So Vegeta flew off in search of far off distant lands to pick fights, and do battle with both the beasts, and swordsman. It seems he would have to add finding his companions as well. He had no idea where they were or had ended up, but he knew he wouldn't find the answers to anything he wanted by staying where he was trapped in the mist.

Vegeta flew away from the spot he first appeared at. It disappeared behind him almost as soon as he had left it to be swallowed by the all encompassing mist around him. He wasn't sure how long he had been travelling or how far he had come, he only knew he was travelling fast, but there was still no sign of this mist clearing. Oppressive as it felt it would not stop him and he continued to charge through the air through the thick blinding grey world. Engulfed all around it made this entire world look like a giant cataract and he the lone spec of blue amongst it. Worse still was that he still could not truly sense what was around him. Just a foreign sensation where he would normally easily latch onto an energy signature. So even without this endless mist it seemed he truly was flying blind. But that would change soon enough.

Looking ahead he saw no sign of the mist clearing. But a few moments later peering ahead he thought he saw something; a darker patch of it. Not because it was thicker, but because something appeared to be hiding among it. The far off outline of tall misshapen peaks that were becoming less distant and more distinct as he approached. He identified them initially as mountains that were as high in the air as he was, yet they were shaped differently. Almost as if they were buildings or some kind of settlement. His eyes rolled in their sockets and he could see the faintest outline of what could pass as a city, only with large cylindrical buildings. Taking this a clear sign that some kind people inhabited this mist and what could be an island Vegeta began to descend lower in the air. Whatever secrets, this world had hidden away in the mist he was going to be sure to find out now. He would question his whereabouts, those of whom he came here with and what he came looking for.

He crashed down into a cobblestone road with his feet, landing so powerfully that he crushed those that he landed on and cracked the surrounding ones indenting himself into the pavement. He picked his head up and looked ahead to see what he could only assume was the entrance to the city; sturdy powerful gates that guarded the way. But aside from seeing the city he heard something as well. A series of loud bells ringing.

"Intruder! Intruder!" they chanted as they hit the bells. Vegeta's brow furrowed, but he remained in place undeterred as dozens of figures flooded out of the gate before him. They seemed rather normal as far as he was concerned, exactly like regular humans with nothing distinguishable about them. Save perhaps for their clothes. They all wore headbands with a symbol on it that looked like four curved lines together. Vegeta didn't know what it signified, and he didn't care aside from the fact that like the land it was foreign to him, so he took it as a good sign even if it didn't show in his face. He did take notice of that strange energy he felt ever since he got here. Not the energy signals he was used to, but similar at the same time. Whatever it was, it was present in all of them.

The group before him was rather large, and he saw even more of them manning the walls as the street had become too crowded to hold them. The dark mob of them had taken up the entire street, but they kept a distance from him. There was a lull as the alarm faded as the men stopped clamoring and appeared only to be in a stand off against Vegeta who eyed them silently. He waited to see what would happen next.

Then one man stepped forth from the group. He had not only had a headband on, but an eye patch as well that covered his left eye.

"Halt!" he ordered putting his hand up. His voice was deep and rumbling, there was a discipline to it and his posture. Even though his voice carried it did not sway Vegeta. "Do not come any closer. If you do, we will use appropriate action against you" he warned sternly as he lowered his hand. The intruder said and did nothing. "We thought you might have been the Tsuchikage since we saw you flying, but that is apparently not the case" he rationalized and then dismissed it himself "Who are you and what are you doing here?" he asked.

"You should watch your mouth doorman" Vegeta barked back at him, a retort he clearly wasn't expecting "I am here on official business if you must know" he boasted.

"Doorman?" the man grunted to himself "By who's orders?"

"My own." Vegeta's remark seemed to put them all on edge "Now where am I. It appears I've lost my way" he admitted, rather confidently crossing his arms.

"Are you with…" he paused and his already stern face darkened considerably "the Akatsuki?"

Vegeta looked at him with a one eyebrow raised "The who?"

"The Akatsuki, are you in league with them?" he pressed his question.

