Bojack's eyelids twitched, and panic began to surge through him. The calm and composure on his face could no longer be maintained. The power Son Gohan was now radiating had already far surpassed his own.
To stand in Gohan's path now would be nothing short of suicide.
But what Bojack didn't realize was that it was already too late.
Just as Bojack was about to move aside to clear a path for Son Gohan, a blade-like pain suddenly tore through his nerves. A look of utter shock appeared on Bojack's face. His body hunched over violently, like a shrimp whose vein had just been ripped out.
Sweat poured from his forehead as he trembled and looked down at his abdomen.
A seemingly harmless fist was buried deep inside his body, and the indentation in his gut continued to deepen.
BOOM!
Bojack's body was sent flying dozens of meters away.
Cell shot him a look of disdain and sneered, "Hmph. And here I thought you were something special. Turns out you're just like your useless underlings, nothing but dead weight."
But just as Cell finished speaking, a sudden commotion came from nearby.
Son Gohan's figure had already appeared behind Vegeta. With a swift motion of his arm, Gohan chopped off the arm of one shocked Mini Cell that was holding onto Vegeta.
Purple blood splattered onto Vegeta's head as Gohan kicked the Mini Cell holding his skull straight into the sky. The other Mini Cells, upon seeing Gohan, reacted like they were facing the King of Hell himself.
For a moment, pure fear gripped them.
The remaining four Mini Cells scrambled to flee, but Son Gohan was never going to give them that chance.
SWOOSH--!
Gohan's body moved like lightning. In just one second, he sent one Mini Cell flying over a hundred meters.
More of his afterimages flickered into existence.
In a blink, several of the Mini Cells had their chests pierced clean through, the entire sequence flowing like water.
After all that, Son Gohan didn't immediately attack Cell.
Instead, he flashed to Vegeta's side, crouched down, and gently wiped the blood from Vegeta's face. Suddenly, he noticed Vegeta's eyelid twitch, a sign that broke through Gohan's fury and helped him cling to his last shred of reason.
Vegeta was still alive.
But he was hanging on by a thread.
What was it that allowed Vegeta to hold on?
It was the brilliant golden light erupting from Gohan's Super Saiyan 2 form. The glow from Gohan's transformation washed over Vegeta's battered body.
And Vegeta smiled. A relieved, contented smile. A part of him was bitter, why hadn't he been the first to transform into Super Saiyan 2? But in the end, someone had done it. That was enough.
Everything that came next… he would leave it to Gohan.
He wanted, just once, to see what Super Saiyan 2 really looked like. But now, he no longer had the strength to open his eyes again.
Using the last of his energy, Vegeta gripped Gohan's hand. His aura was barely detectable, and his voice came out in broken, gasping fragments: "Go… han… Trunks… I'll… leave… them…"
But just as Vegeta was trying to say his final farewell, he suddenly felt something slip into his mouth.
His tongue brushed against it and a faint sweetness surged through his senses.
There was no mistaking it, it is a Senzu Bean!
Using what little strength he had left, Vegeta chewed it. In an instant, he felt the dying cells within his body surge back to life.
His eyes flew open.
Before him stood Son Gohan in his Super Saiyan 2 form, the pouch that had held the Senzu Beans now completely empty, its remains caught and spinning in Gohan's swirling aura.
Vegeta could feel Gohan's immense power, and he couldn't tear his eyes away. Gohan turned his back to him, not even looking over his shoulder, and said coldly:
"Vegeta Ojisan… leave the rest to me."
Vegeta opened his mouth to say something, but found… there was nothing more to say. He could only watch Gohan's back, small in stature, yet radiating unshakable strength.
Until at last, Son Gohan stood before Cell.
…
Watching Son Gohan steadily approach, Cell showed not even a hint of panic on his face.
"Don't get cocky, brat. You've only beaten a few small fries. You don't actually think you can beat me, do you?"
Son Gohan remained expressionless, his eyes cold.
"I absolutely will."
Hearing this, Cell's pupils contracted slightly. Gohan's words were overflowing with confidence, and for a brief moment, Cell felt a flicker of unease. But how could Cell possibly allow himself to be intimidated?
He shouted sharply: "Then let me show you my power! AHHHH!!!"
