Goku landed softly on the ground, cradling Gohan before gently setting him down next to a badly bruised Krillin. The look of relief on both their faces was undeniable.
"Goku!" Krillin croaked, struggling to sit up. His voice was filled with exhaustion but, more importantly, hope. Gohan, still shaken by Piccolo's death, stared up at his father, tears in his eyes.
Goku reached into his gi and pulled out two small beans, handing one to each of them. "Here, eat this," he said calmly, his voice steady and reassuring.
Krillin blinked. "Senzu beans…?" He took the bean and chewed it quickly, feeling its miraculous effects immediately. The pain and fatigue vanished; his body fully restored. "Wow! Thanks, Goku!"
Gohan, after swallowing his own bean, stood back up, still emotionally raw but physically reinvigorated. "Dad…" His voice trembled.
Goku smiled down at his son and his best friend, placing a hand on Gohan's shoulder. "Don't worry. Everything's going to be okay now. I'm here." His calm demeanor, despite the overwhelming odds, had an instant effect on the two of them. They could feel their spirits lift, the weight of fear and despair lightening just from Goku's presence.
From a short distance away, Cado observed the scene, his brow furrowing in slight surprise. "Just by showing up, he's already changed everything… These two saw their friends get slaughtered, and yet now they look like they actually believe they have a chance." The thought lingered in Cado's mind, making him wonder about the kind of man Kakarot really is.
But Goku's expression soon shifted as he began to look around. His eyes passed over the broken bodies of Tien, Yamcha, and Piccolo, lying motionless on the battlefield. His face darkened, and the air around him started to ripple with energy.
"They… killed them all…" Goku's voice was low, but the intensity behind it was unmistakable. His fists clenched, and his body began to tremble as his power started building. First Yamcha's body, then Tien's… and finally, Piccolo.
With each passing second, the aura around Goku grew fiercer, his ki flaring up.
Suddenly, Cado and Vegeta's scouters began beeping uncontrollably, numbers flashing across the screens.
"Beep! Beep! Beep!"
Vegeta's eyes widened as the numbers rapidly climbed. "What…? His power level… it's—"
The scouter read 6,000, then 7,000, and still, it kept rising.
"8,000!" Vegeta's voice was sharp as he turned toward Nappa, his tone filled with urgency. "Nappa! Stop playing around and take Kakarot seriously! His power level is over 8,000!"
Nappa's confident grin faltered. "What?! Over 8,000?!" His eyes darted to Goku, who was standing with a focused determination that seemed unshakable.
Cado stood back, his eyes narrowing as he stared at the readings on his scouter. "How...? This is the same guy who barely beat Raditz by resorting to a suicide attack. How could someone like that get this strong in just a year?" The disbelief echoed in his mind as he processed the impossibility of it all.
Nappa, now taking the fight seriously, charged at Goku with a roar, throwing a powerful punch aimed at his head. But Goku, moving with such precision and speed, dodged it effortlessly. In a flash, Goku leaped into the air and landed lightly on Nappa's head, balancing there casually as if it were second nature.
"What the—?!" Nappa growled, swinging wildly at Goku, trying to shake him off. But Goku didn't budge. He looked down at Nappa, his expression still calm but edged with seriousness.
"You're pretty slow for someone so big," Goku commented, before springing off of Nappa's head and landing gracefully several feet away.
Nappa, now thoroughly enraged, threw his hands forward, gathering energy for a massive point-blank ki blast. The orb of energy flared bright, ready to unleash devastation. "Let's see you dodge this, Kakarot!" Nappa yelled as he fired the attack straight at Goku.
But Goku didn't flinch. In an instant, he fired his own beam of energy, meeting Nappa's attack head-on. The two blasts collided, but Goku's beam cut through Nappa's effortlessly, overwhelming the larger Saiyan's attack and exploding in a burst of light.
When the dust settled, Goku stood unharmed, while Nappa stumbled back, visibly shaken by the sheer power difference.
Vegeta scowled, his sharp eyes trained on Goku. "Unbelievable… how can a low-class warrior like Kakarot become this strong? This makes no sense."
Cado's arms were crossed as he watched the exchange. He found himself intrigued, despite his usual indifferent attitude. "This Kakarot… maybe he's more interesting than I thought. He's humiliating Nappa with ease… Raditz couldn't hold a candle to Nappa."
