Part 16, Chapter 4: The True Power of Hit the Assassin

Come on! Let's go, Giblet!!

Agreed! Let's do this, Shallot!

Grr...!I can't believe Giblet is an ally of Shallot!

Why would he align himself with someone as evil as him...?

Alright, Shallot, what do you wanna do?

I'd like to avoid fighting them if it's possible...

So, you're here too, Giblet.

But it doesn't look like you're gonna back us up. Are you really planning to fight with Shallot?

Yeah. I am.

...

Listen up, Giblet.

See the Dragon Radar Goku's got? We need to grab it from him no matter what it takes.

Dragon Radar? Is that some kind of tool?

Yeah. If we get it, we'll be able to find where Zahha is.

I see. And that's why you've been fighting all these guys by yourself? You're way too reckless.

But if that's what we've gotta do, then we'll do it.

So, are you two done chit-chatting? Good. Now, where were we...?

Hold on, Goku. It's my turn now.

Wha?! Aw, come on! I can keep going! This fight's starting to get good!

You should cease your use of the Kaioken and regain your composure.

Don't forget our fight with Zahha remains. Now is not the time to use up all of your strength.

Hmmm... I guess you got me there. Okay, I'll take a little break then!

Let's fall back too and leave the rest to Hit.

R-Right...!

Damn. Now we gotta get past Hit before we can get to Goku...!

Be careful of this guy's "Time Skip", Giblet.

"Time Skip"?

Yeah. It's more than just him moving fast. It's like he's already moved before you even realize it!

Not sure how much that clarifies it...

But if it's got even you unnerved, then I better take it seriously.

...

Giblet...?

In that case, we'll just have to go all- out from the start!

Grr... Wroooooohhh!!

Hm...

?! What the?!

Gaaaaaaah!!

...

Since when have you had this new power?!

It's a little something left over from my past. I figured out how to tap into it on my own.

This is the bare minimum I have to do in order to keep fighting by your side.

Heh. Well, in that case...

Haaaaaaa...!!

Raaaaaaaah!!

Well, well. Looks like you found a new power yourself.

Heh, heh! I'm not about to start eating your dust!

Have you prepared yourselves? In that case...

...let's get started.

...!!

(His smell... It's totally different from when we fought before!)

Get ready, Shallot! He's gonna make the first move!

Right!

Haaaa!!

You fight well. Particularly Shallot. It seems the two of you fighting together has a notable effect.

We're just...!!

...getting started!!

I'm well aware.

But unless you can make contact, it makes no difference.

Gah...!

Guh...?!

Damn! You're right, that technique is more than just speed...!

It's not that his attack is too fast to be seen, it's as if it's already connected before I can notice it. That might have been a better explanation...

Heh, heh. What's wrong? You're not getting scared, are you?

Don't be stupid. All I'm saying is we've got a powerful enemy on our hands and we need to surpass him!

Got that right!

Surpass me? It seems you still have enough strength remaining to make jokes.

If you think you can do it, give it your best shot.

Daah!!

Too slow!

Gaah?!

We're not done yet!

Tch...!

What happened to your bravado from before?

Hyah!

Grah!

Arrrgh!

G-Gohan, can you see Hit move...?

No, not at all. ...But I can tell he's doing more than just moving fast.

So you noticed that too, huh?

Dad, what kind of technique is that?

Hit can actually move through time.

Move through time...?

Yeah. That's why we can't see him move when he attacks.

I can't believe there's someone out there who can use such an amazing technique...!

It's a pretty amazing move, all right. Even without it, his attacks are powerful. But with it, most fighters can't avoid them at all.

But he's fighting against Shallot and Giblet. So it'll be interesting to see how this plays out.

...

Are you starting to see his movements, Shallot?

No... Doesn't matter how many attacks I take, I can't see him. But...!

Yeah. I have an idea too. Let's give it a shot!

I don't know what trick you two have up your sleeves, but you're free to try it.

Hrah!!

Ugh...!!

Hm...?

Heh. Looks like we managed to read it a little. And we'll be able to dodge it completely next time. Let's keep at it, Shallot!

Yeah! We can do this!

(The way he moved just now... He was aiming to protect Shallot?)

It can't be... Could it...?

Hah!!

Shallot!

Guh!

Good...! Managed to defend against it this time!

(It's as I thought. They're able to read my attacks...!)

There you are!!

What?!

Grr...!

Heh...heh, heh! Tagged ya that time!

?! A-Are they actually predicting Hit's movements...?! How could they do that in such a short amount of time?!

They're not just predicting them. If they were, they'd still have their hands full just trying to dodge his attacks.

By having Giblet be in charge of defending and Shallot handle attacking, they're actually managing to counter Hit despite his advantage.

No one else could pull something like that off, but these two are in perfect sync.

...

