Spectators in the stands engaged in animated discussion, comprehending Time-Skip's mysterious nature—but Gohan, standing in the arena itself, remained completely unaware of Hit's technique, utterly lost regarding what had occurred.
He rose from the ground, focusing intently on Hit's form, attacking again to test his theory.
Gohan refused to believe his speed was so vastly inferior that he couldn't even perceive Hit's strikes. Impossible! This time, I must—
CRACK!
The disbelieving warrior was knocked down again. Hit struck a vital point—this time deploying a cun jin strike to the throat, nearly making Gohan vomit on the spot from sheer impact trauma.
Yet Gohan still couldn't perceive Hit's action sequence.
His composure wavered dangerously.
"Transform." An indifferent voice suddenly cut through his confusion. Looking up, Gohan met Hit's eyes staring directly at him. "If you don't assume that red state, this battle holds no meaning whatsoever."
"Super Saiyan God? I suppose that's my only option." Gohan wiped sweat from his brow, the pain in his throat making speech difficult.
Hit wasn't merely extraordinarily fast—his strikes carried devastating force. To abide by the rule prohibiting killing opponents, he must be deliberately measuring power output. Otherwise that previous throat strike would have genuinely killed Gohan outright.
Whatever the reasoning, transformation had become mandatory.
Gohan shouted silently as his hair shifted to crimson. Sacred energy enveloped his body, shining like refracted rainbow light. This represented a level higher than even his Mystic realm—the Super Saiyan God state where external aura faded, leaving only divine energy and majesty filling his being.
WHOOSH!
Gohan completed transformation and flew directly forward. In Super Saiyan God state, his velocity increased dramatically, reactions growing more agile.
Perhaps this time—
BANG BANG BANG!
The situation remained unchanged. Gohan witnessed his fist stopping mere inches from Hit's face—unable to breach that final distance. Instead, he received devastating counter-blows from Hit.
Three crushing impacts to heart, waist, and forehead sent him flying again, crashing heavily to the ground.
After delivering that combination, Hit casually returned his hands to his pockets—so rapidly people barely perceived the motion.
Deadly silence dominated the audience. Even after learning Time-Skip's existence, everyone in Universe 7 remained shocked by the bizarre spectacle unfolding. Gohan has achieved Super Saiyan God, yet still can't land a single blow on Hit! How vast is this gap?!
"Impossible! Goku, Gohan became a Super Saiyan God, right?" Krillin couldn't process what he was witnessing.
"Yeah, Gohan, he..." Goku's voice trailed with concern.
Goku observed the battle with absolute seriousness. Though he couldn't perceive Hit's movements either, he could determine this assassin hadn't deployed full strength. Meanwhile Gohan had utilized every capability of Super Saiyan God—yet still couldn't connect even once.
CRACK! BOOM! CRASH!
A rapid sequence echoed across the arena. Gohan rushed forward at maximum velocity, then rocketed backward with equal speed, impacting the ground with muffled thunder. They weren't exchanging devastating energy blasts—simply fighting with pure technique that reflected genuine combat ability.
Regardless of attack angle creativity or velocity magnitude, Hit countered using singular methods—battering Gohan until his body bore comprehensive bruising.
Super Saiyan God's regenerative properties worked to heal Gohan continuously, but the gap had been thoroughly demonstrated. Continuing this pattern inevitably meant defeat.
"Hah... hah hah..." Gohan gritted his teeth, expression grave, insisting on continuing despite overwhelming odds.
"Surrender." Hit spoke suddenly with clinical detachment. "I've thoroughly assessed your capabilities. Further struggle proves unnecessary. If you charge forward again, my next move will knock you from the stage. To conserve energy, I advise conceding defeat."
Such arrogant pronouncement—yet he possessed the capital to back those words completely.
"Gohan, keep fighting!" Goku encouraged from the stands with passionate intensity.
"Brother! Don't lose to him!" Goten added his support.
Everyone could perceive the impossible gap, yet they continued supporting him with such fervor. What justification exists for surrender? In the Saiyan dictionary, no such word existed! Gohan's breathing intensified as he laughed despite pain. "I apologize, Hit. I'm fighting until the absolute end."
"Then I'll simply knock you down."
Gohan shouted with focused intensity—whether expressing pain or sorrow, all emotions transformed into surging energy. He erupted with powerful brilliance, floating flames undulating around his form like living fire.
Burning fighting spirit! Burning Saiyan pride!
Gohan at this moment resembled that fearless boy who'd stood before Cell years ago, shining with identical defiant radiance.
He surged forward, materializing behind Hit instantly, chopping downward with palm-edge strike. The explosive velocity proved fast enough to generate slight surprise from Hit himself.
Yet speed couldn't compete with temporal manipulation ultimately. When Hit activated Time-Skip, he jumped through 0.1 seconds, withdrawing his fist from his pocket and punching vertically toward where Gohan would be—
But something's wrong!
Halfway through Hit's counter, he detected Gohan had moved during the skipped time! During that 0.1-second interval, Gohan had anticipated and relocated. The rear attack was merely a feint—in reality, he'd leaped forward to strike Hit's chest directly.
Not good!
For the first time, Hit experienced genuine concern. Both hands emerged from his pockets as only 0.05 seconds remained for evasive action. During this infinitesimal window, he also exploded with maximum personal velocity.
CRACK!
Time-Skip concluded. Gohan flew backward, crashing into the arena floor.
The outcome remained identical—yet observers noticed Hit's exposed hands maintaining defensive posture. He no longer projected absolute calm. Moments ago, if Hit had blocked Gohan's assault with only one hand, another scar would currently mark his chest.
Has Time-Skip been... penetrated?
Hit shook his head internally. No, Gohan didn't truly comprehend Time-Skip's fundamental mechanics. He simply surpassed the temporal interval at that final moment, briefly threatening me.
Saiyans represent formidable opponents.
Hit couldn't help glancing toward Raditz, recalling their battle from years past. The memory still carried lingering aftertaste in his consciousness. He returned his hands to their pocketed position, resuming that iceberg-like demeanor.
"Universe 7's Son Gohan—RING OUT!" The host announced results with dazed bewilderment.
This battle had proven so thrilling that confusion felt like actual immersion in combat itself.
"Well done, Hit!" In Universe 6's section, Champa finally relaxed, bellowing freely with tremendous relief. Previous matches had been so humiliating he couldn't even voice support comfortably. This time, Hit had genuinely salvaged Universe 6's dignity.
Gohan was carried back to the stands, dejected and exhausted from failure. "I apologize, Lord Beerus. I lost."
"Ah... it's nothing. Your performance was already commendable." Beerus didn't curse or berate—instead offering genuine comfort. Even he could recognize Gohan had given everything, reaching his absolute limits.
"We'll leave this to Son Goku and the others now."
"Lord Beerus, I'll give it everything!" Goku's spirit ignited with competitive fire, barely containing eagerness to enter combat.