As the tension on the battlefield thickened, all eyes were on Goku—every move he made, every ounce of power he radiated, sent shockwaves through his enemies. The battle had only just begun, but it was clear that Goku wasn't the same fighter they had expected.
The battlefield crackled with intensity as Nappa, thoroughly humiliated by Goku's effortless display of power, seethed with uncontrollable rage. His muscles tensed, veins bulging as he charged again, his movements wild and reckless.
"Nappa, calm down!" Vegeta's voice cut through the air like a whip, sharp and commanding. "You're fighting like a fool! You can't beat him if you're so angry. Get your head on straight!"
Nappa growled, his fists trembling with frustration. For a moment, he hesitated, but Vegeta's words held enough weight to get through. He took a deep breath, exhaling as he steadied his stance. His eyes narrowed in focus, and this time, when he moved toward Goku, it was with more control. His punches were tighter, his movements sharper, but...
Cado, watching closely from a distance, made his opinion known. "Even with more focus, Nappa's just outclassed. It's not even a fair fight." His expression remained stoic, almost bored by how predictable the outcome seemed. The fight had already lost its novelty for him.
Vegeta, standing next to his son, glanced at him, processing Cado's words before quietly agreeing. "He's right… Nappa doesn't stand a chance." His lips curled into a sneer as he watched Nappa struggle. Without further delay, Vegeta decided it was time to intervene.
"Nappa!" Vegeta barked, his voice dripping with condescension. "Get down here and stop embarrassing yourself. I'll take care of Kakarot."
Nappa froze mid-attack, his face twitching in disbelief at the sheer disdain in Vegeta's tone. Goku stood, still poised and ready, watching with a quiet intensity.
But Nappa wasn't the type to just stand by and wait while someone else took the glory. No, his Saiyan pride wouldn't allow that. Ignoring Vegeta's command, Nappa turned his gaze toward the weaker targets: Krillin and Gohan. A wicked grin spread across his face.
"Fine then," Nappa growled under his breath, his eyes locking on the two smaller fighters. "I'll deal with them instead!" He shot toward them like a cannonball, flying at full speed, his massive body aimed to crush them both.
Goku's eyes widened as he realized what Nappa was planning. "No!" he shouted, immediately taking off after Nappa. But even at full speed, he wasn't closing the gap fast enough. Gohan and Krillin were defenseless, barely registering what was happening.
In a flash, Goku gritted his teeth and pushed his limits. "Kaioken!" he roared, a red aura exploding around him as his speed multiplied in an instant. He caught up with Nappa just before impact, striking him in the gut with a force so precise and devastating that Nappa was stopped cold in his tracks.
Nappa gagged, eyes wide, as the wind was knocked out of him. Before he could react, Goku grabbed him by the arm and effortlessly tossed the giant Saiyan over toward Vegeta and Cado, where Nappa crashed into the ground, groaning in pain.
Goku stood firm, the red glow of the Kaioken fading as he turned his gaze toward Vegeta and Cado, his face resolute. "That's enough. You've done enough damage here." His voice was calm but firm, an underlying threat in his words. "Take Nappa and leave this planet."
Vegeta's eyes narrowed, scouter still reading the immense power coming from Goku. He clicked his tongue in annoyance, glancing over at Nappa's crumpled form and then at Cado, whose expression hadn't changed the entire time.
Cado, standing calmly with his arms crossed, watched Goku with mild interest. "So this is Kakarot. Impressive… though I wonder how much longer he can maintain that power." His thoughts drifted, but there was no urgency in his demeanor. Even after seeing Nappa thrown around like a ragdoll, Cado remained as composed as ever, studying Goku's every move with quiet contemplation.
Vegeta, however, was less patient. His pride had already been wounded by Nappa's pathetic display, and the idea of leaving without a fight stung at his core. Yet, Goku's strength was no longer something he could dismiss.
"Leave the planet?" Vegeta repeated, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You really think you're in a position to make demands, Kakarot?"
Goku's eyes narrowed. "You don't have to do this, Vegeta. It doesn't have to end in more deaths."
But Vegeta wasn't listening. His Saiyan pride refused to back down, even as he weighed the undeniable power standing before him. The time for negotiations had passed. There was only one way this would be settled now.
