Chapter 23: CHAPTER 23
c23: Bet! Universe 6 VS Universe 7
"Luya? Who the hell is that?" Champa raised an eyebrow, clearly baffled. He hadn't expected that a Saiyan might have crossed into Universe 7 from his own Sixth Universe.
"That's impossible," Vados replied with a graceful smile. "If this Luya you're referring to is a Saiyan, he certainly isn't from Universe 6."
"Why?" Goku blinked, scratching his head in confusion.
"Because any time a being crosses between universes, especially breaking through the dimensional barrier," Beerus explained flatly, "the God of Destruction from the origin universe would immediately sense the disturbance. If he were from Universe 6, Champa would have known the moment he crossed over."
"So he's not from Universe 6…" Vegeta frowned. "Then is he from one of the other ten universes?"
"Unlikely," Whis interjected, arms behind his back. "Universe 6 and Universe 7 are twin universes, structurally similar. Only they share common evolutionary lines like the Saiyan race. The odds of another universe producing Saiyans is… astronomically low."
"Even the Grand Priest and the Omni-King's archives don't contain any data on a Saiyan named Luya," Beerus said, his gaze sharp now. "It's as if he was never meant to exist within our multiverse structure at all."
"Tch! What's the big deal?" Champa huffed, tapping the table with annoyance. "So what if he's a Saiyan? Are we here to talk about him or about food? Tell me, Beerus where did you get this incredible cuisine?!"
Beerus took a slow sip of his drink and said smugly, "It all came from a planet called Earth."
"Earth?!" Champa's eyes widened. "You're kidding, right? That tiny dirtball has this kind of food?"
"Of course," Beerus replied nonchalantly. "They have things like cup noodles, puddings, and instant ramen. All heavenly."
Champa turned to Vados. "Hey! Don't we also have an Earth in Universe 6?"
Vados nodded politely. "Indeed, we do. But it's been uninhabited for centuries. A massive conflict in the past caused the extinction of nearly all intelligent life. There are no humans… and no ramen shops."
"Tch…" Champa clenched his teeth. "So close… I could've had that food, too…"
The fact that Beerus had access to such gourmet delicacies while he was stuck with tasteless alien protein cubes made Champa seethe with envy. And he hated losing to his brother.
"Well, well, looks like you've got food envy now," Beerus teased, smirking. "Shouldn't you just admit defeat and go home?"
"Defeat?" Champa snapped back with a sneer. "You wish. In fact, I came here today with a proposal. Let's settle things with a proper contest—a bet!"
Beerus narrowed his eyes. "A bet? What kind of bet?"
Champa grinned widely. "I've gathered six of the Super Dragon Balls. You remember them, don't you? The original planet-sized Dragon Balls created by the Dragon God, Zalama. Each one the size of a star!"
Beerus's pupils dilated slightly. Those Dragon Balls could grant literally any wish, with no limit. Even gods were cautious about using them.
"So, what are the terms?" Beerus asked, his voice grave.
"It's simple," Champa said, lifting a finger. "We each select five warriors from our universes. A five-on-five tournament. If your team wins, I'll give you all six Super Dragon Balls I've collected."
"And if you win?" Beerus asked, already sensing something terrible.
"Then you hand over Earth!" Champa declared, triumphant. "That little blue planet full of food and chefs, I want it added to Universe 6!"
The room fell silent.
Goku and Vegeta's jaws dropped. Even Whis looked faintly intrigued.
"You want… Earth?" Beerus repeated, his tone darkening.
"What? Don't tell me you're afraid to lose, Beerus?" Champa mocked, enjoying himself. "Come on! Think of it as a sporting match between siblings!"
The tension in the air thickened.
Goku clenched his fists, excitement brimming in his eyes.
"A multiversal tournament?! That sounds amazing!"
Vegeta, on the other hand, had beads of sweat forming.
"If we lose… we lose Earth?"
Beerus stared hard at his brother, then slowly smirked.
"Fine. I accept your challenge, Champa. But when I win, don't whine like last time."
Champa scoffed. "Hmph! Start preparing your team, Beerus. The Universe 6 vs Universe 7 Tournament begins soon!"
Naturally, Champa's real goal was Earth's culinary treasures. If he won the tournament, he'd gain full access to the planet's delicacies, instant ramen, sushi, pudding and everything!
Beerus narrowed his eyes at Champa, seeing through his plan immediately. But before he could speak further—
"Then let's compete, Lord Beerus!!"
Beerus choked on his drink and whipped around.
"What did you just say?!"
Goku grinned with excitement. "Let's fight them in the tournament! We'll definitely win!"
"You fool…!" Beerus snapped, but before he could finish scolding him—
"Hah!" Champa burst out laughing. "This brat really thinks he can beat the best fighters from Universe 6? What a joke! He's got rocks in his head!"
Goku remained calm, even smiling. "I'm really curious about the warriors from your universe. I want to test myself against the strongest you've got!"
Beerus shot Goku a hard look. "If you lose, Earth is gone. Are you prepared to bear that responsibility?"
Goku didn't hesitate. "We won't lose! I'll train harder than ever before! And don't you want the Super Dragon Balls too, Lord Beerus?"
"Tch... stop pretending to understand what gods think," Beerus grumbled, rubbing his temple.
"Hehe…" Goku scratched his head sheepishly, still grinning.
"You're too soft in the head," Vegeta scoffed with arms crossed. "Thinking everything can be solved with brute force."
"What, Vegeta? You're not interested in fighting those Universe 6 guys?" Goku grinned.
Vegeta stiffened. "Hmph! Not really. I've got no interest in weaklings."
"Fine by me! I'll just take Gohan, Piccolo, and the others instead," Goku teased, turning his back.
"Hey, Kakarot! You're doing this on purpose!" Vegeta's face turned red with fury. "Don't think I'll let you take all the credit!"
Beerus watched the back-and-forth with a sly grin, then turned to Champa.
"Alright, Champa. I accept your challenge. We'll compete."
Champa snapped his fingers in victory.
"Excellent! You're going to regret it, Beerus. My warriors will wipe the floor with your so-called disciples!"
"Don't get cocky just yet," Beerus smirked. "You're in for a surprise."
Champa looked smug. "Fine. I'll even handle the logistics. I'll construct a neutral arena, the Nameless Planet between our two universes. When it's ready, I'll notify you. Bados, let's go!"
"Yes, Lord Champa," Bados said respectfully, as she and Champa vanished in a beam of angelic light.
———
Back at Capsule Corp, after the tension subsided, Beerus turned to Goku and Vegeta.
"You heard him. Universe 6 will be fighting Universe 7. Get serious, or we're losing Earth."
"Don't worry," Goku said confidently. "We've got strong warriors too! There's no way we'll lose."
"You're underestimating Universe 6," Whis interjected with a chuckle. "Among their fighters is someone exceptionally dangerous… even you two may struggle against him."
"Whoa… really?" Goku's eyes widened in excitement.
"Yes. He's known as Hit, the legendary assassin of Universe 6," Whis said with a sly smile. "He's been alive for over a thousand years and mastered a time-skip technique that lets him move 0.1 seconds ahead of his opponent."
"What?!" Vegeta looked stunned.
"That sounds insane… Kakarot, don't go hogging this guy!"
"No way! I'm calling dibs!" Goku shot back, his competitive spirit flaring.
"Tch! You always do this!" Vegeta growled. The two immediately began bickering again.
Whis let out a sigh. "Honestly… when will these two ever actually cooperate?"
Beerus shook his head, muttering to himself.
"As long as they win, I don't care if they argue all day."
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