Cell powered up, and in an instant, dust and debris swirled as his aura surged higher once again. Elsewhere, Bojack, who had been blasted away earlier, crawled out from the rubble and hid in the shadows, quietly observing the clash.
Watching Cell's aura rise, Bojack shook his head in disappointment.
"If that's all he's got, there's no way he can beat that Earth kid." Bojack squinted at the battlefield. Just looking at Gohan's silhouette from behind was enough to make him uneasy.
After hesitating for a moment, Bojack made a disgraceful decision. His gaze drifted to the spaceship parked in the distance. Taking advantage of the fight between Son Gohan and Cell, Bojack decided to escape Earth while he still had a chance.
To avoid attracting attention, Bojack chose to sneak over on foot.
Everything was going according to plan. He was just about to succeed… when an unexpected explosion occurred.
BOOM--!
A beam of energy rained down from the sky, and his spaceship exploded on the spot!
A deep, magnetic voice rang out behind him:
"Trying to run?" The voice belonged to Vegeta, who stood with one arm crossed over his chest and an energy orb pulsing in the palm of the other.
With the ship destroyed, Bojack's chance to escape vanished.
He suppressed his rage. Ever since his seal had been broken, he had never been this humiliated.
To be caught fleeing? If word got out, his name, Bojack, would be a laughingstock.
"Are you afraid?" Vegeta said with disdain.
Bojack flinched. Clearly, his inner fear had been seen through. Trying to stay composed, he replied: "Afraid? Don't be ridiculous. Are you seriously that sure this kid can defeat Cell?"
Vegeta answered without hesitation:
"Yes. He can. Because he's Kakarot's son. And this form of his is called Super Saiyan 2. Someone once told me, if it's Super Saiyan 2, then it can defeat both you and Cell. You're smarter than Cell. You've already sensed your end is near, which is why you tried to flee. Unfortunately for you, I will never let you get away. You and that Cell will both be killed by Gohan."
With that, Vegeta immediately transformed into Full-Powered Super Saiyan.
His powerful aura caught someone else's attention.
SWISH--!
A golden figure suddenly appeared right in front of Bojack.
Bojack was completely caught off guard, his heart jumped into his throat. He locked eyes with Son Gohan for just an instant.
BOOM--!
Gohan's fist pierced through Bojack's abdomen in a single instant. Not only Bojack, but even Vegeta, hadn't been able to react in time.
BANG--!
Another punch landed, and Bojack's massive body collapsed to the ground, eyes wide in disbelief. He knew Gohan was strong now… but he never imagined this level of power.
Vegeta stood stunned, mouth open. Just moments ago, Bojack had been exchanging words with him, and now, Gohan had felled him in two punches.
Super Saiyan 2's power completely exceeded his imagination and yet, the one who had achieved it wasn't him.
Vegeta clenched his jaw, fists tightening.
He swore, he would reach Super Saiyan 2 too!
Just then, Cell finished powering up on the other side of the battlefield. Cell swaggered confidently toward the two of them, speaking in a calm, detached voice: "Son Gohan, didn't your father ever teach you that it's extremely rude to walk away while someone else is powering up?"
But just as Cell finished speaking, a sharp glint flashed through his eyes. He immediately spotted Bojack, lying in a pool of blood.
'What?! While I was powering up for just a few dozen seconds… he killed that guy like it was nothing?!'
The self-assurance in Cell's eyes was gone. Son Gohan looked at him coldly and said: "Are you done? Then… I'll begin now."
Cell was still reeling from shock when a rock-solid fist slammed into his gut. He had no time to react. Doubling over in pain, Cell stumbled backward.
A wave of agony, like a scythe, swept across his body. In that moment, Cell's proud, invincible physique felt incredibly fragile.
Suddenly, he vomited a mouthful of blood. But that was just the beginning. A barrage of punches, like a violent storm, came crashing down on Cell from all directions.
Just as he began to recover his senses, he found himself once again completely on the defensive.
Realizing he couldn't fight back, Cell desperately curled up and shielded himself.
'Damn it! How did this guy get so strong?!'
He clenched his back molars so tightly it felt like they'd crack. But aside from cursing his luck, there was nothing he could do.
BANG--!
A devastating kick exploded from Son Gohan's leg like a battering ram. Cell's heavy body was sent flying over a kilometer.
But it was that distance that finally gave Cell a moment to breathe.
