"What?"
"Bardock, you..."
Everyone was taken aback. They hadn't expected that even now, Bardock would still be unwilling to leave with them.
"Why? Bardock, what nonsense are you talking about? Are you going to leave me behind?"
Gine looked at Bardock in disbelief, her voice filled with confusion. She didn't understand why he still refused to flee with them at this critical moment. Her face turned deathly pale.
"I'm sorry, Gine. I can't just sit back and watch them all perish. Forgive my selfishness. You have changed me so much... But don't worry, I promise you, I will come find you later."
Bardock explained slowly, his expression one of utter seriousness and resolve. It was clear there was no room for negotiation.
Qin Yan, however, saw something different deep within his gaze. Perhaps Qin Yan understood why Bardock had made this choice.
"But it's too dangerous! Just come with us!"
Hearing Bardock's assurance, Gine still felt it was too risky. She was consumed with worry for his safety and continued to plead with him to join them.
"She's right! Bardock, come with us!"
Qin Yan's father, Benas, and several others joined in the persuasion.
"No."
Bardock remained steadfast, his face set with determination.
Seeing Bardock's resolve, Gine realized that nothing she said would change his mind. She fell silent, her eyes filled with sorrow as she looked at her husband.
Seeing this, the others didn't know what else to say.
"Then we'll stay with Bardock!"
Tora and the rest of the crew stepped forward. They chose to stay by Bardock's side to fight and save their compatriots. As comrades-in-arms, they truly lived by the code of never leaving a man behind. Their spirit was truly moving.
Such a bond of brotherhood was a rare sight among the Saiyan race.
Qin Yan looked at Bardock and his teammates, nodding slightly. He couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for their loyalty.
"What?"
Qin Yan's mother, Melos, was shocked again. She thought to herself that these guys must have a death wish or were just here to cause trouble.
"You don't need to follow me. Tora, you all leave with Karos and the others!"
However, hearing Tora and his team's offer, Bardock refused this time. He didn't allow them to accompany him; instead, he urged them to leave.
"But..."
"No buts. Trust me, all of you go! I will find you later."
Seeing that Tora and the others wanted to argue, Bardock cut them off immediately, his voice stern and serious.
"This... fine."
Seeing that Bardock wasn't joking, Tora and his teammates exchanged a look before finally agreeing. They chose to leave with Qin Yan.
"Alright! Time is running out. Have you decided? We need to go."
At this point, Qin Yan could no longer stand to wait. He was getting impatient and urged them to hurry. All this bickering was irritating; if they delayed any longer, Planet Vegeta would explode, and no one would be able to escape.
"Yeah. Go on! I'm counting on you, Karos!"
Bardock pushed his teammates toward Qin Yan and nodded solemnly.
"No problem. So, you're really not coming?"
Qin Yan nodded to Bardock and confirmed one last time.
"That's right."
Bardock looked at Qin Yan with a calm gaze. In that moment, it felt as though the two were staring at each other across an endless expanse of space and time. After a long pause, Bardock nodded and spoke with total sincerity.
"You didn't just see their destiny... you saw your own as well, didn't you?"
Qin Yan suddenly voiced his suspicion. Under the influence of the Kanassan's Phantom Fist on Planet Kanassa, Bardock had gained the ability to see the future. He hadn't just seen the fate of Kakarot and the Saiyans; he had seen his own as well. It seemed he had his own plan.
"Haha! I should have expected nothing less from you, Karos. I look forward to our next meeting!"
Bardock was stunned for a moment before laughing heartily. Internally, he marveled at Qin Yan's mysterious power and insight.
"Alright. Take care!"
Qin Yan smiled faintly. He didn't try to hold him back anymore. They would each cherish their own paths. Perhaps there truly would be a chance to meet again.
The conversation between Qin Yan and Bardock left the others completely bewildered. They had no idea what the two were talking about all this talk of destiny made no sense to them.
"Take care!"
"Goodbye, Bardock!"
"Look after yourself, Gine. Wait for me to return."
With that, Bardock gathered his Ki and slowly ascended into the air, bidding a final farewell to everyone.
"Fine! Bardock, you must take care of yourself too!"
Tears finally escaped Gine's eyes. Her heart was full of reluctance, but she didn't stop reminding him to stay safe, her voice overflowing with concern.
"Take care, Bardock!"
The crowd waved to him, their hearts heavy.
Bardock gave everyone a small smile and a nod before turning and flying away.
"Bardock! You must come find me! For me and for our children!"
Watching his retreating figure as he flew away without looking back, Gine shouted at the top of her lungs, her vision blurred by tears.
Hearing Gine's voice, Bardock turned back and gave her a faint smile, waving his hand. It was unclear if he was telling her not to worry or simply saying his final goodbye.
"Alright, everyone hold hands. We're leaving now."
Qin Yan watched as Bardock disappeared from sight and began instructing everyone to prepare for departure.
Hearing Qin Yan's voice, the group snapped back to reality. Following his instructions, they stood in a row, holding hands.
Seeing that everyone was ready, Qin Yan stepped forward and grabbed little Liya's hand, then began to perform Instant Transmission.
Whoosh!
In the blink of an eye, Qin Yan and the group vanished from the spot.
A few moments later.
In the outer space of Planet Vegeta, on a nearby asteroid.
Qin Yan's Instant Transmission brought everyone here.
Qin Yan looked up toward Planet Vegeta. From this vantage point, the outline of the planet was clearly visible. The crimson world appeared to be about the size of the moon.
"What is this place?"
Everyone looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings in confusion. They were on a desolate planet with no air, as silent as the void of space itself. Startled, they thought Qin Yan had made a mistake and turned their gazes toward him.
However, when they looked at Qin Yan, they saw him staring up into the distant sky. Following his gaze, they witnessed a sight they would never forget.
In the distance, they saw a red planet hanging high in the starry sky. Despite the distance, they recognized it instantly as their home, Planet Vegeta. Everyone's eyes widened in shock.
In the quiet vacuum of space, under their collective gaze, Planet Vegeta suddenly began to swell. Then, it violently exploded. Flames surged into the heavens, emitting a blinding light that sparkled with brilliant radiance, like a massive firework.
Then, like a colossal burst of pyrotechnics, Planet Vegeta faded into a final, shimmering glow before silently vanishing from the universe forever.
"Sigh!"
Watching the destruction of Planet Vegeta, the crowd sighed in helplessness. Perhaps this was destiny. It was the result of the Saiyans' own actions they had brought this upon themselves. They could blame no one else; they simply hadn't been strong enough.
"Hmm?"
Watching Planet Vegeta explode into a sky full of fireworks, Qin Yan's brow furrowed slightly.
At the exact moment the planet exploded, Qin Yan sensed a mysterious energy.
It seemed to be the Power of Space-Time.
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