Freeza's form flickered, appearing instantly before Goku with a whip-like kick aimed at his head.
Goku caught the strike effortlessly and retaliated with a crushing kick that sent the Emperor of the Universe hurtling backward.
Freeza in his base form, with a battle power barely exceeding 530,000, was no match for him.
Goku glanced toward the Grand Elder's nearly collapsed dwelling—the result of Freeza's impact—and frowned. The Grand Elder was already fading; if caught in the shockwaves of their battle, he would perish. And if he died, the seven Dragon Balls would turn to stone.
Freeza rose from the rubble, his expression twisted with fury. "You insolent worm! I will tear you apart!"
"Wait!" Goku commanded, halting Freeza's advance. "We need to move this fight. You saw it too—the Grand Elder is dying. If our battle reaches him, he will die. And if he dies," Goku's eyes narrowed, "your wish vanishes with him."
"Tch. Such trivialities mean nothing to me," Freeza sneered, though a calculating glint flashed in his eyes. "But very well. Let us relocate this farce."
Goku nodded, gathered his ki, and shot toward the horizon. Freeza followed closely.
They arrived at a vast, desolate plain. Goku landed softly, turning to face Freeza, who perched atop a jagged rock spire. "Here. This will do."
Freeza's lip curled. "Have you selected your grave?"
"Enough talk," Goku said, his impatience showing. "Transform. Right now, I could end you with one blow."
"Oh?" Freeza's eyes widened in genuine surprise. "You know of my transformations? How intriguing. But know this—once I begin, you will have no chance. Let us start with the first!"
With a guttural roar, Freeza's energy surged violently. His muscles bulged and expanded, his small frame growing tall and brutish in an instant.
"You would do well to be cautious," Freeza boomed, his voice deeper. "I am no longer so… gentle."
Goku's blood ignited with excitement. "Yes! This is more like it! But it's not enough. I know you have two more stages! Transform! Show me your final form! I can't wait any longer!"
"Arrogant fool!" Freeza bellowed, launching a devastating punch.
"I told you—not enough!" Goku roared. He clenched his fist and met Freeza's blow head-on. The impact echoed like thunder, and with a mighty shove, he forced Freeza back dozens of meters.
"HAAAAAAAAAA—!"
Goku threw his head back and unleashed a primal scream. His aura erupted, a colossal geyser of energy shot through with arcs of lightning. It tore through the clouds, whipped the atmosphere into howling gales, and made the very planet tremble.
"This… this power…!" Freeza stammered, his face pale. "A mere monkey… how can he possess such energy? Impossible! Unless… could he truly be… the legendary Super Saiyan?!"
"FREEZA!" Goku's voice was a thunderclap, his eyes blazing. "Your final form! NOW! Or you die where you stand!"
"Nonsense! I am Lord Freeza, the strongest in the universe! The legend is a fairy tale! RAAAAH!"
Freeza's energy surged again, his body distorting into a more monstrous, horned second form. But it didn't stop. His aura crackled, and his massive frame began to shrink, condensing into a sleek, diminutive, and deadly final form.
This is it. Goku's grin was fierce. The power radiating from Freeza was immense, cold, and cruel. "This is your true power? Excellent! HAH!" Without another word, he shot forward.
"You will regret your eagerness!" Freeza hissed, meeting Goku mid-air.
Their collision was cataclysmic. The shockwave flattened the surrounding landscape for miles. Fists and ki blurs became indistinguishable, a storm of impacts echoing from the heavens.
"YES! This is a battle! HAHAHA!" Goku laughed, the sheer thrill of the fight coursing through him.
"DIE!"
Freeza's tail snapped like a vice, slamming Goku toward the earth. Before he could recover, a relentless barrage of ki blasts rained down.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM—!
The ground fractured, continents shifting. Molten magma spewed from deep wounds in the planet's crust.
Goku dangled from a crumbling rock face, catching his breath. Using Bukūjutsu, he levitated over the searing lava below. He was in bad shape—his gi in tatters, body bloodied, his right arm hanging limp and shattered.
Damn… he's strong. And this isn't even his full power… maybe 50%? The pressure is unreal.
With a flick of his wrist, a single Senzu Bean appeared. He popped it into his mouth and swallowed.
In an instant, his injuries vanished. His energy not only restored but amplified, bursting forth with renewed vigor.
"Wahaha! So this is the Saiyan instinct!" he cheered, feeling his power crest. "No matter how strong you are, Freeza, as long as I have these, I'll grind you down!"
He shot back into the sky, pristine and brimming with power.
Freeza's crimson eyes widened in pure shock as Goku ascended, completely healed. "You… you vermin! How?!"
The smug confidence on the tyrant's face melted into seething, unrestrained rage.
The true battle for Namek had just begun.