The ground was still trembling from the aftershocks of Rudra's redirected blast. Dust swirled across the battlefield like a raging storm. Vegeta slowly rose back to his feet, his armor cracked, his pride wounded more than his body. His hands trembled—not from fear, but from fury.
Vegeta's face darkened, his lips curling into a snarl.
"You… filthy insect… You DARE humiliate the Prince of all Saiyans?" His voice thundered, echoing across the wasteland.
Rudra, still catching his breath, wiped sweat from his brow. His hair slowly shortened back, his aura calming after his chakra transformation. His body felt heavy, drained. He tried to steady his breathing, muttering to himself, "Damn… that form really eats stamina…"
Piccolo, sensing Rudra's weakening ki, narrowed his eyes. He pushed himself too far… if Vegeta gets serious now, this won't end well.
"Vegeta!" Nappa shouted, his eyes wide. "That guy's drained! Crush him now, Prince!"
Vegeta clenched his fists. His anger boiled over, his aura erupting in a golden-red flame. He blasted off the ground with explosive speed, disappearing in an instant.
"Rudra!!" Vegeta's roar came from above.
Rudra barely raised his arms before Vegeta's knee drove into his stomach like a sledgehammer. The impact sent Rudra flying across the battlefield, smashing through rocks and cratering into the ground.
"RUDRA!" Krillin shouted, his voice cracking. The Z Fighters rushed forward, but Nappa stepped in their way, grinning.
"Don't even think about it. This is Vegeta's fight now."
Rudra coughed blood, staggering to his feet. His vision blurred for a moment, but he forced himself to focus.
"...Damn… I can't… fall here." He cracked his knuckles and smirked weakly. "Alright, Vegeta. Let's see if the Prince can back up all that barking."
Vegeta appeared before him instantly, throwing a furious barrage of punches. Rudra blocked, dodged, and countered, but his movements were slower than before. His stamina loss was evident. Each hit Vegeta landed rattled his bones, each blow reminding him of the heavy cost of using his first chakra gate.
"You're slowing down!" Vegeta mocked, slamming his elbow into Rudra's jaw and following with a spinning kick that sent Rudra tumbling into the air. "Without that flashy transformation, you're NOTHING!"
But as Rudra spun midair, he smirked through his bleeding lip.
"Then I'll just fight smarter."
He clasped his hands together, energy forming into a glowing spiral.
"Chakra Shuriken!"
He hurled the spinning chakra blade toward Vegeta. The Saiyan Prince swatted it aside with a backhand, but the shuriken split into three smaller blades mid-flight, catching Vegeta off guard. Two slashed across his shoulder armor, sparking on impact.
Vegeta hissed in pain and rage. "You dare scratch me?!" He powered up, his aura flaring violently, cracking the ground beneath his feet. "Fine… then I'll END YOU!"
Rudra landed hard, panting, his knees wobbling. I'm reaching my limit… I have to hold him just long enough…
Yamcha leaned forward, fists clenched. "He can't keep this up!"
Piccolo growled, eyes fixed on Rudra. He's buying time… but for what?
Vegeta raised his palm, gathering a glowing sphere of energy.
"Galick Gun!!"
The ball expanded, humming with lethal power. Rudra's eyes widened—he didn't have the stamina left to summon another shield. His body screamed in protest, but still, he crossed his arms and braced.
"Come on then, Prince… give me your best shot." Rudra whispered.
The sphere launched like a miniature sun, roaring toward him.
At the very last second—
"Rudra, MOVE!!" Tien shouted, firing a Tri-Beam at the attack's side, forcing it to veer slightly. Rudra jumped clear, though the blast still grazed him, scorching his arm.
The explosion shook the battlefield, leaving a smoking crater where Rudra had stood.
Vegeta looked down at Tien with seething rage.
"You dare interrupt MY fight?!"
But Rudra, bloodied and burnt, staggered back up, laughing hoarsely.
"Still mad, Vegeta? Good… because I'm not done yet either."
His aura flickered weakly, but his eyes burned with defiance. He raised his fists again.
"Prince or not… I'll fight you until I drop."
Vegeta gritted his teeth, veins bulging. "Then drop you shall, INSECT!" He launched himself forward again, and the two clashed once more, fists colliding with thunderous force, the battlefield trembling under their duel.
The Z Fighters watched in awe and terror. Krillin whispered, "He's holding back Vegeta all by himself… but for how long?"