Chapter 80: Escaping Red Stone Planet
Hearing Karl's report, Turles's heart jumped. He immediately stood up, looked at Karl, and asked in surprise, "When did this happen?"
Hearing Turles's question, Karl felt somewhat fearful and said tremblingly, "I entered the laboratory for routine inspection the day before yesterday. Who knew the moment I entered, I was knocked unconscious."
"When I woke up, Vegeta was already gone. Just now when I came to find Lord Paragus, I received news that one of our ships went missing without reason. I think Vegeta most likely hijacked one of our ships and escaped Red Stone Planet."
After hearing Karl's report, Turles calmed down instead.
Regarding Vegeta, Turles's attitude was somewhat complicated.
Initially, due to original story memory influence, Turles still had some fondness for Vegeta, the male lead number two. Even though Vegeta then hadn't become the later tsundere wife-protecting demon, he still held expectations for Vegeta.
But Turles was ultimately disappointed. The original story was just the original story. Now he lived in a real world. Not everything could develop according to the script.
So on Namek, after the Grand Elder awakened his potential, Vegeta's first reaction was attacking him. Left with no choice, Turles could only use his still-immature mental seal technique to lock Vegeta's spirit.
One reason was he hadn't resolved to kill Vegeta. Another was wanting to research Vegeta's sealed data, hoping to help him perfect the technique.
He hadn't expected Vegeta could actually break free of the mental seal. Taking advantage of Turles leaving Red Stone Planet, he escaped.
Turles pressed two fingers together against his forehead, closed his eyes, and began sensing Vegeta's ki. Moments later, he could only open his eyes disappointedly.
Now it seemed he'd somewhat underestimated Vegeta's talent. Even he now had no way to sense Vegeta's ki. No idea how he managed it.
Time rewinds to one week ago.
Just after Turles left Red Stone Planet, Vegeta in the hibernation chamber suddenly opened his eyes.
After so much time exploring, Vegeta had not only completely removed Turles's mental seal, but also trained his spirit. So Vegeta had actually been able to receive outside information very early.
Last time when Turles sent Ginyu to the laboratory, it further stimulated Vegeta, letting him directly recover perception of the outside world. Even the mental chains in the mental world were nearly gone. As long as he wanted, he could break free anytime.
But Vegeta didn't act rashly. He disguised himself, even fooling the machines constantly monitoring his spirit, until Karl and the others mentioned Turles preparing to leave Red Stone Planet.
After hearing this news, Vegeta waited for his chance. He had no way to sense Turles's ki, but he could clearly sense Nappa and the others' ki.
That day, Nappa, Bela, and the others' ki all vanished from Red Stone Planet. This let Vegeta know his opportunity had come.
Opening his eyes, Vegeta waited in the hibernation chamber for a while. After confirming Nappa and the others' ki had indeed left Red Stone Planet, he began acting.
He first tore off the oxygen mask on his face, then directly punched through the hibernation chamber's glass and walked out.
Watching the laboratory's constantly flashing warning lights, Vegeta sneered coldly, then walked to the side, picked up a battle suit, and put it on.
By the time Vegeta finished dressing, Karl had only just hurried in from outside the laboratory. Before Karl could react, Vegeta's form flashed, directly appearing behind Karl. One hand chop down—Karl completely fell unconscious.
Not that Vegeta's conscience appeared and he couldn't bring himself to kill. Rather, he didn't dare cause too much commotion now. Otherwise, attracting unnecessary trouble wouldn't be worth it.
After dealing with Karl, Vegeta looked around the laboratory, then walked to another hibernation chamber. Looking at the blue-skinned Captain Ginyu beneath the glass, Vegeta's expression grew gloomy. Killing intent constantly flashed in his eyes.
This killing intent wasn't just directed at Ginyu, but more toward Turles.
Previously, he'd been like the Ginyu before him—trapped in a mental world, like a living corpse, treated as an experimental subject. How could the proud Vegeta endure this?
"Turles, you didn't expect this, did you? Your move not only didn't trap me, but even let me gain blessings in disguise. Just wait. Your life will ultimately be ended by me!"
Vegeta looked at Ginyu's unresponsive face, but his mouth was like issuing a challenge to Turles.
Sensing his own ki, Vegeta's mouth curved up, revealing a satisfied smile.
Though Vegeta currently didn't know the principle behind Turles's move that could trap him in such a world, now he knew his ki control had improved much more than before.
Because now he could already suppress his ki below 100. Moreover, ki control was also more handy than before.
So he'd say this time he gained blessings in disguise.
Vegeta looked at Ginyu once more, not daring to delay further. He quickly headed outside.
Along the way, Karl's clansmen continuously appeared. But before Vegeta's 150,000 battle power, these people had no reaction before being knocked unconscious by Vegeta.
