"So this so-called 'perfect universe of your own creation' is nothing more than destroying the entire world?" Frieza sneered with contempt.

"Haaaahhh !"

Every fused Zamasu froze in place, unleashing guttural howls.

Their bodies swelled unnaturally as they forced their strength higher without care for the cost. Black energy spiraled upward, gathering into a colossal, dark vortex that looked ready to devour the entire world.

The next moment

The vortex expanded violently, blotting out the sky.

"You won't succeed!" Future Trunks roared, his aura blazing brighter than ever in golden flame. "You're nothing but a virus polluting this world, and I'll cut you off at the root!"

He shot forward like a blazing comet, charging directly into the heart of the vortex.

Inside, terrifying waves of power churned, ready to burst outward.

Suddenly, an enormous energy beam erupted from within, its speed ripping the air apart into jagged arcs of vacuum.

Future Trunks gathered his ki into a radiant greatsword and swung down against it!

Boom!

The collision exploded in a shockwave that shattered the skies, rattling the temple itself.

Though Trunks managed to block the attack, he was blasted back, coughing blood as he crashed down hard.

Without Vados's barrier protecting the temple, the divine palace quaked violently, chunks of stone breaking apart.

"This is bad! If we don't stop him soon, the entire world will collapse!" Shin cried, panic in his voice.

"You can't stop me! None of you can!"

Zamasu's deranged roars echoed from all directions.

Dark beams erupted from the vortex like a storm of death, lashing across the land. Mountains and plains were reduced to charred wastelands as apocalyptic winds howled.

It was like the end of days.

And then a golden figure suddenly threw itself in front of one of the beams.

When the light cleared, the figure came into focus.

"Lord Frieza!"

"Frieza!"

The tyrant collapsed onto the plaza with a dull thud.

Dende's jaw clenched, his face twisted with conflict. At last, with a heavy heart, he extended his hand and healed the emperor.

A moment later, Frieza's eyes snapped open. He looked at his fully restored body, then instantly understood what had been done.

A cruel smile spread across his lips as he smacked Dende's hand aside with his tail.

"Hmph! Disgusting Namekian, keep your hands off me!"

His gaze lifted to the vortex-choked heavens, his expression growing colder.

He drew in a deep breath, muscles bulging, bones creaking as his aura condensed into a dark golden blaze.

Nearby, Cooler's eyes narrowed, sensing the shift. "Impossible… Frieza, you actually broke past the limits of your Golden Form in such a short time?"

Frieza grinned wickedly. "Today's battle has given me so much insight. And besides…"

"If a mere clone of yours can reach such heights, why shouldn't I? Don't forget I'm the true prodigy of combat! Oh-ho-ho-ho!"

His laughter echoed through the temple like madness.

Cooler frowned. "Don't get carried away, Frieza. For me, this is only a stepping stone. You're still far from catching up to my true power."

Then he smirked coldly. "As the elder brother, my talent will always surpass yours."

With that, Cooler shot into the sky, driving a fist into one Zamasu's chest and smashing him deep into the ground.

Hovering above, he glared down. "Frieza, let's see who racks up the higher body count!"

A second later Boom! Another fused Zamasu was reduced to rubble, his body shattered by Frieza's energy wave.

Frieza licked the blood from his face and sneered. "That's how you kill quick and clean!"

Future Trunks's eyes sharpened. "These fused Zamasus aren't all equal. Most of them are weaker than his original strength!"

Shin's hope reignited. "Of course! By splitting himself into countless bodies, each one's power dropped. That means… we have a way to win!"

"We must destroy every last fragment before the universe itself is corrupted!"

With renewed determination, the defenders surged into the sky, clashing with Zamasu's countless forms.

But from the swirling black vortex, another devastating wave surged toward the temple.

"Watch out!" Shin shouted in panic.

Too late.

Boom!

At the last instant, the beam burst apart midair, scattering into motes of light. Smoke and dust swallowed the plaza.

Two golden auras cut through the haze deflecting the incoming barrage again and again.

"It's Goku and Trunks!" Yajirobe cried in relief.

"They're out of the Hyperbolic Time Chamber!"

"It was me," Mr. Popo explained calmly. "I released them early. They've already trained for half a year inside."

No time for words.

Goku and present Trunks wove through the skies, shielding everyone below with sheer speed and power.

For a moment, the battlefield reached a tense stalemate.

But Shin's face darkened. "No… Zamasu's true goal is to devour and corrupt the entire universe. These clones are just distractions."

"Most of the Supreme Kai's world is already tainted. Soon, the infection will spread to the cosmos…"

Future Trunks clenched his fists. "Then we'll just have to accelerate. We can't hold back any longer."

He pulled something from his robes a pair of Potara earrings.

"Goku, with these, we can gain the strength we need!"

Goku caught them without hesitation and slipped one on.

"Yosha!"

In a blinding flash, the two warriors merged once again.

Trunku had returned.

Confidence radiated from the fusion warrior. He gave himself a thumbs-up and grinned.

"Now, let me show you… our true power!"

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