(There actually wasn't any bug in the previous chapter. Think about it carefully and you'll understand. This chapter will also include a brief explanation to clear things up. Plus, a few more people will die. Anyway, I decided to bring Son Goku onstage in this chapter. Ahem. This battle to defend Earth will probably last another two chapters or so. Yeah, I can't skip ahead, because that would easily get confusing. Besides, I've also shown the Z Fighters shining in a way that differs from the original...)
"We actually did it!!"
Krillin stared at Nappa's face, which still showed no sign that he'd understood what had happened before he died. He spoke in disbelief, his voice carrying a rather comical note.
Tien Shinhan, Yamcha, Chiaotzu, and Piccolo all looked delighted. They'd really taken down one of the Saiyans—and an opponent much stronger than themselves, at that. It was undeniably a tremendous boost to their morale and confidence.
"That was amazing! We really killed him!"
Son Gohan stared at the scene in astonishment, hardly able to believe it. He knew just how powerful that big guy's ki had been, but he hadn't expected them to take him down through teamwork.
"Those guys! They're pretty underhanded!"
Vegeta's vision had recovered a little. He managed to open his blurry eyes and look at Piccolo and the others, immediately growing wary.
"You're next!"
Yamcha watched Vegeta with confidence as he shouted. The others also looked at Vegeta, their faces filled with confidence.
"Heh heh... I really didn't expect you guys to be this clever. One plan after another... First, you had those four weaklings distract Nappa and me. Then that Namekian blasted our scouters, probably because you thought they might shield us from that flash technique. Next, when that Three-Eyed Guy used something called the Solar Flare, it temporarily blinded us and kept us from judging the situation. After that, the Bald Kid used that extremely dangerous disc technique to deliver a fatal blow. Nappa should've been able to dodge it, but that Short Pale Guy's psychic powers held him up for a second. Then you hit Nappa with some kind of Ki Blast, making him think that was your attack. That was a classic diversionary tactic. In the end, he couldn't dodge in time and died..."
Vegeta maintained his haughty expression as he slowly analyzed the entire plan.
"That's right! But you missed the most important part!"
Piccolo answered, his expression unchanged.
"Hm?!"
Vegeta was taken aback.
"We'd been risking our lives and taking injuries to gather information on you. At the same time, we figured out that you can't sense ki! That's where you failed most badly!"
Piccolo spoke forcefully, revealing the fatal flaw in their enemies' abilities.
"Oh... That was a mistake on our part. We had no idea such a convenient ability existed. We'd roamed the universe for decades without meeting anyone who could control their ki. Who would've thought a bunch of Earthlings could do it? Still, thanks to you, I think I can figure out how to use that technique myself. So your plan for taking down Nappa won't work on me!"
Vegeta spoke without changing his expression.
Piccolo, Krillin, and the others all paled at his words.
"Prepare to die. At least your existence won't have been wasted, since I'll be dealing with you personally."
Vegeta slowly jumped down from the hillock and landed on the ground, then looked at Piccolo and the others with cool indifference.
"Let's try it again. I refuse to believe he can really learn to sense ki in such a short time!"
Tien Shinhan looked at Vegeta's calm expression and turned to ask Piccolo and the others.
The others nodded in agreement. Piccolo wanted to abandon the plan now that it had been exposed, but it was their only chance of winning. The short Saiyan standing opposite them was far stronger than the big guy they'd just fought!
"Krillin! Solar Flare!"
Tien Shinhan called softly to Krillin, then immediately spread his hands in front of his face and shouted.
"Bang!"
"Ugh!"
"I told you that move wouldn't work anymore! But to avoid any unnecessary trouble, you should die!"
In the very next instant, Vegeta suddenly appeared in front of Tien Shinhan. He thrust one hand straight through Tien's chest. Blood gushed out and dripped to the ground.
The others, whose eyes had been tightly shut, suddenly sensed Tien Shinhan's ki disappear. They were shocked and opened their eyes, only to find that Vegeta had run him through.
"How could this happen!!!"
Son Gohan stared at Vegeta in terror, trembling as he backed away. Piccolo and the others also looked horrified. They hadn't expected Vegeta to move so fast. Seeing Tien Shinhan's gruesome death, Chiaotzu was overcome with rage.
Krillin stood there in a daze, holding the Destructo Disc in his hand, unsure what to do.
...Meanwhile... somewhere on Earth...
A deep-red meteor streaked rapidly toward the place where Piccolo and the others were. At its very front was a figure wearing a pained expression: Son Goku, rushing there with the Kaioken activated.
"Someone's ki has disappeared! Who was it?! One evil ki disappeared earlier, so it looks like Piccolo and the others took down an opponent. But this time... Damn it! I have to hurry!"
"Kakak!"
Son Goku sensed a ki vanish and his expression turned grave. He swallowed a Senzu Bean, then silently recited, "Kaioken x3!"
In an instant, his speed surged even higher, and he shot rapidly toward his destination.
Things had already become desperate for Piccolo and the others...
It hadn't taken long, but there was no denying that they were powerless against Vegeta's strength. After Tien Shinhan was killed in an instant, Chiaotzu tried to take Vegeta down with him, but was easily killed as well.
"You're a pretty clever Namekian! I wonder if your home planet, Namek, has Dragon Balls too. But you're still going to die!"
Vegeta looked at Piccolo, who was on guard, and spoke contemptuously.
"Namekian, huh? Hmph. I've heard you muttering that word so many times, but I still have no idea what kind of alien it is!"
Piccolo snorted and replied.
"You'll find out when you get to the afterlife!"
Vegeta merely sneered. Then he opened his right hand toward Piccolo and fired a Ki Blast.
Piccolo saw the Ki Blast coming and immediately grabbed Son Gohan behind him, leaping to the left to dodge it. Then he quickly fired a Ki Blast at Vegeta.
Vegeta watched with disdain and casually flicked it away with one hand.
Before Krillin, Piccolo, and the others could react, Vegeta suddenly appeared right in front of Piccolo and pressed a Ki Blast against his abdomen.
"Damn!"
Piccolo was startled. He quickly shoved Son Gohan to the left.
"Boom!!"
"Piccolo!!"
Krillin and Yamcha were horrified when they saw what happened.
Before you continue