Vegeta narrowed his eyes in surprise as he observed the battle.
"Interesting... Nappa, this human is much stronger than those cultivators. Use your full power."
Upon receiving Vegeta's command, Nappa roared and charged at Yamcha with everything he had.
Bang!
Caught off guard, Yamcha couldn't dodge in time and was slammed hard into the ground, creating a small crater.
"Yamcha! Are you okay?" Krillin called out, his voice filled with concern as he rushed to his friend's side.
Yamcha groaned, but pushed himself up. "I'm fine, Krillin. I was careless. But now I'm going to fight seriously!"
His expression hardened as he clenched his fists. A surge of energy erupted around him, and his battle aura flared dramatically.
With a sudden burst of speed, Yamcha rocketed into the air and resumed his battle with Nappa. The two clashed in a blur, exchanging punches and kicks at lightning-fast speeds. Dozens of strikes were thrown in the span of seconds, shaking the air with their power.
Nappa scowled mid-battle. "How can this be? I'm using all my strength, and I still can't take down a measly Earthling!"
He was genuinely stunned. How could someone from this weak planet be so powerful?
Watching from below, Piccolo was quietly stunned. He could feel Yamcha's growing energy and strength.
This guy I defeated in the past... he's now stronger than me?
Grimacing slightly, he turned to Krillin. "Hey, Baldy... What kind of training did you do at the Lookout?"
Krillin rubbed the back of his head, a bit embarrassed. "Honestly, at first, we didn't get much stronger. But then Bulma built a gravity chamber. Once we started training in there, our power shot up like crazy."
He added with a grin, "Right now, Tien and I are actually stronger than Yamcha."
Bang!
In the air, Yamcha saw his opening and shouted, "Wolf Fang Fist: Gale Strike!"
His fists blurred into a flurry of rapid blows, and Nappa was struck squarely in the chest and face. With a grunt, the Saiyan was knocked backward, slamming hard into the ground.
Dazed, Nappa struggled to stand. He scanned the group and his eyes locked onto Chiaotzu, who was trembling slightly and backing away in fear.
Nappa grinned menacingly. You look like an easy target.
While everyone else was still focused on Yamcha, Nappa charged. He moved like a blur, and before Chiaotzu could even react—
BAM!
Nappa grabbed the tiny fighter with one hand.
"No—!" Tien shouted, but it was too late.
Nappa sneered and blasted Chiaotzu at point-blank range. The explosion echoed across the battlefield.
"Chiaotzu!!!" Tien cried out in horror.
Gohan's face turned pale. "H-He's... dead…"
Nappa smirked as he looked at Yamcha still floating in the air.
"Even if I can't beat you... it's still easy to kill your friends."
"You bastard!" Tien Shinhan exploded with rage. He clenched his fists, veins bulging with fury. "I won't forgive you!"
Nappa simply gave a low chuckle and calmly retreated to stand beside Vegeta.
"Good job, Nappa," Vegeta said, nodding in approval. "One down."
"But wait. Let's not rush. We'll take care of them properly, together."
He then smirked and added, "That last attack revealed something interesting."
Vegeta tapped the side of his scouter. "According to this, there are three fighters here who have even higher battle power than you, Nappa."
Nappa's eyes widened in disbelief. "W-What?! There's more of them stronger than me?"
"That's right. So we need to be smart about this."
As Nappa stood there processing, the Z Fighters rushed to where Chiaotzu's body lay.
Tien landed beside him and knelt, tears welling up in his eyes.
"Chiaotzu... You've already been brought back once by the Dragon Balls. You can't be revived again..." he whispered, his voice breaking.
He laid Chiaotzu's small body gently on the ground and stood up, fists clenched in rage.
"I swear I'll avenge you!" he roared.
Meanwhile, Vegeta turned to Piccolo, something on his mind.
"Dragon Balls... resurrection... I've heard of them in the universe. And I've heard of Namekians too. They have special abilities."
He narrowed his eyes at Piccolo. "So, you're a Namekian, aren't you? That means you created the Dragon Balls."
Piccolo was taken aback. "I'm from another planet?"
The realization struck him like a bolt of lightning.
