Nappa had just brushed against death.
After standing back up, a dark glint flashed in his eyes.
He lowered his head respectfully. "Thank you, Vegeta. So you did that to help me grow stronger. After recovering from the brink of death… I can feel it. My power has increased significantly."
He said the words obediently—
But rage burned violently inside him.
If that bean hadn't worked, he would have died.
Vegeta… you dared treat me like that. One day, I'll kill you.
Vegeta smirked. "No need for thanks. As long as we confirmed it works."
Goku noticed the subtle change in Nappa's expression and quietly grew cautious.
At the same time, he couldn't help but realize—
Vegeta was still, at this point, an absolute bastard.
Anyone whose life was used so casually by an ally would harbor resentment. Nappa's reaction was only natural.
Goku stepped forward.
"Vegeta. Now you believe me, right? There's something else we need to discuss—"
He was about to outline the plan to deal with Frieza—
But Vegeta waved him off impatiently.
"Spare me the chatter. Take me to the gravity chamber first."
Goku's eyes cooled instantly.
In that moment, he understood something.
Trying to cooperate with Vegeta on equal footing… might have been naïve.
He had planned to reveal the truth about Planet Vegeta's destruction. Give Vegeta time. Train together for a month. Then board a ship and eliminate Frieza as surviving Saiyans united.
But looking at Vegeta's attitude now—
This wasn't someone who could be reasoned with calmly.
Vegeta didn't even view him as an equal.
Even if Goku explained everything, Vegeta would dismiss it out of arrogance.
"Well?" Vegeta urged coldly. "Move."
Goku's voice dropped.
"If you keep acting superior like that, there's no cooperation."
Vegeta stopped.
Then slowly smiled—sharp and dangerous.
"Oh? You summon me here… and now refuse to cooperate? Are you toying with me, Kakarot?"
Raditz rushed forward nervously.
"Vegeta, we're all Saiyans. There's no need to fight among ourselves. Let's just talk—"
"Don't," Goku cut him off calmly.
He stared directly at Vegeta.
"You've grown too used to arrogance. You don't know how to speak properly."
Goku cracked his knuckles.
"If that's the case… I'll teach you."
Vegeta blinked once.
Then burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! How amusing. You think you can challenge me?"
His voice sharpened with contempt.
"You? A low-class warrior. A rejected infant. Do you really think you can compare to a royal prodigy?"
His eyes gleamed with disdain.
"No matter how long you train, you'll never reach my level."
"Shut up."
Goku vanished.
A thunderous—
SMACK!
Vegeta's face twisted violently as a brutal slap sent him flying.
Midair, disbelief flickered across his eyes.
He hadn't even seen it.
His body tore through a mountain, stone exploding as he disappeared into dust and rubble.
Raditz and Nappa stood frozen, jaws nearly hitting the ground.
"Crap… Kakarot hit Vegeta. This is going to spiral out of control…" Raditz muttered.
Nappa stared blankly.
"Prince Vegeta… got hit by a low-class warrior…?"
Meanwhile—
Krillin leapt in excitement.
"That was awesome!"
Yamcha pumped a fist. "That slap was perfect!"
Bulma crossed her arms smugly. "Serves that little jerk right. Short and arrogant. Goku should've smacked him sooner."
Tien frowned slightly. "Saiyans really aren't easy to negotiate with…"
Suddenly—
An explosive aura erupted from the dust cloud.
Rubble blasted outward.
Vegeta rose slowly into the air.
Half his face was swollen. Blood lined his lip.
His eyes burned with manic fury.
"Kakarot… you dare…"
Goku calmly assumed a fighting stance.
"Can we talk properly now?"
Vegeta wiped the blood from his mouth.
Then smiled—a savage, dangerous grin.
"How interesting. You actually landed a sneak attack."
His aura flared violently.
"I'll make sure you learn your place."
Raditz panicked.
He knew Goku's strength now exceeded Vegeta's. If this escalated, Vegeta might actually die.
"Wait! Vegeta! Don't be reckless! You're not a match for my brother anymore! We're here to plan, not fight!"
That single sentence—
You're not a match—
Ignited Vegeta completely.
"Silence!"
A blast shot from his palm and hurled Raditz away instantly.
Nappa retreated to the side, unease flickering in his eyes.
First Vegeta attacked him.
Now Raditz.
He had no hesitation harming his own.
Krillin rushed to Raditz and helped him up.
"You okay?"
"I'm fine," Raditz muttered. Then urgently added, "Krillin, you're closest to my brother. Stop him. Don't let him kill Vegeta. Among us Saiyans… Vegeta has the greatest potential to defeat Frieza."
Krillin shrugged helplessly.
"Vegeta doesn't listen. Goku's just trying to knock some sense into him, not kill him."
He grinned.
"Relax. Even if he gets seriously hurt, we have Senzu Beans. And if he dies… we've got Dragon Balls."
Raditz hesitated.
"…Fine. Vegeta is difficult. But he's undeniably powerful."
Krillin laughed confidently.
"No matter how strong he is—Goku won't lose."
Not far away—
Nappa had originally planned to observe the clash between Vegeta and Kakarot.
But the word Dragon Balls caught his attention.
His eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
Dragon Balls…?
I've heard that legend before…
They can bring the dead back to life?
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