Shhh!
The Destructo Disc sliced through the air. Vegeta reacted just in time, narrowly dodging it.
He let out a sigh of relief.
But… his tail wasn't so lucky.
The sharp energy disc cut clean through it, severing it in two.
As his tail was lost, Vegeta's body started shrinking rapidly. Within seconds, he had reverted to his normal form.
The injuries he had sustained earlier, combined with the immense energy he had burned through as a Great Ape, left him utterly drained. He collapsed onto the ground, barely able to keep his eyes open.
Ding!
[Congratulations, host! You have successfully defeated Vegeta.
Once he leaves, you will automatically receive your reward!]
A long-awaited system notification echoed in Cado's mind.
'Finally, it's done?'
Cado was overjoyed. Even though the system's voice was just a synthesized electronic tone, it sounded absolutely beautiful to his ears right now.
Meanwhile, Vegeta was in bad shape. His energy was weak—so weak that he was on the verge of passing out.
-----🉐-----
On the other side of the battlefield—
"K-Krillin! The Great Ape is gone!"
Tien turned to Krillin, his face lighting up with excitement.
"Huh? You're right! And that Saiyan's energy… it's almost gone!"
Krillin was stunned for a moment before breaking into an excited grin.
"No doubt about it—Cado must have taken care of that Saiyan!"
Piccolo nodded, his sharp gaze fixed on the distance.
"We're saved!" Gohan cheered, practically jumping with joy.
Even though he wanted to become as strong as Cado, deep down, he still disliked fighting.
Now that the crisis was over, he couldn't help but feel ecstatic.
"Let's go check it out!"
Tien suggested, and the group quickly took off toward Cado.
Within seconds, they had all gathered around him.
"Uncle Cado, are you okay? You're amazing!"
Gohan looked up at him with pure admiration.
"I'm fine, I'm fine. Just a Saiyan—nothing special. Even if I hadn't come, I'm sure you guys could've handled them!"
Cado ruffled Gohan's hair with a warm smile.
But to the others, his words felt… bittersweet.
Piccolo crossed his arms and awkwardly turned his head to the side.
Krillin and Tien forced out embarrassed chuckles.
"Alright, let's save the chit-chat for later. I still have one last thing to take care of."
Cado grinned and stepped toward Vegeta.
Even though he had defeated him, his mission wasn't complete until Vegeta actually left.
-----🉐-----
With a quick flash, Cado appeared in front of the fallen Saiyan prince.
"We had a deal, remember? One attack each, no dodging. You're the Saiyan prince, aren't you? Can't even keep your word?"
Cado put on an exaggeratedly angry face.
"Y-You…"
Vegeta stammered, unable to come up with a retort.
Because… Cado was technically right.
"Alright, alright. Unlike you, I actually keep my promises."
"Even though you cheated first, I'll still honor our deal. Go ahead—hit me. I won't dodge!"
Cado declared boldly, standing tall like some kind of noble warrior.
If someone didn't know any better, they might actually believe he was an honorable man.
"Pffft!"
Vegeta couldn't hold it in anymore. He coughed up a mouthful of blood, his face turning pale.
His vision swam. His head spun.
'Are you freaking kidding me?!'
'I can't even stand up right now! What am I supposed to do, throw a rock at you?!'
Cado flinched at the sight of Vegeta coughing up blood.
'Crap, don't die on me yet! I still need you to leave for the mission to count!'
"Relax, relax."
"You can go now—hurry up and get lost!"
Cado waved him away like he was shooing off a fly.
Vegeta blinked in confusion.
Did… did he just hear that right?
Was this guy really letting him go?
"No way! We can't let him leave! Yamcha's death hasn't been avenged yet!"
Krillin suddenly stepped forward, glaring at Vegeta.
Cado frowned.
Yamcha's death wasn't really anyone else's fault. It was his own overconfidence that got him killed.
Neither Nappa nor Vegeta had even attacked him directly.
"Krillin, let him go. I still have use for him. Besides, we can revive Yamcha with the Dragon Balls."
Cado placed a hand on Krillin's shoulder, his expression calm.
Krillin still looked reluctant.
'Why let this guy escape? Wouldn't it be easier to just finish him off now?'
Cado gave his shoulder a reassuring pat and nodded firmly.
After a moment, Krillin let out a frustrated sigh.
"Fine… I'll trust you on this."
He stepped back.
Cado turned back to Vegeta.
"What are you waiting for? Get lost already!"
Vegeta had overheard their conversation.
So this bastard… was seriously letting him go?!
His pride stung, but he wasn't foolish. He knew when to cut his losses.
Without wasting any more time, he pulled out a small remote and pressed a button.
From the distance, his space pod immediately flew toward him.
Vegeta staggered toward the open hatch and climbed in.
"You… just wait."
"Next time, I'll be stronger. I'll come back and kill you… and everyone else on this planet!"
With that final threat, he slammed the hatch shut.
The space pod shot into the sky, rapidly disappearing from view.
"Tch."
Cado wasn't worried in the slightest.
'I have the Legendary Super Saiyan bloodline.'
'Next time we meet, Vegeta, you'll just be an even bigger disappointment.'
Ding!
[Mission complete!
Reward: Kaioken x10 without side effects!]
The moment Vegeta left Earth's atmosphere, the system chimed again.
New knowledge flooded Cado mind—the technique, its mechanics, how to use it.
Just as he was processing everything, Krillin suddenly shouted in excitement:
"That energy… it's Goku! Goku's here!"
Cado snapped out of his thoughts.
Sure enough, he could sense Goku's ki approaching fast.
"Hmm… he's definitely gotten stronger since last year."
Swoosh!
A gust of wind kicked up as a figure clad in orange descended from the sky.
Son Goku had arrived.
"Goku!"
"Goku!"
"Dad!"
The group erupted in excitement.
Even though the danger had already passed, they hadn't seen Goku in a whole year. Seeing him again filled them with relief.
"Krillin! Tien! Piccolo! Chiaotzu! Gohan! You're all okay—thank goodness!"
"And the Saiyans? Where are they?! I'm ready for a fight!"
Goku clenched his fists, eyes blazing with determination.
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