I can tell you're proud of your technique, but now it looks like you shouldn't have relied on it so much, huh?

You're not gonna be able to beat me or Shallot by moving through time!

I may have only tagged you last time, but next time you're getting a face full of fist!

I see. Clearly the Saiyan's ability to rapidly progress during battle is not to be trifled with.

In that case, it's time to change tactics.

?! He moved away from us...?

What's with that stance? What does he think he can do from way over there...?

Nraaah!!

Gaa...aagh?!

What the?! Giblet!!

(What just happened? All Hit did was stick his hand out! How could that have taken out Giblet?!)

Damn...you...! What the hell...

...did you just do?!

...

?!

(Now what?! My hand just went through him...!)

So, Hit's using that move, is he?

I'll never forget that one... It's a real killer!

Now, then...

Try not to hold a grudge against me if you both end up dead.

Damn... Damn you...!

You bastaaaaaard!!

Raaaaaah!!

...

Shoot...! I can't hit him at all!

Hmph!

Ngaah?!

Hm...

U-Ugh...! Was that the same attack...you used to take down Giblet...?!

I see you managed to respond in time to avoid me hitting a vital area.

Ugah...!!

(T-This is no joke...! How could that attack be so powerful?! There's no way I can take many more of those!)

It looks like you were able to pull that off after seeing my attack defeat Giblet. In a way, you owe him your life.

...! Don't you dare spout that kind of crap. You don't know a damn thing...

So, don't talk like you do!!!

...! No good...! What the hell is this technique?!

...

Grr...!!

(I gotta get outta here and get myself together. Otherwise I'm just signing up for a slow and painful death!)

No escape.

Haah!

Gwaaah?!

H-How...?! How can he hit me...from that kind of distance?!

Do you understand your situation now? You have nowhere to run and no means of fighting back.

D-Dammit...!!

Hey, Dad, what did you mean when you called his attack a "killer"...?

Hit's an assassin, and that's an attack he uses to do his job.

Even though you can see him with your eyes, he's actually in another place entirely. Then he hits you with a Ki you can't see.

You can see him in one place, but he's actually somewhere else?! And he attacks with a Ki you can't see? How is that possible...?

Beats me. I couldn't quite figure it out completely either.

But as long as Shallot doesn't realize what's happening, he's got no chance of winning.

Looks like this battle is almost at an end.

Raaaaah!!

...

Haa...haa...!

(I...I can't lay a finger on him...)

You've stopped moving...

...making you an easy target!!

Gaah!!

Urg... Ugh!!

Still on your feet? You're much tougher than I thought.

Haa... Haa...! I know how to take a punch!

(No matter what I do, I can't hit or dodge him!)

(Dammit...! It's like trying to fight smoke or something.)

Smoke...? Hold on a minute...

(My attacks aren't hitting him, so why is he able to hurt me...?)

Unless...

This is hopeless. I recommend you admit defeat.

Heh... Don't be stupid!

There's no way I'm gonna give up now. Not when I'm on the verge of giving you that face full of fist I promised!

Oh, really...?

You're not gonna be in charge of this fight much longer. I'm gonna tear through that technique of yours. I swear it!

Wroooohhh!!

Stubborn fool. Surely you realize how futile this fight is...

Shut your damn mouth!!

You're not willing to listen to reason, I see.

Shallot looks like he's getting desperate.

He can't evade Hit's attacks and can't counterattack either. It's clear he's lost this battle.

...

Haa... Haa...!!

I'm not interested in dragging this out with you any longer.

Hah!

Gaah!!

...

Hm...?

Nrgh...

Heh... Heh, heh, heh...!

Sorry, buddy. But you're gonna have to hang out with me just a bit longer...!

No way! How can Shallot keep standing?! Just how tough is he?!

He is tough for sure, but that's not why he's able to stand back up this time.

Dad, what do you mean...?

You inferred where I was aiming for and managed to guard against my attack...!

Wait, what did he say?!

After taking so many of your attacks... eventually I was gonna figure out where you were aiming for...whether I wanted to or not...!

How's it feel to have someone see through your precious technique?

Don't you ever underestimate...a Saiyan!!

You're not the first Saiyan to defend against this technique.

And even if you can defend yourself, you still cannot avoid taking damage. You've merely delayed the inevitable.

Yeah, I know...! But this is just the beginning.

The next step is punching your lights out!

(The moment he attacks me directly... That's when I gotta make my move and send him flying into next week!)

Let's see you try.

Hraah!!

There!!

That was close.

What...!

You believed you could land a blow against me by timing your attack to the instant I move in to strike you. Correct?

Unfortunately for you, I've already accounted for that.

Grr...!

It's over.

The hell it is!!

Nrg... Gaah...!!

Heh... Heh, heh! 'Bout time you came back.

...?! Giblet!

