After several minutes of high-speed flight, Rayden could feel the powerful auras ahead growing stronger and more intense.
Soon, he saw several figures locked in combat.
One of them was tall, green-skinned, with two antennae sprouting from his forehead—Piccolo Daimao.
The other, dressed in a familiar orange gi with a determined look on his face, was none other than Son Goku.
Swish! Swish!
In the next moment, Goku and Piccolo launched a synchronized assault on Raditz.
Bang! Bang!
However, after only a few exchanges, Raditz flew upward and lashed out with both feet, kicking Goku and Piccolo squarely in the chest.
Both fighters were sent flying through the air. They tumbled backward but quickly adjusted their bodies and shot back toward Raditz, unwilling to give in.
Floating in the sky, Raditz calmly condensed two glowing energy bombs in his hands.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
With a smirk, he hurled both Ki blasts at his opponents.
"Oh no!"
Goku's eyes widened in alarm. He twisted his body mid-air and managed to dodge just in time.
BOOM!
But Piccolo wasn't as lucky. One of the blasts hit him directly, and in the resulting explosion, his right arm was completely obliterated.
"Ahh!" Piccolo gritted his teeth in pain, sweat forming on his brow.
Watching from a distance, Rayden's jaw dropped. "Holy crap… Raditz is a monster. He's handling them like they're children, and he hasn't even gotten serious yet."
He clenched his fists. A part of him wanted to rush in and help, but he held himself back.
Now's not the time. He had a different plan in mind.
When everyone's on the brink of despair, I'll swoop in and save the day. That way, they'll all be grateful.
Meanwhile, back in the fight—
After regaining his balance, Goku looked up into the sky.
"Idiot. I'm behind you," Raditz's cold voice whispered directly behind him.
"Wha—?"
Before Goku could react, Raditz delivered a brutal kick to his back, sending him crashing to the ground.
"Ugh…" Goku coughed, wincing in pain as he forced himself to stand.
"Damn it…"
"That bastard…!" he growled, glaring up at Raditz.
He turned to check on Piccolo. "Hey, Piccolo, how bad is it?"
Piccolo grunted, his face pale from blood loss. "Hurts like hell… but I'm not down yet. I can still fight, even with one arm."
Raditz grinned mockingly. "Kakarot, this is the best you two can do together? Pathetic."
"As expected from a weakling born with a combat power of two!"
Goku and Piccolo exchanged a glance.
"We can't keep going like this," Piccolo said. "We'll never beat him head-on. We need a plan."
"I didn't realize the gap between us was this big…" Goku admitted, clenching his fists.
Raditz folded his arms and snorted. "Since you're all going to die anyway, I'll let you in on a little secret."
"There are two other surviving Saiyans. And both of them are far stronger than me."
"Hahahaha!"
Raditz's laughter echoed through the sky.
"Now do you understand the power of the Saiyan race? Too bad it's already too late!"
Piccolo's eyes narrowed. "More powerful than you…? What kind of monsters are they?"
Even Goku's body trembled slightly. It was unclear if it was fear or excitement.
---
Piccolo turned toward Goku.
"Goku, do you have any hidden techniques left?"
Goku shook his head. "No… I've been spending my time raising my son. I haven't trained much lately."
Piccolo gave a rare smirk. "Well, I've been training. I've got a new move—but it's not ready yet."
Raditz, watching from above, shouted, "What the hell are you whispering about?! Hurry up and die already!"
"Enough playing around with ants."
He powered up, his aura flaring violently.
Goku ignored him and focused on Piccolo. "Are you serious? You really have a new move?"
Piccolo nodded confidently. "I do. But I need time to charge it up—and I need you to distract him."
Goku hesitated, then nodded. "Alright, I'll keep him busy."
"Will it even work?" he added.
"If this doesn't work, then we've already lost," Piccolo replied.
"Funny thing is, I originally created this move to kill you."
Goku scratched his head with an awkward grin. "Now you're helping me? Life's weird."
Piccolo scoffed. "Don't celebrate too early. After we beat him, you're next."
Raditz sneered. "You're still laughing? Even in the face of death?"
"Enough. I'll finish this now!"
Goku's expression hardened. "Let's go!"
Whoosh!
He shot forward, engaging Raditz again in close combat.
Meanwhile, Piccolo brought his right hand up to his forehead, his index and middle fingers pressed together. He closed his eyes, beginning to channel his energy.
Bang! Bang!
Raditz quickly gained the upper hand again, striking Goku with powerful blows. After a heavy kick, Goku was sent tumbling through the air.
But he wasn't finished yet.
Midair, he flipped and steadied himself. With a deep breath, he formed his hands into the familiar calyx shape at his waist. A glowing ball of light began to form between his palms.
Drop! Drop!
Raditz's scouter began to beep.
"What the—his power's rising?! 924?!"
"If he's focusing his energy in one spot, does that boost his combat power?"
He turned and glanced at Piccolo—and froze.
Drop! Drop! Drop!
"That guy's power… 660… 780… 920… and still rising?!"
Raditz's face twisted into a snarl. "Damn it!"
By now, Goku had fully charged his attack. He extended his arms and unleashed the energy forward.
"Kamehameha!!!"
A massive blue wave surged toward Raditz, who reacted just in time, dodging to the side.
But Goku, refusing to let him escape, guided the beam toward him again.
Bang!
Raditz spun and caught the beam with his bare hands.
BOOM!
The energy exploded in a cloud of smoke and fire.
As the dust settled, Raditz emerged—injured, but still standing.
"Here—take it back!" he shouted, flinging an energy bomb at Goku.
Bang!
Goku was struck midair and sent plummeting.
Raditz dove down like a missile, fist cocked and ready.
"This ends now! DIE!"
"YOU'RE the one who's going to die!"
A loud shout echoed behind him.
Raditz turned his head in shock.
Drop! Drop! Drop!
"Combat power… 1330?!"
"He's gathered all his energy into his fingertips!"
Raditz's eyes widened. "They can manipulate their power level at will?!"
"Special Beam Cannon!"
Piccolo launched the swirling, purple-red spiral of energy with a roar.
Swish!
Raditz, eyes wide in fear, tried to dodge. The blast clipped him on the shoulder, blowing off his armor and drawing blood.
He clutched his arm, groaning.
Piccolo's jaw dropped. "He dodged it?! Even at that speed?"
Raditz trembled slightly. "If that had hit me head-on… I'd be dead."
"I missed… This is bad," Piccolo muttered.
Raditz's face twisted with rage. "I won't forgive this! It's over now!"
His energy surged with murderous intent.
Øóffer going on for diamond tier
pàtreøn (Gk31)