Nappa's expression became noticeably more serious.
Using his newly regenerated legs, he slowly walked toward the lie detector.
Crunch. Crunch.
His footsteps crushed the scattered rubble beneath him, the sound echoing clearly throughout the silent ruins.
When he arrived before the box, Nappa took a deep breath.
He inserted his newly restored hands into the holes of the machine.
His fingers quickly brushed against the cold inner walls.
A faint smile curled at the corner of Nappa's mouth.
A plan had already formed in his mind.
Broly and these Earthlings really are idiots!
Nappa sneered inwardly.
They specifically said earlier that both hands must touch the sphere inside the box.
In other words—
Only by touching the sphere would the lie detection function activate.
Then…
What if I simply don't touch it?
Would the machine still detect lies?
Would it still light up?
Naturally, Nappa had no intention of touching the sphere.
Inside the box, he deliberately moved his hands around carefully, avoiding the sphere entirely.
His palms floated in empty space without touching anything.
Once he confirmed both hands were nowhere near the sphere, Nappa raised his head and spoke righteously toward Broly:
"Killing Tien and destroying the city were both ordered by Vegeta!"
His voice was loud and confident.
His expression appeared utterly honest, almost as if he were making a solemn oath.
After speaking, Nappa nervously glanced toward the machine.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
The box remained completely dark.
No light appeared.
Nappa immediately let out a long sigh of relief.
The huge weight in his heart finally vanished.
Just as I thought!
As long as I don't touch the sphere, the machine is useless!
Earthling technology is nothing special after all!
"See?! I wasn't lying! The machine didn't light up!"
Nappa hurriedly shouted excitedly.
He even deliberately made himself look wronged, as though he had finally proven his innocence after being falsely accused.
"Now take your hands out."
Krillin spoke calmly from the side.
His tone was strangely composed.
A trace of uneasiness flashed through Nappa's heart.
Still, he obeyed.
He withdrew his hands and casually flexed his fingers in the air, pretending to appear completely guilt-free.
Then—
Krillin slowly pulled another object out from his pocket.
It looked like a flashlight.
The device was silver and roughly the length of an adult's hand.
"Now, spread your hands open," Krillin said to Nappa and Vegeta with a faint smile.
"What for?"
Nappa froze.
The uneasy feeling returned instantly.
Why do we need to open our hands?
Wait…
Was that whole thing a trap?
Did the machine have another hidden function?
"Please cooperate."
Krillin's smile widened slightly.
Nappa's brain raced furiously, trying to understand the purpose behind this request.
But he could think of nothing.
In the end, he reluctantly opened both hands, palms facing upward.
Vegeta, though equally puzzled, did the same.
Krillin pressed the button on the flashlight.
A blue beam immediately shot outward.
The light cut through the dim atmosphere clearly.
First—
Krillin shined the blue light onto Vegeta's hands.
Instantly, Vegeta's palms emitted a golden glow.
The light was not especially bright, but under the blue beam it became extremely obvious.
It looked as though fluorescent powder coated his skin.
Even Vegeta himself stared blankly at his glowing hands.
Then—
Krillin moved the blue beam toward Nappa's palms.
Under the light, only a tiny trace of faint golden glow appeared on Nappa's hands.
So faint it was nearly invisible.
The contrast between his hands and Vegeta's was overwhelming.
Silence.
Everyone stared at Nappa's palms.
At the nearly nonexistent glow.
Krillin switched off the flashlight.
The blue light disappeared.
Then he slowly raised his head and looked directly at Nappa's pale face.
His voice echoed clearly throughout the ruins.
"The sphere inside the machine was coated with special fluorescent powder."
"Anyone who touched it would have powder left on their hands. Under blue light, it glows gold."
He paused briefly.
Then pointed at Nappa like a knife stabbing forward.
"Vegeta's hands glowed."
"That means he truly touched the sphere and accepted the test."
"And your hands…"
Krillin did not continue.
There was no need anymore.
Nappa stared blankly at his own hands.
At the nearly invisible glow.
