Krillin roared as he raised his energy to resist Frieza's attack. His power surged dramatically, golden aura whipping around him like a raging storm.
To Frieza's astonishment, Krillin broke free of the attack.
What?
The same move that had once killed Krillin with ease… had now been completely overpowered?
Frieza's expression darkened.
"It seems that over the years, your strength has indeed improved," he said coldly. "No wonder you had the nerve to say what you said earlier."
"But don't get cocky. Do you really think this little boost in power means you can compete with me?"
His eyes gleamed with malice. "Well, it doesn't matter. You're on my kill list either way. Since you're so eager to die, I'll gladly start with you."
Even though Krillin had managed to break free from his technique, Frieza still didn't take him seriously.
After all, that was just a half-hearted strike—barely a fraction of his true strength. The fact that Krillin survived it only meant he had gotten a little stronger.
But that wouldn't change the final outcome.
Krillin turned to Goku and Vegeta, excitement written across his face. "Did you guys hear that? Frieza wants to fight me! I didn't even have to argue with you two anymore—this is his idea."
He grinned. "So this fight is mine!"
A few moments ago, Krillin had been locked in a playful argument with Goku and Vegeta over who would face Frieza. But now that Frieza himself had chosen him as the first target—it was official.
This battle belonged to Krillin.
Goku nodded. "Alright, Krillin. Since Frieza came after you first, this one's yours."
"Hmph." Vegeta crossed his arms. "Fine. But if you can't handle him, don't blame me for stepping in and finishing the job."
With that, Goku and Vegeta stepped back, deciding to let Krillin have his moment.
From the sidelines, Bulma looked stunned—and a little upset.
"What are Goku and Vegeta thinking?" she exclaimed. "How can they let Krillin go up against Frieza?! He doesn't stand a chance!"
She was visibly upset. While she had heard that Krillin had fused with Saiyan blood, she wasn't sure what that really meant. After all, Saiyans had levels. Not every Saiyan was as strong as Goku or Vegeta.
"Even Goku's older brother, Raditz, was a Saiyan," she muttered. "And he wasn't even stronger than Piccolo…"
So how strong could Krillin possibly be?
Letting him face Frieza alone? That felt like sending him to die.
"You don't have to worry," said Beerus from nearby, casually sipping his drink. "Krillin is much stronger than before. If Frieza hasn't improved significantly, he won't be able to defeat him."
"Seriously?" Bulma blinked. "Krillin's that strong now?"
"But… if Frieza came all this way looking for revenge, doesn't that mean he's gotten a lot stronger too?"
"Exactly," Beerus replied. "Which is why this will be interesting. Just watch. You think Goku and Vegeta would stand back if they weren't confident in him?"
That made Bulma pause.
She knew Goku would never risk Krillin's life recklessly.
Especially Goku, who had known Krillin since childhood—their bond ran deeper than almost anyone else's.
Vegeta might allow something like that—but Goku? Never.
She took a deep breath and turned her eyes back to the battlefield.
Frieza chuckled darkly.
"Oh ho ho ho… I didn't expect Goku and Vegeta to trust you so much," he said mockingly. "I don't know why they think you stand a chance… but I guarantee—they'll regret this decision."
Even though something felt off, Frieza dismissed the uneasiness in his gut. What were they thinking? That this bald Earthling had the strength to face him?
What a cosmic joke.
Still, just to be safe, Frieza decided to show a bit of his strength.
He floated out of the hovering pod he usually sat in, stepping down onto the battlefield. A fierce grin crossed his face as he began to power up.
A powerful, dark aura burst from him, shaking the ground. Dazzling light crackled across the landscape.
Then, with a sharp roar, Frieza transformed into his final form—the same sleek, white-and-purple form that once ruled the galaxy with an iron fist.
"In this form," Frieza said, smirking, "I killed you once before. Today, I'll do it again."
"You should feel honored, Krillin. Your strength doesn't deserve to witness this form… but I'll make an exception."
From the sidelines, Goku and Vegeta watched calmly.
"He's definitely stronger than before," Goku said, his face serious.
Vegeta nodded. "Of course. If he hadn't gotten stronger, he wouldn't have dared come back for revenge."
"But if this is all the strength he's got," Vegeta added with a smirk, "then Krillin will make short work of him."
"Let's see if he's hiding a stronger form," Goku said. "If not… this'll be over fast."
Krillin clenched his fists. His golden aura began to rise again.
"Since you're using your final form, Frieza," he said calmly, "then I'll show you something too."
"Let me tell you right now…"
He raised his head, his eyes glowing with resolve.
"Times have changed!"
With that, Krillin let out a mighty roar—and began to transform.
He didn't go straight into Super Saiyan Blue or God form. That level of transformation wasn't needed—not yet.
Frieza's current power didn't deserve it.
No… for now, the original Super Saiyan form was enough.
A fierce energy wave burst from Krillin, turning the sky golden. His body was wrapped in a raging, golden aura. His hair spiked upward—though not as dramatically as Goku or Vegeta's—because, well… Krillin didn't have much hair.
But that didn't matter.
His energy surged, the planet trembling beneath his feet.
"Is that… Uncle Krillin?!"
From the back, Gohan's eyes widened. "He can transform now?!"
He was filled with awe.
It had only been a few months since Krillin had fused with Saiyan blood… and yet, he had already mastered the legendary Super Saiyan form.
"His talent is amazing," Gohan muttered.
But while Gohan was amazed—Frieza was frozen in disbelief.
He stared at Krillin, as if seeing a ghost.
"What… what am I seeing…?" he muttered.
This couldn't be real.
The little bald man… the weakling who had been crushed by his tail…
Now stood before him as a Super Saiyan.
No tricks. No illusions. He could feel the energy. Krillin was radiating the unmistakable power of a Super Saiyan warrior.
Frieza's face twisted in confusion.
This was impossible.
How could a non-Saiyan… become a Super Saiyan?
The transformation that was supposed to be the ultimate legend of the Saiyan race—was now achieved by someone who wasn't even born a Saiyan?
"How?!" Frieza finally shouted. "You're not even a Saiyan! How did you do this?!"
Krillin cracked his knuckles.
"It doesn't matter how," he said calmly. "You just need to understand one thing…"
"I'm not the same person you killed all those years ago."
"This time—I'm going to beat you."
Frieza's fists clenched.
The pressure in the air grew heavier.
And for the first time in a long while… Frieza felt it.
Doubt.
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