Killing Nappa

A few days had passed since Kasso arrived in the Dragon Ball World, and his excitement had finally begun to settle.

Kasso knew what happened later in the story. Planet Vegeta would explode in two years.

Time was running short.

Without strength, surviving in a super-dimensional world like Dragon Ball was nothing but a pipe dream.

Kasso had a power level of only 350. He had raised it through grueling training, using methods he'd learned about in his previous life.

But that level of strength wasn't nearly enough. Desperate to get stronger, he'd spent the past few days venturing into the forest and trying to grasp "ki," but he still hadn't found the knack.

The power of ki was undeniable. When Vegeta invaded Earth, his power level had been a full 18,000, yet he'd ultimately lost to opponents like Goku who could use ki.

Part of the reason was that Vegeta had underestimated them, but there was no denying that ki had played an important role.

Ki was a mysterious thing, sometimes impossible to explain. It wasn't the same as ordinary energy, though energy could also be considered a form of ki.

Kasso had far more energy than Earth's martial artists, yet his understanding and use of ki were a complete mess.

"Forget it!"

Kasso sighed.

Once he left Planet Vegeta, he'd find a chance to visit Earth and learn what ki was. He could also drop by Master Korin's place and steal some—no, borrow some Senzu Beans.

At the thought, Kasso couldn't help smiling.

He sat quietly on a rock beside a small river. The water was crystal clear, and several mountains rose in the distance.

He remembered how childish he'd been as a kid in his previous life, often imitating Goku and trying to unleash a Kamehameha.

Now he had the chance for real.

"Let's see what the legendary energy ball is like!"

Following the method in his fused memories, Kasso focused completely and gathered the energy inside him into the palm of his hand.

Soon, an energy ball formed in his hand.

It glittered, a layer of blue light clinging to its surface. At a glance, it looked like a supercharged welding torch, so bright he could barely keep his eyes open. Wisps of electricity crackled around it.

"So this is an energy ball!"

"I wonder how powerful it is!"

Kasso felt an itch to try it out. He raised his hand and hurled it toward the distant mountains.

Boom, boom, boom—

Rubble flew everywhere, and a huge chunk was blasted out of the mountainside. This wasn't some fragile planet like Earth, where everything crumbled at the slightest touch. Space was much more stable on Planet Vegeta, and its gravity was ten times that of Earth.

"Gulp."

Kasso swallowed. So this was an energy blast?

I'm amazing!

But what if I hit some poor cat or dog with it?

Well, if I did, I did.

Kasso didn't dwell on it. Forming an energy ball like that was pretty taxing for a beginner.

"Looks like I still have to keep working hard!"

Kasso leaped up and plunged into the river beside him. After a long day, he could relax in the water. There weren't many Saiyans around here anyway.

Sure enough, after working yourself too hard, you needed to take a proper break.

Suddenly!

A rustling sound came from the distance. The weeds were shaking!

Something was coming out of the forest.

"Who could it be?" Kasso tensed.

The Saiyans were ruthless and cold-hearted. The fact that Planet Vegeta exploded while Vegeta didn't react at all was proof enough.

Kasso had spent the past few days avoiding people and doing his own special training. He didn't want the Saiyans to find out he'd tripled his power level in just a few days.

Who knew what kind of trouble that might cause?

Kasso rested with his eyes closed in the water. Hearing the commotion in the distance, he immediately ducked beneath the surface and watched nervously from below.

The footsteps drew closer. Soon, a figure appeared above the water.

"So it's that bastard Nappa!" Kasso sneered.

Nappa looked around, muttering, "The Scouter clearly showed the reading nearby. Where'd everyone go?"

He'd thought one of his kin was training nearby. A power level of 350 was impressive, so he'd come over to meet him. But after checking the surroundings, he couldn't find this supposed Saiyan anywhere.

Nappa didn't dwell on it. He turned and sauntered away.

The sight of Nappa walking off caused a flicker in Kasso's otherwise calm expression. It seemed the remnants of his predecessor's consciousness were affecting him.

In his memories, Nappa had especially hated his predecessor and Ausbie, saying that trash like them brought shame to the Elite Warriors.

Whenever the underage Saiyans sparred, Nappa would go too far, saying that if it weren't for Bardock, he would've killed the two of them long ago!

"Killed Little Biel and me?"

Kasso curled his lip. Now that he was so much stronger, it was anyone's guess who would kill whom.

After becoming a Saiyan, Kasso seemed to have been influenced by their nature. He'd grown a little cold-blooded, and killing felt like an ordinary thing to him.

He'd even dared to come to this forest alone!

"You bastard, prepare to die!"

Kasso first gathered his strength.

A while later!

Nappa was getting farther from the riverbank. If Kasso didn't strike now, he felt he might lose his chance.

