Cooler rushed at Goku, throwing punch after punch.
But no matter how he attacked, he couldn't even touch a single strand of Goku's hair.
Shocked and terrified, Cooler demanded, "Who are you? Why can't my attacks land on you?"
Even when Vegeta transformed into a Super Saiyan, Cooler could still fight him back and forth.
Yet against this other Saiyan, he was being toyed with like a baby.
There was only one explanation—this Saiyan's combat power far exceeded his own.
Realizing this sent chills down Cooler's spine. This Saiyan was terrifying.
Still folding his arms, Goku said calmly, "What's wrong, Cooler? Out of tricks? Or is this all you've got?"
"Damn Saiyan, how dare you look down on me!" Cooler roared, unleashing a flurry of even fiercer attacks.
But still, nothing touched Goku.
Panic set in. Cooler realized that if this continued, he would die here.
There was one way to survive, but it meant losing his dignity.
To Cooler, dignity was nothing compared to life. If he could live, humiliation didn't matter.
He quickly begged, "Please, spare me! I'll serve you—I'll become the sharpest spear in your hand!"
But Goku remained unmoved, his calm expression unchanging.
The more silent Goku was, the more frightened Cooler became.
If this Saiyan said even one word of mercy, it would give him hope. But this cold silence—it was unbearable.
Finally, Goku spoke. "No need."
The words chilled Cooler to the bone. He spun to flee, but it was already too late.
Goku fired a ball of energy, blasting into Cooler's back.
"Ahhh—!" Cooler's scream echoed as his body was engulfed in a massive explosion, his presence wiped out completely.
Vegeta's lips twitched as he watched how easily Kakarot killed Cooler.
Vegeta's own Super Saiyan power wasn't much stronger than Cooler's.
Yet Goku had destroyed him as easily as crushing an ant.
Silently, Vegeta clenched his fists. He glared at Goku and muttered, "Kakarot… one day, I'll catch up to you. Just wait."
"Well then, I'll look forward to it. Work hard, Vegeta," Goku replied casually.
He didn't care whether Vegeta caught up or not—his true pursuit was always greater strength, the path toward invincibility.
The Z Warriors erupted in cheers as Goku finished the battle with ease.
"As expected," Krillin said with a grin, rubbing his bald head. "With Goku around, I feel completely safe."
"Yeah," Yamcha agreed. "The enemies we face now are way beyond us."
Even Tien Shinhan and Chiaotzu felt the same.
Only Piccolo was less shaken, though he admitted to himself that catching up to Goku was nearly impossible without some extraordinary chance.
Goku looked at everyone and smiled. "The enemy's been eliminated. I'm heading back to Mount Paozu. You all should train harder.
A strong defense only comes from your own strength. If you get strong enough, you'll be able to handle anything yourselves."
He wanted them to continue training and growing, but he wouldn't coddle them.
Their progress would depend on their own effort and fortune.
"I'll keep training," Tien Shinhan said firmly.
"Me too," Krillin added.
Yamcha, though, felt torn. A peaceful, leisurely life sounded appealing to him.
At that moment, Gohan spoke up. "Dad, I want to keep training with Uncle Piccolo for a while before coming home."
"Alright," Goku said warmly. "I'll feel better knowing you're with Piccolo."
He waved. "Well then, everyone—until next time."
With that, Goku used Instant Transmission and vanished.
Vegeta kept staring at the spot where Goku had stood.
Ever since Kakarot defeated him, a question had haunted Vegeta: could one surpass the Super Saiyan form?
If he could achieve that, the gap between him and Kakarot could be closed.
Vegeta refused to live forever in Kakarot's shadow.
He was the prince of all Saiyans. Kakarot was just a low-class warrior.
How could a low-class warrior surpass the Saiyan prince by such a margin?
Vegeta's mind had long been unsettled.
Now, he was consumed by one belief—defeat Kakarot and reclaim the pride of the Saiyan Prince.
Without a word, he flew off alone.
Piccolo broke the silence. "Then let's split up as well."
Krillin, Tien Shinhan, Yamcha, and Chiaotzu all nodded in agreement.
...
Author's Note:
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