His mind went completely blank.
All his calculations.
All his lies.
All his hopes—
Collapsed instantly.
Broly slowly stepped forward.
His enormous shadow fell across Nappa like the cloak of death itself.
"Now then…"
Broly's voice was frighteningly calm.
"What else do you have to say?"
Nappa: "?????"
Nappa remained kneeling on the ground.
His face shifted from sly confidence into complete confusion.
He stared wide-eyed at Krillin's accusing finger, then at Broly's icy gaze.
His brain felt completely frozen.
What happened?
Wasn't everything fine just moments ago?
The machine didn't light up!
Didn't that prove I wasn't lying?!
"W-Why are you saying I lied?! The box clearly never lit up!"
Nappa finally screamed hysterically.
He struggled to stand, but his newly regenerated legs were still unfamiliar, causing him to stumble awkwardly.
"You idiot."
Vegeta finally could not bear watching anymore.
Floating in midair with folded arms, Vegeta wore a deeply disdainful expression.
"That thing was never a lie detector to begin with."
He spoke calmly and clearly.
"If I guessed correctly, the sphere inside was coated with fluorescent powder that glows under blue light."
"You were too guilty and afraid, so you deliberately avoided touching the sphere."
Vegeta's tone dripped with contempt.
Yet hidden beneath it—
Was relief.
Relief that he honestly touched the sphere earlier.
Relief that he had not tried any clever tricks like Nappa.
"Exactly!"
Krillin nodded immediately.
"Vegeta's right!"
He turned toward Nappa, his smile gone entirely.
"You were afraid the machine would expose your lies, so you intentionally avoided touching the sphere."
"But what you didn't realize was that the sphere itself was the trap."
"Touching it proved you were willing to take the test."
"Refusing to touch it…"
"Only proved you were guilty."
"Good job, Gohan!"
Piccolo patted Gohan's shoulder approvingly.
Honestly—
No one expected Gohan to play such a critical role.
The normally gentle child had created an incredibly clever trap.
Using humanity's instinctive fear of lie detectors—
He designed a double-layered trick.
Nappa thought he had escaped the trap.
Instead, he fell into an even deeper pit.
Nappa: "..."
Nappa's expression completely changed.
One second ago, confusion and anger.
The next second—
Pure terror and despair.
His face cycled rapidly from red—
To pale—
Then finally gray.
His lips trembled uncontrollably.
His teeth clattered softly.
It felt like falling directly from heaven into hell.
Just moments ago, Nappa believed he had successfully fooled everyone.
Now—
He realized he himself was the clown.
The crushing psychological impact left him frozen in place.
Then—
His survival instinct overwhelmed all rationality.
Whoosh!
Without warning, Nappa exploded upward like a streak of light, fleeing toward the sky at maximum speed.
His regenerated legs unleashed astonishing force, blasting a shallow crater into the ground beneath him.
Rubble exploded everywhere as Nappa instantly shot dozens of meters into the air.
Run!
I have to run!
NOW!
Only one thought remained in his mind.
Because he knew—
If he stayed—
Broly would never spare him.
But no matter how fast Nappa was—
How could he possibly outrun Broly?
The instant Nappa thought he had gained some distance—
Broly's figure blurred slightly.
Then—
Broly appeared directly ten meters in front of him.
He floated calmly in the sky.
His arms hung naturally at his sides.
His expression remained peaceful, as though casually walking through his backyard.
Wind stirred his black hair.
His eyes locked onto Nappa without anger or urgency.
Only calm certainty.
Like a cat leisurely cornering a mouse.
Nappa nearly lost his composure instantly.
He abruptly stopped himself midair.
The sudden halt made his body wobble violently.
Cold sweat soaked his back.
His regenerated limbs trembled uncontrollably.
Looking at Broly before him—
Nappa felt icy despair crawl from his feet to the top of his head.
As expected…
Broly's power had long surpassed Raditz's!
Even with a battle power of 60,000—
The difference in speed was still this massive!
This was like an infant trying to race an adult!
