Frieza's red eyes narrowed as he studied the human standing before him.
The tyrant's expression shifted from mild surprise to interest, his tail swaying lazily behind his hovering pod.
"Oh? And who might you be?" Frieza asked, his voice cultured and refined despite the menace lurking beneath.
"Toji Fushiguro, your highness," came the calm reply. "A human. From Earth."
Seeing no reason to hide it, knowing Frieza is merely being polite- as his own forces just recognized him as an earthling.
"Human, you say?" Frieza's lips curled into a cold smile as his gaze flickered briefly toward Vegeta. "Isn't that the planet where the other set of Dragon Balls resided? The ones Vegeta went to obtain?"
Vegeta gritted his teeth, clenching his fists as he steadied his stance. Every muscle in the Saiyan prince's body tensed, anticipating an attack. Years of serving under the tyrant had taught him to expect punishment for even the smallest slights.
But Frieza made no move toward him. Instead, the emperor's attention shifted to his elite soldiers, who were now groaning and struggling to their feet after Toji's casual ki eruption had sent them flying.
Captain Ginyu pushed himself up, his purple face contorted with shock and humiliation. Zarbon's perfect hair was disheveled, dirt staining his elegant armor.
Dodoria looked the most outraged, his pink face flushed an even deeper shade as he sputtered incoherently.
"My, my," Frieza remarked, his tone conversational as if discussing the weather. "You've certainly done a number on my men. And by doing nothing but bursting your energy a little bit."
He tapped a finger against his chin thoughtfully. "Tell me, Toji Fushiguro... would you consider joining me?"
The question hung in the air, shocking everyone present. Krillin's jaw dropped, while Piccolo's eyes narrowed suspiciously. Even Goku seemed taken aback.
"You could become my general," Frieza continued smoothly. "Since you've bested Captain Ginyu, you'd clearly be the strongest of my forces. You'd live a life of luxury."
The tyrant's tail swished as he leaned forward slightly. "I'd even give you an entire cluster of solar systems to rule over if you wish."
"Such a powerful, respectful, and good-looking being as yourself should surely see the wisdom in that, rather than standing in my way."
From the ship's viewports, countless soldiers watched with bated breath. Some whispered among themselves, unable to believe what they were hearing.
Lord Frieza, offering such generosity to a complete stranger?
"Did he just call him good-looking?" Jeice whispered to Burter, who shrugged in confusion.
Toji chuckled- not expecting that just like Jeice, but remembering Frieza saying the same to Yamcha when he first met him- the sound genuine and warm despite the tension permeating the air.
"I respectfully decline, your highness." His eyes gleamed with anticipation. "I've come here for the sole reason of fighting you – the being known as the mightiest in the universe."
He gestured casually toward Vegeta. "Vegeta has been quite adamant about how powerful you are. Telling me the grand tales of your might and conquests. It's the reason I spared his life – him leading me to you."
"Hohohoho!" Frieza's laugh echoed across the Namekian landscape. "If Vegeta knew to speak so well more openly, then perhaps things would've ended up better for him."
The emperor's expression suddenly hardened, his crimson eyes narrowing as he turned his gaze toward the Saiyan prince. "But that is in the past. Now you will die for your treachery."
The words hung in the air like a death sentence. Vegeta's face remained stoic, though sweat beaded on his forehead.
It was Nappa who finally snapped.
"TREACHERY?" the massive Saiyan roared, stepping forward with fists clenched. "How could WE be the traitors when YOU are the one who betrayed US? You destroyed our planet because you feared a stupid legend, while we served you faithfully our entire lives!"
Nappa's outburst shocked everyone – none more than Vegeta, whose eyes widened at his former subordinate's suicidal courage.
'The fool!' Vegeta thought, unable to move. 'He's killed himself!'
Frieza's expression darkened with cold fury. "You dare raise your voice against me? I do not tolerate such insolence," he stated flatly, raising his index finger toward Nappa.
A tiny point of light formed at the tip, growing rapidly instense.
Nappa took a step back, suddenly realizing his mistake, but it was too late. The Death Beam shot forward aimed directly at the Saiyan's heart.
In that instant, Toji vanished from his position.
The beam never reached its target.
Toji reappeared between Nappa and the Death Beam, his hand moving with casual grace to slap the deadly attack aside.
The redirected beam streaked into the distance, where it detonated with a blinding flash, vaporizing an entire island in the green ocean.
"Apologies, your highness," Toji said, his tone polite but firm. "But I'd prefer you don't touch what is mine. I have quite the use for him."
A stunned silence fell over the battlefield.
The soldiers watching from Frieza's ship pressed their faces against the viewports, unable to believe what they'd just witnessed.
Many had served under Lord Frieza for years and had never seen anyone deflect his Death Beam so effortlessly.
"Did you see that?" one whispered.
"I didn't see anything," another replied. "It happened too fast!"
The Ginyu Force stood up again- frozen. Even Captain Ginyu, the proud leader of Frieza's elite squad, felt a cold sweat break out across his purple skin.
'Impossible,' he thought. 'No one moves that fast. No one!'
Zarbon and Dodoria exchanged alarmed glances. In all their years serving Lord Frieza, they had never seen anyone treat his attacks with such casual disregard besides Lord Cooler.
Among the Z Fighters, the reaction was equally stunned. Krillin's mouth hung open, while Gohan clutched his father's gi, eyes wide with awe.
Piccolo's expression remained stoic, but his mind raced with trying to understand what he just saw- and how fast it went.
Goku watched with a mixture of amazement and concern. 'His speed is incredible,' he thought. 'I couldn't even track his movement! And he's still holding back more than even when he showed one percent!'
