Chapter 158: Grinding Down the Will
A powerful surge of energy swept across the sky. The cloudy heavens instantly cleared into a bright blue.
Franklin, pushed back by the shockwave, steadied himself in a blink.
Hearing the girls screaming as they fell, he immediately spread out his spiritual sense, caught them with a layer of energy, and guided Mikan and the others gently back to the ground.
Only after ensuring their safety did Franklin look up again at Goku.
Feeling the overwhelming aura streaming off him, Franklin finally understood just how earth-shattering this transformation truly was.
Below, the two fighters halted mid-battle.
Raditz stared at Goku in utter disbelief.
Meanwhile, far away on a distant, habitable planet, Vegeta—monitoring Raditz through the scouter feed—shot up to his feet, eyes wide.
"How is this possible?! A lower-class warrior can't have this kind of power—no, it's still rising!"
He watched the scouter display skyrocketing, cold sweat sliding down his forehead.
The number rushed past 100,000, then 200,000—until finally stabilizing at 250,000.
Seeing that reading, along with Goku's golden hair and green eyes, Vegeta's face grew pale.
"What is this… how?! He's the lowest of the low! How can a lower-class grunt suddenly reach this level?! This hair… those eyes…"
Vegeta sank into deep thought.
He recalled his father's teachings, and a passage from Saiyan history.
"This… could he be the legendary Super Saiyan?
But I, the Saiyan prince, haven't achieved it. How could a lower-class nobody do it?"
He exhaled sharply.
"Good thing I sent that idiot Raditz to scout ahead first. Otherwise, we might not be coming back."
He glanced at Nappa, who was still stuffing his face without a care. Irritated, Vegeta rose into the air and flew toward the nearest tribe.
Screams soon echoed across the land.
After some time, Vegeta returned, covered in blood, and sat back down beside Nappa.
"We need to be ready. Raditz isn't with us anymore.
If he blows our cover, we run immediately."
High above Earth, beneath the cloudless sky, Goku examined the transformation coursing through him.
He sensed the cells that were converting spiritual energy into a higher form—just as Franklin described.
"So these are the S-cells? So it was emotional fluctuation… No, it feels like there's more to it…"
While he was thinking, Goku suddenly looked down coldly.
Raditz flew up to match his height.
"This power… this intensity… Kakarot, how did you do it?"
Seeing the hunger for strength in Raditz's eyes, Goku frowned.
"I said already—my name is Son Goku. And I'm not telling you how I did this or teaching you anything.
Franklin said you're not a good person.
Until you change, your life and death are up to him.
Besides, our bet isn't over. Coming up here—are you giving up?"
At Franklin's name, both Raditz and Vegeta (watching from afar) stiffened.
Raditz didn't hesitate—he dropped down toward Franklin.
"I surrender. I give up. As long as you spare me, I'll do whatever you say."
"You're surrendering?" Franklin asked.
"Yes. I give up."
Franklin looked at him speechlessly.
"You're giving up that easily? You realize our bet said that once you surrender, I get to deal with you however I want.
You sure you want that?"
"I am. But—I want you to agree to one condition."
Franklin frowned.
"You're joking, right? You surrender, I get full control—and you still want to name a condition?"
Raditz's expression was dead serious.
"If you agree to this condition, I'll surrender. Whatever you tell me to do, I'll do."
Franklin felt helpless.
Did this guy actually think he'd survive?
"Fine, say it. If it's possible, I'll consider it."
Hearing that Franklin didn't reject him outright, Raditz's eyes lit up.
"Promise to grant me power.
Let me transform—like Kakarot did. If you agree, I surrender completely."
Seeing Raditz's expression—full of confidence, as if Franklin would never kill such a 'top-tier fighter'—Franklin laughed.
A genuine, honest laugh.
"I agree. Not only that—I'll try awakening your Saiyan form right away."
Everyone around them gasped. Goku landed beside Franklin, stunned.
"Franklin, didn't you say you were going to kill him? Why agree to something this ridiculous? He'll probably go back on his word."
Franklin waved his hand with a smile.
"My method is… harsh. If he survives it, that's his fortune.
Honestly, it's like taking a trip to hell and back."
At that moment, Krillin flew back toward them, badly injured.
"Why didn't you use a senzu bean? Saving them for later?"
Krillin scratched his head, embarrassed.
"You said they were important… I didn't want to waste one and mess up your plans."
"Quit talking nonsense and eat one.
The rest are more than enough for what I need.
With his talent, he can maybe survive one attempt. If he manages more than five, I'll call it exceptional potential."
As soon as Krillin chewed a senzu bean, his injuries disappeared instantly.
Raditz's face darkened at the sight.
"Near-death recovery burns through potential. And the power gain needs full adaptation before there's any further improvement. Your method… it'll only work on me once."
"Once is fine. I want to give it a try.
You've committed enough atrocities—suffering once is fair payback. And after that one time, I have ways to help you grow again."
"You have another method?" Raditz asked.
Franklin didn't answer. He stepped forward until he stood right before Raditz.
"Don't forget: you surrendered. If you resist, the deal is void—and everything ends."
Raditz's face twisted painfully, but for power, he grit his teeth and closed his eyes.
Franklin flicked his hand.
A dark, opaque barrier with vacuum soundproofing enclosed them both.
Inside, Franklin threw four punches.
Raditz's screams—though muffled—were piercing.
"What are you yelling for? Never been hurt before? I'm only breaking your arms and legs. It's nothing. Endure it."
Then, Franklin deliberately moved his hands from each shattered limb upward toward Raditz's torso—
Bones cracked, one after another, echoing in sharp succession.
The process lasted a full fifteen minutes.
By the end, Raditz's screams had turned hoarse.