"B-Broly… things aren't what you think…"
Nappa's lips trembled violently.
"I really didn't mean it…"
"I apologize!"
"I apologize to you! To all Earthlings!"
As he spoke—
Nappa actually forced out tears.
Whether from terror or pure acting talent—
No one knew.
He even wiped his eyes pitifully.
"Don't you think it's too late to apologize now?"
Broly narrowed his eyes calmly.
Then floated one meter closer.
That tiny movement alone caused Nappa to panic and retreat three full meters backward.
"I-I can compensate you!"
"Yes! Compensation!"
Nappa's brain spun desperately.
Broly said nothing.
He simply drifted forward again.
Nappa's breathing became increasingly frantic.
Suddenly—
An idea flashed through his mind.
His eyes widened dramatically.
He stared beyond Broly's shoulder toward the distant sky.
"Huh?! Raditz?!"
"Why are you back?!"
Nappa shouted in exaggerated surprise.
He even waved toward the distance enthusiastically.
It was a terrible trick.
But also the final desperate gamble of a cornered man.
Broly did not even turn around.
Not for a single second.
Because Broly sensed no one behind him.
No trace of Raditz's energy whatsoever.
His perception covered dozens of kilometers.
No strong presence could escape him.
Meaning—
Nappa was obviously lying again.
"What?"
"You expected me to turn around so you could ambush me?"
Broly smiled lightly.
The smile was filled with pity.
Nappa's face twitched violently.
He saw through it instantly?!
Not even one second of hesitation?!
Was my acting really that bad?
Or had Broly's sensing abilities reached a level where eyesight no longer mattered?
Nappa did not understand.
For warriors like Broly—
Ki sensing was far more reliable than vision.
Eyes could be deceived.
Energy signatures could not.
If Raditz truly appeared nearby, Broly would have sensed him immediately.
No need to look back at all.
Boom!
Broly finally stopped wasting words.
He casually raised one hand and waved lightly toward Nappa.
The motion resembled someone brushing away an annoying fly.
Yet instantly—
An invisible force slammed violently into Nappa's face.
BOOM!!
Nappa's face distorted grotesquely.
Blood and shattered teeth exploded from his mouth.
His body blasted backward at horrifying speed.
BOOOOM!!!
He crashed into the earth below harder than ever before.
A gigantic crater over thirty meters wide exploded outward.
Soil and rubble erupted skyward like a volcanic blast.
The pit was so deep its bottom was barely visible.
Dust clouds swallowed the entire area.
Broly descended slowly from the sky.
He landed gently at the edge of the crater.
Looking downward, he lightly stomped the ground.
The movement seemed incredibly soft.
But the moment his foot touched the earth—
A massive shockwave spread instantly outward.
The vibration traveled directly into the crater—
Then rebounded upward violently.
The debris inside erupted upward.
And with it—
Nappa's body was blasted back out.
He collapsed weakly near the crater edge.
Covered in blood.
Clothes torn apart.
His face swollen beyond recognition.
His eyes reduced to narrow slits.
Teeth shattered.
Even his newly regenerated limbs were badly damaged.
Then—
Broly casually reached forward through the air.
An invisible force lifted Nappa from the ground like a puppet.
Nappa floated helplessly toward Broly.
Stopping one meter in front of him.
Like a trophy.
Or prey awaiting judgment.
Then Broly raised his hand.
Not energy.
His actual palm.
SMACK! SMACK! SMACK!
Three brutal slaps landed directly across Nappa's face.
The sharp sounds echoed across the ruins.
Each strike violently snapped Nappa's head sideways.
Blood and broken teeth sprayed outward repeatedly.
Nappa's face visibly swelled even further.
His eyes disappeared completely beneath the swelling.
"AAAAAAHHHH!!!"
Nappa screamed miserably.
Not battle cries.
Not rage.
Just raw agony.
His cries sounded like livestock being slaughtered.
One after another.
Endlessly echoing throughout the destroyed city.
As though mourning the countless dead.
