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DRAGON BALL HARDCORE
THE BUU SAGA, part 4
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That pink fatso right there was the strongest Majin to ever live; you wouldn't believe it if elder Kai didn't tell you. His energy was truly absurd, but the rest of the world was none the wiser. Normal people were having a jolly good time at the tournament.
Turns out that all that squabble with the big red demon was all a play and they shouldn't worry about it at all. Somehow everyone bought that story, and the tournament was to restart now that every finalist suddenly dropped out from the confusion. All of those who lost were given a second chance to fight in a free-for-all match. Mr Satan couldn't worry about what happened to his daughter and those freaks, he only needed to focus on beating these twerps and keeping his fame and glory. However, someone stood in his way, and that was 18.
Boku, Goten and Dina were also left behind. The situation escalated too much and Tien ordered them to stay. After a while they felt Dabura's ki disappear, and soon did Gohan, Tien, Videl, and Dende. Figures that they might be hiding away their presence. Now they had nothing to do, and soon came the opportunity to fight in the real tournament against the champion.
Boku found Jewel hanging around in the waiting room and knocked him out, hiding him in his own locker. Then he used the Shapeshifting technique to turn into Jewel, now this is gonna be interesting. However, he wasn't the only one who thought about that. White-hair Dina, taking over control for once, decided to sneak in the tournament and requested Goten's help for that. While Mightymask was in the bathroom they stole his potato sack costume and managed to pass by unnoticed.
Once the fight started, Killa and Pintar were immediately launched out of bounds by a single strike of Jewel and Mightymask. Of course, both immediately recognized each other's energy. They knew that exposing each other would lead to their elimination, so they decided to join forces against the powerhouse that was 18. In the end their forces combined weren't enough to even scare her. The moment they brought on their techniques, 18 realized who they were and revealed their identities for an easy win. Getting caught red handed the kids just fly away in fear of their mothers.
Mr. Satan was watching everything unfold, and he's really, REALLY scared right now. He was fighting that scary girl 18 and there's no way out now; he's gonna die. But 18 didn't really care for the tournament anymore; she already lost fair and square and now she just wanted the money. She offers to throw the fight in exchange for double what the prize money is worth, and Mr. Satan is forced to accept. He "knocks" her out in one punch, and once again, the king secures his place at the top despite all the bullshit around him.
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After the kids get scolded, 18 offers to pay a dinner night for everyone once the boys get done with that Dabura guy. But out of nowhere, they had new fish to fry. Tien's energy caused a huge destruction, and Buu appeared. The kids were the only ones who could sense it; they trembled in fear of this energy. Dina and Goten were too scared to make a decision; what could they even do? Boku shouts at them; "Can't you sense that the others have been weakened? We have to do something now!" Together they take 18 and go straight for the new energy signature.
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Majin Buu was now free, and he just killed Dabura without even knowing or caring. Babidi was shocked; he wasn't planning to betray and kill Dabura so soon, but he will have to roll with it. Majin Buu seemed incapable of understanding orders until Babidi claimed that he could put Majin Buu back into the cocoon if he didn't obey. Maybe it wasn't the truth, but it made Buu bow to his will anyway. The first order of business was getting rid of these annoying fighters and the Supreme Kai. Then they could rule the universe and Buu could eat as much as he wanted.
At the other side of the field stood Tien, Gohan and Videl, looking at whatever that thing was. Energy was strange and powerful like they had never seen before. The moment Babidi gave the order and Majin Buu looked at them, it was on. Gohan and Tien told Videl to leave while they try to fight this thing. She wouldn't listen. As Majin Buu dashed towards them, Gohan quickly grabbed and tossed her far away in the sky, taking a punch in her place.
While trading punches with Buu, they quickly realize that his body is weird. It's like punching dough and rubber; he feels no pain and just pops back into place. Even as Tien puts a hole through his body with a Dodon Ray, it just recovers instantly; unconsciously. If they want to defeat him, they have to completely annihilate him like they did with Cell. Tien proposes that he charges another Shin Kikoho, but before they could do anything Majin Buu lets out an evil smile and opens his eyes a little. He dashed at Tien with a punch, putting him on the defensive. Just as it was about to connect, he stops and says "JUST KIDDING!"
