A/N: RIP THE G.O.A.T. AKIRA TORIYAMAI DO NOT OWN DRAGON BALL, DRAGON BALL Z, OR SUPER.
Path to Power
The scouter flickered to life, crackling with static as a distorted voice came through. Vegeta, seated in his space pod, tapped it impatiently. Nappa leaned back in his pod, grinning. Cado, staring out into the void of space, barely acknowledged the sound.
"Vegeta... Nappa... Cado…! That brat Kakarot... he—he's betrayed me! We were supposed to conquer this planet together, but... these Earthlings... they have some kind of power. There's this Namekian... and Kakarot's son… they're stronger than we thought. Help... me—"
The transmission cut off abruptly. The scouter fell silent, leaving only a faint static hum in the aftermath of Raditz's desperate words.
Vegeta sneered. "So, Raditz failed. What a pathetic waste of a Saiyan."
Nappa laughed, his voice filled with amusement. "Didn't even last a full day on that weak little planet, huh? What a joke."
Calmly, Vegeta's eyes narrowed. "Earth may be insignificant, but the power Raditz mentioned… sounds like they have something interesting." He smirked. "Dragon Balls."
Nappa blinked, confusion briefly crossing his face. "Dragon Balls? What the hell are those?"
"They're rumored to grant any wish. If Kakarot's weakling of a brother mentioned a Namekian, then the legend must be true. Earth may hold the key to immortality," Vegeta's voice was laced with dark ambition. "We'll head there next, claim those Dragon Balls, and make our wish. Raditz was a fool, but his death may lead us to something far more valuable."
Vegeta's scouter beeped, signaling Earth's coordinates. Without hesitation, he input them into his pod, setting their course. The engines roared to life, propelling them toward Earth.
Flashback
As the space pods shot through the galaxy, Cado sat in silence, unaffected by Vegeta's plotting. His mind, however, drifted to a different time, a memory long buried beneath the weight of his cold indifference.
A clash of fists echoed in his mind, the sound of metal striking flesh, and his mother's fierce gaze burned into his memory.
"Again."
Her voice was sharp, commanding, as Cado, young and breathless, staggered to his feet. His small fists were raw and bloodied from countless hours of training. Despite his exhaustion, he raised them again.
"A Saiyan shows no weakness. Do you understand, Cado?" Her voice softened only slightly, but the sternness in her eyes remained.
He nodded, the determination of a child who longed for approval. "Yes, Mother… I understand."
Her expression softened for a fleeting moment, a rare glimpse of warmth beneath her warrior's exterior. "Good. You're strong, Cado. One day, you'll surpass even me."
That warmth was something Cado had cherished. She had been his world, his anchor in the cold, ruthless Saiyan way of life. But that all changed the day she returned broken, her mission a failure.
He could still see it. His mother, kneeling in the dirt, battered and beaten. Frieza stood before her, his eyes cold and unforgiving. Cado, filled with desperation, had tried to rush to her side, but Frieza had swatted him away like an insect, sending him crashing into the ground.
"A pity." Frieza's voice was laced with cruel amusement as he stared down at her. "You Monkeys never learn, do you? Failure is never forgiven."
Frieza's tail coiled, and in one swift motion, he ended her life. Cado had screamed, crawling to her, his small hands trembling as he cradled her dying form.
Her voice was weak, barely more than a whisper. "Cado... my strong boy... you will live. You will grow to be powerful. Remember... I love you..."
Her final breath escaped, her eyes closing forever. And in that moment, as her body grew cold in his arms, something inside Cado had died with her.
Back in the present, Cado's expression remained as unreadable as ever. His eyes, blank and distant, stared out at the darkness of space as the pod continued its journey toward Earth. He heard Vegeta and Nappa discussing the Dragon Balls, but their voices seemed far away, irrelevant.
Whatever love or strength he once felt was buried deep within him now. He shut it all off, protecting himself from a universe that cared nothing for feelings.