Kasso suddenly unleashed his power. An immense force burst out of him, and the river exploded with a thunderous boom. The surface turned turbulent, sending water spraying hundreds of meters into the air.

"I told you he was around here. He finally showed himself." Hearing the commotion behind him, Nappa spun around. He wanted to see which of his kin it was.

So the Saiyan he hadn't found had been hiding underwater. But why did that small figure shooting into the air look so familiar?

Kasso hovered in midair, wrapped in a layer of white aura, the sun behind him.

The glaring light made it hard for Nappa to see who he was. Nappa raised a hand to shield his eyes, but could only make out the figure's build—and it looked very familiar!

Nappa glanced at the Scouter in front of his eye. The reading of 350 was displayed on its lens, and for some reason, its owner was getting closer and closer.

Wait!

Judging by his trajectory, he was going to attack. Nappa finally realized what was happening.

But realizing it was one thing. Being able to fight back was another!

A dark blur flashed through the air, and Kasso suddenly appeared behind Nappa.

"Never thought this day would come for you, did you?" Kasso's gaze was like that of a vengeful demon from hell, full of hatred. He stared at Nappa like a beast eyeing its prey.

Kasso had planned to avenge his predecessor, but he hadn't expected the opportunity to come so soon.

"It's you, Kasso!" Nappa's pupils contracted.

How was this possible?

He couldn't believe that Kasso, who'd been badly injured just a few days ago, had recovered—and that his power level had become so absurdly high. It was a full 350!

His own was only 260!

Nappa was both shocked and afraid.

Just then!

A deep-blue energy ball pressed against his back. The searing heat and violent energy kept stinging his skin. Nappa broke out in a cold sweat, his whole body trembling.

"K-Kasso... brother, I was only joking with you before. Please let me go!" Nappa had clearly lost his nerve. He was so flustered that he could barely speak.

But the memories of how he'd bullied Kasso and Ausbie were still vivid. Nappa felt like he was done for!

Why had trash like Kasso grown so much in just a few days?

Nappa thought viciously.

There was nothing he could do now. He could only try to calm Kasso down first.

"What's in it for me if I let you go?"

"We'll forget everything that happened between us. I'll even ask my father to arrange a comfortable assignment for you," Nappa blurted out at Kasso's words.

He was afraid that if he spoke too slowly, Kasso would blast him to pieces with an energy ball!

If he could just keep Kasso calm, he'd have his father kill him later!

But Nappa seemed to have forgotten that he was still at someone else's mercy.

"Sure!" Kasso suddenly said.

Hearing that, Nappa's lips curled into a broad grin.

Let you go?

Kasso sneered. Then why hadn't you let my predecessor go?

"Go to hell and apologize to the real Kasso!"

Kasso's eyes turned cold. A deep-blue energy ball formed in his hand, and he slammed it into Nappa's head.

"You're going back on your word!" Nappa cried out in pain.

Kasso's power level was a full 350, far higher than Nappa's. Nappa couldn't fight back at all.

And Kasso had caught him off guard, so he had no chance to dodge.

"Don't..."

The powerful energy ball drove Nappa toward the mountainside. Its scorching heat made Nappa scream in agony.

But Kasso wasn't about to spare him. He formed another enormous energy ball with his other hand and chased after Nappa.

The two energy balls collided, setting off a tremendous explosion.

Boom—

The wind howled, and the clouds churned.

Nappa was blasted to dust in the explosion. The distant mountain, already missing a huge chunk halfway up, collapsed too, sending rocks of all sizes tumbling down.

"Is he dead?"

Kasso's furrowed brow finally relaxed. Then he gave a wicked grin.

I really am a sneaky bastard!

After cleaning up the traces he'd left in the forest, Kasso headed home with a big fish. He was almost there when several people came toward him.

At their head was a short boy with sharply defined features. He'd inherited King Vegeta's hairstyle and looks, along with his father's physical traits and some of his personality. His forehead was high and smooth.

At this point, a row of pointed bangs fell across his forehead. His brow ridge jutted out, and the corners of his hairline curved like a heart. His brows were thick, his eyes long and cold, and his black hair stood straight up like flames.

It was Vegeta!

"Hm?"

Vegeta looked puzzled. Hadn't Nappa badly injured Kasso? How had he recovered so quickly?

After a glance, Vegeta paid him no more attention. He asked coldly, "I'm asking you—have you seen Nappa?"

"No," Kasso replied flatly.

Vegeta didn't want to waste time. He left with his people.

"Hah... phew!"

Watching Vegeta walk away, Kasso—who'd been pretending to stay calm—finally let out a breath. He felt more nervous than the time he'd dine-and-dashed in his previous life.

He'd thought they'd found out he'd killed Nappa.

"Damn it, I've got to get out of here."

Feeling guilty, Kasso didn't dare stay where he was. If Vegeta turned back, he'd be in trouble.