Grand Elder Guru
Following the Dragon Radar led Gohan, Bulma, Tien and Krillin to a strange round building atop an outcropping. The building had curved windows and two antenna-like spikes protruding from the roof. "Huh, it looks a lot like Kami's ship. Guess we know what Namekian architecture looks like." Bulma said.
Gohan, Krillin and Tien floated down to the building; Gohan waiting for Bulma to find her feet before landing himself. "It's in a bad spot though. Good luck hiding when this place sticks out like a sore thumb." Krillin said.
Not far from them a door floated upward. A Namekian with a passing resemblance to Piccolo stepped out and looked down at them with arms linked behind his back. "Who are you to come here? This is the house of Grand Elder Guru, ruler of Namek and father to all." The Namekian said.
Gohan and Bulma blinked, of the four Earthlings they knew any Namekian. "Um... Hello? I'm Bulma, my friends and I am from Earth." Bulma said.
Krillin looked between Bulma and Nail. "Ah Bulma, what's he saying?" Krillin said.
Tien crossed his arms. "Whatever he's saying it doesn't sound hostile; I'll take what we can get at this point." Tien said.
The Namekian's antenna twitched. "At least some of you can't talk Namekian. Where did you learn our language?" The Namekian said.
"I learnt from a Namekian on Earth." Gohan/Bulma said. They looked at each other and rubbed their necks. Gohan wondered if they should clarify they learnt from different a Namekian, Piccolo wouldn't like being lumped together with Kami and Kami might not like being mixed with Piccolo either.
"Nail... They are not invaders, let them in." A frail sounding voice said.
Nail looked back to the house and then sighed. "Very well... Follow me Earthlings." Nail said. He led them into the house. Seeing Nail float up to the second floor Gohan wrapped his arms around Bulma again and carried her up.
Two things stood out about the Namekian that awaited them on the second floor to Gohan. First, he was enormous; Gohan wouldn't even reach his knees. Second, he looked very tired with deep lines in his face and his eyes barely open. "Welcome Earthlings, I am Guru. I apologise for the hostility Nail showed you but our planet is under attack." Guru said.
"So the Ki I felt weren't Namekians after all." Tien said.
Bulma pulled at her hair. "Shit, you don't think those guys are after the Dragonballs too?" Bulma said.
Gohan paled. "T-then isn't this our fault? If Vegeta realised Mr Piccolo was related to the Dragonballs, he came here when he couldn't get Earth's." Gohan said. He looked at the ground. "I-I'm so sorry." Gohan said.
Guru raised a hand. "Do not take the blame for what they are doing. The Dragonballs are symbols of wisdom and power to us. They are our hope, but to one with evil they will always be prized." Guru said.
"Grand Elder Guru, if it's the Dragonballs they're looking for we can abandon the villages for now. Those invaders won't be able to use the Dragonballs anyway." Nail said. Gohan tilted his head to the side. Why wouldn't Vegeta be able to use the Dragonballs?
"Indeed, there is no point in Namekians dying when the enemy's purpose is clear. I will send word for my children to hide." Guru said. The elder Namek looked pensive for a moment before turning his attention back to them. "Also, you said there are Dragonballs on Earth. Is there truly a Namekian there?" Guru said.
Krillin scratched his head. "Yes, Kami is the Guardian of Earth. I heard he escaped this planet when the cataclysm hit." Krillin said. Gohan wondered if he should mention Piccolo but decided not to. Piccolo wouldn't want another older Namekian interfering in his business, he grumbled about Kami enough as it is.
Guru smiled. "So a child of Katas survived. It's incredible that a member of the Dragon Clan still lives, let alone a scion of such a genius. By now he must be powerful indeed. So he was the one who defeated the evil on your planet?" Guru said.
"Well not really? I mean he helped the others train, but Mr Piccolo's the one who fought." Gohan said.
"Hmm... Well either way you appear to have pure hearts and great potential power. Would you help defend Namek?" Guru said.
Tien looked to Gohan and Krillin, after a moment's hesitation they nodded. "It would be our honour." Tien said.
"Very well, come closer and I'll reveal your potential. With your true power unlocked it may be possible to save Namek." Guru said.
"If you say so," Krillin said. He stepped forward; Guru stretched a clawed hand out and rested it on Krillin's head.
Krillin's Ki skyrocketed; Tien took a step back. "I-incredible, after all that training so much power was still hidden?" Tien said. Gohan wondered if it was really something to be impressed by, Krillin's Ki was still lower than his. Was this only what Krillin couldn't suppress? That made sense; Gohan wasn't as good at controlling his Ki as Tien and Krillin.