Buu then used his magic ray on Tien, turning him into a pudding pot. He was about to devour Tien in that form when Gohan suddenly attacks Buu to save him; letting the pudding pot fall to the mountains below. Now it was a one on one, and Gohan just couldn't do it. All the previous battles of the day have worn him down, he couldn't do anything as Majin Buu's bizarre abilities destroyed him.
Majin Buu was about to deliver the finishing blow, but someone came flying and knocked him away. As the half-dead Gohan looked up, it turned out to be 17. Now that Dabura was dead, the stone curse was lifted and he was set free. He was looking for the red bastard and ended up finding this pink fatass in a cape. Now Majin Buu just met his match. Bloody and defeated, Gohan passes out.
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Babidi was left behind to pick up the most important pieces of his ship, and surprisingly he was confronted by that Namekian again. Dende was now back, and was ready to throw down for once. Babidi laughed at him; he was the strongest mage in the entire demon realm, and a little Namekian teenager was gonna bring him down? Dende said, "If you're so strong… then why run?"
And so they began a very-uncommon magic fight. A druid against a true dark mage. Dende could summon all of Earth's elements and peculiarities to his advantage. He would raise giant spikes made out of metal and stone to hit Babidi; open giant ravines instantly from where a geyser of pure lava blasts out, and he could unleash lightning bolt streams at the yellow bastard; above all else he wasn't afraid to whack him really hard with his staff. Despite the scary display, Babidi had strong barriers to keep his frail body safe. Breaking reality was his specialty. Teleportation, illusions, even the flow of time was under his control. He could summon black holes to throw at his opponents. He managed to hit Dende with one of them, eating his arm. He was forced to use his Namekian biology to quickly grow it back, but it cost most of his energy. Dende was left kneeling before Babidi as the dark mage mocked him. As if a mere planetary guardian could stand up to him. However, in his gloating Babidi was picked by surprise by someone, and it was none other than Videl.
She held him up by the scruff of his neck. "So it was you, you monster…!" she said, recognizing Babidi as the one who tried taking over her mind. Before he could try any crazy spells, she slashes him across the chest with a sharp kick, cutting him in half.
Somehow the little freak survived being torn apart. Videl and Dende wondered if they should finish him off. Before anyone can decide, Babidi covers himself with a barrier and calls Majin Buu for help. They spot Elder Kai finally crawling out of the rubble. He tells them to leave Babidi; Majin Buu is a much more of a threat than he'll ever be. As a scathing remark, Kai asks Babidi, "how do you think Bibidi was killed? You'll find out soon enough; you'll share his fate."
"You… YOU…! I promise you, by the end of this day, this whole planet- this universe will belong to me, you old fart!" shouted Babidi.
Videl and Dende both felt Gohan's energy fading away; he was about to die. The three blast after the fight that was ensuing.
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17 was getting destroyed. He learned a bit since his fight with 18, now he uses the barrier sparingly and in smaller forms to consume less energy. He figured out how to use the barrier around his fists to gain maximum durability in his punches, but it proved worthless to Majin Buu's peculiar body. 17 was about to be killed when his sister showed up to pull him out of a sticky situation as usual. Boku, Goten and Dina arrived right after and dragged Gohan out of their battle. The twins were now the strongest fighters they got, and not even their combined strength was enough to damage Majin Buu. 18 used her android sight to try to spot a weakness in Buu, but there was nothing. No organs, no brain or bones; his insides look like a different dimension. Their fight was cut short as Buu suddenly realized that Babidi was calling for him. He waved everyone goodbye and blasted away. 17 and 18 wanted to give chase but elder Kai told them to stop. They clearly can't defeat the demon as they are; now they need to pick up the pieces, retreat and prepare.
Dende had sensed Tien's energy, but all that he found there was a pudding cup. He was being kept in that form by some strong magic, and it was difficult for Dende to transform him back to normal. Everyone reunited in one big circle to discuss their plan.
