Vegeta, We Meet Again

"Isn't this a good idea?" Cold sweat streamed down Cui's face, his voice trembling, "If we all join forces, we can definitely defeat Zarbon and Dodoria!"

"Cut the deceptive act!" Vegeta sneered, his lips curling into a mocking arc, "You disgusting creature!"

"I'm not lying to you, Vegeta!" Cui's voice dropped, his body leaning slightly forward as he clenched his hands into fists in front of him, "Please believe me, these three can even vouch for me."

His gaze shifted toward Son Goku and the others, his eyes filled with a hint of pleading.

"Watch out." Son Goku suddenly interjected, his eyes fixed on Cui's hands, "He's gathering energy! He might be trying to ambush you, Vegeta."

Vegeta's gaze flickered, and he glanced at Son Goku.

"Damn you!" Cui flew into a rage, the pleading on his face instantly replaced by a sinister expression, "Stop meddling!"

His right hand lashed out, and a massive ball of energy erupted from his palm, surging toward where Son Goku stood.

The energy sphere dragged a tail of light through the air, emitting a low, humming sound.

At the same time, Cui pulled his other hand back, condensing a second mass of energy in his palm before thrusting it forward toward Vegeta.

Both energy blasts were fired almost simultaneously, streaking off in different directions.

Son Goku silently raised one hand, fingers spread wide, palm facing outward.

He gave a light, casual swat with his palm.

"Whoosh!"

The energy released by Cui was swatted aside by Son Goku, changing its trajectory to arc through the air and fly off into the distance.

"Boom!"

A moment later, the energy slammed into the lake in the distance.

Water erupted into the sky, white spray splashing dozens of meters high as the lake surface shuddered violently, sending ripples outward that battered the rocky shore.

On the other side, the energy Cui had unleashed engulfed Vegeta's position, swallowing everything in a flash of light.

"Boom!"

With a deafening roar, flames shot into the sky, stone fragments flew, and dust filled the air.

Vegeta's position was leveled, leaving a deep crater in the ground with scorched earth churned up around the edges.

"W-what?" Cui stared at Son Goku in horror, his mouth hanging open, his jaw nearly hitting the floor, "He swatted it away!"

His pupils contracted sharply, and a layer of cold sweat broke out on his back.

How was this Saiyan even stronger than he had imagined?

Cui swallowed hard, his gaze lingering on Son Goku for several seconds.

But at least, it seemed he had managed to wipe out Vegeta.

The corners of his mouth slowly lifted, and he wore a smile once more.

"Heh heh heh." Cui looked at Son Goku with a grin, hands on his hips, chin tilted slightly upward, "You really are strong, even a bit stronger than that guy Vegeta."

He paused, tilting his head.

"But... Vegeta is your example!"

"You're not bad yourself." Son Goku complimented him, his tone sincere, a faint smile on his lips, "Releasing two energy blasts in an instant."

"Idiot." Piccolo gave a disdainful laugh, his lips curling into a mocking arc, "Vegeta isn't that easy to kill."

"Y-you... what did you say?" Cui froze, the smile on his face stiffening.

"Look over there!" Piccolo glanced toward Vegeta's position, his chin lifting slightly.

Cui turned his head mechanically, his neck emitting a faint click as he looked toward Vegeta's direction.

Vegeta was indeed standing on a rock not far away, arms crossed over his chest, lips curled into a brilliant, mocking smile.

"What's wrong, Cui?" Vegeta scoffed, his gaze sweeping over him, "Did you think you could defeat me with that pathetic power level of yours?"

"Y-you... when did you dodge?" Cui's expression was one of bewilderment, his eyes wide, his pupils reflecting Vegeta's figure.

"When power levels rise, speed naturally follows." Vegeta chuckled, his lips curling into a dangerous arc, "Your performance just now has thoroughly enraged me."

Cui looked at Vegeta, then turned to look at Son Goku, his gaze darting back and forth between the two.

His face was deathly pale, his lips quivering, and he instinctively took two steps back.

A brief moment of hesitation.

"Whoosh!"

Cui transformed into a streak of light, his body catapulting into the high sky, moving so fast he left a blur in the air as he attempted to flee this place of trouble.

"Trying to run?" Vegeta let out a cold snort, his feet pushing off the rock as his body shot upward.

His figure flickered continuously in the air, each flash bringing him closer than the last, until in the blink of an eye, he appeared directly in front of Cui, arms spread wide to block his path.

Cui was scared out of his wits, his face looking ghastly, his pupils shrinking to pinpricks.

He slammed on the brakes in mid-air, stopping less than two meters from Vegeta.

Vegeta grinned, revealing a wicked smile and two rows of gleaming white teeth.

He pulled his right fist back, the muscles in his arm bulging, before swinging it violently forward.

An uppercut landed heavily against Cui's abdomen.

The fist sank into the battle armor, and a surge of energy erupted from the point of contact between the fist and his body.

"Bang!"

Cui's body was launched high into the air as if propelled by a spring.

He tumbled uncontrollably through the sky, limbs flailing, as he spat out a mouthful of blood that misted under the sunlight.

Vegeta's lips curled upward, revealing a cruel smile.

He extended his right hand, pressing his index and middle fingers together, and aimed his fingertips at Cui's body in the sky, intending to annihilate him instantly.

"Wait a moment, Vegeta."

Just then, a voice rang out abruptly near Vegeta.

The voice was not loud, but every word was crystal clear, as if someone were speaking right against his ear.

Vegeta's pupils constricted violently, his entire frame shuddered intensely, and his body froze in mid-air.

He immediately retracted the finger he had been preparing to release energy from, clenching his hand into a fist and pulling it back to his side.

Vegeta turned his head mechanically, his neck stiff as a rusted gear, to look toward the source of the voice.

It was indeed that guy, Soro!

He was seen hovering in the air not far away, hands tucked into his pockets, a faint smile hanging on his lips.

He had arrived so quickly!

"We meet again." Soro greeted Vegeta with a smile, waving his palm in front of him.

The corner of Vegeta's eye twitched violently, and a vein throbbed at his temple.

His body recoiled as if struck by electricity, rapidly putting distance between himself and Soro, retreating over a dozen meters in one breath.

His hands rose instinctively to guard his front.

"Flash Technique!" Soro chuckled, slowly spitting out the three words; the volume was low, but each syllable struck Vegeta's eardrums like a hammer.

"Ah..."

Vegeta flew backward subconsciously, his body jerking away as he cried out in alarm, his voice cracking.

He hurriedly covered his eyes with both hands, palms pressed tightly against his eyelids, his fingers trembling.