Walking to the laboratory door, Vegeta stopped. He carefully sensed several powerful ki on Red Stone Planet. After discovering these ki hadn't moved, Vegeta suddenly pushed open the door and walked out.
Soon, Vegeta carefully arrived at the ship landing site. He randomly chose a ship and dove inside.
Currently, Vegeta didn't know—someone was already aboard the ship he'd chosen.
At this moment in the ship's control room, a blonde woman was operating the ship's control screen while continuously complaining, "Good for you, Jaco, secretly leaving me behind alone. See how I deal with you next time!"
That's right—this person was Bulma's sister Tights.
After discovering Turles and Bulma had already consummated their relationship last time, Tights's impression of Turles plummeted. Already possessing an adventurous spirit, Tights couldn't stand their intimacy. She decided to continue adventuring through the universe with Jaco. But when she went to find Jaco, she discovered Jaco had already left with Turles behind her back.
After thinking for several days, the angrier she got, Tights finally decided to abandon Jaco and adventure alone.
However, Tights still knew her own capabilities. After probing from her sister that Turles's group was going to West Galaxy, she also decided to go to West Galaxy. She'd even obtained Jaco's group's route map from Karl.
"Done! Looks like this young lady is also a genius. See if that bastard Turles still dares say I'm just big-chested and brainless. Hmph!"
After operating for a long time, Tights finally got the ship's route set. She stood up, hands on hips, couldn't help praising herself.
At this moment, Tights didn't know a bloodthirsty person had already appeared behind her.
Vegeta looked at this flashily dressed, physically weak Earthling before him. Just about to act, he heard her seemingly cursing Turles. His heart stirred.
"What did that bastard Turles say to you?"
"Ah!"
Vegeta's sudden voice directly scared Tights. She hurriedly turned around. Seeing it wasn't Bulma, she patted her chest and unconsciously relaxed. Then she reacted, pointing at Vegeta and saying, "You, you're not that living corpse?"
Vegeta's face immediately darkened. He stepped forward, approaching Tights. "Say that again?"
Tights was shocked by Vegeta's killing intent. She couldn't help stepping back, her body leaning toward the ship's control panel.
"Slap!"
Tights's hand slapped the ship's launch button. The next second, the ship directly began launching. Soon the ship broke free of Red Stone Planet and began flying toward the vast universe.
Vegeta's expression changed. He quickly walked to the control panel, pushed Tights aside, looked at the route map on the panel, and sternly asked, "Woman, what did you do?"
Pushed by Vegeta, Tights immediately fell to the ground. Enduring the sharp pain in her bottom, she aggrievedly shouted loudly, "Are you even a man? Actually treating such a beautiful woman like me this way!"
Currently, Vegeta had no thoughts of cherishing flowers. He grabbed Tights's neck, stared at Tights with cold eyes, and said coldly, "Woman, you'd better behave. Otherwise, I don't mind throwing you off the ship. Tell me, where does this route map lead!"
"You... don't mess around. I'm your Saiyan boss's sister-in-law. Bulma is my sister!" Being stared at by Vegeta, Tights finally recognized the situation's danger. She directly brought up Turles.
But what Tights couldn't imagine was that not all Saiyans feared Turles. The man before her was one of them. Not only that—his relationship with Turles could be called extremely bad.
"Bulma? That Earth woman?"
Hearing this news, Vegeta was first stunned, then thought of that blue-haired woman on the ship initially. The next second, he directly burst into laughter:
"Hahaha! Turles, oh Turles! You actually fancy that weak Earth woman. You've truly disgraced all Saiyans."
Vegeta really couldn't hold back anymore. Being crushed by Turles in every aspect, now he'd finally caught one of Turles's black marks. Naturally, he wouldn't miss this mocking opportunity.
Hearing Vegeta mock her sister, Tights couldn't care about her current dangerous situation. She immediately retorted, "What's wrong with Earthlings? They didn't eat your food or drink your water. Moreover, my sister is so beautiful. Being fancied by my sister is Turles's honor!"
Regarding this, Vegeta didn't care. He continued laughing loudly, venting his hatred toward Turles.
After laughing for quite a while, Vegeta finally stopped. He dragged Tights before the control panel, pointed at the route map, and asked, "Tell me, where does this route really lead?"
Tights struggled, but with her strength, how could she possibly break free of Vegeta's grasp? She dissatisfiedly slapped Vegeta's arm forcefully. Only after slapping until her hand hurt, without seeing Vegeta's expression change at all, did she recognize the gap between them and resign herself:
"That's the route to West Galaxy. I heard from my sister that Turles's group was going to West Galaxy to deal with some overlord. So I wanted to go find them!"
"What?"
Hearing this, Vegeta's heart jumped. The smile on his face completely vanished. His expression gradually grew ugly.
He'd just escaped Turles's clutches. If he approached now, wouldn't that be seeking death? He still knew his current self was far from Turles's match. At minimum, he was especially wary of that sealing technique from before.
