CHAPTER 23

After another two minutes, there was a sudden low whoosh as the air was split open. Two powerful auras descended like a storm, and in the next instant, two figures landed in front of Linze and Android 18 with tremendous pressure.

Leading the way was a towering, bald man with a burly physique and clenched fists as large as rice bowls. His stern eyes, the size of copper bells, radiated righteousness. His skin was a pale ochre-yellow, and he had a pair of sharp, elf-like ears protruding from the sides of his head.undeniably a warrior with godlike presence.

This was Toppo, the leader of the Pride Troopers, Universe 11's elite justice force and a candidate to become a God of Destruction.

Behind him was a slimmer warrior with a turquoise complexion, dark blue swept-back hair, and a long, square jawline. His calm demeanor did not betray his strength,he was Tupper, known for his golem-like defensive form in battle.

Both wore the iconic red and black Pride Troopers uniforms, a symbol of absolute justice in Universe 11.

Toppo's deep, thunderous voice echoed through the space.

"What happened here, Caseral? You're in this sorry state? This is disgraceful to the Pride Troopers!"

His tone was laced with disappointment.

Indeed, the Pride Troopers prided themselves on justice and strength. For a three-man squad like Caseral, Kahseral, and Vuon to be beaten so thoroughly, this was unprecedented since the Universe Survival Saga.

"Captain… these two aren't just ordinary wanderers," Caseral muttered, bowing his head in shame, but quickly looked up and reported, "That man he's abnormally strong, beyond what I anticipated."

"Is that your excuse?" Toppo's sharp eyes scanned Caseral, not impressed.

Then, with heavy steps, he turned to face Linze, the man who had casually bested his subordinates.

"What crime have you committed?" he asked, voice steady but powerful, like thunder rumbling before a storm.

Before Linze could speak, Caseral jumped in hastily.

"Captain, the two of them… were eating at the Zenos' Palace Restaurant and refused to pay! The restaurant manager called us in… and then…"

Caseral trailed off, unable to admit the humiliating part that their entire team was flattened in a matter of moments.

"So, it was something this trivial?" Toppo raised an eyebrow.

He sighed, then turned back to the other three wounded Pride Troopers.

"You three return the payment to the restaurant under my name. Then report to Margarita for healing," he ordered, referring to Universe 11's angel.

As they limped off, he returned his gaze to Linze, eyes narrowing.

"You must be quite the warrior to defeat both Caseral and Vuon at once. For that feat, I'll cover the meal."

Toppo said this not as a surrender but as a calculated decision a rare show of respect from a warrior of his stature.

"Appreciate the generosity," Linze smiled, unfazed.

After all, if he was to make it big in this universe, clashes like these were bound to happen and allies or rivals like Toppo were stepping stones on that path.

But Linze was honestly a little shocked.

He hadn't expected that Toppo, Universe 11's Pride Troopers leader and a candidate God of Destruction, would handle things like this rather than charging into battle the moment he arrived, he calmly paid for Linze's meal without any aggression.

Back when he watched Dragon Ball Super fan comics and even the official manga arcs, Linze didn't particularly like or dislike Toppo. The guy had always seemed too rigid, too obsessed with justice.

But today's Toppo? He wasn't bad at all.

"You're a formidable warrior," Toppo said with conviction. "As the captain of the Pride Troopers, I formally invite you to join our ranks."

"From this day on, your meals are on me."

Toppo's admiration was clear. Rather than lashing out like a hot-headed fighter, he extended a hand of camaraderie—an olive branch from one warrior to another.

This caught Linze off guard. The towering enforcer of justice standing before him was very different from the Toppo he had imagined from doujin stories and tournament footage.

No, he couldn't just let this situation evolve passively.

"A joke!"

"Do I look like someone who can't afford lunch?"

Linze sneered at Toppo's generous offer, though deep down he knew he was dead broke at the moment.

Just then, before Toppo could reply, the slim and arrogant Tupper the golem-style Pride Trooper who had watched from behind—stepped forward with a dismissive scoff.

"Hey, brat. Captain Toppo personally invited you. That's an honor most fighters only dream of. You ought to be grateful."

"Understand?"

Linze turned slowly, his golden eyes narrowing at Tupper like a cold blade.

"Who are you to speak out of turn?" he said icily. "The other three already left for healing. If you're not careful, I'll send you to join them."

Tupper instantly shrank back, clearly sensing the intensity emanating from Linze's ki. Even with Toppo standing beside him, Tupper got the distinct impression that if he dared talk back, Linze might still knock him out cold.

"Joining the Pride Troopers is the dream of many martial artists," Toppo added, unshaken. "Are you certain you want to pass up such an opportunity?"

Linze grinned.

"How about this? I'll consider joining your Pride Troopers, if you can beat me."

Toppo's brow furrowed.

With his strength recognized across all universes, second only to Jiren and Belmod in Universe 11, no one dared speak to him like this. Linze's confidence bordered on arrogance, and it piqued Toppo's interest.

"What?"

Toppo wasn't sure he'd heard correctly. Someone challenging him, the man next in line to become a God of Destruction?

Aside from Jiren, not even other gods dared speak so casually to him.

"You heard me," Linze repeated with a smirk. "If you defeat me, I'll join you right away. How's that for a deal?"

Toppo stared at him for a moment, then exhaled slowly.

"You're bold. Too bold. It seems defeating Caseral and Vuon inflated your ego beyond reason."

"Even so!" Linze shrugged. "Let's see what your 'justice' is really made of."

Toppo's eyes sharpened like blades. His aura began to stir.

"Very well," he said solemnly. "You want to see the strength of a Pride Trooper Captain? I'll grant your wish."

He clenched his fist, his aura flickering around his massive frame.

Tupper watched eagerly from the side, face lighting up with anticipation. Linze was strong but arrogant. Time for Captain Toppo to put him in his place.

"Teach him what real power looks like, Captain," he muttered to himself. "Let's see how cocky he is after this."

"Come then, Toppo," Linze replied, his own ki erupting like a storm.

His fists tightened, and in an instant, his energy flared upward, a brilliant golden aura engulfing his entire body. The ground cracked beneath his feet, air distorting around him as if space itself trembled.

The fight for pride was about to begin.

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