Deep in the vast expanse of the Universe, at the edge of the Andromeda Galaxy.
This was Talos IV, the temporary home Planet of the Skrull Empire.
As the race most adept at disguise and infiltration in the Universe, the Skrulls had always been known for their cunning and secrecy.
But today, their secrecy had become the greatest joke of all.
BOOM!!!
A giant warship, pure white and emblazoned with a purple 'Frieza' character emblem, brutally smashed through the atmospheric defense grid of Talos IV.
Following closely behind, densely packed white landing pods descended from the sky like a torrential rainstorm.
"Hiding?"
"Where could you possibly hide?"
In the sky, Thanos hovered at the bow of the flagship. He folded his arms across his chest, his purple eyes flickering with cold streams of data. Those were tactical goggles enhanced by Power Stone circuits.
In his field of vision, the 'Ki' of every single life form on this Planet was as clearly visible as a bonfire in the dark of night. No matter if they disguised themselves as rocks, trees, or refugees of the Nova Corps, in the face of that unique and faint life energy, none could remain hidden.
"Over there, three thousand meters underground, in that green-skinned rats' nest." Thanos extended a finger and tapped lightly.
"Apocalypse."
"Present! Director!"
The burly Apocalypse stepped out from behind with a sinister grin. He wore his signature tight combat suit, with purple-gold Ki flames surging over his blue muscles.
"Leave it to me."
"I'll drag out every single one of these little bugs who like playing hide-and-seek and crush them."
BOOM!
Apocalypse plummeted down suddenly. He didn't use any sophisticated techniques. Instead, he transformed into a blue meteorite, slamming violently into the ground right above the Skrulls' underground bunker.
The earth cracked and tectonic plates shifted.
The Skrull royal family members, hiding deep underground and trembling with fear, felt as if the sky above their heads had collapsed.
Immediately after, a massive blue hand that blotted out the sun crudely tore open the crust, plucking them out like earthworms.
"This is the so-called Skrull Empire?"
Apocalypse squeezed the Skrull Emperor's neck, looking at the other's shifting face with utter disdain.
"Too weak. You don't even have the qualifications to be my punching bag."
"Pack them all up and send them to Planet Frieza 004 for mining."
...
Meanwhile.
The Shi'ar Empire, Throneworld, Chandilar.
At this moment, the Captain of the Imperial Guard, Gladiator, known as one of the strongest warriors in the Universe, was hovering above the imperial palace, staring with a face full of fury at the old man in the ridiculous tight suit in front of him.
"Who are you people?!"
"How dare you invade the great Shi'ar Empire!"
Gladiator's self-confidence was swelling. His power originated from his confidence. As long as he believed he could win, he was virtually invincible.
"Who am I?" Erik elegantly adjusted his red helmet.
He looked at the mohawked alien powerhouse before him, a contemptuous smile curling at the corner of his lips.
"I am a member of the Ginyu Force that is part of the Frieza Force."
"And the property manager here to take over this real estate."
"Real estate?!"
Gladiator laughed in extreme anger.
"The Shi'ar Empire has never been conquered! Not before, and not ever!"
"Go to hell!"
BOOM!
Gladiator moved. His speed was as fast as lightning. With his confidence bursting, his power at this moment was enough to shatter an asteroid.
However, faced with this unstoppable strike, Erik only slowly raised a hand.
"Confidence is a good thing. But in the face of an absolute gap, confidence is just stupidity."
HUM—
A terrifying magnetic field erupted instantly, but it wasn't just magnetism.
With the enhancement of the Ki bestowed by Frieza, Erik's ability had undergone a qualitative change.
That was—Unified Field Control!
"Kneel!"
Erik's palm slammed downward.
The originally aggressive Gladiator felt as if the gravity of the entire Universe was pressing down on his spine.
That matchless pressure instantly shattered his confidence. Once his confidence collapsed, his power vanished entirely.
THUD!
The strongest spear of the Shi'ar Empire knelt before Erik without any dignity, his knees shattered.
"How... how is this possible..."
Gladiator's eyes were vacant, his worldview crumbling.
"Nothing is impossible."
Erik turned around, looking at the bustling imperial palace below, filled with metallic structures.
A flash of fanaticism crossed his eyes.
"Because our boss is a God."
—
In just half a month.
The originally chaotic and noisy Milky Way Galaxy had fallen completely silent.
The Skrulls, the Shi'ar...
Advanced civilizations that once echoed throughout the Universe fell under the iron hooves of the Frieza Force. They either surrendered or were wiped out.
There was no reasoning to be had nor was there any room for negotiation.
Frieza had only one rule.
Hand over all resources and accept unified management, or disappear from the world.
As for those planets that were smashed to pieces, Thanos displayed his efficiency and ruthlessness as the 'Demolition Office Director.'
"This Planet's ecological environment has been destroyed?"
Thanos stood in the orbit of a burning wasteland Planet, looking at the tragic scene below.
"Repairing it would be too much of a waste of time."
"Since it no longer has any residential value..."
He waved his hand coldly.
"Then just blow it up."
"Extract the remaining mineral core and transport it back to Planet Frieza 001 as building material."
RUMBLE!
The main cannons of thousands of warships fired simultaneously.
A Planet that had just been conquered was thus turned into a brilliant firework in the Universe.
The so-called 'cleaning up.'
In Thanos's understanding, it meant physically eliminating everything that was imperfect, damaged, or an eyesore, leaving behind only those perfect and valuable assets.
This was called Optimization and Restructuring.
—
Planet Frieza 001.
Frieza Island Manor.
The afternoon sunlight lazily spilled onto the lawn.
Frieza slowly opened his eyes and sat up from the luxurious large bed. He had slept very comfortably during this nap. There were no annoying flies buzzing around, nor any self-righteous heroes coming to cause trouble.
"Whew..."
Frieza stretched lazily.
"How long was this sleep?"
He glanced at the wall clock and then sensed the changes on the planet through Ki.
"Half a month?"
"The timing is just right."
"Master, you're awake."
Natasha and Sharon, who had been guarding by the bed, immediately knelt down, handing over a warm towel and mouthwash.
Frieza took the towel and wiped his face.
"Are Thanos and the others back?"
Natasha answered respectfully, "In response to Master, Thanos and Apocalypse have been waiting in the hall downstairs for quite some time."
"Oh?"
Frieza raised an eyebrow, a satisfied smile appearing at the corner of his lips.
"It seems they haven't failed my expectations."
"Let's go and see what good news this group of workers has brought back for me."