The battlefield was a chaotic maelstrom. Dust swirled in violent eddies beneath a turbulent, ash-colored sky. The howls and roars of clashing warriors echoed across the shattered landscape.
Gohan hovered, muscles coiled like a spring, his body radiating the immense, calm power of his Ultimate form. His hair remained its natural black, but the aura around him was thick with focused energy steady, relentless, ready to explode.
Beside him, Piccolo's expression was grim, battle-hardened, a fierce protector's glare sharpening his features. His purple skin was unyielding, sweat beading on his brow as he locked eyes with their enemy a towering, scarred warrior radiating brutal power.
This was the Third Strongest among Lord Xenthus's elite—a beast with a cruel smile and eyes like molten metal. His size was immense, but it was the cold intelligence in his gaze that unnerved Gohan. This was no mindless brute.
The enemy spat contemptuous words, voice like gravel grinding against stone.
"So, the son of the great Goku and his old friend Piccolo. Weak Saiyans and Namekian alike, you think you can stop me?"
Gohan's voice was calm but firm.
"We've faced worse than you. And we fight not just for ourselves, but to protect everyone you threaten."
Piccolo's voice was low and steady.
"You'll regret underestimating us."
Without warning, the enemy lunged, muscles coiling like a spring-loaded piston. His fists struck like hammers, heavy and punishing.
Gohan moved with flawless precision, blocking and dodging the savage blows, while countering with bursts of energy that seared the air. Piccolo darted in from the side, launching ki blasts that rained down with pinpoint accuracy.
The enemy snarled, shifting tactics, trying to catch them off guard with brutal combinations.
Gohan's mind raced, calculating every move, every opening.
"He's strong, but he's predictable," Gohan thought. "We need to coordinate—hit him where he's weakest."
Piccolo caught Gohan's eye. A silent communication passed between them—warriors bound by countless battles, each trusting the other implicitly.
Together, they launched a synchronized assault, forcing their enemy to retreat, snarling in frustration.
But even as they pressed forward, the battle began to wear on Piccolo. His breaths grew heavier, muscles aching under the relentless pressure.
Gohan noticed and called out.
"Piccolo, are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Just… pushing my limits," Piccolo replied, grimacing.
The enemy roared, taking advantage of a brief opening and striking Piccolo hard, sending him skidding across the rocky terrain.
Gohan's heart clenched.
"I can't let him get hurt. Not now."
Gohan dashed forward, intercepting another brutal blow aimed at Piccolo, blocking it with fierce determination.
"Not on my watch," Gohan growled.
Piccolo steadied himself, grit shining in his eyes.
"I'm stronger than this. I can't fall behind—not when everything's on the line."
He closed his eyes, centering his energy.
Around him, the air began to hum with a growing resonance, subtle but undeniable.
Suddenly, a golden light began to wash over Piccolo's skin, the familiar green shifting into a vibrant yellow-green hue, glowing softly like sunlight filtered through emerald leaves.
His muscles tightened, and his aura flared with an intensity that rivaled Gohan's own.
Gohan's eyes widened.
"Piccolo?" he whispered, sensing the massive surge of power.
Piccolo opened his eyes—they now burned with golden intensity, sharp and radiant.
His power level matched Gohan's now—both warriors standing as equals, perfect complements on the battlefield.
The enemy's eyes bulged in shock.
"What… what is this?" he stammered, fear beginning to crack the mask of arrogance.
Piccolo's voice was calm but filled with authority.
"This is the power of a Namekian warrior who refuses to be broken. You will regret the day you faced us."
With a roar, Piccolo surged forward, his attacks faster, more precise. His strikes carried a new weight, imbued with the raw energy of his Ultimate form.
Gohan matched him blow for blow, the two of them a seamless team—attacking from angles impossible to defend against, never giving their enemy a moment's rest.
The enemy tried to respond, launching massive ki blasts that exploded in searing waves. But Gohan and Piccolo moved as one, weaving through the chaos, striking hard and fast.
Gohan's voice rang out, sharp and commanding.
"Now, Piccolo!"
Piccolo nodded, feeling the full power surge through his veins.
Together, they focused their ki into one massive, glowing sphere suspended between them—a brilliant orb of golden-green light pulsing with incredible energy.
The enemy charged desperately, roaring to stop them.
"Foolish!" he spat. "You will fall beneath my might!"
But Gohan and Piccolo stood firm, voices steady, hearts burning with unwavering resolve.