Gathering himself, he launched two energy discs from his palms. With a sweep of his arms, the discs flew through the air in erratic, unpredictable patterns before converging on Son Gohan.
The spinning energy discs rapidly approached, reflected in Son Gohan's calm eyes.
But before they could do any damage, he casually raised his hand and, with a burst of power, shattered them effortlessly. After being overwhelmed again and again, Cell was reaching the edge of his patience.
His eyes bulged in rage, veins bulging from his temples.
The one-sided situation from before had completely reversed.
Against Son Gohan's overwhelming power, Cell's tricks felt like nothing more than parlor games.
Watching Cell get pummeled, Vegeta felt sheer satisfaction.
Unwilling to admit defeat, Cell took to the skies once more, and in an instant, split into four identical copies. Three of them dove at Son Gohan with a flurry of punches and kicks, but Gohan remained motionless, unmoved.
His eyes were fixed firmly on the sky. He had already seen through Cell's plan.
As expected, a yellow, spiral-shaped beam descended from above. This technique was all too familiar to Gohan, the Special Beam Cannon.
Cell had used Piccolo's technique against him. And in doing so, he had struck a nerve, Gohan's reverse scale.
Gohan's brow suddenly furrowed, and he looked up to face the attack head-on.
He dropped into a half-crouch, rooted himself firmly, shifted his weight forward, and drew both hands to his waist.
Blue energy particles began to rapidly gather around his hands.
Gohan drew out the syllables and shouted: "Ka… Me… Ha… Me… HAAA!!"
A colossal pillar of blue energy surged skyward. In just one second, what began as a thin stream swelled to a hundred meters wide. Cell's Special Beam Cannon looked minuscule by comparison, like a firefly facing a blazing sun.
The outcome was inevitable.
The Kamehameha wave engulfed the Special Beam Cannon completely. Momentarily blinded by rage, Cell was suddenly yanked back to reality.
Sensing the oncoming heatwave, he immediately ceased his attack. The expressions on his face contorted, if he didn't act fast, he'd be obliterated.
"Damn it!!!!" Cell howled in desperation.
In the very next second, he brought his palms together, gathering the same kind of blue energy wave, preparing to go head-to-head in a final clash.
The words "Ka Me Ha Me Ha" burst out of Son Gohan's mouth.
Two seemingly equal energy waves collided in the sky, but it lasted only a single second. In his Super Saiyan 2 form, Son Gohan's Kamehameha wave quickly overpowered and absorbed Cell's own.
BOOM BOOM BOOM---!
Brilliant fireworks exploded across the sky as the heavens were engulfed in a sea of light. After a final agonized groan, Cell vanished into that light.
Moments later, Son Gohan turned to look at Vegeta.
Vegeta gave him a small nod and the two exchanged a smile. But just then, something strange happened in the sky.
Cell's voice returned, now laced with manic laughter:
"Hahaha!! Namekian cells are just too damn useful!!"
And then, something truly shocking happened: Cell had resurrected himself. Again.
Vegeta stared wide-eyed at the scene. This time, Cell's body was cloaked in crackling lightning. His jaw dropped in disbelief: "Cell's aura… it's already stronger than Gohan's."
At the same moment, Son Gohan's eyes trembled, he stared at Cell in disbelief.
"No… I felt his aura disappear... How is he still alive?!"
Cell floated in the air, looking down with smug superiority, and began to monologue with theatrical arrogance: "I never expected my body to be this perfect! The combination of Saiyan and Namekian cells has made me even more powerful!"
Then, Cell turned his gaze toward Vegeta.
"Heh… Son Gohan, I'll make sure you die full of regret. Everyone you want to protect… I'll torture them to death, one by one."
With that, Cell flashed beside Vegeta and suddenly clamped his hand around Vegeta's throat. A surge of suffocating pressure flooded Vegeta's body. He glared at Cell like a demon, but he was utterly powerless to resist.
"NO!! Let him go!!" Son Gohan shouted while flying at Cell at full speed.
He launched into a fierce flurry of punches and kicks, but Cell refused to release Vegeta.
BOOM--!
Cell punched Vegeta, sending him flying across the battlefield.
Vegeta felt like his nerves were being chewed by ants. His limbs went limp as he collapsed, unable to move.
Then things got worse.
