CHAPTER 19

"What? A form beyond the fourth level of Super Saiyan?"

The Old Supreme Kai (Rō Kaiōshin) was clearly stunned. He hadn't expected that a Saiyan could have possibly reached such a state of power, let alone already be seeking a transformation that surpassed Super Saiyan 4, a form he himself had only seen recorded vaguely in fragmented Kaiōshin-era scrolls from the time before the sealing of Majin Buu.

If Linze could really attain a form beyond Super Saiyan 4 something far above even the primal and divine evolution of Saiyan power, it was conceivable that not even a slumbering Beerus-sama, the God of Destruction, would be his match. That kind of potential... it was bordering on godhood.

But even he, the venerable Supreme Kai from over 15 generations past, didn't know the exact nature of the form that came after Super Saiyan 4. As for Super Saiyan 4 itself, he had only seen mentions of it in texts hidden deep within the Sacred World of the Kais. He still wasn't certain whether the form was merely a lost legend or an actual transformation achieved by the Saiyans of ancient times.

"Yes," Linze said firmly. "You, the old Supreme Kai, know a great deal. So surely you must know how to reach it, right? The next evolution?"

Seeing the shock written all over the old Supreme Kai's face, Linze was convinced he was onto something. The old man knew something he had to.

"I'm really sorry," the old Supreme Kai said, folding his hands behind his back, voice tinged with guilt. "I truly don't know how to attain a form beyond Super Saiyan 4. In fact, even Super Saiyan 4 itself, I only learned of it from surviving records of the Tuffle Wars and the lost Planet Plant histories."

"So it's not that I don't want to help you," he sighed, "but that I genuinely can't."

Linze's brow furrowed. "You don't know? How is that even possible?"

After all, in Dragon Ball AF—a known extrapolation of the original manga, it was the old Supreme Kai who helped Goku access Super Saiyan 5, or at least a divine variant beyond the mortal limit.

"Or... are you just refusing to tell me?"

Linze's eyes turned cold as frost. He wasn't going to be misled. He studied the old Kai's expression carefully, trying to determine whether he was hiding something.

Nearby, Kibito, Shin (the current Supreme Kai), and Attendant No. 18 were all speechless, stunned by the entire exchange.

They didn't understand what Linze was even referring to Super Saiyan 4? Super Saiyan 5? Those were transformations that existed beyond even the God Realm's known battle evolution.

"Truly not," the old Supreme Kai repeated, more solemn this time. "I don't know anything beyond the base concept of Super Saiyan 4. I've come across references to Super Saiyan God and the Saiyan of Legend, yes... even whispers of a Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan what they now call Super Saiyan Blue but beyond that, the scrolls go silent."

The old Supreme Kai sighed once again. "As for a fifth level or something even greater… I've never encountered it in the divine records."

"You're the wise and ancient Supreme Kai," Linze snapped. "Surely you know that someone like me given my current strength could eliminate the three of you without lifting more than a finger."

There was a sharp edge in his voice now, one not even a god could ignore.

The old Supreme Kai froze. This one wasn't bluffing.

This man this mysterious Saiyan had no formal identity in the multiverse's known lineage, and yet, the pressure he exuded was on par with beings from the Destroyer class.

He could very well be a kind of unrecorded anomaly, a rogue divine-tier being beyond mortal limits. No doubt, his presence alone could alert Whis or even Zeno-sama, if it reached the wrong thresholds.

Witnessing this sudden shift in atmosphere, Kibito and the present Supreme Kai—Shin began to panic.

This human… was seriously threatening to kill them?

And terrifyingly... he had the ability to do so.

None of them not even gods had foreseen that one day they'd be backed into a corner by a mortal Saiyan who may have transcended even Super Saiyan Blue or Ultra Instinct.

The Old Supreme Kai furrowed his brow deeply, then raised his head and looked at Linze with rare seriousness.

"I told you I don't know. Whether you kill us or not, my answer doesn't change."

"It seems this old guy really doesn't know anything…"

Linze narrowed his eyes, silently observing the Supreme Kai's steady demeanor. His expression showed no deceit.

Still, Linze hadn't pinned all his hopes on this path anyway. Now that the Old Supreme Kai had confirmed his ignorance, Linze could only pursue another method.

"Come on, 18, we're leaving," Linze said calmly, his voice returning to its usual composed tone. He reached out to his companion.

"But… didn't you just say you were going to kill them?" No. 18 asked, blinking in confusion.

"I just scared them."

Linze smirked faintly, then touched 18's shoulder and with a surge of energy, they vanished from the Sacred World of the Kais using Instant Transmission.

"Phew…"

The moment Linze and 18 disappeared, Kibito and Supreme Kai Shin (Asin) slumped to the ground, drenched in cold sweat. Their bodies still trembled from the lingering pressure Linze had released.

For a moment, they had genuinely believed death was certain.

"He almost killed us…!"

The old Supreme Kai glanced at the two with mild disgust. "Spineless fools."

Hearing the words of the Old Supreme Kai, both Kibito and Shin flushed in shame. They were supposed to be gods the Creation Gods of Universe 7 and they'd been paralyzed by fear.

Their ancient ancestor, despite his frail appearance, had faced down a near-godlike Saiyan without flinching. They couldn't even stand tall.

"Ancestor… weren't you afraid that Linze might actually kill us?" Shin asked, his voice still a little shaky.

"If we Supreme Kais die, the balance of life crumbles. Universe 7 would begin its descent toward collapse…"

He admired the Old Supreme Kai's composure resolute, unwavering. It was as though Linze's threat hadn't fazed him in the slightest.

The Old Supreme Kai turned and replied with a hint of wisdom in his voice.

"That guy… he's not evil. There's no malice in his ki. That's why I believed he wouldn't kill us."

Of course, the more practical reason was that he genuinely didn't know the answer to Linze's question, even if he wanted to help.

"You could feel that?" Kibito looked at him with awe. To him, the Old Supreme Kai was a living legend his idol.

"Enough chatter," the Old Supreme Kai barked. "Stop gawking and give me a hand. I've been standing far too long my legs are numb!"

Kibito and Shin both stiffened.

"Uh…"

Black lines metaphorically slid down their foreheads in exasperation. Was that really the only reason he stood still the whole time? Not calm courage but leg cramps?

Still, they rushed over to help.

---

Meanwhile, Linze and No. 18 had already left Universe 7.

Their Instant Transmission had brought them across multiversal space—to Universe 11.

Before leaving, Linze had hesitated. Should he seek his next breakthrough in Universe 6, where Saiyans like Cabba, Caulifla, and Kale reside? Or Universe 11, home to the elite Pride Troopers?

In the end, his decision was clear.

Universe 11 was home to Jiren, the strongest known mortal across all the universes—one whose power was said to rival that of a God of Destruction.

If he could battle Jiren directly, perhaps he could push himself past his limits.

Even if he didn't break through to the next transformation… Linze was sure of one thing, His strength would leap forward by facing a warrior like that head-on.

...