26. Demonic Transformation, Majin Vegeta

"This guy is stronger than I imagined," Son Goku remarked while watching Dabura.

Vegeta's face showed a hint of anger. "But he's not unbeatable. You've grown soft with age; you aren't even as impressive as you were when you were younger."

Seemingly noticing Vegeta, Dabura cast a glance in his direction. Son Goten noticed this as well, but he had no intention of interfering; at the very least, this would keep the plot he knew from veering too far off course, though a bad feeling lingered in his heart.

"Haa—"

Taking advantage of Dabura's momentary distraction, Son Gohan let out a fierce shout and charged at him.

"Ptoo."

Dabura spat a glob of saliva at Son Gohan (seriously, someone call the neighborhood watch, there's a public spitter on the loose). The spit flew toward Son Gohan like a bullet. Knowing full well the lethality of Dabura's saliva, Son Gohan hurriedly blocked it with his hands before quickly discarding the glove he was wearing.

Clatter. The petrified glove shattered into several pieces of gravel the moment it hit the ground.

Seizing the moment Son Gohan's attention was on the petrified glove, Dabura leaped forward. He gripped the air with his right hand, and a broadsword appeared as if by magic. He swung it down in a fierce vertical slash at Son Gohan, who pressed his palms together and caught the blade at the very last split second.

Superluminal self-taught bare-handed blade catching—yes, that was exactly what Son Gohan was using. This technique allows one to instantly master the skill of catching a blade with bare hands; it is... sorry, I can't make this up anymore.

Snap.

Son Gohan exerted force and snapped the broadsword. Dabura smirked and tossed the broken blade aside, while Son Gohan panted and dropped the remnants.

In the control room, Babidi watched the energy levels, which hadn't risen much, with a sour expression. "Damn it, Dabura, what are you doing? You need to seriously injure that brat quickly so Majin Buu can awaken."

Son Gohan flared his aura, preparing to fight Dabura for another three hundred rounds.

"Damn it, I've had enough waiting," Vegeta said, stepping forward with a look of fury. "Just let me finish him off."

"No need, Vegeta. Gohan hasn't lost yet," Son Goku urged.

"This fighting like it's a game is meaningless," Vegeta said angrily, causing the two who were preparing to resume their battle to stop.

Vegeta pointed at Son Goku with a look of rage. "I want to end this boring game as soon as possible and settle things with you. That's the only reason I came to participate in that tournament."

Dabura's sharp pupils fixed on Vegeta with a cunning smirk, while Son Gohan looked on, suspicious and wary of Dabura.

"Lord Babidi, teleport us back to the ship," Dabura communicated to Babidi in his mind. "I've made a very interesting discovery here."

Babidi looked confused, but out of trust for his subordinate, he cast a spell to teleport Dabura and the others back.

A trace of a triumphant smile flickered across the corner of Vegeta's mouth, though it vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

Dabura leaped down from the void and ran quickly toward the hatch. Son Gohan shouted, "Dabura, are you trying to run away?"

"Heh, there is no need for me to continue fighting you, because there is a warrior far more suited for you than I am," Dabura chuckled. After casting one last look at Vegeta, the hatch closed.

"What did you say?" Son Gohan asked, but Dabura was already gone.

Son Goten held his forehead. How can you not tell what he meant? It's so obvious.

Control room.

"Dabura, what did you discover?" Babidi asked impatiently the moment Dabura walked over.

"Lord Babidi, I have discovered a warrior among them who possesses an evil heart," Dabura said with an evil grin.

Babidi was overjoyed. "Really? This way, I can make them kill each other and awaken Majin Buu quickly?"

"Yes, Lord Babidi."

Third level.

"What did that guy mean?" Son Gohan asked, confused.

Son Goku looked equally blank. "I don't really understand either. He said he found a more suitable warrior."

"Discovery... what does he mean by discovery?"

A flash of insight crossed the Supreme Kai's mind.

Babidi's crystal ball displayed an image of Vegeta. Babidi watched the screen and laughed excitedly (damn, that's filthy).

"It's true, he really is different. This brat truly has a powerful evil heart; he didn't come here for the sake of justice," Babidi said happily.

"Let me take control of you," Babidi said, placing his hands—which looked like they had been smeared with dung—onto the crystal ball and releasing his magic.

"Aaaah!"

The moment the magic was released, Vegeta sensed something wrong and clutched his head, screaming in agony.

"It really is as I thought," the Supreme Kai said, his expression confirming his fears.

"Aaaah!" Because of the splitting headache, Vegeta involuntarily transformed into a Super Saiyan.

"Father!" Trunks ran to Vegeta's side, worried.

"Vegeta, Babidi is using your evil heart to control you! Don't think about anything right now, whatever you do, don't think!" the Supreme Kai said anxiously.

As if I'd let that stop me from fighting Kakarot, Vegeta thought to himself. The more he was told not to think, the more he couldn't help it.

"Excellent, he is already under control. Now, let's draw out his potential and let him surpass his limits," Babidi shouted excitedly, casting another spell.

"Aaaah!"

"Argh."

Vegeta roared as his energy surged wildly. Trunks, who was holding onto Vegeta's leg, was blown away by the shockwave, though fortunately, Son Goten caught him.

"Hah, hah, hah."

Vegeta, panting heavily, revealed his face once more. Now, dark lines framed his eyes, and a sinister "M" appeared on his forehead.

The Prince of Destruction, Majin Vegeta, has arrived.