Goku didn't respond. He simply took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.
He knew that anger would only cloud his judgment. He had to stay clearheaded and find the Mysterious Person's weakness if he wanted any chance of rescuing his companions.
Just then, the people under the Mysterious Person's control felt the pressure around their necks growing tighter. They struggled to breathe, consumed by pain, but still endured it and shouted with all their strength, "Goku, don't worry about us! Run!" Gohan cried out even louder, his voice hoarse: "Dad, go!" The others joined in, urging Goku to leave.
But how could Goku abandon his companions? Determination filled his eyes. He planted his feet hard against the ground and shot toward the Mysterious Person like a golden bolt of lightning.
As he flew, Goku swiftly gathered his energy and clenched his fists. The muscles in his arms bulged as he swung a punch with all his might, driven by an unstoppable momentum. The rushing force of the blow aimed straight for the Mysterious Person's face.
Seeing this, the Mysterious Person's lips curled into a contemptuous sneer. He simply leaned aside and easily dodged Goku's seemingly fierce attack.
Then the Mysterious Person abruptly swung his arm, flinging the black energy wave controlling the others toward Goku in an attempt to use his companions to hold him back.
Goku's eyes narrowed. He slammed on the brakes and twisted in midair, dodging the black energy wave. Once he had steadied himself, he charged at the Mysterious Person again, shouting, "I'll never give up on you! I'm going to beat this guy today!"
The Mysterious Person snorted and tightened his control over the others. The people under his control grimaced in pain, letting out faint groans.
But Goku didn't back down. As soon as he reached the Mysterious Person, he launched a rapid series of attacks, striking with both fists and feet. Every blow carried tremendous power and determination.
The fury blazing in Goku's heart drove his assault to greater heights. His fists and feet rained down on the Mysterious Person like a storm. At times, he leaped high and unleashed a fierce flying kick; at others, he rushed in close and drove a heavy straight punch forward. Each attack was wrapped in powerful waves of energy, as if it could tear the surrounding air apart.
Yet the Mysterious Person remained unhurried, wearing the same cold smile. Whenever one of Goku's attacks was about to land, he deftly moved Gohan, Piccolo, or one of the others—still controlled by the black energy wave—in front of himself as a human shield. With no other choice, Goku had to pull his blows at the last moment to avoid hurting his companions.
The situation left Goku frantic. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, and his eyes were filled with anxiety and frustration. But he knew he had to stay calm and look for a chance to break through the Mysterious Person's defenses. So Goku pretended to launch another all-out attack. The instant he drew near, he suddenly changed direction, darting to the Mysterious Person's side in an attempt to get around his companions and attack.
Goku circled around to the Mysterious Person's side and was just about to make his move when the Mysterious Person said coldly, "Son Goku, you're still too weak. Far too weak!" The merciless taunt cut into Goku's heart like a blade.
After one fierce battle after another, Goku's stamina was nearly spent. He panted heavily, and his energy continued to ebb away. His body trembled slightly, his clothes were soaked with sweat, and each breath felt heavy with exhaustion. But his eyes remained firm as he stared at the Mysterious Person, silently considering what to do.
When the Mysterious Person saw that Goku wasn't responding, the mockery on his face deepened. He waved his hands, preparing to attack again. Black energy surged around him, growing so intense that it seemed to swallow all the light nearby. The overwhelming pressure left Goku barely able to breathe.
Seeing Goku's energy weakening, the Mysterious Person let out a piercing laugh. "Son Goku, you're still too weak. Let me give you a hand!" A cruel glint flashed in his eyes as he fired the black energy wave at the controlled Tien Shinhan. The black energy engulfed Tien Shinhan in an instant. His face twisted in pain, his eyes widened as if he wanted to say something, but endless agony drowned him out. Then his head drooped, limp and lifeless.
Goku watched in horror and roared, "No!" But the Mysterious Person's brutality didn't stop there. The black energy wave turned on Master Goten. Master Goten struggled with all his might, but couldn't break free from the grip of that evil force. Moments later, the black energy swallowed him too, and he fell silent.
Piccolo was attacked next. The veins stood out against his dark green skin as he tried to fight back, but against the Mysterious Person's overwhelming power, it was all in vain. As the black energy consumed him, Piccolo slowly collapsed, the determined light in his eyes fading away.
Gohan was the last to be attacked. Goku shouted Gohan's name until his voice gave out and tried to rush over to stop it, but the Mysterious Person's energy barrier threw him back. Gohan looked at Goku, his eyes full of sorrow and concern, but as the black energy rampaged around him, he too gradually fell still.
Now only Krillin remained under the Mysterious Person's control. Goku's eyes instantly turned bloodshot, and his fury exploded.
His body shook violently with rage. His teeth ground together, his hands clenched into fists, and his nails dug deep into his palms. Blood trickled down his fingers. He had only one thought: make the demon before him pay for all the lives he'd taken. He wanted nothing more than to tear him to pieces on the spot.
The Mysterious Person noticed Goku's energy steadily rising and murmured, "As expected of Dragon Ball's protagonist. His companions' deaths actually make his power grow. As long as there's even a trace of energy left inside him, can it keep growing without limit? Now I've seen it for myself." He paused, looked at Goku, and sneered again. "Still, his energy's rising a bit too slowly. Well, let me give you another little push."
As he spoke, the Mysterious Person tightened his grip around Krillin's neck. Krillin's face reddened as he struggled desperately, but he couldn't budge that evil force in the slightest. At last, the Mysterious Person gave a light squeeze. With a crack, Krillin's neck lolled to one side, and the light of life went out.
Goku witnessed the cruel scene with his own eyes, and the fury within him erupted like a volcano. His energy, which had been rising slowly, surged like a broken dam, instantly multiplying tenfold and continuing to climb. Powerful waves of energy spread outward from him, whipping up a gale that swept the rubble and debris into the sky.
The Mysterious Person's mocking expression froze. Shock and disbelief replaced it. "My god, Krillin really did the trick. Is this the legendary 'Krillin dies, Goku's power knows no bounds'?" He instinctively stepped back, watching Goku warily as he secretly gathered energy in both hands.
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