Chapter 48: Goku vs Raditz
Raditz approached Goku's opposite side, looking at him with relaxed expression.
"Kakarot, today big brother will teach you something—sometimes, people must pay for their actions!"
Raditz assumed an elder brother's demeanor, speaking to Goku in an old-fashioned tone.
Goku ignored Raditz's nonsense, still maintaining his vigilant stance, staring at Raditz with grave expression.
Goku had already mistaken Raditz for the powerhouse who'd released that aura earlier. That earth-shattering ki signature made him both excited and fearful. If Raditz weren't his just-acknowledged older brother, he might not have the courage to challenge him.
Raditz naturally didn't know he'd taken the blame for Turles. Currently, he stretched his body, gesturing toward Goku with his hand, signaling him to attack first.
Goku—who "knew" Raditz's strength—wasn't polite. Both feet pushed off, using ground reaction force to rapidly charge toward Raditz.
Whoosh!
His body broke through air. Friction with air produced sounds. Meanwhile, Goku's figure had already appeared before Raditz.
Goku's right hand clenched into a fist—a straight punch charging toward Raditz's face.
Raditz was caught off-guard by Goku's attack. Fortunately, his battle power far exceeded Goku's. Plus, Turles and Paragus's training barely let him block this strike before it landed.
Goku's blocked attack didn't surprise him. He immediately followed with a high kick—still aimed at Raditz's head.
However, current Raditz no longer dared underestimate this brother with much lower battle power. He began concentrating, seriously engaging this battle with Goku.
Thus began their intense back-and-forth combat.
Raditz possessed nearly 10,000 battle power. Though suppressed to 500, high battle power's bodily enhancements couldn't be suppressed. So even caught off-guard by Goku, Raditz still held slight advantage.
Meanwhile, Goku—whether knowing Raditz's strength far exceeded his own or because Raditz was his brother—went all-out from the start without reservation. Plus, Goku's excellent combat talent let him withstand Raditz's attacks.
Turles stroked his chin, standing aside carefully watching their combat, mentally simulating their battle progression.
He followed Popo's advice, using his five senses to perceive them. Whether their breathing or movements—any variables—he added these changes into mental simulation.
Initially, Turles couldn't perfectly predict Goku's attacks. But as combat progressed, collected data increased. His simulation of both combatants grew increasingly accurate and faster.
Finally, Turles's mental simulation rhythm synchronized with actual combat. Every move matched his mental simulation exactly.
Of course, Turles understood this was because both fighters' current strength remained low. Whether speed or power, even without ki sensing, Turles could easily see through them. So he could so easily simulate their battle.
But once opponents matched his strength, he probably wouldn't find it so easy.
However, Turles felt satisfied now. This Earth visit—just Popo's single guidance session—had already been worth the trip.
"Ka-me-ha-me-ha!"
Goku's shout awakened the distracted Turles, returning his attention to both fighters.
Goku had already assumed the Kamehameha's classic pose. His aura began rising. Soon, a blue energy sphere gathered in his hands.
Currently, Goku's battle power already exceeded 500. Plus, the Kamehameha's ki condensation and compression—if Raditz maintained 500 battle power, he probably couldn't withstand this strike.
Sure enough, as Goku fired his Kamehameha, Raditz's battle power surged greatly. When the wave approached, his right hand swung out, directly deflecting the Kamehameha.
Having fired the Kamehameha, Goku stood in place with difficulty, breathing heavily. Yet his face showed no discouragement. Instead, he happily told Raditz: "Big brother really is stronger!"
Finishing, Goku could no longer persist, falling backward.
Though defeating Goku and receiving his praise, Raditz's face remained dark, showing no joy.
Because internally, Raditz understood—this battle, he'd lost. Meaning at equal battle power, Raditz's strength was inferior to his brother's.
Even after constant setbacks from Turles, Vegeta, Broly, and other clansmen, Raditz still struggled accepting this result.
After all, he possessed elite warrior potential—a talented fighter. But Kakarot? Just a Saiyan inferior even to low-class warriors with only power level 2 at birth.
'Could having a face identical to Father's let even low-class warriors continuously break through limits?'
This question suddenly flashed through Raditz's mind. He even somewhat doubted whether he was truly Bardock's son.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
While Raditz questioned his existence, Turles had already approached both fighters clapping, looking down at Goku's heaving chest, praising: "Truly worthy of being Bardock's son. Even on this remote planet Earth, growing to this degree—what a genius!"
Stab!
Already questioning existence, Raditz—hearing Turles's words—felt like someone stabbed his heart. His body even swayed.
"Your combat will far exceeds your brother's. You know, Raditz nearly drove me to death before." Another praise from Turles.
Stab!
Another knife. This time Raditz's face directly changed, unable to help clutching his chest while retreating several steps.
Looking at Raditz with confusion, Turles continued: "How about it, Kakarot? Interested in exploring the universe with us? You know, countless powerful warriors exist throughout the cosmos!"
Raditz directly plopped down, looking at Turles with life-drained expression, eyes full of resentment making Turles shiver.
"What's wrong with you, Raditz?!" Completely unaware how much psychological damage he'd inflicted on Raditz, Turles finally couldn't restrain himself, angrily shouting.
Raditz didn't speak—just stared at Turles.
Feeling creeped out by the stare, Turles couldn't endure anymore. One kick sent Raditz flying.
Finishing this, Turles turned around, smiling at Goku as he continued: "So how about it, Kakarot?"
"I... I..." Watching the somewhat fierce Turles, Goku suddenly felt somewhat afraid, not knowing how to answer.
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