Part 35, Chapter 171.

PART THIRTY FIVE: RETURN MATCH FOR SUPER VEGETA

Chapter 171

Translated by npberryhill, edited by Guilarai

Universe 18.

Ten years earlier, year 784.

“Uub, once your training’s done, we’ll fight again. Deal?” Goku said, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

Uub’s eyes widened, his mind reeling. Everything was moving too fast.

Just minutes ago, he’d faced this stranger in the Tenkaichi Budokai, fighting only to win prize money for his impoverished village. Their match started friendly, but then Goku provoked him, insulting his parents. Rage unlocked a power Uub couldn’t fathom—wild, uncontrollable energy.

Goku had soared into the sky to escape, only to apologize and declare himself Uub’s teacher. He promised to train him, to live with him, and to have the world champion fund Uub’s village. Now, here they were, flying over the ocean, Uub clinging to Goku’s back, nerves buzzing with confusion.

Yet, deep down, a strange calm settled over him. This felt right, like fate’s hand guiding him. Goku glanced back with an infectious grin.

“Uh, yeah…” Uub stammered, still dazed.

“To tell you the truth, that’s my true goal!” Goku said, practically bouncing with joy.

Slowly, Uub processed it all. Goku’s confidence, his excitement—it was contagious, sparking a fierce trust in the boy. If this man said his village was saved, Uub believed him. Goku’s strength was undeniable, and Uub yearned to grow, to match him, to challenge him again.

Goku’s earlier words echoed in his mind: “No need to be embarrassed, because from now on, you’ll be the one keeping world peace!”

What did that mean?

“Uub!” Goku called, snapping him out of his thoughts.

“Y-Yes?”

“Doesn’t it get you excited? Facing someone crazy strong?”

The words hit like a spark. Yes, Uub burned to fight Goku again, to grow stronger, to one day stand toe-to-toe with this extraordinary warrior. Even if he wasn’t ready now, he vowed to reach that level—to win.

“Yes!” he shouted, conviction igniting.

High above the arena, all eyes were locked on the two fighters, the echo of their explosive clash still reverberating. The violence and unexpected outcome left the crowd stunned, unable to decide who was more shocked.

Vegeta, Gohan, Piccolo, Pan, Trunks, and Goten of Universe 18 watched in stunned silence as their friend, father, rival, and hero fell. Goku, now back in his base form, plummeted unconscious, his descent agonizingly slow.

Higher up, Uub’s blazing aura flickered out. He let out a faint laugh, satisfied with his final blow, before exhaustion claimed him. Gravity took over as he too fell, his body spent.

It didn’t matter if Goku was down—Uub couldn’t fight another second. All he could hope was that Goku stayed down for thirty seconds, and that he himself could stand.

With a heavy thud, both warriors hit the arena floor, one after the other. A chilling silence gripped the stands, no one daring to speak.

“A… Double K.O.?!” the Varga announcer squawked, floored by the ferocious fight’s outcome.

“You think this is a video game?” his colleague snapped.

“What else do you call it?” the first shot back. “This is a first!”

“Focus on the countdown,” another Varga cut in.

For thirty seconds, the arena held its breath, watching for any twitch from the fallen fighters. But as the countdown ended, neither had stirred.

“They’re still out…” the announcer said, voice tinged with disappointment. “What now? We didn’t plan for this!”

The Vargas bickered, unsure how to proceed, as excitement rippled through the crowd.

“What a fight! Unreal!” one spectator shouted.

“Come on, both of you!” another urged.

“Isn’t it over? Did they both lose?”

In Universe 18, tension gripped the group.

“Grandpa, Uub, come on! You hear me?” Pan cried, bouncing with desperation.

“If they’re both out, there’s no winner,” Piccolo said, his tone flat.

“Not yet,” Vegeta countered sharply. “This tournament needs a victor. I won’t let my semi-final go without an opponent, and I sure as hell won’t let Goku lose like this.”

“We’ll see what the organizers decide,” Gohan said calmly.

After heated debate, one Varga took charge, stepping to the microphone to announce the resolution.

“The winner will be the first to stand!” the Varga announcer declared over the microphone.

On the arena floor, Goku and Uub lay motionless, their bodies battered. Some spectators whispered that they could stay down for hours—or worse, that one or both might succumb to their injuries. But those attuned to energy sensed a faint spark of life in both warriors. Neither had fully surrendered to unconsciousness.

Exhausted by Super Saiyan 3 and Transcended Kaioken, they couldn’t even twitch a finger. Standing would be a miracle.