"Pretty neat, he made Krillin glow." Bulma said. Gohan sweat dropped as Krillin stepped back.
Tien stepped forward and Guru rested a hand on his head. "Not to sound ungrateful, but won't this draw the enemy here?" Tien said.
"Thank you for the concern, but it will be alright so long as you power down after you leave." Guru said. Tien's Ki also skyrocketed, eclipsing Krillin's. Tien bowed to Guru and stepped back.
Guru looked to Gohan. "And now it is your turn child." Guru said. Gohan stepped forward, Guru's hand resting on his head felt much like Piccolo's when he did something right. "... You have astonishing potential power, you are not like the other two." Guru said.
"Um, technically I'm half Saiya-jin..." Gohan said. He furrowed his brows. "And if I think about it my Grandfather is a Giant-type Earthling... Huh, I'm only one quarter Human if I think about it." Gohan said.
"I see. Perhaps this is the power of a Super Saiya-jin I sense. I will awaken what I can." Guru said. Gohan felt a fizzy energy, similar to Baba's, enter his head and seep into his entire body. Gohan trembled at the feeling of energy inside him pulling at his gut. Gohan's Ki broke free of his control and surged outward higher than ever. Gohan's throat tightened, his control was slipping, he had to push it down! Guru's energy and hand pulled back. "Be at ease child, I have pulled out only a fraction of your power. The rest is beyond my ability to tap into." Guru said. Gohan took deep breaths and bowed his head to Guru so his blush was hidden. He'd almost thrown his Ki against Guru and hurt the old Namekian!
Nail walked between Gohanm and Guru, his arms crossed. "If that's all, I will see you out now." Nail said.
"Yes, be sure to go with them Nail." Guru said.
Nail frowned at Guru. "Grand Elder, I can't leave you here!" Nail said.
"Nail, if the Dragonball is gone what would the enemy gain by coming here? I will be safe enough here. Go and defend our people, they have far more time left to live than I." Guru said. He inclined his head to Bulma. "And if your friend wants to she can stay here with me. I would enjoy the company; it has been over a century since I conversed with someone other than my children." Guru said.
Bulma gave Guru a thumb up. "If it's conversation you want you've come to the right place!" Bulma said. She looked at Gohan, Krillin and Tien with hands on her hips. "Alright you lot, get out there and kick Saiya-jin tail!" Bulma said. Gohan supposed he should be glad she would be safe here. Bulma handed him the Dragon Radar and an oversized Dragonball. Bulma might be staying behind but now he would be on a different carrying duty. At least the Dragon Radar wouldn't scream if he flew too fast.
"If that's all, we're leaving. Hurry up." Nail said. He dropped down to the first floor and flew out of the house. Tien, Krillin and Gohan scrambled to fly after him. They caught up to fly at Nail's side; Gohan looked at Nail from the corner of his eye. Nail looked upset, granted having his planet and family being attacked should be upsetting but there seemed to be more than that...
Krillin flew closer to Gohan and raised a hand to his mouth. "Say, he looks upset. The resemblance to Piccolo's really strong right now." Krillin said. Gohan raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about? Nail doesn't look that much like Mr Piccolo." Gohan said. Couldn't Krillin see the differences in their jawline, cheekbones and head shape? Besides, even if Krillin shielded his mouth Nail would still hear him.
Tien looked back at them. "Stop chatting, we've got enemies up ahead!" Tien said.
"R-right!" Gohan said. Krillin sped up to fly beside Tien while Gohan fumbled for the Dragon Radar. "It looks like they've got two Dragonballs!" Gohan said.
"Good, stay back Gohan. We'll take care of them while you guard the Dragonball!" Tien said.
Nail, Tien and Krillin descended on a group of aliens with prejudice. The aliens weren't very strong, so Krillin and Tien took them out with ease. Nail grabbed the two Dragonballs and brought them back to Gohan while the two were fighting.
Since he didn't have to fight, Nail put Gohan on Dragonball hiding duty while Tien and Krillin rested. Gohan dug a hole and covered one Dragonball with dirt. He hadn't expected his trip into space to devolve into hide and seek. They might need the Dragonballs soon so he was loathe to put them far apart, still it would be stupid to place all seven together. Gohan patted the dirt to make it look more natural before getting up and grabbing the second Dragonball. This one Gohan dropped into the island's pond; it was shallow but would hide the ball.
Nail watched Gohan as he picked up the third Dragonball and hid it under a large Ajisa; the hydrangea-like plant would be excellent cover with its bushy leaves and bright flowers. "So you speak Namekian, did that same person teach you to fight?" Nail said.
