I Am Raditz

The Spirit Bomb descended upon Frieza, driving him downward rapidly.

Vegeta, who had just risen to his feet near Dende, stared in awe at the massive energy sphere, feeling something catch in his throat.

Having been resurrected from the brink of death, Vegeta's strength had increased dramatically—thanks to the healing abilities of the young Namekians Dende and Kalk, and more importantly, thanks to Frieza, a tremendously powerful enemy.

In the past, Vegeta had experienced near-death situations, but with minimal growth. The reason was simple: those enemies hadn't been strong enough to push his Saiyan instincts beyond their limits.

This time he had surpassed those limits, yet this newfound power remained woefully inadequate against Frieza. Watching the Spirit Bomb, Vegeta clenched his fists tightly, realizing he could contribute nothing! What about facing death again? That wouldn't work either. Repeated near-death experiences in a short period would only result in physical exhaustion with diminishing returns.

Nearby, Piccolo had accepted Nail's request and completed their assimilation, raising his combat power. The now-awakened Gohan stood beside him.

"It's enormous," Gohan exclaimed, staring at the Spirit Bomb.

"What technique is that? I've never seen anything like it," Vegeta demanded.

Piccolo answered honestly: "The Spirit Bomb is King Kai's ultimate technique. But only Goku and Raditz know how to use it."

"Damn those two!"

Vegeta suddenly felt a burning resentment at being unable to keep pace, realizing just how far he'd fallen behind. He gritted his teeth fiercely, his eyes blazing with determination.

The remaining Namekians gazed in awe at the energy sphere that seemed to swallow the sky and shatter the earth, unable to stop themselves from marveling at its power.

The Spirit Bomb drove Frieza into the sea like a miniature sun. The entire ocean parted, creating a massive void as surging tides instantly submerged the surrounding lowlands.

"AAAHHHH!" Frieza's angry shout echoed, but he remained unable to push away the sphere of gathered life energy. Even he was shocked by its terrifying destructive power—as if staring directly at his own destruction and death!

For the first time, Frieza felt fear.

But escape was impossible. He could only resist as he was driven to the ocean floor. His agonized scream pierced the sky before dazzling white light engulfed everything, creating a flash so bright it could be seen from space.

As the light faded, an eerie silence descended.

Save for endless seawater crashing against the shore, no sound remained. An unnatural stillness hung between heaven and earth.

"Pfft! Huff... huff..." Suddenly, a figure emerged from the water, climbing onto the shore. Despite being soaked, his uniquely shaped head remained unmistakable. In his arms, Goku dragged the weakened Raditz to safety.

Raditz was completely exhausted, struggling for breath.

The small island where Piccolo and the others had stood was now submerged from the Spirit Bomb's aftermath, forcing them to fly over. Gohan embraced his father with tears in his eyes. Only five or six Namekians remained, including two children who hid behind Piccolo as if regarding him as their last protector.

"Dende, Kalk—quickly heal Raditz," Piccolo instructed. After assimilating with Nail, he now recognized each tribe member instantly.

Assimilation hadn't affected his personality, though the current Piccolo had subtly changed.

Though young, Dende and Kalk were remarkably sensible. They immediately ran to Raditz's side, their hands beginning to glow.

"Thank you, but please hurry. Frieza isn't dead yet," Raditz spoke weakly, his face ashen.

"Okay, we will," the two Namekian children replied with sweet smiles.

They recognized him as the hero who had fought to save Namek and felt tremendous gratitude.

Suddenly, evil struck without warning!

"ZZZZT!"

Two unexpected green beams shot out, striking Dende and Kalk directly. The children were powerless to defend themselves, their bodies instantly charred black. Those smiling faces remained frozen on their darkened features...

Raditz's pupils trembled as warm liquid splashed against his face. His heart seemed to freeze.

Lord Slug's maniacal laughter filled the air: "HAHAHA! The healing Namekians won't save you now! Your luck has run out! HAHAHAHAHA!"

After being struck by Frieza, he had lurked nearby, deliberately waiting until everyone lowered their guard. Now, believing himself the strongest fighter present, he fired continuous energy blasts with arrogant abandon, sweeping the area.

In the wild bombardment, the two remaining adult Namekians died instantly. The survivors suffered serious injuries, collapsing to the ground. Raditz was caught in the blast, rolling several times before stopping, his body covered in bruises.

Goku leapt up and rushed toward Slug, but the power difference was too great. After mere seconds of confrontation, he was knocked to the ground. Having contributed his own energy to enhance the Spirit Bomb, he was nearly powerless.

Dende and Kalk fell like charred sticks, hitting the ground with a sickening sound as their limbs shattered into ash under the continued barrage. Life proved so fragile—the blackened remains ignited Raditz's fury!

