Chapter 44: The Frieza Force Arrives
Levos didn't just join the Martial Arts Tournament to reunite with his allies. He was also hoping to locate Babidi.
If he could eliminate Babidi before Majin Buu was resurrected, then not only would the Majin Buu threat be resolved, but Frieza and his father's entire plan would also be thrown into disarray.
But the sudden news about Frieza possessing the Dragon Balls, and the possibility that Cell Max might still be active, completely disrupted Levos's original strategy.
Though he hadn't confirmed Cell Max's involvement, he had already succeeded in sowing distrust between Frieza's faction and Cell's.
That was as much as he could do for now. The rest would have to be taken one step at a time.
Moments later, the registration process was complete.
A designated attendant arrived to lead Levos and his group to the contestant rest area.
As they walked, the attendant turned back toward Levos and Bulma and said, "Per the tournament rules, weapons and armor are not allowed. The protective suits you're wearing must be removed."
Levos glanced at their combat suits.
The armor wasn't a big deal either way.
So, he casually removed the outer plating, leaving only the tight inner suit that clearly outlined his muscular frame.
But then...
"Ah, wait, this won't work!" Bulma froze in place, her face turning beet red.
Levos looked puzzled. "What's wrong, Bulma?"
Blushing deeply, Bulma leaned in and whispered into his ear, "Levos... I didn't wear anything underneath my bodysuit…"
"…Huh?" Levos' eyes widened. No wonder her chest had been bouncing more than usual lately!
After spending so much time together in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, Levos and Bulma were no strangers to awkward situations.
During sparring, accidental wardrobe malfunctions were common.
Levos would always cover his face and exclaim he "saw nothing," but in truth, he'd never missed a single moment.
Bulma had scolded him for it plenty of times.
Yet, despite everything, their relationship remained close. Comrades bound by shared hardship. Under the looming threats to Earth, their bond was pure and resilient.
Which was why Bulma now felt comfortable enough to seek his help in this very private predicament.
Even Levos, usually calm and unfazed, was momentarily stunned.
He cleared his throat and quickly said, "Let's just find a place to change, then."
Before they could move, however, a commotion broke out at the registration booth.
Levos and Bulma both frowned and turned toward the source.
"This is a tournament that could decide the fate of the world! Why can't we use mechas?" came a loud, frustrated female voice.
"Yeah! I spent three straight days and nights building these mechas!" shouted a man in protest.
"Do you have any idea how much work Emperor Pilaf put into these? I won't allow this insult!" added an impassioned canine voice.
Hearing that, Levos's expression shifted.
Just as he suspected...
A girl, a boy, and a dog were locked in a heated argument with the staff.
Three oddly shaped mechas stood parked beside them.
Levos hadn't expected to run into the Pilaf Gang here of all places.
And with their strength? Trying to get involved in this tournament?
Still, Levos had always respected Pilaf's mechanical talent.
But now wasn't the time for admiration. No matter how smart Pilaf was, he couldn't change Earth's fate overnight.
Suddenly, a fleet of massive saucer-shaped warships roared across the sky, casting enormous shadows over West City.
A deafening rumble followed as skyscrapers collapsed in the distance, reduced to rubble.
Levos's pupils shrank.
The Frieza Force reinforcements had arrived on Earth.
Moments later, several bright red flares streaked across the sky, trailing long tails of fire as they landed beyond the horizon.
The skyline glowed with flashes of flame, and smoke billowed upward, visible even from behind the city's ruined buildings.
Levos recognized those red lights instantly. Frieza's elite soldiers always traveled in those single-pod spacecraft.
And judging by the energy they were emitting, these weren't your run-of-the-mill grunts.
Even their base power far surpassed standard troopers.
All around, people began to panic.
The ground quaked. Screams echoed. West City spiraled into chaos.
Above the confusion, small groups of Frieza Force soldiers appeared, patrolling the sky.
"L-Lord Pilaf, those aliens… they don't look like the friendly kind…" said Shu, trembling.
"I-It's fine! Once I gather the Dragon Balls and make my wish, they'll all become my subordinates anyway!" Pilaf said, trying to convince himself.
"But Lord Pilaf, those aliens landed right where the Dragon Ball signals are strongest. How are we supposed to get there now?" Mai asked, voice trembling.
At some point, the trio had taken refuge behind Levos, quietly shivering and whispering.
Levos perked up his ears and clearly overheard their conversation.
So... even they were looking for the Dragon Balls?
Levos was about to ask Bulma to take out the radar and check the current locations.
But before he could speak, a squad of Frieza soldiers flew toward their position.
Tap tap tap...
Dozens of soldiers landed in formation at the registration site.
"We're here to join the tournament," one said coldly.
The staff exchanged nervous glances.
One brave attendant finally stepped forward. "U-Um… tournament rules prohibit the use of weapons and armor. Please remove your gear…"
"Oh? Is that so?" the lead soldier grinned wickedly.
"Y-Yes… that's correct!" the attendant stammered.
"Hmph. You think someone like me is going to follow the rules of some backwater planet?" The soldier clenched his fist and threw a punch straight at the man's face.
His fist was caught mid-air by a single palm.
He looked up and saw a chiseled, emotionless face staring back at him.
"Who are you?" the lead soldier growled. He quickly pressed the button on his scouter.
Beep beep beep...
Power Level: 0
"Hey punk, are you trying to die?" another soldier snarled. "Do you have any idea who you're dealing with? We serve Lord Frieza, Emperor of the Universe! You dare lay a hand on us?!"
"You're welcome to try," the man said coolly. He squeezed.
With a scream of agony, the lead soldier dropped to his knees, clutching his broken wrist.
Everyone froze.
The strongest among them had just been casually disabled.
The others immediately pulled out their guns and took aim. "You'll pay for this, scum!"
"…But I'm one of you," the man said, rubbing his chin.
A soldier squinted and noticed. He was wearing one of the Frieza Force's older-model uniforms.
And in his other hand... a scouter.
"E-Excuse me… sir? Which division are you from? Why are you wearing that vintage armor?"
"I'm not anyone important," the man replied. "Name's Levos. Just joined the force recently."
Everyone went blank.
Levos?!
They'd never heard of that name before.
A rookie?!
That kind of strength, and he claimed he was a new recruit?
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