The air over the battlefield still reeked of the blood of Nappa, pulverized into nothingness. The scent was like a jolt to the senses, sharpening everyone's nerves.
Krillin crouched behind a rock, wiping chocolate off Trunks' lips while checking Goku's stats on his system panel.
[Target: Son Goku]
[Race: Saiyan]
[Base Power Level: 8,000]
[Abilities: Kaioken (currently up to 4x), Spirit Bomb, Kamehameha]
[Status: High battle spirit, excitement MAX]
"8,000 versus 18,000," Krillin murmured to himself, spitting out a sunflower seed shell. "Without Kaioken, Goku's getting smashed."
He paused, though, a grin tugging at his lips. "But that's the thrill of Dragon Ball. No comeback, no epic moments."
At the center of the battlefield, Vegeta clearly didn't take Goku seriously.
Crossing his arms, floating midair, his gaze looked down on Goku like a god inspecting an ant.
"A lower-class warrior should know his place," Vegeta said. "Kakarot, don't think you can even compare to me. I could crush you with a single finger."
Goku didn't reply. He crouched lower, his eyes locked onto every subtle movement Vegeta made.
"If you won't attack, I'll send you straight to hell to regret it!" Vegeta shouted, and in an instant, he vanished.
Too fast!
Apart from Krillin, only Piccolo hardened by his grueling training in the Other World could even catch a fleeting glimpse of his movement.
The next second, Vegeta reappeared above Goku, fists poised like hammers ready to strike.
"Bam!"
Goku reacted instantly, crossing his arms to block the crushing blow.
The impact echoed like a drum, cracking the ground beneath him. His legs sank into the rock until his knees were buried.
"Oh? You actually blocked it?" Vegeta murmured, a flicker of surprise crossing his face, quickly replaced by a cold smirk. Then he unleashed a relentless barrage.
Punches, kicks, knees, elbows.
Every strike carried a deadly precision honed to perfection, each one slicing through the air with residual afterimages.
Goku managed to keep up at first, but as Vegeta accelerated, the Saiyan prince began to dominate.
"Bam!"
A heavy kick slammed into Goku's stomach. He groaned, flying backward like a cannonball, smashing through three stone formations before landing amidst rubble.
"Hmph, pathetic," Vegeta said, hovering midair, clapping his hands lightly. "This is the power you wanted to show me? Disappointing."
Behind the rocks, Trunks gripped Krillin's sleeve, worry written all over his young face.
"Dad, Uncle Goku doesn't look like he can beat that… high-forehead guy! Should we help?"
"Relax. Uncle Goku's just warming up," Krillin said calmly.
Sure enough, the pile of rocks exploded as Goku bounced out, wiping blood from his lips. His expression wasn't defeated it was electric with excitement.
"Incredible! Truly incredible! No wonder Vegeta is so fast and strong. Under normal conditions, I wouldn't stand a chance."
He cracked his neck, the joints popping audibly.
"Alright, time to stop holding back."
Goku inhaled deeply, bending his knees slightly, muscles coiling like springs. His ki started to flow in a new, rapid rhythm the special technique he had mastered after enduring countless hardships on King Kai's planet.
"Kaioken!"
Boom!
The white aura around him instantly turned a vivid crimson. Flames of red energy swirled around his body, a visual manifestation of ki overloading his muscles.
His power skyrocketed instantly.
[System Monitoring: Son Goku's battle power surged to 16,000]
"What?!"
Vegeta's expression finally shifted. He could clearly feel the presence of Kakarot the same fighter he had previously dominated now radiating an undeniable threat.
"What kind of technique is that? His ki… it's red? And his power increased that much in an instant?"
Before he could process it, Goku vanished. This time, Vegeta couldn't see him at all.
"Here!"
Goku's voice came from behind. A crimson-cloaked fist smashed into Vegeta's cheek.
"Bam!"
Vegeta flew backward, tumbling through the air before barely regaining control. He touched his red-swollen cheek, fury igniting in his eyes.
"You… you low-class warrior! How dare you hit me?!"
"Heh, not done yet!"
Goku pressed his advantage, appearing and disappearing like a blur.
The two clashed in midair, exchanging a furious flurry of punches and kicks. Red energy and golden ki collided violently with every strike, causing shockwaves that rocked the sky and ground alike.
Piccolo and the others could only gape.
"Is this… really Goku's current power?" Yamcha murmured.
"That red aura… that's Kaioken? It's overwhelming. It looks like he's burning his own life force to gain strength."
"Exactly," Piccolo said grimly. "The original Kaioken is brutally taxing on the body. Goku won't last long. He has to finish this quickly."
In the sky, Vegeta's anger and shock grew with every strike.
He couldn't accept it. He was a Saiyan prince, a warrior with the universe's finest genes.
And Kakarot? He had been born with a base power of just 2!
How… how could this nobody keep up with him?
Why are his punches so heavy?
"I refuse to accept it! I absolutely refuse!"
Vegeta roared, his ki erupting to its maximum, pushing his power to a terrifying 18,000.
No restraint. Every strike aimed for Goku's vital points.
Goku felt the pressure mounting. Even double Kaioken was starting to lag behind, and the strain tore at his muscles with agonizing pain.
"No choice…"
Goku gritted his teeth, veins bulging. "I have to gamble everything. Body, hang in there!"
"Triple… Kaioken!"
Boom!
This time, the red aura exploded like a volcanic eruption, tinting the surrounding clouds a deep crimson.
Goku's body expanded slightly, his skin flushed, eyes burning like molten fire.
Power Level: 24,000.
He had completely surpassed Vegeta.
"What?!"
Vegeta's eyes widened in shock for the first time.
"His power… it's still rising?! Impossible! How can his body withstand this energy?!"
"Take this, Vegeta!"
Goku roared as he surged forward.