From the rubble, Bojack, who hadn't fully died, started walking toward the downed Vegeta. Like a vicious beast, he approached, while Vegeta couldn't even get back on his feet.
Vegeta cursed bitterly: "You bastard…!"
Bojack grinned wickedly. He had taken Vegeta's earlier insults personally and now came seeking revenge. He pulled back his arm, crouched down, and punched Vegeta square in the face.
SPLURT---!
Blood and spit sprayed from Vegeta's mouth.
"I'll kill you!!!" Son Gohan screamed, his eyes now glowing blood-red. He instantly teleported next to Bojack, an energy blast already gathered in his palm.
But just as Gohan was about to finish Bojack off, Cell appeared right behind him, grabbing Gohan's arm tightly.
Bojack's worthless life was spared, and Cell gave him a thumbs-up.
"Nice job, useless trash."
Despite the "praise," Bojack felt incredibly humiliated, but he knew better than to object. If he wanted to survive, he had to swallow his pride. He was fully aware of the reality: Whether Cell won, or the Saiyans did, his fate would almost certainly end in death.
But Cell was still a villain like him, and since Bojack had never raised a hand against him, now that Cell had regained control of the fight, maybe some flattery could save his life.
Bojack lowered his head submissively: "Thank you for the praise, Lord Cell…"
Seeing Vegeta so brutally abused, Son Gohan could no longer hold back.
He unleashed all of his fury on Cell. The battle between the two erupted once again, but this time, the dominance Son Gohan had earlier was gone.
"Alright, that's enough, Son Gohan. Continuing this fight is meaningless." Cell placed both hands at his waist, the shame from his earlier energy clash failure still fresh in his mind.
This time, he was determined to reclaim his dignity.
With a roar, a Kamehameha wave surged from Cell's waist, blasting toward Son Gohan.
Now, Son Gohan had no choice but to counter with his own Kamehameha.
Cell's long-awaited beam struggle finally unfolded.
The massive clash of energy caused everything around them to tremble. As the two blue energy waves collided, arcs of electricity began to dance at the point of contact.
A ball of condensed energy began to form at the clash's center, a sign of the battle reaching its peak.
Far away at the Lookout, two powerful auras clashed and stretched across the skies, ultimately reaching even that distant place.
Trunks stood solemnly, his eyes locked on the violent glow far away. Beside him, Bulma paced back and forth anxiously, her eyes fixed on Trunks' expression.
The slightest trace of worry on Trunks' face would send Bulma spiraling into panic.
Trunks struggled inwardly. Though he didn't know the exact situation out there, he could sense Vegeta's aura weakening again, and that alone was enough to tell him things weren't looking good.
And if Cell could match Son Gohan blow for blow, that meant he had most likely reached the Super Perfect Cell stage.
(Dad, Gohan… you must win…)
Vegeta lay helplessly on the ground. He felt utterly humiliated. He had come here to save others, and yet, here he was, beaten and useless. Son Gohan was fighting with his life, drenched in blood, while he lay motionless in the dirt.
As he wallowed in his shame, a blinding light suddenly invaded Vegeta's eyes. Turning his head, he saw the clash unfolding between Son Gohan and Bojack.
Son Gohan was screaming, pouring every ounce of strength into his Kamehameha wave.
"I absolutely won't let you succeed, Cell! I'll protect everyone on Earth!!"
A nine-year-old child, fighting with everything he had to protect the Earth, those bold words echoed in Vegeta's mind.
Protect everyone...
Vegeta himself didn't care much about protecting everyone. But he did have someone he wanted to protect. His thoughts drifted, to the quiet nights spent with Bulma, to the gentle warmth she had shown him time and time again.
And now, he couldn't even protect her.
Instead, Son Gohan stood in the way of danger.
'No! My woman can only be protected by me!'
Vegeta's body began to twitch. His legs, previously paralyzed, suddenly surged with power, and he charged toward Son Gohan.
Even Bojack found the sight unbelievable.
'Are all Saiyans monsters?!'
Just as Son Gohan felt he couldn't hold out much longer, Vegeta's hand appeared beside him.
Startled, Gohan glanced at Vegeta, shocked that he could still move.
Vegeta didn't waste time with words. In perfect sync, he began channeling energy into Gohan's Kamehameha.
