Frieza's action—

Was nothing short of insane.

He hadn't chosen the safer route—

He went with the one that had a far greater cost: swallowing raw Destruction Energy.

If he failed, he wouldn't even have a body left to bury!

Meanwhile.

Beerus didn't say a word as he took in the entire scene.

What shocked him wasn't that Frieza tried to run—

But that he didn't.

Beerus's expression was unreadable, his thoughts unknown…

After a long silence, a dangerous chill filled the air.

He looked at Frieza and sneered:

"If you enjoy Destruction Energy so much… I'll let you eat your fill."

Frieza's act had been stunning—

But after that initial surprise passed, Beerus returned to absolute calm.

He wasn't afraid.

So what if Frieza became stronger?

If he really wanted to, he could obliterate Frieza right now while the latter was weakened.

But that wouldn't be fair.

That would be kicking a man while he's down.

So Beerus chose not to act rashly.

Instead, his aura slowly settled…

Meanwhile.

After devouring millions of cubic meters of Destruction Energy, Frieza wasn't in good shape.

His body was ravaged—hardly a single part left unscathed.

He was covered in burns, torn flesh, and cracks from head to toe.

Frieza collapsed onto the ground—

Screaming in agony, his cries echoing through the silence.

Kuriza and King Cold rushed over, panic on their faces.

Kuriza helped him up, voice trembling,

"Father! Are you alright?!"

"GET AWAY!!"

Frieza snarled, and as he opened his mouth, a wave of Destruction Energy spilled out, scaring Kuriza back several steps.

Kuriza looked at his father gravely.

Frieza's entire body… was overflowing with Hakai Energy.

It was terrifying.

At that moment, a figure slowly descended.

Kuriza and King Cold turned sharply, eyes filled with tension.

Kuriza glared at Beerus—

He didn't speak, but the sweat on his brow and his strained expression said it all.

Beerus chuckled lightly.

"Relax. I'm not killing him… yet."

Kuriza remained silent, still standing protectively beside Frieza.

Beerus ignored him.

His gaze shifted back to Frieza.

This time… he wasn't going to just fight him.

He was going to beat Frieza until he submitted.

Supreme Kai Realm.

Shin gasped.

"He actually… devoured Destruction Energy?!"

He looked toward the Elder Kai.

"Ancestor-sama, can he survive this?!"

The Elder Kai rubbed his chin, expression grim.

His eyes narrowed in thought.

After a moment of deep contemplation, he both nodded… and shook his head.

"Wh-what does that mean?!" Shin asked, utterly confused.

The Elder Kai sighed.

"It depends on many things. First of all, this wasn't voluntary."

"He didn't absorb it with intention—he did it to survive."

"That makes it far more difficult. But… if by some miracle he succeeds—he may even gain the ability to wield Destruction Energy."

"That's probably what he's aiming for."

Shin and Kibito were both stunned.

"…Wouldn't that mean Lord Beerus might lose?!"

The Elder Kai snorted, then glanced toward the crystal ball.

"Lose? Absolutely not."

Shin blinked.

"Why not? If Frieza really does gain Destruction Energy, wouldn't that put him on par with the top Gods?"

The Elder Kai chuckled bitterly.

"Yes, he might be close to a top-tier God of Destruction…"

"But what you don't realize… is that Beerus hasn't even shown everything yet."

Shin: "Huh?"

The Elder Kai gave him a withering glare.

"Look at his face. Look how calm and confident he is. He's waiting for Frieza to recover."

Shin and Kibito exchanged glances.

The Elder Kai shook his head.

"Frieza may be strong. But he made one mistake…"

"…He chose the wrong person to challenge."

Back on Earth.

Goku turned to Aishi, puzzled.

"Aishi, what does this all mean?"

Aishi chuckled.

"Pretty much what it looks like."

Vegeta frowned deeply, not buying it.

"Come on. Swallowing Destruction Energy? You're saying that's like eating regular ki blasts?"

"Don't lump Hakai Energy in with ordinary energy!"

"The difference is like heaven and hell!"

Honestly, if it had been anyone else, he'd have agreed with Aishi.

But right now, he really doubted Frieza could pull it off.

Aishi didn't respond.

But he had his reasons for thinking so—

Because…

Frieza looked like a bloated meatball.

And somehow, he was still alive after absorbing that much destructive power.

And aside from some superficial damage—

There wasn't a single fatal wound.

