The Awakening of the Super Saiyan

Even after beating Cabba into this state, Vegeta showed no sign of stopping.

He struck him again and again, knocking him from the sky to the ground, then hauling him back up and beating him into the air. He showed no mercy!

Bang!

Cabba's body slammed into the arena floor, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Then Vegeta grabbed him by the back of the neck, lifted him up, and landed another heavy punch square in his face.

Blood streamed from Cabba's nose and the corner of his mouth. His face was swollen beyond recognition, and his eyes were almost shut. All he could manage was a faint whimper.

In Universe 7's stands, Bulma covered her mouth with both hands, her brows knitted tightly with concern.

"Vegeta's being way too brutal! If he keeps this up, he'll beat that boy to death!"

She knew Vegeta was arrogant, but she hadn't expected him to treat an opponent who couldn't fight back so mercilessly.

Trunks sat beside Bulma, looking just as confused.

"Dad... why is he doing this? Cabba can't even fight back anymore."

As far as Trunks knew, his father could be strict, but he had never tortured an opponent like this.

Yamcha clicked his tongue and muttered under his breath, "Could training with Lord Lin Fan have made him lose his mind? Why's he gotten so vicious? It's like he's turned evil..."

Before he could finish, he felt several icy glares sweep over him.

Piccolo glared at him, and Son Goku frowned at him too. Yamcha panicked and hurriedly shut his mouth, not daring to say another word.

"You don't need to worry."

Piccolo looked away and spoke calmly.

"Vegeta isn't the kind of person who tortures his opponents for no reason. He must have his own purpose."

Son Goku nodded, a knowing smile appearing on his face.

"That's right! Vegeta's trying to make Cabba snap!"

"Only when Saiyans are extremely angry or on the verge of death can they break through their limits. He's trying to help Cabba transform into a Super Saiyan!"

Back when Frieza killed Krillin, Son Goku had transformed into a Super Saiyan for the first time in a fit of rage. He understood just how important that breakthrough could be.

In Universe 6's stands, Lord Champa knitted his brows, looking utterly perplexed.

"What on earth is this Vegeta doing?"

He pointed his chubby finger at Vegeta on the arena.

"If he wants to kill him, he should just do it! What's the point of torturing him and wasting all this time? Do they have some deep grudge against each other?"

As far as Champa was concerned, when facing an opponent far weaker than yourself, simply eliminating them was the most efficient option. There was no need to make things so complicated.

Vados stood beside Lord Champa with a faint smile, a hint of wisdom in her eyes.

"Lord Champa, look a little more carefully."

"Vegeta's attacks may look brutal, but he's avoiding Cabba's vital spots each time. He doesn't really intend to kill him."

She paused, then continued.

"He's trying to provoke Cabba and make him break through his limits. Saiyans often awaken their potential when they're pushed to the brink."

Champa blinked and scratched his head.

"Awaken his potential? That's actually a thing? You can get stronger just by beating someone up?"

He clearly didn't understand this way of training.

On the arena, Vegeta kicked Cabba hard in the chest again.

Cabba crashed into the center of the arena like a meteor, and a web of cracks spread across the floor.

"Useless! You dare enter the Martial Arts Tournament with skills like these?"

Vegeta swooped down, grabbed Cabba by the hair, and pressed his head against the rubble-strewn ground, grinding it hard into the stones.

The rasping sound of stone against skin, mixed with Cabba's screams, carried across the entire arena. The rubble tore open his forehead and cheeks, spattering blood across the floor.

Perhaps the pain jolted Cabba back to his senses a little. He struggled to fight back, but he had no strength left and could only let Vegeta do as he pleased.

Dragging Cabba by the head, Vegeta made his way toward the edge of the arena, sending rubble flying everywhere.

Just as Cabba's body was about to go out of bounds, Vegeta suddenly stopped.

He hauled Cabba up and punched him hard in the face.

"Get up!"

Cabba was knocked flying once more. He somersaulted through the air and hit the ground hard, unable to get back up.

He lay in the middle of the arena, tossed aside like a broken toy.

"I... I give up..."

Cabba lay on the ground and used the last of his strength to force the words through his teeth. His voice was so faint it was almost inaudible.

The referee watched in terror. Hearing Cabba say he gave up, he hurried over.

He was just about to raise his arm and announce the result when he met Vegeta's gaze.

It was filled with murderous coldness, as if the referee would be killed in an instant if he dared announce the result.

The referee shuddered, his back instantly drenched in cold sweat. He hurriedly lowered his head, pretended he hadn't heard or seen anything, and quietly stepped aside.