Words failed them, their strength too drained for speech or telepathy. Yet their hearts pulsed in sync, conveying what words couldn’t.

“You’ve won, Master. My body’s broken… I can’t stand,” Uub thought, his spirit heavy with defeat. “You earned this, Uub. You were incredible. I can barely lift my head,” Goku countered, pride swelling despite his pain.

A minute passed in silence. A few spectators grew restless, but most buzzed with excitement, still reeling from the ferocious fight. They cheered for their favorites, content to wait for any sign of movement.

In Universe 16, confusion reigned. “I can’t tell who’ll get up first,” Gohan admitted. “That Kaioken was unreal, and Uub’s final hook? Devastating. I wouldn’t have walked away from that unscathed.”

“Their power was matched,” Vegetto said, voice heavy. “Uub’s speed won him that last hit, but his body’s wrecked. The Kaioken shredded his nerves and muscles. If anyone stands, it’s Goku.”

“Who knows…” Son Bra murmured, awestruck by Uub’s display.

On the Universe 13 balcony, Emperor Vegeta sat stunned. This Earthling—not even a Saiyan—had matched a Super Saiyan 3, a form he hadn’t known existed days ago. He despised overpowered freaks like the Legendary Saiyan, spectral relics like Raichi, or fusions like Vegetto. Yet this mere human, Uub, earned his respect. If he faced him, victory wouldn’t come easy. He found himself hoping fate would grant them a fight one day.

Cell of Universe 17 felt a thrill despite himself. This bout paled compared to his clash with Gohan during Babidi’s assault, but it stirred him. Goku’s mastery and Uub’s raw potential—the Kaioken’s power, the magical tricks—were electrifying. He envied not having such a rival in his universe.

On the patio of Universe 8, the Frost Demons were stunned. Despite their schemes, they were among the weakest at the tournament. Freeza, in particular, felt humiliated. A single punch from a base-level Super Saiyan had floored him, and even with his illusion trick weakening Goku, he now saw how insignificant he was. Compared to legendary Super Saiyans, Majin Buu, and universe gods, the galactic tyrant felt like an ant.

On the arena floor, Goku and Uub teetered on the edge of collapse, consciousness slipping. Yet their minds drifted to the path that brought them here—their meeting, their grueling training, their deep master-student bond, their shared destiny.

Suddenly, their eyes snapped open, fists clenching.

“No!” they thought in unison. “Giving up isn’t who we are!”

Their fight carried the weight of ten years—every lesson, every struggle, every moment leading to this. It was more than a match; it was the passing of the torch, a test of Uub’s growth as a warrior. Neither could let this moment slip away.

With agonizing effort, student and teacher pushed to their knees, hands bracing against the cracked arena floor. The crowd’s cheers erupted, shaking the stands.

In Universe 19, admiration shone. Recent events had soured them on Universe 16, but Universe 18’s selflessness—fighting to save their world from carbonite without asking for reward—restored their faith. Despite Tidar’s accidental death by Uub’s hand in the first round, they’d forgiven him, their handshake sealing mutual respect. Now, watching this symbolic clash, Eleim was awestruck. Win or lose, this moment would burn in his memory forever.

Trunks of Universe 12 shared that awe. Goku lived up to his legend, his vast experience forged through decades of battles since the Cell Games and beyond. His growth, like Vegeta’s, reached heights Trunks couldn’t fathom. Super Saiyan 2 might be within his grasp, but these peaks? A lifetime wouldn’t suffice.

Beside him, #16’s programming screamed to eliminate Goku, yet he smiled. Goku remained a protector of nature and people, and Uub mirrored that goodness with undeniable potential. Though emotions eluded #16, one word captured his thoughts: happy.

Slowly, Goku rose to his feet, trembling, back hunched, every limb quaking. The Vargas hesitated, deeming his stance unsteady.

Uub staggered to his feet, mirroring his mentor for a fleeting moment. Hope flared—he could surpass Goku, claim victory.

But Vegetto’s analysis held true. Uub’s body betrayed him, muscles seizing in a spasm of agony. His legs buckled, and he crumpled to the arena floor, unable to move without medical aid. His fight was over.

All eyes turned to Goku. His head spun, vision hazy, but he clenched his fists and drew a ragged breath. He swayed forward, as if falling, drawing gasps from the crowd.

Then, with a final, defiant gasp, he stood tall, back straight, a weary smile breaking through.

“Son Goku of Universe 18 is victorious!” the Varga announcer proclaimed, the arena erupting in cheers.