Nappa himself had fallen backward onto his behind, breathing heavily as the reality of how close he'd come to death sank in.
Had Toji not intervened, he would be nothing more than ashes scattered across the Namekian soil.
Frieza, however, didn't share the general shock. Instead, a slow smile spread across his face, his eyes gleaming with interest rather than anger.
"My, my," he chuckled, genuinely amused. "Such impressive speed and power. I wonder just how strong you truly are."
With deliberate slowness, Frieza activated the red scouter attached to his face. The device immediately began calculating, numbers scrolling rapidly across its display as it measured Toji's power level.
The reading climbed higher and higher: 100,196... 271781... 301,050...
Frieza's eyes widened slightly as the numbers continued to rise: 411,082... 501,743...
Finally, the scouter settled on a reading: 530,000.
'Exactly equal to my current suppressed state,' Frieza realized, genuine surprise flickering across his features.
The advanced model scouter had withstood the reading, but it was clear – this human was no ordinary warrior.
"Well, well," Frieza said, his voice carrying a new note of respect. "It seems I cannot underestimate you after all. You are apparently worthy enough to make me walk the same soil as you."
With grace, Frieza leaped from his hovering pod, landing lightly on his feet before Toji.
The height difference between them was immediately apparent – Toji towering at 6'2" while Frieza's first form stood at a mere 5'2".
Toji leaned forward slightly, hands on his hips, looking down at the tyrant with undisguised interest.
Frieza, unaccustomed to having to look up at anyone- always hovering above them, nevertheless maintained his regal bearing.
"I shall offer one final time," Frieza stated, his tail swishing behind him. "Are you truly sure you wish to challenge me? My offer still stands. It would be a terrible waste to kill someone as talented as yourself."
Toji straightened, cracking his neck to the side with a casual roll of his head. His eyes never left Frieza's, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
"I'm sure," he replied simply.
In that moment, both warriors flared their auras simultaneously – Toji's pure white light erupting around him like a sun going supernova, while Frieza's purple energy crackled and pulsed like a nuke waiting to go off.
The resulting windstorm forced everyone nearby to brace themselves. Krillin and Gohan would have been blown away entirely if not for Goku anchoring them with his own ki.
Piccolo's cape whipped violently in the gale, while Vegeta and the newly recovered Nappa dug their heels into the ground to maintain their positions.
The Ginyu Force formed a protective barrier around their pod, while Zarbon and Dodoria took shelter behind a nearby rock formation.
Piccolo's muscles tensed as he prepared to charge into the battle. If they were to have any chance against Frieza, they would need to attack together, using their superior numbers to at least distract-
"STOP!"
King Kai's voice echoed suddenly in the minds of all the Z Fighters except Toji. The telepathic message was urgent, almost panicked.
"Do not interfere in this fight! You will only get in the way!"
"But King Kai," Goku protested mentally, "we are a lot stronger than before, we should help-"
"No!" King Kai interrupted.
"This is a battle between the strongest warriors – the most powerful ones in the universe - the strongest in history, and the strongest of today! Both are natural-born warriors of immense power!"
"Your interference would only complicate matters."
King Kai himself was clenching his fist as he gazed at the stand off between the two.
He had never thought anyone again would be born with power and talent rivaling the Mad Emperor- but it happened, it truly happened!
This- this is now their only chance at finally being rid of this evil darkness that has stretched itself over the entire universe.
This savior from the present- awakened his power as soon as the Tyrant neared eternal life, as if the universe- fate itself wished to stop him - might enlighten the future!
None- None of them understand the true depths of Frieza and Toji's true power.
They may be powerful compared to the rest of the universe- but as things stand, they are nothing but dusts trying to go against the currents of a cyclone.
They will only be corpses dragged by the mighty winds if they interfere.
As King Kai's warning faded, Toji and Frieza – who had heard nothing of the exchange – exploded into action.
They moved simultaneously, closing the distance between them in the blink of an eye.
Frieza's fist shot forward with devastating speed, aimed directly at Toji's face. The human's forearm rose to meet it, blocking the blow with perfect timing.
The impact created a shockwave that rippled outward, flattening the blue-green grass for hundreds of yards in all directions.
The ground beneath their feet cracked, spider-web fractures spreading outward from the point of contact.
For a moment, they remained frozen in that position – Frieza's fist pressed against Toji's forearm, their auras swirling and clashing where they met. Their eyes locked, each taking the measure of the other.
Then, a smile spread across both their faces – Frieza's cold and calculating, Toji's eager and wild as they burst away and made distance.
Frieza took his characteristic pose- legs brought together, arms spread at the height of his waist, while Toji took an unseen before stance, arms raised upright, spread open to his sides, hands open, legs wide, feet digging into the ground, a wide grin on his face.
"You should know warrior," Frieza began, "You're the challenger here, not me. Like many challengers before you, you will see the fruitlessness of your efforts."
"Don't think you have what it takes to claim the title of Strongest from me. For if you do- then you are sorely mistaken."
Toji's grin only split wider, "Nah, I'm sure I'll win."
As soon as their words finished they burst into battle once more.
The battle to decide the Strongest mortal in the universe has finally begun.
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(Author note: Hello everyone! I hope you all liked the chapter!
Do tell me how you found Toji and Frieza's convo and exchanges.
Next chapter we'll the fight truly happen.
Also, the whole King Kai thinking them the strongest warriors- I don't think he considers Beerus a warrior since he's a destroyer, and Majin Buu is more a malevolent force of nature more than anything.
Well, I hope to see you all probably soon in a couple hours,
Bye!)