And so, as the memory faded, Cado's mind returned to the mission. Earth. Dragon Balls. Immortality. His mother's voice, her final words, flickered in the back of his mind like a distant, fading star. But he didn't feel a thing.
ARRIVAL ON EARTH
The space pods sliced through the atmosphere of Earth, their engines roaring as they approached the surface. As the pods landed with a heavy thud, the ground trembled slightly, sending vibrations through the air. Dust and debris kicked up around them, settling as the doors of the pods hissed open.
Nappa stepped out first, grinning broadly, his large frame casting a shadow over the city below. His eyes sparkled with mischief. "Look at this place! So pathetic and weak. Let's show them a real Saiyan welcome!"
With a sudden roar of laughter, Nappa drew back his fist, energy crackling around it. He aimed at East City, a sprawling urban landscape filled with unsuspecting civilians.
"Wait!" Vegeta snapped, his voice sharp as a knife. "You idiot! You could destroy the Dragon Balls!"
Nappa paused mid-attack, looking back at Vegeta with confusion. "But I—"
"Just because we're here to collect the Dragon Balls doesn't mean we should destroy everything in our path!" Vegeta's frustration flared, his brow furrowing. "Use that thick skull of yours for once!"
Cado stepped out of his pod, maintaining his usual indifference. He glanced at the bustling city before him, noting the bustling streets and the people going about their lives, blissfully unaware of the impending danger.
He activated his scouter, the device beeping as it scanned for power levels. The digital readout flickered, numbers rapidly changing until it locked onto a particularly strong energy signature. "There's a high power level to the northwest," he stated flatly, his monotone voice cutting through the tension. "I'm heading in that direction."
With that, Cado began to fly away, his expression still emotionless, seemingly unaffected by the chaos brewing around him.
Vegeta's POV
As Cado walked away, Vegeta's gaze followed his son, a mix of pride and concern churning within him. There goes the boy, he thought, his brow creasing slightly. Always so detached, even when facing the thrill of battle. Perhaps he thinks he can handle everything on his own.
Vegeta couldn't help but notice how Cado appeared even at such a young age. His black hair, spiked in that familiar Saiyan style, stood out against the backdrop of the city, framing a face that was eerily calm for someone his age. Cado's deep-set, dark eyes held a certain intensity, as if they were windows into an unfathomable void. Even as a child, he was unusually tall for his age, with a lean yet muscular build—a product of his mother's rigorous training.
He looks just like her, Vegeta mused, recalling his fleeting encounters with Cado's mother. A fierce warrior, but with that soft spot buried deep inside, hidden behind those stoic eyes. What a shame she had to die. Cado could have been stronger if she were still here.
But that thought was quickly pushed aside as Vegeta turned his attention back to the mission. Focus, Vegeta. The Dragon Balls are what matters now. This boy… he'll learn to embrace the power within him. He must.
His thoughts drifted back to Nappa, who was still grumbling about his scolding. And this idiot could have ruined everything in a single attack. I swear, if he doesn't stop wasting my time…
Vegeta shook his head, resolute. He needed to regain control over this situation, and fast. But for now, his attention was on Cado, watching as he vanished into the distance, alone and unaffected, a lone wolf in a world of chaos.
The Confrontation
The ground shook as the Saiyans stepped into the clearing, their presence heavy with power and arrogance. Nappa, tall and imposing, scanned the area with a smirk, while Cado trailed behind, his expression unchanged. Vegeta stood at the forefront, arms crossed, exuding an aura of authority.
As they approached, the Z Fighters gathered, their expressions a mixture of shock and determination. Krillin, Tien, Yamcha, Chiaotzu, Piccolo, and Gohan stood ready, eyes locked on the approaching foes.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" Nappa taunted, his voice booming. "Looks like a bunch of weaklings gathered together for a little picnic!"
"Don't underestimate us!" Yamcha shot back, his fists clenched. "We'll show you what we're made of!"
Vegeta scoffed, rolling his eyes. "You're all nothing more than insects. But I suppose you'd like to entertain us before we crush you."
"Yeah, what's the plan?" Tien interjected, trying to project confidence despite the palpable tension. "Are we just going to stand here and let you gloat?"
