Jiren had just been overwhelmed by Kaito's aura and hadn't fully adjusted yet, and then Kaito took the initiative and accepted his challenge.
His always-narrowed eyes went round at once as he stammered,
"R-Really? No, I mean, Dragon God-sama, we're fighting here? This is your residence—if we break anything…"
"If you break it, you pay."
"Uh…"
Jiren's expression froze, and he looked a bit embarrassed. He scratched his shiny bald head and said,
"Sorry, Dragon God-sama, I don't have any money. Even if I did, I don't think it'd work in this universe…"
Seeing Jiren acting like this was rare for someone who always carried himself as cold and aloof. Belmod couldn't help but laugh beside him.
Kaito also gave a small smile and said,
"Just kidding. If we fight, it won't be here."
As he spoke, Kaito flickered out of sight and appeared beside Jiren.
Speed meant nothing to Kaito anymore—he moved almost entirely through teleportation.
...
Jiren blinked, feeling momentarily dazed. When he came to, he found himself in a completely unfamiliar space.
Seven-colored light filled the surroundings, dreamlike and surreal.
Kaito's figure slowly appeared not far from him. Smiling, he said,
"This is a world I created. You can call it the Dragon God Realm. I haven't developed it properly yet—think of it as an unfinished house. You can go all out here."
Jiren swallowed hard. Creating an entirely new world felt like something out of fantasy—it wasn't something sheer strength alone could accomplish.
But a chance like this was too rare. This was a Dragon God whose power could be compared to the Omni-King. Jiren was truly grateful that Kaito would grant him such an opportunity.
He shook his head vigorously, clearing away the messy thoughts. In front of Kaito, he would never have the foolish idea of "testing him first."
Jiren clenched both fists. With a low shout, a blazing red aura erupted from his body. The terrifying heat distorted the space around him—at this moment, he was like a walking miniature sun.
This was his strongest state. He had released every bit of energy in his body.
Kaito nodded and praised,
"Not a bad aura. With just this, you've indeed surpassed most Gods of Destruction in raw power. At the very least, Champa would have a hard time dealing with you without using the power of destruction."
Champa wasn't exactly weak among the Gods of Destruction—he was, after all, Beerus's brother. Beerus himself, probably none were stronger than him.
His potential definitely wasn't low—he was just more of a lazy homebody compared to Beerus, like a fat-cat shut-in.
Hearing Kaito's praise, Jiren couldn't help feeling a bit pleased. Though Belmod often praised his strength, Belmod was ultimately just an "ordinary" God of Destruction.
But this was a Dragon God who could suppress multiple universes with a wave of his hand. The difference in weight was astronomical.
Kaito truly did appreciate Jiren. Because of his presence, people like Goku in this universe had avoided many hardships, and thus their growth had slowed drastically.
Three universes belonged to Kaito, so Jiren and the others were essentially his people. If they were cards, Goku, his sons, and Jiren would absolutely be SSR tier. Vegeta was slightly behind.
But as things stood now, Jiren was unquestionably the face of Kaito's universes.
Jiren was ready. He said in a deep voice,
"Dragon God-sama, I'm coming!"
Kaito nodded. Out of respect, he lowered his folded arms and said,
"Come. Show me your strongest power."
Jiren didn't hesitate. He stomped down with one foot, and the shockwave swept away the surrounding rainbow-colored mist. He swung his powerful arm and punched at Kaito.
But Kaito merely extended one finger and effortlessly stopped the heavy, forceful punch.
Jiren was shocked, but his combat discipline was excellent—he didn't let his emotions affect him. He quickly pulled back and flash-stepped into the air.
He condensed a scarlet energy sphere—the power within was enough to turn a planet to ash in an instant.
And yet he threw dozens of them, raining red blasts toward Kaito like a storm.
Kaito waved casually, and a golden barrier appeared above him. The energy spheres landed upon it like raindrops into the sea—aside from a few ripples, nothing else happened.
Two consecutive attacks had been blocked with ease. Jiren now had a much clearer understanding of Kaito's power.
He couldn't help admitting that staying cooped up in Universe 11 had limited his perspective far too much. Today, he had finally witnessed the terrifying strength of a true cosmic supreme deity.
But even while thinking this, his hands didn't pause. He was determined to go all out, to see exactly how vast the gap was between him and this Dragon God-sama. That gap would become his goal moving forward.
He raised both hands high as an energy sphere formed, swelling larger and larger.
With a shout, Jiren hurled the massive energy sphere down toward Kaito.
"High-Energy Severance!"
Kaito slightly lifted his head, calmly watching the descending sphere. Then, with a flicker, he flew straight into it.
Before Jiren's shocked eyes, the energy sphere he had created with his full power shriveled like a balloon pierced by a needle, collapsing into countless red specks that were absorbed into Kaito's body.
Such pure energy was a great tonic to Kaito, so he didn't waste any of it.
As courtesy, Kaito spread his hands. A golden energy sphere floated between his palms.
Kaito smiled at Jiren and said softly,
"Marcarita suffered quite a bit from this technique. Now it's your turna!"
For Jiren, who hadn't gone into full eruption mode yet, taking this head-on was extremely difficult.
Jiren could feel the terror of Kaito. Though both were energy spheres, Kaito's technique was worlds apart from his own.
But there wasn't the slightest trace of fear in him. He gritted his teeth, crossed his arms before his chest, and prepared to take it head-on.