Goku glanced at Vegeta.
"Vegeta, your companion is still alive. If you leave now, I'll let you go."
"Let us go?"
Vegeta burst out laughing, as if he had just heard the greatest joke in the universe.
"Kakarot, don't think that just because you have some strength, you can act arrogant in front of me!"
He sneered.
"Let me tell you the truth—my combat power is several times higher than that useless fool!"
"S-Several times?!"
Krillin and the others were visibly shaken.
Gohan, however, watched Vegeta like he was watching a performance.
If Gohan attacked right now, Vegeta would die instantly.
But he chose not to interfere.
This fight was for his father.
Goku clenched his fists slightly.
With his current condition, even Kaio-ken x2 would already strain his body.
Anything higher would risk tearing himself apart.
"Scared, Kakarot?" Vegeta mocked.
Goku smiled calmly.
"If I were scared, I wouldn't be standing here."
Vegeta snorted.
With a casual flick of his hand, he fired a blue energy wave toward the mountain crushing Nappa.
BOOM!!
The explosion engulfed both the rocks—and Nappa himself.
"I don't need useless trash," Vegeta said coldly.
Krillin and the others felt chills run down their spines.
They hadn't expected Vegeta to kill his own subordinate without hesitation.
Goku clenched his fists.
Vegeta floated onto a nearby mountain peak.
Seeing this, Goku flew to the opposing peak.
Only a few meters separated them.
The wind blew between the two Saiyans, lifting their hair.
"You should feel honored," Vegeta said with his arms crossed.
"It's rare for a superior warrior like me to personally fight a low-class Saiyan."
"From the moment we're born, Saiyans are tested. Weaklings are sent to useless planets like Earth."
"You're a certified failure."
Goku didn't get angry.
Instead, he smiled.
"Thanks to that, I came to Earth. I really should thank you."
He clenched his fists.
"There's only a thin line between genius and idiot. Hard work can surpass talent."
Vegeta sneered.
"Then I'll show you a gap you can never cross—no matter how hard you try."
Both of them assumed fighting stances.
The air itself seemed to tremble.
Suddenly, Goku kicked off the ground and rushed forward.
"Ha!"
His fists flew like the wind.
Vegeta raised both arms, blocking effortlessly.
Goku pulled back and attacked again.
Vegeta defended while counterattacking.
After dozens of exchanges, Vegeta leapt backward, landing on another mountain peak.
Whoosh—
Goku chased after him.
Vegeta laughed, stomped hard, and suddenly appeared in front of Goku mid-flight.
BANG!!
Goku was punched square in the face and sent flying.
Just before crashing into the mountain, Goku twisted his body, kicked off the rock, and shot back into the air.
Suddenly—
Vegeta appeared behind him.
Whoosh!
Goku dropped sharply, spun, and kicked.
Vegeta dodged.
The two clashed in midair.
Bang! Bang! Bang!!
Fists and feet collided repeatedly.
Suddenly, Vegeta increased his speed and slammed both fists into Goku's torso.
"AGH!"
Goku's body dropped.
Vegeta reappeared above him, clasped his hands together, and smashed downward.
BANG!!
Goku plummeted like a meteor.
At the last moment, he flipped and landed on another peak.
Vegeta landed opposite him.
"He's incredible," Goku thought grimly.
"He hasn't even gotten serious yet… his speed and combat ability far surpass mine."
"Hurry up," Vegeta taunted.
"Have you already run out of strength?"
Goku took a deep breath.
"I understand… then I'll show you."
His body began to heat up.
His skin flushed red.
A blazing red aura erupted around him.
"Kaio-ken!"
Goku thrust his hand forward.
A crimson beam detonated the mountain Vegeta had just stood on.
Vegeta jumped upward in shock.
Whoosh—
Goku transformed into a red flash and appeared in front of him.
BANG!!
Goku's punch smashed into Vegeta's face.
Before Vegeta could recover, dozens of rapid punches followed.
Finally—
BOOM!!
Goku kicked Vegeta away.
He landed and immediately pursued.
But Vegeta suddenly reappeared in front of him and kicked upward.
CRACK!
Goku's Kaio-ken aura shattered.
He was sent flying backward.
Cold sweat dripped down Goku's forehead as he steadied himself.
Vegeta smiled faintly.
"If this is your limit…"
"…then you're a disappointment."
...
Author's Note:Sorry for not uploading chapters regularly. I'm currently studying for my semester exams, so chapter upload times may vary for now.
From next month onward, chapters will be uploaded on time. Thank you for your patience and support.