The blue energy sphere at the center was now shrouded in a golden veil, the mark of Vegeta's Final Flash mixing into the blast.
"Vegeta Ojisan… I didn't think you still had strength left."
"Keep channeling. Don't talk."
With Vegeta's help, the central energy ball inched closer and closer to Cell.
Sensing the shift, Cell panicked and yelled: "Hey! You useless trash, get over here and help!!"
Bojack understood immediately and leapt forward, joining Cell at the frontlines.
Bojack's power level was just under Super Saiyan 2, but far stronger than a full-power Super Saiyan. Super Perfect Cell, on the other hand, already surpassed even Son Gohan.
With Bojack now reinforcing Cell, Gohan and Vegeta were once again forced into a disadvantage.
Soon, Vegeta felt his arms becoming unbearably heavy.
The energy sphere crept ever closer to them, bringing death with every inch.
"Is it still impossible to win? What would Dad do in this situation?" Son Gohan's voice grew low and heavy, as if he already saw the ending. Whenever he fell into despair, he would think of his father.
...
King Kai's Planet.
Piccolo and Son Goku, both with halos above their heads, were watching everything happening on Earth through King Kai's perception.
Piccolo was sweating nervously, Son Gohan was under pressures no one his age should bear.
"Old Son, do you think Gohan and Vegeta can win?" Piccolo asked.
Son Goku's expression was serious. He shook his head. He had already heard Son Gohan calling for him through King Kai's powers. But he no longer belonged to the living world; intervening would break the rules.
"King Kai, can't I Instant Transmission back?" Son Goku looked up at King Kai's neck, silently pleading for guidance.
King Kai shook his head vigorously.
"No! No means no! The consequences of breaking the rules are very severe!"
Hearing this, Son Goku fell silent. Just then, Piccolo suddenly spoke up, turning to King Kai: "King Kai, what exactly are the consequences of breaking the rules?"
King Kai scratched his head, mumbling for a long time but never clearly explaining.
In King Kai's mind, the dead going back to the living world was wrong, but who set this rule? He didn't know. He only knew it could not be broken.
Desperate to save the boy, Piccolo, once a god of Earth, spoke with a tone of righteous defiance.
"If even King Kai doesn't know, does that mean you haven't decided yet?!"
The implication was clear, Piccolo believed King Kai himself had set the rule. King Kai instantly blushed red, nearly fuming.
"Listen here, Piccolo--" Before he could finish, Piccolo covered King Kai's mouth and eyes.
"As long as King Kai doesn't see it, it doesn't count as breaking the rule." Piccolo gave Son Goku a meaningful glance, and Son Goku immediately understood.
He put two fingers in a sword shape on his forehead, searching for Son Gohan's aura. But the next second, he hesitated and abandoned the thought of Instant Transmission.
Piccolo glared at Son Goku and snapped: "What are you standing there for, Old Son?!"
Son Goku smiled calmly and said to Piccolo: "I think it's better not to, Piccolo."
...
Earth.
Vegeta clearly felt the pressure in his hands intensify. But he couldn't fall now, because Son Gohan hadn't given up. How could he, the proud Saiyan prince, let go?
Mid-air, Cell, holding the advantage, began to taunt:
"Hahaha! Son Gohan, Vegeta, where is that prideful power of yours?"
Vegeta snapped awake and cursed loudly: "Shut your mouth! You thief, how dare you speak?!"
Cell continued mocking: "Hehe, Vegeta, you're nothing but a useless guy who only talks about being the proud Saiyan prince."
"Son Gohan is right, if Son Goku were here, he'd have a way. After all, he's the person you've chased after your entire life!"
Hearing this, Vegeta fell silent.
He hated it, hated himself for being too weak to avoid this situation. Though he was the Saiyan prince, he was always trailing behind others.
The first to transform into Super Saiyan was Son Goku, far ahead of him. The first to transform into Super Saiyan 2 was Son Goku's son, Son Gohan.
He, who was supposed to be the strongest Saiyan, was now falling behind others.
He truly couldn't understand why, no matter how hard he tried, he was always left in the dust.
Forget Son Goku, even his own son had taken the lead ahead of him.
And that guy Cell up in the air was even more despicable. Just stealing others' cells allowed him to reach Super Saiyan 2 level.
Why couldn't he get there?