Broly finally released him.
Nappa collapsed onto the ground like discarded garbage.
"Hm…"
"How should I torture you this time?"
Broly scratched his head thoughtfully.
His tone remained disturbingly calm.
He glanced at Nappa's miserable state.
Then at the blood on his own hands.
As though genuinely considering various options.
Then Broly turned toward Krillin and the others.
"Any suggestions?"
Krillin swallowed nervously.
Looking at Nappa's miserable state, he felt both satisfaction and discomfort simultaneously.
But then memories of Tien and Chiaotzu's deaths surfaced again—
And that hesitation vanished instantly.
"Broly…"
"Maybe… just kill him."
Krillin suggested awkwardly.
"Kill him?"
"Now?"
Broly shook his head slowly.
A meaningful smile appeared on his lips.
"No rush."
Then calmly added:
"Sometimes death is too merciful."
"Some people deserve to suffer more for what they've done."
"Uh… then I don't really have any better ideas…"
Krillin scratched his head sheepishly.
If Broly wanted to continue—
Then so be it.
After all—
Nappa murdered Tien and Chiaotzu.
And lied shamelessly afterward.
He nearly fooled everyone.
Without Gohan's plan, Nappa might truly have escaped punishment.
Thinking this, Krillin's gaze toward Nappa became colder.
Meanwhile—
Vegeta clenched his fists so tightly his nails nearly pierced his palms.
Watching Nappa being utterly crushed by Broly—
Vegeta's emotions became incredibly complicated.
Satisfaction—
Because the traitorous liar finally received punishment.
Fear—
Because Broly's strength was overwhelmingly terrifying.
If it were him instead—
His fate might not differ much from Nappa's.
And above all—
Frustration.
This…
This was the difference in power.
That idiot Nappa was facing a Super Saiyan!
How could he possibly win?!
How could I possibly win?!
Vegeta gritted his teeth silently.
He could only watch helplessly as Nappa was toyed with like a dead dog.
The feeling was unbearable.
The powerlessness nearly drove him insane.
Piccolo said nothing.
He simply watched Nappa's suffering quietly.
Gohan, meanwhile, covered his eyes again.
The kind-hearted child peeked nervously through his fingers.
The instant he saw Nappa's blood-covered face—
He tightly covered his eyes once more.
His body trembled slightly.
Not from fear of Nappa—
But fear of the violence itself.
Gohan had been raised to value kindness and compassion.
Though he knew Nappa deserved punishment—
Watching such brutal torture firsthand still made him uncomfortable.
Yet Gohan did not speak.
He did not ask Broly to stop.
Because he also remembered Tien and Chiaotzu.
And all the innocent people who died in this city.
He simply…
Couldn't bear watching it.
At that moment—
Piccolo suddenly sensed something.
He sharply turned toward the distance.
The movement was so abrupt that Krillin and Gohan jumped in surprise.
"That ki…"
"Whose is it?"
Piccolo narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
"There's a powerful energy approaching rapidly."
His voice carried surprise.
Confusion.
And familiarity.
"It's true!"
"It feels warm…"
Gohan's face immediately lit up with excitement.
That energy felt comforting.
Familiar.
Like sunlight in winter.
Like a guiding beacon.
Vegeta frowned slightly.
Someone else was coming?
And judging from the Earthlings' reactions—
It seemed to be their ally.
Vegeta tried sensing the approaching energy himself.
But without a scouter, he felt completely blind.
The helplessness irritated him further.
"It's Son Goku."
A faint smile appeared on Piccolo's face.
Barely noticeable—
But real.
Even Piccolo himself probably didn't realize it.
"Awesome! Goku's here?!"
Krillin became visibly excited too.
"Dad's here!"
Gohan cheered happily.
His fear and discomfort vanished instantly.
He jumped excitedly with a huge smile.
"Oh?"
"So Goku finally arrived?"
Broly glanced toward the horizon with a grin.
"He sure took his time."
Then—
Like throwing away trash—
Broly tossed Nappa back onto the ground.
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