created,
specifically to counter Raditz's way of fighting.
Faced with Super Android 17's bizarre combat style,
Raditz was temporarily outmatched.
He could do nothing except defend.