NOVEL WEB Chapter 7: CHAPTER 7
c7: Fierce Battle! Luya VS Frieza
No one expected that Luya's first target would be Solby! But confusion spread among the Z Fighters—Solby was just a minor combatant among Frieza's forces, barely stronger than the average Frieza Force soldier. Why would Luya single him out?
Frieza's brow twitched, his face subtly contorting with displeasure. Slowly, he turned to glare at Luya and sneered: "You seem to be quite arrogant for someone I've never heard of."
Luya offered a calm, deliberate smile. "I simply believe that a fair battle between two powerful warriors should be fought without any distractions. Don't you agree, Lord Frieza?"
Frieza's face darkened slightly, an unmistakable flicker of suspicion flashing in his eyes. Did this unknown Saiyan know something? In truth, Frieza had planned meticulously for this invasion of Earth. His trump card a bio-engineered mutant soldier far stronger than Solby was meant to serve as a surprise contingency. But somehow, that backup plan had been neutralized before it could even be deployed. And the one responsible seemed to be this mysterious Saiyan!
This unexpected variable stirred a twinge of rage within Frieza.
Then, with a cruel, almost playful grin, Frieza chuckled: "Hohoho... since you insist on no interference, allow me to do you a favor and eliminate some!"
The moment he finished speaking, Frieza pointed a finger toward Tenshinhan, and with a sharp, high-pitched hiss, a piercing crimson Death Beam shot forward!
Luya's expression shifted instantly. In a flash faster than the naked eye could follow he appeared in front of Tenshinhan and swatted the deadly beam aside with a precise, glowing palm strike!
Frieza's smile faltered. Though his face remained composed, the cold fury simmered just beneath the surface.
Luya turned his head slightly, his voice unwavering: "Leave Frieza to me. Get to safety this battle isn't something you can intervene in."
Tenshinhan gave a small nod, clenching his fists tightly. "Please be careful."
He retreated quickly, joining Kame-Sennin as they took off in the direction of Bulma and the others, away from the danger zone.
Luya faced Frieza again, the faintest smirk on his lips. "Now then… shall we begin?"
Frieza descended to the ground slowly, his golden eyes narrowing. "Who are you really? That power I sense from you... it's disturbingly potent."
Luya simply grinned and reached down, unwrapping the brown monkey-like tail coiled around his waist.
Frieza's expression shifted instantly. "A tail?! Are you… a Saiyan?!"
Luya gave a curt nod. "Correct. Surprised?"
Frieza stepped back half a pace, the realization hitting him hard. "Impossible! All Saiyans save the ones on Earth were wiped out when I destroyed Planet Vegeta!"
Luya's eyes darkened. "You shouldn't concern yourself with ancient history. What matters now is the fight before you."
Frieza shook his head, regaining composure. "So bold… You really believe you can defeat me?"
Luya didn't reply. Instead, he clenched his fists, and in the next instant, he erupted his energy blasting outward like a hurricane. The ground cracked beneath his feet as white-hot energy enveloped his frame, searing the air.
"RRRRAAAAHHH!!"
Frieza's eyes widened as Luya's power skyrocketed. "Wh-What?! What is this power?! How can it be so enormous?!"
Surrounded by a brilliant, flame-like white aura, Luya stood tall and composed, the earth beneath him trembling. "I had originally estimated you'd return in four months—like in the alternate timeline but I didn't expect you'd rush your resurrection and show up this early. I came prepared anyway."
Frieza growled, his smirk vanishing as unease crept in. "Hmph… I thought only Son Goku and Vegeta were threats. But now another damned Saiyan…!"
"CURSE YOU!!"
With a sharp screech, Frieza's body burst into violet flame-like energy. His ki spiked dramatically, shaking the surrounding terrain. He transitioned from his first form to his final form in an instant, skipping the intermediate stages just as he did during his return to Earth in Dragon Ball Super. The golden glow of his True Final Form flared.
Luya watched, eyes gleaming, his Saiyan blood boiling with battle-lust.
Frieza floated forward, his eyes gleaming with malice. "You'll regret standing in my way. I'll erase you just as I did Planet Vegeta!"
Luya tilted his head slightly and grinned. "Then come try."
