The Frost Demon of Universe 7

A few moments after the battle ended, Zero's body began to tremble as an intense wave of pain surged through him, gripping him like a vice. It was as if his very cells were being torn apart and rebuilt from the inside out, a process eerily similar to the agony he endured during the genetic assimilation of the Saiyan DNA. The Zenkai boost had triggered, an evolutionary response to the immense damage he had sustained during the battle.

The pain was overwhelming, but it wasn't mindless suffering. Every ache, every searing sensation felt purposeful, as though his body was actively imprinting on the injuries he had sustained. His mind flashed with moments from the fight—the ferocity of the Saiyan's strikes, the precision of their movements, and the raw power of their transformation. He wasn't just recovering; he was learning, adapting, and evolving.

During this brief yet excruciating process, Zero's senses sharpened. His understanding of the battle deepened, as if his body had recorded every strike, every movement, and every mistake. The Zenkai boost wasn't merely a healing mechanism—it was a transformative experience, recalibrating his body to not only recover but to grow stronger in response to adversity. When the pain finally began to subside, his body showed clear signs of recovery. The wounds he had sustained started closing, his muscles felt denser, and his ki burned hotter and brighter than before.

Zero exhaled, steadying himself. His frost-blue aura flickered faintly as he tested the bounds of his newfound power. "So," he muttered to himself, his voice low, "this is a Zenkai boost? If the Saiyans knew how to truly harness this ability, Universe 7 would have a Saiyan God of Destruction. This potential makes every other race seem insufficient by comparison."

Despite the surge of power, a sense of humility tempered Zero's thoughts. "I still have a long way to go before I can be considered a truly powerful being," he admitted to himself. His eyes narrowed as his thoughts turned strategic. "Not only that, but being alone puts me at a disadvantage. The Frost Demons cannot be trusted, the Saiyans are ruthless... and the Tuffles—"

He paused, the beginnings of an idea dawning in his mind. The Tuffles... perhaps they are the key. Their technological prowess and intelligence could serve as invaluable assets in his journey, though their lack of physical strength would make them reliant on someone like him for protection. The thought lingered in his mind, but there was no time to dwell on it now. His focus shifted to the present.

Zero straightened, his composure returning as he glanced around the battlefield one last time. He had achieved what he needed here, for now. The potential of Planet Sadala was undeniable, but he knew he wasn't ready to uncover all its secrets yet. There was still too much risk, too many unknowns.

Without another word, Zero launched into the sky, his body cutting through the atmosphere like a streak of frost-blue light. Within minutes, he reached the orbiting battleship. Entering the ship, he strode past the Tuffles without a word, his aura still faintly crackling with residual energy from the Zenkai boost. His silence spoke volumes—he was deep in thought, planning his next move.

Mikan, the lead Tuffle scientist, approached cautiously, sensing the intensity radiating from Zero. "Did you accomplish your mission on Planet Sadala?" he asked, his tone hesitant.

Zero stopped, his back still turned. "I got what I needed," he replied flatly. "For now. We'll return when I'm more powerful—when I'm ready to investigate this planet fully. There's more to Sadala than meets the eye, and I intend to uncover it all."

He moved to the ship's command console, inputting coordinates for their next destination. As the battleship began to shift course, leaving Sadala's orbit, Zero allowed himself a brief moment of reflection. The Zenkai boost had given him a glimpse of what he could become, but it had also reinforced how far he still had to go.

Zero leaned against the command console, his cyan eyes glowing faintly as he contemplated the idea forming in his mind. The Tuffles had proven themselves invaluable with their intelligence, innovation, and adaptability. However, they were physically weak—a stark contrast to the raw, untamed power of the Saiyans. But what if I could merge these two extremes? he thought. What if I could create a new species, one with the Tuffles' intellect and the Saiyans' strength, without the inherent flaws of either race?

The idea was bold, ambitious, and potentially transformative. No more would Tuffles be prey to physically superior races. No more would Saiyans' primal instincts dominate their decisions. The two could become something greater, something balanced.