Gohan looked up at Nail. The tall warrior loomed over Gohan. "Yes, Mr Piccolo taught me how to fight." Gohan said.
Nail inspected his claws. "If he's from Earth he's also descended from the Dragon Clan, so why is it you move like a Warrior Clan?" Nail said.
"I don't know, Mr Piccolo always said he specialised in combat. I don't think he likes to do what Kami does... He can make stuff out of nothing though, so he could if he wanted?" Gohan said. Piccolo did have some abilities that used the fuzzy feeling energy, the Clothes Beam was the one Gohan saw most.
Nail smirked. "So you mean to tell me a Dragon Clan just decided to be Warrior Clan one day... It explains why you have such strange deviations in your Ki at least. I can't decide if he's an idiot or a genius." Nail said.
Gohan scratched his head. "Honestly... I think Mr Piccolo just likes being different from Kami. They were the same person once so he doesn't like being compared." Gohan said.
Nail snorted. "He split himself in two? That decides it, he's an idiot." Nail said.
Gohan puffed out his cheeks; Nail shrugged at him. "If you split your soul in half your potential will only ever be half, get it? While it's possible to split I've never heard of a Namekian dumb enough to do it." Nail said.
Maybe that was true but Gohan couldn't let Nail think Piccolo was dumb! "Well Mr Piccolo couldn't know that; he can't remember anything of Namek." Gohan said. Nail shrugged again and neither said anything more. Gohan supposed that meant Nail had gotten his point.
They were just getting ready to head out when Nail sped off suddenly. Gohan, Krillin and Tien flew after him though they struggled to catch up. "H-hey, what's going on? Gohan, don't worry about us and get moving!" Krillin said.
"R-right," Gohan said. He powered up and flew as fast as he could, even then the gap between himself and Nail only decreased by half. He'd never catch up; Nail was faster and had a head start. Gohan closed his eyes and reached out with his thoughts like he would Piccolo. "Nail, what's going on?" Gohan thought.
Nail glanced back at Gohan; Gohan felt Nail's thoughts reach back. "Can't you sense it? There's a larger Ki ahead and it's chasing two Namekians." Nail thought. Gohan blinked rapidly but sent searched for the Ki Nail sensed. It was still far away but he did feel three Ki, two were tiny and being chased by a larger Ki... Larger comparatively, it was higher than what Krillin and Tien had released but it was lower than Gohan's.
Nail and Gohan closed the distance between them and the two Namekians Ki in silence, Tien and Krillin still lagging behind. Gohan caught sight of two small Namekians flying towards Nail while crying. "Cargo, Dende! Get behind me, quickly now!" Nail said. The two Namekians, who must be children, hid behind Nail as the third Ki approached. Gohan tried not to feel bad when they cringed at the sight of him; they must have had enough problems with aliens already and that was technically Gohan's fault.
Gohan floated near Nail, fists clenched as the source of Ki became clear. It was a pink alien with nor hair and spikes protruding from its head. "Look at what I found, another slug and a mystery brat." The Alien said.
Nail glared at the alien. "Cargo and Dende stay with Gohan here. I will deal with this." Nail said.
The alien laughed. "Oh look, this slug thinks it can-!" The Alien said. It was cut off by Nail's hand piercing its chest. The alien gasped for breath, coughing purple blood onto Nail's face. Nail slid his hand out and let the alien fall into the ocean. He turned back to Gohan, Cargo and Dende. "Now brothers, let's get you back to Moori." Nail said.
The two Namekian children looked at each other, their faces downcast. "N-Nail, Elder Moori... The entire village is..." The child on the left said.
The child on the right clenched his fists. "Elder Moori died destroying a strange thing so the aliens wouldn't find us. Everyone tried to run away" but that alien chased us down. The child on the right said.
Nail grimaced and pulled the two children into his arms. "Then I will escort you back to Grand Elder Guru's place. You can stay with him until this incident is ended." Nail said. Gohan followed after Nail as he flew back towards Guru's house. It didn't feel right to say anything now... but he felt bad for Krillin and Tien, they must have no idea what's going on. Gohan would have to explain everything to them when they met back at Guru's.
Namek Arc Power Level Ranking (After Boosts):
Average Frieza Soldiers (1,500)
Krillin, Potential Unleashed (13,000) Tien, Potential Unleashed (14,000)
Dodoria (22,000) Zarbon (23,000) Vegeta (24,000)
Gohan, Potential Unleashed (32,050) Nail (42,000)
Raging Gohan, Potential Unleashed (69,869)