While the trio was still reeling from the shock of that horrific pressure, a man appeared before them.
He stood over two meters tall with a massive, hulking build and long black hair cascading down his back. Vegeta's pupils contracted the moment his eyes fell on the tail wrapped around the stranger's waist.
"What terrifying ki... He's a Saiyan?! Who the hell is this guy?"
Cold sweat trickled down Vegeta's forehead as he stared at the monster radiating a malevolent, black-red aura.
"Hahahaha! This is the Evil Saiyan—Cumber. I hope you enjoy playing with him! Hahahaha!"
Fu's irritating voice echoed from every direction, mocking them.
"An Evil Saiyan? What's that supposed to mean?" CC Goku muttered, his face tightening. "Regardless, his energy is the real deal. Let me test your strength!"
"HAAA!"
Goku instantly went Super Saiyan and lunged at Cumber.
THOOM!
Goku buried a fist into Cumber's chest, but the impact did absolutely nothing. Cumber didn't even flinch. Instead, the dark, malevolent aura surrounding the giant began to coil around Goku's arm like a snake.
"What? What is this stuff?!"
"Ugh... AAAAAHHH!!"
Before Goku could even react, the black energy surged, enveloping his entire body. In an instant, his golden aura was snuffed out and replaced by a flickering black-red flame. His pupils vanished, leaving only white voids filled with murderous intent. He had been completely corrupted by Cumber's aura.
In the shadows, Turles watched the scene and sighed, rubbing his temples. Good grief... Goku is just Goku. Does he have zero caution? How do you just jump head-first into an aura that obviously screams 'I will corrupt your soul'?
"Nani?!"
Vegeta watched in shock as his teammate turned. He went dark just like that? This Saiyan named Cumber can infect others with just his aura?
Actually, Vegeta was overthinking it. It was mostly because CC Goku had been caught off guard; under normal circumstances, a warrior of his level wouldn't be so easily subverted.
"HAAA!"
The berserk Goku roared and lunged straight for Vegeta.
"Curse it!"
Whoosh!
Vegeta went Super Saiyan to meet the charge. However, a small, wicked smirk played on his lips.
Hehe... Kakarot, don't blame me. My hand is forced here!
The situation was technically dire—they had the Evil Saiyan Cumber looming over them, Fu watching from the shadows, and the other Kakarot was nowhere to be seen. But... the opportunity to legally beat the hell out of a Kakarot didn't come around very often.
But before Vegeta could display his "heroic" efforts, a golden ki blast slammed into Goku's back, sending him skidding across the ground.
"Huh?" Vegeta blinked, his plan interrupted.
"Father!"
"Trunks?!"
In the distance, Mai let out a cry of relief. "Thank goodness! Trunks, you're safe!"
Tch. What a waste, Vegeta thought, disappointed. Well, since you're here, Trunks, you handle Kakarot. I'll go deal with the Evil Saiyan!
"Understood, Father!"
"HAAA!"
Trunks went Super Saiyan and intercepted the blackened Goku.
"Sorry about this, Goku, but looking at your face right now... it's making me a little angry!"
Trunks struck first. The sight of Goku's corrupted face reminded him too much of the Zamasu incident, and his punches carried a little more "emotional weight" than necessary.
However, the blackened Goku had lost all reason. He erupted with more black-red energy and began a frantic counter-offensive.
Tsk. As expected of Goku... even without his mind, his combat instincts are incredible.
But you won't beat me while you're acting like a wild animal! Trunks thought. After the Zamasu incident, he hadn't spent a single day slacking off on his training.
"HAA!"
Trunks ascended to Super Saiyan 2. He used a flash step to appear directly in front of Goku and threw a heavy punch aimed straight for the face.
His logic was simple: knock Goku out to break the corruption. It was purely professional, definitely not personal!
But even in a berserk state, Goku's reflexes were peerless. He blocked the strike with a cross-guard.
BOOM!
The force of the impact pushed the corrupted Goku back several meters. He let out a guttural roar and, following pure instinct, ascended to his own Super Saiyan 2 state. Trunks nearly cursed out loud.
You can still transform while acting on pure instinct? I have to end this in one shot!
Suddenly, a white blur streaked across the battlefield. A heavy kick caught the blackened Goku in the ribs, sending him crashing into the ground, creating a massive, man-shaped crater.
"Nani? Cooler?!"
Vegeta, who was currently clashing with Cumber, looked over in surprise.
"Father! Cooler is on our side!" Trunks explained quickly.
Cooler stood there in his Final Form. His build was massive and imposing, with white bone-like armor plating his shoulders and sharp spikes protruding from his elbows. Four white horns curved upward from his head, and with his crimson eyes and bone mask, he looked truly demonic.
Fu had plucked this version of Cooler from another parallel universe. To escape this planet, Cooler had formed a temporary, uneasy alliance with Trunks.
His strength was immense. That single heavy blow had been enough to knock the corrupted Goku unconscious. Though it was a surprise attack, it was a testament to his power.
Goku eventually stirred, groaning. "Ugh... man, that hurt..."
He rubbed his side and looked at Trunks in confusion. "Wait... Trunks? What are you doing here?"
"Goku, you're finally awake. You lost your mind just now..."
As Trunks quickly filled him in on what happened, Goku realized the danger he had been in.
"I see. Well, thanks for the help, Cooler!" Goku said, offering a sincere thanks.
"Hmph! Don't misunderstand. This is merely a temporary cooperation," Cooler snorted with disdain. "However, I heard that the Frieza of another world learned a new transformation? As his older brother, how could I possibly allow my sibling to surpass me?"
"HAAAAA!"
Cooler let out a mighty roar, his muscles tensing until they seemed ready to burst. An overwhelming pressure erupted from his body.
BOOM!
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Much like a Super Saiyan, a golden aura began to swirl around Cooler. His appearance shifted dramatically. His once-white skin turned a deep, burnished gold, and his entire body glowed with a brilliant, metallic radiance.
"Hehe. Following your nomenclature... I suppose you can call this Golden Cooler!"
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