The ground was still trembling, as if even Namek itself feared a battle beyond mortal comprehension.
From within the crater, Frieza climbed out in disarray.
His once-proud third form now looked almost ridiculous.
Cracks spread across his smooth exoskeleton. Dirt clung to the long ridge of his head, and purple blood stained the corner of his mouth.
"This… this is impossible…"
Frieza panted heavily, his crimson eyes locked on Son Goku in the distance.
His mind raced, yet nothing made sense.
That Saiyan…
No transformation. No explosive surge of energy.
He just stood there, plain and unremarkable, black hair, black eyes, dressed in that simple orange gi.
So why?
Why did his punches feel so heavy?
Why could he keep up with this form?
"What kind of trick are you using?" Frieza roared.
Goku scratched his head, looking genuinely puzzled.
"Huh? You mean ki? We usually keep it hidden and only bring it out when we need it."
He rolled his neck casually.
A low hum followed.
A soft white aura flared up around him. It was not violent, but deep and steady, like the pressure of the ocean.
"If you want to see it, I can show you."
Goku took a step forward.
Just one step, yet Frieza felt as if a hammer struck his heart.
The pressure had increased again.
"S stop messing with me!"
Frieza's pride could not accept it. He was the emperor of the universe. He would not be shaken.
"I am Frieza! I am the strongest!"
Whoosh!
He charged again, this time without holding back.
His hands blurred into countless afterimages. Finger beams fired in rapid succession, combined with high-speed close combat, pouring down like a storm.
"Die! Die! Die!"
Yet Goku remained calm.
Smack! Smack! Smack!
With one hand, Goku deflected every attack. Each motion was precise and efficient, no wasted movement, the result of countless battles refined into instinct.
He even had the leisure to speak.
"Your attacks are filled with anger and killing intent. That kind of power is unstable."
"Shut up! You have no right to lecture me!"
Furious, Frieza whipped his long tail toward Goku's neck.
Smack.
Goku reached out and caught the tip of the tail.
"I told you. It won't work."
His gaze sharpened. His arm tightened.
Boom!
The world spun for Frieza.
Goku lifted him by the tail and began swinging.
Once. Twice. Three times.
Like tossing around a rag doll, he slammed Frieza into the ground over and over.
Each impact triggered a quake. Rocks shattered. The land collapsed.
"Gah!"
Frieza felt his insides churn, as if everything had been knocked out of place.
At last, Goku released him and drove a kick into his abdomen.
Frieza shot off like a cannonball, crashing through several rocky hills before coming to a stop.
While the fight raged on, Krillin was not idle.
He used Instant Transmission to reach Piccolo's side.
Piccolo's injuries were severe. Several holes had been torn through his body by Frieza's beams. Even with Namekian resilience, he was at his limit.
"Cough… that guy… he's a monster."
Piccolo pressed a hand to his wound, leaning against a broken rock. He looked toward Goku, who was dominating the fight, a complicated expression in his eyes.
"Goku… he's gotten this strong already?"
"Save your strength. Don't talk."
Krillin crouched down and examined the wounds.
"Tch. That's rough. Almost hit your core."
He checked his pocket. Empty.
"Bad news. I'm out of senzu beans."
He shrugged.
"I gave one to the Grand Elder earlier. The rest are with Trin. They got sent back to Earth."
Piccolo's face darkened.
"You did that on purpose, didn't you? Planning to let me bleed out?"
"Relax. I've got something better."
Krillin smiled.
He activated the system in his mind.
[System, load skill: Divine Restoration.]
[Confirmed. Consumes 5000 mental energy.]
[Origin: Earth's Guardian.]
[Effect: Channels higher-dimensional healing energy to repair physical damage and restore stamina.]
"Hang in there. Might feel a little… ticklish."
Krillin raised his hand. A soft milky-white glow gathered in his palm.
There was something sacred in that light. The air around them seemed to calm.
He pressed his hand against Piccolo's chest.
Buzz!
A warm current surged through Piccolo's body.
It felt like being submerged in the most perfect healing solution. No, far beyond that.
Before his eyes, the wounds closed at an astonishing speed. Fresh skin formed, smooth and whole.
Not just the injuries. Even his drained energy refilled instantly. In fact, it became denser than before, as if rebuilt stronger after breaking.
"This… what is this technique? I've never seen you use it!"
Piccolo stood up abruptly, flexing his arm, staring at Krillin in shock.
As the former other half of Earth's Guardian, he could sense divine energy. But this far exceeded anything he knew.
"You could say… it's a little gift from the divine."
Krillin stood and brushed off his hands.
"How does it feel? Back to full health, right?"
[Current Status: Piccolo, fully restored]
[Power Level: 1,250,000, slight increase after recovery]
"Hmph. Meddling."
He said it coldly, but a faint smile tugged at his lips.
He looked back toward the battlefield. The clash was intensifying.
"Thanks, Krillin."
Piccolo tore off his tattered cloak, revealing newly regenerated muscle.
"If I'm healed, I'm not letting Goku have all the spotlight."
Boom!
His aura erupted again, green energy surging skyward.
"Frieza! We're not done yet!"
With a shout, Piccolo shot forward like a green comet, charging toward Frieza, who had just crawled out of the rubble.
At that moment, Frieza's composure finally shattered.
He had barely climbed out, blood still on his face,
when he saw the Namekian he had nearly killed now rushing at him in perfect condition.
And beside him, that Saiyan stood there casually watching.
And that bald human was cheering from the side.
Where did this trio of monsters come from?
"Damn it all!"
Frieza's roar carried something new.
Fear.
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