Under the propulsion of the Kamehameha Wave, the spaceship regained its vitality. Like a sleepy dragon ascending to the sky, it was freed from its shackles and no longer restrained.
Raditz suddenly felt that the planet's pull was gradually fading, as if frightened by the power of the Kamehameha. It seemed to hesitate before making any further moves.
"Let's go."
"Wait! Look there!" Goku pointed toward the hole that had been blasted in the ground, his expression grim.
Raditz looked where Goku was pointing and froze momentarily.
The dark golden surface collapsed and sank as an intricate pattern formed at incredible speed. It looked like a forest drawn with black ink, and from it, dozens of long robotic arms shot upward! The manipulator arms glowed with an eerie light as sections of their armor plating opened to reveal hidden weapons!
Bullets sprayed in all directions without any blind spots, and while attacking, the mechanical arms continued to extend, attempting to encircle the spaceship.
"It changed tactics," Raditz said in shock, launching energy blasts continuously to shield the spaceship. He quickly targeted the base of each mechanical arm—once cut, they stopped firing. "Goku, blow up the main body directly!"
Explosions filled the air as Raditz destroyed several mechanical arms. The metal claws that had reached high into the sky now fell powerlessly.
However, more mechanical claws emerged from the ground, rushing toward the spaceship at alarming speed. These were even larger and stronger, with outer armor that was sharper and thicker. Sharp spines protruded from each joint, resembling the teeth of bloodthirsty beasts as they attacked frantically.
"Damn!"
"They keep coming!" Goku dodged a frontal claw attack, watching the seemingly endless mechanical arms rush out of the black cavern below.
The two of them couldn't escape being surrounded by the multitude of machines. In terms of individual strength, these things were weak—not even close to being worthy opponents. But their sheer numbers gave them a decided advantage.
During the chaotic battle, numerous mechanical claws entangled the spaceship, violently dragging it back toward the planet's surface.
Years of battle experience told Goku that their opponent's goal wasn't them—it was the spaceship.
At that moment, Vegeta leaped out of the main cabin, cutting through the thicket of mechanical arms and blasting away large sections with energy attacks.
"Raditz, Kakarot, what are you dawdling for?!"
"Vegeta, be careful."
"Hmph, I don't need you to worry about me," Vegeta snarled as energy blasts exploded one after another.
The black cavern suddenly seemed to realize it was losing ground. It suspended the deployment of new robotic arms, while those remaining swayed in the air like densely packed trees in a jungle.
Although their attack had been suppressed, the spaceship remained bound and continued to be slowly dragged toward the ground.
The crisis was far from over.
The pattern on the metal planet's surface expanded again. The slender mechanical arms fell to the periphery, leaving the central area clear. A pitch-black giant emerged from the dark golden surface. The solid metal ground suddenly cracked, forming several deep grooves and huge ravines.
The giant's figure stood imposingly between heaven and earth, continuously rising higher. Its shape wasn't much different from a human body. At first, it had only metal bones and a main frame—from head to shoulder blades, spine, arms... all the basic structure was there. Gradually, all the surrounding metal elements gathered toward it, filling in the internal meridians, veins, muscles, and even imitating hair on the surface of its body!
It could only move its upper body, as its lower half remained deeply embedded in the black cavern. Even so, it was already unimaginably tall, as if it could reach the sky with its hands.
"What the hell is that thing?! It's enormous..." Goku said in shock.
"Whatever it is, let's knock it down!" Vegeta didn't hesitate. He rushed forward, bombing wildly. His energy blasts shot out like a storm, the shining orbs hitting the giant like rain as debris from the explosions scattered throughout the sky.
Vegeta's attack was effective. He had spent the most time training in the gravity room, and his combat power had already broken through the 100,000 mark. Now even a casual energy ball from him could have demolished his former self.
The energy accumulated in his hands was overwhelming, knocking the giant's body to the ground. The mechanical arms that had trapped the spaceship also broke apart in the meteor shower-like barrage, falling limply.
Raditz returned to the spaceship and prepared to restart the super-propulsion system while consulting the operations manual.
"Beep beep..."
Just as Raditz was following the program procedures, a series of warning data appeared on the screen. Four lines of eye-catching red text occupied the main display.
Seeing these words, Raditz froze.
"What's wrong?" Piccolo asked urgently.
"The power supply is temporarily unavailable. We're forced to land..."
Raditz pointed at the text on the screen, his voice growing weaker with each word. Although they had escaped the immediate pursuit, the spaceship's power system could no longer continue operating under full load for an extended period. It needed to rest, or it would likely explode.
"You mean we have to land on this planet?" Krillin's voice was filled with panic. He had witnessed all the terrifying scenes just moments ago. "Isn't there any other way?"
Tien was also sweating as he held onto the transparent viewport. "Are we going to die?"
"Not necessarily. We still don't fully understand what this planet is. It's too early to jump to conclusions."
"But metal planets don't have food or water. We'll die sooner or later," Krillin said, his throat tightening.
Raditz shook his head, preparing for an emergency landing. He carefully reviewed the information they had gathered. "From our scans, the atmosphere of this planet is suitable for our survival, and the planet itself shows some reaction between water and soil. In other words, although metal occupies most of the surface, at least a small area might support life." He looked at Krillin and added, "Besides, who said we're staying long? We only need five hours before we can take off again."
While he was speaking, Vegeta suddenly flew past the spaceship, tumbling through the air!
Raditz was shocked. He quickly pressed the landing button and immediately flew out, with Piccolo right behind him.
What they saw was a metal warrior even larger than the previous giant. Pure golden pupils rolled in its eye sockets, its dark body reflecting a faint light. Its armor was covered with a layer of jagged spikes, and dark liquid flowed slowly through metal tubes across its form.
Goku flew out after Vegeta and was caught by Raditz from behind.
The force was so great that even Raditz couldn't help being pushed back a considerable distance before he could stop.
"Be careful! It can absorb our energy—ki blasts won't work on it!" Goku warned, panting as he wiped blood from the corner of his mouth.
At that moment, Vegeta also returned, seething with anger. His fists were clenched tight, and his aura radiated killing intent.
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