Nappa chuckled darkly. "Not quite. I think it's time for some fun!" He reached into a pouch at his side, pulling out several capsules. "Meet the Saibamen!"
With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the capsules into the air. They exploded upon impact, revealing green, spindly creatures with sharp teeth and vicious grins. The Saibamen cackled as they landed, ready for battle.
"Here's the deal," Nappa continued. "You can fight one at a time. If you win, we'll leave Earth without causing too much destruction. If you lose…" He let the threat hang in the air, a sinister smile spreading across his face.
Yamcha stepped forward, puffing out his chest. "I'll take the first one! Let me show you how it's done!"
"Are you sure about that?" Tien asked, eyebrow raised. "They're tougher than they look."
"Please, I've got this!" Yamcha replied, waving his hand dismissively as he squared up to the nearest Saibaman. "Just watch and learn!"
The Saibaman charged, hissing as it lunged at Yamcha. He dodged expertly, his movements fluid. With a swift kick, he sent the creature crashing to the ground, following up with a flurry of punches that finished it off. The remaining Z Fighters cheered, relief washing over them.
"See? Easy!" Yamcha exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear. "Now let's take down the next one!"
Feeling emboldened, he turned his attention to Cado, who had remained silent and stoic throughout the encounter. "Hey, you! I can take you on too, you know!"
Cado merely raised an eyebrow, his expression unchanged.
With a newfound sense of bravado, Yamcha rushed at Cado, fists clenched. "Let's see what you've got, kid!"
But before Yamcha could land a punch, Cado moved with blinding speed, effortlessly sidestepping the attack. He delivered a powerful kick to Yamcha's face, sending him sprawling to the ground. Cado followed up with a swift motion, raising his hand and gathering energy.
A blast of energy erupted from his palm, striking Yamcha square in the face. The Z Fighters gasped in horror as the attack consumed him, leaving only a lifeless corpse in the grass.
The clearing fell silent, shock hanging in the air like a dense fog. Krillin's eyes widened; disbelief etched on his face. "No… that can't be!"
Chiaotzu staggered back, his heart racing. "Yamcha… No! What just happened?!"
Piccolo's expression darkened; his sharp gaze fixed on Cado. "This isn't good. We're outmatched."
Gohan's hands trembled as he stood there, wide-eyed with terror. "Yamcha… he didn't even stand a chance!"
"Is this what we're up against?" Tien muttered, his voice barely above a whisper as he glanced at the remaining Saibamen, their glee contrasting sharply with the atmosphere of dread. "We're in serious trouble."
"Cado," Vegeta said, a glimmer of approval flashing in his eyes. "You've certainly made your point."
Nappa laughed, the sound booming and triumphant. "Who's next? I hope you're not all as weak as your friend!"
The Z Fighters regrouped, tension coursing through them, their resolve hardening in the face of overwhelming odds. Cado stood amidst them, unphased, his expression as calm and cold as ever, as if he had merely completed a mundane task rather than taken a life.
"Does anyone else want to try?" Nappa goaded, his grin wide and menacing.
"Let's work together," Piccolo finally said, his tone grim as he exchanged glances with Tien and Krillin. "We need to be smart about this. We can't afford to lose anyone else."
As the Z Fighters regrouped, the weight of Yamcha's death hung heavy in the air. Tension crackled between them, and Krillin's fists clenched in anger. His body trembled as the image of his fallen friend flashed through his mind. He ignored Piccolo's cautious words.
"We can't wait any longer! I'll make them pay for Yamcha!" Krillin shouted, his voice thick with rage. His aura flared up in a violent burst of energy, and without warning, he raised his hand above his head, forming a massive ball of energy.
"Krillin, don't—!" Piccolo called out, but it was too late.
With a yell, Krillin unleashed a powerful beam of energy that tore through the battlefield, zigzagging wildly toward the Saiyans and Saibamen alike. The beam splintered into multiple streams, arcing across the landscape. The Saibamen screeched in terror as they were caught in the blast's wake, disintegrating into nothing.