As Goku stood, bracing himself for what was to come, Cado's gaze flicked to Nappa, lying groaning on the ground. "He went from fighting Raditz to this… Where did all that power come from in just one year?" The question echoed in his mind, making the situation all the more intriguing. Whatever happened next, Cado wasn't sure if Kakarot had already peaked or if he had more surprises left in store. Either way, he was eager to see how this fight would unfold.
Cado stood there, watching the scene unfold, and something stirred deep within him. It was faint, but undeniable. For the first time since his mother's death, Cado felt something—a flicker of intrigue, a pull of emotion he hadn't experienced in what seemed like forever. The power Kakarot wielded, the way he moved, the way he inspired hope in his companions—it stirred something in Cado's otherwise cold and indifferent heart.
But his face betrayed none of it. He stood stoically, his eyes simply observing and calculating, while his mind raced. "Is this the first time... I've felt anything since Mother died?" The thought echoed within him, but just as quickly as it arose, Cado buried it beneath his usual aloofness, unwilling to linger on it any longer.
Meanwhile, Nappa lay on the ground, coughing and sputtering in pain, his enormous body broken and battered from Goku's relentless assault. Slowly, the hulking Saiyan reached out with one trembling hand toward Vegeta. "V-Vegeta…" Nappa's voice was weak, his pride shattered along with his body. "Help me… Please…"
Vegeta's face twisted into a sneer as he looked down at his fallen comrade. There was no sympathy in his eyes, only disdain. For a moment, the silence was deafening as Vegeta stared at Nappa's outstretched hand, as if the very sight disgusted him. And then, Vegeta moved. Slowly, he reached out, gripping Nappa's hand.
But instead of helping him, Vegeta's lips curled into a cruel grin. He began to laugh—a low, menacing chuckle that grew louder and more manic. "You want help, Nappa?!" Vegeta's voice was mocking, dripping with venom as his laughter echoed through the battlefield.
With a sudden, violent motion, Vegeta yanked Nappa up by his arm and hurled him into the sky like a ragdoll. Nappa's massive frame spiraled upward, helpless and broken, too injured to fight back. Everyone on the ground watched in stunned silence, their eyes wide with disbelief. Even Cado, for all his detachment, felt a moment of surprise, though he kept his outward appearance unmoved.
High above, Nappa hung in the air for a moment before Vegeta raised his hand. The air around him crackled with energy, the very ground beneath their feet trembling as Vegeta charged up a beam of pure destruction. His hand pulsed with violent, raw energy, and with a single, merciless motion, Vegeta unleashed the blast.
The beam shot forth like a pillar of death, tearing through the sky and striking Nappa with such force that the area shook. Nappa didn't even have time to scream. His body was engulfed in the searing light, disintegrating into nothingness in an instant. Not even ashes remained.
Vegeta lowered his hand, the smirk on his face cold and remorseless. "I have no use for a Saiyan who can't even use his legs." His voice was quiet, almost matter of fact, as though the execution of his long-time ally meant nothing.
The Z Fighters stared in horror, their mouths agape. Krillin took a step back, his face pale with shock. Gohan's lip quivered as he tried to comprehend the brutality of what had just occurred. Even in their toughest battles, they hadn't witnessed anything like this—cold-blooded murder from one Saiyan to another.
Cado, standing beside his father, didn't flinch outwardly. His expression remained as calm as ever, but inside, he processed the gravity of what had just happened. "He killed Nappa without hesitation," Cado thought, his eyes narrowing slightly. For the first time in a long time, he was unsure how to feel about something. Even though he felt no real attachment to Nappa, the act itself... the suddenness of it... left an impression on him.
This world... this fight... maybe there's more here than I thought.
As Vegeta faced Kakarot, a fierce determination radiated from him, ready to engage in battle once more. But Goku, sensing the tension in the air, raised a hand in a gesture of peace. "Hey, Vegeta," he called out, "how about we relocate? This place isn't really suitable for a fight."
Vegeta's expression hardened, a mixture of annoyance and amusement flickering across his features. "Fine, Kakarot," he replied, crossing his arms. "But you'd better choose a spot worthy of your grave."
