"What are you doing?"
Goku was startled as his body instinctively triggered the mastered Ultra Instinct. Silver flames flickered around him.
However, what happened next shocked everyone.
Goku, who should have automatically dodged the attack, failed to avoid Cooler's fist.
Bang!
Goku was blown away like a cannonball, rolling on the ground several times before struggling to get up. He crouched down, clutching his abdomen, and coughed up blood.
"You... ahem~" Goku looked at Cooler, incredulous.
He had been caught off guard. Cooler had been smiling one second, and then, in the next, he launched a sudden attack.
But even with the surprise, Goku was in his Mastered Ultra Instinct form. There was no reason he should have been struck so easily, let alone sent flying by a single punch from Cooler.
How can this be?
What's more, Cooler hadn't even transformed into his Golden Form.
Cooler glanced at Goku and smirked, "It seems I've become far stronger. Goku, you've grown weaker compared to me."
That strong confidence reminded Cooler of the time when he first came to Earth. Back then, in his Golden Form, he could have killed Goku with a single punch—although at that time, Goku was only able to become Super Saiyan 3.
Now, though they had all reached the realm of gods, Cooler had just proven he could still overpower Goku with one blow, making him cough up blood.
Everything is back to the way it was.
But Cooler's real target wasn't Goku—it was Gohan. This hateful Saiyan had humiliated him countless times before.
Today, I'll finally have my revenge.
Cooler was already imagining Gohan lying crushed beneath his feet.
"Kakarot, what are you doing? Is this some kind of joke?" Vegeta's face flashed with confusion before he scolded Goku.
"Cooler, why did you suddenly attack? Aren't we all allies now?" Trunks stepped forward to stand beside Vegeta, instantly transforming into his Super Saiyan 4 God form.
Goku: ...
He took a deep breath, barely managing to suppress the pain in his abdomen, and stood up. The silver flames around him burned brighter, and his silver hair swayed in the wind.
Cooler sneered, "Allies? I've never been anyone's ally."
"The only reason I agreed to join the Tournament of Power was for the reward of resurrection. Don't get it twisted. Now, move aside, fools. My target today is Gohan. If you're smart, you'll stay out of this. But if you're asking for a beating, I'll be more than happy to loosen your bones."
Gohan: ...
Is this guy really still holding a grudge?
It's been years, and he's still stewing over it.
Vegeta laughed angrily at Cooler's arrogance. "You sure have a big mouth. Let's see if you can back it up. I'd love to know how you plan to 'loosen my bones.'"
As he spoke, deep purple flames ignited around Vegeta, and he instantly activated his Ultra Ego form.
"Really?" Cooler grinned, revealing his sharp, white teeth.
He clenched his fists, and purple-black flames erupted from his body.
Boom!
A massive surge of black Ki enveloped him.
In an instant, Cooler's entire appearance changed. His body gleamed with black and gold light. His skin, once white and purple, now shimmered with dazzling silver and black.
The sheer pressure he emitted was overwhelming, and even Beerus frowned, shaken by it.
"What... what is this?" Everyone stood in stunned silence.
Before they could react, Cooler flashed through the air and appeared in front of Vegeta and Trunks. His muscles bulged, and he punched with both fists.
Vegeta and Trunks didn't even have time to respond. A sharp pain shot through their abdomens, and a loud bang echoed in their ears.
Father and son were sent flying, their faces twisted in pain, and their transformations faded as they returned to their base forms. They crashed into the ground, raising clouds of dust, struggling but unable to get back on their feet.
One punch!
Cooler had incapacitated Vegeta and Trunks with a single blow, leaving them unable to continue fighting.
"This..."
"Vegeta! Trunks!" Goku shouted and charged at Cooler once more.
But just like before, after two punches from Cooler, Goku was forced out of his Ultra Instinct form and collapsed, unable to fight.
"Ugh!"
Gohan stood there, unsure of what to make of the situation. He calmly walked over to Goku, casting a healing spell that instantly restored him.
Vegeta and Trunks were also given Senzu Beans and recovered quickly.
But when they looked at Cooler, their eyes were filled with shock.
Cooler was even more terrifying than Gas. They hadn't even stood a chance against him.
Outrageous!
Gohan turned to Cooler and said, "Did you get your body dyed? Where did you go for that?"
Dyed?
Cooler's expression twitched, and he glared at Gohan. "I spent ten years training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber to achieve this transformation. How does it feel? Are you scared?"
"Hahaha, it's dark, but it doesn't seem all that special," Gohan replied, putting his hands on his hips with a grin.
"Hmph, we'll see who's laughing soon. The humiliation you caused me will be repaid a hundredfold today," Cooler sneered.
"Gohan, don't try to run. Fight me in a duel!!!"
"I never said I was running. Let's do this," Gohan said nonchalantly, his tone irritating Cooler even more.
It felt like punching cotton—no effect at all.
"Fine. Let's do this," Cooler gritted his teeth, his patience running thin.
With the duel set, everyone stepped back instinctively, ready to watch the battle.
After witnessing Cooler's performance, they were genuinely concerned about Gohan's chances.
Goku, still a bit worried, said, "I don't know if Gohan can win. Cooler's gotten so strong."
"He'll win," Krillin said confidently. "Gohan hasn't lost a fight since the Androids."
"Yes, I believe Gohan can win," Yamcha agreed.
"Gohan never fights a battle he's uncertain about. He knows what he's doing," Vegeta added, giving a rare compliment.
This caught the attention of the others.
"Brother Gohan, beat that guy!" Trunks shouted, clenching his fist in encouragement.
"Heh, things are getting interesting. I want to see how strong Gohan has become," Beerus said, his eyes fixed on Gohan as he prepared for the fight.
...
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[Fanfic is in Hiatus on P@treon and already reach the latest Raw Chapter, the Last Chapter is chapter 260 and you can read up to it and many more on p@treon.com/goldengaruda]
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