"Yes, Supreme Kai." Granolah finally relaxed. The more he thought about it, the more sense the Grand Supreme Kai's advice made.
His parents could still be brought back, and saving Universe 7 had to come first. If the universe itself disappeared, revenge would become meaningless anyway.
Besides, Beerus and the Grand Supreme Kai had already promised not to interfere once the Tournament of Power was over. Granolah could settle his grudge with the Heeters afterward.
Beerus looked between Granolah and Gas with a serious expression.
"Let me make one thing clear. If Gas becomes the strongest in the universe too, then the two of you are teammates. I won't tolerate fighting inside the team, especially during the tournament. Understood?"
"Understood." Granolah nodded obediently.
"And if you forget what's at stake and start causing trouble, I'll personally destroy your parents so they can never be revived."
Granolah visibly flinched. The threat wiped away any lingering thought of acting on his anger before the tournament, and he quickly promised Beerus that he would cooperate and do everything he could to help Universe 7 win.
"Good enough." Beerus turned toward the Grand Supreme Kai. "Take Granolah back to my planet for now."
Then he looked at Elec and the others.
"As for you, I don't care how you do it. Whether Gas actually becomes the strongest in the universe is all that matters to me."
"Understood, Beerus-sama," Elec replied respectfully.
"Let's go."
The Grand Supreme Kai used Kai Kai, and in an instant, he, Beerus, and Granolah disappeared from the Heeters' headquarters and reappeared on Beerus's Planet.
Granolah immediately looked around in amazement. One moment he had been standing inside the Heeters' castle, and the next he was on an entirely different world without even feeling the journey between them.
So this was the Realm of the God of Destruction where Beerus lived.
"Are we going to find Frieza now?" the Grand Supreme Kai asked.
"That's right." Beerus nodded before glancing at Granolah. "Stay here for now. Do whatever you want until we get back."
"Understood."
The Grand Supreme Kai used Kai Kai once more, taking Beerus to another planet. From there, he led him to the entrance of a separate dimensional space hidden away from the outside world.
"So Frieza's been training inside this place?" Beerus asked, rubbing his chin.
"Yes. He went in about nine days ago."
"Then let's see what he's accomplished."
They opened the entrance and stepped inside. Beyond the room at the threshold lay a vast open training ground covered in white terrain, and it didn't take long for them to spot Frieza training in the distance.
Frieza noticed them as well and immediately approached before dropping respectfully to one knee.
"Beerus-sama." He bowed his head, then looked up with some surprise. "What brings you here?"
"Frieza, how's your training going?" Beerus narrowed his eyes as he examined him, immediately noticing that Frieza's strength had risen substantially.
Frieza grinned. "I'm almost finished perfecting my newest transformation."
"Oh?" Beerus's interest sharpened. "Can you use it yet?"
"I can transform, but I can only maintain it for about ten seconds," Frieza replied. "That's nowhere near enough. Ten seconds won't be enough to defeat Goku."
"Show me."
"Of course, Beerus-sama."
Frieza's expression turned serious as his energy erupted around him. The pressure climbed rapidly, and within moments his body changed into a striking black form.
Frieza spread his arms with obvious pride.
"Beerus-sama, this is my newest transformation. I've named it Black Frieza."
Beerus gave him an approving look. "Not bad. Now attack me with everything you've got."
Frieza blinked.
Beerus beckoned him forward. "And I mean everything. Don't hold back. I want to know exactly how strong you've become."
"Then I won't be polite."
Frieza clenched his fist and concentrated all of his energy into his right arm. The surrounding space visibly distorted beneath the pressure as he drove forward and threw a full-power punch at Beerus.
Beerus raised one hand and caught the blow in his palm.
The impact didn't move him, but the force behind it was enough to shock even Beerus. A violent numbness ran through his arm, making it clear that Frieza's new transformation was far beyond anything he had possessed before.
A moment later, Frieza's body trembled and the transformation collapsed. His colors returned to normal as he staggered backward, breathing heavily while sweat poured down his body.
"My apologies, Beerus-sama." Frieza struggled to catch his breath. "That's as long as I can maintain it right now."
Despite his exhaustion, Frieza was just as stunned as Beerus. He had expected that punch to force the God of Destruction back at least one step, yet Beerus had taken it head-on without moving at all.
There was a reason Beerus stood at the top of Universe 7.
"That punch reached at least level 40," Beerus said after considering the force he had felt.
The Grand Supreme Kai looked at him in surprise. "Level 40? What about Granolah?"
"About level 38."
"And Goku?"
"Right now, I'd put Goku at around level 35 at most."
The Grand Supreme Kai finally breathed a little easier. "Then Universe 7 has a very good chance of winning."
Beerus turned his attention back to Frieza. "How much longer do you need before you can stabilize this form completely?"
"At least another year," Frieza answered without hesitation.
"Fine. Then I'm giving you that year." Beerus smiled. "Stay here and train until the form is complete. When you come out, you'll represent Universe 7 in the Tournament of Power."
Frieza's eyes narrowed with interest.
"You'll also get another chance at Goku," Beerus continued. "But remember this: killing is forbidden in the tournament. Don't forget it."
"Tournament of Power?" Frieza repeated, clearly unfamiliar with the name.
The Grand Supreme Kai quickly explained the tournament, its rules, and what would happen to Universe 7 if they lost.
By the time he finished, Frieza was grinning again.
"Leave it to me. I'll make sure Goku and Vegeta remember exactly how terrifying I can be."
"There is one more thing," the Grand Supreme Kai added. "Beerus intends to resurrect your father, your brother, and your son. You don't object, do you?"
Frieza snorted. "Why bother bringing those useless idiots back?"
Beerus smiled pleasantly. "All right. I'll go destroy them instead."
Frieza's face immediately stiffened.
"No, no, I was merely speaking casually." His tone changed at once. "Please, Beerus-sama. I would be most grateful if you revived them."
[End of chapter]