"I don't know who they are nor do I really care" Vegeta replied dismissively "Not unless they have anything to do with what I've come here for"

Vegeta's banter certainly wasn't amusing anyone and the one he seemed locked against seemed no have no humor to begin with "How do I know you're not lying?"

"I don't care what you think" Vegeta admitted "I can already see you haven't met any of my companions" Vegeta surmised. If they had seen Kakarot or the boys they likely wouldn't have been as on edge. Or perhaps they are just as primitive as they look.

'There are others?' The man thought cautiously.

"So that leaves just two things I need to know" Vegeta continued "Let's start with one, shall we? Where am I?"

The man took a deep breath as he contemplated Vegeta's words. The guards behind him remained ready, but he stayed composed "This is Kirigakure; the Village Hidden in the Mist. It is part of the Land of Water, one of the five great ninja nations" the man with the eye patch said "I am Ao" Vegeta stirred slightly as he spoke taking in all he said. Ao could see something going on in this strangers mind and needed to know what it was. But first he must know who he is "Now," he began "you state your name and what you're doing here?" he ordered. But Vegeta was still caught up on all the answers he was just given.

"Ninja nations? Village hidden in the Mist?" Vegeta questioned "Never heard of it." He admitted disdainfully before a cocky smirk grew on his face "Which is good. Then I really am in the New lands."

"What are you rambling on about? Speak up!" Ao demanded

"Tell me doorman" Vegeta barked louder and more confident than before "Do you have any tailed beasts here?" Ao flinched at the question as he did the many soldiers behind him "From your reaction I would say you do" Vegeta grinned "Good" his rough voice oozed menacingly "Where is your tailed beast?" Vegeta asked sternly.

Ao remained composed, but couldn't figure this newcomer out. If he was with the Akatsuki, he clearly would have a basic understanding of at least where the five great villages were and if he was with the Akatsuki then he would also have known that they captured their tailed beasts already..but then again maybe this was all a trick. And he was going to take no chances. He raised his hand.

"Soldiers of the Hidden Mist!" he called as he each of the ninja behind him readied for battle "Prepare to A-"

"Halt!" a woman's voice rang out and the ninja's bracing for an attack stopped suddenly, and turned around to see who commanded it. Vegeta hadn't stirred, but looked past Ao to see the ground behind him move and shift about.

A woman in blue with long orange hair down to her feet walked passed the group of men who parted before her clearing a path. She walked past all of them to reach the front and come alongside Ao. "Shame on you Ao, treating our guest with such hostility" she scolded him softly.

"In a time of war Lady Fifth, I'd prefer not to take any chances" he grumbled to her respectfully.

"You're thinking like the old ways Ao" she raised a finger at him and closed her one visible eye as the other was obstructed by her hair. It made Vegeta think that it was something of a trend in this place "This is a new beginning for the Mist" she said as she started to walk around him to get a look at their guest "Come, let's invite him in and be hospitable" she then looked over at Vegeta who had been looking this way the entire time yet eyed her as indifferently as he had Ao "Well" she let out breathlessly "you certainly are a handsome guests, even if you are a little on the short side" she said flirtatiously. Vegeta however, just ignored her comments.

"And who are you?" he asked. He was actually willing to talk with her since she seemed to be more willing to talk than Ao, but also the one in charge.

With a wave of her hand she motioned to herself "I am the Fifth Mizukage and leader of the Village Hidden in the Mist. Mei Termui" she introduced herself and then moved that hand outward towards him. "And you might you be?"

It seemed he finally found it necessary to introduce himself.

"I am Vegeta, the Prince of all Saiyans"

At that moment a drastic change came over Mei. She had become a shadow of her lively self and become more silent as she stiffened in place.

'P-Prince?!' Mei thought shakily to herself

"Never heard of the Saiyans before" Ao grunted, getting to return the favor to Vegeta from before.

'A Prince means royalty' Mei thoughts ran wild 'A King means there's a queen. Prince means he's unmarried. Marriage!' her thoughts rambled on. But her silence had not gone unnoticed as beside her Ao stirred.

"Lady fifth?" Ao asked concerned noticing her suddenly stoic state.