The Z Fighters watched in shock as Krillin's attack cleared the remaining Saibamen with brutal efficiency. But one stray beam veered off course, heading directly toward the Saiyans.
Nappa smirked, watching the blast with amusement, but before he could react, Cado stepped forward. Without so much as blinking, he casually raised his hand and slapped the beam away as if it were a mere nuisance. The energy dispersed into the sky, leaving nothing but a faint trail of smoke behind.
The Z Fighters were speechless.
"Did… did he just swat that away?" Tien murmured, his voice shaking with disbelief.
"That blast was enough to kill the Saibamen…" Piccolo added, his eyes narrowing. "And he treated it like nothing."
Krillin, breathing heavily from the strain of his attack, stared at Cado, dumbfounded. The reality of their overwhelming power was starting to sink in.
Nappa's laughter cut through the tension. "Well, looks like the little one wants to play, too! You guys aren't half bad. But now it's time for me to have some fun!" He cracked his knuckles, stepping forward eagerly.
"Cado, Vegeta, sit back and enjoy the show," Nappa said with a wicked grin, his towering form casting a long shadow over the Z Fighters. He lunged forward with terrifying speed, engaging Tien first.
The battle unfolded much as expected. Nappa unleashed his brute strength on the Z Fighters, easily overwhelming them despite their best efforts. Tien, Krillin, and Piccolo fought valiantly, but Nappa was relentless, toying with them as if they were mere insects.
From the sidelines, Vegeta stood with his arms crossed, watching the fight with a mixture of boredom and amusement. Beside him, Cado remained utterly indifferent, his eyes following the battle but showing no sign of interest or emotion. It was as though he were watching an insignificant event unfold, something beneath his notice.
Nappa continued his rampage, tossing Tien aside and smashing through the Z Fighters' defenses. The ground trembled with each blow he landed, and the air was thick with the tension of the battle. But Vegeta and Cado didn't move a muscle, content to observe from the sidelines.
"He's dragging this out too much," Vegeta muttered under his breath, annoyed at Nappa's theatrics.
Cado's eyes remained locked on the scene, his face as unreadable as ever. To him, the spectacle was routine, something he had seen countless times before. Each punch, each scream, each desperate counterattack—it was all just part of the brutal dance of battle that Saiyans relished. But for Cado, it was merely a task to observe, detached from any real emotion.
Nappa chuckled darkly, looming over the battered Z Fighters. His eyes locked onto Tien, who struggled to stand after another crushing blow. Nappa's grin widened as he closed the distance between them.
"You've been a thorn in my side for long enough," Nappa growled. He swung his massive fist with terrifying force, aiming directly at Tien.
Tien braced himself, but the impact was too much. Nappa's punch connected, and with a sickening crack, part of Tien's arm was torn away, blood spraying across the battlefield. Tien staggered back, gasping in pain as he clutched his severed arm.
"Tien!" Krillin shouted, horror spreading across his face.
Before anyone could react, Chiaotzu—who had been watching helplessly—suddenly floated up, clinging onto Nappa's back. His tiny body began to glow with energy as he pressed himself against Nappa's armor.
"I'm sorry, Tien… but this is the only way!" Chiaotzu cried, his voice filled with desperation.
"What the—get off me, you little pest!" Nappa roared, trying to shake Chiaotzu off.
Chiaotzu's body brightened, and with a final, heartbreaking smile toward Tien, he exploded in a brilliant flash of light. The shockwave rocked the battlefield, sending dust and debris flying in every direction.
When the dust settled, Nappa stood there, unscathed, his armor cracked but still intact. He wiped off the soot from the explosion, laughing.
"He thought that would actually hurt me? Pathetic," Nappa said coldly.
Tien, overwhelmed with grief and rage, struggled to his feet, his body trembling from blood loss. His remaining hand clenched into a fist as he glared at Nappa, tears streaming down his face.
"Chiaotzu… you didn't have to…" Tien whispered, his voice shaking.
