On Namek, a once-picturesque plain had been reduced to a wasteland of shattered cliffs and scorched craters.
At the center, a two-meter-wide sphere of violet energy engulfed Frieza. With each passing second, his sinister ki grew heavier, more oppressive, sending chills down the spines of all who sensed it.
Goku's once-steady expression hardened. A moment ago, he had believed that with his current strength and Kaio-ken x10 he could stand against Frieza no matter how powerful he became. But reality rarely went as expected.
He drifted back to Piccolo and the others.
"Krillin," Goku said gravely, "your power is the lowest here. Stay back and protect yourself. I can't promise much."
"Alright, Goku. Just… be careful." Krillin nodded, retreating nearly a hundred kilometers away.
"Piccolo, you and the others"
"No need to say more," Piccolo cut him off. "Even if I know I can't match him, I want to witness this battle with my own eyes. A clash like this… only happens once in a lifetime."
Raditz and Nappa both nodded silently in agreement.
"Fine. Do as you like. I'm going in!" Goku turned back, determination in his eyes.
By now, Frieza had completed his final transformation sleek, compact, elegant, his aura chilling and regal.
"Hohoho… Have you chosen your burial ground? Don't worry, I won't leave your corpse intact. That goes for that other monkey too!" Rage flickered in his crimson eyes at the memory of Raditz's earlier assault.
Whoosh!
Three Death Beams burst from his fingertips, streaking toward Raditz, Nappa and even Piccolo.
"Dodge!!" Piccolo shouted, darting away, though the beam grazed his arm.
Raditz and Nappa barely evaded by forcefully activating Kaio-ken, but the sudden strain left blood at the corners of their mouths.
"Heh. You dodged one. But what about ten?" Frieza sneered, each fingertip glowing with crimson light.
"Your opponent is me!"
In a blur, Goku seized both of Frieza's wrists, locking him in place.
"Well then," Frieza chuckled coldly, "I've never met an opponent quite like you. Let's see how long you last."
"Fight!" Goku roared, hurling him away and instantly pursuing, his knee thrusting forward only to pass harmlessly through Frieza's afterimage.
"Too slow," Frieza's voice hissed behind him. A clawed hand lanced forward.
"Not good Kaio-ken!"
Goku's aura flared crimson, his body flickering away just as Frieza's hand pierced his fading image. The battle spiraled into a flurry of feints, counters, and near-lethal strikes each attack parried or dodged by the narrowest margin.
High above, Gohan's eyes narrowed. He could already see it his father's stamina was being chipped away. Every burst of Kaio-ken consumed precious energy, no matter how efficient.
Merus too shook his head. "Your father fights brilliantly, but victory won't come easy."
Gohan only smiled faintly. "There's always room for a miracle, big brother. Just watch."
Merus glanced at him, then let out a small laugh. "Interesting…"
Southern Galaxy
"Lord Cooler, good news we've found a way!" Salza reported breathlessly.
"Speak," Cooler commanded, his voice icy.
"Dore discovered an advanced world with a ship capable of wormhole travel." Salza's tone brimmed with excitement.
"How long to reach Namek?"
"Four jumps. Each requires three minutes to prepare and engage."
Crash! Cooler's wineglass shattered in his grip. "Then stop wasting time! Tell Dore to secure that ship at any cost!"
"Yes, Lord Cooler!" Salza rushed to relay the order.
An hour later, a sleek, teardrop-shaped vessel streaked toward Cooler's warship.
"Is that Dore's?" Cooler asked, gazing through the viewport.
"Yes, my lord. He described its shape exactly." Salza pressed a hand to his chest in respect.
"And Neiz?"
"They're together. But… my lord, if we leave, what of this warship?"
"Fool." Cooler's eyes narrowed, and with a flick of his wrist the viewport glass shattered. A violent vacuum pulled Salza toward space, only for Neiz to yank him aboard the new vessel in time.
"Careless words nearly cost you your life," Salza muttered to himself, heart racing.
Cooler stepped into the teardrop craft, every motion exuding icy authority. "Set course. Now."
"Yes, Lord Cooler!" Dore engaged the wormhole drive.
First jump out of the Southern Galaxy.
Second jump into the Northern Galaxy.
Third jump emerging in Namek's orbit.
Back on Namek, Gohan's brow furrowed. "Cooler… why is he here?"
The Grand Elder, too, suddenly sensed it: a ki more terrifying than Frieza's. Not chaotic and vile, but cold. Ruthless. Inhuman.
"Nail," the Grand Elder said heavily, "go see what's happening. If it turns grim, return at once. Moori, prepare the Dragon Balls. If the worst comes, we summon Porunga and escape Namek."
"Yes, Grand Elder!" both Nail and Moori answered together.
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