Vegeta walked toward Cabba, bent down, grabbed him by the collar, and yanked him upright.

Cabba's body hung limp, his head drooping helplessly. Only the faint rise and fall of his chest showed he was still breathing.

"You dare give up?"

Vegeta's voice was as cold as ice, his eyes blazing with fury.

"A Saiyan can be defeated, but he must never surrender! A pathetic coward like you doesn't deserve to live in this world!"

He slowly raised his other hand. A golden energy sphere gathered in his palm.

Its brilliant light illuminated the entire arena, and the surrounding air trembled with its power.

"I'll kill you right now!"

There wasn't a trace of emotion in Vegeta's voice. The energy sphere shone brighter and brighter.

"And that's not all. Once this tournament is over, I'll go to Universe 6 myself."

"I'll destroy the planet your Saiyans live on, slaughter your family and loved ones, and wipe every cowardly Saiyan like you from the universe!"

His words exploded through Cabba's mind like thunder!

Destroy his planet? Slaughter his loved ones?

Those were things he could never tolerate!

He had wanted to become stronger to protect his planet and the people around him. Yet now Vegeta was threatening to destroy everything he had sworn to protect!

Cabba's eyes, which had been closed in despair, flew open.

The fear and pain in his gaze vanished, replaced by blazing fury and icy killing intent!

A tremendous force suddenly surged out of Cabba, sweeping across the entire arena!

"What?"

Vegeta paused in surprise. Then he felt Cabba burst with strength in his grasp.

Cabba shoved him away and slapped the energy sphere out of his hand.

The sphere exploded in midair, forming a massive golden mushroom cloud. Its shock wave made the entire arena tremble.

Vegeta staggered back a few steps and regained his balance. Looking at Cabba, he didn't show the slightest anger. Instead, a crooked grin spread across his face.

"Finally. Now that's more like it."

He had tortured Cabba so mercilessly to awaken the fury buried deep inside him.

Only overwhelming rage could help a Saiyan who had never transformed before break through his limits.

The golden light around Cabba grew more and more intense.

Then great waves of golden aura burst free from his body like a volcanic eruption, shooting straight into the sky!

Beneath the light, his hair and eyebrows slowly turned golden.

His eyes grew razor-sharp, and his aura continued to soar, far beyond its previous limits!

Super Saiyan 1!

Against all odds, Cabba had broken through his limits and transformed into a Super Saiyan!

"Th-that's...?"

In Universe 7's stands, Yamcha's eyes widened. Pointing at Cabba on the arena, he cried out in shock.

"A Super Saiyan! He really transformed!"

Bulma lowered her hands from her mouth, her face full of disbelief.

"I can't believe Vegeta's method actually worked. That boy really became a Super Saiyan!"

Trunks jumped up excitedly.

"That's amazing! Dad was right. When Saiyans get angry, they really can unleash incredible power!"

Piccolo nodded, a relieved smile on his face.

"At least Vegeta's efforts weren't wasted. The boy lived up to his expectations."

Son Goku excitedly pumped a fist.

"Fantastic! There's another Super Saiyan! Once the tournament is over, I've got to spar with him!"

Universe 6's stands erupted into an even louder commotion.

"A Super Saiyan! Lord Cabba has transformed into a Super Saiyan!"

"That's incredible! We have Super Saiyans in Universe 6 too!"

"As expected of Lord Cabba! He hasn't let us down!"

Caulifla's eyes shone as she stared at Cabba on the arena, her fists clenched tight and her face full of envy and yearning.

"Damn it! He beat me to it!"

She gritted her teeth, her resolve growing stronger.

"But it doesn't matter. When it's my turn, I'll make Vegeta push me just as hard! I'll become even stronger than him!"

Champa's round eyes widened, his face full of shock and confusion.

"H-he transformed just like that?"

He turned to Vados and asked in confusion.

"Vados, are all Saiyans like this? If you just keep beating them up, can they become Super Saiyans?"

Suppressing her amusement, Vados nodded.

"You could say that, Lord Champa."

"Rage is the key to a Saiyan breaking through their limits, and Vegeta pushed Cabba into a state of extreme fury."

"I see!"

Champa slapped his thigh, his face lighting up with excitement.

"How could I have missed something so simple?"

He began planning in his mind. Once he got back, he would gather every Saiyan in Universe 6 and give them a thorough beating, so they could all experience the same thing.

Then Universe 6 would have a whole crowd of Super Saiyans!

With so many Super Saiyans, Universe 6 would surely become the strongest universe of all. Then he could finally hold his head high in front of Beerus!

Whatever. I'll go back and try it. I absolutely have to give it a shot!!