"Hmph, say whatever you want." Vegeta's eyes were sharp, his face filled with satisfaction. "Another trick, you say? Go ahead and use it. I'll still defeat you."
After their intense battle, he felt his strength had improved even further, and the prince's arrogance was on full display once again.
"It would be wasteful to use it like this." Raditz shook his head, then suddenly pulled out a scouter and tossed it to Vegeta.
"What's the meaning of this?" Vegeta asked with a frown as he caught the device.
He doesn't understand what I'm doing. Time for a little showmanship! Raditz sighed in disappointment, casting a helpless look at Vegeta.
He pointed to the scouter and motioned for Vegeta to put it on.
Fortunately, Vegeta finally cooperated and dubiously attached the scouter to his ear. Otherwise, Raditz might have been tempted to hold him down and put it on him by force.
"The old scouters have measurement limits that are too low. I specially asked the scientists on Earth to modify this one for better accuracy and a higher maximum reading. This scouter can measure power levels up to 100,000."
"Hahahaha, you're not going to tell me that you can reach 50,000, are you? Raditz, when did you develop such a sense of humor?" Vegeta sneered mercilessly. Even if his life depended on it, he wouldn't believe Raditz's power level could reach fifty thousand.
A power level of 50,000? That would have been enough to eliminate him with ease.
"Of course I don't have 50,000, but what I do have will surprise you." Raditz tensed his body again, his muscles rippling as veins bulged beneath his skin. His long hair swayed behind him, the ends curling slightly upward, shrouded in a flickering red aura.
The air began rapidly heating up. Dark clouds dispersed as the sky cleared, and the atmosphere seemed to grow unnaturally still.
"Here it comes—the Kaio-ken!" Piccolo and Goku whispered simultaneously.
The others hesitated to speak, as if something was caught in their throats, unable to be expressed, but the anticipation in their hearts was impossible to conceal. Their hands trembled involuntarily—a fear that originated deep within!
Miles away at Bulma's home, thick cables stretched from one room to another. Three high-end, sophisticated instruments were neatly arranged on the table, all connected to the main computer screen.
These devices represented the most advanced technology available on Earth. As the genius scientist of Capsule Corporation, Bulma's technical expertise was beyond question. She was using these instruments to receive data from the Saiyan scouters—information from thousands of miles away appearing on her screen with just milliseconds of delay.
Raditz had wanted to monitor the effectiveness of the modified scouter, and Bulma was eager to study this interstellar communication technology, so the two had formed a partnership.
At this moment, Bulma stood frozen in front of the screen.
She watched a number on the display pulsing constantly, jumping from 20,000 to 30,000, then to 40,000. The equipment ran at maximum capacity, with indicator lights flashing at an astonishing frequency. The cooling fans whirred frantically, struggling to prevent overheating.
"I tested Master Roshi's power level, and it was only 139. Who could possibly be this strong? Could it be Goku or Raditz?" Bulma's face showed her shock. Although she didn't fully understand what these specific values represented, she knew that 40,000 was an enormous number!
It far exceeded the limits of the original scouters, meaning a power level of 40,000 was beyond what ordinary fighters could achieve—even by universal standards!
Equally stunned was Master Roshi, watching from Kame House miles away. He sensed two enormous energy signatures locked in fierce combat, with one still rising to levels he couldn't even comprehend. It was Raditz's energy!
...
"BEEP! BEEP!" "BEEP! BEEP!" The scouter kept updating its reading until the number finally stabilized at 41,100!
Over 40,000 power level!
Vegeta's pupils lost focus as his eyes seemed to glaze over. A warm sensation of dizziness washed through his head, leaving no room for other thoughts.
The overwhelming pressure that hit his face couldn't be denied. Red flames erupted from Raditz's body, exploding in the air like miniature lightning bolts. His muscles seemed ready to burst with power, releasing an energy so shocking that it made one's heart clench involuntarily. The resulting windstorm swept outward, driving away even the fearsome tyrannosaurs that roamed the area, reaching an extreme intensity.
"No, it's impossible..." Vegeta shook his head in disbelief, trembling uncontrollably.
His earlier boasts now felt like a cruel joke, and he felt a burning sensation on his face as if he'd been slapped hard.
Still murmuring the word "impossible," his composure completely shattered.
"Vegeta, if you want to continue fighting, we can. But I still want you to seriously consider my suggestion: join us to fight against Frieza!"
"You... don't think you can act so high and mighty! I am the strongest Saiyan in the universe!"
Raditz was speechless. Even now, Vegeta was still obsessing over who was stronger, when the answer was painfully obvious. A prince's pride could be such a troublesome thing sometimes.
Nevertheless, Vegeta's strength would be crucial, and Raditz didn't want to give up on recruiting him.
It seemed the only solution was to beat some sense into him! Very well, so be it! Having made his decision, Raditz made his move. He brought his palms together, bent his fingers, and drew his hands back to his waist.
The opening stance for the Kamehameha Wave!
During his training with Goku, he had specifically asked for guidance on the Kamehameha. Though its principle was simple, it differed significantly from other techniques.
It appeared to be a single energy release of great power, but in reality, the way it channeled ki was unique. This fundamental difference was what made everyone's signature techniques distinct.
The Kamehameha wasn't the most powerful attack, but it had the best balance and potential for sustained output. It was indeed Earth's most versatile technique!
"With this move, let's decide the outcome!"
"Try my Galick Gun!" Vegeta refused to admit defeat, gathering energy with both hands to concentrate all his fighting power.
He had his back against the wall with nowhere to retreat.
His original plan for Earth had been simple: kill a bunch of weaklings, enjoy some good food, find the Dragon Balls to make his wish, and then leave.
Who could have imagined it would turn out like this?
The frustration and rage in his chest poured into this earth-shattering attack, which he hoped would blast Raditz into oblivion! Galick Gun, FIRE!
At the same moment, Raditz thrust his hands forward. "KA-ME-HA-ME-HA!" The red aura of the Kaio-ken infused the Kamehameha, turning it crimson as it erupted from his palms.
The majestic collision created a storm that swept across thousands of miles, forcing Gohan and the others to shield their eyes with their hands. They could only sense the battle through ki detection.
Miles away, the machines in Bulma's lab roared as the extended operation pushed them to their limits. The cooling fans couldn't keep pace with the heat generation.
"BOOM!"
The devices exploded in a cloud of smoke...
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