Mei then shook her head out of her trance snapping back to her more pleasant disposition "I'll have to apologize for my ninja" she smiled looking across to Prince Vegeta "They're on edge you know" Vegeta said nothing as he waited for her to continue talking "So tell me Vegeta" she smiled "What brings you all the way out here? You seem to have impeccable timing" she joked "You've come to our doorstep on the eve of a war. You have to understand why were so edgy."

"I have no interest in what goes these lands or their petty problems" Vegeta told "I am here for one thing and one thing only"

"You're not from around here are you?" Mei asked

"Absolutely not" he refuted brusquely.

"Well you certainly don't look like you from around here" Mei admitted looking him over, especially his clothes "Then what would possess you to come all the way out here? Looking for a little excitement?" she asked as he winked at him and cupped her face.

"Ahh Lady Fifth" Ao groaned in embarrassment.

"Come now Ao" Mei said speaking to him, but still eyeing Vegeta "I think you two may get along well. You have the same disposition and even hair style" she said pointing upwards.

Ao's eyes went up as well before setting them back on Vegeta "We're nothing alike" he insisted in a hard voice.

"On that we agree doorman. You are below my station" Vegeta hollered over to him "But that doesn't matter because I am not here for you. I am here for the tailed beasts, the great swordsman and nothing more" Vegeta told. Now this brought a look of shock to all of their faces, and it didn't go unnoticed. "You clearly must know where it is, so tell me" Vegeta ordered as he now lowered his arms to his sides.

"W-Why do you need to know?" Mei stuttered.

"That is none of your concern, but I must find the tailed beast or these swordsman at once and at all costs"

"I knew it. He's with the Akatsuki" Ao said to Mei not backing down from his original assessment.

'The swordsman' Mei thought 'Chojuro!'

"What was that? Speak up!" Vegeta ordered.

"We can't let him leave, he could be dangerous" Ao warned to Mei.

"Your right" she sighed "Vegeta" she called out to him "Given your questionable nature we will not let you go unless you tell us your true motivation" she said as numerous ninjas appeared around Vegeta.

"You want the truth? Have I not made it clear?" he asked "Fine!" he recalled a time when he would have cut through all of them just to get to what he wanted, but that was a long time ago "A prophecy was told to me that my companions would come into contact with a great tailed beast in a faraway land. And there would be some wandering vagabonds wielding a sword as well. This beast is clearly a threat as is this swordsman. Therefore, I found it necessary to remove such a threat from the world. So I am now in a faraway land, and I know the tailed beast is here somewhere." Given their reactions when they mentioned it he knew at least one of them was here or close by. Whether it had too many tails or a blade he didn't care which.

A deadly silence overcame the group. Vegeta looked Mei at the head of the group to see what she would do next. They knew of his intentions, and it was time for him to see if he knew theirs and if they would oblige him.

"That seems.. questionable" Mei said ""But you are not the first to think that way" she told "I'll have to ask you remain here for the time being. If your story is true then, you will be fine. No harm will come to you unwarranted" Mei assured him "I'll take extra good care of you" she winked.

As she spoke two ninja left the group and passed by her walking all the way up to Vegeta's sides. "Follow us" the commanded as they now flanked him.

"Do you know who you address?" Vegeta growled.

"Lady fifth" Ao addressed Mei "We should send out a warning to the Leaf and Cloud villages regarding the Eight and Nine tails. If there's more like him like he says then they should be warned." He spoke as low as he could, but it seems it wasn't low enough.

"What's that?" Vegeta called out to them. They both turned to him shocked "Eight and Nine tails you say? Leaf and Cloud Village?" he pondered "How very interesting" he grinned "Well, it seems I have some more snooping to do" he brought his arms back up to his sides "And there's more than one tailed beasts we were warned about. But no matter" he shrugged "I'll just have to deal with them both" Vegeta then powered up and the force from it knocked the two ninjas surrounding him to the ground. Then he rose in the air "When these beasts no longer terrorize the world, you'll thank me" he smirked before flying off.

The entire city looked on in shock as he got away disappearing into the sky and the mist. They watched in shock as he disappeared and several moments after. Regardless of whether he knew which way to go they knew where he was heading.