For a moment, Vegeta sank deep into self-blame, his heart seemingly shrouded in endless darkness. Facing Cell's merciless taunts, he felt powerless and humiliated beyond words; his anger burned uncontrollably inside.
He was furious at his own weakness. why couldn't he become Super Saiyan 2?
These questions echoed repeatedly in his mind, weighing heavier and heavier on his mood.
Vegeta knew very well that if he lost this battle, it wouldn't just be him suffering, his wife and son would too. Why didn't he have enough power to protect Bulma and Trunks?
At one moment, Vegeta's self-loathing reached its peak. And at that very instant, Son Gohan was deeply drawn in by the aura radiating from Vegeta.
This scene was identical to when he first transformed into Super Saiyan 2.
Vegeta was on the verge of breaking through!
The next moment, lightning began to crackle all around Vegeta, his hair instantly growing thicker and more voluminous again.
A powerful aura swept over everything nearby.
Cell, still hovering above, suddenly felt his hands grow as heavy as lead.
His expression froze.
Because he perceived that Vegeta's aura had reached the same level as Son Gohan's. Meanwhile, the energy ball trapped between them began to move in the opposite direction.
Through his hatred and anger toward himself, Vegeta successfully broke through to Super Saiyan 2.
"Die, Cell!!" Vegeta channeled all of his Super Saiyan 2 power into his Final Flash attack.
In an instant, Cell and Bojack lost their composure.
Panic flashed across their faces, and in desperation, Bojack suddenly placed a hand on Cell's shoulder, intending to use him as a shield.
Cell glared furiously, questioning him: "Trash! What do you think you're doing?!"
Cell grabbed Bojack's hand, clearly seeing through his intention.
"Heh, then I'll indulge you!" Cell said, blocking Bojack in front of his chest.
"No… don't!" Bojack's screams echoed desperately.
The fusion of Final Flash and Kamehameha instantly devoured Bojack. Things were going badly; after finishing this, Cell turned and fled. The energy ball powered by Final Flash and Kamehameha waves gave Cell no chance to escape.
Boom!
A massive explosion shattered the sky; Cell's body was blown to pieces, his core disappearing with no chance of survival. The powerful shockwave tore through the clouds; the sky had become a heaven of light.
Even the previously dark, stormy sky brightened up.
Once certain Cell was truly dead, Son Gohan collapsed to the ground, lying flat in a star shape.
Vegeta stretched out both hands, feeling this brand-new power.
...
Lookout.
Trunks suddenly stood up, his excitement impossible to hide. Bulma anxiously asked, "How is it, Trunks?!"
Trunks smiled in relief: "Mom, Dad and Gohan won."
Upon hearing this good news, tears streamed down Bulma's face. Then she laughed, asking Trunks, "Trunks, do you want a little brother or a little sister?"
Trunks was speechless.
(Mom doesn't seem to be joking at all.)
A second later, Trunks said, "I think… a little sister would be better."
...
King Kai's Planet.
King Kai angrily scolded Son Goku and Piccolo: "You guys are such fools, Piccolo!"
"How many times have I told you and you didn't listen! If King Kai finds out, I'll lose my position for sure! Honestly!"
Piccolo hurriedly apologized, "We haven't really broken the rules, have we, King Kai? Want me to tell you a joke?"
"Once upon a time..."
Son Goku smiled with relief. He hadn't expected that not only had Son Gohan broken through to Super Saiyan 2, but Vegeta had achieved it as well.
Just then, Piccolo suddenly asked, "Old Son, should we get in touch with Gohan and the others again?"
Son Goku scratched his head and pondered, "That's doable."
Piccolo: "So this time, are you still going to say you went to spar with other experts in the Underworld?"
Son Goku shook his head. "Gohan's got the ability to hold his own now, so there's no need for such lies anymore, hehe."
Piccolo sighed. "I really don't understand you. Even if Gohan knew you were nearby back then, what good would it do? You're dead, so according to the rules, you couldn't have gone to help."
Son Goku chuckled: "Who says it's impossible? You have to remember Bulma was there! She personally witnessed that fortune-teller granny bring my dead grandfather before me."
"Similarly, if she knew I was around, I wouldn't guarantee she wouldn't have that fortune-teller granny take me back in a day."
