Raditz's True Strength

The power Raditz unleashed shook everyone. The air around him crackled and popped like tiny thunderclaps. The very atmosphere trembled, as if in awe of that majesty.

"So... this is your true form!" Vegeta's palms were slick with sweat as he stared at Raditz, his expression shifting dramatically.

"Let's begin." Raditz's lips barely moved as he struck first, closing in on Vegeta's face before he could even react.

Vegeta's pupils contracted sharply. His whole body tensed like a drawn bowstring. He instinctively threw a punch forward, but it hit nothing but air. Raditz's figure flickered like a ghost and vanished. Unable to sense ki, Vegeta's eyes darted left and right, utterly unable to lock onto Raditz.

Seizing the opportunity, Raditz kicked him in the lower back, then followed up with an Energy Blast that sent him flying. The immense force tore through Vegeta's body with searing pain, his back burning like fire. He tumbled twice before steadying himself.

Vegeta panicked. He'd clung to a sliver of hope that the scouter was malfunctioning, but now he was one hundred percent certain Raditz's strength was at least twenty thousand. Just that speed advantage alone was enough to torment him for a while.

The thought flashed through his mind in an instant. Vegeta refused to accept it. He might be inferior to Raditz, but his pride remained. With a Battle Power of eighteen thousand and countless battle experiences, he refused to believe he couldn't go toe-to-toe with Raditz!

Saiyan blood surged through his veins. The will to fight blazed forth! Vegeta was growing stronger even in that moment!

If he was going to fight, he'd fight with everything he had—thoroughly and completely!

With a roar, Vegeta charged at Raditz. The two collided. Hundreds of fist shadows crossed and clashed. A raging storm howled outward. Mountains crumbled, the ground shattered, and even the sky turned dark and overcast, heavy and oppressive.

Vegeta channeled all his energy, sharpening his senses to a higher level. Gradually, he began learning the Earthlings' method of perception. Though incomplete, his natural talent allowed him to actually detect a hint of danger.

"Behind me!" With a shout, Vegeta spun and swept his leg backward.

Raditz was shocked. He'd used high-speed movement to get behind Vegeta, certain it was foolproof—but he'd been detected! That meant his speed was slowly being matched.

The Saiyans truly were a terrifying race. They improved with every battle, even during the fight itself!

Raditz grew excited too. What fun was a one-sided fight? This was the real thrill. The blood of the warrior race flowed in his veins too, and now his fighting spirit was ignited.

He retreated sharply, dodging Vegeta's leg sweep, then closed in again almost without pause. After a few exchanges, he landed a clean punch to Vegeta's chest and abdomen. A crisp, loud crack—the breastplate shattered! Vegeta's stomach churned, and he vomited.

Raditz didn't let up. He leaped above Vegeta, raised both hands high, and hammered down on his back!

"Fwoosh—"

Like a meteor streaking across the sky, Vegeta crashed into the earth.

Raditz gathered immense energy in both hands. His ki peaked, a layer of blazing white light coating his palms, so bright it was blinding! Vegeta had just climbed to his feet when he saw the white radiance descending from above. His entire world turned into a sea of white.

Countless Energy Blasts shot from Raditz's hands. A continuous stream of blazing white spheres flew toward Vegeta, unleashing a relentless bombardment.

The tremendous force sent tremors rippling through the earth. The booming sounds made even those far away feel their hearts pound.

"Hey, Goku, they're not going to destroy the Earth, are they? At this rate, I feel like we're in serious danger." Krillin wiped sweat from his brow, staring in panic at the cascading Energy Blasts.

The unending barrage nearly formed a waterfall, hammering down in waves. The air screamed. Dust rose like a massive curtain, cutting off the connection between heaven and earth.

Krillin had no confidence he could block even a single one of those Energy Blasts. And such a concentrated assault, all aimed at one person—it was terrifying. Please don't punch a hole through the planet!

"Relax. He's keeping it controlled, targeting only Vegeta's body. No problem at all. Besides, Vegeta still has strength left. Feel carefully—his ki hasn't dropped much."

"So that means..."

"Monsters... to still be holding up under an attack this fierce!" Piccolo couldn't help but marvel.

He'd always had some pride, refusing to lose to Goku, even determined to match Raditz. But watching this duel, his confidence slowly faded. He felt like a ground-bound pheasant staring up at a soaring hawk, left only with envy.

Soon, Raditz unleashed his final strike. The most powerful Energy Blast tore through the air, its dazzling light blinding, shooting straight at Vegeta like an arrow. The explosion followed instantly. A mushroom cloud rose with a thunderous roar. Shockwaves and tremors spread in all directions. Mountains shattered. The ground was already a scarred wasteland.

On the battered earth, Vegeta stood with legs braced, arms crossed above his head, shielding it desperately. His armor was blasted to pieces. Even the battle suit underneath had several gaping holes. Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth.

Dust coated his body, smudging his face, making him look somewhat disheveled and beaten. But the fire in his eyes hadn't dimmed—it burned even brighter. His fists were clenched tight, muscles straining against the blue suit.

"Raditz, see that? I took your attack! Now it's my turn to return the favor!"

As he shouted, Vegeta had already assumed a stance. He stomped, leaving a crater in the ground, and shot forward like a bolt.

Raditz's expression hardened. His instincts screamed a warning.

The two clashed head-on. Fists flew, each landing on the other's cheek! Almost simultaneously, their legs collided—shin against shin. Ki exploded with a deafening crack.

Raditz was startled. He thought: This guy's even stronger than before. Can he still power up?

Stopping his backward lean, Vegeta vanished, then suddenly emerged from behind. A knife-hand strike slashed horizontally—

"Swish!"

Raditz ducked just in time, dodging the blow. He followed through, swinging his long leg in a spin kick—one fluid motion. His advantage lay in his longer limbs, giving him greater reach. If he could keep Vegeta from closing in for close-quarters combat, he'd gradually seize the upper hand.

Sure enough, the kick landed squarely on Vegeta, pushing them apart.

"Hahaha! You're nothing special!" Vegeta brushed the dust off his clothes. His signature hair swayed slightly in the wind, and his confident smile returned.

"Looks like your full power can match mine," Raditz said in a low voice.

"That's how it should be. I'm the strongest Saiyan!"

"Not necessarily. I still have one move I haven't used."

Raditz relaxed his hands and smiled.