A full minute passed.
Only then did the destructive shockwaves from the massive explosion finally fade away.
Chunks of shattered rock flew through the sky, and thick clouds of smoke blanketed the battlefield.
At the heart of the blast zone, a colossal mushroom cloud rose high into the sky.
It was a sight both awe-inspiring and terrifying.
Had they not seen it with their own eyes, no one would have believed this was something a person could do.
It was clear now—just how terrifyingly powerful Salari’s energy attack had been.
The Namekian warriors were frozen in fear, goosebumps crawling across their skin.
Everyone knew it: if they’d taken a direct hit of that terrifying energy, there’d be nothing left—not even ashes.
‘Slug… he has to be dead, right?’
And it wasn’t just the Namekians thinking this—Raditz was thinking this too.
The gap in power was just too wide. Salari had unleashed her full might in one go, and not even Raditz using Kaio-ken could’ve blocked an attack of that scale.
“The fight ended even faster than I expected. That old geezer’s aura… it’s completely gone,” Raditz muttered to himself.
In his Ki Sense, Slug’s Ki had vanished without a trace.
It really looked like Salari’s Purple Dawn Bomb had finished him off.
“…It’s not that simple,” however Talot didn’t believe so.
Raditz glanced at him, confused, and used his Ki Sense again, but he still sensed nothing.
Talot, however, was different. His perception was far stronger. Since birth, he’d had a strange kind of perception ability, which was telling him that Slug’s aura might have disappeared… but he wasn’t dead. No, he was preparing something—something massive.
“You’ve got to be kidding, Talot. You seriously think he’s still alive? There’s literally no aura left—how could he possibly be alive?!” Raditz exclaimed, stunned.
Just as he said that, the Grand Elder on the sidelines spoke up, his tone heavy with recognition.
“I never imagined he’d manage to inherit that technique too… I’m truly sorry for the trouble he’s caused. At this point, it may take all of you working together to defeat him.”
“He’s really not dead?” Raditz was shaken to his core.
It was a complete shock to everything he thought he understood.
Up until now, in all his battles at this level of power, he had never encountered someone whose aura disappeared—yet they were still alive.
Talot glanced at the Grand Elder, his brows tightening slightly. He didn’t know exactly what Slug had learned, but one thing was clear—whatever it was, it was going to be trouble.
“Wait… could it be that technique, Grand Elder?” Ragar asked in disbelief.
The Grand Elder nodded: “Yes. It’s the technique… where one sacrifices the remainder of their life force to return to the peak of their prime for a short time. It’s like rising from the ashes. A rebirth through fire.”
“But… doesn’t Slug only have a few years left to live?” Nail, though still young, clearly understood the weight of what was happening.
The Grand Elder nodded again. “Exactly! He’s gambling away the last ten-plus years of his life to activate this ability. By my estimate… his power will increase by at least tenfold. And it could last up to half an hour. Salari… won’t stand a chance against him alone. Talot, go. Or better yet… all of you should go.”
Raditz sucked in a sharp breath at those words.
Ten times stronger? That meant his power level could break into the tens of millions!
For the first time, Raditz found himself actually worried for Salari.
Even Bulma—who’d always had a bit of friction with Salari—was starting to look anxious: “Brother Talot, maybe you guys should just gang up on that monster and finish him in one go. Wouldn’t that be better?”
Talot’s frown deepened, but he still gave Bulma a reassuring look. “No. Let Salari fight first. I trust her. If it really comes down to it, I’ll step in. Even if he’s ten times stronger—I can still put him down.”
The Grand Elder blinked, staring at Talot in surprise. He examined him for a long moment, then finally spoke, his voice full of astonishment.
“Could it be… you’ve already reached that level?”
Talot smiled faintly and gave a small nod, saying nothing more.
But that nod alone made the Grand Elder let out a breath of relief. It was like a stabilizing force, calming him down.
If that was the case… then it should be alright.
…..
In the sky…
Salari was steadying her breath, her eyes locked onto the center of the explosion with razor-focus.
“I can’t sense that old geezer’s Ki anymore… So why do I still feel… uneasy?” she muttered to herself.
Even though she couldn’t sense his aura anymore, there wasn’t the slightest feeling of triumph in Salari’s heart.
Something felt off. Was Slug really dead?
It all seemed… too easy. That old geezer never came across as someone that weak.
Staying alert, Salari slowly descended from the sky, landing about a hundred meters from the center of the blast zone.
The area was still shrouded in smoke and dust, thick with the haze of battle.
As time passed, second by second, the towering plumes of smoke gradually dispersed.
Finally, Slug’s battered figure came into Salari’s line of sight—and was also seen by everyone who had been intently watching the situation unfold.
He had taken a direct hit from Salari’s ultimate technique. And while he had somehow survived, the injuries were severe.
“I don’t know how you’re still alive with your aura completely gone, but now that I’ve seen your condition for myself—this fight is over,” Salari said coldly, her eyes locked on Slug, who was on his last leg.
Around her, the crimson aura of Kaio-ken ignited once more.
“Damn it… DAMN IT…! To think I’d be wounded this badly… If this were my younger self, an attack like yours… would mean NOTHING!!!” Slug clenched his fists in fury, veins bulging in his bloodshot eyes. His craving for power grew even stronger.
No matter the cost, he had to recover his youth.
If he could obtain the dragon balls, then even using this ability wouldn’t matter!
“Heh… heh heh heh… HAHAHAHA!! Soon, I’ll show you just how powerful I was in my youth!” Slug’s sinister laughter was especially terrifying.
“What do you mean?” Salari narrowed her eyes in confusion.
This old geezer was in such a state, yet he still dared to speak so arrogantly?
“I’m saying… this humiliation—I’ll remember it! And soon… I’ll make sure you beg for death… and still won’t get it!!” His fists trembling, Slug’s face twisted grotesquely, as if enduring even greater agony.
Then—
“GRAAAAAAAAAAHHHH—!!!!”
A howl of sheer, unbridled pain erupted from Slug’s throat.
Immediately after, his aura, which had disappeared, emerged in another strange form.
The aura was dark and chilling, and the energy that burst from his body had transformed into a sinister darkness.
As this power surged, Slug’s appearance began to visibly change.
“What the hell…? Is he—getting younger?” Salari’s guard shot up as she assumed a defensive stance, ready for the sudden shift in battle.
Because he had used a special ability, Slug’s face morphed into something demonic, and his yellowed, wrinkled skin slowly transformed into a vibrant green, his aura skyrocketing at an alarming rate.
RUMBLEEEE—!!!!!!!
In an instant, the earth shook, and violent winds raged.
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