Ignoring his pain, Tien raised his hand into the air, summoning all the energy he had left. His body glowed with a fierce aura as he prepared his final attack.
"This is for Chiaotzu!" Tien shouted, his voice filled with determination. "TRI-BEAM!"
With everything he had, Tien unleashed a massive Tri-Beam directly at Nappa. The ground beneath them shattered under the sheer force of the attack. Nappa braced himself, grinning as he absorbed the brunt of Tien's final stand.
But the effort was too much for Tien's weakened body. As the light from the Tri-Beam faded, Tien collapsed to the ground, lifeless. His last breath had been spent in a futile attempt to avenge his fallen friend.
Krillin, watching in horror as his friends fell one by one, clenched his fists. His face twisted in despair, he screamed at the sky.
"Goku! Where are you?! We need you now!" Krillin's voice cracked with desperation, his hope faltering.
Cado, who had been standing silently beside Vegeta, glanced toward Krillin with mild curiosity. He turned to Vegeta, his voice flat and unaffected by the carnage around them.
"I believe this Goku they keep mentioning is Kakarot," Cado said, his tone emotionless.
Vegeta's eyes flickered with interest at the mention of Kakarot. "So, Kakarot's finally coming back, huh? I thought that low-class warrior had died on this backwater planet."
Vegeta stepped forward, addressing the remaining Z Fighters with a mocking smirk. "Very well. Since you're all so desperate for this 'Goku' to save you, I'll grant you a bit of mercy."
He looked to the sky, as if calculating something in his mind. Then, he turned back to the others, still smirking.
"You've got three hours. We'll wait here for Kakarot. But after that…" Vegeta's grin widened, becoming more sinister. "You all die."
Krillin, Piccolo, and Gohan exchanged nervous glances, their hearts heavy with the loss of their friends. They knew Goku was their last hope, but they couldn't shake the fear gnawing at them. Three hours seemed both too long and not long enough.
As the Saiyans stepped back, content to wait, Vegeta glanced at his son, his thoughts briefly drifting. He wondered if Cado felt anything about the massacre that had just occurred, but one look at the boy's expressionless face told him everything. Cado was as indifferent as ever, watching the slaughter as if it were no different from a mundane chore.
Vegeta looked at his son, the spitting image of a young Saiyan warrior. Though only a child, Cado already had the cold eyes of a battle-hardened fighter. His hair, jet-black and spiked, stood tall like his father's, and his face—chiseled and sharp—was a near-perfect reflection of Vegeta himself. But where there should have been a spark of life, of excitement or pride, there was nothing. Just that same blank, unreadable stare. Vegeta couldn't decide if that made him proud or unsettled.
"Three hours..."
As the hours ticked by, Cado stood quietly, observing the battlefield with indifference. His cold, calculating eyes shifted from one fighter to the next.
First, he analyzed Krillin, the bald human who had displayed moments of strength earlier but was clearly terrified. He was still shaking from their earlier encounter. "Weak. But there's something stubborn about him… He holds onto hope. And that hope is Kakarot." Cado thought to himself. "He's no threat, but he'll fight until his last breath. That kind of desperation… it's annoying."
Cado's gaze then moved to Piccolo. The Namekian was an enigma—powerful, brooding, and calculating. But there was something strange about him, like he wasn't fully committed to the battle. "He's strong. Smarter than the others… but he's holding back. There's something off about him." Cado tilted his head slightly. "Why does he fight with them? He doesn't seem to care about their fate."
Finally, Cado's eyes fell on Gohan. The child trembled, fear evident in every movement, but his power fluctuated unpredictably. "The boy… there's something inside him. Raw power, but it's completely uncontrolled. If he could harness it, he might actually be dangerous." Cado's expression didn't change, but his thoughts lingered on Gohan for longer than the others. "But right now, he's just a scared child. Nothing more."
As Cado silently assessed them, the Z Fighters were doing the same to him. Krillin couldn't help but steal glances at the young Saiyan. "That kid... he killed Yamcha like it was nothing," Krillin muttered under his breath, trying to comprehend how someone so young could be so cold. "What kind of monster is he?"