Piccolo's mind raced, he hadn't expected there were people like that fortune-teller granny in the world.
"Well, anyway, your goal has been achieved. But you're right, a day's time might not be enough for you to defeat so many enemies. Letting Gohan handle things himself is the real solution."
Then, Piccolo bowed slightly and said to King Kai, "So I leave it in your hands, King Kai."
King Kai was still amused by Piccolo's dry joke. Since Piccolo's joke was quite good, he decided to forget Piccolo's earlier disrespect.
Son Goku placed his hand on King Kai, and the communication link connected.
[Son Gohan, this is North Kaiō.]
Son Gohan, lying on the ground, instantly became alert.
"King Kai?!"
Seeing Son Gohan's reaction, Vegeta next to him also became interested.
But the next second, King Kai's voice stopped, replaced by one that surprised both Vegeta and Son Gohan.
[Hi, Gohan, Vegeta, long time no see.]
"Dad!"
"Kakarrot?!"
Son Gohan's eyes instantly reddened; tears welled up and streamed down his face.
Vegeta was very sensitive to Sun Goku's voice, but seeing the redness in Son Gohan's eyes, he chose to give up the chance to speak with Sun Goku first.
After these days together, he felt Son Gohan was quite pitiful, unlike his son Trunks who always had him by his side.
[Gohan, I'm very happy you can stand on your own.]
"Yeah, Dad! Vegeta Ojisan and I saved Earth together!"
[Keep it up, Gohan! The Earth of the future still depends on you to protect it! You two can become even stronger!]
After receiving his father's affirmation, Son Gohan smiled happily.
"By the way, Dad, are you doing well over there? Mom and I miss you a lot!"
[Don't worry, Gohan, the meals here at King Kai's are quite good! I'm still training here every day!]
After hearing this, Vegeta suddenly spoke up.
"Kakarrot! You mean you've been training all this time with King Kai?!"
[Ah, yes, Vegeta, I haven't stopped training at all.]
Vegeta coldly snorted, his eyes shining: "Hmph, I've already transformed into Super Saiyan 2! And I'm sure that someday I'll be stronger than you and your son!"
Vegeta's confidence was rooted in the trump card that he could eavesdrop on Trunks' inner thoughts.
Son Goku's tone was greatly shocked.
[Really? Vegeta! I'd love to have a fight with you!]
[I wonder if your Super Saiyan 2 is stronger or mine!]
Vegeta was stunned. "Wait, Kakarrot! Are you saying you've also reached Super Saiyan 2?"
Son Goku suddenly realized he might have let something slip and laughed awkwardly.
[Huh? What Super Saiyan 2? What did I just say?!]
"Hmph! Don't play dumb with me, Kakarrot!! I'll surpass you and your son sooner or later!" Vegeta shouted angrily to the sky, but there was no response from Son Goku anymore.
After learning that Son Goku had also reached Super Saiyan 2, Vegeta flew off toward the Lookout.
Son Gohan's face was full of a smile; he hadn't expected that his father had already reached Super Saiyan 2 long ago.
Just then, Son Goku's playful voice sounded again.
[Gohan, is Vegeta still there?]
Son Gohan replied, "Vegeta Ojisan has left, Dad."
[Ah, geez, I really let something slip just now.]
Suddenly, Son Goku's voice became firm.
[Gohan, you still need to become stronger. If it weren't for Vegeta breaking through to Super Saiyan 2, Earth...]
"Yeah, I know, Dad."
[Alright, that's enough for now, Gohan. King Kai is urging me. Oh, and Gohan, please say sorry to Mom for me, leaving so suddenly back then.]
Son Goku's voice disappeared. Son Gohan immediately flew toward Mount Paozu, eager to share the news with Chi-Chi.
On King Kai's planet.
Son Goku turned his head with a teasing smile: "King Kai, I really appreciate your help."
But at that moment, King Kai looked as if he had lost his soul; no matter how Son Goku and Piccolo called him, he didn't respond.
Son Goku and Piccolo had no choice but to slap King Kai hard, and only then did he come back to his senses, his face looking very grim.
"What's wrong, King Kai?"
King Kai's lips trembled as he slowly uttered a few words: "The guy who killed South Kaiō has appeared in the West Area..."
(End Of This Chapter)
You can read ahead up to 60 chapters on my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/darkshadow6395