"Gu Xuan! Since we've finally met, how about a fight?"
After all, Saiyans were few in number. Meeting one another was a matter of fate. If Gu Xuan didn't want to join the party, then at least a battle would do.
"What do you say?"
A natural battle enthusiast, Sun Goku looked at Gu Xuan with eager anticipation.
For him, encountering a powerful opponent—especially someone as overwhelmingly strong as Gu Xuan—was nothing short of exhilarating.
Given Goku's personality, there was no way he would pass up such an opportunity.
---
"A fight?"
Gu Xuan glanced down at Goku and smiled faintly.
Truthfully, he wasn't particularly interested.
He knew his own strength too well.
At this point in time, Goku was still far too weak. His base power level was only around 150 million. Even after transforming into Super Saiyan 3, it barely reached 60 billion, and even at full output, it wouldn't exceed 100 billion.
Meanwhile, Gu Xuan's normal state had already reached that level.
Fighting Goku now would be little more than bullying.
And besides—Gu Xuan had no desire to get beaten up by the protagonist he grew up watching on TV.
"I—"
He was about to refuse, but suddenly paused.
A thought crossed his mind.
---
"Although my strength far surpasses Wukong's, my combat experience is practically nonexistent. I've only just arrived in this world… I lack real battle experience.
Goku, on the other hand, may not be as strong, but his experience is unmatched.
In that case… this fight might actually be a good opportunity to learn."
Gu Xuan's eyes sharpened slightly.
"At the very least, I can improve through the process."
With that, he made his decision.
---
"…Alright."
He smiled.
"A spar sounds fine."
Goku's eyes lit up instantly.
"But not here," Gu Xuan continued calmly. "This place isn't suitable. With our strength, we could easily cause massive destruction and harm others."
He paused briefly.
"Let's take it out to the open sea. There, we can fight without restraint."
That wasn't an exaggeration.
At their level, even a casual exchange could devastate entire regions. If not for the Earth being reinforced multiple times by the Dragon Balls, it would have been reduced to dust long ago.
As soon as he finished speaking, Gu Xuan transformed into a streak of light and shot toward the horizon.
---
"Alright!"
Goku grinned, clearly delighted.
"Guys, I'll be back soon!"
With a cheerful wave to the others, he took off in pursuit.
---
"Swish!"
Without a word, Vegeta followed.
A faint scoff escaped him as his figure blurred and vanished at incredible speed, trailing after them.
In an instant, only the people aboard the cruise ship remained.
They were already used to this sort of thing.
Especially Chi-Chi, who had long since grown accustomed to Goku's constant urge to fight.
After a brief complaint, she turned to Bulma and urged everyone to continue the party as if nothing had happened.
---
Far out at sea, countless kilometers away—
Three figures hovered in midair.
Gu Xuan.
Sun Goku.
Vegeta.
Each radiated a powerful aura, distorting the air around them.
Naturally, Gu Xuan's presence was the most overwhelming.
As for the weakest—
Vegeta could feel it clearly, and it infuriated him.
---
The three stood silently, locking onto one another.
No words were spoken.
Only their auras clashed.
---
Vegeta's strength lagged behind, and he was the first to feel the pressure.
But his pride would not allow him to yield.
Veins bulged across his forehead as he clenched his teeth.
He would never admit defeat.
---
"Kakarot! Since you're hesitating, I'll take this fight!"
Vegeta stepped forward first.
There was no way he would let Goku take all the glory.
---
"Vegeta… he's very strong. I'm not sure you can handle him."
Goku spoke honestly, his tone serious.
He had already sensed it—
Gu Xuan's strength was beyond anything he had ever encountered.
Even he felt a crushing pressure in the man's presence.
If Gu Xuan wanted to defeat him, it would be effortless—perhaps even with a single casual strike.
---
"Kakarot!"
Vegeta's voice turned cold.
"Don't forget—I am the Prince of all Saiyans! Watch your tone. You're speaking like a low-class warrior lecturing me!"
He rejected goku's concern outright.
Wukong simply sighed, unsurprised, and said nothing more.
---
The next moment—
Vegeta moved.
His body blurred into motion, charging straight at Gu Xuan at incredible speed, leaving only afterimages behind.
---
"So impatient…"
Gu Xuan watched calmly.
"In that case, I'll start with you."
He had expected nothing less from Vegeta.
To him, even goku wasn't much of a threat right now—let alone Vegeta.
---
"Swish!"
In an instant, Vegeta closed the distance.
His fist shot forward like iron, aiming straight at Gu Xuan.
---
"Good speed."
Gu Xuan's voice was calm.
"But still too slow."
---
Just as the punch was about to land—
He moved.
A simple shift.
Effortless.
Vegeta's attack passed through empty air.
---
"What?!"
Vegeta's eyes widened in shock.
His surprise attack… avoided so easily?
And with such ease?!
---
"…Seems I underestimated you."
A grin tugged at Vegeta's lips.
Though no longer as ruthless as before, his Saiyan pride remained unshaken.
---
"Did you?"
Gu Xuan's tone remained indifferent.
"In that case, I hope you can show me something worth noticing."
---
"As you wish!"
Vegeta roared.
His aura erupted, surging violently as his power climbed.
Without hesitation, he launched himself forward once more—this time with far greater force.
___________________________
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