Son Goku's fist stopped just short of Soro's fingertip, as if it had hit an iron wall. It couldn't move forward another inch.
Son Goku stared blankly at the astonishing sight, his eyes wide and his mouth slightly open.
Then his expression shifted from shock to surprise, and finally to excitement.
"Amazing!" Son Goku exclaimed, pulling back his fist. "No wonder you're so strong, Soro!"
He leaped backward, his body tracing an arc through the air before his feet touched down. For the moment, he put some distance between himself and Soro.
"You're not bad, either." Soro smiled faintly and lowered his hand.
"How do I compare to that Saiyan named Vegeta?" Son Goku asked eagerly, his eyes alight. "Who's stronger?"
"Judging by the energy you just put out," Soro replied with a smile, folding his arms, "Vegeta's about twice as strong as you, if not more."
"Twice as strong?" Son Goku rubbed his chin, looking surprised.
"Is that Vegeta really that powerful?" Krillin exclaimed, his eyes widening.
He asked, "Then... how does Goku compare to Nappa?"
"I saw Nappa's combat power reading before." Bulma immediately took out the modified Scouter and put it to her ear.
She pointed at its screen, where numbers flickered.
"I remember his combat power was 8,000!"
As she spoke, Bulma adjusted the Scouter, aimed it at Son Goku, and pressed the button on the side.
"Beep!"
The Scouter let out a soft chirp, and a string of numbers appeared on the screen.
"Goku's combat power is also 8,000." Bulma glanced at the screen and answered for Soro. "So he's about equal to that Saiyan named Nappa."
"Right." Krillin nodded thoughtfully, tapping his temple with a finger. "I almost forgot you modified the Scouter. So even if Goku's here, at most he can only fight that guy Nappa to a draw?"
"Aunt Bulma," Son Gohan asked curiously, tilting his head toward her, "what's Uncle Soro's combat power?"
"His combat power..." Bulma aimed the Scouter at Soro and pressed the button.
The Scouter crackled with static, and numbers appeared on the screen.
"Strange. Why is it only 1,000?" Bulma muttered, frowning. She pressed the button again.
The number on the screen was still 1,000.
"Bulma," Krillin asked, folding his arms, "have you ever checked Vegeta's combat power?"
"No." Bulma slowly shook her head and took the Scouter off, holding it in her hand. "I wanted to check his combat power, but the Scouter started blaring just as it was about to scan him. It seemed like the reading might go off the scale, so I didn't."
"Soro said Vegeta is more than twice as strong as Goku." Krillin sucked in a sharp breath, his face turning pale as sweat beaded on his forehead. "So his combat power is over 16,000?"
"Vegeta's combat power is 18,000," Soro said calmly with a smile.
18,000!
When Soro revealed Vegeta's combat power, everyone present except Son Goku was horrified.
Krillin felt a chill run down his back, and his legs trembled.
Piccolo was even more frightened; his face turned green and his pupils shrank.
The corner of his mouth twitched. Veins bulged on his clenched fists.
That was terrifying!
A combat power of 18,000!
No wonder Nappa had acted like a lapdog in front of Vegeta.
So Vegeta could wipe Nappa out as easily as play.
Piccolo knew his own combat power was around 3,600.
No wonder he had never stood a chance against Nappa.
Nappa's combat power was actually 8,000!
"I finally understand why we couldn't beat that guy Nappa!" Krillin shuddered, his voice low as he clenched his fingers.
Piccolo and Son Gohan fell silent, too.
Son Gohan lowered his head, his little hands clutching the hem of his clothes.
Piccolo's face remained expressionless, but his brows furrowed into a deep crease.
"Come to think of it," Krillin muttered, looking at Piccolo, "Piccolo said he'd grab Nappa's tail and then land a fatal blow. I wonder if that would actually work."
"Bulma, come here for a moment." Soro beckoned to Bulma nearby, curling a finger.
Bulma quickly ran over, her steps light and a puzzled look on her face.
"Bulma, try grabbing my tail!" Soro said, swinging his tail over beside her and swishing it gently.
Bulma froze, blinking rapidly. She wasn't sure what Soro meant.
Still, she instinctively reached out and took hold of Soro's tail.
Her fingers closed around its soft, furry surface.
"Like this..." Bulma blushed and smiled, lowering her head. "This is kind of embarrassing."
"Hold on tight," Soro said with an easy smile.
"Mm... I'm already holding it pretty tight." Bulma nodded and tightened her grip a little more.
Smack!
Soro used his tail to hoist Bulma high into the air.
"Ah...!"
Bulma cried out in surprise.
Soro's tail spun around once, carrying Bulma in an arc before lowering her safely back down.
Bulma's feet touched the ground again, and her body swayed.
But then she realized it was actually pretty fun.
It was like riding a swing.
"That's enough." Soro smiled and pulled his tail back.
"Ah... okay..." Bulma's mouth twitched. She smoothed her hair, still unable to figure out what Soro was trying to do.
"As far as I know," Soro said, looking around at everyone, "Vegeta and Nappa have already overcome their tail weakness."
He paused and pointed at his own tail.
"You all saw Bulma grab my tail just now, right? I overcame that weakness a long time ago, too!"
His tone turned serious.
"That plan of yours would be practically asking for trouble! He might land a fatal blow on you instead."
Everyone stared blankly at Soro, falling silent for a moment.
Krillin opened his mouth, then closed it again.
Piccolo's expression stiffened, his eyes flickering.
Son Gohan tilted his head, his little face filled with thought.
Master Roshi's hand, which had been stroking his beard, froze in midair.
If it was about the tail weakness, you could've just said so.
Why make Bulma grab your tail?
Krillin's gaze moved between Soro and Bulma, and the corner of his mouth twitched.
It felt like those two had... gotten together without anyone noticing.
Bulma: "..."
Bulma's face flushed slightly. She lowered her head and twisted her fingers together.
Did I really need to test that myself?
"Soro..." Son Goku hurried forward, clenching his fist. "Our match isn't over yet! I haven't even used Kaioken!"
"Mm-hmm." Soro smiled and resumed his stance.
Guys, what skill do you want next? How about Combat Power x500?
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