Chapter 96: The Controlled Jiren, So-Called Justice
"Exactly, do we really have to keep sacrificing ourselves?"
"They only want Jiren. If we hand him over, maybe they'll spare us!"
Jiren gritted his teeth and looked at the small version of himself in Gicchin's arms. "Master, just hand me over!"
"I can ignore them!" Jiren pointed at the villagers below. "But at least, you can survive!"
If his younger self hadn't burdened him, perhaps his master could have lived for tens of thousands of years more.
"You..." Gicchin looked at Jiren, whose furious expression had become somewhat twisted, and then at the small Jiren in his arms.
His tone was filled with exhaustion. "Jiren, you have disappointed me too much... Aren't we supposed to be on the side of justice?"
"Justice...?" Jiren turned his gaze to the sky, where the terrifying monsters hovered, feared by all.
"I'm quite interested in having a fight with monsters like them!" Lin Qi's lips curled into a smile, clearly excited by the unexpected turn of events.
Demons...
Not even angels could resurrect those killed by demons! The only hope would be the Super Dragon Balls.
Testing the waters, Lin Qi shot a ki blast toward the two dark shadows in midair.
"Boom!"
The two dark shadows didn't move, taking Lin Qi's attack head-on. As the smoke cleared, both stood intact in midair.
"My lord, it's them! They've repeatedly interfered with our capture plans!" shouted the man in the black robe, hiding not far away.
"Oh... how amusing!" The leading dark figure revealed his fangs and turned to gesture at the other shadow behind him.
"Understood!" The shadow in the back responded respectfully, a black staff appearing in his hand. A dark magic orb formed and aimed at Jiren below.
"This one's emotional fluctuations are quite rich, my lord..."
"Then let it be him!" The leader nodded, his playful gaze fixed on Jiren, who was still roaring in anger below.
"Master, why do you care about them?" Jiren looked at Gicchin and shouted unwillingly.
"Strength is all that matters. Strength is justice!"
"Ahhh!"
At that moment, the dark magic orb emitted a strange black mist, rushing toward Jiren on the platform.
The black mist enveloped Jiren, and his heart-wrenching screams echoed.
His gaze turned murderous, his aura grew colder, and he let out a sinister smile. "In the end, am I still not strong enough?"
"What did you do to him?" Gicchin stared at the drastically changed Jiren, nearly losing his mind.
He had barely managed to save the younger one, only for the older one to succumb. This was utterly maddening!
"Heh heh heh... Watching your infighting is quite entertaining!" The leading dark figure stroked his chin.
"Now, let the show begin!"
"Move, boy tainted by the demon mist!" The shadow with the staff waved it dramatically.
"Punish them... in pursuit of the justice that comes with strength!" Jiren charged at Gicchin.
As he ran, the black mist around him thickened, his power increasing rapidly.
By the time he reached Gicchin, Jiren's combat power was comparable to the fully-powered Super Saiyan 4 form.
"What is even going on..." Lin Qi moved as well, but instead of focusing on the controlled Jiren, he flew into the air.
"Hiding behind the mist to watch the show? Let me see who you really are!"
Lin Qi faced off against the two monsters, the cold wind making his clothes flutter.
"Oh... You think you alone can fight me?" Under the dark cloak, the man wearing a mask let out a mocking laugh.
"...You don't seem to be from this universe! How did you get here?"
"Better leave quietly. You're no match for me anyway!"
"Hah!" With a low shout, Lin Qi's body ignited with white energy flames. His hair turned silver as he entered Ultra Instinct.
"Is that so... Then let me show you whether I'm your match or not!"
With a step forward, Lin Qi rushed toward the masked man, throwing a punch at the concealed face.
The masked man hurriedly crossed his arms in front of him, blocking Lin Qi's strike.
"What kind of transformation is that? Could there be another new warrior race?" Gicchin, shocked, turned his gaze to the battle in the sky.
He had already placed the small Jiren by a rock and refocused on fighting the older Jiren.
"Master... Justice only needs strength! There's no need for companions..." Jiren smiled eerily, his tone icy as he glared at Gicchin.
Gicchin's expression turned grim as he raised his hand to block Jiren's punch. "Jiren... No, you are not Jiren!"
There was no way he could have trained such a disciple!
"Snap out of it, Jiren!"
In midair, Lin Qi caught a glimpse of Gicchin and Jiren's battle from the corner of his eye. He clicked his tongue... That person clearly wasn't Jiren.
Jiren was never this expressive—always stoic and emotionless. That was the real Jiren!
"Are you looking at the controlled one?" The masked man spoke playfully again.
"We didn't control him, you know. We merely triggered some emotions and amplified them until they became like this!" The masked man chuckled mischievously.
"Tell me... do you have such emotions as well?"
Lin Qi retracted his gaze, letting out a cold snort as he swung his fist at the monster. "Hmph! Enough talk—fight!"
"Heh heh... Whoever fights me will meet the same fate!" The cloaked man seemed excited, raising his palm to block Lin Qi's punch.
"What kind of transformation is that?" The villagers below began another round of shouting.
"Who is he? Never seen him before... He's not one of us!"
"He looks incredibly strong..."
Facing Lin Qi's powerful strike, the robed man's expression turned cautious. "Indeed, your strength is remarkable!"
"I can make you my subordinate. Your power is impressive!" The robed man attempted to recruit him. "Join me..."
"Cut the nonsense! Who do you think you are? Someone who can command me?" Lin Qi retorted and charged at the robed man again.
On the ground below, Gicchin and Jiren continued their fight. Jiren seemed no match for Gicchin and was soon punched away.
Struggling to his feet, Jiren touched his numb cheek. "As expected of my master!"
"Wake up already!" Gicchin roared, gritting his teeth. He could hardly believe what Jiren had become.
What had happened to the justice, love for peace, and camaraderie he had painstakingly instilled in him?
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