The Grand Priest is powerful.
Katakana had long understood this fact and had mentally prepared himself.
But even with that preparation, the first time Katakana saw the Grand Priest in person, he was still stunned by the overwhelming divine aura radiating from him.
That aura couldn't simply be called powerful anymore, it was terrifying.
Facing such a monstrous divine presence, Katakana could finally understand why, in the original story, Universe 7's God of Destruction, Beerus, would tremble and kneel at the mere mention of the Grand Priest's name.
It was because the Grand Priest's strength was simply on another level, if he wanted to, he could erase any Angel or God of Destruction in an instant.
"Yes, Grand Priest!"
Whis looked up at the Grand Priest floating above and smiled.
"This is Mr. Katakana, the one I mentioned earlier."
Whis rose into the air to stand beside the Grand Priest, then glanced at Katakana below and spoke steadily.
The Grand Priest, however, didn't immediately respond. His eyes remained fixed on Katakana.
After a moment, a kind smile appeared on the Grand Priest's face.
"This child is excellent."
"Whis, you've done a great job this time"
The Grand Priest turned to Whis, visibly pleased.
"Thank you for your praise, Grand Priest. But I've done very little, Katakana's accomplishments are due to his own incredible potential," Whis replied humbly.
The Grand Priest didn't reply, instead flying down in front of Katakana.
"Hello, Katakana."
"Whis must've introduced me to you already," he said with a gentle laugh.
"Yes, he did, Grand Priest," Katakana said, taking a deep breath and trying to appear calm.
Even though he knew how powerful the Grand Priest was, Katakana had no intention of backing down. He believed that given enough time, he could surpass even someone like the Grand Priest.
"Haha! You're staying calm even in front of me. I must say, you're quite impressive."
The Grand Priest was clearly more intrigued by Katakana now.
In truth, the Grand Priest had deliberately released a portion of his divine aura earlier to test Katakana's reaction.
That aura would have made even the most powerful Gods of Destruction fall to their knees.
But this Mortal, Katakana, managed to suppress his fear and speak calmly. That alone had earned the Grand Priest's interest.
"Of course, Grand Priest," Whis chimed in proudly. "Among everyone I've met, Mr. Katakana has the greatest talent for Divine Powers."
"Even Lord Beerus, back in his prime, didn't have half of Mr. Katakana's potential."
The Grand Priest turned back to Katakana, smiling.
"I've heard from Whis that you've mastered Ultra Instinct, at a level comparable to his?"
"That's correct, Grand Priest," Katakana replied confidently, "though I'm sure there are still gaps between myself and Whis."
Although nervous, Katakana kept a calm exterior. He reasoned that if the Grand Priest meant him harm, he wouldn't have gone through the trouble of inviting him here.
"Haha!"
"A small gap compared to Whis? How interesting."
"Then why don't you let me see it for myself, Katakana?"
The Grand Priest's eyes lit up with excitement.
Even though Ultra Instinct wasn't particularly advanced from his perspective, it was still a technique exclusive to the Angels, difficult for anyone else to even grasp, let alone master to this level.
Naturally, someone like Katakana, a Mortal who had reached this stage, was fascinating to him.
"If that's what the Grand Priest wishes, I won't refuse," Katakana replied.
Although he wanted to decline, Katakana understood that once the Grand Priest asked something, there was little room for negotiation. It was better to just comply and show his abilities.
"What a bold guy," the Grand Priest mused, smiling.
The other nearby priests looked slightly surprised at Katakana's boldness, but only for a moment.
Then their expressions returned to calm, as if silently acknowledging Katakana's courage.
"I just hope the Grand Priest goes easy on him," Whis said with a wry smile.
Originally, Whis had hoped to spar with Katakana himself while the Grand Priest observed. But now, with Katakana agreeing to go head-to-head with the Grand Priest, Whis could only watch.
"Very well, then!"
The Grand Priest clasped his hands behind his back and smiled at Katakana.
"In that case, please excuse me, Grand Priest!"
Katakana responded with seriousness, his tone respectful.
Since there was no way to hide anything from the Grand Priest, he might as well display his full power.
A silver glow began to form around Katakana's body, halo-like rings of energy and markings appearing as he transformed.
His hair turned silvery white, and his eyes glowed with a silver-gray light.
This was Ultra Instinct.
With each step Katakana took, afterimages blurred behind him, making him appear ghost-like, elusive and fast beyond imagination.
Just as he finished transforming, He appeared before him in an instant.
"Excuse me, then!"
With those words, Katakana launched a punch straight at the Grand Priest's cheek.