For a brief moment—
The awkward tension still hung in the air.
Neither Raziel nor Caulifla moved or spoke.
But then—
There was a shift.
The Saiyan Crowd Reacts – Turning to Champa
The Saiyan spectators slowly started to back away.
Not far.
Just slightly.
But the movement was clear.
And—
They were all looking at someone.
🔹 Champa.
The God of Destruction.
A Natural Reaction – Divine Authority in Play
It was a natural instinct.
Among Saiyans, pride and strength ruled.
But when a God of Destruction was present—
Even they knew where the true authority stood.
Their gazes were fixed on him.
Waiting.
Watching.
For any sign of his reaction.
But—
Champa remained silent.
His arms still crossed.
His expression unreadable.
Kale Intervenes – Concern for Caulifla
🔥 WHOOSH! 🔥
The silence was shattered as a green blur moved forward.
Kale.
She rushed straight toward Caulifla, her face full of concern.
Her eyes searched Caulifla for injuries.
Her aura flickered slightly—
A sign of her emotions running high.
But before she could say anything—
Caulifla raised a hand.
A gesture of reassurance.
Her tone was casual, confident.
Caulifla:"Relax, Kale. I'm fine."
Kale's brows furrowed slightly.
But she didn't look convinced.
Vados Gives the Signal – The Real Test Begins
Meanwhile—
Vados raised her hand slightly.
A soft, elegant motion.
And then—
She nodded.
It was a signal.
A sign that the first judge could proceed.
Then—
🔥 CRUNCH. 🔥
Heavy footsteps echoed.
A massive figure stepped forward.
🔹 Toppo.
Toppo Approaches – Frieza's Flashback to the Tournament of Power
As Toppo moved closer, his sheer size became apparent.
Even among Saiyans, he was massive.
And standing in front of Raziel—
The height difference was clear.
In that moment—
Frieza's golden eyes flickered.
A memory surfaced.
The Tournament of Power.
When Toppo had cast aside everything and embraced Destruction.
His power.
His unshakable will.
And—
His near-victory against Frieza himself.
Frieza's smirk curled slightly.
"Oh ho ho… this brings back memories."
But his expression remained composed.
He knew what was happening.
This was not a simple fight.
This was a judgment.
And Raziel—
Was being evaluated.
Toppo Stands Before Raziel – The First Judge Speaks
Toppo stopped.
His shadow loomed over Raziel.
His stance solid.
His presence commanding.
He studied Raziel.
His gaze sharp.
Then—
His deep, thunderous voice broke the silence.
🔥 Toppo:"Hmph. So you're the one we're here to judge."
His arms crossed over his massive chest.
His eyes bore into Raziel's.
🔥 Toppo:"You've got power. No denying that."
His voice was calm, but heavy.
🔥 Toppo:"But raw power means nothing without discipline."
A pause.
Then—
🔥 Toppo:"Tell me…what do you fight for?Is it strength? Survival? Or something else entirely?"
His gaze didn't waver.
He was waiting.
Watching.
And Raziel—
Would have to answer.
A heavy silence filled the air.
Toppo's gaze remained firm.
Unwavering.
Towering over Raziel like an immovable wall.
But Raziel—
He did not flinch.
He did not step back.
He did not break eye contact.
Instead—
He stood perfectly still.
His expression?
Dead serious.
And then—
He spoke.
Raziel's Answer – A Single Word
Raziel:"…Determination."
His voice was low.
Yet resolute.
No hesitation.
No doubt.
Just pure certainty.
Toppo's Reaction – Measuring the Weight of That Word
🔥 CRACK. 🔥
Toppo's fingers twitched slightly.
His brows furrowed.
For a moment—
His expression remained unreadable.
Then—
His eyes narrowed.
🔥 Toppo:"Determination, huh?"
A pause.
Then—
🔥 Toppo:"I've heard those words before."
His voice was deep, thoughtful.
🔥 Toppo:"Many warriors have said the same thing."
"Some fought for justice."
"Some fought for revenge."
"Some… fought for nothing at all."
His gaze locked onto Raziel's once more.
🔥 Toppo:"But 'determination'… means nothing on its own."
A pause.
Then—
🔥 Toppo:"What are you determined for?"
The Pressure Builds – Eyes Are Watching
Around them—
The tension grew.
The Saiyan crowd watched closely.
Champa's arms remained crossed, but his ears twitched slightly.
Vados observed quietly, intrigued.
Jiren's gaze didn't leave Raziel.
Even Frieza—smirking slightly—was listening carefully.
This wasn't just a conversation.
This was a test.
A moment that could define everything.
And Toppo?
He was waiting.
The air grew heavier.
The silence stretched.
Raziel's eyes darkened slightly.
A subtle shift in his expression—
One that spoke of pure disdain.
He didn't like Toppo.
That much was clear.
And then—
It happened.
A Flicker in Reality – Raziel Moves Without Warning
🔥 Flicker. 🔥
For a single instant—
Everything turned black.
And then—
🔥 Flicker. 🔥
Reality snapped back into place.
But now—
Something was wrong.
Something was different.
Because in that instant—
Raziel had moved.
And no one had seen it happen.
Not Frieza.
Not Jiren.
Not even Vados.
And now—
Raziel was holding Toppo.
A Position of Lethal Control
His left hand gripped the back of Toppo's neck.
Firm.
Unshakable.
His right hand—
Holding a red, glowing knife.
Its edge resting dangerously close to Toppo's throat.
The once unstoppable warrior of Universe 11—
Was now caught.
Held in a moment of complete vulnerability.
And everyone saw it.
Frieza's Confusion – An Impossible Feat?
Frieza's golden eyes narrowed sharply.
His tail twitched slightly.
For someone without ki before, it made sense Raziel was undetectable.
But now?
Raziel had ki.
He was radiating power.
So how…?
How had he moved without anyone noticing?
Even Frieza—**a master of sudden movements—**couldn't understand it.
And that unsettled him.
Just slightly.
Raziel's Words – A Chilling Warning
Raziel's breath was steady.
His grip unwavering.
His voice?
Low.
Cold.
Unshaken.
🔹 Raziel:"…Don't ask what you most probably should not know."
A pause.
His grip tightened slightly.
🔹 Raziel:"Once you know the answer… there is no going back."
His red-lined eyes burned into Toppo.
And then—
🔥 Flicker. 🔥
Darkness.
🔥 Flicker. 🔥
And everything was back to normal.
Reality Restored – But a Mark Was Left
Raziel was standing in his original position.
Unmoved.
Unchanged.
As if he had never moved at all.
And yet—
Toppo remembered.
He had felt it.
The power.
The intent.
The absolute control Raziel had in that moment.
And for the first time in a long time…
A chill ran down Toppo's spine.
Toppo's Reaction – A Silent Step Back
Toppo's expression didn't change.
He didn't show fear.
Didn't show weakness.
But—
He stepped back.
Not much.
Just enough.
Enough to put himself beside Jiren.
His stance was still strong.
But those who looked closely could see it.
A subtle shift in his posture.
A silent acknowledgment.
He had been caught.
And if Raziel had wanted to end him—
He could have.
Jiren's Eyes Narrow – A New Threat Identified
Jiren's gaze didn't waver.
He had seen everything.
And now—
His attention was locked onto Raziel.
A silent acknowledgment.
A calculation.
Raziel…
Was not just another fighter.