In chapter 74 of Dragon Ball Super, Vegeta's new transformation appears to be a devastating combination of Ultra Instinct and Destruction.

Warning: contains spoilers for Dragon Ball Super chapter 74!

Vegeta just unlocked a new transformation in Dragon Ball Super - one which accesses the chi of a god but still draws from the boundless power that Goku receives from Ultra Instinct. Vegeta just completed the transformation during his fight against the Cerealian known as Granolah, but only a few hints have been provided about what it actually entails.

Vegeta has been struggling to find a way to surpass Goku that doesn't involve learning Ultra Instinct, and recently it seemed that the Saiyan Prince had finally found an alternative. Beerus the God of Destruction revealed that he wields other techniques that don't rely on achieving tranquility like Ultra Instinct, and invited Vegeta to steal any one of them for himself. Vegeta was clearly excited by this opportunity and engaged in harsh training to master Destruction.

But in chapter 74, it seems Vegeta's new transformation still somehow involves Instinct, as he declares, "A God of Destruction taught me... that power derived solely from Instinct... is unbounded." Despite this, it's clear his new ability is very different from Goku's, suggesting the Saiyan Prince may have found a way to make Ultra Instinct his own, and not at the expense of his pride. When Vegeta begins transforming, Goku immediately senses that Vegeta's energy is changing, saying, "Feels like god chi to me... but... not just any old god chi!" It's clear that Goku must be referring to Beerus' energy, especially since Vegeta recently mastered his signature move. Vegeta's aura also looks massively different to Goku's when he achieves Ultra Instinct. Rather than possessing an ethereal quality, it's fiery and monstrous.

In addition to possibly realizing how to wield Ultra Instinct without suffering the embarrassment of following in Goku's footsteps, the Saiyan Prince may have also been able to abide by another one of his own principles. During the Tournament of Power, Vegeta told Jiren that he prefers to train and master new techniques on his own without having to rely on another. He ostensibly contradicted himself when he "stole" Beerus' Destruction technique. And even though Beerus said he doesn't train others, it's clear that he did teach Vegeta. That said, it's quite likely that Beerus didn't teach Vegeta this hybrid transformation, especially since the God of Destruction has already articulated his disapproval and disdain for Ultra Instinct. Vegeta couldn't have achieved a normal form of Ultra Instinct because it's strictly an Angel technique (and doesn't require godlike chi to unlock), but it does seem that he's combined some form of Instinct with the chi of the God of Destruction.

Ironically, the next big question isn't whether Vegeta has finally surpassed Goku or not. Even though the Saiyan Prince has sought after this moment ever since Goku first achieved Super Saiyan before him, what's more important is if Vegeta can beat the Cerealian Granolah as he is now. Granolah made a wish with the Dragon Balls to become the strongest warrior in the universe. So if Vegeta beats Granolah in upcoming chapters of Dragon Ball Super, then that means that he is not only more powerful than Goku, but is officially the the strongest warrior in Universe 7.

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