The cages opened one by one, and everyone cheered. Some even wept bitterly, overwhelmed with joy at their newfound freedom.
However, before they could properly celebrate, red alarms blared throughout the facility, instantly plunging them back into tension.
"Everyone follow me!" Raditz roared, cutting through the noise of the crowd.
Before entering the metal planet's interior, they had developed a series of plans. Everyone had entered from different directions, launching surprise attacks to confuse Boundless's judgment. After rescuing the experimental subjects, the plan was to head to the nearest transport room, which contained a one-way exit portal used for shipping newly manufactured machines.
The transport room itself was minimally guarded, but the path leading to it passed through a heavily defended stronghold. So everyone would gather at the stronghold and break through together.
The freed prisoners followed Raditz's lead, running toward the meeting point while Goku guarded the rear.
When they arrived, Vegeta and the others had just reached the location as well.
As they proceeded, they emerged onto a wide avenue where dark red metal warriors had already detected their movement. The enemies approached in groups, too numerous to count.
"Persistent bastards, too vigilant for their own good," Vegeta muttered.
"Whatever they are, just destroy them!" Vegeta had fought his way from the mech library, killing countless enemies who had barely slowed him down. He gathered energy into both hands, swung his arms, and blasted forward.
But the expected explosion never came. A dozen metal warriors had arranged themselves to form a large shield with a transparent energy-absorbing surface that completely absorbed Vegeta's attack.
The prince's tactic of hurling energy waves was suddenly ineffective.
Vegeta looked shocked. "Why..."
"Listen—they learn our fighting styles and evolve countermeasures. From the initial ranged attacks, to the later melee weapons, then the swarming tactics, and now energy absorption shields—all are results of their evolution," Raditz analyzed. "But one thing remains constant: their individual strength is still weak. Let's skip the energy waves and hit them directly!"
"That's exactly what I want!" Nappa yelled gleefully. His powerful muscles gleamed under his brand-new battle armor, making him look even more imposing.
With a thunderous shout, he charged toward the metal warriors like a rolling boulder. Even the machines seemed confused—there was no such fighting style in their database. No energy waves, no flanking maneuvers, no high-speed movement, no stance?
For a moment, they recalibrated, and the metal warriors in Nappa's path reverted to their basic combat protocols.
But Nappa cared nothing for their tactical adjustments. He barreled into them like thunder, grabbing three cold metal machines and crushing their bodies with brute force. Though made of high-strength alloy, they deformed under Nappa's grip, twisting into bizarre shapes.
The surrounding warriors extended scimitar blades from their arms. The unknown metal gleamed with silvery coldness as they slashed toward Nappa with lightning speed.
"Get out of the way!" Vegeta suddenly yelled.
Nappa ignored the warning and instead raised his head toward the incoming blades. A burst of white gaseous energy erupted around him, deflecting an entire warrior's arm with a loud "CLANG!" Then he clenched both hands together and squeezed with all his might!
"BOOM!" "BOOM!" "BOOM!"
All three metal bodies broke in half, crashing to the ground with resounding impacts.
"Vegeta, not only have you grown stronger, but Nappa has dedicated himself to training too," Raditz remarked as he walked up to Vegeta, watching the burly Saiyan with satisfaction. "His training hours are no less than yours."
Vegeta gave Raditz a meaningful glance.
"Of course, and there's them too," Raditz added with a tilted head and smile.
By now, Tien had rushed forward, weaving between metal warriors and catching them off guard with his Multi-Form technique. Though his four bodies lacked Nappa's explosive power, his strikes still penetrated their armor with ease.
The metal warriors immediately began processing this new data. After analysis, they deployed various piercing weapons and flame barriers to block his attacks.
"Hmph, this scrap metal is nothing," Piccolo scoffed as he stretched his arms, wrapping around multiple enemies like long snakes. His extended limbs coiled around them imperceptibly, binding them all at once.
Then, with a powerful pull, Piccolo restrained the metal warriors' legs and dragged them down.
Goku scratched his head, hands itching for action. He exchanged glances with Vegeta, and both immediately launched fierce attacks. Their interlocked gaze revealed their competitive spirit—each determined to defeat more opponents than anyone else.
The experienced Goku concentrated his strength into a single point on his fist and struck with precision. The thick plate armor couldn't withstand his punching power and instantly collapsed, electronic lights flickering before going dark.
Continuous hammer blows crushed countless mechs. Piles of fragments accumulated in the passageway as explosions echoed one after another.
"You guys..." The nameless girl stood stunned. She never imagined such powerful fighters existed—warriors who could defeat these terrifying machines as if they posed no threat. Her eyes remained fixed on Raditz, who still held her hand.
"Don't worry, we're very strong," Raditz said with a slight smile.
As if in response, the girl's previously blank expression brightened, and she smiled back at him—blooming like a flower.
Through their combined efforts, they carved a path forward. Everyone advanced along the passage toward the transport room, the corridor gradually widening as fewer and fewer mechanical interceptors appeared.
"Data collection complete! Data collection complete!" Suddenly, the remaining metal warriors froze in place and emitted flat, mechanical voices: "Mission accomplished! Mission accomplished!"
Their bodies powered down as the alarms ceased. They automatically disintegrated into broken components before collapsing limply to the ground.
Dozens of mechanical warriors scrapped simultaneously created a spectacular scene. Everyone remained wary, uncertain what had happened and concerned about falling into another trap.
"Did they reach some time limit?"
"I don't know. Let's take advantage and move on."
"We're still inside the planet. We should remain cautious," Piccolo stated calmly, giving a cold look at the freed subjects behind him. "Especially with so many people."
Raditz nodded. "We still haven't confirmed the chip's location. If we don't stop it, our spacecraft won't be able to break through the atmosphere. How about this—you take the prisoners and leave while I stop Boundless!"
"Don't even think about it!" Vegeta interrupted. "I'll deal with it."
"What? I want to fight it too! What if there are still powerful enemies?"
"Kakarot, you suggested saving these people, so you should take care of them," Vegeta snorted coldly.
Goku frowned and continued to argue.
The two bickered back and forth while the experimental subjects watched in confusion, their eyes darting between the arguing Saiyans.
"No one can escape my grasp!" Suddenly, a sharp voice emanated from the depths of the void.
It called itself "I"! Could it be the Metal Planet itself?
Everyone tensed, looking toward the far end of the long passageway where bright lights shone, creating a vast expanse of whiteness. What could be waiting there?
Tien's three eyes were the first to spot something, and this time his pupils trembled uncontrollably.
"Goku... that's Goku..."
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