It made Aishi seriously wonder if Frieza had broken through to a new level altogether.

How many hits from Hakai had he taken?

And yet…

He was still standing.

Still…

Aishi was also stunned by how much Beerus was holding back.

He clearly wasn't using full strength.

He was only unleashing just enough to match Frieza.

Why?

Because that's just how Beerus was.

He didn't overpower others from a higher level—

He fought on equal footing to make his opponents concede willingly.

As for why Frieza kept getting crushed?

Simple.

Beerus was still stronger—even while holding back.

Had he gone all-out from the start?

Aishi was pretty sure…

Frieza wouldn't have even made it through the opening round.

Aishi sighed.

"Damn… is this the power of a maxed-out character?"

Frieza had clearly stepped into an entirely new realm.

But unfortunately for him…

He ran into Beerus.

Aishi looked toward the others.

"You guys better step it up…"

Everyone else: 😶

Goku scratched his head awkwardly.

"I'm trying, Aishi… really trying!"

But no matter how hard he pushed, he wasn't seeing big results.

Vegeta's face was sour.

Had he not tried?

Of course he had.

More than most.

But in the end…

He still hadn't touched the threshold of a God of Destruction.

Broly stayed silent.

He had made a lot of progress.

If he fought Frieza again, he probably couldn't win—but he'd definitely land a few punches.

Gohan, too, didn't say much.

He was content.

In just a couple years, he'd awakened Beast Form. That was more than enough.

Whis looked at the brooding group and shook his head with a smile.

"You're all thinking too much."

"You're comparing yourselves to the wrong people."

"Instead, focus on your own path."

"How long do you think Lord Beerus has trained?"

"And how long have you trained?"

He then glanced at Aishi and rolled his eyes.

"Let's not even talk about that monster. But even Frieza—do you really think he got this strong without paying a price?"

Whis's tone turned serious.

"Shortcut training may seem great now, but it eats away at your future potential."

"It may give you temporary gains… but later, your progress will plateau hard."

"True potential grows with your life experience and consistent practice. There are no free lunches."

"Even Aishi has a ceiling—sooner or later."

Aishi: 😐

Whis smiled again.

"That's why living normally and training gradually is the best path."

"If you could get stronger by cutting corners—why wouldn't Lord Beerus have done so?"

That last line hit like a ton of bricks.

Everyone fell silent.

Goku reflected.

Whis really was a heavenly guide.

That perspective… made total sense.

Why compare himself to Aishi or Beerus?

Aishi's a cheat code. Beerus is a millennia-old freak of nature.

He couldn't compete with that.

In just a couple years, he'd achieved things beyond normal limits.

That should be enough, right?

…Right?

Aishi also sighed.

Whis had a point.

He really had been pressuring the others too much.

He was, after all, built different.

In this world of divine bloodlines and insane genetics—

The fact that people like Goku were even this strong already—

Was incredible.

Meanwhile—

As time ticked by—

The chaotic surge of Destruction Energy around Frieza… began to slowly settle.

Kuriza's eyes lit up.

Beerus still wore a calm expression.

But deep inside—

He was surprised at himself.

He'd waited nearly thirty minutes for Frieza to recover.

He looked at him, eyes flashing with cold light.

Aishi can call me by name… because he earned my respect.

He's my friend.

But you, Frieza…?

You're a subordinate. And a subordinate should act like one.

Today, I'm going to make sure you understand what it means… to be below me.

Soon—

Frieza's eyes flew open.

His face was drenched in sweat, breath ragged, body trembling.

But… in his eyes—

There was a glint of excitement.

He did it.

He succeeded.

He had mastered Destruction Energy.

Sensing something—

He looked up.

Beerus stood there, smiling faintly.

"Finally done?"

Frieza's face darkened.

"…You were waiting this whole time?"

Beerus nodded.

"Yep. I wanted to give you a chance to test your new power—on me."

Frieza fell silent.

He immediately regretted his earlier cockiness.

Why the hell had he shown off like that?!

And what was with this damn cat?

Why was he so serious about it?!

He just bragged a little!

Did he really have to chase him down like this?!

Frieza muttered,

"You're insane. I don't have the stamina to fight now…"

Just absorbing all that energy had left him drained.

No way he could fight Beerus like this.

Beerus nodded.

Then turned to Whis.

"Whis. Come heal him."

Frieza: 😨

(End of Chapter)

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