Seeing the situation turn against him, Cooler thought about escaping, but Vegeta wasn't going to let that happen.
"Cooler, trying to run away? You're pathetic!" Vegeta roared.
"Damn it, Vegeta! Don't get cocky," Cooler snapped, furious.
If it weren't for that other Saiyan watching closely, would he even be in this position?
Vegeta smirked, seeing right through him. "Relax. This is between you and me. Kakarot won't interfere."
"Haha! Saiyans… so self-righteous." Cooler laughed coldly. In his mind, they were wasting their best chance.
He decided then—he would kill Vegeta first, and then deal with Goku and the others.
Abandoning his escape, Cooler lunged at Vegeta with a flurry of attacks.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The more they fought, the more excited Vegeta became. "Cooler, this is the first time I've fought this hard since becoming a Super Saiyan. But the final victor will be me—Vegeta, Prince of all Saiyans!"
"Arrogant fool," Cooler spat. He knew the truth. Against Vegeta's Super Saiyan form, he had no real advantage—his power was slightly weaker.
Back with the Z Warriors, Goku and Piccolo had rejoined the group.
"Dad, Uncle Piccolo," Gohan asked nervously, "do you think Uncle Vegeta can beat that evil guy?"
Goku glanced at Piccolo, silently signaling him to answer.
Piccolo explained seriously, "From their ki, Vegeta's a bit stronger. But battles can change in an instant—I can't say for sure who'll win. If Vegeta fights steadily, he'll probably beat Cooler… but it'll come at a cost."
The Z Warriors nodded. With Goku here, none of them were worried.
Vegeta's fists flew in rapid succession, but Cooler blocked them all.
Suddenly, Vegeta surged with power, blasting Cooler back more than ten meters.
Seizing the chance, Vegeta hurled an energy blast.
Cooler reacted quickly, countering with his own. The two blasts collided midair, erupting into a massive explosion that shook the battlefield for hundreds of meters.
They had both deliberately suppressed the range—otherwise, the whole region would have been obliterated.
"Tch! You stubborn bastard," Vegeta cursed. "To last this long against a Super Saiyan…"
He had thought that with his Super Saiyan power, all enemies would crumble like insects.
But Cooler's resistance made him furious.
Cooler fought with a style almost identical to Frieza's.
Countless laser beams shot from his fingers, but Vegeta didn't bother dodging.
He endured every blast head-on. He had to defeat Cooler—otherwise, he could never catch up to Kakarot.
Another thing gnawed at him: why was Kakarot's Super Saiyan form so much stronger than his, even though they both had the same transformation?
Watching the stalemate, Goku finally spoke up. "Vegeta, I'll give you ten minutes. If you can't finish him by then, I'll do it myself."
"Damn it, I get it!" Vegeta snapped back, teeth clenched.
He hated admitting it, but Kakarot's strength was on a completely different level.
Among Saiyans, power was everything—and Goku was the strongest.
Cooler caught Goku's words and scowled.
Vegeta alone is draining me… and that other Saiyan hasn't even transformed yet. I need to escape. Fast.
But escaping by spaceship was impossible.
The ship was too close, and if he made a move for it, they'd destroy it before he could leave.
The only option left… was space. Unlike these Saiyans and Earthlings, he could survive in the vacuum.
That would be his only chance.
Vegeta, unaware of Cooler's plan, burned with his own desperation.
Goku's ultimatum gave him just ten minutes.
If he failed, and Kakarot stepped in, his pride as Prince of Saiyans would be crushed.
He unleashed a furious assault, abandoning defense for all-out offense.
"Vegeta, don't think you can beat me just because you're a Super Saiyan!" Cooler roared back. "Don't delude yourself!"
He soared into the air, raising his hand as energy gathered.
A massive red ball of destructive power swelled in his palm, growing rapidly.
Vegeta narrowed his eyes. "Cooler, you're planning to destroy Earth too, aren't you?"
"Hahaha!" Cooler laughed maniacally. "That's right! I'll wipe out Earth and erase every last Saiyan monkey from existence!"
Vegeta sneered, pointing at himself proudly. "In the past, I might've feared your Ice Demon Clan. But now? I'm Super Saiyan Vegeta. I fear no one!"
The golden aura around him flared violently, his confidence unshakable.
The only warrior who could make him hesitate… was Kakarot.
...
Author's Note:
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