Chapter 57

"I don't seem to be obliged to answer your question!"

Katakana frowned slightly as he looked at the clown-faced God of Destruction, Vermut.

Katakana had a fair understanding of the twelve Gods of Destruction in the Dragon Ball universe.

But the one in front of him, Vermut, with his clown appearance, really rubbed him the wrong way.

Especially during the Tournament of Power in the original timeline, that sinister, scheming smile of his had left a deep impression on Katakana.

And now, the arrogant and commanding tone Vermut had used with him only made Katakana even more uncomfortable.

"Hmm?!"

Hearing Katakana's response, Vermut narrowed his eyes. Combined with his clown-like face, the expression gave off a deeply sinister and cunning vibe.

"Boy, do you even know who you're talking to?"

Vermut sneered, baring his sausage-like lips in a malicious grin.

"Nope."

Katakana stared straight at the God of Destruction, and what he said next completely stunned Vermut.

Katakana wanted to see exactly what this clown of a God was planning. If he wanted to fight, Katakana was more than willing to oblige.

It would also be a good opportunity to test how his power stacked up against a God of Destruction.

He was even curious, what kind of face would Vermut make when he witnessed Ultra Instinct, a power even he couldn't master?

"You… don't know…?"

Vermut's face darkened. For a moment, he didn't know how to react. But after a brief silence, he gave a crooked smile.

"Since you don't know who I am, allow me to introduce myself."

"I am Vermut, the God of Destruction of Universe 11!"

"Now you know who you're speaking to."

As he finished speaking, Vermut released a portion of his divine power without reservation.

In an instant, a powerful divine aura swept out like a raging windstorm.

But even in the face of such overwhelming pressure, Katakana's expression remained utterly calm.

"Oh?"

"So, you're the God of Destruction from Universe 11. Well, if there's nothing else, I'll be on my way."

Katakana's tone was calm, far too calm.

It sounded almost deliberately mocking, full of scorn.

As if the mighty God of Destruction standing before him was no more significant than air.

"Damn…"

"This brat's attitude is even worse than Jiren's!"

Angel Marcarita suddenly covered her mouth and giggled.

Though Katakana's strength was certainly impressive, was it really smart to provoke Lord Vermut so blatantly?

But maybe this was a good thing. It might force Katakana to reveal that hidden power she'd sensed before!

Thinking of that, the smile on her face grew brighter.

"You little…!"

"Did I say you could leave?!"

"You Seventh Universe Mortals are all alike, just as arrogant as that Beerus! You're even more annoying than he is!"

Vermut's voice turned cold.

The moment he finished speaking, an immense divine aura exploded outward.

A crushing pressure slammed down toward Katakana like a tidal wave.

Under the full weight of a God of Destruction's aura, Katakana's body began to buckle.

But in the very next moment, he planted his legs into the ground and stood firm.

"You want to overwhelm me with pressure?"

"You're going to need more than that!"

"Haah!"

With a low growl, Katakana instantly transformed, his aura blazing with the energy of a Super Saiyan God Rosè Purple.

The moment his form changed, the overwhelming force Vermut was exerting vanished completely.

"Tch… You actually resisted my divine pressure…"

Just moments ago, Vermut had looked smug, thinking his pressure had Katakana cornered.

But after seeing Katakana's transformation and the complete negation of his power, Vermut's expression twisted in frustration.

That first clash had already turned into a total loss.

If he didn't put Katakana in his place now, it would be a disgrace to his title as a God of Destruction.

"You Gods of Destruction sure like to throw punches without talking, huh?"

"But the candidates you've been training… they're not that impressive."

Katakana locked eyes with Vermut, and his tone was filled with mockery.

The moment he said that, Vermut's face turned even uglier.

This bastard!

Wasn't that a direct insult to his strength?

"Lord Vermut, I think what he's trying to say… is that you're weak."

At that moment, Marcarita playfully added fuel to the fire from the side.

She also wanted to see the true power hidden within Katakana. Since even Jiren couldn't force it out, her only hope now rested on Lord Vermut.

Hopefully, he would rise to the challenge.