Dust billowed through the air before gradually settling inside the massive crater that stretched dozens of feet across.
The Great Ape Transformation had already disappeared, revealing Vegeta’s original form, standing only 1.6 meters tall.
Vegeta looked utterly miserable.
His high-intensity battle suit was torn to pieces, and traces of blood stained the surrounding ground.
His handsome and cold face was twisted with pain.
Son Goku’s overwhelming punch had shattered his protective aura with unstoppable force.
The power had penetrated deep into his body, directly disrupting the enormous Qi circulating within him.
The chaotic energy rampaged through his flesh and cells like a wild horse that had broken free of its reins.
The intense pain and the warm sensation rising from his throat caused Vegeta to cough up several mouthfuls of bright red blood.
A single punch had left him critically injured and hovering on the brink of death.
Without immediate treatment, he would not survive for long.
“Kakarot…
you…” Vegeta gasped painfully through gritted teeth, his voice filled with fury.
He knew Kakarot would never let them leave so easily.
Moments ago, he had said he would not kill them, yet in the next instant he had given Vegeta the same treatment as Nappa.
Now the two of them truly shared the same miserable fate.
Hum!
Son Goku released his Super Saiyan transformation and returned to his normal state with black hair and black eyes.
He landed lightly on the edge of the crater and looked down at Vegeta, whose power level had been reduced to almost nothing.
“Vegeta, you came to Earth with bad intentions and hostile thoughts.” Son Goku spoke in a friendly tone before pausing briefly.
“I won’t kill you, but I still need to collect some interest.” Hearing those words, Vegeta became so angry that it felt as if his organs were twisting inside him.
He glared fiercely at Son Goku, his eyes blazing with rage.
“Kakarot, just you wait.
I, Vegeta, will definitely settle this score one day.” He squeezed out every word with difficulty, pouring all of his hatred and humiliation into that single promise.
“Goku, this guy doesn’t look repentant at all.
He’s probably already plotting revenge in his head.
Why not just kill him and eliminate a future threat to Earth?” Having finally calmed down, Yamcha walked over beside Son Goku and spoke with clear displeasure.
He glanced unhappily at Vegeta before continuing.
“If you don’t pull out the roots, the weeds will grow back.
This guy is a major threat.” For some reason, the moment Yamcha saw this arrogant Saiyan prince, he felt an inexplicable irritation.
“Heh heh.” Vegeta naturally heard every word.
Struggling to roll over, he let out a cold and disdainful laugh.
The mockery in that laugh was unmistakable.
“What are you laughing at?” Yamcha immediately became furious.
Jumping into the crater, he landed beside Vegeta and shouted angrily.
“You’re a defeated enemy and practically a prisoner.
I’m asking you, what exactly are you laughing at?” Vegeta glanced at Yamcha with disdain, preserving the pride of the Saiyan Prince even in defeat.
His broken body trembled uncontrollably, and his pale lips quivered slightly.
Yet the killing intent in his eyes remained terrifying.
“Lowly Earth bug.” The lingering aura of the Great Ape Transformation still radiated from him.
Yamcha instinctively took two steps backward.
Vegeta immediately revealed a mocking expression.
Yamcha could only laugh awkwardly.
Looking up at the evening sky, Vegeta let out a soft sigh.
A tiger trapped on the plains is mocked by dogs.
A dragon stranded in shallow water is bullied by shrimp.
As the prince of the proud Saiyan warrior race, he now had to rely on the mercy of Earthlings to stay alive.
At that moment, Krillin, Piccolo, Tien Shinhan, Chiaotzu, and Gohan arrived at the crater one after another.
Krillin walked over and carefully examined Vegeta from head to toe.
The more he looked, the more shocked he became.
“A tiny difference creates a huge gap.
Goku’s control over his power is terrifying.” Krillin could not help sighing.
“To severely injure Vegeta without killing him, while leaving him hovering between life and death, requires unbelievable precision.” He then turned toward the others.
“He’s down to his last breath.
If he doesn’t receive emergency treatment soon, he probably won’t make it to tomorrow.” Hearing Yamcha’s suggestion about killing the Saiyans to prevent future trouble, Krillin instinctively looked toward Son Goku.
Just from looking at Vegeta and Nappa, it was obvious that they were vicious people who would not change easily.
Even on the verge of death, Vegeta still dared to threaten Goku openly.
That alone showed how difficult it would be for him to walk the righteous path.
“Baldy, what do you want?” Vegeta asked irritably.
“I’m checking how much longer you’ll live.” Krillin laughed loudly.
“Vegeta, aren’t you supposed to be some prince?
Looking at how miserable you are today, do you regret coming to Earth to show off?” Vegeta’s expression darkened even further.
Son Goku could not help smiling.
This was undoubtedly one of the darkest moments in Vegeta’s life.
For the first time ever, the proud Saiyan Prince had suffered such a crushing defeat.
He was probably already planning how to recover today’s humiliation in the future.
Fortunately, Son Goku was not worried.
“Haha, Yamcha, don’t worry.
Vegeta will become a good person in the future.
I can guarantee it.” Son Goku laughed and personally vouched for him.
He loved fighting, not killing.
In his previous life, because Vegeta eventually became his greatest rival and because he himself disliked taking lives, he had persuaded Krillin to spare Vegeta after their battle on Earth.
In this life, Vegeta had not even managed to commit any crimes before being thoroughly beaten.
Combined with the friendship they shared in the previous timeline, Son Goku had even less reason to kill him.
Besides, he had no desire to alter the future relationship between Bulma and Vegeta.
Vegeta silently listened to Son Goku’s words.
Although he had no idea why Goku was so convinced he would become a good person, it did not stop him from feeling relieved that he would survive.
For a Saiyan, revenge was a dish best served cold.
Even if it took ten years.
One day, he would return today’s humiliation many times over and wash away his shame.
“Kakarot, I hope you won’t regret this.” Vegeta spoke stubbornly, his voice cold and proud.
“I, Vegeta, will never become a good person.
Family would only be a burden.” Son Goku burst out laughing.
Knowing Vegeta’s future, he could already imagine that statement coming back to haunt him.
Still smiling, he said, “Vegeta, I know you have the remote control for your spaceship, and the ship contains emergency life-support equipment.” Then he glanced toward Nappa lying nearby.
“The same applies to you.” Son Goku waved his hand.
“Go on.
Leave Earth.” “Ugh…
whirr…” Trembling all over, Vegeta pulled the spaceship remote from his chest and pressed several buttons, activating the vessel’s homing signal.
Nappa did the same.
At that exact moment, the spaceships parked in East Capital rose into the sky amid the shocked cries of the researchers studying them.
Several minutes later, the two spherical spacecraft descended from the heavens and landed beside Vegeta and Nappa.
Click.
The hatches opened automatically, waiting for their owners.
Vegeta and Nappa struggled forward before finally crawling into their ships.
Under the watchful eyes of Earth’s defenders, the spacecraft roared to life.
They transformed into two streaks of light and shot into the sky, breaking through Earth’s atmosphere and disappearing into the depths of the universe.
Son Goku watched them depart from afar.
A nostalgic smile appeared on his face.
“Vegeta, I hope that the next time we meet, we can be friends.” He quietly recalled the days when they fought side by side against powerful enemies.
“I really miss those days.”