Piccolo's stern gaze remained fixed on Cado as well. "He's not like the others," Piccolo said quietly. "He doesn't take pleasure in the fight. He's… calculating. But that makes him even more dangerous."
Gohan, standing beside Piccolo, looked at Cado with a mixture of fear and curiosity. "He's… just a kid, right?" Gohan whispered, his voice shaky. "Why is he fighting with them?"
Piccolo glanced down at Gohan. "He's a Saiyan, Gohan. That's all you need to know. He's not like you or me."
As the final minutes of the three-hour mark approached, Nappa returned, a trail of smoke and wreckage following him as he landed with a thunderous crash beside Vegeta.
"Well, that was fun!" Nappa laughed, dusting himself off. "Took care of the military for ya. Now, time's up. Let's end this already."
Vegeta grinned, stepping forward. "Indeed. Their time is up."
But just as he was about to give the order, the Z Fighters' expressions shifted. Their faces lit up with a sudden wave of hope.
Krillin's eyes widened, his mouth breaking into a grin. "Wait... it's him!" he shouted excitedly. "Goku! He's coming!"
Piccolo nodded in agreement, sensing the approaching energy. "He made it…"
Even Gohan smiled, his fear replaced by relief. "Dad…" he whispered, his heart swelling with hope.
Vegeta noticed the change in their demeanor, his brow furrowing. He couldn't sense the energy they were feeling, but something had clearly changed. "What are they so excited about?" he muttered, glancing at Cado.
Cado stared toward the horizon, his expression still neutral. "It's him," he said softly. "Kakarot… he's on his way."
Vegeta tapped the side of his scouter as he focused on the incoming power reading. His eyes narrowed when the device beeped rapidly, numbers flashing across the screen.
"Kakarot's about four minutes away," Vegeta announced, his voice filled with surprise but skepticism. "And his power level… it's over 5,000."
Nappa's eyes widened in fear, his usual bravado momentarily shaken. "What?! Over 5,000?! That's impossible! No low-class Saiyan can reach that kind of power!" His booming voice trembled as he processed the news.
Cado, standing silently beside Vegeta, felt a flicker of intrigue. His stoic expression barely shifted, but his thoughts raced. "Kakarot... how could a Saiyan like him, of all people, be this strong?" He wanted to see it for himself, to understand this anomaly.
Vegeta's gaze hardened, doubt lacing his words. "If it really is Kakarot, then he's become far more powerful than I expected." He scoffed, still unconvinced. "But I'll believe it when I see it. Either way, we're not waiting around." He turned his head toward Nappa, giving the order coldly. "Nappa, kill the rest of them before Kakarot arrives."
The tension on the battlefield thickened as Nappa launched himself toward the Z Fighters. His brutish grin widened, the thrill of battle pumping through his veins. The Earthlings, bruised and battered, had already lost so many, but they stood their ground, even if only by sheer will.
Krillin's mind raced. His heart pounded in his chest as he saw Nappa approach. "I've got to stop him before he wipes us all out!" he thought, summoning every ounce of energy he had left. With a yell, he threw his hand up, forming the golden disk of energy that crackled in the air—the Destructo Disc. The spinning, deadly sharp disc rocketed toward Nappa's head with lethal precision.
"Take this!" Krillin shouted, his face twisted in determination. He could feel the weight of the moment, the slim chance of victory hanging by a thread.
Nappa, too caught up in his own bloodlust, barely saw it coming until Vegeta's voice rang out, sharp and commanding.
"Watch out, Nappa!" Vegeta's tone was harsh, and just in time.
Nappa jerked to the side, the Destructo Disc slicing cleanly past him. He managed to avoid a fatal blow, but not without cost. A deep gash tore across his cheek, a trickle of blood following the cut.
Nappa's eyes widened in shock before quickly narrowing in fury. "You little—!" His voice boomed, and his hand touched the blood dripping from his face, as though he couldn't believe he'd been injured by such a small opponent.
