c4: Super Saiyan Lin Hao
"Swish!"
A violent storm of golden light erupted around Lin Hao as his hair flared upright and his pupils turned a piercing emerald green. The earth beneath his feet could no longer withstand the force of his ki — the ground cracked open, leaving a massive crater radiating outward.
"T-that… that can't be?! Impossible! You… you're also a Super Saiyan?!" Frieza's face twisted in shock, his confident smirk finally vanishing. This sight reminded him of the nightmare he had faced on Namek when Son Goku transformed.
"What? Another one?!" Trunks, who had just arrived from the future, froze in disbelief. "But Mom told me… Father hasn't yet reached that level at this point in history… and aside from Mr. Son Goku, no one else should be able to do this!" His hands trembled as he watched Lin Hao's aura blaze.
The sudden outpour of ki didn't go unnoticed. Far away, Vegeta's eyes widened, his body stiffening as he sensed the energy wave.
"What…?! This energy… this aura belongs to a Saiyan, but it's not Kakarot's… and it's not mine! Don't tell me there's… another Super Saiyan?! That's impossible! I was supposed to be the one who surpassed Kakarot first!" His pride burned even as shock gnawed at his chest.
Krillin, Gohan, Piccolo, and the others also felt the heavy shockwave. The overwhelming pressure reminded them of Goku's battle with Frieza on Namek.
"So strong… is it even greater than the ki Goku had back then?" Piccolo muttered grimly, his antennae twitching from the intensity.
"Yeah! Another Super Saiyan? What the heck is going on?!" Krillin shouted, his nerves on edge.
The Z Fighters wasted no time and flew straight toward the battlefield.
"Come, Frieza!" Lin Hao's golden aura pulsed as he grinned coldly. "Show me the power you gained after surviving Namek. Don't let me down!"
Before Frieza could react, Lin Hao vanished with Instant Movement-like speed. In an instant, his fist buried itself deep in Frieza's stomach.
"Guahhh!"
Blood spewed from Frieza's mouth as he doubled over, clutching his gut. His body bent violently before he staggered back, glaring murderously.
"Y-you filthy Saiyan monkey! You dare strike me, the great Emperor Frieza?! I'll kill you where you stand!"
The air grew suffocating as Frieza released his killing intent. The surrounding space seemed to warp from the sheer malice.
"Oh? What a terrifying murderous aura," Lin Hao said with feigned fear, only for his lips to curl into a mocking smile.
"DAMN YOU!" Frieza roared, throwing a flurry of punches and kicks. His claws slashed the air, energy blasts erupted point-blank, but none of them so much as grazed Lin Hao. With minimal effort, Lin Hao slipped through each attack like water flowing around stones.
"Is this really all you've got? After Namek, I expected more. How disappointing." Lin Hao's taunts burned into Frieza's pride.
Trunks, watching below, clenched his fists. "Incredible… he's handling Frieza like it's nothing. He's not even fighting seriously yet. That means… his true power is far greater than what he's showing. Could it be… this Lin Hao is from another timeline, like me?"
"Swish!"
A sudden rush of wind signaled the arrival of the others. Vegeta, Piccolo, Gohan, and Krillin landed on the nearby ridge, their eyes instantly locking on the golden figure trading blows with Frieza in the sky.
"That ki just now… it wasn't my imagination." Piccolo's eyes narrowed. "He's definitely another Super Saiyan."
Krillin pointed in disbelief. "Look, look over there! That guy fighting Frieza… he's the one whose energy we sensed before! He really is a Super Saiyan!"
Gohan, clutching his fists, added in awe: "It's just like Dad when he transformed on Namek… but… who is he? I've never seen this guy before!"
At this time, Vegeta stared bitterly at the raging ki tearing through the battlefield, his face twisted with both disbelief and resentment.
Why?!
Why does such an overwhelming warrior appear again and of all things, a Saiyan!
The most unbearable part was that this stranger could also become a Super Saiyan. Vegeta clenched his teeth so hard it hurt. He was the prince of all Saiyans, born as the strongest elite, raised to believe he would be the first to reach the ultimate form.
It had already been humiliating enough that Kakarot a third-class warrior raised on Earth had awakened the legendary transformation before him. Now, this unknown Saiyan had appeared from nowhere and stolen the spotlight again.
No. He could not accept it. He would not accept it!
"I am not willing to yield! I will surpass them! I must awaken Super Saiyan!" Vegeta's fists trembled as his body quaked with rage and pride. His eyes locked on the battle ahead. "I swear it… I will break through and prove I am the strongest Saiyan in the universe!"
Meanwhile, Lin Hao hovered above, his golden aura crackling as he stared at his battered opponent. "Frieza… is this really all you have? You disappoint me. If that's your limit, then I'll finish this right now!"
"Y-you damn Saiyan monkey!" Frieza howled, veins bulging as he thrust his arms forward. "Don't you dare underestimate me! Double Death Beam!!"
Twin crimson beams lanced from his fingers, tearing through the sky toward Lin Hao. But Lin Hao only lowered his stance slightly, cupped his hands at his side, and gathered a swelling sphere of blue light.
"Kamehameha!!"
The iconic wave exploded outward, a roaring pillar of energy that swallowed Frieza's Death Beams and surged straight for him.
"No way…! That's Goku's technique! How can that stranger use the Kamehameha too?!" Krillin gasped, his eyes bulging as the wave blazed across the battlefield.
"Raaaaghh! I am Lord Frieza! I won't be defeated by another damned Saiyan!!" Frieza screamed in defiance, pouring all his remaining ki to resist. But Lin Hao's attack overpowered him in seconds. His body cracked, twisted, and finally disintegrated into nothingness, scattered to the void as if erased from existence.
Everyone watching stood frozen.
"He… he did it…" Krillin whispered.
"So strong…" Piccolo muttered grimly, unable to hide his astonishment. "He erased Frieza as if he was nothing."
"So that's it… Goku's grown this powerful," Bulma cried from the ship, her hands clasped together with relief. "He took Frieza down in one shot Earth is saved!"
But Yamcha quickly shook his head. "No, Bulma… that's not Goku. That's someone else entirely. Another Super Saiyan."
"What?! A Saiyan we don't even know?" Bulma exclaimed, stunned.
Lin Hao landed lightly on the ground, his golden aura still shimmering. His cold eyes locked onto the looming figure near the spacecraft.
"Frieza is finished. Now it's your turn, King Cold."
King Cold narrowed his eyes, studying Lin Hao with unnerving calm. "Impressive… truly impressive. To slay my son in such a short time… you've surpassed even the legends. Tell me, warrior, why not take Frieza's place? Become my heir. Rule the cosmos at my side. Together, we could seize every beautiful world across the stars. Only the strong deserve to rule… and you are strong enough to call yourself my kin."
Lin Hao's smirk vanished. For a fleeting second, he had thought to spare King Cold but those words destroyed any hesitation.
"You… want me to be your son?" Lin Hao's eyes sharpened into a deadly glare. "Go to hell and keep Frieza company!"
In a flash, Lin Hao vanished from sight, reappearing right before King Cold's chest. With a single blazing palm, he unleashed a searing qigong blast that tore straight through Cold's body. The tyrant's scream was cut short as his form erupted in light and disintegrated into dust.
Lin Hao lowered his hand, his golden aura fading as he exhaled calmly. "Tch. With power like that, you still thought you could be my father?" He turned away without sparing a backward glance, his figure beginning to descend from Super Saiyan form.
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