Seeing this, Goku immediately stepped forward.
"Gohan, can you let me fight this guy first?"
"Sure." Gohan nodded calmly.
He could finish Frieza anytime he wanted anyway.
On King Kai's Planet.
King Kai was stunned when he sensed that Goku intended to challenge Frieza.
Frieza—the infamous tyrant of the universe—was far beyond what the current Goku should be able to handle.
Thinking this, King Kai immediately sent a telepathic message.
"Goku, can you hear me? It's King Kai!"
"King Kai?"
"Yes. Goku, Frieza's power is terrifying. I strongly suggest you don't fight him. Leave him to Gohan."
Goku chuckled.
"That's exactly why I want to fight him. Because he's strong!"
"But—"
"Don't worry, King Kai. If I can't win, Gohan's still here, right?"
King Kai fell silent for a moment, then sighed.
"…Fine. But you must be careful!"
"Mhm!"
Goku nodded.
"Son Goku, what are you muttering to yourself about?"
Frieza laughed coldly, watching Goku apparently talk to thin air.
"Have you already gone mad from fear?"
"Nothing. I was just talking to King Kai," Goku said with a grin.
"King Kai?" Frieza's laughter stopped abruptly.
"Yeah, but it's pointless explaining it to you."
Frieza snorted, his expression turning serious.
At that moment, Gohan looked at the Shadow Axe floating beside him.
"Shadow Axe, can you grow bigger so Uncle Piccolo and I can sit on you?"
...
The Shadow Axe fell into a brief silence.
The mighty Shadow Axe—now being treated like a seat.
"What's wrong?" Gohan asked when it didn't respond.
With no choice, the Shadow Axe enlarged and gently settled on the ground.
Gohan stepped onto the blade and sat down casually.
"Uncle Piccolo, come up!"
"I think I'll pass…"
"It's fine. While we watch, the Shadow Axe will protect us."
"…Alright."
After hesitating, Piccolo flew up and stood on the Shadow Axe, arms crossed.
Just then, Frieza raised his right index finger and fired a purple Death Beam at Goku.
Goku casually swatted it aside.
Boom!
The beam exploded against the ground nearby.
"What?!"
Shocked, Frieza rapidly fired several more Death Beams.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Bang! Bang! Bang!!
Boom! Boom! Boom!!
Goku lifted his hand and knocked every Death Beam away, scattering explosions across the battlefield.
Dust quickly filled the air, obscuring his figure.
Frieza smirked.
"That's the price of opposing me, Frieza!"
"Is that so?"
As the words fell, the dust slowly settled.
Goku stood there completely unharmed.
"H–How is that possible?!"
Frieza was stunned.
Those Death Beams would have threatened even Captain Ginyu. How could a Saiyan be fine?
Frowning, Frieza activated the scouter over his left eye.
Beep… beep…
"…5,000…"
"Five thousand?!"
Frieza's face darkened.
"Is this thing broken?"
He ripped the scouter off and crushed it in his hand.
Then he slowly rose from his hover chair and stepped forward.
A light breeze stirred Goku's hair.
Frieza smiled faintly and flexed his arms.
"Son Goku, I haven't personally killed anyone in a long time. You should feel honored."
"Really?" Goku replied calmly. "But with your current strength, you can't beat me."
Frieza burst out laughing.
"How arrogant! Let me tell you something—I have three transformation stages, and each one multiplies my power several times over!"
"Several times?"
"Exactly!"
As he spoke, Frieza clenched his fists.
An overwhelming aura erupted skyward.
Boom!!
The ground shook violently.
Goku remained calm, quietly waiting.
Just then, a Saiyan spaceship descended from the sky.
It was Vegeta's ship.
After recovering from his injuries, Vegeta had learned from Frieza's subordinates that Frieza had come to Planet Namek for the Dragon Balls, and he rushed over immediately.
Though forced to feign loyalty, Vegeta had always harbored rebellion in his heart.
He wanted Frieza dead.
If Frieza gathered the Dragon Balls and gained immortality, that chance would be lost forever.
"Vegeta!" Goku glanced upward.
He recognized Vegeta's ki instantly.
At the same time, Vegeta sensed them as well.
"Kakarot's ki… that brat… and the Namekian!"
Just then—
Boom!
The ground beneath Frieza collapsed, forming a crater.
His body grew taller and bulkier. The black spikes on his head transformed into massive horns.
Frieza's First Form was complete.
As his transformation ended, Frieza released his suppressed power.
At that exact moment, Vegeta's spaceship landed.
"A spaceship?"
Frieza glanced sideways, mildly curious.
Hiss—
The hatch opened.
"Vegeta!"
Frieza's face lit up with delight.
Vegeta leapt down from the crater and landed firmly on the ground.
"Vegeta!"
Goku greeted him.
The battlefield fell into a tense silence as three powerful forces stood face to face.
...
Author's Note 📢
Part 1 of the fanfic Dragon Ball: I, Gohan, Grow Stronger by Doing Push-Ups is now available on Patreon!
🔗 patreon.com/Shadow_demon_007
Thank you all for your support and love for this story 💙