He suddenly stepped forward. A sharp crack came from beneath the concrete, and spiderweb-like fractures spread in an instant.
His right arm brimmed with power, his muscles taut as a drawn bowstring. His killing intent erupted completely, his aura bearing down on Jiang Che.
At that moment, a golden figure suddenly rushed between them.
Gohan landed in a gust of wind, arms spread wide as he stood between Vegeta and Jiang Che like an iron wall.
His palms were open, his fingertips trembling slightly. A sheen of sweat from the fight still clung to his cheeks.
"Stop, Uncle Vegeta!" Gohan's voice was unusually urgent and firm. He stared hard into Vegeta's furious eyes, his tone low and uncompromising. "Do you really want the whole of West City to feel your energy? It's evening, and the streets are full of people. Mother Bulma must have noticed the commotion by now. What do you think she'll say when she sees you causing such a scene in the city?"
The moment the name "Bulma" left his lips, Vegeta's imposing aura faltered, as if a pin had pricked a balloon.
He gritted his teeth, the faint sound of them grinding together audible as his sharp gaze swept over Jiang Che's face.
The oppressive killing intent in the air slowly ebbed, but Vegeta's chest still heaved. His breathing remained rough, like that of a beast trapped in a cage.
He glared at Jiang Che, his eyes sharp and threatening, as though he meant to carve him apart and put him back together.
"Kid, you're lucky." His voice was hoarse, each word bitten off. "Remember—until I figure out what you're hiding, don't try anything clever. Or else—"
He left the threat unfinished, but the menace hanging over them was more real and terrifying than any words could be.
Jiang Che gave a casual shrug, his expression unchanged as he glanced at Vegeta.
He said nothing. There was no fear in his eyes, only a calm, thoughtful look.
Gohan finally let out a breath of relief.
He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. A bead slid down his temple, glinting faintly in the sunset.
Turning to Jiang Che, he gave him a rather uncertain smile. "Thank goodness... Um, Mr. Jiang Che, let's go."
Jiang Che nodded. His gaze passed over the rubble and cracks around them before settling on a gray stray cat peeking out from the corner.
The cat flicked its tail and quickly disappeared behind a pile of rusty barrels.
He stepped after Gohan, his stride steady and even.
His shoes made soft, faint sounds against the gravel. With every step, he could feel the ground's response beneath his feet. This body was even more sensitive than he'd imagined, and the strength in its muscles had yet to be fully developed.
Yet he could still feel the impact of that punch echoing in his mind.
When his fist met Vegeta's hand, Jiang Che had clearly felt his power disperse as it traveled—at least a third of it had been wasted because of his body's lack of coordination and the angle of the strike.
It was like holding a sharp knife without knowing how to use it. No matter how much strength you put into it, you couldn't make a clean cut.
He lowered his eyes to his fists.
They looked ordinary, with well-defined knuckles and faintly reddened skin, as if still holding the warmth of the collision.
But he knew there was plenty of untapped potential in this body.
More importantly, there was Vegeta.
At the moment their fists and palms collided, Jiang Che had felt the pressure that erupted from him. That energy wasn't merely power; it was precise control forged through countless battles to the death.
If Vegeta truly unleashed his full strength, Jiang Che doubted he could last ten moves with his current control over that power.
He had to improve his combat skills as quickly as possible. There was no time to waste.
Jiang Che silently considered his next steps.
His gaze passed over Gohan's figure ahead and settled on the outlines of West City's buildings, where the lights were beginning to flicker on in the distance.
The evening breeze stirred the loose hair over his forehead, carrying the city's distinctive mix of bustle and cold metallic scents.
He was still thinking when Gohan gave a light push with his foot and sprang into the air.
Jiang Che followed, touching the ground with his toes as he rose as if lifted by an invisible hand.
The three of them took to the sky, skimming over rooftops of varying heights and cutting through the darkening sky toward the heart of West City.
The lights below joined into a golden river. The wind howled past, whipping Jiang Che's clothes.
His gaze swept over the last sliver of sunset on the horizon, his eyes bright and deep.
The three figures streaked like meteors over the steel jungle of West City.
Jiang Che followed close behind Gohan and Vegeta, keeping a careful distance—not so close as to intrude, but not so far as to seem aloof.
The fierce wind swept past, blowing his black hair back and making his clothes flap continuously.
A gentle breeze brushed his cheeks as the city's scents washed over him: a hint of metal, a trace of dust, and the mingled smells of life.
Jiang Che closed his eyes and pushed his senses to their limit.
Life energy was everywhere in the city. The energy of ordinary people was as faint as streams, but together they became a surging ocean, sometimes swelling, sometimes calm.
Every so often, he sensed stronger energy—probably martial artists from Earth—but they were like waves on the sea, vanishing in an instant.
"We're here." Gohan's voice pulled Jiang Che back to reality.
Jiang Che opened his eyes and followed Gohan's gaze.
A magnificent complex of buildings appeared before them, crouched on the ground like a giant white beast.
The headquarters building was entirely white, its design brimming with technology. Its streamlined contours had a futuristic beauty, and every corner gleamed with a cold metallic sheen.
A huge sign on the roof bore the words "Capsule Corp." Each character was over two meters tall and shone dazzlingly in the sunlight.
Jiang Che descended slowly, landing on the broad plaza without making a sound.
He looked around, his gaze swiftly sweeping over every corner.
The plaza was paved with white stone, so smooth it resembled a mirror. Even the clouds in the sky were reflected with perfect clarity.
In the distance, several rows of palm trees swayed gently in the breeze, casting scattered shadows.
This really was the home of the world's richest person. Jiang Che couldn't help but marvel inwardly.
The plaza alone was as large as five soccer fields, and the sprawling complex of buildings behind it was even more varied in style.
Some resembled European castles, others modern glass towers, but all radiated luxury and grandeur.
"Come with me." Gohan beckoned, then turned and headed into the building.
Vegeta said nothing. He crossed his arms over his chest and strode forward with steady, powerful steps.
He remained wary, glancing at Jiang Che whenever he got the chance, like a lion patrolling its territory after spotting an unfamiliar intruder.
Jiang Che followed behind, his steps light as he quietly took in his surroundings.
He noticed that Vegeta's breathing was steady and that every step of his carried explosive power—the mark of a true warrior.
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