The Super Saiyan, the strongest in the universe, was left half dead in just a few minutes. Elder Kai had a plan B in case they were to fail, and now it was time to use it. He told the Earthlings to try their best and survive; use all means necessary and keep out of Majin Buu's way as much as they can. Meanwhile he'll take Gohan to the other world and train him through the best way he knows.
He wishes them good luck for now, and holds on to Gohan as he says, "Kai-kai!" And so they vanish before their eyes. Now Dende was in charge. A powerful Majin and his master are loose in the world; he said, "Everyone, we shall retreat to the lookout for now. Bring your families if you must, but for now we need to start searching for the dragon balls at once!"
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When old Kai reappeared at their planet in the other world he was immediately found by Kibito, who was watching things unfold from a crystal ball. He told Kibito to get Gohan some divine water to heal up, since they have no time to lose. And then Kibito asked, "What should we do about the girl?"
'What girl?" asked Kai.
He then comically turned around to see that he accidentally teleported Videl along, because she was still holding on to Gohan. She was looking around this weird place with the nice green hill and violet sky. "Huh… it's pretty here."
The two ran away really fast behind a rock so they could discuss it in private. Kibito said they need to take her back, but then old Kai said, "shut up Kibito! It's been a million years since we had a cute girl around; you're not ruining this for me!" said the old Kai. Needless to say his wise mentor persona was just an act he puts up for mortals. Degeneracy and enlightenment seems to go hand in hand in this universe.
Once Gohan was healed he got updated into the situation. His only question was how would they train enough to defeat that thing in just a day. Elder Kai thus began to cast a magic spell into the air; one that he learned from the bygone Supreme Kai of time. It covered the skies and surrounded the planet. With that time in the Kai world is going a little faster than unusual; they have 24 hours now while the mortal realm only has 12, and if it all goes according to plan they won't need more.
Aside from the bizarre temples and structures built around there, Kai only wanted Gohan to pay attention to this tall peak surrounded by a river. On the top lies the strongest weapon of the gods, the Z Sword.
He asks that Kibito tries to wield it; it was a rare object that he was never allowed to mess with before, so he was thankful to be given the opportunity. He tried to lift the sword from the stone and actually managed to do it. However, the sword was so heavy that he could barely swing or even hold it. Then Kai offered that Gohan give it a try; since he's so much stronger than Kibito he should take it easily. Gohan used to have a sword in his early training so it shouldn't take him too long to get accustomed. However, just like Kibito, he struggled just the same if not more. The sword weight nearly doubled as it passed from hand to hand. And finally, old Kai offers it to Videl. Being weaker than both of them she should not stand a chance. Videl tells the old Kai to shut his mouth and snatch the sword from Gohan's hand. To their surprise she could indeed hold it.
Old Kai explains how the sword works. No matter what, the sword will always be 10 times stronger than the person holding it. He wants Gohan to train with it; swing it around, throw it, and whatever he thinks will work. He gives Gohan a change of clothes, giving the same tunic as the Kai and Kibito. There was no secret to this training so he got going. But still, Gohan wondered how that could possibly make him stronger than Majin Buu in just three days, but Kai told him to trust it. "Things will become more apparent with time."
"And what can I do?" asked Videl, making Kai remember she's there again. Kai didn't have anything planned out for her, so he told her, "You can sit along with us and watch as things unfold in the crystal ball, or… you could make yourself useful and help out your friend. He's deeply afraid of something. Maybe you can help him with that."
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Babidi had a really tight agenda, but now he was dealing with the most childish being in existence. He wanted to get along to kill everything and rule the universe, but Buu's concerns are with his hunger. He wouldn't do anything until he gets food, and so the two head out to the nearest city. With his powers Majin Buu levitated thousands of people into the sky and turned them into candy. Then he dragged all of it straight to his mouth; no chewing required. Thousands disappeared, just like that. Buu wiped the entire land with a super strong blow of wind, destroying the city in the silliest way imaginable, but it didn't stop there. He was still hungry, so he went after another, and then another. City, town and village of Earth served no other purpose than becoming his food. All the while Babidi began to realize that he held no power over Majin Buu, and was basically his consultant.