Nice of you to show up...!

This is a surprise. I was certain my attack from earlier left you immobilized.

Yeah. For awhile there I couldn't move a muscle.

But that gave me time to watch your fight with Shallot. And I made sure to pay close attention to that technique of yours!

Pay attention to my technique...?

You screwed up, Hit. You really thought one lucky shot was enough to take Giblet down for good?

You did a helluva job hanging in there, Shallot.

Hah! That was nowhere near enough to send me packing!

...

(Shallot wasn't desperate after all. He was convinced Giblet would rejoin the battle, so he forced himself to hold out by himself until then.)

(And Giblet used the time he was immobilized to observe and learn my fighting style...)

I see now. Both of you are quite commendable.

And now I fully comprehend how dangerous it would be to allow the two of you to do as you please unopposed.

I don't like that look in his eyes...

Guess that means the real fight's about to get started...!

Let's do this! Together!!

Raaaaah!!

This is pointless. It doesn't matter how many times you try.

Haah!!

No you don't!!

Ugh!!

So...this is all your attack can do when it's guarded against...? It's not that much of a special technique anymore!

...

Shallot!!

Wrooohh!!

Damn! Missed again...!

They're back to Giblet defending to give Shallot the leeway to focus on attacking.

...

However, it won't be as easy as when you saw through my time skipping ability.

Just because you're able to read my attacks, Giblet, doesn't mean you can defend against them completely.

Shallot also has yet to get ahold of me.

Slowly but surely, the two of you are inching towards your deaths.

Hmph... I appreciate the detailed breakdown, but your confidence is going to be your downfall!

Just because you can skip time doesn't mean you can waste ours! Let's pick up the pace! You've got an ass-kicking waiting for you!

Do I now?

Haa...haa... Hey, Giblet. You know what I got in mind, right?

Of course.

Do it the same as usual. I'll match your pace.

Hit's hard to fight alone, but with the two of us, we can take him down!

Yeah!

...

(Their zeal isn't a bluff. They're up to something...)

Hmph. Interesting...

Show me your power!

Haaaaaa!!

(...! Here comes Hit's attack...!)

(This is it! It all comes down to this...!)

Take...thiiiiiiis!

I told you! Countering against my attack won't work!

Haaaah!!

Gaaah?!

(What's going on? Why didn't Giblet interfere with my attack? That's been their strategy so far...)

They're back to Giblet defending to give Shallot the leeway to focus on attacking.

...!! It can't be!

Giblet! Do it now!!

Uwoooohhh!!

Grah?!

Haa...haa...! Heh, heh! How'd ya like that? Did ya see it coming?

Urgh...!

Now's not the time to let up, Shallot!

I know! Let's do this!!

Haaaaaaah!!

Raaaaaaaaaaah!!

(...! I can't...defend in time...!)

Gah?!

Ugh... I see. A most impressive change in tactics.

Giblet waited for me to counter Shallot's attack...then caught me while I was open...

I didn't expect it since Giblet had only defended until now... All that with barely a word between them...

And your apparent obstinance in repeating the same failing strategy was also a ruse...

Heh! We're just getting warmed up! If you thought we were impressive before, you ain't seen nothin' yet!

You should have finished us off while you had the advantage!

You took a pretty bad one just now, Hit!

Goku...

Let's switch back. I've rested enough!

...

I know you must be enjoying your fight with these two...

...but I think you know this could turn deadly if you keep going.

Hmph. Promising to capture Shallot alive was an error in judgment.

Capture me...alive?! Wait, does that mean you've been holding back?!

Very well, as you wish. I was never officially hired for this in the first place.

As long as someone is able to capture Shallot, that's all that matters.

Heh, heh! Thanks, Hit!

Looks like this time Goku's the one who stopped the fight just when it was getting good...

But we're after the Dragon Radar he's got, right? Having him step up now is a stroke of luck.

Yeah... You're not wrong...

At any rate, Shallot, if you got a Senzu Bean left, now's the time to take it.

Yeah, I guess, but what about you? You already ate yours, right?

Well, you did save our butts back there, so consider this payment for the trouble. Two beans are better than one after all!

...! Wait a sec! I have two! Looks like you're joining me for a snack!

You have two? We were only given one each.

A friend gave me another one. Well, at least he WAS a friend...

Oh, you have Senzu Beans too?

That's great! Chow down! I don't mind waiting.

You sure? You're gonna have to face both of us at full power if we do.

Oh, I'm sure! If I'm gonna beat you two, then I want it to be when you're at your peak!

Heh. You would say that, wouldn't you? Just don't let yourself regret it after!

Take it, Giblet!

Unbelievable. Once again Goku shows mercy towards an enemy...

Ah!

Nice! We're back!!

I gotta say, you two have some incredible energy!

I'm getting pumped up! I can't wait!