"Whew!" The blue-haired boy let out a breath and muttered to himself, "I finally made it."
He looked all around, as if searching for something.
Apparently, his search came up empty. The boy frowned in confusion. "That's strange. Frieza should've arrived by now. Why isn't he anywhere to be seen?"
After scanning the area, the boy suddenly turned around and looked behind him.
Li Lin smiled at Trunks, who stood opposite him, and was about to say hello.
But the boy's gaze skipped right over him and landed on the people of Earth behind him.
Li Lin felt awkward at the sight. He'd started to raise a hand, but reluctantly let it drop.
It wasn't that Trunks was rude; he simply didn't know Li Lin and had mistaken him for an ordinary Earthling.
"Everyone."
Trunks looked at the people he had once known so well, his heart filled with emotion.
When he saw Bulma, his expression softened.
When he saw Vegeta, his gaze lingered noticeably longer, though no one could tell what he was thinking.
The group eyed the suddenly appearing stranger with intense wariness.
What kind of day was it, anyway? Why did so many mysterious strangers keep showing up one after another?
Judging by the boy's aura, he was clearly no ordinary person!
"Wow, another handsome guy!"
By now, Bulma had completely fallen for him. She stared, wide-eyed.
Li Lin had been incredibly handsome, and now this boy was, too.
She was even wondering if the heavens had realized her boyfriend was such a disappointment and decided to send her two handsome guys to choose from.
"Heh."
Li Lin couldn't help chuckling when he heard Bulma.
If she knew who this boy was, he wondered what she'd think.
"Um, may I ask you something?"
Trunks scratched his head and said, "Have you seen Frieza? I came here specifically to destroy him. According to my calculations, he should've landed somewhere around here!"
At the boy's words, Vegeta clenched his fists, a flicker of anger rising within him.
His anger wasn't directed at anyone else. It was aimed at himself. After all, Frieza wasn't his relative, so there was no reason to avenge him—and besides, Frieza was already dead.
He was angry because he lacked strength, because he was too weak.
Frieza had been an overwhelmingly powerful being, the very nightmare haunting his heart. Even talking about him was enough to send a chill through Vegeta.
Yet now, this powerful nightmare had first been casually killed by the mysterious man before him. Then another boy had appeared, claiming he would destroy Frieza, speaking as if it were an easy task and he didn't take Frieza seriously at all.
The casual confidence of the two men deeply wounded the proud Saiyan Prince.
He began to blame himself, roaring inwardly over how weak he was.
In the end, he had to be saved by someone else. Why couldn't he become a Super Saiyan, just like Kakarot?
If he could, he wouldn't be so furious!
The others didn't notice anything amiss with Vegeta. But after hearing the boy's question, they were all startled.
They hadn't expected the boy to make such a shocking statement—to show up and immediately ask for Frieza.
He certainly didn't seem like an ordinary person.
"Um, well, Frieza's already been taken care of by that gentleman."
Krillin stammered, pointing toward Li Lin.
When Trunks heard that Frieza had been defeated, he froze for a moment.
Could Son Goku have already returned to Earth and defeated Frieza ahead of schedule?
Puzzled, he looked in the direction Krillin had pointed.
Trunks turned and saw Li Lin smiling and nodding at him.
When he realized that Krillin was pointing at the very person he'd just ignored, Trunks' eyes widened in disbelief.
"W-what's going on?"
Trunks looked stunned, questioning himself over and over.
He tried hard to recall anything he knew about this man.
But no matter how long he thought, he drew a blank.
He had no recollection of this man at all!
Completely bewildered, Trunks walked up to Li Lin and asked cautiously, "M-may I ask if you were the one who defeated Frieza?"
The situation had gone completely beyond his understanding. All he could do was confirm it once more.
Li Lin seemed to see Trunks' confusion. He didn't say anything, but simply smiled and nodded.
After seeing him confirm it, Trunks grew even more puzzled.
According to what he knew, Frieza in history had been defeated by Son Goku after his return.
At this point in time, none of the powerful fighters on Earth should have been a match for Frieza.
"Then may I ask your name?"
Trunks asked very politely.
"My name is Li Lin. I'm an Earthling!"
Li Lin answered casually.
Before you continue