But there was one thing that Babidi couldn't ignore. He had been feeling some powerful magic presence somewhere there. He asked Majin Buu to help him find it, and soon enough they encountered it in a bird's nest of a nearby forest. A shining orange ball with three stars, emitting some of the most powerful presences that Babidi has ever seen in his million years of life. They studied the little thing until they were found by someone.
Android 18 randomly wondered upon them; she was carrying the dragon radar. Being untraceable by pretty much all means she was tasked with collecting the dragon balls while the other returned to the lookout. She had unbelievably bad luck, but Majin Buu was surprisingly happy to see her. Buu is delighted to meet strong fighters, and wondered if she came for a rematch. Without the power to fight him alone, 18 awkwardly said, "I don't have time right now. How about… later? I can bring my brother if you want, we can offer you a better challenge together."
Majin Buu was easily fooled and allowed her to leave since she promised to return. Babidi was frantically telling him to kill her but Majin Buu was too focused on the dragon ball to heed his warning. 18 asked, "Can I have that? Please?" Majin Buu acted like a spoiled child and didn't want to give it to her. She tried asking again and again but Buu got annoyed. And so he swallowed the dragon ball whole, making 18's face blank out in shock. Now Buu is upset that the dragon ball tasted like rock. Babidi was ordering to kill her so he might as well do it. But before he could attack, 18 asks, "Why are you listening to that guy?!"
For the first time, a second thought went through Buu's head.
She said Babidi is doing nothing but bringing Buu down; just using him. He may be scared of Babidi, but he doesn't realize that Babidi needs Buu way more than Buu needs Babidi. She didn't know what these words would cause, but she was certain that pitching the two against each other was her best move. Buu looks so innocent and gullible that talking it out with him might actually work, but first they needed to get rid of Babidi.
All of the sudden, Buu turned to Babidi with a different look to his eyes, and that gave 18 the chance to blast out of there. She failed to get the dragon ball, but this little blunder might be their next best thing.
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She returned to the lookout with bad news but Dende already knew about it. It was a damn stroke of misfortune that Buu just went and ate the dragon ball, and now Dende's plan had failed. He could no longer wish for the Earthlings to be sent away to somewhere safe. There was one good thing about it though. Just as 18 expected, right after she left Buu and Babidi had a falling out, and it didn't end pretty. The dark mage got his head punched off by Buu, the being he tried resurrecting for thousands of years. It was a sad and tragic fate that he totally deserved it. Dende explains that without a master Majin Buu continued on with his eating contest, but something changed after turning another city into candy.
He started wandering off track, and met certain people, but didn't kill them. And then he just got the whim of trying out a modest life; built a house, and is in there since. 18 thought Dende was messing with her, but it was the absolute truth. Dende didn't know what to make of this; Buu's mind was truly a maze that he could not figure out. But this is their best outcome. While he wastes time on his little adventures, Gohan is training in the other world and will hopefully come back strong enough to defeat Buu.
However, someone was called to solve this situation instead of the Z-warriors. The one and only champion of Earth.
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It was no surprise that after a bunch of big cities had their population reduced to nothing, the world was getting a little desperate. A pink demon was soaring through the skies and doing whatever he wanted, the people needed a hero once again. And that hero was Mr. Satan, who knew before even meeting Buu that he had absolutely no chance. So to prepare he went in a chopper full of trinkets, explosives, guns and even lethal poison; whatever could kill, he had in his bag.
They dropped him off right in Majin Buu's new house and immediately left him there all alone. And well, it was a bizarre meeting. To cut it short the next eight hours, Mr. Satan couldn't kill Buu in any way, and Buu was having too much fun with Mr. Satan to kill him. In the end he had to offer himself as Buu's personal servant to survive. And so a beautiful friendship began.
All the while Dende was watching the whole thing happening. "What in Kaio's name is this man doing? And why is it working?!" With time Mr. Satan would grow to become Buu's friend, and would spend every hour trying to kill him in some way, but it never worked.