Turning toward Mikan, Zero's voice broke the silence. "Mikan," he began, his tone calm but laced with an intensity that commanded attention, "did you see the power of the Saiyans?"

Mikan, who had been poring over the ship's scanners and reviewing data from the battle, looked up sharply. His face was pale, a mix of awe and fear etched across it. He nodded hesitantly, his mind flashing back to the chaotic, destructive clash he had witnessed. "Of course," Mikan said, his voice slightly shaky. "I vividly remember it. Honestly, I was afraid you wouldn't make it out alive. Such power... it's unlike anything we've ever encountered on Planet Plant."

Zero nodded, letting the words sink in before continuing. "What if I told you," he said, his voice measured and deliberate, "that I have the ability to make you into the perfect balance of Tuffle and Saiyan? A being with all their strengths but none of their weaknesses. You would retain your intelligence, your ingenuity, and the skills you've honed as a Tuffle. But you would also gain their immense physical power, their resilience, and their potential for growth."

Mikan's eyes widened, his analytical mind immediately grasping the magnitude of what Zero was suggesting. "You mean... combining Tuffle and Saiyan genetics? Is that even possible?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly, though not from fear but from the sheer weight of the concept.

"It's not just possible," Zero said, his lips curling into a faint smirk. "It's inevitable. I've already assimilated Saiyan genetics into my own DNA, and I understand their structure. With the right tools and knowledge—both of which I possess—I can create a hybrid. Not a mere blend of the two races, but a new species altogether. One that embodies the intelligence of the Tuffles and the power of the Saiyans, without being held back by their individual weaknesses."

Mikan was silent, his mind racing. He thought of the Tuffles' long history of subjugation and struggle. The idea of being on equal footing with the galaxy's most powerful beings was tantalizing. "What would it mean for us? For the Tuffles?" he asked cautiously, his voice betraying a mix of hope and skepticism.

"It means evolution," Zero replied firmly, stepping closer. "It means survival. The Tuffles are brilliant, but your race is vulnerable. You're too reliant on technology to defend yourselves against those who are naturally stronger. And the Saiyans? Their brute strength is wasted by their lack of foresight and control. Together, these two extremes can create something... perfect. But it requires a willing participant."

Mikan hesitated, the weight of the decision pressing down on him. The offer was extraordinary, but the implications were vast. "If I agreed," he said slowly, "what would happen to me? Would I still be... me?"

"You would still be Mikan," Zero assured him, his voice steady and persuasive. "Your mind, your memories, your personality—all of it would remain intact. The process would simply enhance you. Think of it as unlocking potential you never knew you had. You would be stronger, faster, and more resilient, capable of feats no Tuffle could ever achieve. But your intellect, your creativity, and your identity would remain unchanged."

Mikan's gaze dropped, his mind wrestling with the enormity of the offer. Finally, he looked up, his eyes meeting Zero's. "And if it works... this could change everything for the Tuffles."

Zero nodded, his smirk returning. "Exactly. This isn't just about survival, Mikan. It's about evolution. The Tuffles could become a force that no race in the universe would dare challenge. But it starts with you. Will you accept my offer?"

The room fell silent, the hum of the ship's engines the only sound as Mikan considered the proposition. His hands clenched at his sides, his expression a mixture of fear, excitement, and determination. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he took a deep breath and nodded.

"I'll do it," he said, his voice firm. "If it means protecting my people and ensuring our future, I'll do whatever it takes."

Zero's smirk widened into a satisfied grin. "Good," he said. "Then let's begin."

Zero's gaze locked onto Mikan, his voice calm but carrying an unmistakable edge of seriousness. "This will hurt," he said, his eyes narrowing slightly. "But whatever you do, you must not give up. If you lose your resolve, the process will kill you."

Mikan swallowed hard, his hands trembling slightly at his sides, but he nodded, determination flickering in his gaze. He wasn't sure if it was courage or desperation driving him, but he knew this was his only chance to transcend the limits of his race. "I'm ready," he said, his voice steady despite the fear clawing at the edges of his mind.

