At this time, on the other side of the battlefield,
Jiren had fully unleashed the power within his body.
His strength had clearly surpassed his previous level.
Driven by an unwillingness to accept defeat, Jiren had broken through his limits under the pressure he faced.
And yet,
Katakana felt no pressure at all.
Instead, he simply smiled faintly.
Staring at Jiren, now engulfed in crimson flames, Su Han said flatly:
"Is that all your strength, Jiren?"
"Yes."
"This is everything I've got."
Jiren nodded slowly.
The arrogance and coldness he had before were now gone from his face.
Because now, He had come to recognize Katakana's strength.
This battle had stirred something within Jiren
Not fear, but excitement.
Even though Katakana's overwhelming power had cornered him, Jiren was thrilled to be pushed this far.
It had sparked growth in him as well.
"Then come."
Katakana grinned.
"Let me see the true extent of Your strength"
"Don't get cocky"
Jiren growled, And with a flash, he lunged at Katakana.
He no longer held back, He launched a full-powered punch with all his might!
But Katakana just smiled, And met the attack head-on with his own punch.
"BOOM!"
In the instant their fists collided, The entire sky fell silent.
Then, the space beneath them began to distort and crack.
Without the barrier Makarita had placed around the battlefield, the whole universe might have trembled under that impact.
"W-What…?! This can't be real!"
Jiren's eyes widened.
He could hardly believe what he was feeling.
That punch,It was just like before.
Katakana had taken it head-on, without even flinching.
And worse, He could tell Katakana hadn't even used his full power.
Shock completely overtook Jiren.
He had poured everything into that strike.
He had used all of his might.
But the other guy? He still looked like it was just a warm-up.
"Damn it…"
Jiren's fists trembled.
Wasn't this the look I had when I faced weaklings?
Have our roles completely reversed now…?
"No… this is wrong!"
"His strength wasn't this high before!"
"How could he suddenly surpass me?!"
Jiren let out a low growl, and then charged forward with both fists swinging furiously.
Even though Jiren's fists were moving faster than ever, Every blow infused with the crimson dragon-like energy,
It still didn't matter.
Katakana blocked each attack effortlessly.
He didn't even flinch.
"Impossible… IMPOSSIBLE!"
Jiren kept attacking, his movements growing more desperate.
But it was clear, He was losing steam.
His attacks slowed, his breathing grew heavier.
"This battle no longer has meaning."
Even without using the full extent of his New Energy, Katakana could already suppress Jiren easily.
If he unleashed everything, Jiren wouldn't stand a chance.
"The battle… has no meaning?"
Jiren's eyes widened.
His expression turned grim.
"No… I can't lose."
"I haven't found the one who killed my parents yet,
"I can't fall here!"
"I WON'T LOSE!"
"Strength is justice!"
"Strength is absolute!"
"If I can't win, then all of it… becomes meaningless."
"Just like when my people were slaughtered,"
"I won't let that happen again!"
Jiren's eyes blazed with fire.
"AAAHHHHH!!!"
A terrifying aura exploded from his body.
Crimson energy surged outward like raging dragons, pulverizing everything it touched into dust.
And when his roar faded, Jiren's entire body looked different.
His muscles were bulkier,
his skin had turned reddish, and his power was off the charts.
"What… Jiren's potential… it exploded?!"
God of Destruction Vermut was stunned.
Then his face broke into a wide, twisted grin.
"HAHAHAHA!"
"He did it!"
"He unlocked his hidden potential!"
"Makarita, did you see that?!"
"I might just let Katakana live after all,"
"He actually helped Jiren awaken!"
Vermut's entire body trembled with excitement.
He could sense it, Jiren's power now might even rival his own.
"Indeed, Lord Vermut," Makarita said with a calm smile.
"It appears that the trauma of being cornered triggered the awakening."
"It's a pleasant surprise."
But even though Jiren's power had skyrocketed, Makarita couldn't shake the feeling:
Katakana … might still win.
"If I can't even defeat one Mortal,"
"Then how could I ever avenge my family?"
"I will never lose!"
"AAAHHHHHHH!"
Jiren roared again, Crimson energy surged higher, forming a defensive layer around his body.
"Come, then… Jiren!"
Katakana's eyes sparkled with interest.
He hadn't expected Jiren to awaken this power under such pressure.
But this only made things more exciting.
Now… He could finally unleash the full might of His attacks.