"Lady fifth" Ao eyed the sky "what do we do?!" he turned to the Mizukage. She wasted no time in reply and turned back to face them.

"Get messenger birds out at once!" she commanded strongly "Warn the Hidden Leaf and Cloud about this and that more may be on their way"

"But Lady fifth our birds cannot fly as fast as he can!"

"He is a stranger in a strange land" she told her voice becoming softer again, but there was still a strength to it that they found reassuring "He does not know the way, our birds do. Who knows how long he may be lost in the mist. That will hopefully give us time. I want the scouts and the area they cover doubled."

"Yes ma'am" they responded.

"Well" Ao snapped before turning to the large group "some help you all were" he snapped "Well help now! You heard the lady. Snap to it!" he barked and the ninjas became to scurry back into the village. Ao was set to do the same before he heard her call to him.

"Ao" she let out. He turned back to her.

"Yes ma'am" he answered obediently.

"Our new guest may have been unruly, but it seems he's missed his mark."

"Lady fifth?" Ao let out confused

"It seems the swordsman he was looking for was right under his nose" she grinned and then turned to Ao "Go fetch Chojuro at once" she said "he should know of the great danger that's befallen him."

Ao grumbled "Hard to believe he's here for that boy" he said aloud "He's aimless yes, but I would hardly call him a wanderer" his tone then changed from dismissive back to stern as it always was "It may be the other member of seven ninja swordsman. The only one that remained. And he is with the Akatsuki" his voice went dark. Even if he didn't mention the Monster of the Hidden Mist, she knew who he spoke of. But he was not her concern.

"Ao" she said calmly "Prince or not, Akatsuki or not this man may be a threat. I cannot let him come to us and then leave so easily. I won't show such irresponsibility to our allies"

Ao nodded in agreement "As you wish. I'll get Chojuro right away." he said turning again and walking off.

"And Ao" she called to him again her voice even softer this time.

"Yes lady fifth" he turned back with no hesitation, but found her different now. She was stuck in that stiff position again and her hair casting a shadow over her face. Silent for a few moments before she blurted out.

"Do you think we'll have time to plan a wedding?" she asked curiously.

"Oh Lady fifth" Ao sighed in embarrassment.

Far away flying together over the ocean were the remaining Z warriors, the ones willing to not only track down and catch up to Vegeta, but also find this tailed beast and swordsman foretold to them.

Valley of Clouds and Lightning

Goku had found no luck on the mountaintop trying to lock on and find the others. He thought perhaps since he was in such a strange new world being so high with so may storms around and being perhaps a bit too overly excited that it was giving him trouble. So he did the sensible thing and descended the mountainside.

He jumped off effortlessly plummeting through the sky as if it was nothing to be afraid of. He passed through a layer of the storm and once he passed through to find himself into a much clearer brighter mountain range at the lower elevation. It seemed to stretch on to the horizon and then some, like it never ended. Seeing more of this world clearer now a grin came to his face and he stopped his descent to linger in the air. He paused in the air and spun around to look at more of this place. Though it looked very much the same in all directions he still found it appealing. But even then he didn't let himself get lost in it, not yet at least. He took in the new scenery briefly before he lowered himself down to a nearby ledge carved in the side of the mountain and then placed two fingers to his forehead and began searching.

He did so calmly at first, but the longer he stood there the more alarming it became when he couldn't sense anything. And the frustration grew in him before it had no choice, but to erupt.

"Ah it's no good" Goku let out frustrated "I can't get a lock on anyone " he said putting his arm down to his side as the stood on the mountainside. "This place.." he paused to look around "I can sense energy, but it's strange." he pondered "It's there, I know they are. I just can't get a lock on any of it. It's like a sensory overload!" he continued to look around worried. He can't sense the energy here, something he was already coming to grips with. It seems instant transmission would do them little good here. But that meant Vegeta, Piccolo, the boys they all couldn't either. And they were all flying blind here and lost from each other. "Don't worry guys" Goku said looking to the horizon "No matter where you are I'll find you. You and whatever there is out there" he paused taking in a deep breath "And there's only one way to do that." he concluded.