The battlefield had cleared. The heavens above trembled with pressure. And the air between them grew heavier by the second.
The war between fate and vengeance had begun.
On the other side of the battlefield, Krillin hurriedly supported Piccolo and Gohan, then quickly handed them each a Senzu Bean.
As always, the legendary bean worked like a miracle within seconds of swallowing it, their wounds were completely healed, and their energy fully restored.
"Krillin? Are you okay? Where's Frieza?" Gohan sat up groggily, blinking in confusion.
Krillin smiled and nodded. "I'm alright, Gohan. That Saiyan friend you brought back... he's incredible!"
"Saiyan...?" Gohan repeated, puzzled for a moment. Then realization dawned as Piccolo suddenly turned his head and muttered in shock, "That's… that's Luya, the Saiyan!"
Gohan's eyes widened. He immediately turned to look at the center of the battlefield.
And what he saw stunned him.
"That's… is that really Luya?! How did his power rise so fast? It's insane!" Gohan's jaw dropped. Not long ago, he had been the stronger one, even holding back against Luya during sparring. But now, the sheer pressure rolling off Luya's body made him feel insignificant, as if he were staring at a completely different warrior.
Piccolo's face was grim as he observed. "To think he improved this much in just a little over a day in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber… That kind of progress... even Goku and Vegeta weren't that fast."
At that, everyone watching grew solemn.
Until now, Goku had always been the benchmark of strength. Even if someone were to rival him, it was expected to be Vegeta. But now, Luya an unknown Saiyan was standing toe-to-toe with Frieza!
It was a seismic shift in their world.
Even Vegeta, the self-proclaimed Saiyan elite and eternal runner-up, might need to reevaluate his position.
Back in the fray, Luya and Frieza locked eyes, the tension rising again like a storm about to break.
Frieza's teeth clenched, refusing to be outmatched.
"HAAAA!!!"
With a sudden shout, Luya launched forward like a bullet!
"HMMPH!" Frieza snorted and followed, a purple aura bursting around him like a detonation.
BOOM!
Their fists collided mid-air with an ear-shattering shockwave that cracked the earth below. The power from their clash formed a perfect sphere of turbulent wind around them.
Locked in a dead stalemate, neither backed down. Their auras flared as they poured more energy into the clash.
Suddenly, Frieza smirked. With a quick twist, he grabbed Luya's arm, yanked him forward, and aimed a savage knee toward his abdomen!
But Luya had already predicted the move. He twisted his torso, caught Frieza's knee with his free hand, and hurled the emperor over his shoulder in a swift, punishing throw!
AAAHH!
Frieza slammed into the ground like a meteor, creating a crater.
Luya didn't hesitate. With one hand raised, he formed a spiraling ki sphere and hurled it straight down.
BOOM!!
The blast shook the battlefield. Dust and debris exploded outward in a massive cloud.
Luya narrowed his eyes at the swirling dust cloud. "Hmph... In classic Dragon Ball fashion... if the smoke is thick, they're still alive."
Sure enough, when the dust settled, Frieza stood unharmed, arms folded, a grin spreading across his face.
"Bravo... you truly didn't disappoint me. Besides Son Goku, you're the only Saiyan who's ever made me feel excited about a fight."
Luya gave a casual shrug. "Enough talking. You're still in your first form. Go ahead and transform."
Frieza raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Oh? So you know that much about me. Fascinating. Well then... consider this your reward before I deal with Goku!"
With a scream, Frieza's energy surged. The ground beneath his feet split apart. Rocks and debris floated in the air, defying gravity.
"RAAAHHHH!!!"
In seconds, Frieza's body began to swell. Muscles bulged grotesquely, and his height tripled. He transitioned into his second form, similar to a horned demon. But he wasn't finished yet.
With another scream, his body mutated again into the sleek, beak-like third form, grotesque and alien.
And finally, in a moment of stillness, his body condensed, the bulk receding. His final transformation unfolded.
Gone were the protrusions and armor-like plating. His skin became smooth and white with lilac tones. His head was bald and sleek. This was Frieza's true form the one responsible for destroying Planet Vegeta.
Violent purple energy pulsed around him, and he exhaled calmly.
"This," Frieza said with a smirk, "is my final form."
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