Terrifying spheres of energy rained down mercilessly toward Son Goku.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The mere aftershocks of the Ki blasts forced Krillin and the others to scramble backward.
"What incredible power... Can Goku really handle this?"
Once the bombardment ended, the entire landscape had been transformed into a bottomless crater.
"Heh heh heh... Hahahaha! Kakarot, that is the price for refusing me! And you, Turles—what is your answer?"
Turles shook his head helplessly. "You should probably worry about yourself first. Kakarot is fine. Haven't you heard? You're never actually hurt as long as there's smoke left."
"What?"
Vegeta's pupils constricted. Sure enough, as the smoke cleared, Son Goku stood before him completely unscathed.
"That was close, Vegeta. But that trick won't work on me."
"Impossible!"
From their previous exchange, Vegeta had a clear grasp of Goku's strength. Yet, after a full-powered barrage of Ki blasts, Goku was unharmed. To be precise, his clothes were barely even dusty.
This was the ultimate insult.
"Hahahaha! Kakarot, I didn't realize you were still hiding your true power. But that only makes killing you more satisfying!"
Vegeta stared at Goku with excitement. His Saiyan battle instincts were set aflame. He knew that only by fighting stronger opponents could his own power reach new heights.
"You're strong too, Vegeta. But I won't be that easy to take down."
"HAAH! 3x Kaioken!"
Shrouded in a crimson aura, Goku lunged at Vegeta, marking the start of their second round.
The battle became even more intense. Krillin, Piccolo, and Gohan could no longer track their movements at all.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
The shockwaves from their collisions rattled the air. Stray embers of energy were enough to shatter mountains.
As they pushed their speed to the limit, Goku spotted a flaw in Vegeta's defense and landed a heavy blow to his face. Not to be outdone, Vegeta countered with a punch square to Goku's jaw.
The two descended into a state of pure, passionate brawling.
"Is this all you've got, Kakarot?!"
"Don't talk big, Vegeta! This is more than enough to handle you!"
Suddenly, Goku's eyes lit up. "Now!"
He unleashed a rapid-fire combo on Vegeta. With a final kick, he sent Vegeta spiraling into the sky. Vegeta was now completely livid.
"Kakarot! You have truly pushed this Prince too far! You and this entire planet can turn to dust together!"
"HAAA—!"
Vegeta began to charge his Ki again. A massive, purple energy wave gathered between his palms.
Cold sweat broke out on Goku's forehead. "What an incredible Ki... Vegeta's power is still rising!"
"In that case... KA... ME... HA... ME..."
"Perish under the wrath of the Prince!"
"GALICK GUN!"
With Vegeta's roar, a purple beam of destruction surged toward Goku.
"HAAAAA—!!"
BOOM!
The brilliant blue Kamehameha collided with the purple Galick Gun.
The massive discharge of energy caused nearby peaks to crumble under the pressure.
"You brat! Do you really think you can stop me?!"
Vegeta was shocked that Goku was holding his ground. He poured even more power into the beam.
Seeing the energy starting to push back toward him, Goku grit his teeth. "4x KAIOKEN!! HAA!!"
Vegeta watched in utter disbelief as his own attack was pushed back at him. "Impossible! How could I lose to a low-class warrior?!"
The purple energy swallowed Vegeta whole, followed by a piercing scream.
"AAAAAAH!"
"Is it over?" Krillin asked, wiping cold sweat from his brow.
"No," Piccolo said grimly. "Vegeta's Ki hasn't disappeared."
When the energy dissipated, Vegeta was covered in blood. His Battle Armor was in tatters, and his Ki had plummeted to its lowest point.
High in the air, Vegeta stared at his trembling palms in shock.
"How... How can you be this strong? No... I haven't lost yet!"
Vegeta scanned the sky, and then his expression turned to one of bewilderment.
"The moon... where is the moon of this planet?!"
"Hmph. So the moon is gone? It doesn't matter. I'll make my own!"
Vegeta condensed a white orb of energy in his hand and thrust it into the sky. He clenched his fist.
Flash!
A blinding white light erupted as the Power Ball rapidly expanded.
"Hahahaha! Behold the true power of the Saiyans!"
Vegeta laughed maniacally, his eyes fixed on the artificial moon.
"ARGH!!"
A guttural roar tore from Vegeta's throat.
His face contorted, fur sprouted across his entire body, and his frame ballooned in size. His eyes turned a deep, blood-red, glowing with primal ferocity.
"ROAR!"
A moment later, Vegeta had transformed into a Great Ape standing dozens of meters tall. When his massive feet hit the ground, the earth buckled into a crater.
"Hahahaha! Kakarot, lament the fact that you don't have a tail!"
Piccolo and Krillin closed their eyes in despair. "It's over!"
Goku gave a bitter smile. "So... I was the one who crushed Grandpa Gohan to death?"
With the Great Ape transformation, Vegeta's confidence returned. His power had increased tenfold. Even with his injuries, he was certain he could wipe everyone out.
After a few brief exchanges, Goku was severely wounded. Vegeta then turned his gaze toward Turles.
"I find your face irritating, but I'll ask you one more time: will you serve under me?"
Turles shook his head. "Vegeta, I've already told you. I will not be anyone's subordinate. Besides, you're no match for me. And did you forget? I can transform into a Great Ape too."
Vegeta flew into a rage. "Arrogance! You are a mere low-class warrior! How dare you compare yourself to my noble bloodline! Since you refuse, then die!"
Vegeta opened his massive maw. Purple energy gathered and surged toward Turles.
Turles simply kicked the energy blast into the sky.
From watching the battle until now, Turles's Power Level had risen to 530,000—exactly the same as Lord Frieza's base form. Dealing with the current Vegeta was child's play. As for transforming into a Great Ape? There was absolutely no need.
"Hah!"
Turles flared his aura and charged straight at Vegeta.
"Insolent!"
Vegeta swung a gargantuan fist at Turles. Turles didn't dodge; he met it with a punch of his own.
BANG!
The massive fist met the tiny one, and a terrifying explosion of energy erupted.
The air vibrated violently. The shockwave leveled every hill and ridge in their vicinity.
"AAAAH!"
To everyone's disbelief, the mountain-sized Vegeta was sent flying by Turles's single punch.