The battlefield trembled under the weight of clashing auras. Dust still lingered in the air after Rudra's earlier transformation and desperate defense, the earth scarred from Vegeta's devastating blast. But the battle was far from over.
Rudra staggered backward, his breathing ragged, sweat pouring down his face. The power of the Mūlādhāra form had drained nearly every ounce of stamina he possessed. His legs felt heavy, his chest burned with every breath, yet he forced himself to move—because behind him, Vegeta was coming.
"Running already?" Vegeta's mocking voice cut through the air like a blade. "You were bold enough to throw my own attack back at me, and now you flee like a frightened insect."
Rudra gritted his teeth, clutching his abdomen where pain shot through like lightning. His chakra reserves screamed in protest. Damn it… I pushed too far with that form… my body can't hold out any longer.
He dashed between broken boulders, leaping off shattered terrain, every muscle in his body trembling. But no matter how fast he moved, Vegeta was faster.
The Saiyan Prince soared lazily through the air, hands crossed over his chest, his smirk widening as he toyed with his prey. "You think you can escape me? I've fought warriors across galaxies, and none could outrun my wrath. What chance do you have, mortal?"
Rudra's heart pounded louder than his footsteps. "I just… need time… Goku, where are you?" he whispered under his breath, his vision blurring from exhaustion.
Vegeta suddenly vanished from sight, reappearing a breath later right in front of him. The Saiyan's eyes gleamed with cruel delight. "Your little sprint ends here."
Rudra skidded to a stop, panting heavily, sweat dripping down his face. His body screamed for rest, but Vegeta's aura pressed down on him like a storm.
"Don't tell me… you've already run out of tricks," Vegeta mocked, raising a glowing sphere of energy in his palm. "If that's the case, then I'll end this quickly."
Rudra's knees threatened to buckle. He could barely lift his arms into a defensive stance. His chakra shield was long gone, his transformation burnt out. His lips curled into a bitter smile. So this is how it ends?
------
Nappa Vs. Goku
But elsewhere on the battlefield, a new storm was brewing.
Nappa stood amidst the ruins, towering over the Z Fighters, his massive frame casting a long shadow. Piccolo, Krillin, Gohan, and Yamcha braced themselves, their breaths heavy after fending off the Saibamen. The air was tense—until Nappa's gaze shifted toward the figure now standing across from him.
Goku.
He had finally arrived. His orange gi glowed faintly in the sunlight, his expression calm but sharp. His mere presence shifted the atmosphere; the others felt the weight lift slightly off their shoulders, as though hope itself had arrived.
Nappa narrowed his eyes, pulling his scouter from his belt and placing it over his ear. The green lens flickered to life, beeping rapidly as it scanned Goku's aura.
The numbers spiked wildly.
5000… 9000… 12000… 15000…
"Wh-what?!" Nappa's voice cracked in disbelief. The scouter nearly overloaded as it registered the power level. "This—this thing says your power is over fifteen thousand! That's impossible!"
Piccolo's jaw tightened, Krillin's eyes widened, and Yamcha could barely breathe. Even for Vegeta, that number would have been impressive—but for Nappa, it was terrifying.
Goku's eyes locked onto him. "You've caused enough destruction here already. I won't let this go on."
-----
With a guttural roar, Nappa lunged, fist crashing down like a boulder. But Goku slipped past him with effortless grace, his movements too fast for the naked eye. He countered with a sharp kick to Nappa's side that sent the giant staggering backward.
The ground shook from the force, and Krillin gasped. "D-did you see that?!"
"Dad's speed… it's unreal," Gohan muttered, struggling to keep up with the pace of the fight.
Nappa growled, furious at being toyed with. He launched a barrage of punches, each one powerful enough to split the earth. But Goku weaved through them as though he were a dancer among clumsy steps, his expression calm, reading every move before it even landed.
"You're too slow," Goku said firmly, dodging another swing before driving his fist into Nappa's gut.
The air expelled violently from Nappa's lungs as he doubled over, saliva flying from his mouth. Goku didn't let up—he spun behind him, hammering down with both fists to slam the brute face-first into the ground.
Dust exploded outward as Nappa's massive body crashed into the earth. The ground quaked under the impact, leaving a deep crater.
Piccolo clenched his fists. "He's… he's completely dominating him."
Nappa groaned, struggling to rise, blood dripping from his lip. His pride burned hotter than his pain. "You… you bastard… I'll crush you!"
He gathered energy into both palms, firing a massive ki wave that lit up the sky. The attack roared forward, tearing through the battlefield.
But Goku stood his ground. He extended his hand, aura surging, and with a single flicker of movement, he dispersed the blast into harmless sparks.
"No way…!" Nappa gasped, his eyes bulging in disbelief.
"It's over," Goku said coldly. He vanished in a blur, reappearing right in front of Nappa. Before the brute could react, Goku struck his neck with precise force, knocking him out instantly.
Nappa's massive body went limp, collapsing with a thunderous crash that shook the battlefield.
The Z Fighters stared in stunned silence.
"G-Goku… you didn't kill him?" Krillin stammered.
"He doesn't deserve mercy," Piccolo growled.
Goku shook his head. "Killing him isn't the answer. I'll leave him to you all. Do what you think is right. I have something more urgent to handle."
---
Meanwhile, Rudra had reached his limit. His lungs burned, his body trembling violently as he stumbled to his knees. He could no longer run. His vision blurred, darkness creeping at the edges.
Above him, Vegeta descended slowly, his aura flaring like an inferno. His face was no longer calm, no longer amused. It was twisted in anger, lips curled into a snarl.
"You've wasted enough of my time, Rudra," Vegeta said coldly, raising his palm. A sphere of brilliant blue ki formed, humming with deadly intent. "This is the end."
Rudra closed his eyes, his body too weak to resist. His lips trembled. So… this is it. At least I fought… to protect them.
The sphere whined louder, energy reaching its peak. Vegeta's smirk widened cruelly. "Die."
But before the blast could be unleashed—
A sudden flash.
A surge of golden aura.
And in an instant, Vegeta's hand was grabbed tightly, forcing the energy sphere to dissipate harmlessly.
Rudra's eyes shot open.
Standing in front of him—protecting him—was Goku.
His expression was sharp, his aura blazing with quiet fury. He stared Vegeta down without flinching.
"That's enough. "
Vegeta's eyes widened for the briefest moment, then narrowed with pure rage. "So You're The Kakarot…"
Rudra gasped weakly, barely able to whisper. "Goku…"
The tension between the two Saiyans lit the battlefield aflame. One exhausted warrior saved at the brink of death, and two Saiyans about to clash in a battle that would decide the fate of Earth.