Goku nodded, unfazed by Vegeta's threat. He turned to Gohan and Krillin, who were watching anxiously. "You two should get out of here. It's not safe."
Gohan hesitated, his eyes wide with concern. "But Dad—"
"Gohan," Krillin interjected, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. "You know we're too weak to help him. We can't do anything against those guys. We have to trust Goku."
Reluctantly, Gohan nodded, but he shot one last worried glance at his father. Before they took off, Krillin turned to Goku, his expression serious. "Goku, watch out for that Saiyan kid with Vegeta. I think he's way stronger than Nappa. He took out Yamcha without breaking a sweat!"
Vegeta, overhearing this, let out a harsh laugh. "You're right, Earthling. Cado is far more powerful than Nappa, and trust me, I'll be fighting alone." He shot a mocking grin at Goku. "In fact, if this is all you've got, I wouldn't be surprised if Cado could take you down."
Goku's brow furrowed at the challenge. "You think so, Vegeta? We'll see about that!" He turned away and began to fly off, motioning for Gohan and Krillin to follow. "Let's go!"
Vegeta and Cado followed closely behind, and as they soared through the sky, Cado's thoughts drifted. Why is Kakarot so certain of victory? he wondered, glancing at the carefree figure of Goku ahead of him. How did he gain so much power in such a short time? Cado's mind raced with questions about Kakarot's incredible strength, the kind that seemed to defy all logic. The battlefield loomed ahead, a desolate wasteland, but Cado was preoccupied with thoughts of Kakarot's apparent ease, the unwavering confidence that radiated from him. Perhaps there's more to Kakarot than I realize...
As they landed on the rocky wasteland, the harsh terrain stretched out before them, a stark contrast to the chaos that had preceded their arrival. Goku descended gracefully, landing atop a prominent rock pillar that jutted out from the ground, a proud stance against the desolate backdrop. The sun beat down, casting shadows that danced around him, illuminating his determined expression.
A few yards away, Vegeta landed on another pillar, slightly higher, his posture radiating confidence. The rocky platform beneath him felt like a throne, emphasizing his superiority. He surveyed Goku with a smirk, his arms crossed over his chest, as if already sizing him up for the fight.
"Hey, Kakarot," Vegeta called out, breaking the tense silence that enveloped them. "How about you join me? There's always a place for a warrior like you at my side."
Goku chuckled, shaking his head. "No thanks, Vegeta. I don't think there's much job security working for you." His tone was light-hearted, a stark contrast to the seriousness of their situation. He was unfazed by Vegeta's offer, his confidence unwavering.
Vegeta's eyes narrowed slightly, irritation flaring at Goku's flippant dismissal. "You should be honored, Kakarot," he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "It's not every day a low-class warrior like yourself does battle with an elite." His pride swelled with each word, the underlying threat clear.
Goku met his gaze with unwavering resolve. "Hard work and training can topple an elite any day," he replied, the weight of his conviction heavy in the air. He adjusted his stance, feet firmly planted, readying himself for the clash ahead.
Cado stood off to the side, watching intently, his usually detached demeanor replaced with a flicker of excitement. He felt a surge of anticipation swelling within him, something he hadn't experienced since the loss of his mother. As he observed the two warriors, the tension between them palpable, Cado's heart raced. This is going to be something incredible, he thought, his mind buzzing with adrenaline. The thought of battle, the promise of power, stirred something deep within him.
As Goku and Vegeta prepared for their confrontation, they shifted into their battle stances, their auras flaring dramatically. Goku's energy radiated a bright golden hue, his demeanor focused and poised, ready to unleash everything he had. Vegeta, in contrast, emanated a dark, fierce intensity, his expression a mask of determination and pride.
The air around them crackled with tension, a palpable force that resonated through the ground beneath Cado's feet. The stark landscape, once quiet and desolate, now felt alive, charged with the raw power of two formidable Saiyans poised for battle. Cado's breath quickened, and for the first time in a long while, he felt a spark of thrill coursing through him. This fight could change everything, he thought, unable to tear his eyes away from the impending clash between Goku and Vegeta.
With their eyes locked, the two warriors took a moment to assess each other, the weight of their histories heavy in the air. Then, as if a signal had been given, they launched into action, a blur of movement that would define the fate of their destinies.