Raditz stood tall at the center of it all, long hair whipping behind him like a black banner. His tail flicked lazily at his waist, coiling and uncoiling with predator-like ease. His scouter beeped steadily, a mechanical heartbeat tracking the three power levels that drew nearer by the second. A sharp grin split his face.
"They've arrived," he murmured, voice low and eager.
Above him, three figures broke through the horizon. A fiery streak marked Goku's aura, steady and determined. Behind him, Piccolo cut through the air, cape snapping like a blade. And floating just a step apart, almost lazily, was Saitama—arms dangling loosely, bald head catching the fading light of the sun as if none of this mattered.
The three descended in a controlled halt, boots crunching against the rocky ground. Dust rose around them, swirling in the dying orange glow of the evening sky.
For a moment, the wasteland was silent. Only the pod's faint hum and Gohan's muffled sobs filled the air.
Raditz spread his arms wide, his smirk full of mockery. "Well, well. My little brother finally shows his face. And with company, no less."
Goku stepped forward, eyes sharp with fury. "Raditz! Let Gohan go. This has nothing to do with him!"
Raditz's laughter rang out, cruel and booming. "Nothing to do with him? He's my blood! A Saiyan by birth, no matter how weak he looks. That brat has more claim to this war than any Earthling." His tail flicked as he leaned closer, sneering. "You don't understand, Kakarot. That child of yours has power. I've seen it."
At those words, Gohan whimpered louder from inside the pod, tiny fists pounding weakly against the glass.
"Papa!" he cried.
Goku's heart twisted, but he stood his ground, fury igniting in his chest.
Piccolo stepped forward, voice cold and measured. "Enough talking. We didn't come here for speeches." His sharp eyes cut to Raditz. "We came here to kill you."
Raditz's grin only widened. "Kill me? You, the demon king who's failed at every conquest on this planet? And you, Kakarot, the soft-hearted fool who clings to weaklings? Don't make me laugh."
Saitama tilted his head, finally speaking after the silence. His tone was flat, almost bored. "You sure talk a lot. Is that, like, a Saiyan thing? Or just your thing?"
Raditz blinked at him, taken aback by the lack of tension in the bald man's demeanor. "And who exactly are you supposed to be? You're no Saiyan… no Namekian either. Just some… pathetic Earthling?"
Saitama scratched his cheek casually. "Eh. Just a guy who was nearby. Honestly, I didn't even want to be here, but then you started kidnapping kids. That's kinda messed up."
Raditz barked out a laugh, dismissing him instantly. "Hah! You expect me to take you seriously? You can barely keep a stance. I'll crush you first just to prove a point."
Saitama shrugged. "Okay. If you want."
Goku shot Saitama a look, confused by his nonchalance, but he had no time to dwell on it. His fists clenched tighter.
"Raditz! I won't ask again. Let my son go!"
Raditz's scouter beeped as it scanned Goku, then Piccolo. His smile grew sharper. "Your power levels… pathetic. Even together, you barely amount to half my strength." He chuckled darkly. "This won't take long."
Piccolo's brow furrowed. He already knew what Raditz was implying, but hearing it out loud stirred a quiet dread. Still, his pride wouldn't let him falter.
"Then we'll just have to prove you wrong."
The ground quaked as Raditz's aura flared, a violent wave of energy whipping through the wasteland. Dust exploded outward, rocks splintering beneath his feet. Gohan whimpered louder inside the pod, tiny voice trembling.
"Papa! Please!"
Goku gritted his teeth, his entire body trembling with restrained rage. He shot Piccolo a glance.
"Piccolo. We'll have to work together. No holding back."
Piccolo scowled but nodded. "Fine. But remember—when this is over, you're still my enemy."
Saitama, standing slightly behind them, raised a hand lazily. "Uh, quick question. Who's going first? Or are we just all jumping in?"
Both Goku and Piccolo ignored him, their focus locked on Raditz.
Raditz crouched, muscles coiling. "Enough talk. Let's see if you worms can even touch me!"
He launched forward, the earth cracking beneath his heel. In a blur, he was upon them. Goku raised his arms, blocking the first strike, but the sheer force sent him skidding backward across the ground, feet carving trenches in the dirt.
Piccolo countered from the side, launching a flurry of sharp kicks, but Raditz deflected them with ease, his tail whipping behind him like an extra limb. With a vicious twist, Raditz slammed his elbow into Piccolo's gut, forcing the Namekian to stagger back.
"Pathetic!" Raditz sneered.
Saitama watched, hands tucked behind his back, head tilting slightly as the blows echoed through the wasteland. To him, it looked more like an energetic sparring match than a life-or-death struggle.
"Man… they're really dramatic," he muttered. "Hope this doesn't take too long. Kinda hungry."
Goku roared, charging back in, fists flying like a storm. Raditz weaved between them effortlessly, laughing all the while. Piccolo regrouped, joining the assault, beams of ki lancing toward the Saiyan invader. Raditz batted them aside, countering with a sweeping kick that sent both warriors crashing into the dirt.
Dust filled the air.
Raditz stood tall, unscathed, laughter rolling across the barren field. "Is this the best Earth has to offer? Truly pathetic."
Inside the pod, Gohan's cries grew louder, his tiny body trembling as his father was thrown around like a ragdoll. His fists pounded against the glass, frustration mixing with fear.
Saitama stepped forward finally, brushing dust off his cape. His tone was calm, almost casual.
"Alright. Guess I'll take a turn."
Raditz scoffed. "You? Don't make me laugh. Stay out of this before I kill you where you stand."
Saitama met his glare with a blank stare. "Yeah… heard that before."
For the first time, Raditz hesitated. Something about the bald man's utter lack of fear—it gnawed at him, even if he refused to admit it. His scouter beeped, struggling to read Saitama's energy… but the numbers flickered wildly, unable to lock on.
"What…?" Raditz frowned.
Goku, battered but not broken, lifted his head. "Saitama… be careful. He's—"
But Saitama cut him off with a shrug. "Relax. I'll keep it quick."
The bald hero stepped closer, each movement unhurried, almost lazy. Yet with each step, the tension in the air shifted.
Raditz's grin faltered, ever so slightly.