After flying for a few minutes, the auras Ling Tian could sense became clearer. The fluctuation of the ki auras ahead became more and more intense—each wave pulsing through the air like violent storms clashing against one another.
Squinting, he soon caught sight of several figures locked in battle.
The tall green-skinned man with two antennae on his head was unmistakably Piccolo Daimao. Near him stood a man in bright orange martial arts clothes, his expression determined and fierce—it was Son Goku.
Ling Tian's heart pounded as he realized what was unfolding.
Swish! Swish!
Goku and Piccolo launched a fierce simultaneous attack on Raditz.
Bang! Bang!
But Raditz didn't even seem strained. In just a few exchanges, he soared upward and delivered a brutal kick, striking both men square in the chest.
Goku and Piccolo flew back uncontrolled for a moment but quickly regained balance and charged at Raditz again.
Raditz leapt higher, condensing two glowing energy bombs in his hands.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The powerful ki blasts sped toward Goku and Piccolo.
"Oh no!" Ling Tian's breath caught.
Goku barely dodged the attack, but Piccolo wasn't so lucky—one blast engulfed his arm. Blood oozed, and pain twisted his face.
Ling Tian watched from a safe distance, stunned and uneasy. He hadn't expected Raditz to be this overwhelming, fighting with such cold cruelty.
He's crushing them like they're children, Ling Tian thought bitterly.
Am I even ready for this?
His body trembled as fear gnawed at his confidence. This was his first time facing danger like this; the reality of life and death pressed down on him. Even if had the power level rivaling Raditz, he was after all a normal human in his last life....thye urge to run, to hide, pulsed through his veins.
But then, a stronger feeling pushed back—the determination to survive and prove himself—not by rushing in blindly but by waiting for the right moment when he could turn the tide.
I have to do this , I have been given this chance and I will not spend this in cowering in fear.
Just as Goku landed, panting heavily, Ling Tian heard Raditz's cold voice:
"Idiot, I'm right behind you."
Before Goku could react, a fierce kick sent him rolling through the ground.
Gritting his teeth through the pain, Goku struggled to his feet.
"Ugh… damn it!" he muttered, catching his breath.
He glanced over at Piccolo, concern flickering in his eyes.
"Piccolo, are you alright?"
Piccolo winced, sweat breaking out on his brow, but managed a grim smile.
"I'm hurt, but even with one arm, I'll keep fighting."
Raditz sneered.
"Kakarot, teaming up and still weak? Pathetic! Befitting for someone born with a power level of two—practically useless."
Goku and Piccolo exchanged uneasy looks.
"We can't keep this up... we need a plan," Piccolo murmured.
"I'm nowhere near strong enough," Goku admitted, touched by a mix of frustration and acceptance.
Raditz laughed harshly.
"Look at you weaklings behaving like little trash you are. You're going to die anyway, so let me tell you something: the other two Saiyans who survived our planets explosion are much stronger than me."
His loud laughter echoed cruelly.
"Now that you know how powerful Saiyans really are, what do you feel? Despair? Regret? Too late for you though."
Hearing this Piccolo clenched his fists, his eyes narrowed and his voice shaky.
"Wha-...What kind of power is that?"
Goku's body trembled—caught between fear and something close to excitement.
Piccolo glanced at Goku.
"Any new moves you can use?"
Goku shook his head with regret.
"I've spent recent years raising my children. No time to train... no new techniques."
Piccolo scoffed and smirked faintly, "I was saving my energy... I've been practicing seriously and have made some breakthroughs."
"Hey! What are you two whispering about?" Raditz snapped.
"Your tactics won't help you," he taunted. "Come face me and die already!"
Ignoring Raditz, Goku asked Piccolo, "Can you really do that move with one arm?"
Piccolo nodded confidently.
"It just takes longer to charge, but yes. You'll need to divert Raditz's attention first."
Goku gave a determined nod.
"Will it work?"
Piccolo's smile grew.
"If not, then there's no beating him. That ability was originally meant to destroy you."
Goku chuckled lightly, "Even so, you're my biggest help right now."
Piccolo smirked slightly and said.
"If we beat Raditz... you'll be next."
Watching them chuckle Raditz snapped and snorted coldly.
"Laugh all you want. Your death is near" launching himself towards Goku.
Goku steeled himself.
"I'll take him on."
Piccolo silently prayed.
Hold on, Goku. Don't give up.
With resolve, Goku surged forward, meeting Raditz midair but was sent tumbling down once again.
Piccolo brought two fingers to his forehead, focusing energy to prepare the Special Beam Cannon.
Bang! Bang!
Goku flew straight toward Raditz again, gritting his teeth. His body ached all over, and his breathing was uneven, but he forced himself to keep moving. Blows landed hard—Raditz was simply overpowering—but Goku dodged just enough, weaving in and out, throwing punches that served more to stall than to damage.
I just need to buy time..., he thought, pain flaring through his arms as another block rattled his bones.
Raditz's expression twisted in annoyance.
"You're still standing? Impressive, but pointless."
Goku didn't respond, he took his stance—he couldn't afford a distraction---not right now. Every second counted as Piccolo continued to charge his secret technique in the background.
Meanwhile, Raditz's scouter let out a sharp beep… beep… beep!
He paused, glancing at the numbers.
"What?"
The scouter display flashed:
Power level: 924… stabilizing… rising...!
His eyes flicked to Goku, surprised that the wounded Saiyan was still increasing his power in the middle of battle. But before he could react, the device beeped again.
Another reading detected — 660… 780… 920… now 1,050!
Raditz snapped his head toward Piccolo.
"Tch—he's charging something...!"
A flicker of uncertainty passed across his face for the first time as his expression darkened.
Goku seized the moment, drawing his energy together and firing a powerful Kamehameha wave toward Raditz. With impressive agility, Raditz dodged aside and, with a swift motion, caught the blast mid-air.
A thunderous explosion shook the battlefield, dense smoke churning through the air. As the dust settled, Raditz stood unharmed, smirking with confidence.
Without hesitation, he hurled a crackling energy bomb straight back at Goku.
"Take this!" Raditz shouted, sending the attack streaking through the sky.
Bang!
Goku was struck and fell.
Raditz annoyed, charged to finish the fight with a single powerful punch.
"Go to hell you thrash! You deserve to die for being such a weakling !"
Just then, Piccolo unleashed the Special Beam Cannon. Raditz's scouter emitted a frantic series of beeps as it detected a sudden surge—his power level spiked to 1,330.
In that instance, maybe on instinct Raditz dodged to the right.
The spiraling beam pierced through the air, striking Raditz squarely on the shoulder. His armor shattered, and blood began to flow from the wound. Raditz clenched his teeth, visibly stunned by the unexpected attack.
"He dodged… he's faster than I thought," Piccolo thought as dread filled him.
Raditz glared back, his eyes sharp with deadly intent. "Be proud ant. The fact that you were able to break my armor shows that your move just now was very powerful." he growled.
Piccolo remained frozen in disbelief—he knew that if Raditz took another shot like that directly, it could truly be the end but now..
Just then a menacing aura radiated from Raditz body, the air itself thick with his murderous intent as the battle reached its boiling point.