He brought his hands down to his waste and tightened his belt. Then he hovered up into the air and then out a little more, drifting away from the mountainside. "One things for sure" he declared "Vegeta was right, at this point nothing will get done by sitting around and waiting" he said before he hunched over in the air kicked his feet out behind him and tore off through the mountains.

Everyone else seemed to have the same idea regardless of how far away they were. But the way they were all heading only made them veer out farther from each other as they ventured further into the land of ninjas and their hidden villages.

But they were not the only strangers in a strange land.

Squad 12

Nemu walked through the dimly lit hallways of her division. She passed numerous doors through each hallway she went, behind them were faint screams of agony and pain, but it was a normal one to hear. Not that she could be phased by much anyway. But once you get deep enough all you hear is your own footsteps echoing all around you. This usually coincided when you approached the Captain. Her 'father' in his personal laboratory.

Due to all the commotion going on in the Seretei with the mission that was given out it was up to the Captain of the Research Division to maintain access to these new worlds by way of the Senkaimon.

'For Imperialization' Byakua Kuchiki stated.

'For Action' Kenpachi Zaraki grinned.

'For more work' Toshiro Hitsugaya assumed.

'For Science!' her Captain declared. And in the name of Science he left his post and wished to have it passed on to someone else- in this case two people as not only one could match his intellect. Walking deeper into the labyrinth that was the Twelfth division Nemu stopped before a large door. Labelled all around it were large legible signs threatening 'Keep out', 'No admittance' and 'Pain upon entry'.

But once again none of this was new to her. Stepping through the doors, she found a dark room illuminated only by many different monitors and screens that cluttered the wall. Hunched over in a chair before all of them was her captain, manically cackling aloud to himself as he began processing all this new information. She went on unnoticed as he greedily eyes the monitors before him, his rolling in every single direction passing from one to the next in a crazed delight.

"Captain" she spoke up in a voice devoid of emotion. "I've told the Captains of Squad Eight and Thirteen that it is up to them to guard the Senkaimon in your absence" she stated. The two did not put up much of a fuss about it anyway.

"Be quiet you stupid girl!" her captain's slithering voice snapped at her from his seat "Can't you see I'm busy with something?" he said irritated that she would tell him she completed the mission he asked her to.

"Yes, of course" she answered obediently.

"Then why do you insist on talking?" Mayuri asked a question which meant she would have to answer, but she knew better than to this time. Keeping his eyes wide open and fixated on the multiple screens in front of him. His eyes darted from one screen to the other often in opposite directions as he hands typed furiously on the keyboard. "Yes, yes" he said taking in everything in, madly placing his hands tightly over his face so his fingers blocked out all but his eyes as if in some distorted form of excitement "So many places and so much to see" he exclaimed as he reviewed and processed it all before moving on, only to come back to take it all in again. "I see..." he said as he leaned in even closer to the nearest screen "So many possibilities" he rambled to himself as he looked on. On one monitor it showed a large spiraling dragon, so large in fact that it couldn't be contained in this one screen alone. Next to it showed the opposite; nothing. Not because it didn't work, but because it was obstructed by a thick gray mist, though the lack of insight didn't deter his fascination, there was always something to be taken away from this. Next to that showed a large dome high in the sky that stood on top of a large thin tower. There appeared to be a palace placed atop it, where no doubt someone important dwelled. Above that one there was a city at the base of a mountain where five large faces were carved into. While those monitors showed places other focused on people. One dark skinned man among mountains who tried to write down and recite beats and rhymes. Another showed the man who he saw at the base of the dragon, now in a similar setting to the one he just witnessed. A tall green man who stood with him now flew above a forest.

"Captain" Nemu spoke up.

"Still here?" he asked only now turning to see her, his enthusiasm dying when he faced her. He then leaned back into his chair as he overlooked everything one more time. "Well I suppose you should accompany me" he said as he rose himself from his seat and began to walk away from it "Who knows what we might find" he said as his feet slid across the floor. In compliance with his will she turned and walked with him. Not bothering to look back at any of the monitors to see the occupants of both worlds. The largest of which showed a city he had just sent several soul reapers to. The large sign 'West City' was centered in the screen.

They would meet them soon enough.

Next time: The first battle! A duel of swordsman