After a moment, he gave a faint, almost ironic smile. "Heh... So that's the truth. Thanks for clearing that up. I finally know who I am."
"But I didn't create the Dragon Balls," he continued. "I only know how to fight."
He began to prepare for battle once again, a fire burning in his eyes.
---
Meanwhile, at the Lookout…
Mr. Popo stood in silence as Kami sat heavily on the edge of the platform, deep in thought.
"So... I'm not really from Earth either," Kami said with a weak smile.
Mr. Popo nodded solemnly.
"I created the Dragon Balls long ago," Kami continued. "But even back then, something felt strange. It was like the knowledge came from somewhere else. Maybe it was passed down from Namek... buried in the memories of my ancestors."
He looked at his reflection in the water below.
"I've always looked different from Earthlings. I guess now I know why..."
---
Back on the battlefield...
Vegeta looked down on the remaining warriors with disdain.
"If you hand over the method for controlling combat power and the Dragon Balls, I might consider sparing your lives."
"Dream on!" Krillin snapped. "We're not giving anything to a murderer like you!"
Vegeta chuckled darkly. "I see. Refuse the toast... and you'll drink the wine of punishment instead."
"Nappa, let's end this. We'll destroy them, then head to Namek."
The moment he finished speaking, the battlefield shook.
Both Vegeta and Nappa exploded with energy.
Vegeta's power level skyrocketed.
"Combat power: 18,000!" the scouter beeped before exploding from overload.
The Z Fighters could barely stand under the pressure of his aura.
After a moment of silence, everyone took position. This would be a fight for their lives.
Nappa rushed toward Gohan and Piccolo, while Vegeta took on Krillin, Yamcha, and Tien.
The battle erupted into chaos. Blasts of Ki and shockwaves filled the air. Explosions echoed in every direction.
"YAAAH!"
With a fierce battle cry, Gohan flew forward and landed a solid kick right into Nappa's face.
CRACK!
Nappa's head snapped back as he was launched across the field, crashing into a mountain.
BOOM!
The entire peak crumbled, burying the Saiyan under a pile of rubble.
Piccolo gaped. "That kid... he's stronger than I thought."
Suddenly—
ROAR!
Nappa exploded out of the rocks, furious and glowing with energy.
"I let a child humiliate me... Unforgivable!"
He rose into the sky and locked eyes on Gohan.
"This game is over, brat!"
Nappa charged a massive energy sphere in his palm and hurled it at Gohan with murderous intent.
Gohan froze.
His limbs wouldn't move. The fear rooted him to the spot.
"I... I can't move..."
Swish!
Out of nowhere, Piccolo appeared in front of Gohan, arms spread wide.
"PICCOLO!!" Gohan screamed.
BOOM!
The attack hit Piccolo dead-on.
A huge explosion rocked the battlefield.
Dust and smoke covered everything.
When it cleared, Piccolo lay on the ground, blood pouring from his mouth, his body twitching.
Gohan fell beside him. "Uncle Piccolo!!"
"Why… Why did you save me?!"
Piccolo smiled weakly. "You... idiot. Run... Gohan..."
Gohan sobbed. "No! Don't die! My dad will be here soon. Please—just hold on!"
Nappa sneered. "Tch. Weaklings. Dying to protect each other. Pathetic."
Piccolo coughed, the light fading from his eyes.
"I'm... Piccolo Daimao... And yet... I sacrificed myself to save a kid..."
He looked at Gohan, smiling faintly.
"You and your dad... changed me."
"These past few months... I actually enjoyed spending time with you."
"I finally felt like I wasn't alone..."
His hand dropped. His breathing stopped.
---
At the Lookout…
"Huff… Huff..."
Kami gasped for air, sweat dripping down his face.
"God!" Mr. Popo exclaimed, running to him.
Kami looked up, his body already turning transparent.
"My time... has come," he whispered. "Piccolo... has died."
"Goku… I'm sorry... I couldn't hold on. But Piccolo... my other half… he surpassed me in the end."
He gave a peaceful smile.
"Popo... I leave Earth... to you."
And with that, Kami vanished into the wind.
Øóffer going on for diamond tier
pàtreøn (Gk31)