Boom! Boom! Boom!

Trankon swung his massive energy blade, cleaving through several fused Zamasu bodies in quick succession, shattering them into fragments.

Frieza and Cooler attacked with equal ferocity, their efficiency in killing no less than Trankon's.

"Frieza's strength… it's grown even further!" Trankon muttered under his breath.

On the other side, the Trunks of this timeline stood guard near the temple, shielding against stray energy blasts.

He drew a deep breath.

After half a year of grueling training, he had finally mastered Super Saiyan 2. His power had increased dramatically compared to before.

Yet, seeing Frieza now felt like a boulder pressing down on his chest.

This demon's growth rate was terrifying.

His own progress couldn't keep up in the slightest.

Trunks had always thought the two of them were racing on the same track. But after the same six months of training, the gap between their achievements was like heaven and earth.

Trunks felt unwilling, even resentful. Without overwhelming power, how could he hope to protect this world?

Suddenly

A heated argument broke out in the plaza.

"Hey! How dare you interfere with my treatment plan?" Kikono fumed, his voice sharp.

Trunks turned his head toward the noise.

Kikono, Pilaf, and Dr. Hedo were quarreling.

"Since we still need time before Levos recovers, why not take this chance to remove the flaws in Cell Max's design?" Dr. Hedo insisted stubbornly.

"I don't object to fixing weaknesses," Pilaf said gravely. "But he was once a human being! How can you push him even further down the path of becoming a monster?"

"Those Dark Saiyans aren't monsters they're Saiyans! And I worked hard to have my Bee Drones harvest their blood samples."

Dr. Hedo tapped his wrist device. A thin antenna popped up from his arm.

Buzz

A bee-shaped micro-robot zipped back from the distance, hovering at his side.

Each of its mechanical limbs was equipped with tiny syringes, faintly glowing with different colors.

"You mean to infuse those Saiyan genes directly into Lord Levos' body?" Kikono frowned.

"Of course. With Cell Max's devouring properties, that step will be easy." Dr. Hedo replied as if it were only natural.

Pilaf's brows twisted like knots. "But my castle was destroyed by a rampaging Great Ape Saiyan… Do you know the kind of destruction that causes?"

At the mention, Shu and Mai shuddered, recalling the terrifying scene.

Dr. Hedo cut him off. "We can't waste the Saiyan genes, especially those from Rose Broly!"

Kikono's expression darkened with unease. "Your Earth genetic engineering is indeed advanced, but this approach is far too reckless. Have you thought about the consequences?"

Dr. Hedo shrugged. "The whole universe is on the brink of destruction. Why bother worrying so much?"

The crowd stiffened. As reckless as it sounded, he had a point.

Dr. Hedo smirked with confidence. "Besides, I created Cell Max. I've already researched this thoroughly Saiyan DNA is highly compatible with Earthling genes. Who knows? Maybe Levos will even return to his original appearance."

"You Earth scientists are insane…" Kikono muttered in disbelief.

"Hmph. If we're to resolve this crisis, we must strengthen Levos at all costs. We have no choice."

Kikono sighed and nodded.

"Fine. Since you insist, I'll cooperate as best I can. But let's hope nothing goes wrong." Pilaf finally relented.

"Relax," Kikono added, "with my regeneration technology, even in the worst case, Lord Levos will be restored."

Trunks felt a chill down his spine. The thought of Levos as a lab rat horrified him.

This experiment was madness.

If it failed, the consequences would be catastrophic.

Even his mother wouldn't dare gamble with Levos' life like this.

In his heart, Levos had already sacrificed far too much for this world…

Trunks' gaze shifted toward the severed tail soaking in the healing chamber.

The tail twitched slightly, growing at a rate visible to the naked eye.

At this pace, reconstructing a complete body would take hours.

But they didn't have hours the entire universe was about to be consumed by Fused Zamasu's corruption!

Suddenly, a thought struck him.

He turned toward Mr. Popo.

"Mr. Popo, is there a way to lift the restrictions of the Hyperbolic Time Chamber? If we could let the scientists enter, they'd have far more time to work!"

Popo shook his head. "I know what you're asking. But if too many people enter at once, the entrance vanishes. That's something I cannot change."

Trunks' face fell in disappointment.

"However," Popo added, "if someone can shatter dimensions from within, they might be able to escape." He seemed to be hinting at something.

Break through dimensions?

Trunks' eyes lit up.

If Levos fully recovered, he'd definitely be capable of that!

He quickly shared his idea with Dr. Hedo and the others.

Dr. Hedo, who had been troubled by the lack of time, immediately brightened.

But Popo cautioned them: "Think carefully. If Levos cannot be revived, you'll be trapped there forever, unable to return."

His warning made the group hesitate briefly.

Then voices rose one after another.

"The universe is doomed anyway. If we don't try, we're as good as dead!"

"Levos is our last hope!"

"My regeneration tech will definitely bring Lord Levos back!" Kikono whispered.

Because of Kikono's ties to Frieza's forces, Trunks remained wary of him. He wasn't sure what Kikono's true motives were.

But now, he had no choice but to trust him.

Levos was their only hope.

Resolute, the group followed Mr. Popo into the Hyperbolic Time Chamber: Dr. Hedo, Kikono, and the Pilaf Gang.

Majin Buu, after some coaxing from Supreme Kai Shin, stayed behind at the temple.

"Mr. Buu, you are Levos' friend. That makes us your friends as well," Shin said with a hopeful smile.

Buu pouted. "Don't try to trick me! I'm not on your side. I hate goody-two-shoes like you!"

Cold sweat dripped down Shin's face. He was flustered, but Buu's decision to stay puzzled him.

Thud

Frieza, bloodied, landed heavily in the plaza, silently receiving Dende's healing.

Afterward, the emperor glanced at Buu with amusement. "Mr. Buu, your power has diminished. The reason you stayed… I suspect it has to do with that one up there."

Shin looked up blankly.

The next instant

His pupils contracted sharply.

He saw a tall, gaunt, gray figure looming above, like a bamboo stalk stretching into the sky.

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