Thinking this, Vegeta immediately ordered Tights to change course and set the route to North Galaxy.
Tights knew the man before her was different from Turles's group. He really would kill her. She could only steel herself and approach the control panel.
Unfortunately, Vegeta had somewhat overestimated Tights. Even this route took Tights half the day to set up. Wanting her to change course midway was really too difficult.
Watching Tights stare at the control panel for a long time without operating, Vegeta grew furious. He immediately urged, "What are you still standing there for? Hurry and operate!"
Hearing this, Tights's body shook. She slowly turned around with a tearful expression and said, "I don't know how!"
"You!" Vegeta was furious. He quickly walked to the control panel. Just about to operate himself, looking at the densely packed buttons, he directly couldn't speak.
Vegeta never imagined Red Stone Planet's ships would differ so greatly from Frieza Force ships. Now he somewhat regretted only knowing battle back then. He still needed to learn other knowledge. At minimum, he should learn ship operation.
After holding it in for ages, Vegeta finally forced out, "Turles was right. You really are big-chested and brainless!"
"You! Aren't you just an illiterate musclebrain too?" Being mocked by Vegeta, Tights couldn't help retorting.
After speaking, Tights and Vegeta stared at each other.
Just like that, two academic underachievers and illiterates, unable to operate the ship, could only head toward West Galaxy.
Naturally, Turles didn't know his "sister-in-law" had already gone to West Galaxy with Vegeta to find him.
Currently, he looked at the tearful Bulma and sighed helplessly.
Just moments ago, while Turles was still marveling at Vegeta's talent, Bulma had suddenly burst in.
"Turles, this is bad! My sister is missing!"
"Tights? How could she be missing?"
Hearing Bulma's words, Turles's heart immediately jumped. (Hey, didn't my heart just jump earlier? Whatever, jump first, ask later.)
Bulma was currently very worried about her sister. With reddened eyes, she said to Turles, "I don't know either. I haven't seen my sister for two days. Today I went to her room and discovered she wasn't there. Even her clothes were gone!"
"Don't worry first. Let me sense Tights's ki. Maybe she just went out. After all, Red Stone Planet is so big!"
Comforting Bulma, Turles released his perception, searching Red Stone Planet with full force for Tights's ki.
After several minutes, Turles opened his eyes and sighed helplessly at Bulma. "I didn't find Tights's ki."
"Waah!" Hearing Turles say this, Bulma immediately couldn't hold back. She directly burst into loud crying.
"This!"
When Bulma cried, Turles was immediately at a loss, not knowing how to comfort Bulma for a moment.
Actually, Turles had some guesses. Because from his previous interactions with Tights, Turles had gained an understanding—Tights was a willful young lady. So he guessed Tights might have secretly run off alone because she wasn't brought along this time.
"Wait, Bulma, you said you haven't seen Tights for two days already?"
Suddenly, Turles thought of a problem and asked Bulma.
Though not knowing why Turles asked this, Bulma still stopped crying and nodded at Turles with sobs. "Mm!"
Seeing Bulma nod, Turles's expression grew serious. He asked Karl on the side gravely, "Karl, how many ships have left Red Stone Planet recently?"
"Just one—the one Vegeta hijacked... My lord, you mean Vegeta and Miss Tights left on the same ship?"
Karl had only said half a sentence before immediately reacting, directly stating Turles's guess.
"What? Vegeta? Isn't he unconscious?"
Bulma still didn't know Vegeta had already awakened and left Red Stone Planet two days ago. So Turles could only tell Bulma about Karl's earlier report and his guess.
After hearing Turles's words, Bulma immediately grew worried. Looking at Turles, she said, "Then isn't my sister in great danger? That Vegeta attacked you on Namek. Moreover, you had him lying in the laboratory for over three months."
Bulma's impression of Vegeta wasn't very good. So she was now very worried about her sister's safety.
Seeing this, Turles comforted, "Things might not be as serious as you think. When Vegeta woke this time, he clearly could have killed Karl and the others, but ultimately just knocked them unconscious."
"That means he still doesn't want to completely oppose us now. I guess he hijacked your sister only because he learned about our relationship and wants to make me wary of harming a mouse near the vase."
"Besides, we still have Dragon Balls. Even if your sister really was harmed by Vegeta, we can still revive her through Dragon Balls."
Hearing Turles's comfort, Bulma relaxed somewhat. But then she felt somewhat puzzled. "Then why don't you catch Vegeta back? Can't you use Instant Transmission?"
Hearing this, Turles smiled somewhat bitterly and said, "I don't know why either. I can't search for his ki. Either he's already very far from Red Stone Planet, or he can already hide his ki better. But I lean toward the second possibility."
"Meaning during the time you sealed Vegeta, he made a huge breakthrough?" Bulma quickly understood the details and gave a reasonable guess.
Turles nodded with a bitter smile.