Zero turned his focus inward, directing his thoughts to Oracle. "Oracle, begin the genetic modification process. Integrate the traits of a Saiyan into his genetic sequence, but do not add anything that could alter his overall personality or identity. Maintain his Tuffle intellect and temperament."

He paused for a moment, his thoughts shifting to a specific vision. "And one more thing. Modify the transformation appearance. Instead of the traditional golden hair and green eyes associated with a Super Saiyan, make his transformation unique. His hair will turn white, and his eyes will glow red as a tribute to the Tuffle Neo Machine and Baby. This idea stems from their legacy—it's a reminder of where this evolution began."

Oracle's mechanical voice responded immediately.

[Acknowledged. Beginning genetic modification process. Subject will experience significant pain as their cellular structure undergoes reconfiguration. Estimated duration: 15 minutes.]

Zero Placed his hand on Mikan, a faint hum began to fill the room. Mikan's body stiffened as Oracle's process began, his breathing growing rapid. The hum intensified, and soon Mikan's entire form was enveloped in a faint golden glow, the energy swirling around him like a cocoon.

The pain struck without warning. Mikan let out a sharp cry as his body seized, his muscles spasming uncontrollably. His cells were being rewritten at the molecular level, Saiyan traits being spliced into his Tuffle DNA. Sweat poured down his face as he gritted his teeth, his hands clawing at the air in a futile attempt to ground himself against the agony.

"Don't lose focus," Zero commanded, his voice cutting through the noise. "The pain is temporary. Your body is adapting—this is the price of evolution."

Mikan's mind raced, the sensation unlike anything he'd ever experienced. It felt as though fire was coursing through his veins, burning away the old to make way for the new. His vision blurred, flashes of light dancing before his eyes as his consciousness teetered on the edge. He could feel his body changing—his muscles strengthening, his senses sharpening, his ki flaring with a potency he had never known.

Oracle's voice broke through the chaos, steady and clinical.

"[Genetic modification is progressing as expected. Integration of Saiyan traits at 60%. Subject's vitals remain stable, though elevated.]"

Mikan let out another cry, his knees buckling as he collapsed to the floor. His fingers dug into the metal plating beneath him, his body trembling violently. But through the haze of pain, he clung to Zero's words. Do not give up, or you will die.

As the process neared completion, the energy surrounding Mikan shifted. The golden glow darkened, transforming into a brilliant white light that pulsed with intensity. Mikan's screams subsided as the pain began to recede, replaced by a strange warmth—a surge of power coursing through his body.

"[Genetic modification at 90%. Preparing final transformation protocols.]" Oracle's voice announced.

Mikan's body arched as the final surge of energy erupted within him. His hair, once dark and unremarkable, began to shimmer, turning a brilliant white that seemed to glow with an inner light. His eyes snapped open, their irises now a striking crimson, glowing with a fiery intensity that spoke of both power and purpose.

"[Genetic modification complete. Subject's transformation appearance successfully modified. Hair: white. Eyes: red. Power output increased by 800%. Subject retains full cognitive function and Tuffle personality traits.]" Oracle declared.

Mikan slowly rose to his feet, his breaths ragged but steady. He looked down at his hands, flexing his fingers as he felt the raw power coursing through him. It was overwhelming, yet controlled—a perfect balance of strength and intellect. His reflection in a nearby console screen caught his eye, and he stared at the white-haired, red-eyed figure looking back at him.

"This... this is incredible," Mikan said, his voice trembling with awe. He turned to Zero, his expression a mixture of gratitude and disbelief. "I feel... unstoppable."

Zero nodded, a faint smirk on his lips. "You're not unstoppable yet," he said, his tone sharp but not unkind. "This is only the beginning. You have the power of a Saiyan now, but you're still a Tuffle at heart. Use your intellect, your creativity, to master this power. When the time comes, you'll be part of something far greater than yourself."

Mikan clenched his fists, his resolve solidifying. He felt stronger than he had ever imagined possible, but he also knew the responsibility that came with this power. "I won't waste this gift," he said firmly. "I'll prove that the Tuffles are capable of more than anyone ever thought."

"Good," Zero replied, turning back to the command console. "Because the universe is about to learn just how powerful the Tuffles can become."