CHAPTER 24

Damn it!

Crackling light blue lightning surged wildly across Linze's body, and his golden aura flared upward like a solar storm.

He had instantly entered the form of Super Saiyan 2—electric arcs snapping in the air, muscle density increasing, and his golden hair standing taller and sharper than before.

"Oh?" Toppo's eyes narrowed as he watched the transformation unfold.

"So you're capable of pushing yourself into a second-tier transformation mid-battle. No wonder you were so confident."

There was genuine admiration in Toppo's voice.

"I have to admit you do possess the right to be arrogant. This power… it far surpasses that of Kahseral and Vuon."

Toppo, the God of Destruction candidate for Universe 11, hadn't sensed anyone of this level outside of the known top tiers. The fact that such a strong warrior existed within the universe without his notice was no small oversight—and he knew it.

And now, he wanted Linze on the Pride Troopers roster more than ever.

To find a human this powerful was nothing short of miraculous. He could rival the top-level combatants from other universes, even if he lacked divine ki.

"Come then," Toppo said with a serious look, sliding one foot back and placing his hands in a ready stance.

"You've sparked my interest. Let me test the true depth of your power."

Behind him, Tupper wisely stepped aside. His instinct told him to stay far out of range.

Any opponent who could excite Captain Toppo wasn't someone he could interfere with, he wasn't foolish enough to try.

"That guy looks incredibly strong... are you sure about this?"

Android 18 glanced at Linze from the sidelines, a rare trace of concern in her voice.

The pressure from Toppo's ki alone dwarfed anything the others had released earlier.

"Don't worry." Linze turned his head slightly, flashing a smirk.

"He's not my match."

Fwoosh!

In the blink of an eye, Linze's figure blurred, vanishing like a lightning flash and charging straight at Toppo with brutal speed.

"Fast…" Toppo muttered, eyes narrowing slightly as Linze closed the distance almost instantly.

It was impressive but not overwhelming. Toppo's experience with opponents like Dyspo and Jiren had trained his reflexes well. This speed surprised him, but didn't threaten him.

Huhhh !

Linze's golden fist came screaming through the air, aimed squarely at Toppo's chest.

Toppo didn't move his feet. His expression remained composed, but his right arm shifted with perfect timing. His massive palm opened and swept backward like a shield.

Bang!

Linze's punch landed solidly into Toppo's palm, a heavy shockwave bursting outward with a crackle of displaced energy.

Crack…

The nearby ground fractured beneath Linze's feet. The force of his attack rippled through the arena space but Toppo hadn't budged an inch.

The two stood locked for a moment Super Saiyan 2 versus a God of Destruction candidate. Golden lightning clashed against unshakable justice.

The ground beneath Toppo's boots suddenly split with a deafening crack, spider-webbing outward in jagged lines across the battlefield.

But Toppo's body didn't so much as flinch standing there like an immovable boulder, the embodiment of justice's indomitable will.

> "Your power isn't bad… but it's only impressive when compared to average fighters."

Toppo smiled calmly, then suddenly lunged forward his massive left fist whipping through the air with terrifying momentum toward Linze.

Sensing the threat, Linze quickly pulled back his own arm and crossed both forearms in front of his chest in a defensive stance.

Bang!

With a deep boom, the impact sent Linze flying backward, his boots skidding violently across the rocky terrain. His heels dug deep, carving two long, uneven trenches into the ground for several dozen feet before he finally came to a halt.

"This guy's strength really is something else…"

Linze flexed his aching arms, the recoil still stinging. But instead of concern, a grin formed at the corner of his mouth a wicked, eager grin.

His Saiyan blood boiled with anticipation.

"Interesting. I only got pushed back that much?"

For the average warrior, Toppo's punch would have been devastating. But Linze? He was thrilled.

"There aren't many in the universe who can withstand even one percent of my strength," Toppo said, his tone laced with praise.

"You're clearly exceptional."

He had expected Linze to be shocked, maybe even frightened. But Linze didn't bat an eye.

What Toppo didn't know… was that Linze hadn't even used one percent of his own full power.

"You're not bad either," Linze admitted with a chuckle. "You're stronger than I thought."

"But it looks like this form won't cut it against you…"

He trailed off, the confident smirk never leaving his face.

"So then, I guess it's time I go all out. Let's make this fight fun."

Linze's posture shifted,he shook both arms out wide and planted his feet.

"Haah!"

A guttural roar surged from his chest.

Whooom!

His golden aura instantly expanded, flaring upward like a living inferno. Within moments, it bathed the battlefield in a blinding golden hue lightning and energy whipping around him in chaotic spirals.

Dzzzztt!

Golden bolts of lightning danced violently through the halo of energy, while shockwaves exploded outward in every direction circles of raw force rippling from Linze's body like the rings of a sonic boom.

"W-What's going on?!" Tupper shouted from behind Toppo, raising his arms to shield himself from the blast.

Even from several meters away, the air pressure pushed him backward step by step.

"That guy wasn't even using his real power just now?!"

Through the crack between his arms, Tupper's wide, fearful eyes locked onto Linze's glowing form.

The sheer aura Linze was emitting was so suffocating, Tupper felt as though a single flick from this man could end him.

"Unbelievable…" Toppo muttered, watching closely as his smile faded.

"His energy—it's increased over a hundredfold."

This wasn't just a jump in power, it was an awakening.

"That earlier strength… it was barely anything compared to this!"

Toppo's body tensed. Now, even he felt the weight of the pressure Linze was generating. For the first time in a long while, a real threat stood in front of him.

Ten seconds later, the turbulent waves began to slow. The blinding aura dimmed gradually, finally settling enough for Toppo to see the figure within.

A tall, imposing warrior stood revealed in the golden mist.

His shoulder-length black hair had shifted red now streaked across it, and his wild bangs hung over his face. His upper body was bare, revealing hardened muscle etched with power.

His pupils had turned a shining gold, while his eye sockets were tinged in crimson, giving him a predatory and chaotic presence almost like a fusion between a Super Saiyan God, Super Saiyan 4, and something more sinister.

"What is this? His physique and appearance… they've changed completely."

Toppo took a half-step back, his heart pounding. The ki rolling off Linze was heavy dense enough to distort the air. His body radiated heat and wild divinity.

And the energy itself?

It had multiplied beyond calculation.

"This is my ultimate transformation," Linze declared, a wicked grin forming again on his lips.

"Now the real fight begins. Let's make it intense, Toppo."

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