The Space Pirates saw someone outside their ship, blocking its path.
Inside the ship, a Space Pirate reported to the man seated on the throne. "Lord Bella, someone is blocking the way of our ship."
"Oh? Someone actually dares to block my path? They must have a death wish. Come with me. I'll go take a look."
"Yes, Lord Bella."
Bella rose and went to the glass doors of the ship to look outside. Gaino was hovering in front of the ship, blocking its way. Laiya and the others followed close behind him.
Bella looked past Gaino and saw Slug. "So it's you! Slug, you fool. Are you tired of living?"
"Why don't you stay in your own territory and rule the South Galaxy? We Space Pirates don't want your turf, so why come looking for trouble?"
Bella said, "Open the hatch. I'm going out. Let's see what makes Slug think he can block my way."
The hatch opened, and Bella flew out of the ship. He shot straight toward Gaino, then addressed Slug behind him. "Slug, are you trying to get yourself killed? How dare you block my way!"
Bella didn't give Gaino a second glance. He thought only Slug would have the nerve to block his path. Little did he know that the man before him was already Slug's master—and that his strength was unfathomable.
Hearing Bella's voice, Slug came forward too. When he saw Bella, he said, "So it's you. Why leave the Turbulent Domain to come to my South Galaxy?"
"Oh, gotten stronger, have you? You dare speak to me like that? We can go wherever we want in the Turbulent Domain. Who's going to stop us? We're Space Pirates. We can go anywhere in the universe, and nobody dares stand in our way."
"What's gotten into you this time? You saw my ship and still didn't move aside. You actually had the nerve to stand right in front of me. You're like a fly rushing to get swatted—eager to die."
Slug's temper flared. "Bella, don't think the Pirate King's backing means you can do whatever you want in the universe. There are plenty of powerful fighters out there. Don't get too confident and end up drowning in a ditch one day."
"Hahahahaha!"
"That's hilarious! Who in this universe would dare disrespect the Pirate King? Even Frieza, Cooler, and King Cold—the Frieza Race—have to show him respect. What are you, Slug, to talk like that?"
"You—" Slug was furious. "Today, I'll show you what I'm capable of. Take this!"
With that, Slug charged at Bella.
"Good! You really have gotten stronger. Then I'll show you the might of the Space Pirates!"
Bella powered up and shouted as he drove a punch toward Slug.
In an instant, Bella's massive fist was right in front of Slug. Slug kicked at it, and fist and foot collided. A powerful wave of energy burst outward from them.
There was a loud bang.
Bella's punch sent Slug flying backward.
Gaino said, "Looks like Bella has some strength. No wonder he dares order Slug around."
Laiya said, "Yeah. Bella seems a little stronger than Slug. It looks like Slug is no match for him."
"That's hard to say. Slug might not have been Bella's match before, but things could be different now. He ate the Spirit Fruit, so his strength should have improved greatly. Maybe he can't beat Bella effortlessly, but he should be able to defeat him."
Bella couldn't believe his eyes when his punch had only sent Slug a few meters back.
Years ago, when Slug was leading his legion to conquer the South Galaxy, his forces had crossed paths with Bella's. The two had fought, and Bella had beaten Slug without breaking a sweat. In no time at all, Slug had been left on the brink of death. If the Pirate King hadn't been in a hurry, Slug might have been killed outright.
Bella had spared Slug that day. But now Slug had taken one of his punches without suffering so much as a scratch. It seemed Slug's strength had improved over the years.
Bella said, "I didn't expect this, Slug. The first time we met, you couldn't withstand even one of my attacks. Now you can take a full-power punch from me. You've made great progress over the years. How about you submit to me? I'll make you my second-in-command. In the Bella Legion, you'll be second only to me and above everyone else."
"How about it? Think it over."
Slug hadn't expected Bella to try recruiting him. But he knew Bella was greedy. He kept all the spoils for himself and never gave his subordinates a thing.
Since joining Gaino, Slug hadn't accomplished much for him. Yet Gaino had given him a priceless treasure like the Spirit Fruit without hesitation. There had only been one, but it had greatly increased Slug's strength, giving him the power to face Bella. Compared to Bella, following Gaino seemed to offer a future.
Slug roared, "Bella, stop your nonsense! You want me to follow you? Dream on! I'm Gaino's subordinate now, so stop wasting your effort."
"Come on, Bella! Our fight isn't over yet. Let's continue!"
"Lord Slug, who is he? You're the ruler of the South Galaxy, yet you've joined some nobody?"
Slug immediately replied, "Bella, you can't imagine Lord Gaino's power. Come over here and meet your death!"
"Good, good, good," Bella said, repeating the word three times.
"So you really are looking to die. Fine, I'll grant your wish!"
Bella flashed forward and appeared in front of Slug, swinging a kick at his head. In the blink of an eye, a large hand clamped around his ankle.
Bella struggled with all his might, but he couldn't break free.
He looked at Gaino, who was holding his foot, and said, "Who are you, kid? How dare you interfere with me?"
Seeing Gaino, Slug bowed slightly. "Lord Gaino."
Gaino said, "I was going to let you deal with him, but he's far too arrogant. I've decided to take him on myself."
"Yes, Lord Gaino."
Slug stepped aside.
Gaino looked at Bella and said, "I'm the nobody you were talking about. Now I'll be your opponent."
Then Gaino gave Laiya and the others an order. "Leave none of the other Space Pirates alive."
At his words, Laiya and the others sprang into action. In less than fifteen minutes, every Space Pirate had turned to cosmic dust—except Bella.
... You're reading Dragon Ball: Starting with the Ancient Saiyan Bloodline, by Cheng Ran.