From a few steps back, Cado observed the scene with a bemused smirk, his thoughts almost casually drifting. "Wait, why didn't the bald one use that sooner? I mean, that attack could've taken Nappa's head clean off." His lips twitched slightly, as though suppressing a chuckle. "What a waste…" The young Saiyan's dry sense of humor bubbled up, though his face remained as stoic as ever.
Nappa, now enraged, turned his full attention to Gohan, the youngest of the group. The boy stood frozen, fear gripping his entire body. Nappa sneered, taking slow, deliberate steps toward him. "You're next, kid," he growled, building up energy in his palm for the finishing blow.
Gohan could only watch, wide-eyed, his body trembling as Nappa's menacing figure towered over him. But just as the massive Saiyan's attack was about to connect, a green blur shot forward.
"Move, kid!" Piccolo's voice was desperate but determined. He pushed Gohan out of the way, taking the blast directly in his chest.
The explosion sent shockwaves across the battlefield, and when the dust settled, Piccolo lay on the ground, unmoving. His chest was scorched, his breathing shallow. "Piccolo!" Gohan's scream pierced the air as he rushed to his mentor's side, collapsing to his knees, tears streaming down his face. "Piccolo, no!"
Piccolo coughed, his voice weak as he looked at Gohan with fading eyes. "I told you… to run… kid."
Cado stood silently, watching the sacrifice unfold before him. "Sacrificing yourself for a kid?" he thought, tilting his head slightly. "I don't get it…" His face was emotionless, as always, but somewhere in the back of his mind, he couldn't help but feel something foreign—a twinge of curiosity, maybe even confusion.
Gohan's despair reached its peak. His rage exploded, fueling his ki beyond his normal limits. He gathered all of his remaining energy and, through the tears, fired a massive blast of power directly at Nappa. The force behind it was staggering, especially coming from someone so young.
Nappa's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Not bad, kid," he muttered before effortlessly slapping the blast away with the back of his hand, sending it off into the distance. But there was a hint of respect in his voice. "You've got some power in you."
As Gohan stood there, shaking with frustration and grief, Nappa's cruel smile returned. "Let's see if that power can save you from this." He raised his foot, prepared to crush Gohan beneath his boot. His laughter echoed as he brought it down.
But before the boot made contact, a shockwave tore through the air. In an instant, a blur of orange streaked across the battlefield, and Gohan disappeared from beneath Nappa's foot.
"What the—?!" Nappa's eyes widened as he turned to see Goku standing a few feet away, holding Gohan protectively.
The other Z Fighters stared in shock and relief. Krillin's voice broke the silence, filled with a mix of hope and disbelief. "Goku… you're here!"
Gohan, still shaken from the loss of Piccolo, looked up at his father, tears in his eyes. "Dad…"
Goku gently set his son down, his eyes narrowing as he took in the state of the battlefield. His friends were battered, and Piccolo… Piccolo was gone.
"Sorry I'm late," Goku said, his voice calm but laced with determination. His presence radiated strength, a stark contrast to the despair that had filled the battlefield just moments before.
Vegeta, still analyzing the numbers on his scouter, gritted his teeth. "Kakarot… with a power level over 5,000…" He couldn't believe it. "No way this is the same low-class Saiyan."
Cado, on the other hand, felt a flicker of excitement stir within him for the first time during the battle. His eyes lingered on Goku as he thought, "So, this is Kakarot… The one they've been waiting for. Maybe this will be worth watching after all."
The battlefield stood still for a moment, the weight of Goku's arrival shifting the entire tone. Even Nappa, though still brimming with arrogance, hesitated for a brief second. But the bloodlust was far from over, and the battle was just beginning.
A/N: I have another Dragon Ball Z Story I'm working on where the Oc is a Cerealian sent to earth after the saiyans raided their planet. I think it will be good so look out for that. and for those who like the story about naruto having Gojo abilities i might be deleting it. I don't like how I wrote it so I might redo it but I will most definitely delete that first chapter. I was thinking of a new idea for a Naruto story anyway.