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Videl was watching the whole thing through the crystal ball. She was getting desperate; her father was going to die if he didn't get out of there. She begged Kai to take her back but he refused. There was nothing she could do to save him, and her father is not that stupid; he'll do what he needs to survive. They are only leaving this realm once Gohan is ready, and if she's in a hurry she better help him get ready faster.
"FINE!" she said, walking off.
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Gohan was swinging the sword around for a good few hours, and it wasn't getting any lighter the more he tried. There has to be something he failed to understand about it. Videl suddenly appeared just as he was about to swing, and ended up dropping the sword on his toes. His training wasn't going that well. She didn't know what old Kai wanted her to do, but Videl has been thinking about something; a question that Gohan dodged a long time ago. Today she saw a new side of Gohan, one that only came off while fighting that Dabura guy. One that is deadly, merciless, angry, but also scared, hesitant, reeking of doubt. Now she wants an answer that Gohan can't hide anymore.
"Gohan, at this point I am absolutely certain that my father didn't defeat Cell seven years ago… So just answer me, who did it? Was it Mr. Tenshinhan? Dende? Those twins, 17 and 18? Or maybe it was your father-"
"It was me."
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"That's what I thought… I believe you. And I admit, you're much better than me at everything. If there's someone who could've done it, I knew it had to be you, Gohan. I'm sorry… you deserve all that glory way more than we ever did."
"You're wrong… I don't deserve anything for that!" Gohan said, looking down at his shaking fist of rage. His tone was so loathing that it scared Videl.
"All I did that day was one failure after another. We had so much under control, and out of nowhere Cell pulled it all from under us. I was too late to save Yamcha… Every few months I have to see Bulma and Boku and realize that Yamcha is gone because I didn't get stronger faster in that damn time chamber!
I was too weak to save Mr. Piccolo… If I wasn't so useless he wouldn't have to sacrifice his life for me. But when I finally got the power; when I finally had the chance to set things right… you know what I did? I ruined it!" Gohan was squeezing his fist so hard it began to bleed. He was lost in an episode of anger. "I was a fool, an idiot, and everything else I never wanted to be. I became another stupid Saiyan, arrogant and prideful! I could've killed him right there, but then I thought, 'no. Enjoy this. You will never feel this good again'… It was because of me that my father had to give up his life to save the world. All I had to do in the end was… clean up the scraps of my mess.
The only thing I wanted to know was… how? How did my father stand so strong after everything that happened? He left me in charge of protecting everyone. He taught me everything he knew and put all his trust on me. But tell me… how can I trust myself after what I did? What if I ruin everything again? What if I'm still not good enough?!" Gohan finished.
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Videl grabbed Gohan by the shoulders and looked him in the eyes. "You know I'm not good with this sort of thing, but listen. Gohan… it doesn't matter how strong, famous, or rich you are, there's always a flaw in everyone. People make mistakes, it is what makes us humans. I can't tell how you're gonna fail, or where and why, because no one can. The only thing that matters is that all of those people- Yamcha, Piccolo, your father, they all decided to trust you despite knowing you might fail. They believed in you… and yes, I suppose they're no longer here… but I am. You don't have to do everything on your own. If you really need someone to clean your mess every time you fall, then I'll be there. If not to pull you up, then to fight in your place…
So if everyone believes you can do it, then why can't you?"
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She let go of him, and Gohan just stood there looking to the sky. Visions of the past, and voices of old friends echoed in his mind. In the past he always hoped and waited for someone else to come forward and face the odds; he just had to survive until then. But now, for the first time, Gohan truly understood what it means to be a fighter. To believe his own strength to the very end. To continue pushing through without fearing the odds. And if he fails… then he will fail at the utmost limit of his body and mind, giving the greatest fight that his existence can possibly achieve. But above all else, he can remain at ease knowing he won't be the first nor the last. There always was and there always will be someone to share the weight of expectations to, and eventually give it away.
