At this point, Vegeta had no mind to argue with Son Goku either. He pricked up his ears and listened.
If they really found a way to solve Super Saiyan 3's shortcomings, he would try transforming into Super Saiyan 3 as well.
He had never tried to break through before because Super Saiyan 3 had such a huge flaw.
Otherwise, he would have tried long ago.
As everyone looked on expectantly, Tarble slowly said two words: "The tail!"
Son Goku asked in surprise, "The tail?"
"Why the tail?"
"I thought the tail was supposed to be a weakness for Saiyans?"
"Sure, you can overcome that weakness through training, but what does it have to do with transforming into Super Saiyan 3?"
Vegeta's eyes lit up a little at Tarble's words, but he wasn't quite sure his theory was right.
Especially when Son Goku suddenly chimed in and interrupted his train of thought.
For a moment, he couldn't help getting annoyed.
He immediately snapped:
"Kakarot, shut up!"
"I'd just started to figure something out, and you interrupted me."
"If you don't want to listen, go home!"
"Nobody's forcing you to stay and listen, hmph!"
Son Goku gave an awkward smile. "Sorry, sorry."
"I promise I won't suddenly butt in again."
"Hmph!" Vegeta glared fiercely at Son Goku, but there was nothing he could do.
He'd just seized the opportunity to give Son Goku a scolding.
To everyone else, though, their bickering was a heartwarming sight, and faint smiles played on their lips.
They preferred this Vegeta to the vicious, evil one he used to be.
Tarble felt the same way. The Vegeta of today had more charm.
With a chuckle, he continued, "Son Goku, what you just said isn't quite right."
"Super Saiyan 3 does have a little something to do with the tail."
"Let me ask you something: how many tries did it take you to transform into Super Saiyan 3, from your first attempt to the one that finally worked?"
Hearing the question, Son Goku didn't answer right away. Instead, he looked at Vegeta first. "Hey, Vegeta, Tarble's the one who asked me a question. I'm not butting in!"
Vegeta's temper had nearly settled, and he was waiting for Tarble to explain the connection between the tail and Super Saiyan 3.
But at Son Goku's words, a nameless fury flared up inside him. Gritting his teeth, he cursed:
"Kakarot, you're an idiot!"
"Quit rambling and answer Tarble's question!"
Seeing Vegeta's eyes blazing, Son Goku said with complete seriousness, "Why are you so mad?"
"You were the one who told me not to butt in..."
"Kakarot!!!" (╬◣д◢) Fury!
"Okay, okay, I won't say anything! Um... let me think back to how many tries it took. Well... give me a minute..."
The others watched the scene in silent exasperation.
Of course!
Vexatious Buddies were always good for a laugh!
Son Goku tilted his head and thought for a long while, counting on his fingers as he tried to remember.
Vegeta and the others grew truly anxious watching him, but there was nothing they could do.
After quite some time, Son Goku finally seemed to remember and finish counting.
He went over the count three times before saying with absolute certainty:
"Five times!"
"I remember it was the fifth try when I finally surpassed Super Saiyan 2!"
"That's right, it must've been the fifth!"
Must've been?
The word didn't inspire much confidence in Tarble.
Still, he couldn't read minds. How was he supposed to know if Son Goku's answer was accurate?
For now, he'd just take it that Son Goku had succeeded on his fifth try!
Tarble nodded and said, "All right, let's say it took five tries."
"But do you know how many tries Rix and I needed?"
His gaze swept across everyone. He pointed at Rix beside him, then continued:
"Rix only needed three tries to succeed."
"And I did it on my first try!"
At those words, everyone's eyes widened in shock.
They were astonished not only that Tarble had transformed into Super Saiyan 3 on his first try, but also that he had managed to break through to Super Saiyan 3 at all.
Son Gohan and Piccolo were especially surprised.
Ever since they'd arrived, they'd been focused on Tarble, Son Goku, and Vegeta.
They hadn't expected that the quiet Rix had also broken through to Super Saiyan 3.
Only then did Son Goku notice Rix standing nearby.
He flashed over in an instant, looking as excited as if he'd been given a shot of adrenaline.
"Rix?"
"Hello, hello! I didn't expect you could turn into a Super Saiyan 3 too!"
"That's amazing!"
"You and Tarble are both incredible!"
"We should spar sometime!"
Actually, Rix had been observing Son Goku in secret from the moment he suddenly appeared.
As a bystander, he'd watched Son Goku interact with Vegeta and Tarble. He naturally knew that this newcomer was Son Goku, the Saiyan from the rumors who could transform into a Super Saiyan.
Of course, he also knew Son Goku's original name was Kakarot, and that, like Tarble, he'd been classified as a Low-Class Warrior at birth.
Still, Rix didn't dare look down on him.
Since arriving, he'd heard the legendary tales about Son Goku from Trunks. Son Goku had once been the strongest Saiyan warrior.
Even though Rix could now transform into Super Saiyan 3 himself, he still didn't dare underestimate him.
"Hello, Super Saiyan Son Goku. I've heard a lot about you. Now that I've finally met you, you really do live up to your reputation!"
"But should I call you Son Goku or Kakarot?"
Son Goku replied cheerfully, "Call me whichever you like, but personally, I prefer the name 'Son Goku.'"
"Tarble, I'll take that as a yes, then!"
"Let's have a good spar sometime!"
As far as names went, he didn't mind what people called him as long as it wasn't an insult.
Far from turning down the challenge, Rix seemed eager to accept. "Sounds good."
Before coming to Earth, Son Goku had been a legendary figure to him, someone he could only look up to.
He'd not only become the Legendary Super Saiyan, but had also defeated Frieza, the Cosmic Emperor.
So along with his surprise, Rix felt nothing but admiration.
Before he arrived, he'd thought there was no chance he'd ever get to spar with Son Goku in his lifetime.
But things were different now. He'd become a powerful Saiyan warrior too.
Naturally, he wasn't about to pass up the chance to spar with Super Saiyan Son Goku.
"Great!"
Seeing that Rix had accepted without hesitation, Son Goku immediately grew excited. He looked as if he could hardly wait to spar right then and there.
But a moment later, he managed to rein in his impulse and turned to Tarble.
"Tarble, are you saying the tail might have made it easier for you to break through?"
"And that the tail could also help overcome the problems of not being able to gather ki and running out of stamina quickly?"
Before you continue