"You make me ANGRY!" Raditz roared hoarsely, half growling and half screaming.

The healing Namekians were dead, and the remaining Senzu Beans were with Krillin, who had disappeared while searching for the Dragon Ball. Only Goku, Piccolo, and Vegeta remained—all with power levels in the millions, but clearly insufficient against Lord Slug.

Would transferring energy to Raditz even help? Vegeta hesitated.

Piccolo decisively shared his energy with Raditz. But in the next instant, a giant hand struck, heading straight for him! Though alert to the danger, Piccolo had no time to escape and was captured by Slug!

"Mr. Piccolo!" Gohan cried out.

"Heh heh, crying won't help!" Slug tore off Piccolo's left arm as easily as ripping apart a toy. "If you have the power to save him, try it! Otherwise, I'll assimilate him next!"

Piccolo howled in pain, his face contorting in agony. Goku rose again only to be suppressed by Slug single-handedly.

Unable to contain his rage any longer, Gohan exploded with anger. He flew upward, bombarding Slug with continuous energy waves that struck the Namekian's head in rapid succession, shaking the air around them.

When the smoke cleared, Slug emerged completely unharmed. He looked up at Gohan disdainfully before firing twin laser beams from his eyes that shot the boy down with a thunderous crash. Simultaneously, his arm extended to wrap around Goku, smashing him violently into the ground.

"The kid's asking for death!" Vegeta muttered, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.

He clenched his fists as he watched his allies falling one by one, then looked again at Raditz.

After an internal struggle, hearing Piccolo's scream and seeing Slug about to assimilate again, Vegeta finally relented. He extended his hand toward Raditz and transferred his energy. "Just this once! Kill him!"

"Absolutely!"

As Raditz received Vegeta's energy, his eyes suddenly changed. With his renewed strength, he attempted to push the Kaio-ken technique to its absolute limits!

"AAAAAAHHHHHHH!"

His roar became pure power! Raditz exploded to his extreme, releasing all his energy in one massive surge. The eruption resembled a dam breaking as dark clouds rolled in from the sky, thunder and lightning flashing overhead with continuous rumbling.

A dull vibration emanated from the ground as countless rocks and soil particles lifted into the air around Raditz, suspended by his aura. Cracks snaked across the earth, extending toward the sea.

Slug froze in shock. The Raditz before him was different from before—wrapped in a golden aura, his long hair standing on end, radiating overwhelming killing intent!

This was... Raditz himself was surprised. Not Kaio-ken at a higher level, but something resembling a Super Saiyan transformation!

Elated by the power flooding through his body, Raditz stomped the ground and rushed directly at Slug, landing a high-speed punch to the side of his face. The tremendous force knocked the Namekian back several steps, blood flowing from the corner of his mouth.

Seizing the opportunity, Raditz snatched Piccolo from Slug's grasp and tossed him to safety.

At that moment, a tornado rose from the sea as Frieza reappeared. The emperor of the universe flew forward, kicked Raditz away, and positioned himself before Slug.

Frieza, struck by the Spirit Bomb, was wounded across his forehead and arm, with one finger broken. The tyrant who had never shown signs of fatigue now breathed heavily. Uncontrollable rage pushed his power to 70%.

"Damn Saiyans! How dare you injure me..." Frieza raised his eyes to observe Raditz's transformation, his eyes widening. "You've changed! Could it be..." His voice suddenly rose in pitch. "Could it be... you've become... a Super Saiyan?! No... that's just a legend, it's impossible! You're just a wild monkey!"

Slug also sensed Raditz's tremendous power. He wiped blood from his mouth with the back of his hand and moved to one side, creating a triangular standoff between the three of them.

"Heh... hehehe. Frieza, why don't we join forces against him? We both hate Saiyans to the bone!"

"One against two—I'm at a disadvantage," Raditz assessed, his murderous aura piercing the void, colliding with their battle intent.

Frieza remained silent, but his gaze spoke volumes.

The three faced off for what seemed an eternity as thunder crashed around them.

The battle appeared suspended in time, but suddenly erupted.

Almost simultaneously, the three fighters unleashed terrifying power and rushed toward each other.

Slug's fist targeted Raditz while Raditz's leg struck back at Slug, the two engaging first! But there was still Frieza, who swung forward with a powerful blow. "WHAM!"

The tremendous force struck Slug squarely!

Slug flew backward, his massive body crashing into the sea as Raditz quickly retreated.

Hovering in the air, Frieza radiated fury, twisting each joint with audible cracks. The reflection of a terrifying demon appeared in his scarlet eyes as his energy continued to rise: "Each of us will fight the others..."