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With a deep breath, Gohan now grips the Z Sword with a single hand. With his mind cleared and evolved he became even closer to the perfect warrior; a wielder of which the sword finds kinship to. The sword was now considerably less heavy than before. Their connection draws a new surge of power towards Gohan.
He thanks Videl for awakening the person he was always supposed to be.
"Uh, no problem…?" She said, "By the way, once we're done, can you tell me what a Saiyan is?"
"I promised to tell you on our first date, how about it?"
"Oh… oooh~ I see how it is-"
"HEY!"
Elder Kai suddenly appears between them, making Gohan drop the sword on his toes again. He seemed to be in total shock. "MAJIN BUU, HE JUST… HE JUST-!"
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By helping a little dog to recover from near death, and seeing him experience joy from company, Mr. Satan understood that Buu was just a misguided creature. He was created to kill and destroy, and was taught nothing beyond that. But being exposed to something like this brought him a different sense of accomplishment; Buu likes to be liked more than he likes to be feared. Since the problem was so simple, the solution was just as simple. Mr. Satan said that killing people is bad and asked Buu to stop, and so he promises to not do it anymore.
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Everyone, even the ones in the lookout were dumbfounded. Dende was even in denial, "He's bluffing… He has to, right?" he said, but the truth was loud and clear. Majin Buu had a change of heart, and Mr. Satan alone indeed saved the world. What an anti-climatic way to end such a chaotic story.
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But just as one man can save the world despite all his flaws, one man can destroy the world with all of his flaws combined. And it wasn't someone strong and important, it was just a guy who used chaos as an excuse to act out his most dark desires. He and his butler were out committing atrocities for fun, while people just wanted to hide from Majin Buu and be safe. They thought that killing Majin Buu with their guns was apparently a good idea, so they drove out to his house. And what they found outside that misshapen mess was a tiny little dog.
Buu was happily laughing as Mr. Satan finished up reading a story when they suddenly heard the gunshot. They found the man and his butler outside, having just shot the dog for no reason.
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Majin Buu never felt bad for all the things he did because he didn't understand why they were bad. But now he understands. Majin Buu understand true pain, and for the first time he felt true hatred. His head started literally, physically fuming; the power surging from him was like a supernova about to blow. However, someone else exploded in his place.
Mr. Satan attacks the two idiots faster than they can pull the trigger, and unleashes his unbridled fury upon them. Those kicks and punches from Mr. Satan was as real as they were ever gonna get, and seeing those bastards being beaten to a bloody pulp made Buu calm down. And so he uses his healing magic powers to save the dog. Unfortunately, the evil has already taken shape.
That evil man wasn't satisfied with that beating. While everyone was distracted, he pulled out a glock and shot Mr. Satan. Dende gasped in shock, using divine intervention to jam his gun. Buu's eyes opened wide. He easily healed Mr. Satan, but his problem was now something else. Every gumdrop of his being was telling him to kill and take revenge, but Buu did not want to do that anymore; it was bad. What he wanted now was for the evil in him to be gone, and the evil in him was glad to leave.
A gray smoke started coming out of Buu's head, forming a cloud in the sky. And so that cloud took a shape; small and lean, wearing the same pants as Buu. Most of his power had left his body, and now they reside within that small, kid Buu. The first thing he did was mercilessly kill those two evil bastards, and then he set eyes on fat Buu. Although he hated him, he wanted his share of that power. Majin Buu was now 1/4 of his usual strength and was beaten easily. The battle ended with Buu trying to turn Kid Buu into chocolate, but he reflected the attack, turning Buu into a pack of gum. And so, Evil Buu unceremoniously shoved the pack down his throat, and began to change his form.
The evil now was in full control of Buu. He took a tall and muscular shape, and his eyes were tainted in black and red. Now he wore just white pants, and had a menacing way to stand up. Now, this Super Buu decided to go straight after those powerful energies he feels; the only ones on this planet who can be any fun to him.
Dende, Tien, Boku, Dina, Goten, 17 and 18 were the last people on Earth who could do something against him, and now they are his main target. Their salvation was ripped from them at the finish line. Something had to be done, and only one person in that lookout was willing to do it. They need time at all costs.