The Tail Was Cut Off?

Vegeta's long roar pierced the heavens like a sharp blade, shaking the world in every direction.

Before him, Raditz held out a hand, his powerful arm ready to pull him up at any moment.

In the distance, Goku and the others watched the situation change as they slowly drew closer. On another high slope, a group stood amid the yellow wind, observing them!

"My lord, should we strike now? Wipe them all out in one move!" a burly man with a long braid said viciously.

He was as tall and powerfully built as Nappa, his muscles so massive they nearly burst through his clothes. Most strangely, he too wore a Saiyan Battle Suit!

The people beside him wore similar outfits, except for one whose entire body seemed to be encased in metal armor.

Behind them, the one addressed as "my lord," clad in a Battle Suit, stared coldly at the two Great Apes and let out a smug, chilling laugh.

"Wipe them out? Are you joking? Their Battle Power is no laughing matter right now."

"But... my lord, wasn't the moon deliberately created by you?"

"That is why we get to watch such a wonderful fight. Heh heh. They do not have much stamina left. Wait a little longer, find a good chance to make them return to normal, and the remaining rabble will be much easier to handle."

"My lord is wise."

The group cried out flattering praise, then stared at the wasteland and revealed evil smiles.

After venting his rage, Vegeta calmed down. Looking at Raditz before him, he found him deeply unfamiliar. The old Raditz had been pathetic among the Saiyans, at best a second-rate warrior, only slightly better than trash like Kakarot, one of the lowest-class fighters. People mocked him as a low-class warrior and often ridiculed him, yet he never dared get angry.

But Raditz had completely changed. His strength was unbelievably formidable, and he dared attack the prince, with an aura no weaker than anyone else's. The brilliance flashing in his eyes was something found only in the eyes of a handful of genius warriors!

After a long while, Vegeta extended his slightly trembling hand and clasped Raditz's.

Raditz smiled gently, then pulled Vegeta's huge, powerless body to his feet with a tug, as though lifting a toppled mountain.

"Whew... did they make up?!" Krillin cried, his eyes wide.

Today's battle had been far too thrilling. Several dangerous moments had nearly been too much for his little heart to bear. Luckily, the two had finally shaken hands. It was over.

The others secretly wiped away their sweat as well. Their tensed bodies relaxed, and they sped up as they flew toward the pair.

"Goku, don't you feel that something is off?" Piccolo did not feel much joy. Instead, he sensed a trace of unease.

Goku frowned as well and looked around. "You're right. Several Battle Powers seem to be lurking nearby. We did not notice them earlier because we were distracted by the Great Apes' battle, but now I can sense them!"

"What are you talking about? Isn't it over?"

Yamcha moved up beside Goku and patted his shoulder. "Don't be so sensitive. The Saiyan crisis has been resolved! Hahaha."

"No! They're here!"

Goku and Piccolo shouted in unison, their expressions changing abruptly! They quickly turned around and saw two circular energy discs racing toward them, spinning at high speed. The technique resembled the Spirit Cannon—a cutting attack!

Anyone hit by that move would be sliced in half.

"Move!" Goku erupted with Kaio-ken and shoved Yamcha and Chiaotzu away, one with each hand. But a gash was cut across his back, and blood immediately sprayed into the sky.

Piccolo lunged at Gohan, pulled him into his arms, and rolled aside. Unfortunately, one of his legs was left exposed, and it was neatly severed at the knee. Purple blood ran down the smooth cut as the cold wind poured into his pant leg.

"Uncle Piccolo!"

"I'm fine." Piccolo looked sideways at the energy rings streaking away, still shaken, and gritted his teeth.

Tien Shinhan was caught in the gap between them. The two energy rings passed on either side of him, nearly grazing his body. The heat radiating from their immense energy made his skin burn as though it were being roasted over coals.

It had been an incredibly dangerous strike, enough to make anyone tremble in fear.

Yet it was not over. Those two attacks had never been aimed at them, but at Raditz and Vegeta, who were standing together. Their bodies were enormous after transforming into Great Apes, making them obvious targets. Even a blind throw could hit them!

The instant the energy rings flew in, Raditz sensed them. The unease in his heart had finally found its source. Had those hidden in the darkness finally made their move?!

Raditz suddenly grabbed Vegeta and leaped into the air, rising high enough above the ground to avoid the energy rings' slicing path.

The two attacks flew beneath their feet and shot straight into the sky, but two more followed immediately after!

If Raditz had been alone in midair, it would have been fine. But with Vegeta in tow, his reaction was slightly delayed, and his massive body could not anticipate the attack. He could only fire a Kikoho downward and use the recoil to propel himself higher once more.

But the nimble energy rings were faster. They curved around, and with two sharp swishes, they traced arcs and shot into the sky!

Along their path, two long, thick, furry objects fell through the air and slammed into the ground with a tremendous crash. The two figures in the sky stiffened at once, their bodies shaking as though struck by lightning.

The Great Ape bodies rapidly shrank, their fur quickly receding as they reverted to human form.

During the transformation, a Kikoho flew straight at them. It was fully two meters in diameter, its light fading from white to pale pink from the center outward. Its power was immense, enough to swallow the defenseless Raditz and Vegeta whole.

At the critical moment, Goku roared. Red flames of energy covered his body as he burst into high-speed movement!

X3 Kaio-ken!

At his incredible speed, Goku moved later but arrived first. He rushed before the Kikoho, shielding Raditz and Vegeta, then threw out his arm with all his might and swept his upper arm across it, knocking the blast away.

The light vanished beyond the horizon, while Raditz and Vegeta completed their transformations at the same time.

"Whew... whew..."

"Hah... whew... whew..."

Both had expended an enormous amount of energy. They were drenched in sweat. Raditz's stamina had fallen below half, while Vegeta was nearly exhausted.

"Are you okay, brother?" Goku shielded the two of them and stared in the direction the Kikoho had come from.

"I'm fine. I just used up some stamina."

"Looks like you were right. Someone has been watching us. That guy has been observing us from the shadows all along." Goku clenched his fists tightly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Leave this opponent to me!"

Raditz looked up at the artificial moon shining in the sky, and a flash of insight crossed his mind. He took a deep breath. "Could it be him?"