"Light Grenade!" they shouted in perfect unison.
The orb exploded forward, a devastating beam of pure energy that tore through the battlefield like a comet.
The enemy screamed, unable to withstand the overwhelming force. The ground around him shattered, the shockwave blasting away his minions who had tried to flank Gohan and Piccolo.
When the light faded, the Third Strongest lay defeated his massive form broken, his aura extinguished.
The surviving enemies on their side collapsed under the wave of energy, incapacitated and defeated.
Gohan landed beside Piccolo, breathing heavily but steady.
"Your new form… it's incredible," Gohan said, eyes bright with respect.
Piccolo smiled faintly, the golden hue still glowing softly on his skin.
"It's what we need to survive. To protect everything we care about."
Gohan nodded, his gaze drifting to the horizon where the rest of the battle raged on.
"We still have a long way to go."
Piccolo's voice was firm.
"But now, we fight as equals. Together Gohan."
As back to the metallic interior of Lord Xenthus's massive mothership trembled with the force of their clash. Sparks flew as Goku slammed into the cold steel walls, the impact echoing like thunder through the vast chamber.
His body was battered and bruised—his iconic orange gi torn ragged, half of the upper section shredded and fluttering against his skin. Sweat and blood dripped down his face, mingling with the dirt and grime of battle. Yet, his emerald-green eyes burned with fierce determination beneath his spiked golden hair, the unmistakable glow of Super Saiyan 3.
Goku staggered to his feet, chest heaving, every breath a ragged fight against the pain coursing through his body.
Before him hovered Lord Xenthus—a towering figure cloaked in shadows, his dark armor pulsing with a sinister energy that warped the very air around him. His eyes were cruel and mocking, lips curled into a cold smile.
"You think you can stop me?" Xenthus sneered, voice dripping with disdain. "You're nothing but a fleeting annoyance."
With a flick of his hand, a wave of ki surged forward like a tidal wave, forcing Goku to dive aside, barely avoiding a devastating blast that tore a jagged crater into the floor.
Goku clenched his fists, ki crackling along his limbs. "I'm not going down here. Not without a fight."
But even through the pain, he could feel the overwhelming power radiating from Xenthus. It was unlike anything he'd faced before—dark, relentless, and utterly merciless.
Xenthus floated forward, energy flaring. "You're weak. Pitiful. How does it feel to be outmatched?"
Goku growled, charging, his speed blurring as he closed the distance in an instant.
He unleashed a flurry of punches, lightning-fast strikes aiming to find an opening. But Xenthus moved with terrifying precision, blocking and countering with blows that hit like wrecking balls.
One massive fist smashed into Goku's ribs, sending him flying across the chamber once more. He crashed into a wall, pain exploding through his side.
Goku's vision blurred for a moment. "Damn it…"
Xenthus hovered, laughing—a cruel, echoing sound that filled the room with dread.
"You can't win. You're simply not strong enough."
Summoning a massive ball of dark energy, Xenthus hurled it at Goku, who barely managed to dodge, feeling the blast scorch the air just inches from him.
Desperation surged through Goku's veins.
I can't hold back. I have to give it everything.
His ki exploded in a brilliant golden blaze as his hair surged upward, the signature long mane of Super Saiyan 3 snapping wildly as power coursed through him like a tempest.
But even in this fearsome form, Xenthus was pushing him to his limits—and beyond.
Goku struggled to maintain control as Xenthus pressed his advantage, pounding him with a relentless barrage of strikes and ki blasts.
Blood dripped from Goku's lips as he gritted his teeth. "I won't lose… not here…"
Xenthus advanced, power radiating like a black sun. His strikes grew faster, more brutal—each hit sending shockwaves through the room.
Goku barely managed to block, sweat pouring from his brow as his muscles screamed in agony.
Then, with a savage roar, Xenthus grabbed Goku by the collar, lifting him off the ground with terrifying strength.
"Pathetic," he snarled, squeezing. "This is your end."
Goku struggled, summoning all his remaining strength.
With a sudden burst, he broke free, smashing Xenthus back with a powerful ki blast.
For a fleeting moment, Goku saw a flash of surprise in Xenthus's eyes.
But the dark warrior recovered quickly, his laughter echoing once more.
"You think a single blast can stop me? Fool."
Xenthus soared upward, his power swelling like a storm.
Goku's body trembled, battered beyond belief, but his spirit blazed with unyielding fire.
Just as Xenthus charged for a killing blow, a piercing roar cut through the chaos.