Android 16 decided to distance himself from the conflict rather than confront Kahn directly. He was clear about this because he knew that Kahn could defeat Android 17 and Android 18 without breaking a sweat.
"Vegeta," Kahn said, turning his head to look at him. "I heard you're going to challenge me. And you called me a coward?"
Though Kahn wasn't present during the earlier confrontation, he saw everything that transpired through the projection of Whis' Angel staff. Thus, he understood Vegeta's purpose for coming to Earth this time.
Kahn glared at Vegeta, sending shivers down his spine. The confidence Vegeta felt upon arriving on Earth began to waver at the sight of Kahn. Even from a distance, he could still feel the overwhelming pressure emanating from Kahn, which didn't seem intentional.
"You... you misunderstood!" Vegeta stammered, looking away.
Faced with Kahn, he had completely lost the arrogance he had exhibited earlier. "I never said you were a coward!"
"Really?" Kahn grinned, which only made Vegeta shiver more.
"Then are you here to challenge me? It's been a few years since I last saw you, and it seems you've been training hard."
Kahn carefully examined Vegeta and saw right through his current strength. Vegeta had mastered Super Saiyan 1, and while he was extraordinarily strong in the original timeline, Kahn regarded him as very weak. It appeared that Vegeta hadn't let himself go in the past five years.
"It seems you're getting overconfident in your strength again. Forget it; I accept your challenge. Come on, make a move."
As he spoke, Kahn beckoned Vegeta with his fingers, indicating he was ready for combat.
Vegeta's eyelids twitched violently, caught between his previous bravado and the prospect of backing down. After confidently shouting his challenge, could he really turn away now? He couldn't afford to lose his pride.
The prince of the Saiyans would not allow himself to act cowardly. Vegeta transformed into his full power Super Saiyan 1 form and made the classic gesture, declaring, "Tremble! Kahn, this is the power of my Vegeta!"
"Uh-huh!" Kahn nodded solemnly. "That's strong; let's see what you've got."
"What!"
The ground beneath Vegeta shattered as he charged toward Kahn at lightning speed. Kahn stood still with his hands behind his back. When Vegeta's fist was about to land, Kahn neither countered nor defended himself, simply allowing the punch to hit him.
Puff! In an instant, Vegeta's fist connected with Kahn's face. Kahn didn't flinch, not even a muscle.
"Nani?!" Vegeta gasped. He had poured nearly all his strength into that punch, yet it failed to affect Kahn, leaving him shocked.
He had suspected Kahn's strength had grown since their time on Namek, but never expected his strongest attack wouldn't even make Kahn move.
"That's it..."
"Um?" Kahn was about to mock him, but then, suddenly, black question marks appeared on his face.
"Wow!" Vegeta screamed as he inexplicably flew back and returned to his normal state.
"???" Kahn blinked, confused.
"What just happened?"
"I don't know..." came the collective response from the Z fighters, all equally baffled.
Kahn had made no move, yet Vegeta had flown back on his own.
"Good... so strong!" Vegeta exclaimed, half lying on the ground and clutching his chest in shock.
"???" Kahn looked at him incredulously. "Vegeta, what are you doing? Why did you fall before I even attacked?"
As Kahn's words hung in the air, the Z fighters only grew more perplexed. They had witnessed Kahn make no move, yet Vegeta had fallen back on his own. It was utterly bizarre!
Called out by Kahn, Vegeta's face turned red with embarrassment.
He turned his head and tried to flatter Kahn, saying, "Doesn't this show that you are powerful?"
He thought that sometimes, it's better to bow your head in certain situations, like this one. If he engaged Kahn, he could already envision his defeat.
The Z fighters were collectively dumbfounded. Did he not just threaten to challenge and defeat Kahn in a moment of bravado?
However, one thing was undeniable: Vegeta was wise to back down.
"Hmph, look at that! Vegeta can think sometimes," Piccolo scoffed, even though he didn't respect Vegeta's behavior. Still, it was a clever decision. Who would want to be beaten senseless for no good reason?
Even the potential loss of his life crossed his mind.
"Hahaha! Vegeta, are you here to be mocked?" Krillin laughed outright.
With Kahn present, Vegeta didn't dare to retaliate.
Vegeta's eyelids twitched, and he coldly replied, "Say that again!"
"Say it again? What could you do to me?" Krillin taunted.
Krillin started to mock him.
"Okay." Kahn waved his hand, interrupting the friendly interaction between Vegeta and Krillin, and asked, "Can everyone still move?"
"Yes."
"good."
Everyone responded one after another.
After resting just now, everyone has recovered some physical strength.
Then, they cannot fight, but at least it is possible to use the Flying Technique to leave this place.
Immediately, Kahn explained in an orderly manner:
"Piccolo, you and nephew Gohan send Goku back, and I will find a way to cure his heart disease, and everyone else can go back to their respective homes and some rest"
Piccolo nodded and had no objection.
At first, he and Goku were enemies, but now he and Goku are friends who trust their back to each other.
"Vegeta, what about you?"
Vegeta stood up again, and said cheekily: "Can I stay on Earth? I want to know how you usually work out."
After seeing Kahn's strength today, Vegeta no longer expects to catch up with Kahn.
As long as he can continue to close the gap with Kahn, he will be satisfied.
Besides, even if he leaves the earth, he has nowhere to go.
Now his goal in life is to become stronger and keep getting stronger.
"up to you..."
!!!
Before Kahn finished his sentence, a lizard-like green shadow suddenly rushed out from behind a stone, his snake-like eyes were full of greed.
He rushed straight to Android 18, who was seriously injured.
"Android 17 and Android 18 are this Cell's prey!"