Chapter 78 : No.1!

In the Dragon Ball world, Son Goku gazed at the seven Dragon Balls on the final screen, his thoughts taking a turn he couldn't quite grasp.

Despite his previous self being far from mighty, even considered weak by some, a desire stirred within him. He yearned to return to that simple hut in the deep forest, to relive his carefree childhood, a time when life's complexities didn't burden his mind.

Master Roshi, the perverted hermit; Krillin, the clever and fun-loving Kame-sennin's student; Bulma, a whirlwind of energy; and Chi-Chi, the timid girl whose presence moved him.

There was also the delightful Yajirobe, the shape-shifting Oolong, the martial artist Tien Shinhan, and the delicious dumplings he cherished.

And countless other friends and memories.

Goku let out a sigh. Time truly sped by.

Meanwhile, on the spaceship, Vegeta waited in silence. Though he loathed to admit it, Kakarot had indeed surpassed him. He couldn't help but wonder what the viewers would say.

Simultaneously, across countless worlds, people waited for this pivotal moment. However, when the screen lit up again, something felt different this time.

"When does a person truly die?"

[Is it when the heart is pierced by a bullet, or when you're afflicted by a terminal illness?]

[Is it due to an accident?]

[Or through suicide?]

[When killed by an enemy?]

[As an old man lies in bed at dusk?]

[None of the above!]

[A person truly dies when they are forgotten by the world.]

[Some will never be forgotten, their legacy eternal. Their physical form may perish, but their spirit lives on. Their story, every facet of their existence, is engraved in time.]

The screen displayed snowflakes, and the countdown commenced.

10... 9... 8...

The video played continuously, without the usual day-long intervals between episodes. This departure from the norm puzzled many viewers.

The closing words, combined with the preceding message, gave a distinct impression of a bridge connecting the past and the future. The earlier paragraph felt like an empty conclusion, yet also like the opening sentence of a new tale.

3... 2... 1...

The snowflakes dissipated, revealing a dark screen that gradually brightened to reveal six shimmering gems.

Upon witnessing this image, the hearts of many raced with anticipation. These six gems seemed, for some inexplicable reason, "ultimate."

In the Marvel Universe:

In the Castle at the End of Time, Kang the Conqueror peered out the window. The perfect closed-loop timeline trembled, and he noticed countless hairline fractures, each less than a centimeter long. A cold sweat formed as he realized his script was torn.

In the Himalayas, Ancient One's expression shifted at last. After witnessing nine consecutive grand death performances, she hadn't expected to see the no. 1 deathin her own world. 

Her only hope now was for the footage to depict the past, as altering the future could lead to a worse outcome.

In Asgard, Odin and Thor stood by the broken rainbow bridge, watching the video. Odin shook his head as he observed Thor's enthusiastic expression. Be it the past or the future, it seemed unlikely to bode well.

In Temple Two, Thanos sat on his throne. Nebula and Gamora stood nearby. The sight of the six gems drew a gleam of hope into Thanos' eyes. Was this the moment of his success? Gamora, on the other hand, was filled with panic. Could it be that dreaded future, the one she had hoped never to witness?

On Earth, inside a villa overlooking the sea, Tony Stark held popcorn and a Coke, relishing the viewing experience. This video seemed far more captivating than any blockbuster movie. His nine-day wait exceeded all his previous years. He pondered the first scene. The second had been extraordinary; could the first be a god's demise?

Many viewers shared Tony's anticipation. If it was a god's death, it would indeed be worth looking forward to.

In the DC Universe, World, Road Cifer watched the old man beside him with excitement, but for the first time, a hint of helplessness crossed God's face. How could someone be so thrilled? He was an immortal, impervious even to time. If he ever died, it would be by his design, in a mysterious way.

Then, the title appeared.

[Death Scene, No. 1!]

[Marvel World: Mortal Standing Shoulder to Shoulder with Gods!]

"A mortal? Just an ordinary person?" Yhwach questioned, furrowing his brow, before dismissing the thought. An ordinary human couldn't possibly claim the first position.

Almost all the viewers had similar thoughts. If the character was comparable to gods, they had to be a formidable human, matching or exceeding the previous video's protagonist.

In the DC Universe, God's eyes lit up.

"With the clanging of hammers, a multitude of colorful lights and shadows emerged!

In a dimly lit forge, a man relentlessly hammered molten metal. His chest radiated a brilliant glow, his body drenched in sweat and blood. Yet, his eyes remained unwavering."

At this moment, countless viewers expressed their astonishment. Going by the rules of previous videos, a scene like this indicated that the character was the hero of an impressive death scene. 

However, the character's aura and appearance suggested an ordinary human, someone whose ordinariness couldn't be overstated. There was no hint of great power, and it even seemed they were injured.

In the Dragon Ball world, Beerus scratched his head in bewilderment. Such an individual would likely die upon encountering him. How could they stand shoulder to shoulder with gods? It was nothing short of a fantasy.

In the world of the Fate, Gilgamesh wore a smug smile at the corner of his lips. How could mortals dare to stand beside gods? It was nothing but a jest.

In the Marvel Universe, Nick Fury's eyes flickered with understanding. As the first scene, Tony's death couldn't be a trivial affair. 

Nick pondered and could only think of the Kree, a civilization that surpassed Earth by an unknown degree. Did they return in the future? Was Tony's death linked to them? And what of Carol Danvers; did she meet the same fate? Nick Fury's mind was in turmoil.

Meanwhile, Tony Stark's popcorn lay abandoned on the ground. A wry smile formed on his face. He hadn't anticipated that the first scene he looked forward to was his own death. Death was both near and far, and his emotions were a complex mix of pride and fear. After all, he was a mortal.

The scene had thoroughly bewildered him.

*****

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