CHAPTER 21: MIRROR REMATCH

Turles’s aura crackled with raw power, the energy of the Tree of Might surging through his veins. The ground beneath his feet trembled, and the air itself seemed to grow thick with an almost tangible pressure. The faint glow of the tree intensified, its bark pulsing with energy in rhythm with Turles’s newfound strength.

Across from him, Goku’s own aura flared, glowing blue as his Super Saiyan Blue form enveloped him. His energy radiated outward, an intense, divine light that seemed to push back against Turles’s overwhelming presence. But even with all his power, Goku could feel the weight of Turles’s transformation. This wasn’t just another fight; this was a battle that would determine the fate of everything around them.

Without hesitation, Turles launched himself at Goku, his fists moving with a frightening speed. The first punch collided with Goku’s guard, sending shockwaves that rattled the very earth beneath them. The impact was so powerful that the surrounding trees and rocks were shattered into dust.

Goku grunted under the force but quickly adjusted his stance, using his speed to duck and weave. He countered with a series of precise jabs, his movements fluid and calculated. His years of training under Whis were on full display as he anticipated Turles’s wild strikes, narrowly dodging a crushing blow aimed at his head.

Turles snarled, his eyes blazing with newfound fury. He launched another barrage of chaotic punches, each one heavier than the last, pushing Goku back with every blow. His movements were reckless, driven by the intoxicating power of the fruit, but there was something terrifyingly unstoppable about his raw might.

Goku, maintaining his composure, spun around, dodging the wild swings and delivering swift counters to Turles’s exposed sides. He was quick—too quick for Turles’s feral onslaught—but the power Turles possessed was like a tidal wave, relentless and overwhelming.

Then, in a sudden burst of energy, Goku leaped backward, creating distance between them. His hands came together in front of him as he prepared his most powerful move—the Kamehameha. The energy gathered in his palms, the blue light growing in intensity as it crackled and hummed. With a yell, he fired the blast directly at Turles, the energy beam rocketing toward him with terrifying speed.

But Turles’s eyes flared with golden intensity as he raised his hand. In an almost casual manner, he blocked the Kamehameha with a single palm, the energy dissipating in a burst of sparks. Goku’s eyes widened. This was not the reaction he had anticipated. The fruit’s power had amplified Turles beyond anything he had ever experienced.

With a guttural roar, Turles surged forward, closing the gap between them faster than Goku could react. A wild, chaotic fist slammed into Goku’s chest, sending him flying into the dirt with bone-crushing force. The impact left a crater in the ground, dust and debris flying in all directions.

Before Goku could even gather his bearings, Turles hovered above him, his hands crackling with dark, raw energy. A blast of black ki exploded from his hands, slamming into Goku’s body like a freight train. The force of the attack left Goku battered and bloodied, his body collapsing into the earth.

The Saiyan’s breath came in ragged gasps as he struggled to rise, his vision spinning. He pushed himself up, only to see Turles already charging toward him once more, moving faster than ever before. Goku barely had time to react as Turles’s fist collided with his chest with a sickening thud. The impact sent him crashing to the ground again, pain shooting through his entire body.

Goku lay there, barely conscious, his limbs heavy and unresponsive. Every inch of him screamed in agony. Turles stood over him, his aura burning bright as he looked down with cold, calculated eyes.

“You’re out of your league, Kakarot,” Turles said, his voice low, a cruel edge to it. “This is the power I’ve been waiting for.”

Without another word, Turles turned to Avoca, who stood at a distance, watching silently. “Prepare the next phase,” Turles ordered, his voice cold and commanding. “It’s time to take what’s rightfully ours.”

As Turles walked away, Goku remained motionless, his body barely clinging to consciousness. His chest rose and fell with shallow breaths as the radiant glow of the Tree of Might pulsed behind him. The tree’s power surged, feeding off the destruction, and the air around the battlefield was thick with tension.

Turles’s figure disappeared into the shadows, his presence lingering in the air like a dark omen. The faint hum of the Tree of Might echoed ominously in the background, its power pulsing with an unnatural rhythm. Goku lay at the base of the tree, bloodied and broken, his body battered but his will unbroken. The fight was far from over.

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Writer’s Note:

That got intense! This fight between Goku and Turles was a deliberate callback to their original battle in Tree of Might, but this time, Goku is in Super Saiyan Blue. Now, before anyone questions how Goku could be bested or how Turles could hold his own, there are several factors at play.

First, Goku isn’t fighting at full strength. He just went through three back-to-back battles with the Crushers, leaving him worn down. Second, Turles now has the power of the Tree of Might flowing through him, amplifying his strength and abilities far beyond their previous encounter.

Back in Chapter 8, Goku realized Turles had been holding back during their fight—even without taking a bite of the fruit. Now, imagine Turles going all-out, fully powered by the Tree of Might, and driven by an unwavering determination to reach his goal. It’s not the kind of fight Goku can win easily, even in Blue.

With Part 1 of the story coming to a close, there’s still so much more to come. The stage is set for bigger challenges, deeper conflicts, and even greater stakes. Stay tuned for Part 2: Ascension!