A deep, muffled roar burst from Vegeta's chest.
In the next instant the power he had been suppressing erupted outward.
A violent transformation swept through his body—dense, sovereign, unstoppable.
Saiyan energy flooded through every organ and bone, expanding in all directions like a golden shockwave that crushed the air around him.
Goku was the first to freeze.
Then Krillin, Nail and Gohan felt it.
Even Bulma, Hela and the elite soldiers—who had already witnessed Vegeta's impossible strength on Yardrat—felt their knees weaken, though they looked at him not with fear but reverence.
This was the Full Power Super Saiyan state.
His aura had transformed completely.
The golden flames thickened, settling into a stable, blazing radiance.
Every thread of energy circulating in Vegeta's body was beyond anything ordinary Super Saiyans could unleash.
"…This… this is all your strength, Vegeta?
And by your earlier words… this is the true ultimate limit of the first Super Saiyan stage?"
Goku forced himself to stand straight.
His arms trembled.
His voice trembled.
His heart trembled.
To say he felt no fear would have been a lie.
Under this pressure, his own strength felt insignificant—
If Vegeta wished, Goku could be erased before he even reacted.
But deeper than fear…
Goku felt excitement ignite in his chest.
He had believed that his recent breakthrough marked the peak he could reach in the near future.
He had thought future growth would be slow, inch by inch.
But now Vegeta had shattered that illusion.
Higher realms existed.
Higher stages waited.
The world was bigger than he imagined.
And Vegeta stood ahead as the proof.
He wanted to reach those heights.
He wanted to grow stronger.
He wanted to chase Vegeta.
Their eyes met.
Vegeta saw everything in Goku's gaze—
the shock, the hunger, the determination.
He smirked, his arrogance absolute.
"You felt my power clearly, yet you did not retreat.
Instead your fighting spirit burned brighter.
As expected of you, Kakarot.
Keep training and come chase me. I will clear the path ahead—
but do not delude yourself into thinking you can catch me easily."
Goku's heart pounded as he answered loudly, "I'll catch up!
If there's a first stage of Super Saiyan, then there must be a second… and a third!
Vegeta, I swear I will reach those levels before you one day.
Don't be surprised when I surpass you!"
Vegeta laughed coldly.
"Hmph. Big words.
You should feel fortunate that I'm not the Vegeta from my past life…
Otherwise you would already be dead."
With that, he withdrew his aura.
The golden fire vanished.
He dismissed Goku entirely and turned away.
He did not bother looking at Krillin, Gohan or Nail.
Vegeta walked straight to Bulma and Hela, spoke briefly to Bulma, and boarded the ship.
He intended to give Bulma time to speak with the others
before they departed for Frieza's Planet 79.
Krillin, Gohan and Nail watched him go.
None dared feel resentment.
They understood perfectly—
Vegeta had already shown them more mercy and acknowledgment than they ever expected.
Once Vegeta disappeared into the ship, Goku let out a long, controlled breath.
His Super Saiyan aura faded.
Though this had been only his second transformation, he already felt his control deepening.
The battle against Vegeta had forced him to adapt faster than meditation ever could.
Battle really is the fastest path to strength.
He came back… to guide me.
Although Vegeta had acted cold, Goku understood.
From the first punch to the last word, Vegeta had helped him.
He had shown him the true potential of the Super Saiyan form, corrected his understanding, and pointed toward higher realms.
Goku silently felt gratitude that he had once spared Vegeta's life.
Vegeta was not the villain they once thought.
"Dad, are you alright?"
Gohan rushed to his side, scanning him for injuries. Despite his young age, he was strong enough to support Goku's weight.
"I'm fine, Gohan," Goku said with a warm smile, ruffling his son's hair.
His eyes drifted toward the ship.
There were so many things he wanted to ask Vegeta…
So much he wanted to learn.
But Vegeta clearly did not want conversation.
So he turned toward Bulma instead, hoping she might shed some light.
"Don't be discouraged, Goku.
Vegeta transformed three months before you.
Give yourself time and you'll catch up," Krillin said kindly.
He assumed Goku felt defeated—never imagining Goku was more inspired than ever.
Goku nodded gratefully.
"This battle changed my understanding of the world.
Super Saiyan isn't the end—it's just the beginning.
I'll train harder, refine the form, push beyond it…
and the next time I face Vegeta, I'll win."
Krillin exhaled in relief.
Gohan smiled with pride.
Nail, too, felt reassured.
Nail stepped forward.
"Watching your battle inspired me as well.
I will enter seclusion and cultivate the methods the Grand Elder taught me.
When I grow stronger, I want to spar with you again."
"Good! I'll be waiting for that," Goku said sincerely.
~~~~~~
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