Chapter 46: A Dangerous Bargain

The quiet of space was broken by the arrival of two figures on the barren asteroid where Frieza stood, his aura still faintly radiating from the aftermath of his battle with Broly. Whis and Beerus appeared, materializing gracefully against the empty blackness. Beerus stretched, stifling a yawn, while Whis floated elegantly beside him, his expression as light as ever.

"Well, well," Beerus murmured, a wry smile crossing his lips as he regarded Frieza with a mixture of curiosity and irritation. "It seems you've developed quite the habit of waking me up lately, Frieza. Especially from a perfectly lovely sleep." He yawned again, giving a pointed look as if daring Frieza to explain.

Whis chuckled softly beside him, clearly enjoying the moment. "Indeed, Lord Beerus does appreciate his rest. It must be something quite… pressing to disturb him." His staff emitted a faint glow, the angel's eyes gleaming with intrigue.

Frieza, usually careful around Beerus, showed no sign of his usual caution. He smirked, crossing his arms casually, and replied, "Maybe if you didn't spend so much time lazing around, you'd be aware of what's going on in your own universe."

Beerus's ears twitched, and his amused smile disappeared. He stepped closer to Frieza, narrowing his eyes, his tail flicking with barely restrained annoyance. "Did I just hear you call me lazy?"

Frieza raised an eyebrow, unfazed. "Did I stutter?"

Beerus's expression darkened, and with a sharp laugh, he clapped a rough hand on Frieza's shoulder, his grip tightening. "Well, well, you've grown a spine, haven't you?" His voice dropped, a low rumble beneath the apparent amusement. "But tell me, Frieza… is this courage or a death wish?"

Frieza's smile widened, unfazed by the god's intimidating presence. Instead, he raised his hand, summoning a glowing ki construct in the shape of a slender sword. The weapon shimmered between them, glowing with an intense energy.

Beerus's eyes narrowed, taking in the construct with mild curiosity. "A sword? Trying to impress me with a little parlor trick?"

Frieza's tone was mocking, almost condescending. "Oh? You don't remember this?" he asked, lifting the sword with a playful flick of his wrist. "Does the word 'Kai' ring any bells?"

Beerus froze, his gaze hardening, caught off guard by the subtle jab. Frieza leaned forward, his eyes glinting with wicked delight. "What?" he said in an exaggerated, mocking tone. "Did the mouse catch your tongue?"

Whis, who had been watching with quiet amusement, burst out laughing, the sound echoing in the emptiness around them. He quickly straightened, forcing himself back into composure as Beerus shot him a lethal glare, but the strain was visible in his face, faint veins popping on his forehead as he struggled to hold back another laugh.

Finally, Beerus regained his composure, the dangerous glint returning to his eyes as he faced Frieza. "Alright," he said, his tone clipped, his annoyance barely masked. "What is it you want, Frieza?"

Frieza dispersed the ki construct with a smirk, crossing his arms once again as he met Beerus's gaze with unflinching confidence. "I want to train," he stated simply. "On your planet, with Whis's assistance. I know he's quite the teacher. And I've gathered from my... acquired knowledge that he has some rather exceptional equipment."

Beerus's frown deepened as he considered the proposition. Whis, standing silently beside him, glanced curiously at Frieza, his expression thoughtful, as if weighing the implications of the request.

"Training on my planet, hm?" Beerus's voice was skeptical, though there was a glimmer of interest in his eyes. "And why should I allow that? You seem to be doing just fine on your own."

Frieza's smile grew wider as he waved his hand dismissively. "I had a feeling you'd need a little... persuasion."

He raised his hand, and with a snap of his fingers, a middle-aged human man appeared beside him, suspended within an oxygen bubble. The man looked around, his face a mixture of confusion and terror as he took in the barren landscape of the asteroid and the strange beings surrounding him.

Frieza gestured toward the man, clearly pleased with his own theatricality. "This," he announced, "is the finest chef in the universe. Known across multiple star systems for his extraordinary cuisine."

Before Frieza could continue, Beerus's expression shifted from suspicion to sudden, intense interest. His eyes locked onto the terrified chef, and he interrupted with a single word. "Deal."

Frieza blinked, surprised by the speed of the response, but Beerus's face was as serious as he had ever seen it. There was no trace of his earlier irritation; his focus was solely on the chef, who looked around, bewildered and overwhelmed.

Without another word, Beerus turned, his demeanor dismissive, clearly expecting them to follow. Whis extended his hand, and a cube of transparent energy surrounded the group, lifting them gently off the asteroid. "Well, this is unexpected," Whis remarked cheerfully, casting a glance at Frieza. "But I must say, I'm intrigued by your request."

As the cube rose, Frieza couldn't resist a triumphant smile. His gaze lingered on Beerus's back, satisfied that his gamble had paid off. "I do have my ways," he replied smoothly.

Within moments, the cube carried them through space, the stars blurring past as they traversed the universe with remarkable speed. The chef, still trapped in his bubble, looked around in a daze, clearly struggling to comprehend what was happening. Frieza paid him no mind, his focus instead on the journey ahead.

"Are you sure you can handle the training?" Whis asked, his tone casual, though his eyes sparkled with interest. "The regimen on Lord Beerus's planet is not for the faint of heart."

Frieza's gaze hardened, his smile fading. "I'm not here for a simple workout, Whis," he replied, his voice carrying a weight of determination. "I intend to surpass even the limits of my Golden Form. I trust you can accommodate that."

Whis gave a slight nod, seemingly impressed by Frieza's resolve. "We'll see," he said with a soft smile. "But do remember, Frieza, the path to true power requires more than just ambition."

Beerus glanced over his shoulder, his face impassive. "And if you fall short, Frieza," he warned, his tone low and dangerous, "there will be no room for excuses."

Frieza met Beerus's gaze without flinching. "I never make excuses," he said coldly. "I only make results."

The two deities exchanged a look, a silent understanding passing between them as they resumed their journey. The stars outside continued to blur, streaking across the cube as they traveled, each second bringing them closer to Beerus's planet.

As the serene landscape of Beerus's world came into view, the chef, still trapped in his oxygen bubble, stared in wonder at the lush greenery, the towering trees, and the calm, clear lake that stretched out beneath them. It was a world of stark beauty, a far cry from the harsh asteroid he had just left.

The cube descended slowly, landing them on a stretch of soft grass. Whis gestured, and the cube dissipated, the chef stumbling forward, blinking in awe as he took in his surroundings.

Beerus stepped forward, stretching his arms with a satisfied grin. "Well then, Frieza," he said, turning to the emperor with a glint of challenge in his eyes. "Let's see if you truly have what it takes to keep up with us."

Frieza's expression was resolute, his gaze steady as he looked out over the vast expanse of Beerus's planet. "I wouldn't be here if I thought otherwise."

Whis chuckled, tapping his staff against the ground. "Then let us begin."

As the trio stood on the peaceful landscape, the air grew tense with the promise of trials to come. Frieza knew that he had crossed a threshold, that the journey he had embarked upon would demand more than raw power alone. But his ambition was unyielding, and he had come too far to turn back now.

The chef, meanwhile, was hurried away by Whis's assistants, the culinary genius now destined for a new, far more unusual career serving the God of Destruction himself.

With a final nod of acknowledgment, Beerus turned, leading Frieza and Whis deeper into the heart of his world.