After another violent exchange, the two separated.
Frieza was panting heavily.
Bardock, on the other hand, stood tall and steady, his breathing completely undisturbed. His expression remained calm and composed.
"Frieza," Bardock said lightly, "the warm-up is over. Aren't you going to transform into your final form yet?"
Frieza narrowed his eyes.
For a moment, uncertainty flickered across his face.
Unless absolutely necessary, he hated using his final form. That small, sleek appearance severely damaged his image as the Emperor of the Universe.
After a brief hesitation, he decided to continue fighting without transforming.
"Anyone can brag!" Frieza snapped, powering up again and rushing forward.
Seeing that Frieza still refused to transform, Bardock sighed.
"Why is it so hard to get seriously injured and raise my battle power? He's really stubborn."
Ever since acquiring Senzu Beans, Bardock had wanted to replicate Goku's old method—getting critically injured, recovering with a Senzu Bean, and triggering a massive Saiyan power boost.
But he could never bring himself to nearly kill himself on purpose. It felt stupid.
And after twenty-one years in this world, the Saiyan bloodline had fully fused with his soul. His instincts craved real combat—bloody, life-and-death battles against powerful opponents.
That was why, the moment Toma transmitted Frieza's image back to Planet Vegeta, Bardock had flown here personally.
From the sidelines, Toma shouted, "Your Majesty! Stop wasting time and finish him!"
"No rush," Bardock replied calmly. "I want to see how long he can last."
"Since you don't believe me," Bardock said, stepping forward instead of retreating, "I'll make you believe."
His aura surged—stronger than before.
He shot toward Frieza.
This time, Frieza's attacks looked childish in comparison. Bardock dodged effortlessly, occasionally even teasing him mid-combat.
"Come on, Frieza. Is that all you've got?"
"Don't get cocky, Saiyan!" Frieza roared.
In the blink of an eye, Bardock appeared behind him and lightly tapped his head.
"Too slow."
Frieza spun and attacked—hitting nothing but empty space.
"Damn it! Fight me head-on if you have the guts!"
Bardock smirked. "If you're so capable, then hit me."
Frieza was completely dragged into Bardock's rhythm, being toyed with again and again.
Inside the damaged spaceship, King Vegeta watched the battle unfold.
Seeing Frieza humiliated, he muttered under his breath, "He can't even beat Bardock and calls himself Emperor of the Universe? Useless trash."
He turned toward Dodoria.
"Hey, Dodoria, right? Your King Frieza is about to lose. You'd better order the ship to retreat."
Dodoria's eyes flared with anger. He slapped King Vegeta hard.
King Vegeta rolled across the floor, hitting the wall.
"What do you know, you piece of trash? King Frieza still has a fourth transformation! When that happens, he'll be invincible!"
King Vegeta slowly stood, blood at the corner of his mouth.
"You ungrateful idiot…" he muttered quietly. "When Bardock finishes Frieza, we're all dead."
Dodoria snorted.
"King Frieza's power is beyond your imagination."
Unlike Zarbon, who had only recently joined, Dodoria had served Frieza for years. He knew about the final form and its terrifying power.
He remained calm.
Nearby, young Vegeta watched Bardock in awe.
In his small mind, a dramatic story formed.
"It must be that Lord Bardock knew I was captured by that bad guy Frieza… so he came all this way to save me."
He clenched his fists tightly.
"Lord Bardock is amazing. I'll become that strong someday."
Another clash ended.
Bardock smiled. "Frieza, do you believe me now?"
Frieza didn't respond. He simply stared coldly.
After a long silence, he spoke.
"As you wish."
Bardock gestured casually. "I'm waiting."
Frieza's expression twisted.
His aura became chaotic and violent. His body trembled. Bones cracked. Muscles shifted.
"You damned Saiyan monkey… I'll show you my true power!"
Energy exploded outward, shattering nearby asteroids.
His tall frame shrank.
His body became slender and smooth. Pale white skin gleamed with a faint purple sheen. His head rounded, ears sharpened, eyes narrowed into cruel slits.
His bio-armor adjusted seamlessly.
"Ho ho ho… You've waited long enough. This is my final form!"
His voice became sharper, colder.
"Because my race is born with immense power, we created transformations to suppress that power."
With the scouter's help, Frieza finally confirmed Bardock's battle power.
"Four million? Is that your confidence?"
He smirked.
"I'll give you one chance. Bring the Saiyans under my rule. Submit to me. I'll make you second-in-command of the Frieza Force."
Bardock shook his head with a smile.
"Allow me to refuse. Saiyans don't kneel."
Frieza's smile vanished.
"You refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit!"
He vanished instantly and appeared beside Bardock, delivering a devastating whip kick.
Bardock blocked with both arms—but was blasted backward like a cannonball, crashing through an asteroid before stopping.
"Your Majesty!" Toma shouted.
Bardock stood up, brushing off debris.
"Relax. I'm fine."
His eyes burned with excitement.
"Now the real fight begins."
Frieza charged again, fists and kicks striking like a storm.
Bardock countered fiercely—but Frieza's punch finally broke through, smashing into his chest.
Blood burst from Bardock's mouth.
Without hesitation, Bardock pulled out a Senzu Bean and swallowed it.
Instant recovery.
His aura exploded upward.
"Hmph. Again, Frieza!"
They collided once more.
This time, Bardock began gaining ground, forcing Frieza backward.
But Frieza seized an opening and unleashed a violent energy wave, blasting Bardock away.
"Your Majesty!" Garna yelled.
Bardock calmly took another Senzu Bean.
His battle power rose yet again.
He reentered the fight.
Frieza's eyes widened.
"How is this possible?!"
Bardock laughed loudly.
"Frieza—today is your doomsday!"
The battle escalated to a terrifying level.
Space itself trembled under their power as shockwaves rippled endlessly outward.
And Bardock's strength… kept climbing.